E100: "Just Write" The Goldilocks Edition

E100: Celebrating Tribe Tilt; The stats tell the story

Thank you for inviting me into your mailbox each week. It is a sacred trust. I respect our time and engagement together. And I value our relationship.

TL;DR - 100 is a marker, not a milestone. Trying to keep this edition “just right” in length! (Read it online to enjoy it with the graphics.)

• What’s in a number? Why 100 is a marker, not a milestone

• Celebrating Tribe Tilt - Did these essays help you tilt your future in your favour? Let’s meet some members that make up this amazing community.

• Stats tell the Story - I’m a Maths & CompSci gal. Just give me a spreadsheet. If this post feels long, it’s really a bunch of lists: What new topics surfaced? Best performing article? Geography of Tribe Tilt? The Tilt Pizza Pie. 🍕

---

Putting it in perspective

Give them the best of you, not what’s left of you. E59

“I’m publishing my 100th edition this week!” I proclaimed excitedly to my family as we drove home. “What should I write about?” “This weekend …,” my husband suggested quietly, looking into the rearview mirror. “Write about this weekend.” I was perturbed at first. Then I got it.

I may have hit a personal best. It is all the more significant because this is the fourth newsletter I’ve started since 2013. (I sit on the fragmented ends of different endeavors that inexplicably sputtered to a halt.)

But in reality, my most precious achievements were slouched over each other in the back seat, sharing headphones. We had spent a quiet time together at a cottage in the Muskokas - just the right balance of sunshine and rain, fabulous food, fishing off the dock, the mesmerizing rhythmic dip of canoe oars, digital detox with family board games, an inky dark night sky that gradually repaid your patient focus by drawing you deeper and deeper .. and deeper .. into the Milky Way. This is my win for the week.

In the marathon of my life, this 100th edition is a marker, part of my new normal. While it’s worthy of note, it is no less special than any other. And it starts the same way: “Just Write.”

.

.

.

But …

I think you know what I will say about celebrating your 100th - a big YES! 🙌 —

Margaret O'Brien

writes

Weather Report: On Beauty

ABSOLUTELY celebrate your 100th issue! If this were a sitcom, it would then be eligible for syndication and you'd be rolling in the dough. 100 issues = great job

—

Scott Gilbertson

writes

Spirited Travelers

What should we do?

“The moment you forget about the people who helped you along the way, is the moment you fall. The next 100 years [editions] should be created with the people who helped build this hotel [newsletter].” — Gu Won, 100th anniversary dinner, E11.King the Land

That’s right. My outline for this newsletter was not created by ChatGPT, but inspired by a pithy K-drama rom-com!

The message, however, resonated:

• Celebrate our community.

• Thank those who have helped us get to this moment.

• Plan for the future.

---

Thank YOU, Tribe Tilt

Pondering 100 editions, the greatest delight and surprise has been the unexpected formation of Tribe Tilt. I did not set out to do it, but we are evolving into a close-knit community.

This is a community that believes in the best of humanity - connecting people, sharing ideas, exploring thoughts respectfully. And we truly believe we can make a difference to the people and places that are precious to us.

You are the reason I have made it to 100 editions. I often write essays with a specific tribe member in mind. Your curiosity and willingness to engage make this an engaging conversation that I want to continue.

Tilt the Future always reminds me that, though things can seem dark, there's always hope. Karena makes me believe I can make a difference, that I can look at hard problems without shying away; that others are not stopping at platitudes, but having real conversations. I always know that she's got something big in her sights, and I eagerly anticipate each time she shares it with us.

—

Latham Turner

writes

Get Real, Man

Our Tribe Tilt started in the most innocuous way, as these things inevitably do. (First reference surfaces in E47: It’s Figureoutable.) But it is rooted in three ideas:

1. That the best idea can come from anyone, anywhere, at any time (h/t Eric Best) No idea is too small or simple. And you have permission to voice it.

