No #198 | December 7th, 2025

by Matthew Boyd

Good morning, welcome to the weekly Lead It Cool newsletter.

Happy 75th birthday Dad!

In this week's Lead It Cool newsletter:

• 🧇Waffles
• ✍️Writing Gooder
• 🎧Top Songs
• 😆Going to the Gym
• 😎Cool Links

🧇Waffles

So I had every intention of writing a deep and philosophical article this week on Jeff Buckley's iconic cover version of the song Hallelujah, but I just couldn't piece it together into a coherent narrative in time, cause... well... Saturday's are sometimes busier than anticipated.

(note that as part of my research I even discovered this Bono version of Hallelujah and oh, my, god it's bad🤣).

So instead, here is a simple quote that I overheard this week with a fun visual. Enjoy, and have a great week 😄.

✍️Writing Gooder

Great advice for better writing.

🎧Top Songs

Tis the season for "best of the year" lists. Here is the list of the top songs of 2025.

I am not familiar with any of these songs.

I am officially old😆.

😆The Gym

I've never been a big going to the gym kind of guy, but over the past few weeks I've been trying to create a more consistent routine around strength training.

Anyways, this meme pretty accurately summarizes how I must look at the gym with some of the equipment😆.

😎Cool Links

🏄‍♂️Ride the Wave. In our rapidly evolving economy, technological waves are continually forming, cresting, and crashing. You gain significant advantage by identifying and riding these waves. But you must also know when to surf them and when to bail.

💡Rehearsing an Emotional State. Interesting advice.

🤔Simon Cowell is Sorry, Softer and Grieving Liam Payne. (podcast). Insightful interview with the former American Idol host.

🎤60 Songs that Explain the 90s - Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah. (podcast). A perfect song with a beautiful story.

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