PPPParenting Like a Boss: Four P's (#208)
First Concerts, Musical Mentorship, Web3 Reset & a War on Women
New parents are rarely prepared for the first few midnight feedings, “cry-it-out” sessions, and sleepless nights.
Some will read “Good Night, Moon” while others sing lullabies. And these bonding moments between parent and child are incredibly memorable, and over time, we even miss them.
Without realizing it, I had 30+ years of preparation to get me ready… listening to the music of my formative years. Those who know me won’t be surprised to learn that in those quiet hours in the dark with my son, Jake, I rocked him to sleep every night singing the songs from the Springsteen catalog… thus starting his lifelong connection to the music that continues be part of our family.
SOMETHING PERSONAL: 12 Years in the Making
By my count, I’ve been to 78 concerts featuring Bruce Springsteen (with or without the E-Street Band), at 24th different venues, from London to Las Vegas, Paris to Philly.
Many nights all those years ago, I remember wondering whether I'd ever have the chance to take Jake to a concert. Legendary E-Street Band sax player Clarence Clemons passed away just 6 days before Jake was born. Other members fell out of health and would routinely miss shows. COVID meant a 3+ year delay in love touring, and now they're all getting up there in age. And they know it. The most recent album, several songs from which he plays live on the current tour, are tributes to fallen bandmembers and a reflection on a life well-lived.
I've written about the importance and impact of Bruce on my life in this space on more than one occasion... Bruce and Barack, Bruce and 9/11, Bruce and my wedding… but I'm not sure I've talked about how much I’ve been looking forward to this specific moment.
From Springsteen and Me… to Springsteen and Us, those dreams finally became a reality this past Sunday night at the new(ish) UBS Arena at Belmont Park here on Long Island. I'll admit that I was nervous. Nervous that he'd get bored... That he'd want to leave early... That he'd fall asleep... That he'd hate it. So while I didn't want to hype it up too much, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have high hopes.
But he loved it. From the music and band theatrics to the lighting and sound production, he not only survived the 3-hour show, but was thoroughly impressed by it all. Now he wants to listen to the music he heard, is asking questions about the songs and their meaning, and asked when we can go again. And when I told him that most of the performers are his grandparents’ age, I think he appreciated the showmanship even more.
Now I don't expect to turn him into a devout fan, but being able to experience it with him was more meaningful and memorable than I can put into words. And while I'm not sure I'll get to 100 shows at this point, I am certainly looking forward to at least a few more with the family.
SOMETHING PROFESSIONAL: Uplifting the Next Generation of Music Talent
Speaking of music... Earlier this year, I joined as an advisor to a great startup that is set to officially launch next Wednesday, April 19. Upliftful is a first-of-its-kind, mobile application that connects aspiring music entrepreneurs in the entertainment industry with professional experts. The app will enable conversations between young, creative talent and established changemakers and enhance equality of opportunity to level the competitive playing field.
The accessible and affordable service empowers Gen Z to learn from vetted experts who provide mentorship via 4-minute conversations called "Lifts." The microsessions provide opportunities for guidance and support to those looking to break into the cutthroat music business, pursue a profession that embodies their passions, avoid costly missteps, and build a sustainable career that is as viable and responsible as becoming an accountant, attorney, or physician.
(Download and try out our beta version now: Google Play | Apple Store)
With an initial roster of 40+ successful talent and executives, the launch of Upliftful has already generated significant interest in the entertainment and music industries. A&Rs, DJs, managers, agents, and record labels can also use the platform to find new talent. Mentors can offer encouragement as well as share 1:1 personalized insight into their careers. Through video sessions on the Upliftful app, they will provide a form of direct support that they may not have had and work to improve a historically imbalanced business. Mentees can choose professionals in specific fields they are interested in or need help with.
And once up and running, Upliftful has plans to expand to include the broader entertainment, fashion, and sports industries.
SOMETHING PRACTICAL: The Web3 Reset
Stop me if you've heard this before, but the next phase of the internet is, and will continue to be, based on blockchain technology. It's not just about cryptocurrency or NFTs, but rooted in the foundational promise of decentralization and token-based economics. One of the most interesting things about Web3 is that it's far more inclusive than its predecessors. Web3 is breaking new ground for demographics that were previously underserved and underrepresented by Web1 and Web2.
Age, race, and gender aren't barriers to succeeding in Web3. The innovators behind Web3 are far from being an exclusive club of "blockchain bros." Women are making an impact across the board in Web3 as creators, builders, and leaders within the realm. The Female Founder Collective (FFC) encourages female founders to educate and assist one another to prosper in Web3. Women founders have the opportunity to find alternative funding sources for their businesses in Web3. Web3 is going to change statistics and help women know what the tools are and how they can best evolve for their business. Together, we grow.
Art, collectibility, and community were driving forces in these early days of Web3, but encouraging, supporting, and enabling female developers, builders, and entrepreneurs are going to be even more critical in the years to come. We're moving towards a more holistic, CRM-based Web3 framework that accelerates a positive feedback loop across an open ecosystem. Blockchain technology and smart contracts are the new waves of technology eliminating intermediaries and enabling trustless, peer-to-peer transactions, creating new opportunities and empowering individuals to take control of their digital lives. Where?
Content creation: Decentralized platforms empower creators by removing intermediaries and providing direct compensation through tokens. They offer greater creative freedom and fairer revenue distribution, fostering a vibrant and diverse creative ecosystem. This new model of content creation is not only disrupting traditional media industries but also empowering independent creators to monetize their work and build sustainable careers.
