New-age models like Alpha School have popped up, but they have their fair share of critics. I’m not sure what the solve is. Regardless, the plain truth is that teachers (and academics more broadly) aren’t appropriately compensated for just how important their roles are.

(Don’t even get me started on how teachers are treated in Finland, where teachers are highly paid, respected, and recruited from the top 10% of university grads. On the Scandinavia front, is practically a subject matter expert in Denmark and has written extensively on the education system there and what the U.S. sorely needs to learn).

Many teachers work just as much as investment bankers…but will never see a fat bonus. The system needs to change!

All of that to say…it makes sense that people are jumping off the hamster wheel. This week, we hear from Maria—a former academic and mom of two in NYC who honed in on her subject matter expertise to majorly accelerate her salary ($34,000 to $630,000 in three years).

So many learnings around where to focus your energy, how to break into (and stay in!) high-paying fields, and how to differentiate your skillset in the age of AI.

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So alive, in fact, that standing on lines seems to be the new NYC hobby (perhaps even trumping needlepoint and padel). My friend and I went to five coffee shops on the Upper East Side on Saturday AM. All of them had a line of over thirty minutes…for food that is decidedly mediocre. If I’m spending time in line, it better be worth it.

Treats worth waiting for. If you haven’t yet been to Birley Bakery on the UES, wow. Not pictured, but their bacon swirl roll is otherworldly. Gobbled it up too quickly to get a pic.

Last week’s r.e.p.o.r.t. c.a.r.d. is here. This week, a pre-ordered book worth the hype, better-for-you snacks that actually deliver, and some fun spring fashion.

Reading (book): I never pre-order books. I’m an incredibly decisive reader (if it doesn’t hook me within fifty pages, I proudly drop it and move onto another title). I also like having all of the data to decide whether a book is for me—including thousands of reviews. So buying this book was a little risky (in my mind).

But I knew deep down that I’d be an instant fan…and I was. A twisty-turny thriller about a Harvard Law school reject who starts stalking her classmate in retaliation, it’s also a searing take on the Ivy League. Whipped through it!

What else I’ve been reading lately: this fast read about rich people doing bad things and this memoir by a public figure who spills it all about her husband and their very messy divorce.

Reading (article): I’ll admit that I’ve never seen a full episode of COUPLES THERAPY. But I’ve watched enough TikTok clips of the show to qualify as a major superfan. I lap up any content about the show—and loved this WSJ feature on the show’s star therapist Orna Guralnik. Sharing via gift link so everyone can read.

Also, I have many thoughts about 2026 dating culture. If you are single today, I truly salute you. It’s rough out there—I talk about this topic often with my friend , a professional matchmaker. (If you’re single, join her database—it’s free!) I particularly enjoyed this Atlantic piece about the phenomenon of dating as equals. There’s a big disconnect happening right now—women are making more and more money than ever, but their expectations are stuck in the 1950s. Why?

On CAREER CONFESSIONALS this week, a drug dealer turned $18M business owner. Really. A college dropout, Peter became a multi-million dollar entrepreneur by finding whitespace in the market and relentlessly going for it. A masterclass in grit and how not sticking with the script works out if you’re uber-persistent.

Eating: I’m all for better-for-you snacks…but not if they taste like dust. I’ve recently ventured into the world of date-sweetened chocolate, and have had a few misses along the way. Many brands are straight-up gross. But these two pass my sniff test!

These hazelnut-stuffed chocolate hearts are supremely good. Lower sugar than “traditional” chocolate…but you’d never know. They’ve become my favorite late-night snack to cap off dinner.

I also love these date-sweetened chocolate chips for baking. I’ve tried a few brands, but these are far and away my favorite!

Also on the lower sugar front—this zero-sugar coffee / matcha sweetener that tastes just like the real thing. No sugar alcohols (so no stomach angst). And for more lower-sugar hacks, here’s the download on the sugar cleanse I did earlier this year.

Playing: When it’s too hot to think, futzing with a zipper is the last thing you need. Enter the pull-on dress. Easy, stylish, and a done-for-you outfit in two seconds—so you can focus on your hair not melting in the heat. All under $200!

1. Love this nautical-esque dress! I’d funk it up a bit with these statement earrings.

2. A faux wrap dress is always a good idea. Looks like you spent hours nailing the tie, but all you did was slip it on.

3. The LBD gets a lot of attention, but the LWD equally deserves the spotlight. This dress isn’t so little, but such a classic.

4. Another fun faux wrap option—this time in a mini! So many colorways. If you really want to be polarizing, opt for these jelly flats (I don’t believe in investing in trends like this, so this pair is perfect).

   1. To round out the look, these pearl earrings hit way higher than their price point, as does this two-tone woven bag.

5. Always a fan of stripes! Pair it with this classic raffia clutch.

6. A dress with pockets—something we’re all chasing! The olive is flattering on all skin tones, and the neck bandana makes it extra chic.

   1. For more well-priced spring picks, check out these funky bags and this roundup of statement jewelry!

Recommending: I’ve literally recommended this ice cream shop to seven people in the last week. And yes, I did recommend a low-sugar dessert option earlier in this newsletter. Such is the nuance of life!

This is a “dirt cup” soft serve sundae—I wish they had 1-900 in NYC!

1-900-ICE CREAM is a small batch ice cream shop specializing in soft serve and hard ice cream with mix-ins. Their ice cream is so good that it makes Ben & Jerry’s taste like the bottom of your shoe. Really.

They’re based in Philadelphia and have two locations (Rittenhouse and Fishtown). I used to go there every single week when I lived in Philly…so much so that the staff started recognizing me. Oops.

I now trek down to Philly every year around Thanksgiving to procure ice cream for my husband’s family. It’s what I’ve brought for Thanksgiving for the past few years, and a riot will break out if I don’t bring it.

When the weather gets hot, I get on my ice cream evangelizing pedestal. If you live in Philly (or have a trip planned!), stop by 1-900 and you won’t be disappointed. 1-900 used to offer national shipping, but they unfortunately stopped last year! So you’ll have to make the trip in-person order to experience the magic.

Admiring: Some things, people, and content I’ve been loving this week:

Some Monday motivation via :

• OFF-CAMPUS is such an easy, light watch. Is it as good as HEATED RIVALRY? Absolutely not. But it scratches the itch while we wait for season two. It’s been a great background show as I finish my wedding thank you cards.

• Everyone is going wild over these bandana pants, and I understand why. An Alemais look at a fraction of the price. For more bandana-printed fun, I love this monogrammed bandana tote. I paid full price for mine, but you don’t have to (the Etsy version is just as good).

• This detergent brand gets an 10/10 for a witty name and a damn good product. I used it for the first time a few weeks ago and my husband immediately noticed the scent (and loved it). When a guy clocks something laundry-related, something has gone right.

And finally, Substack Saves—a new section spotlighting the pieces worth your time.

• Lots of creator tea in this Substack via . A creator who is re-envisioning her business, she made 7.5x her corporate salary last year…but has only made $13K this year so far. Why? She’s now focusing on financial longevity and building a career that will compensate her for years to come. Read her piece for the full context, but simply posting about yourself doesn’t translate into long-term wealth. There needs to be some meat there!

• Everyone is shocked by Shein’s purported $100M acquisition of Everlane. This take by is great—and unpacks the private equity narrative behind it all. Everlane built its business on sustainability, which enabled them to scale massively. But if you look beneath the surface, aligning themselves with a brand like Shein makes a ton of sense from a business POV (but definitely not from a narrative and storytelling POV).

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I think we’re at an interesting inflection moment when it comes to the value of higher education (but specifically college). Is college always going to be four incredible years of social-emotional development, exploration, and being independent? Yes. But is it going to be the best model for education in twenty years? I’m not convinced.

