It’s been a crazy couple of weeks!

I keynoted at Social Slam, took Mr. D to Vegas for his birthday, and co-keynoted (with Jay Baer) at Counselors Academy. And, on top of all of that, Marketing in the Round came out and, those of you who pre-ordered it began receiving it this week and sent in pictures (which we’ve posted on Pinterest).

But I slept for eight hours last night so I’m beginning to feel myself again. Just in time for the big Chicago book launch party on Monday night (are you coming??).

It’s supposed to be a glorious weekend in the Windy City so I’m going to go put air in my bike’s tires and fill my water bottles.

And you? You’re going to check out Gin and Topics. Continue Reading »

Friday, Friday, Friday!

I’m off to New Orleans tomorrow for the annual Counselors Academy.

Jay Baer and I are co-keynoting (the brain child of Martin Waxman), which I’m really excited about! If you’ve ever seen Jay speak, you’ll know he’s going to make me look suuuuuper good in front of my peers.

We’re doing something kind of fun and different: We’re interviewing each other on stage. Hopefully there will be video of it that I can post here next week.

In the meantime, check out the fun stories we’ve complied for you in this week’s Gin and Topics. Continue Reading »

It’s the end of April. How did this happen?

I feel like we were just here talking about kicking butt and taking names this year and we’re already a third of the way through it.

Today also marks the day of Mark Schaefer’s Social Slam in Knoxville. By the time you read this, I will have already kicked the day off with the very first keynote about Marketing in the Round.

And, because it’s really early in the morning right now and I’d like to rehearse one more time before I go on stage, I give you Gin and Topics. Continue Reading »

I’ve spent all week at 35,000 feet (thank heaven for GoGo Inflight!) so I’m very grateful it’s Friday and I’ll be home in my own bed tonight.

PLUS, my high school bud, Mike Koehler (aka MK), is going to be at my house when I get home AND Michael Schechter (aka Shrek) is coming over for my homemade lasagna on Sunday night.

So I’m very much looking forward to the weekend and hanging out with my boys.

And, to start the weekend off right, I give you Gin and Topics. Perhaps you can even follow Shashi Bellamkonda’s lead and pour yourself a gin and topic while you watch and read. Continue Reading »

For the first time ever, I have way more content to fill Gin and Topics than I have space.

This is a good problem to have, right? It also means I have to prioritize what you see today and what is saved for next week, based solely on my opinion.

I hope I chose correctly!

Let’s see. I have a cardboard arcade, creating drama out of nothing, the world’s biggest dog, a cat opening a freezer and eating out of it, Anderson Cooper can’t say “pussy willow,” texts from my dog, and texting guy nearly runs into a bear.

See a trend? I guess I like animal videos!

OK. I have narrowed it down. The ones mentioned above not included here will be featured next week. Now you have something to look forward to! Continue Reading »

Did anyone see the story of the 80-year-old woman who landed a plane after her husband died while flying?

She and her husband were flying home to Sturgeon Bay, Wis., from Florida, when he slumped over the controls and died. A family friend, and pilot, got in another plane, flew up to her, and guided her through landing the plane.

She ended up with a few broken ribs, but she landed the plane on the runway.

They released the audio of the conversation and she was calm and collected and even joking by saying things such as, “This is a hell of a place to get stuck.”

You think?

Freaking amazing!

I know it’s a holiday, but thought you’d like some videos to watch, if only to give you conversation while hanging out with family. Continue Reading »

Holy. Cow. What a week!

You know how I say I’m an introvert and all of you exclaim, “No way!”?

Well, today is very apparent I am introvert. I haven’t had more than three hours of sleep since Sunday night. I spoke yesterday morning, attended the conference, had dinner with my fellow speakers and the conference sponsors, and then I thought for sure I’d hit the wall.

Nope. Super bad jet lag. Still.

So I’m very much looking forward to being home in my own bed and getting out on my bike tomorrow. I need it.

Please let me sleep tonight. Please let me sleep tonight. Please let me sleep tonight.

I did, however, manage to find some very good videos (with some help from my friends and Mr. D) for you. Have fun! Continue Reading »

It’s Friday! It’s Friday!

Is it warm where you are as it is in Chicago? I already have the start of my cycling tan. In March. Three months early.

As much as I love snow, I’m pretty happy being outside on my bike this early. Maybe Chicago is the new San Diego?

Perhaps, with Global Warming, the Great Lakes will be the new Riviera. Does that mean my property value is going to increase substantially?

It’s been a slow news week so this week’s Gin and Topics are five fun videos.

Have fun watching…and laughing! Continue Reading »

Well, it was a fun week for Goldman Sachs, was it not?

I’m trying to decide if I’m going to write about it. Typically I would, but I feel really sorry for their head of corporate communications because everything blew up on his second day on the job.

Yes, his second day.

Justin Brackett and I were talking about it yesterday and I said I didn’t know if I would want to fix it or if I would say, “I did NOT sign up for this” and walk out. He thinks I’d do the former. He’s probably right.

So I don’t know. Perhaps I will write about it next week.

And, Illinois saw our former Governor head off to prison in Colorado. For 14 years.

I really wonder how that conversation at home goes. Does his wife tell him she’ll wait for him, as if he’s going off to war? What does he say to his kids? Fourteen years is a looong time, particularly when your kids are little.

And, with that, I give you Gin and Topics for the week. Continue Reading »

I really thought yesterday was Friday. I got up to write Gin and Topics and got halfway through before I realized it was only Thursday.

What a disappointment!

But that’s OK. Friday is here now. Only one thing…it’s daylight savings this weekend. So you’re going to lose an hour. Try not to be too grouchy about it.

And…for all of you at SxSW? I’m officially envious. Have tons of fun, learn lots, and bring back good stories to share! Continue Reading »