2. We can solve for not knowing everything about everything (FOMO) if we connect to diverse thinkers giving us access to a collective consciousness E26: Permission not to know it all

3. “See a problem. Solve a problem.” There are more jobs available than we can imagine. E37 Niche: One of a handful

Inspiring NextGen

E39: Sharing Feel Good Moments marked my second appearance as a panelist at Hire Cause, an NYC event for high school students (courtesy David Dvorkin). That experience highlighted the unfamiliarity of both young and mature minds with the vast array of job titles available today. For instance, few are aware that regenerative agriculture (Sam Knowlton) is an occupation. Every problem needs a solver.

WhatIf? This sparked an idea to share the circuitous career paths of Tribe Tilt members. Their experiences could provide valuable insights for career counselors, parents, and students alike — essentially forming our own private LinkedIn mentoring community. Ergo ... Tribe Tilt.

A respectful, curious, brain trust

I am fortunate to interact with a diverse range of people aged 18 to 86, from all walks of life. I value this vibrant community for its intellectual stimulation rather than mere agreement. It provides a safe environment where we can respectfully discuss and explore unconventional ideas. As a futurist, many of my ideas may sound at the edge of crazy. Debate allows me to test those concepts.

Tribe Tilt is a melting pot where authors and podcasters from Seth Godin’s Akimbo workshops mingle with professors and artists from Benjamin Hardy's AMP program. I connect with a third-age learning community in Toronto (ALLTO), individuals who have been instrumental in shaping cities and businesses since 1960.

David Perell’s Write of Passage network extends beyond writing; it encompasses startups, students, and innovators challenging conventional education methods and perspectives. These are people who will change how we think. My LinkedIn network comprises friends from Wall Street, Canadian and US educators, women leaders, climate advocates among others.

Through engaging interactions within Tribe Tilt, we collectively tap into our shared wealth of knowledge.

One of my favourite Tilt editions was E97: High-Quality Connections in which Karena shares a heartwarming photo of the writing community that connected us in the first place. She writes "As you can see, [the members pictured] are all clearly decades younger than me. From them I am reminded of what it feels like to be starting work, starting a marriage, starting a family. The trepidation. And the excitement. The joy. And the uncertainty." As one of those "younger" members (not pictured), I'm grateful to have Karena as a friend and role model. And I love that Tilt is an extension of her wisdom. 

Karena's writing is like a warm hug and a breath of fresh air all in one. It makes me feel both comforted and inspired. Happy 100, Karena!

—

Alexandra Allen

writes

Alexandra Allen's Substack

Writing is a team sport

Every new endeavor needs a cheer squad. Among others,

Alexandra Allen

,

Laila Faisal

,

Christin Chong, PhD

Andrew Plainview

and

Simone Silverstein

established my early momentum, editing my essays, and offering prompts. They flipped the mirror - how had parenting transformed me? It inspired E1: Mother of Dragons. When I flagged, this group pushed me to continue. The design evolved. Without them, there may not have been that pivotal ninth edition. Writing is a team sport!

It started with family

I am the eldest of 28 cousins - another of my global brain trusts. They are my original audience especially as I share my thoughts around raising a future-ready generation. From my brother:

As my big sister, you have always led the way. Tilt the Future was a turn in the road I hadn't expected in your path, but it has proved to be yet again another inspirational move. Love the diversity of topics the blog has covered while remaining relatable.

Make. Take. Talk.

"You are a stand for making a contribution - to the world of today and tomorrow, and to the people of today and tomorrow - without asking for anything in return. It is inspiring."

—

James Bailey

writes

On Money and Meaning

“But I am incredibly selfish,” I responded “I ask a lot! I ask our Tribe to ripple hope and inspiration onward because I believe that is where the solutions will come from.”

Tribe Tilt, you are my hope for the future. You are validation that there are eager, good people in the world.