ANIMAL HOUSE is obviously the classic college movie. What would Bluto say if he knew that at some universities, it now costs $101,000 per year?!

We’re already seeing the cracks in the old model. College enrollment is flat or declining in many places. Many universities have even closed. (And new-age colleges—like the tuition-free University of Austin—have cropped up). At the same time, employers are shifting toward skills-based hiring and shorter, career-aligned credentials.

All of that to say…if you reject the “traditional” path of higher education, it’s okay. There are so many other ways for you to build wealth and become a successful professional.

And that’s exactly Peter’s story. A former drug dealer turned college dropout, he always knew he was too individualist for the corporate world. So he started an $18M business from the ground-up. If you’re uncertain about your own career, read this. Because Peter sure was…and he turned out more than fine.

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Not a mom (yet), but will gladly take this title.

I spent the day celebrating my own mom—playing tennis, pampering her, and sharing lots of laughs. A therapist in northern NJ, she decided to go back to school (for her second master’s!) at 57. She’s an example that it’s truly never too late, and always pushed my brother, sister, and I do to (and be) our absolute best. More on her parenting philosophies here.

Yay for moms (this is my mom, Alice!)

Last week’s r.e.p.o.r.t. c.a.r.d. is here. This week, lots of buzzy articles, a fun dinner hack, and quotes that immediately stopped my scroll.

Reading (book): As Memorial Day approaches, I know we’re all on the hunt for juicy beach reads. Look no further. This book was actually recommended to me by my 90 year-old grandma, a classics PhD and former middle school English department chair with fabulous literary taste.

It’s about a dysfunctional family in Brooklyn Heights—and how they treat new entrants (eg., their daughter-in-law). Witty, fast-paced, and features rich people doing bad things. Deliciously fun!

Reading (article): I don’t have kids yet, so I’m somewhat separated from what it’s like to be a tween today. ( keeps me updated on Gen Z and Gen Alpha with After School, though—a must-read for all things youth trends).

So I absolutely lapped up this New Yorker article about a twelve year-old in San Francisco. I learned some new slang, sure—but also became more sympathetic to the many challenges kids face today.

For anyone who has a professional development budget to spend, this is a great Bloomberg read on the state of executive education. As I always say, everything tastes better on the corporate card. If your company is paying for an executive MBA, go for it—you’ll build your network and get exposure to a smattering of new topics. But think very, very carefully if you’re self-funding. Your money is likely better spent elsewhere.

On CAREER CONFESSIONALS this week, the story of an accidental entrepreneur. A former government IT professional turned multi-million dollar executive. And he didn’t even have to leave his day job to come up with his money-making idea…it was literally suggested to him by a fellow government worker. If you want a roadmap of how to build something while still at your 9 - 5, this is the one to read.

Eating: We tried something different this Mother’s Day—making sushi! We didn’t want to spend hours rolling and making picture-perfect rolls, so my mom found this ice cube sushi tray hack. The Japanese would probably cringe at this, but it was a fast and fun activity (and the sushi was delicious!)

Playing: My mom loves fashion, but doesn’t love the admin behind shopping. The returns! The receipts! So for Mother’s Day (and her birthday, which is on May 8), I decided to remove this lift from her plate. She’s a therapist and wanted clothes she could wear to work (but also didn’t feel too stuffy).

Here’s everything I snagged for her (and she kept every piece!)

• This stretchy, ultra-flattering set. The top works with any body type, and the trousers make you look so long and lean. For a lower-priced option, I’ve heard great reviews about this pair.

• A ruched black dress is an easy closet staple. Pair with a sweater and it’s immediately office-ready. This is a similarly chic pick (and slightly cheaper).

• We all need an office cardigan…but might as well make it textured and stylish, right? Also love that this piece is navy rather than black. As an alternative, this lace-knit cardigan comes in so many colorways.

Recommending: I cherish all of my friends, but it’s beyond special to have friends in different life stages. A new friend of mine is in her 60s, and in her second act, invests in beauty & wellness brands.

She turned me onto 4AM Skin and I was an immediate fan. They’re on-the-go micellar makeup wipes that also moisturize in addition to removing your makeup. My schedule was ultra-packed this week, so it was a good opportunity to road test when I was feeling a bit beaten down.

I noticed that my skin felt glowier when I woke up…so they’re working. They have 4x the liquid of a standard makeup wipe, so they’re really more like a sheet mask. I already repurchased and know they’ll be a longtime favorite.

Admiring: Some things, people, and content I’ve been loving this week:

• on the power of saying no and staying laser-focused on your goals:

• I’m currently in the midst of finishing up my wedding thank you notes (this is the stationery I swear by!) I was searching for a good background show to watch as I churn through them, and my brother recommended WORST EX EVER—a wild documentary series about lovers gone sour. All I can say is…vet everyone you go on a date with!

• This is my new favorite wedding guest dress (on sale!) It would look great paired with this satin clutch (under $100, but seems like a $1000+ bag). This raffia clutch (also very well-priced!) is a great option too.

And finally, Substack Saves—a new section spotlighting the pieces worth your time.

• Newly obsessed with , which anonymously unveils women’s beauty routines (and how much they cost). Like CAREER CONFESSIONALS but for your face vs. your bank account. This edition reveals the $34,335 beauty and wellness routine of a 39-year old executive coach in NYC.

• Fractional work is a new career norm (especially those with portfolio careers!), and it takes a lot to determine if a role is a true fit. Or if you’re cut out for fractional work entirely. interviewed six marketers on their fractional head of marketing gigs (and what they wish they would have known before accepting their roles).

• ’s take on Emma Grede’s proclamation that “careers require proximity and visibility” (aka, WFH is a career killer). I have so many thoughts as well—but above all, that every situation is different and that for many women, WFH allows them to flex their ambition and show up as a present parent.

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But what if that wasn’t the case…and you found an opportunity to build a new category at your day job? A gap in the market that benefited you and your employer?

That’s exactly Amy’s story. A forty-something living in the South, her husband was a government employee for years who spotted a major way to innovate. And the idea itself came from another fellow government worker. They’re now raking in millions (Amy is now an equal partner in the business)—and they didn’t have to drain their bank accounts to do it.

None of the financial risk…all of the upside.

Amy and her husband don’t run a sexy business. But those are exactly the kinds of businesses that lead to long-term wealth.

I’ve talked about this phenomenon a ton with and , both brilliant marketers embedded in the consumer space. The hype-y brands you see plastered all over social media have multi-million dollar marketing budgets—and in many cases, deep pockets thanks to venture capital or private equity investment. Sexy doesn’t always mean profitable. (Don’t even get me started on the number of professional athletes who have invested in vibey restaurants and have lost it all).

Services—honing in on sellable, ownable subject matter expertise—is a great, low-cost way to dip your toe into entrepreneurship. Amy’s story is a fantastic framework on how to do just that.

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I will say that the Hamptons undeservedly has a snobby reputation. If you go to snobby places, that will be your experience. (My personal filter: any spot with a salad over $50 is immediately a trap). But that’s never been my vibe.

I need to make a guide for my all-time favorite Hamptons spots (just added to my to-do list). For starters, the Village Cheese Shoppe in Southampton is a classic. The prosciutto, ricotta, and fig jam sandwich is one I always dream about! And as someone who never likes ordering the same thing twice, the fact that I’ve had it on repeat speaks volumes.

The couple that fro-yos together…stays together. At BuddhaBerry in Sag Harbor. A truly Willy Wonka factory of fro-yo. More of my favorite fro-yo spots (in NYC and around the globe!) here.

Last week’s r.e.p.o.r.t. c.a.r.d. is here. This week, a new viral book release, a roundup of Substacks worth scrolling, and some spring fashion. Always bold, always polarizing.

