Six: the smallest composite and perfect number

Welcome back to Kevin Hall

Author

John Lim
February 20, 2024

Happy Friday!

I’m slowly getting the hang of this newsletter thing

There must be a part of my brain that actually likes doing more work (dang it!). When I switched from a traditional website and blog to a newsletter, I thought this would be easier as I never truly got the hang of blogging. Something about the format felt constraining to me and over the years, it morphed into a weekly chore that I dreaded.

That said, with this newsletter I find that I’m spending more time writing and rewriting every week compared to before. The difference is that I enjoy this, which runs counter to my usual programming of finding joy in accomplishing something with the least amount of effort.

But maybe that’s the point? When I like doing something, I put more time and effort into it but it feels like less work. Nicely played, brain. You win this round. But just you wait. The day will come when I can convey everything with a single word and disseminate it to a mass audience with a mere thought projection. That reminds me, subscribe to my weekly word of the week, which will be delivered free via brain wave. While you’re at it, you may as well subscribe to this newsletter too.

-John

Moving Forward

Episode 458: Inspiring individuals: Kevin Hall

Speaking of brain waves, I could have sworn I just spoke to Kevin Hall yesterday when he first appeared on Moving Forward. But as he reminds me on this week’s episode, that was last year: six months to be exact. I met Kevin as a two-degree separation from another author, Kimberly Charleston, who I spoke to … whoa, a year ago … 😳 Anyway, Kevin connected with me on LinkedIn after listening to Kimberly’s episode, and became a fan of the podcast; putting a face to one of my subscribers. Forget business cards. This is the way you network in 2024: spend years creating content, which results in circuitous connections borne out of serendipity.

After learning more about Kevin’s work, I invited him to be a guest on season 10 (“yesterday’s” episode) to share insights into his third career as a writer, post-retirement. At the time, he was working on his next book about signs. While I was briefly disappointed that he wasn’t talking about the ones you pass on the road, and that he’s not the person in charge of picking colors and geometric shapes (alas I will have to save my deep dive into the 🛑 for another time), it turns out he was writing about a more compelling type of sign. Specifically, the unseen kind that can guide us or even serve as message conduits for lost loved ones. These are the things that we often chalk up to coincidence, happenstance, or nothing; while in the back of our minds, wondering whether it could be more. Kevin’s new book, SIGNS (Amazon paid affiliate link), makes a compelling argument that it is indeed a lot more.

And here’s the kicker. This all started when Kevin’s wife misplaced something small but important. Tune in to this week’s episode to learn what that was and how this was itself a sign for Kevin to write his most challenging book yet.

Watch this week’s episode on Spotify.

❝

[I]s this just happenstance, is this some strange occurrence, or is this something more? … I really try to draw the reader in from that perspective, I want them to look at their own life and say have I had any of these signs?

-Kevin Hall

Some things I learned from and about Kevin on this week’s episode:

  • How the idea for this book started with a missing heirloom.

  • How Kevin comes up with book titles in his sleep.

  • How writing this book allowed Kevin to connect with people from different walks of life with their own extraordinary stories of signs.

  • A fond memory of Kevin’s late brother who spoke to him in a dream.

  • Why Kevin’s next career should be private investigator (a fedora would complete the look, wouldn’t you agree?).

Connect with Kevin:

Learn why it’s never too late to start your next career as an author with Kevin Hall, including some tips on writing your first book.

MF 439 : Writing series: Kevin Hall

Kevin talks about his third career as an author, how a chance conversation with his grandson led him to write one of his memoirs, and the larger mission that inspired him to write his upcoming third book. More at www.bemovingforward.com.

open.spotify.com/episode/7jLRj6DJvNlCotjgqWI2Ld?si=Q_2kBUjDS_e710tdoBRvXw&nd=1&dlsi=7ecc5a53bad44778

Hacks

Netflix ads got you shaking your ✊? Try your library

I get Netflix through my phone carrier and things were peachy until they recently downgraded me to the new ad supported version. And because I’m 1) trying to limit how much binging I do during my downtime, and 2) a cheapo when it comes to streaming subscriptions, I’d rather not shell out the extra bucks per month to upgrade. Worse, some of movies and shows aren’t available on the ad-supported version. Right before the switch, I had Dumb Money (Amazon affiliate paid link) on my watchlist and it now has a 🔐 symbol on it, meaning “no movie for you!”

