Why trust and resonance are the new currency of the Internet
It's easy for anyone to get up on a platform and say things, but does the audience even care?
The following thoughts are independent ideas that feel interwoven, and it is the beginning of the latticework that will make up what I share on Pieced Together going forward.
Quick question first…
Better than Bitcoin
Last week, I posted a Note on Substack about my favorite book I read last year, Stories Sell by Matthew Dicks. I shared the picture of the book and said, “This is hands down the best book on storytelling I’ve ever read.” There are no links or further explanations—just the book and a ringing endorsement.
I’ve shared my endorsement of that book several times since I read it, and every time I do, at least one person tells me they’re going to buy it. Between my copy, the one I bought for my mom, and the few referrals, I’ve sold at least a dozen copies (I’m not asking for a parade, Matthew, but a thank you would be nice).
But most people aren’t buying the book because I said something nice about it. More likely, it’s because whenever my friend
sees the post, he backs up my endorsement because he got the book on my recommendation, and he got just as much out of it as I did.I make a statement. Kevin validates that statement with his own, and instant trust is built. The best part is that Kevin and I both benefit from that trust factor, depending on whose audience is paying attention.
However, it’s all too easy to get two people to conspire to help build each other trust by each one saying things that support the other, but audiences have grown savvy of BS like that. They won’t trust us unless what we say looks and feels authentic to them.
I talk about him too much, but Blake Kasemeier is my favorite contemporary storyteller right now, and even though Blake has nothing to sell except big ideas and thoughtfully strewn-together words if he turned to the camera tomorrow and announced his latest book or merchandise drop, I would buy it all in an instant.
I resonate with Kasemeier’s stories because they sound like my life, just a half-generation younger. I trust Blake implicitly because I resonate with him completely. Nothing he shares feels artificial—everything feels authentic but also not forced. If it were forced even a little, it might tarnish his reliability.
When everything else feels fake and forced, creating a connection with others is becoming too important to ignore, but it’s not just us with our audience, but also ourselves.
This is what I’m striving for: a noble pursuit to find a way to resonate with you for no other reason than to know that we have each other’s back because when I rise, so do you, and vice versa. We grow our currency together, not through Crypto, but through trust.
What is the shelf life of an idea?
Some things are meant to last forever: Diamonds, unconditional love, and Toyota pickup trucks, for example.
Some businesses are built to last, too. Walmart, Coca-Cola, Heinz, and Brooks Brothers have all been around for decades, and they aren’t going away. Conversely, there are plenty of ideas that are great but not meant to stick around forever: Ghost pepper chips, iPhones, or skinny jeans on men, to name a few.
Without giving out too much personal information, my family is facing a challenging period, and it requires me to make a significant professional change. At the same time, two things have been happening in the background. First, this newsletter has grown significantly over the past few months, primarily due to Substack’s network effect.
On the other hand, The Hungry, my other newsletter, has grown stagnant, with zero growth over the last six months and almost no interaction from the readership. If I’m being honest, I believe The Hungry served its purpose and helped some people, but now it’s time to move on. If you’re a Hungry subscriber, I’ll share more details in the next update.
My DNGAF era
Because I’ll soon have less time to work on projects, I’m focusing on what is working and what feels good.
The past two months on Substack have been enjoyable, and I’m eager to share more stories, ideas, and my creative process. Instead of discussing what works for others, I’ll stick with what works for me.
During the holiday break in December, I had a conversation with myself about what I’m actually good at—sharing art, stories, and ideas. I’m also skilled at writing, video, and audio formats.
Damn right, I will toot my horn on these things because I pledged that 2025 was the year of abundance, and I will not shrink from what I believe to be true. Of course, you could feel differently, but that’s a you problem, not a me problem.
Seriously though, I feel like I struggle with trust issues, not mine, but others trusting me, which is one reason why it hurts a lot to put The Hungry on a shelf for now, but I believe that by leaning into what I’m making now, living my truth, and making whatever the f*ck I want, I will create resonance with others, build trust, and become the most abundant mofo possible.
The future holds the cards, but I’m pocketing my aces up my sleeve. You’ll have to stick around to see what’s next.
I think the DNGAF era could be a load of fun! I'm planning to resurrect my old domain soon, just gotta relearn web page building for the modern web. Looking forward to seeing what you unleash on the unsuspecting public! ;)
Love the energy and thoughts here. You also influenced me and I am now waiting for ''Stories Sell'' to arrive :P