Reading (book): GIRLS came out in 2012, when I was a freshman at NYU. My friend group and I immediately devoured it. I binged SEX AND THE CITY before I started college, and it immediately became clear that the show had absolutely no parallels to my college experience. But GIRLS felt more relatable. Funny, raw, and full of only-in-NYC anecdotes. (And Hannah Horvath’s apartment seemed way more achievable on a post-grad salary than Carrie’s West Village apartment).

So when Lena Dunham released FAMESICK, it felt like required reading. And so far, it’s been fantastic. Lots of tea (and deep insight into what it’s like to catapult to fame). If you’re a fan of juicy celebrity memoirs, it’s a must-read!

Other books I’ve loved recently: this dystopian thriller about an influencer who goes back in time, this controversial (and a little morbid) book on time management, and this delectable beach read about catty moms.

Reading (article): As a proud multitasker, this Atlantic read was a kick in the pants. My brain is always running in different directions (and I love every second!), but learning more about monotasking was an eye-opener.

And if you already saw THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2 (or you’re planning on it!), this interview is a must-read. It’s the BTS of how the costumes for the movie came together. I always appreciate pieces like this and learning about someone’s craft.

On the CAREER CONFESSIONALS front, I had four juicy interviews this week. Can’t wait to share all of the insights! I’m releasing two issues next week, as I skipped this week. My favorite interviews to date if you haven’t yet subscribed:

• The board member who makes $1.5M…working part-time

• The guy who makes $250K at 28…but had to move to the middle of nowhere for that salary jump

• The NYC SAT tutor who makes $1M+

Eating: As you plan spring & summer parties, make sure these crackers are in your pantry. They’re a blend between a cracker and a pretzel and one of the most delicious things I’ve ever tasted. The perfect vehicle for any dip or spread!

Playing: Mother’s Day is around the corner…and that’s nothing to play with. In my house, we call it the Mom Olympics. My mom’s birthday is on May 8, so that weekend is my Roman Empire. The one time I can fully boss my siblings around and play master project manager—all in service to my mom, of course.

If you haven’t already figured out a gift plan, it’s not too late. There are two gift guides to make things easy. One is more unique and whimsical…and the other is practical. We’re not talking toolbelts, but they’re things that even the most no-frills mom will love. I promise.

Obsessing: Spring and summer is the time to get playful with your style. Practically speaking, you have more square footage to work with. In the winter, you want every inch of your body covered—so there’s no room to show off fun jewelry (like I talked about last week).

But as the weather gets nicer, you have more brain space to actually enjoy what you wear vs. simply saving yourself from frostbite. One of my favorite ways to experiment? Statement bags. Throw on a white tee and jeans and your outfit is immediately transformed. The bold (and well-priced) bags I’m eyeing this season:

1. I never shop at this retailer (as it only has a few things that pass my sniff test). This red-trimmed raffia bag makes the cut, though. $148 and love the bamboo clutch detail!

2. This combination of shells and green accents totally has my heart!

3. Lusting after the two-tone colorways of this mesh bag. $70! This is one of my go-to stores for summer bags that don’t break the bank. I’ve bought a few over the years, and they all hold up well.

4. This orange fringe bag is polarizing…just the way I like it. Comes in a rainbow of colors and looks designer (but it’s $123).

5. Fringe strikes again to spice up this classic minaudière. A neutral tone that goes with everything, but the fringe adds that extra bit of edge.

6. This is a new-to-me brand and one that has an assortment of great summer bags. This particular sequined tote is $50!

7. I have a bag just like this that I snagged last year and wear it all the time (see my recent posts here and here). Sequins & raffia are such a great combo!

Recommending: Last week, I was all about practicality. I rounded up all of my brand discount codes and shared them here. It took lots of haggling, but in some cases, I managed to secure the biggest discount code you’ll find on the Internet. If there’s a deal to be had, I’m going to let you know.

But this week is a bit more fun. This week, I’m spotlighting the items that I got the most compliments on (and from who).

• These fringed pants are sadly one-of-a-kind. They were a total find on The Real Real (Monse! For $200!) and immediately sparked joy when I put them on. A woman rolled down her car window to exclaim how much she loved them, a sweet 90-year-old man in my building said “wow…those are some pants!” and a little boy in the elevator nestled up to me to feel the fringe.

  • To spark similar reactions, these are a great option (under $50). Opt for these if you like feathers, and these are a total splurge but so, so good.

• This clutch is one of my favorite dupe finds (that I still feel ethical about). I went to a cocktail party / fundraiser earlier this week, and two women asked where I got it. They were shocked when I told them it was under $100! I assume it was inspired by this brand, but it’s just different enough that I won’t be rushing to Confession. The red is on major sale ($78), and all other colorways (three of them!) are $98.

• These sneakers have been my go-to for 20K+ step walks this spring. In addition to being functional, they’re cute enough that people have noticed (mostly friends and women standing behind me in line at stores). I have the navy, but the brown is equally adorable. Again, definitely inspired by this brand…but at a fraction of the price.

Admiring: Some things, people, and content I’ve been loving this week:

• A plug for the library via :

• If you haven’t already seen IMPERFECT WOMEN yet, whoa. A total mindf*ck of a show—a thriller about three best friends and their messy, messy lives. The episodes came out weekly, but now that the show is finished, you can binge them all at once!

• My all-time favorite Veronica Beard dupe dress is somehow on major sale. Under $50 and a total win. My only caution—avoid heels if you’re tall!

And finally, Substack Saves—a new section spotlighting the pieces worth your time.

• AI is something we’re all ramping up on every day, so I appreciated ’s look at how she engages with AI and what her AI stack looks like.

• compiled unhinged glow up tips from 2K+ women, and I never clicked on something so fast.

• I’m not a mom, so it might seem strange that I’m recommending this piece. But I thought it was full of sharp insights and beyond useful. put together a guide for how to succeed as a SAHM. Because it’s the job with the most demanding stakeholders of all!

• A peek behind the curtain at ’s Hill House—particularly when the brand did $4.2M in sales in one day. 👀

• put together this fantastic piece on the GLP-ification of the world—and how our obsession with shortcuts actually has so many parallels to how we view money.

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Not fro-yo, but an excellent downtown dinner. This was a friend’s birthday dinner at Stars, a new wine bar in the East Village. The team behind Stars is also the brainchild behind Claud and Penny. All restaurants do food a little bit differently (in the best way). My favorite dish at Claud is the chicken liver agnolotti! Definitely make a reservation (or walk in!) if you haven’t gone already.

Last week’s r.e.p.o.r.t. c.a.r.d. is here, but this week was full of books & articles that proved me wrong (along with a few fashion finds!)

Reading (book): I’m rarely a fan of the books everyone likes. What do I mean by that? If a book is touted by Reese or Jenna, it inherently must have mass appeal. Books cherry-picked by them are inherently uncontroversial and are often escapist beach reads…not anything deep. So any time a book makes those lists, I’m immediately a little skeptical.

So I was pleasantly surprised to be an instant superfan of this book. About a tradwife influencer who suddenly wakes up in 1855, it’s super sharp and the ultimate critique of Instagram culture. Totally got lost in this one.

Reading (article): A super interesting WSJ read about American doctors relocating to New Zealand for lower-stress careers. Being a doctor is not for the faint of heart. I know so many doctors who have made major career pivots—shifting to medtech sales, content creation, or consulting because they’re sick of the day-to-day grind.

And if you haven’t already read the New Yorker article on Sam Altman, please do. Whether you like him or not, he’s shaping your day-to-day.

CAREER CONFESSIONALS this week was a doozy (in a good way). It’s the wackiest one I’ve ever published. Joe is a 38 year-old in Atlanta who literally had $2.12 in his bank account eight years ago. But he catapulted himself to $300K in eight years through…giving away the majority of his yearly income. Really.