I am hoping many more of you will inspire us all by sharing your life journey and aspirations with the rest of us:

Join the list of Tribe Tilt member profiles:

Louis Pereira, Inventor AudioPen E99
Ishan Shanavas, Wildlife Photographer, soon-to-be author E89
Leo Ariel, Entrepreneur, World Traveller E81
Christin Chong, Chaplain & Kindness Camp E77
Terri Lonier, Solopreneur, Authority by Design E48
David Dvorkin, Edupreneur, Hire Cause E39
Sam Knowlton, Soil Agronomist E37
Kathy Karn, Wildlife Photographer E36
Karena de Souza, Future of Work strategist E35

What do you do? How did you get there? DM and let’s have a quick chat.

---

Do the stats tell a story?

• 100 editions, first edition published September 15, 2021

• 278 subscribers, 2 pledges (thanks for your confidence in me Sana Fayaz & Danny van Leeuwen)

• Tribe Tilt is global across 33 countries: Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, Ecuador, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, St. Kitts & Neves, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, El Salvador, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, UK, USA, Vietnam.

• Open rate: 51% - 78%. Most likes: 33 Most comments: 39

• Most views: 1090 E58: Dinosaurs, BTS and K-conomics Huh?!

• Longest essay, 4267 words E78: Mind the Gap. Shortest essay, 324 words E76: Bumps on the Road of Life. Average essay length ~2000 words.

• Top three commenters: Ricky Noronha [his motto “Doing and trying”],

  Rick Lewis
  ,
  Laila Faisal

• Top three sharers:

  Michelle Varghoose
  Margaret O'Brien
  Sharon C

Your newsletters have taught me the importance of connections, human and otherwise. They are a reminder of the importance of flexibility and resilience in a constantly changing (and to me very unpredictable) world.

I love that you often write about the positive things that people are doing for themselves and others. And I really like your 7th "rest and recap" editions. I often skim through what I'm reading the first time but think more deeply about the article when re-reading it.

— Sharon B

Top 10 essays on Substack (as of August 10, 2023)

1. E69: May You Trust You are Exactly Where You Are Meant To Be

   The response to this essay blew me away. It wasn’t what I planned to write as I sat at the keyboard. But surprisingly, the sage wisdom of a 24-year-old nun written in the 19th century continues to resonate with people of all ages and faiths today.

2. E88: Time Travel Back to My Twenties (field notes)

3. E92: How I Landed a Job on Wall Street When I Really Wasn’t Looking for One

4. E80: Containers. Curation. Cleaving. Continue?

5. E90: Karena de Souza, B.Parenting

6. E97: High-quality Connections

7. E72: 30 years and 2.5 billion humans ago

8. E82: Sound Metaphors - Leitmotifs I

9. E78: Mind the Gap

10. E63: Why Rest? Why Seven?

How have the pizza toppings 🍕 changed?

As a Futurist, I identify two major influences impacting the next 30 years. In 2015, I was discussing the “future” of work which is now a common topic. Few organizations, however, provide important information and tools for parents - those shaping our future leaders. By understanding and controlling algorithms, for instance, we can (for ourselves and our families) embrace technology positively rather than letting it steer our focus away from work that needs doing.

I’m consistently impressed by the breadth of issues, information, and education that Karena packs into her newsletter. One of the things that has been most impactful for me as a subscriber to Tilt the Future is how seriously the mental health of younger generations is being impacted by the pressing issues today, especially climate change. It’s helped me to relate to my own kids with a greater awareness of their concerns, fears, and perspectives. It’s important for me to hear the perspectives of other informed parents like Karena on how to best support our kids who’ll be inheriting these significant challenges.

—

Rick Lewis

writes

Pivot to the Podium

I originally launched this newsletter “to make climate sexy”. I wanted to write in a way that inspired agency while also communicating the urgency. Climate, Future of Work, and figuring out the right toolkit to offer the next generation. Together, these made up my Tilt Pizza.

