Everyday Empires: Weekend Reads
Discover your death archetype, from McDonald's to full-time online writer with 1.5 million followers, interviews with founders of failed startups, and a free masterclass in online writing
Hey folks,
It’s Friday, the sun is shining here in Austin, and I’m feeling experimental. So today I’m bringing you a new post type that I’m calling “Weekend Reads.
Below you’ll find a handful of links that caught my attention recently, and that I thought you’d enjoy as you wind down from your week and gear up for the weekend ahead.
Who are you in the face of life's impermanence?
Maura McInerney-Rowley just launched Death Archetypes, a shared experiment in the lost art of death contemplation. There’s a 10 minute quiz you take to find out your death archetype. After which you get book recommendations based on your archetype. I found the quiz to be a bit of fun and thought provoking. Beautiful site design too!
Take the quiz to find out who you are in the face of life’s impermanence, and get some solid conversation material for the weekend ahead:
I’m the Phoenix, btw. Let me know your archetype in the comments!
How to build a 1.5 million following online as a writer
Have you ever thought about making a living online as a writer or content creator? I sure have. On this week’s episode of Deep Dive with Ali Abdaal, he interviewed Sheehan Quirke, the man behind The Cultural Tutor, a previously faceless Twitter account that’s grown from 0 to 1.6M followers in about 18 months. Before starting The Cultural Tutor, Sheehan was working at McDonald’s, unsure how he was going to make rent. In the interview, you quickly learn that though Sheehan’s Twitter account has grown incredibly fast, he’s been working up to this his entire life.
I personally found the interview fascinating. Add it to your weekend watch list:
90% of startups fail. Learn how not to.
We all hear the success stories, but we rarely hear about the failures. Yet, we commonly get the advice that you often learn more from your failures than you do from your wins.
When I came across The Failory this week, I knew I had to share it with you all. At the Failory, they share weekly interviews with founders of failed startups, so you can learn from their failures without having to go through the anguish yourself. Check it out.
Become a better writer in 60 minutes
Shaan Puri and Sam Parr of My First Million dropped a free masterclass in online writing this week. I’m about half way through at the moment, but it’s already full of insights and actionable ideas.
If you want to improve your writing online (and you should if you’re a founder or intend to become one), don’t miss this one.
That’s a wrap for this first issue of Weekend Reads.
I’d love to know if you enjoyed this post and want to see more like it (or not).
Reply or comment below and share your feedback 🫶🏼
Speaking of which, I have a new founder interview coming to your inbox Sunday morning. I binged this founder’s content when I discovered them and can’t wait to introduce them to you.
Until then,
Ken
P.S. Follow me on X or LinkedIn for more insights from the founders I chat with
I enjoyed this style writing you shared. Did the quiz I'm a Mystic. Thanks that was fun