I’m not woo-woo, but there’s so many learnings in here about the power of generosity, connection, and being value-first. Light up your sage stick and give this one a read.

Eating: These have been a protein snack staple of mine for years—and for good reason! Delicious, no added sugar, and keeps you full for hours. A popcorn-y like crunch that’s way more healthy.

Playing: With unique gifts. Mother’s Day is fast approaching, so I pulled together a master list of thoughtful, interesting gifts you likely won’t find anywhere else. All are well-priced and damn good. I wish I could offer a QVC money-back guarantee on them…I’m that confident that the women in your life will be obsessed!

Obsessing: Fun earrings! While I love heirloom and fine jewelry, some of my favorite pieces are those I’ve picked up on my travels. They’re not precious—but they’re meaningful. Spring and summer are the perfect seasons to play with statement jewelry. Pile a few pieces on and you don’t need anything else! What I’ve been lusting after lately:

1. This green beaded necklace is an instant outfit-maker. Under $100 and I love the extra gold accent.

2. Love classic pearls paired with this gold shell detail.

3. More shells! On sale for $48 and perfect for a beach getaway.

4. These doubled-up pearl earrings offer just the right bit of funk. I love this brand for well-priced pieces!

5. Chartreuse is the color of the year, and no better way to play with it than with a statement necklace. A cord necklace is a great buy—you can easily swap out the charm based on your look.

6. Perhaps my favorite find of the bunch! $60 earrings handcrafted in India. And the color screams spring. I own a pair of earrings from this brand and they’re super lightweight—I wore them for eight hours and my ears were far from sore.

   1. There are so many more picks I couldn’t fit in this collage. All of my jewelry favorites are linked here!

Recommending: I’ve never done this before (and I’m not sure why). But here’s the master list of the discount codes I’ve negotiated with brands. Life is expensive, and if I can get a brand to dole out a discount, I will be doing so.

• Ruti: 15JULIA. The brand is currently offering 20% off sitewide, so see if you can stack my code alongside the existing discount. These pull-on pants are a wardrobe staple. They’re one of those pieces every content creator seems to be talking about…but it’s actually for good reason. I also love this asymmetrical button-down—super fun and looks very Monse or A.W.A.K.E. MODE.

• La Ligne: SMARTERINASEC10. I’ve talked ad nauseum about these silky pants, and they’re worth every penny. I own them in three different colorways, and paid full-price…but you don’t have to. I also love their wool-and-cashmere sweaters (especially this one!) and easy black-tie dresses.

• Lisa Maree: JULIA. turned me onto this brand and I was an instant convert. They’re best known for fun silhouettes and experimental pieces that everyone might not love…but I sure do. The brand prioritizes natural materials, and I’m particularly into these feathered jeans, this wool sweater with removable cuffs, and these ultra-flattering white trousers.

• Forme: SMART20. I have been a superfan of the brand’s posture bra for years (a much better solution to my slouching than my mom poking her finger in the middle of my back). I wear it multiple times per week, and over time, I’ve seen a natural improvement in my posture. Pricey, but a bra that actually does something. I’ve since ditched all of my other sports bras and am Forme-loyal.

  • I was also recently turned onto the arch boosting socks and they’re fantastic. Engineered with technology to improve foot alignment and stability, I’ve walked 30K+ steps with absolutely no pain thanks to these socks. (P.S. This code is the best you’ll find on the Internet—it’s evergreen and I played hardball with the founder in order to get it).

• Hulken: JULIA10. I bought a dupe—and it’s not good. The wheels gave out, and it was super bulky…not something you can easily navigate NYC streets with. This is worth the investment (and it’s not that expensive). I use mine to lug groceries around, shuttle stuff from my car to my apartment, move around packages, and more. I couldn’t imagine life without this thing! The founder is genius—a well-designed solution to such a common frustration (carting around stuff!)

Admiring: Some things, people, and content I’ve been loving this week:

• This is a delightful read from a fashion insider. is a ten-year veteran of the industry and shares all of her styling tips and tricks.

• A polarizing but very real take by .

• My husband recently bested my own skincare routine with his own routine of fancy products. I need to ask him exactly how he found out about this brand, but he’s now using this serum and this cream under his eyes. (Which he’s self-proclaimed as his “problem area”…his words, not mine!) He’s only been using them a few weeks, but they’re absolutely working.

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My mom and I on my wedding day (with my sister Molly!)

I’m sharing my vetted Mother’s Day gift picks below. All are unique, interesting picks that aren’t your run-of-the-mill, open-it-and-never-use-it kind of gift. No matter what your mom (or mother-in-law) is like, I guarantee you can find something she’ll love—whether she’s a girly girl or doesn’t care about that stuff at all.

But the best gift of all? Time! (Not linkable). The only resource we can’t get back. Take your mom to dinner. Go on a fun weekend trip. See a Broadway show or a concert. Spend the afternoon together at a spa. Opt for an experience and then pair it with one of the standout gifts below.

Without further ado…

1. My mom loves growing herbs, and as a result, her kitchen counter is littered with plastic cups and contraptions to optimize her green thumb. No more! This herb tray is so cute and looks great in any kitchen. I also love this green-and-pink patterned option too. Pair this gift with a pack of seeds and you’re golden.

The bouquets are stunning and always super full! I’ve tested and tried a ton of flower subscription sites, but this one is by far the best. I’ve found that others aren’t up to snuff—they come super wilted or the flowers feel sparse.

2. For the last few years, I’ve gifted the women in my family a flower subscription. It’s something that they look forward to for months after Christmas, and it’s an easy and (and relatively low-cost!) gift. I always love receiving pictures of the bouquets on their countertops. I’m all about experiences, and this is the most experiential gift that you can get while still being physical. Nothing beats flowers.

3. The best gifts don’t have to be aesthetic, and that thesis is proved by this head-to-toe bath pillow. In fact, the best gifts are those things you never thought you needed. I bought it for my mom a few years ago, and it’s remained one of her all-time favorite gifts. My mom loves nothing more than reading in the bath, and this pillow encourages that—and keeps her so comfortable she never wants to get out! Pair it with these beloved bath pebbles and it’s the ultimate self-care indulgence.

4. What do moms love more than anything else?! Pictures of their kids. These silver frames are my gifting go-to—the bamboo pattern is super fun, and makes them look way more expensive than their price point. You’ll never guess the retailer. A low-cost gift with a huge impact. I also love this funky green frame and this three-tier frame if you want to gift multiple photos.

5. This gift is part self-care, part utility. Who has time to lather themselves in lotion as soon as they get out of the shower? I certainly don’t, and I envy those who remember to make it part of their routine. Hanni is an in-shower body balm that solves that problem. It moisturizes you while you're in the shower! You apply it while you’re still in the shower, step out, and the balm (a combination of coconut oil, shea butter, and jojoba) quickly absorbs into your skin. Most beauty products these days are total marketing BS—not this one! I’ve repurchased (and gifted it!) multiple times.

6. One of my all-time favorite gifts to give is a personalized tote bag. It always fits, it’s always a statement, and it's the kind of gift that endures for years beyond cyclical trends. And everyone always needs a good-looking bag to schlep things around in. These initial tote bags are adorable and come in a rainbow of colorways. I gifted a few of them for Christmas and they were a massive hit! A total steal for a personalized gift. I also love the striped colorway!

7. I’m not trying to incite the firestorm of the Peloton mom and suggest giving your mom something potentially offensive, but the Hulken is truly such a lifesaver. (Use the code JULIA10 for 10% off). I couldn’t imagine life in NYC without it. If your mom lives in a city or is constantly toting around a lot of stuff (what mom isn’t?!), this is a highly practical gift in addition to a more sentimental or self-care gift. For the mom who doesn’t care about brands or aesthetic things, this is spot-on gift. I use mine to lug groceries from Trader Joe’s, to take stuff from my car to my apartment, and to drop off returns. It’s the ultimate tote that can roll everywhere—and no, I don’t feel ridiculous rolling it around!