So, how has that turned out?

• Future of Work: 21/100 - Mind the Gap was the most popular

• Raising Future Ready Leaders (18/100) - The space to dream started a lot of conversations on the power of parents to inspire. If our children end up on Mars, what hopes, dreams and skills should they take with them? How do they navigate the transition into a new Era? Empowering today’s parents to gift forward their heirloom skills.

• Climate 17 editions/100 - Best performing with 1000 views E55: Wrinkles in Time. My personal favourite E72: 30 years and 2.5 billion humans ago

Other topics that crept onto our collective agenda:

21st-century skills (35/100) - Through life skills, heirloom, or decision skills, this seems to be a core theme in much of my writing.

Rest (14/100) - the increasing importance of Rest and Recovery as a 21st-century skill. How we need digital detox, how sleep is valuable, and how to schedule breaks so that we do not burn out. Link here for the full list.

K-conomics (4/100) - Totally out of left field! What BTS, the Korean Pop & Drama industry can teach us about embracing the Future of Work.

Travel, including excerpts from my book (8/100) - “Contours of Courageous Parenting - Tilting Towards Better Decisions” is a guide using travel stories to illustrate the gradual development of children's decision-making confidence. I’m writing the sequel, a travel memoir, that explores the continuing impact of journeying through 16 countries with three kids in 2004. We’ve shared tips on how to travel with kids, to exploring the world’s cultures - and how travel brings diversity to our problems and solutions.

Personal stories (18/100) - I hadn’t expected to share (or have an audience for) the personal side of my life. But you have been with me through Covid, my mother’s mastectomy, our son’s graduation, my uncle’s passing, my parenting arc. Thank you for being the “net” in the ‘net’work that supported me through tough moments and shared in our joy.

The Craft and Challenge of Writing (7/100) -

In your early editions, you'd share a lot. Your essays were jam-packed with information. Today, your newsletters are packed but not jammed. They reflect the time you've been writing and the restraint that comes from honing a craft. Your commitment to writing, climate, and community is evident in each newsletter—and most definitely as a whole. —

Simone Silverstein

writes

The Letter

Heaviest Lift:

This essay was six months in the making. Over 20 Tilters helped smooth the message. Taking their advice, I soft-launched the discussion with three intro essays:

• Shifts Seep Into Existence - What technologies have supplanted the “way things were” in your life? Which has made your life easier? Pay attention: when did you realize that the new technology was now your main go-to? Discussing liminality and the stages of no longer being there, but not yet fully here.

• Becoming - Society gradually reconfigures itself to respond to new technologies. These changes start off as minor adjustments in the way we embrace the new tools. But after a while, the tools become the basis for the way we live our life.

• History Smooshes Stuff - “Imagine how the history textbooks (or videos!) of the future will offer only a few sentences summing up this pandemic. It will perform an act of compression that erases the pain, suffering, and uncertainty of that time.”

The last resonated strongly with many people:

.. my favorite is History Smooshes Stuff. I think that concept is so important when it comes to thinking about what future generations will learn from us. Will they grasp all the knowledge that is there or will the most important details be lost in the cracks? And just as importantly, are we benefitting from past generations’ wealth of knowledge to the degree we should be? —

Randy Garman

writes

chasing answers

Looking forward

I will continue to publish in cycles of seven. (If it ain’t broke …)

At the urging of some Tribe Tilt members, I am planning an interactive set of classes based on 21st-century skills and Raising Future-Ready Humans. Interested?

I’m committing to having that sequel available by the end of the year (inspired by

Ishan Shanavas

public declaration!

Your best vote of confidence is sharing my work with others and sending me a comment that our conversations are helping tilt the future for the people who are precious to you.

---

I thank you for your continuing support, love and encouragement. If you have made it all the way here, I am humbled and you deserve a special high five🙌🏼! See you again next week.
Stay healthy. From there all else becomes possible.
Onward.
Karena