Flowing Through Fall: November Edition
Pro athlete moms, AI with impact, and the best book for your mood
How’s November treating you?
I don’t know about you, but it’s not my most productive month (launching this newsletter feels like a win!). Ever since the time change I feel less like flowing and more like hibernating. I can’t wait to eat lots of pie, and get cozy with a book.
The concept of “wintering” has come up a lot lately. Katherine May’s book by the same title explains it as, "Doing these deeply unfashionable things — slowing down, letting your spare time expand, getting enough sleep, resting — is a radical act now, but it is essential." I’m in search of a paper copy, somehow it doesn’t feel like the type of book to read on a Kindle.
Welcome to the first monthly edition of Flow State, the newsletter about people stories, writing, and impact-driven companies. I’m excited to share a mix of work and fun as we count down to the extra-long weekend ahead.
5 Truths:
1. You can write anytime.
You don’t have to wait for inspiration to “strike,” you just need to practice. Like running or biking, writing is easier if you do it more often. Whether you’re writing a wedding toast or your company’s founding story, you should probably start with a really bad draft, then refine it. Find your flow in five steps.
2. People stories define Watterson Creative.
Bringing humanity to private equity
I recently interviewed former Dartmouth basketball player, Stanford GSB grad, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, and mom of two young kids Amanda Sayigh. She credits a lifetime of choosing the challenging path for her success so far, and she’s motivated to show her young kids that moms can become CEOs, too.
Speaking of D1 college athletes, Stanford lacrosse foundational member and Alpine’s VP of Operations Leslie Foard talked to me about growing up with a strong, inspiring single mom, brand building, and how she listened to her intuition to carve out her dream career. Learn why Leslie loves fist pumps and handwritten notes.
These stories are part of my ongoing partnership with SF-based private equity firm Alpine Investors. I write blog-style stories about the firm’s partners and portfolio company leaders, and the Alpine team uses them to attract talent, share their PeopleFirst ethos with founders, investors, and portfolio company teams, and align their HQ team around a shared mission.
AI with impact
People stories can also help bring a report to life, like LivePerson’s first-ever Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEI&A) report, which we published to help the leading conversational AI company’s customers better understand how they live their values.
Writing a list of goals and metrics is simple, but forgettable. Highlighting individuals creating AI-enabled tools to make aid resources accessible in Ukraine or to enable visually-impaired people to do jobs previously reserved for those who could see, stands out. Learn how we captured LivePerson’s impact story.
3. Moms can do anything.
I spent year one of Wes’ life talking to other amazing women about becoming moms while maintaining the parts of their lives that make them feel complete. Meet Britt, Jessie, Kaitlin, the professional mountain biker, ski mountaineer, and surfer moms who continue to compete (and win!). The series starts and ends with my own mom-athlete reflections. Read Joy Seekers from the beginning.
Looking for more mom brain info? Renowned neuroscientist, therapist, and mom Jodi Pawluski’s new book “Mommy Brain” finally came out in English. I interviewed Jodi as part of the Joy Seeker series. When I asked her whether anyone was studying risk aversion postpartum, she told me not yet, but she hopes these stories will inspire a neuroscientist to take on that topic. Me too!
4. Read what you love.
What are you looking for right now?
(1) Introspection
(2) Joy
(3) Escape
If you chose…
"Greenlights" (Matthew McConaughey) - part autobiography, part inspirational self-help book, this one is narrated by the man himself (if you choose to listen) and feels like hanging out with him in between movies.
"These Precious Days" (Ann Patchett) - A collection of short essays by one of the most thoughtful and amazing writers, this one is also part autobiography and will inspire you to be kind while enjoying the little things in life. The short essay format makes it very easy to pick up for just a few minutes at a time.
"The Midcoast" (Adam White) - The first novel by Adam White, this one will resonate if you live in New England or have spent any time in Maine. He captures the crusty, yankee culture incredibly well in this gripping mystery drama about how people will do anything for the ones they love.
What are you reading right now?
5. Kids books are for everyone.
"A Camping Spree with Mr. McGee" (Chris Van Dusen) - New England-based author and illustrator Van Dusen creates a magical world with this rhyming, playful story of a man and his dog on their first camping trip. I read this to Wes on our first camping trip with our little dog Banks curled up at our feet.
"When the Sky Glows" (Nell Cross Beckerman & David Litchfield) - This science-based book about the many amazing ways that the sky can glow (lightning, rainbows, sunrises, and shooting stars, among others...) will excite slightly older kids (but still entertains my 1-year-old!) and will teach adults a lot about what's behind the amazing skies. The illustrations are pure magic.
"Bikes for Sale" (Carter Higgins & Zachariah OHora) - A tale of dreams, bike adventures, and friendship, this one is sort of unique and has the coolest illustrations. Two little bikers (one with a lemonade stand and one who sells sticks) happen to meet when their two damaged bikes are sold as a tandem at a local bike shop. What happens next is a great combination of friendship and creativity.
A word from WC
I once told a bike mechanic I was embarrassed that I didn’t know how to fix my bike myself. “I don’t try to fix my car, I bring it to an expert,” he told me.
If writing your brand purpose and story is stressing you out, I can help.
We’ll start with a conversation to better understand your goals and target audience, then we’ll work together to define your brand tone and voice, write your purpose, and identify how and where to share your best stories.
Send me a note to learn how we can design a project together: becca@wattersoncreative.com and check out my brand storytelling portfolio.
Thank you for reading the first edition of Flow State. I hope pie is on the agenda for you this week, and that you’ll be asleep early on Thursday night with a full belly and a warm, unproductive glow around you. You deserve a break. 🥧
Stay tuned for December’s year-end wrap, including reading for your holiday lounge time and tips for your ambitious 2024 writing goals.
I appreciate you.
Cheers,