8. If you want to go a bit more elevated with your bag gift, this brand is super high-quality. (a must-follow for trusted product recs!) turned me onto this brand, and I’m beyond impressed with the craftsmanship and price point. I don't know if you've seen the discourse online about raffia and wicker clutches being a total rip-off—as designers like The Row sell raffia bags for $2k+…insane!)—but this brand is a comparable steal. This floral minaudière has my heart, but I’m also very into this wicker-and-leather combination and this handwoven raffia clutch.

9. Backtracking on what I said earlier. Experiences are the best-ever gift, sure…but they’re absolutely tied with jewelry. If you decide to splurge on your mom and get her a beautiful piece of jewelry (or maybe rework an heirloom!), upgrade her jewelry box along with it. This printed one is so chic and would look beautiful on any bedside table. Just don’t only gift her a jewelry box. Put something fun inside of it, like these pearl drop earrings or this bold multicolored necklace.

10. I love a good candle (and have this one lit by my side as I finish this Substack!) However, there is something special about having a home scent. An aroma that’s ever-present and feels like your own…without the maintenance or safety concerns of candles.

    1. Enter Pura. My brother gave me one two years ago, and it quickly became a staple in my home. Think of it as a modern-age Glade Plug-In (remember those?)…only with much more elevated (and clean!) scents. You can adjust the fragrance intensity from your phone. I have my Pura in my home office (really my home nook), so I have a timer set to turn it on during “working hours” and off at 6PM. There are so many fragrances to pick and choose from (though I’ve repurchased the Capri Blue a few times and love it). A great gift for the mom who entertains a ton!

What are you still struggling with when it comes to Mother’s Day gifting? Do you want more practical or aesthetic gift recs?

By being value-first, I truly believe that the right opportunities will come my way. I’m not a particularly woo-woo person, but I believe this at my core. My phone is a constant flow of texts to those in my network all day–“Want me to connect you with this person? Have you heard about this event? Did you see this article?” That’s just how I’m wired.

But. There’s few caveats to this (that may be controversial):

1. Help someone three times before they help you or help a friend. A friend told me this last year and it stuck with me. Of course, it doesn’t apply in every situation–and I’m a seasoned professional, not a new college grad. But it’s a great litmus test for who you’re looking out for–and who is actually looking out for you.

2. Gratitude is important. When I take stock of my network, there are a few people who I’ve helped tremendously—referred clients or shared massive opportunities—and they haven’t even sent me a thank you text. Social capital is precious and should be treated as such. If someone can’t do the bare minimum to show their appreciation, I can’t engage. A simple “thank you!” goes a long, long way.

3. Death to the brain pick. My time is valuable–and my rent doesn’t get paid with coffee. I get messages every week from people asking to “pick my brain,” and while I’m flattered, I don’t have the bandwidth to meet with people for free. If you’re asking someone something in the zone of their subject matter expertise, be prepared to pay. And if someone says yes to your “brain pick” request, show up early, get them coffee, and send them a thank you gift. Time is the most precious currency. You can’t get it back.

And of course…always make it a point to put yourself out there and meet interesting people!

This week’s edition of CAREER CONFESSIONALS spotlights this idea of generosity in an extreme way. Joe is a 38-year old based in Atlanta who had a $2.12 bank balance in 2018. He was in deep financial despair with no way out. So he did the irrational…give all of his money away. He believed that generosity would put him on a path to a financially fulfilled life—and it did, as he now brings in $300,000 per year.

How he did it is unconventional. This is probably the interviewee that I fundamentally disagree with the most–but am very inspired by. I’m too type A (and let’s be real, capitalist) to give all of my money away. But there’s tons of learnings in this interview about networking, relationship building, and the power of being value-first for everyone.

Read more

The toppings are very reminiscent of Madison Fare, and although it’s all the way downtown, I’m a total superfan and will absolutely be back.

I opted for the plain fro-yo topped with pistachio crunch, hazelnut crunch, and chocolate chips. So good and a total departure from the 16 Handles sugar rush.

So many things to unpack this week—from reads to eats to standing out at conferences (in a good way!)

Reading (book): I’m 32, and while I got married last year, I’m not ready to have kids by any measure. I’m very much in my “data collection year”—learning from others in my life about what I want motherhood to look like alongside running my own business. What level of help will I need? Do I want to stay in NYC? Should I lean into (or lean out of) certain areas of my work?

While I figure all of that out, my friend brought me to an event with Dr. Natalie Crawford—who just wrote a book all about fertility. I took so much away from the conversation (and have really enjoyed the book so far). Specifically, I learned a ton about fertility, environmental factors, and things my husband and I can change to optimize our approach to fertility.

Overall, I really love that the narrative around fertility has become so much more rooted in gender parity than ever before. Fertility—and creating life!—takes two people, and for years, the conversation was centered around female infertility. But now men are in the spotlight (deservedly so!)

Reading (article): As the daughter of a personal injury lawyer, this New Yorker article was wild to read. It’s about a multi-year personal injury fraud that unfolded in New Orleans. Some people are so crafty, and I always say that scammers could have been a massive success in business development or sales. They have the right skillset…but chose to apply it in the wrong way.

This Business Insider piece is also a fun one. We’re all craving community, and this San Francisco man created just that...an in-person community centered around peptides. Yes, they all get together in-person to inject their peptides together. Unconventional, but I guess it works.

And on CAREER CONFESSIONALS this week, a deep dive into an unconventional career in an unconventional city. Success doesn’t just mean a high-flying career in a big city. When you look outside the NYC / SF bubble, opportunities (and big salaries!) abound.

And that’s exactly what Sam did. A 28 year-old who had a cushy, well-paid job in a pricey coastal city, he left it all behind to move to the middle of nowhere. A new entrant to a fast-growing industry, he’s making just as much as his peers in consulting, tech, and banking back home. But he’s able to save way more. $250K in a remote area of the country feels very different than $250K in a major city.

The ultimate case study in making a big geographic & professional move—and having it majorly pay off.

Eating: I’ve been traveling a ton recently, so I’ve been experimenting with different protein bars. These will always be my go-to for protein bars that taste like candy bars, but are they clean? Absolutely not. There’s no way that almond butter, coconut oil, and oats could make something that tastes exactly like an Almond Joy. It’s just not humanly possible.

For a cleaner option, I really do like this bar. It’s delicious and keeps you full without tasting like dust. I’ve probably tried four different new-to-me protein bars in the past few weeks. Most of them totally suck, but this one doesn’t!

Playing: I went to a conference on Friday and it was painfully clear that most people totally stick to the script when it comes to conference dressing. Black blazers, black trousers, and pointed-toe pumps. Uniforms like this are just plain boring. You look like you’re attending a funeral—not like you’re trying to form relationships or representing a company.

And then others were at the total opposite end of the spectrum, dressed so haphazardly that it was clear they put zero effort into their appearance. Would you really trust them when it comes to an important business transaction or conversation? Clothes are a true reflection of you.

I opted to wear this sweater set, these trousers, and these chunky sandals. So many people came up to me to let me know they liked different elements of my outfit—and I had lots of interesting conversations as a result. I even got on my soapbox about this a few weeks ago. Wear the funky thing!

Feel free to e-mail me (julia@smarterinasec.com) if you need a stylist recommendation. I have a few favorites up my sleeve depending on your budget and style goals. But in the meantime, I’ve rounded up my favorite picks for conference dressing that are a bit different. Professional and polished…but definitely not boring.

1. Pair these silky pants with a button-down and a printed pump and you’re golden. I talk about these pants a ton, and they really are worth the money. They drape like The Row at a fraction of the price point. You can use the code JULIA10 for 10% off (I paid full price a few months ago, but you don’t have to!)

