Hello beautiful people!

Welcome to this edition of Field Notes.

My theme for this issue is GRATITUDE. Tomorrow, in the USA, is Thanksgiving Day.

A traditional day of family gatherings, “friendsgiving”, football games, and an abundance of food!

This year, more than ever, I want to return to the simple message of Thanksgiving… celebrating what we are grateful for and moving through life with grace.

To kick off my Gratitude Journal, I want to celebrate 3 very important people who work with me every day on this journey.  Unsung heroes who challenge, teach, and push me to create and share content with all of you daily. They have helped me learn about social media, to design on Canva, strategize my new website and brand, and to revamp this newsletter.  None of them work with me full-time, and there is no way I compensate them adequately. They believe in the mission and vision, are my truth tellers, and have become true friends.  I am grateful……and I am proud to introduce them to you this week.   

Ben Putano

Ben Putano is a writer and book publisher. For over a decade, Ben has worked at the intersection of art and technology, writing on everything from specialty coffee to media consumption trends to AI. In 2021 he founded Damn Gravity Media, a book publisher specializing in entrepreneurship, innovation, and creativity. Ben lives in Chicago with his wife, Mary, and forever puppy, Avon. In his free time, Ben is an avid ultimate frisbee player and enjoys the great outdoors.

Joel Willison

Having lived overseas from 7-18 in Kampala, Uganda, Joel is focused on accessibility to stories and the stage. His work at PTVR focuses on the intersection between the internet and live theatre; He recently gave a TEDx talk on the merits of Virtual Reality for accessibility to the stage! As a producer, he focuses on new work development - curating a space for new/early-career artists to understand their craft and collaborate in community. As a Director, he is centered on telling stories that confront tradition and focus on the tension between the expectation and reality of being human.

In his free time, catch Joel on the Frisbee field, where he plays for Chicago’s professional Ultimate Frisbee Team: The Chicago Union. Stay up to date with Joel at joelwillison.com, LinkedIn, or Instagram.

Blake Collazo

Blake oversees New Business Development and Project Management at Idea Kraft, a branding, marketing and website agency. His introduction to the creative landscape was at The Weather Channel, working in advertising and at a TV and Digital ad agency, a subsidiary of WPP. From New York City, he moved to West Hollywood, California where he supported a luxury interior designer. This relationship led to a new position at the design and lifestyle public relations firm, The Consultancy PR, as a Director of Operations. The pandemic shifted his location back home to Upstate, NY. His colorful experience has provided him a wealth of perspectives, which was a perfect fit when Jim needed support. 

Blake currently serves as the president of his cooperative association and also sits on the board of The Discovery Center of the Southern Tier, a children’s museum that fosters screen-free play. In his free time, Blake enjoys traveling, finding a great coffee spot, thrifting and creating laugh-worthy content.

It is a very useful allegory for hiring the right people for your company and has taken a new meaning for me as I embark on my own journey. How am I ensuring I have opportunities that cultivate my work and allow me to shine!!

Aaron Stup (he/him/his) is an HR professional and aspiring coach in the Washington, DC area. Aaron and Jim connected recently on LinkedIn after Aaron discovered (and loved) All Pride, No Ego. As a proud gay man, Aaron's authenticity lies in the parallel of queer excellence and professional excellence. 

Outside of work, you can catch Aaron with his fiancee Matthew, their golden retriever Aaliyah, and their sphynx Calix watching the newest Netflix documentary or wedding planning. Additionally, he is a mentor to a local college student, is Co-Founder of Winchester Pride (Virginia), and has been performing in drag as Alexa V. Shontelle for almost 12 years (Instagram: @aaronisalexa).

Aaron is on his never-ending journey of curiosity. "Exposure is the birthplace of possibility" is a quote that captures Aaron's leadership and learning philosophies, which are rooted in curiosity and the bravery to act. The best way to assist Aaron in his journey is to connect on LinkedIn and share your experiences. 

As a coach, Aaron takes a belonging-centered perspective to enhance client awareness. As a result, workplace connection thrives and productivity increases. Although Aaron is not yet available to take on full-time coaching clients, he is always available for thought partnership, exchanging of stories, and potentially part-time 1-2 clients to coach over coffee chats during the finalization of training. 

Follow Aaron on LinkedIn

Follow Aaron on Instagram

Discovery of lost Oscar Wilde books hailed a “miracle”

Staten Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade Ends 60-Year Ban on Gay Groups

Global Philanthropy Project raises $100 million for LGBTQI programs

LGBTQ+ youth crisis calls jumped 700% after Trump win

Media Collective - Helping leading journalists forge an independent, sustainable path forward.

GOP scored massive wins in Ohio. What does that mean for the rest of us? | Opinion

This year has brought so many twists and turns, I’m so thankful for your presence and support during this tumultuous period . Thank you thank you thank you!!

Happy Thanksgiving and here’s to many more stories of Gratitude and Kindness

Gobble, Gobble and Keep Smiling!!

hugs, Jim