Global supply chains: Blockchain-based solutions are also improving transparency, traceability, and efficiency. This reduces fraud, optimizes logistics, and ensures product authenticity, benefiting businesses and consumers alike. With blockchain, we can ensure that the goods we purchase are ethically sourced and sustainably produced.
Tokenization of property: It enables fractional ownership, increasing liquidity and accessibility for investors. Blockchain-based real estate investment platforms pioneer new ways to invest in and manage property assets. This new model of real estate investment promises to be more inclusive and democratic, enabling more people to participate in real estate investment.
Gaming: Play-to-earn games use blockchain and NFTs to enable players to own in-game assets, trade them with others, and monetize their gaming experience. This new model of gaming is not only fun but also promises to be more inclusive and rewarding for players worldwide.
Identity: This is the big one, my friends. And we've barely scratched the surface. Decentralized identity solutions empower individuals to control their personal data and share it securely. Web3 enables privacy-preserving technologies to enhance data security and user privacy, fostering a trustworthy and secure digital landscape.
The practicality and realization of past promises about Web3 and tokenization are slowly coming to life. Look no further than Flybondi, an Argentinian airline, that introduced NFT versions of their tickets. Every Flybondi ticket sold will now be tokenized and integrated directly into the airline's online platform. Travelers now have the option to make name changes on their tickets or transfer them to someone else, which the airline believes will boost efficiency by reducing customer service costs and increasing revenue.
For decades, event organizers, venue owners, and entertainers have imposed strict terms and rules, which have been deemed to be unfairly restrictive. The move to NFT technology is also expected to build loyalty among customers. And fans. Arsenal is trying it out, and other new use cases abound: The Indonesian government is looking to NFTs to preserve cultural heritage, Papa John’s is jumping into food NFTs, as is Wrigley’s with its “Juicyverse,” Ralph Lauren debuting in-store crypto payments and NFT 'gifts' in Miami… don’t forget film and the cinema experience… and Coach, Clinique, and Aéropostale moving beyond Metaverse Hype with tactical omnichannel activations.
Token sales exceeded $2B in March as a more decentralized future is coming, and it's transforming our world in exciting new ways. Whether it's DeFi, content creation, supply chain, real estate, gaming, or identity, Web3 offers solutions that promise to be more inclusive, democratic, and rewarding. As we embrace this future, let's recognize the transformative power of Web3 in reshaping our world.
SOMETHING POLITICAL: The GOP’s War on Women
Last week, a conservative Texas judge took an unprecedented, dangerously tyrannical action, issuing an order that could suspend approval of a drug used in medical abortions by women across the country. Just what we need — another old man telling women (and doctors!) what they can do with their bodies. But this drug is actually far more than just used by physicians to terminate pregnancies. Mifepristone is also used to treat miscarriages.
District Court Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk paused his ruling for seven days to allow the federal government to appeal, which it has already done. Another federal judge in Washington State ruled that the FDA could not restrict access to the drug, Mifepristone, in a separate lawsuit brought by Democratic state attorneys general. The conflicting federal court decisions have likely produced a legal stalemate that will end up before the US Supreme Court.
So this one will likely be unsettled for some time. Either way, it sets a dangerous precedent. However, the political fallout is already coming into focus, with Democrats warning that the Trump-appointed Texas judge’s ruling is both gravely unjust and another step by anti-abortion Republicans in their quest to outlaw the procedure nationwide.
“If it stands, it would prevent women in every state from accessing the medication, regardless of whether abortion is legal in a state,” said President Joe Biden.
Republicans have been quieter in response, but this latest setback for abortion rights supporters is another sign of the increasingly tight grip conservatives hold on the courts – an issue poised to play an influential role in the 2024 election. Should Kacsmaryk’s ruling ultimately prevail, it would effectively end the two-decade-old approval of Mifepristone, the first drug in the medication abortion process.
Even if it falls on appeal, his attempt to overrule medical professionals at the FDA over the use of a drug that has been safely and effectively used for so long marks a fraught new chapter in post-Roe American politics.
We’re heading down the wrong path as a society, one that takes us backward despite overwhelming popular support for progress, which as we know, is the most important P of them all.
On musical mentorship: I have to think back to the Summer of '97. It started one weekend night by grabbing a blank NCAA Selection sheet and a yellow legal pad. I cheated a little, yes, by looking on the shelf for the Rolling Stone issue with the 500 Greatest Songs. Seeding was a difficult process, but once a few of the all time greats were in place, the rest flowed like the Danube River. The names of my 64 Greatest Rock Songs were all written on the bracket sheet and copies were made for all the friends I trusted most. Some were mailed out. The results would determine the first ROCK SONG my yet to be born daughter would ever hear. The deadline for submitting completed brackets was August 1, 1997 as she was expected August 12th. Turnout was great. Victoria surprised us a bit and was born August 10. All was well. Everyone was healthy. The next thing I knew, it was time to be full time parents and the fine maternity crew at Lenox Hill sent us packing. It felt weird to hail a NYC cab to bring our newborn home, across town to the West Side. I gave the cab driver a $20 before we took the $7.50 ride and said only two words. "No Radio!" He drove as though he were in a parade, ever so slowly through Central Park. Our apartment was already "Baby Ready," and the stereo system was set, CD in place. We unpacked. Everything was so quiet and perfect. I asked my wife if she was okay and was she ready? She was. She looked at me with that look I've seen often - the "You're crazy look." I pushed play and my daughter Victoria listened to IMAGINE by John Lennon. The proper education of a child began. By the way, Layla came in second, the national final runner-up in my bracket game, so Eric Clapton was up next and the volume went north ever so slightly. My daughter listened, eyes wide open for an incredible life ahead. A life with rock music. TL