2. Instead of a blah blazer, how about an embroidered jacket?! I saw this jacket on Lauren Ellison Fox and was immediately smitten. Of course, you wouldn’t wear with a miniskirt in a conference setting—you could pair with the silky pants or these wide-leg trousers.

3. A set always makes me feel pulled together. I splurged on this marigold set a few weeks ago with a credit, and it’s one of my favorite spring buys. While I wouldn’t wear the vest in a corporate setting, I recently wore the pants to a professional event and paired it with this 100% cashmere cardigan. A chic monochrome look!

   1. For more work-ready set recommendations, I rounded up my favorites here! All are super well-priced.

Obsessing: In that vein, I absolutely love following Rabbi Arielle Stein. Arielle is a Reform rabbi in NYC and has the funkiest style. Her signature social media series is “Shoes for Freaks,” where she showcases how she wears off-the-wall shoes in context. (The series has become so popular that it was recently featured in Vogue!) Sometimes she’s officiating a wedding or leading high holiday services—but sometimes, she’s just your average thirtysomething grabbing brunch with friends.

So inspired by Arielle, here are a few of my own freaky shoe picks. They’re not for everyone, but these are the kinds of shoes you have a visceral reaction to. Love or hate, they start a conversation.

1. Very out there…but also office-appropriate. The kind of slides you could wear with a classic white tee and jeans and immediately feel pulled together.

2. Remember the viral “Screw You” Stubbs & Wootton shoes of 2016? These are the slightly more elegant 2026 equivalent. This brand is well-known for eccentric shoes, and this shoe absolutely delivers.

3. These sandals are tough yet girly…a gladiator-esque style that’s softened a bit with a fun rhinestone detail. While I like them in black, the tan colorway has my heart. And these snakeskin pumps (from the same brand) are very unexpected—the heel detail sets them apart from any old pair of pumps.

4. is a fan of these flats, and the bold color puts them squarely into freak territory (see what I did there?!) They happen to be on sale now…and supposedly, they’re super comfortable.

5. If worn improperly, these multi-color raffia flats could easily veer into Rainbow Brite territory. But if done right, they’re the foundation for a statement-making outfit. These patterned Mary Janes are similarly risky.

6. turned me onto these freaky-deaky shoes. They shouldn’t work—but somehow they do. They combine a traditional (and often, boring!) silhouette with fun patterns and shades. They’re absolutely on my wishlist!

Recommending: I shared last week about how my washable rug purchase a few months ago was a major kitchen upgrade. And for the very first time this week, I put its washable moniker to the test. I spilled some matcha on it (oof) and immediately threw it into the wash between calls. The stain washed right out and it’s like it never happened! A plus one for a company that’s true to its marketing messaging.

Admiring: Some things, people, and content I’ve been loving this week:

• I absolutely loved this take via about the singles tax. If you’re married or in a relationship, take care of your single friends! It’s hard out there to be single. If you’re at a group dinner with a bunch of couples and there’s a seventh wheel, just cover their meal. And while you’re at it…ask them what they’re looking for and set them up!

• Completely co-sign this! Via .

• One of my all-time favorite hacks at Sephora is asking for samples. Even if I spent $10 in-store, I will always ask for samples…there’s always so many goodies hiding behind the counter! I got samples of this and this earlier in the week and I’m excited to see if they live up to the hype.

  • Another secret Sephora hack—no one ever samples the hair products. They’re always full to the brim. I was grabbing dinner with friends the other night and my hair looked like total sh*t, so I decided to waltz into a Sephora and do something about it. A spritz of this and a few pumps of this immediately brought my hair back to life!

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Nearly every day, I see discourse online about the cost of living in NYC—and the big changes people consider to make life more affordable. This viral NYTimes article (nonpaywalled!) discusses how families manage to afford three kids in NYC (and how two is the new three).

To escape the NYC financial trap, people have moved to Philadelphia, relocated their entire family to Lisbon (my friend Patrice, who is super open about her journey online), and made major professional changes (a former client of mine transitioned from being a jewelry designer to a top salesperson in tech).

People love living on the coasts—where wealth is concentrated—for a reason. Tons of professional opportunities, interesting people, and plenty of culture. But what if you abandoned your high-paying, big city job for an opportunity in a very, very remote place? Five hours from the nearest big city, yes—but major upside. If you stick it out, you’d be well on your way to earning $500K in the next few years.

That was exactly the dilemma faced by Sam, a 28 year-old who pivoted from a cushy D.C. career into a high-growth industry…in the middle of nowhere. We discussed the long-term outlook for his industry, if the geographic trade-off was worth it, and the roadmap to breaking in for new grads.

If you live in a big city and feel like you don’t earn enough, read this. If you’re a new grad unsure about where to live post-grad, read this.

Without further ado…

Read more

We stayed at GoldenEye (which was once the home of JAMES BOND author Ian Fleming), though I hope to return to the island and try out Round Hill.

As spring kicks off, I’m genuinely excited to do some spring cleaning. I hired a professional organizer in the winter and it was such a game changer, but I felt like I had a little bit more to do. This new documentary on Netflix is all about the dangers of plastic in your home and was just the kick I needed.

I actually just tossed all of my plastic Tupperware and replaced them with glass. Luckily, my glass water bottles have been a staple for years! And I recently swapped out plastic wrap in favor of this silicon onion and avocado saver thanks to .

Reading (book): I’m a sucker for a celebrity memoir, and this one is IT. I got it for Christmas and just got around to reading it, and am sad I didn’t devour it sooner.

Stanley Tucci writes beautifully about his life through the lens of food. It mixes childhood memories, family dinners, recipes, and his battle with cancer…all tied together by how deeply food shaped his identity and relationships. Just don’t start it on an empty stomach!

• If you love searing memoirs, I recommend this one every single week (and I get DMs about how good it is every single week). A must-read.

Reading (article): This Business Insider article on female weight training is a great one. Many female executives are waking up to the power of weight training and how it can benefit them at work and beyond. Though we’re in the Ozempic era, there hasn’t been a ton of long-term research what peptides do to our muscle mass long-term. I’m not a doctor, but weight training is something that extends longevity and a priority in my own workout routine. Ditch the one-pound weights and go for something heavier!

Earlier this week on CAREER CONFESSIONALS, I spotlighted a profession that gets a lot of flak. Most people in this profession are sales-y frat bros, but if you’re a woman (and highly relational, like most women are!) there’s absolutely no ceiling for what you can earn. This particular interviewee is based in the South and is one of the most soft-spoken yet quietly confident people I know. She currently makes $500K, but is on track to make $1M+ in a few years. It’s a profession that I wish more women knew about!

Eating: As temperatures heat up, something I love—cooking!—becomes way more of a chore. My apartment runs pretty hot as we have central AC, so who wants to be a dripping, sweaty mess when they make dinner?!

I received these two cookbooks as wedding gifts, and they’re the best for warm-weather cooking. Both of them are heavy on assembly-friendly recipes versus those that have you pulling out all the pans and turning your oven on. So many recipes have become favorites, and even though I’ve had them for under a year, their pages are already tattered because I’ve used them so much. Highly recommend!

Playing: As temperatures heat up, we’re all faced with the age-old fashion question…finding dresses that are work-appropriate yet will keep us cool all day. A few of my favorite picks:

1. This dress hits way above its price point thanks to the waist tie. Instantly elevated! I don’t usually shop this brand…but this dress is 100% cotton and a steal. I’m sold!

2. Another great pick (and under $200). Again, this is a brand I don’t typically shop from (and only deem it worth shopping there for this sweater, this clutch, and this cotton shirt). I guess we’re now adding a fourth item to the mix. I love the puff sleeve detail and a dress you can easily wear for work or a post-work cocktail hour.

