by Kyle Brennan
Thirty-three was a big one. Mostly because I became a dad. Our daughter was born on New Year’s Eve — a fitting arrival for a kid destined to reset everything. It’s been a beautiful, if slightly sleep-deprived blur ever since. I’ve only been “Dad” for less than ten months, but if I’m being honest, I’ve been preparing …
There’s no difference between a pessimist who says, ‘Oh, it’s hopeless, so don’t bother doing anything,’ and an optimist who says, ‘Don’t bother doing anything, it’s going to turn out fine anyway.’ Either way, nothing happens.” —Yvon Chouinard, Founder of Patagonia I don’t read much fiction, but I’ve always been hooked on Lee Child’s Jack …
Continue reading "The Jack Reacher Approach to Never Being Caught Off Guard"
In the movie, The Truman Show, the main character, Truman Burbank, lives inside an artificial world — a giant movie set where everything, from the streets to the sky, is carefully controlled. At one point, a journalist asks the show’s creator why Truman never realizes the truth. The producer replies: “We accept the reality of the …
Sometimes, you make a decision that even you can’t explain — but in 2022, I found myself doing just that. For most of my life, I’d wanted to serve in some way, though I wasn’t exactly sure how. At one point, I even dreamed of joining the military, and still feel a hint of regret …
Continue reading "Into the Fire: Takeaways from Two Years as a Volunteer Firefighter"
I started Observe & Rapport when I was 25 years old. This week I turn 32. The original idea wasn’t to create a “brand” or be an “influencer” (much as my friends and family like to jibe), but rather to build a space where I could explore my unconventional interests and share them with whoever …
I’m always on the lookout for “Advice-I’d-Give-My-Younger-Self” articles. These pieces often contain valuable insights from older generations, like, “I wish I hadn’t worked so hard,” “I wish I’d let myself be happier,” or “I wish I’d stayed in touch with old friends.” While these reflections can be sobering, they offer a wealth of wisdom. I …
“I cannot remember the books I’ve read any more than the meals I have eaten; even so, they have made me.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson Books helped me navigate my life. Over the last two decades, I’ve read hundreds of books — on philosophy, self-improvement, science, history, happiness, religion, nutrition, how-to guides, and memoirs. And …
Continue reading "The Universal Handbook of Timeless Wisdom: 12 Foundations of a Fulfilling Life"
I'm at that point in life where the truth hits hard: nothing, absolutely nothing, matters more than the quality of your relationships. I used to think that if I just worked on improving myself, I'd find everlasting fulfillment. Turns out, that was a load of crap. Sure, I've hustled and achieved plenty of the things …
We are so easily influenced by the mood of those around us. In the world we live in, we find ourselves in the midst of a whirlwind of opinions and energies, each vying for our attention and influence. But you weren’t made to be tossed here and there like a tumbleweed blowing in the wind …
I’m an experimenter. My passion lies in tinkering and consistently immersing myself in novel experiences. I thrive on exploring every avenue of self-development and quickly scrapping what doesn’t serve me well — be it supplements, dietary regimens, workout routines, sleep patterns, fitness devices, cognitive enhancers, psychedelics, breathwork routines, mindfulness practices, gadgets, or apps. You name …