There are two lessons to take from this. First, putting off watching what’s on your watch list is risky, like deciding to wait five minutes to leave the store when you see clouds forming such that by the time you hit the pavement, the skies have opened up. Second, much like launching a podcast to connect with cool people, there’s an unorthodox solution if you’re willing to look elsewhere.

So just when Netflix thought it would ensnare me with it’s emoji upsell, I hopped onto my local library’s app, which has become one of my top five 🤓, searched for Dumb Money, and saw that it’s available to check out on 💿. While my branch didn’t have it, several others did. I was able to request it through the app, and as I write this, the magical library bus is delivering it to my branch for pickup.

What an age we live in. I can rent a newly released movie for free (and legally) without having to upgrade my Netflix subscription -and- enjoy the new of season Love is Blind with a viewing experience that’s a throwback to network television from decades past. No complaints. But if they start streaming late night infomercials on squeegees and celebrity grills, I’m outta here!

Series recommendation

Still hits hard

Roots (1977) ***** Speaking of streaming, have you visited Tubi recently? Wait, hear me out. It’s no longer that 2019 streamer with obscure movies that didn’t make the cut for Walmart’s $5 physical media bin, and bizarre reality shows shot on an iPhone 8. The free streaming service now features some top-rated movies and shows, including classics that are hard to find elsewhere.

I first saw Roots while I was sick in bed for a week, during high school. The History Channel used to do an annual airing this time of year, and I decided to check it out. I was mesmerized, horrified, and incredibly moved by this adaptation of Alex Haley’s magnum opus; first published in 1974. The series traces Haley’s lineage starting with his great ancestor, Kunta Kinte, played by a young Levar Burton in a breakout starring role, and is filled with a star studded cast within a sweeping story that spans several generations, from colonial slavery to Reconstruction. Roots was produced by David Wolper who was also behind my other favorite period miniseries, North and South. I credit both shows for instilling a love of studying American history.

If you haven’t seen Roots, it’s a visceral, heart wrenching yet inspiring experience that will educate you, shake you, and challenge you. I revisit it every couple of years and did so again last week. If you can put up with a few commercials, it’s now airing on Tubi. You can also purchase Roots on physical media (Amazon affiliate paid link) or check it out of your library.

I also highly recommend its sequel, Roots: The Next Generations (*****) (Amazon affiliate paid link), which continues the Haley family story up to the late 1970s. Unfortunately, the sequel is not currently airing on Tubi or any other streaming platform. But since I just watched the first series, I decided to revisit the second by checking it out of the library (see hack above).

[Warning: this series contains extreme depictions of violence, racism, and brutality. While not an easy watch, Roots stands out as one of the finest works of television ever produced; one that is well worth your time, discomfort, and attention.]

Weekly quirky news

Online dating may go to court ❤️⚖️, AI home movies 🎞, NVIDIA creates 💴 stacks from chips, and happy birthday Mister Rogers’ neighborhood 🚃.

  • Dating apps sued in a proposed class action for being addictive, expensive, and a lousy way to get dates.

  • AI enters the video era with Sora.

  • NVIDIA becomes one of the world’s most valuable companies thanks to rising demand for AI chips.

  • Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood debuted this week, on Feb. 19th, 1968.

[Disclosure: I own shares of Netflix and NVIDIA as part of a diversified portfolio.]

Upcoming

Don’t wait until “one day” to write your first book unless that day is March 28th.

Write and Self-Publish Your First Book With a Step-by-Step Plan with John Lim | Johns Hopkins Events

If writing a book is one of your 2024 goals, take my next writing and self-publishing class, which starts March 28th. It’s through the Johns Hopkins Odyssey program and open to the public (discounts for Hopkins alum).

events.jhu.edu/form/odysseylimterm2spring24

Resources

Teach a man to fish, you know the rest (if you don’t, check these out).

  • Book a coaching call with me on Clarity.

  • Follow me on Goodreads for book recommendations.

  • Check out one of my favorite daily newsletters Morning Brew (affiliate referral link).

Support the newsletter and podcast

“What are you selling?!?” -actual quote from a b-school classmate

Affiliate disclosure

Note: Links to Amazon and Audible products are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.