3. Throw on a cardigan and this dress instantly goes from beach to the boardroom. A total mall brand win! (The rainbow colorway is so Zimmermann-esque!)

4. Love a striped shirtdress! Again, 100% cotton and under $200. Rare to find these days (most dresses are polyester slop).

Obsessing: Something that I have gone low-maintenance on is my nails. I’ve had a deep, deep dependency on gel nails since my college days. The cost is excessive…and so is the time. I’d rather be doing other things than sitting in a salon chair.

This line of nail products is amazing. They were specifically created for a low-maintenance nail routine, and after using it for the past two weeks, it’s stuck. There are no polishes—only glosses!—which for someone who has poor motor skills and definitely didn’t color within the lines during kindergarten, feels made for me. You brush on the glosses and your nails are instantly stronger…but also look like you just got a manicure. The best of both worlds!

Recommending: The Sephora sale is here, and everyone is talking about their favorite picks. I’m not a beauty guru, and I’m so unskilled at doing my own makeup that I hired a professional makeup artist last year to teach me some tricks. I did learn a lot, but I still only consider myself a beauty subject matter expert in a few areas:

1. Dry shampoo. I rarely wash my own hair and get a blowout every 5 to 6 days at my local blow-dry spot. This dry shampoo allows me to extend my blowout so that it looks just as great as the first day I got it…and that I don’t go bankrupt from my blowout dependency.

2. Redness-reducing cream. As someone who is 75% Irish, red is my natural state of being. If I don’t use this redness-reducing cream, I look like a tomato. Period.

Redness-free on my wedding day!

3. This product actually isn’t part of the Sephora sale, but it’s so good that you won’t mind paying full price. (I paid full price, and I’m not mad about it).

   1. A dirty little beauty secret is that most people don’t need concealer. Concealer is for people who have very, very dark undereye areas. If you are lucky enough not to have that, applying concealer can make your undereyes look very cakey, dry, and unnatural. Instead, opt for an undereye brightener. This one is truly the best. I swipe on a bit of the brightener and mascara and I feel like a new person! It’s that transformative.

Admiring: Some things, people, and content I’ve been loving this week:

• I invested in a Ruggable runner for my kitchen last year, and can’t say enough about it. It made the kitchen feel way more homey, and if I spill something on the runner (as I frequently do!)…clean-up is easy. The Scalamandré x Ruggable collection is back in stock, and I’m eyeing this one for my office. Just say the word about tiger-printed anything and I’m in.

• Grandparents! They’re the best! Sharing via :

• I’m still screaming from the rooftops about this Veronica Beard dupe dress and this 100% cotton sweater. Both from brands you probably don’t shop at often…but probably should.

• I’m SO excited for the Christopher John Rogers x Old Navy collab. Easy pieces full of color…exactly my style. This Elle article unpacks it all!

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Wealth management works as follows: advisors manage different aspects of your money, spanning investments, retirement and taxes. In return, they get paid either as a percentage of the assets they manage (typically ~1%), through commissions on products they sell, or a flat advisory fee. The more assets you bring in (and keep), the more they make. The business is fundamentally built on gathering and retaining client capital over time.

There’s lots to be made in this field. Bringing in a client with a $50 million dollar portfolio would deliver $500,000 in fees per year (if not more).

And I get the pitchiness. Everyone has to make a dollar–but I was being approached by advisors in such a transactional way that it completely turned me off. As with every industry, there are bad eggs in every carton–and I just hadn’t met the good ones yet.

My perception of the industry completely changed when I met Eden, a financial advisor in her late 30s based in the Southeast. She is warm, relational, and the opposite of sales-y. In fact, that’s her sharp edge in an industry dominated by people who size other people up and slap a business card in their hand. She leads with relationships first–which has enabled her to achieve explosive salary growth at her firm and achieve equity partnership.

We discussed it all…including why there’s so much opportunity in wealth management if you approach it the right way, why it’s a great career for women, and her clients that are earning the most (and the least).

Without further ado…

Read more

I got this personalized bag for my mom, which I used as her Easter basket! It’s $3 (seriously) and hits way above its price point. I also got it for all of my female cousins last year on our annual cousins weekend. A total hit!

These are also the few weeks when you’re reminded why you live in the Northeast. After a bitterly cold winter, it’s the mood lifter we all needed. Lots of walks with my weighted vest accompanied by a good podcast are in my future and I’m so excited.

Reading (book): I’ve shared a few times that as my husband grew up Jewish, I wanted to learn more about the religion before having kids. I took an Intro to Judaism class at a nearby Reform temple, which kicked off in October and wrapped last month. It was a two-hour night class almost every week and I honestly really miss it!

So this book was a wonderful way to deepen my understanding of Judaism in a non-pedantic way. Recommended by (who is in the process of converting to Orthodox Judaism and a total must-follow!), it follows the story of three Syrian Jewish sisters in Brooklyn. Lots of drama, romance, and relatable family dynamics. I usually gravitate towards rich mom thrillers, memoirs, and non-fiction books, but this was a wonderful aperture-opening read.

Reading (article): A very good read about what people are calling “the lost generation”—Gen Z. They graduated from college during the pandemic and are at once met with so much opportunity creation (entrepreneurship! AI!) as well as a major shift to how they envisioned their careers to look. If you interface with Gen Zs in any capacity, the article is absolutely worth your time.

And in this week’s CAREER CONFESSIONALS, a look into a high-paying industry you likely already have the skillset for. No advanced degree needed. Just the ability to read and connect people. Really!

Eating: I’m a sucker for a sweet treat. However, I’m equally drawn to better-for-you versions that actually deliver. No “healthy” candy that tastes like dust to be found here. The second I recommend combining almond butter and maple syrup because it tastes “just like cookie dough,” you can take me out back and shoot me.

took me to A Matter of Health earlier this weekend—a health food store on the Upper East Side that is a mecca of healthy snacks. I still have many snacks to review from our visit, but whenever I come across them, I always add these healthy Almond Joy dupes to my cart.

So, so good and you don’t miss the extra sugar (really). They taste just like the OGs (and that’s really saying a lot, as I’m an Almond Joy superfan!)

Playing: With having a fully charged computer at all times. NYC coffee shops have majorly cracked down on their outlets—and I get it. Having someone sit in a coffee shop doing work for hours on end when they only make a $7 coffee purchase isn’t necessarily good for business. Many coffee shop outlets are now time-bound…or completely blocked off all together.

So this portable computer charger really is a game-changer. I can hop around the city all day doing work and not worry about my computer dying. Charges your computer in a flash. I can’t believe I didn’t purchase this sooner!

Dead computer woes…be gone!

But if you are going to camp out in a coffee shop all day, make sure to pay up. Stay for lunch, tip generously, and be kind.

Obsessing: Tripstyled is one of my all-time favorite follows on IG. She is totally anonymous online, but I’ve had the pleasure of meeting her offline and she’s super warm, dynamic, and has forged such an interesting career. (I wish I could say more!)

Regardless of my fangirling, she shares some damn good finds. This bandana set is so cute, under $50, and perfect for sweltering hot temperatures ahead. I’m heading to a wedding in Jamaica in a few weeks and will be wearing this on the beach!

Recommending: Chic spring dresses are hard to find. It seems that the new floor for dresses is $400…which is just wild. This is the case for wedding guest dresses, but also seems to have penetrated the day-to-day dress market. Why?!?

So I’ve done some digging…and found the best well-priced (and cute) dresses. All are well under $400 and absolutely worth your money!

1. I ordered this dress for the wedding I have in Jamaica and it fits like a dream. Give me a fringe detail and I will show you my credit card.

2. This multi-striped dress is similarly fun. A total statement piece!

   1. I love a flatform—height without the pain! This raffia shoe can be paired with so much, and every shoe I have from this brand is ultra-comfy.

