Hello 👋
I'm part of a panel about Juggling Commercial Work with Journalism for HackPack and IJNet tomorrow. It's via Zoom, and tickets are free, so grab one if you're around.
I also appeared on The New Abnormal Podcast and spoke with Sean Pillot de Chenecey about digital nomads and the future of work last week. Listen here (~60 mins).
-Lauren
🎓 Substack Bridge Mentorship Program - Applications Close Today!
Publishing platform Substack has launched a two-month mentorship program. Participants will be matched with established writers to help them level up their newsletters. The form is super simple, but note that you do need an existing Substack newsletter to apply.
🌐 Google Tells Workers to Return to Country Where They're Employed (Irish Times)
Google had to tell its workers to return to their country of employment "for tax and legal reasons." Rumour has it more than 2,000 staff have left its European headquarters to remote work from overseas during the pandemic. It's a clear example of people brushing up against the outdated, restrictive systems that govern global mobility, and it's only the beginning.
🤑 Reflecting on My Failure to Build a Billion-Dollar Company (Sahil Lavingia)
Tales of business failure are so much more interesting than tales of business success. Gumroad founder Sahil looks back on his VC funding journey and unicorn ambitions, which led him down a rocky path, but ultimately to business success and sustainability. It's a timely read since Sahil just launched his own investment fund.
❄️ Dreading a Dark Winter Lockdown? Think Like a Norwegian (Guardian)
This story explores recent research and life in the Arctic North, illustrating that a positive mindset is key to staying cheerful and productive in the coldest, darkest months. Creative projects are an excellent way to keep yourself occupied, and if you're short of those, there's some fuel below.
🎧 How I Produce a Podcast (David Perell)
Writing and learning influencer David Perell is back with another supersize essay, blending "how to" with reflections on creativity and process. This guide distills what he's learned about podcasting since he launched his four years ago, and outlines his tips for preparation, production, and promotion.
📝 Stop Pitching Ideas, Start Pitching Stories (Freelancing with Tim)
Editors always say they want stories, not just ideas, but how do freelancers distinguish between the two? This post from NY Times Editor Tim Herrera offers insight into what works, what doesn't, and how to know the difference, plus concrete examples of stories versus non-stories.
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-Lauren