Stepping Off the Treadmill

I’m writing this in that hazy "middle ground" of the holiday break—the time between Christmas and New Year’s where calendars are merely suggestions, leftover sweets become a primary food group, and I’ve had just enough downtime to reflect on the year nearly gone by.

For a good part of '25, I’ve played a sporadic game of musical chairs with my writing. I started on Substack, then wanting a more streamlined vibe, I migrated over to Ghost.

Both are solid platforms, but they share a common DNA: they are built to "feed the machine." The platforms want growth, they want subscribers, and to get there they encourage a relentless "cadence" to keep the algorithms happy. They all but force you to pick a narrow niche and stick to it until you've run out of things to say - and keep going.

The "Cadence" Trap

If you’ve spent any time on those platforms, you know the pressure. There’s a subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) nudge to keep the content flowing, even when you don’t have anything particularly insightful - or important - to say.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my years in this industry, it’s that meaningful insight doesn't happen on a production line. I realized that by trying to be a "content creator" on a third-party platform, I was distracting myself from the actual work of helping clients - and students - find their "differential factor" and move the needle.

Here is "Home"

I've decided to consolidate. From here on out, differentialfactor.com is the permanent home for everything: my blog as well as my advisory and consulting services.

It's an intentional step - mostly - off the "content treadmill." I will choose to write when I have an insight that I feel is worth sharing — not just because an algorithm told me it’s Tuesday.

Since I'm no longer trying to fit into another platform's "optimization" box, I’m also going to write about the variety of things that occupy my time and attention. I have multiple "somethings" going on, and at least in my mind the threads all feed into each other:

• Teaching at Northeastern: Observations from the classroom on disruption and innovation.

• Fractional GTM Work: Real-world lessons from the trenches as an operator.

• Mentorship: Insights from my work with the McCarthy(s) Venture Mentoring Network.

• Investing: My perspective on public and private investments, including my work with TBD Angels.

Plus, frankly, anything else that seems relevant to me - and hopefully to those who may choose to read it.

One Treadmill for Another

While I’m happily stepping off the content treadmill, it's also the time of year I'm recognizing the need to up my time on the actual treadmill - and get back to the gym.

So, I’m planning to trade the digital grind for a physical one—at least for the rest of the week.

I hope you enjoy this new - and permanent - home for these thoughts. If you like it - or even if you don't - feel free to comment - or share.

See you in the New Year.