3. This checkered dress is perfect for punching up your work wardrobe. Under $100 and beyond good!

4. Polka dots are such a timeless pattern, especially done in this silhouette!

   1. A black or white shoe with these dresses would be way too expected. Punch it up with this low red heel. A super sculptural, fun design!

5. This dress is a total mall brand win. Looks like Zimmermann…but is in fact from a mall brand you’ve written off for years.

6. Another dress from a store you won’t believe. Has the signature Veronica Beard draping at a way lower price point.

   1. shared these ultra-mini wedges and they’re adorable. I love the scalloped detail, and they’re a great fit when you don’t want a heel but a flat just feels a tad too casual.

7. The stripes and crochet of this dress make it a winner—especially in this bold red.

   1. To make this outfit even more fun, round it out with these low daisy heels. A cute feminine touch and so on-point for spring!

Admiring: Some things, people, and content I’ve been loving this week:

• If you’ve been considering a portfolio career, this Substack by is a fantastic, level-setting read. Great actionable advice!

• Keep buying books! Loved this take via and :

• I can’t get enough of these navy blue sneakers. I clocked 40K+ steps in them this week alone with absolutely no pain. The price is right—and they’re super cute, so they’ll elevate your look vs. bring it down.

  • I paired the sneakers with these arch-boosting socks, which are specially engineered to improve foot alignment and stability. While I haven’t seen any improvement to my baseline clumsiness, it is markedly easier to clock big step days without pain. I just restocked! Code SMART20 for 20% off.

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As someone who generally loves people, I was often more interested in people’s personal stories vs. our romantic compatibility...hence why I ended up on five-hour dates with an ex-Hasidic Jewish guy and another who grew up as a devout Jehovah’s witness. More on my dating philosophy here and here!

It’s rough out there! But it led me here!

Whenever I reveal that I previously hired a matchmaker, I’m met with curiosity. Some people say they’d never consider hiring a matchmaker—because that signals that you’re damaged goods. (A guy I was set up with by a matchmaker actually said that to me too). Some people think the entire industry is a scam (there are tons of horror stories for sure). And some never even considered that matchmaking was part of the secular world...and thought it was reserved for ethnic or religious communities. (If you haven’t already seen JEWISH MATCHMAKING, INDIAN MATCHMAKING, or MUSLIM MATCHMAKER, they’re all amazing binge watches).

In fact, matchmaking is a burgeoning industry—especially on the coasts where people are waiting longer to get married and love often takes a back seat to career ambitions. I decided to interview my friend Abby to reveal it all about her career as a matchmaker...and how she built a sterling reputation in an industry known for scammy coaches and wild prices. If you’re someone who naturally sets up everyone on dates, this may just the high-paying (and fun!) career path for you.

And if you’re happily married or in a relationship, check in on your single friends and genuinely try to set them up. Don’t just ask them about their crazy dating stories (and yes, single people are tired of having their dating lives be the hot conversation topic at dinner). Reach out, ask them what they’re looking for, and set them up with the eligible single people in your life!

I learned in my Judaism class that if you set up three marriages, you immediately go straight to heaven. So let’s get to it!

Without further ado, Abby reveals it all…

Read more

However, I’m a behind on work early this week as my grandmother passed away last week, who I loved dearly. I know how lucky I am to be in my early 30s and still have two living grandparents (my dad’s parents). If you do have grandparents who are still around, call them. Text them! Go to dinner with them. When you reach your 80s or 90s, going to funerals is a normal weekend social outing—and that’s depressing! Spending a few hours with an older person (or even a few minutes…as my husband does every so often with an elderly neighbor with Roku struggles) is a total mood-lifter.

Dinner with friends is always healing! We tried this Syrian restaurant on the Upper West Side that was amazingly good. Lamb arayes were a new-to-me dish but insanely delicious!

Reading (book): I never pre-order books, but the premise of this book gripped me so much that I made an exception. Elizabeth Zhang has been working towards Harvard Law School her entire life. But when she shockingly doesn’t get in, she turns her fury towards Laura Kim, a fellow Asian classmate of hers at Columbia. Elizabeth is a reject turned dangerous stalker. I can’t wait to read it and devour it!

The book seems very similar to YELLOWFACE, which is absolute delight if you’re not already familiar. It’s about two rival Asian female authors on the rise (who happen to be faux friends). One of them dies…and I’ll leave the rest to you. A very juicy read.

Reading (article): Apparently the term “alpine divorce” is now a thing—it’s when a woman is abandoned by their partner on a hiking trail. Ick. The Guardian digs into this disturbing trend…which, like ghosting, I simply don’t understand. Let’s just be straight up with each other and move on, right?!

Also, this GQ longread about a top male OnlyFans creator is an absolute must. I won’t spoil it, but money doesn’t buy human connection or friendship!

On a more PG reading front, CAREER CONFESSIONALS will be back this week with two editions (as I took last week off). My favorite interview so far has been with the SAT tutor on the Upper East Side who makes $1M+, but you can find all previous interviews here, here, and here.

Eating: I’m all about a good dessert. I’m also all about portion control, hence why I did a sugar cleanse earlier this year. I have gotten better, but if good dessert is in my line of sight, I’m dipping into it.

These lemon wafer bites are so good (also come in hazelnut-chocolate and cookies & cream, but this is my favorite flavor). Delicious! Perfect on top of ice cream...but equally great if you want a tasty snack with not a ton of calories (100 calories per pack!) I discovered these a few years ago and they’ve been a pantry staple ever since.

Playing: With well-priced wedding guest dresses. I opined on this recently, and so many of you agreed. I love fashion, but IMO, event dresses are not the place to spend a ton of money. 99% of the time, it’s not your event and no one is looking at you.

Spend your money on jewelry, bags, and shoes. With a good eye, you can easily pick out a nicely tailored dress and dress it up beautifully.

A few reasonably priced picks that belong in your closet (many of which are in mine!)

1. This stunning number (from a mall brand!) $160 but hits way above its price point.

2. This dress looks like Georgia Hardinge but is under $100. Really. (The OG brand for comparison’s sake!)

3. This brand just started making dresses and damn are they good. Very sculptural and reminiscent of Leo Lin. I just snagged this one for an upcoming wedding, and the price is right at $260. I’m also very into this navy blue flowered cocktail dress, this long orchid embroidered dress, and this black and lilac gown. All are under $300, but look like they were pulled straight from Moda Operandi.

4. The draping of this gown is stunning, and I’d expect it to be 4x its price. A classic shape you can dress up or down for multiple weddings!

Obsessing: This short-sleeve button down. The perfect summer office shirt that isn’t boring and can flex beyond work. The pleating is gorgeous!

Recommending: Asana. They're my go-to project management tool for keeping my portfolio career in order. I'm constantly bouncing between different workstreams (clients! content! my own personal life / being an eldest daughter!), and Asana helps me keep it all straight.

How I actually use Asana:

• Map full workflows (not just tasks!) so I can see what’s happening now, what’s next, and what’s falling behind

• Run my entire interview series in one centralized project (outreach → scheduling → publishing)

• Keep multiple workstreams (clients, content, life admin) organized in one place

• Use it as a single source of truth so nothing slips through the cracks

• Utilize Asana AI to flag what actually needs my attention, so I’m not digging through tasks trying to figure out what the problem is.

• Avoid constant manual upkeep — it stays useful without micromanaging it

Why it works:

• It brings structure to chaotic, multi-hyphenate schedules

• It helps me prioritize without overthinking

• It scales with everything I have going on

In terms of pricing, Asana is free forever for personal use. If you want to upgrade to a paid tier (and get access to more), you have thirty days to decide whether it's the right fit for you. A truly risk-free way to level up! *sponsored by Asana

Admiring: Some things, people, and content I’ve been loving this week:

• This reality check via :

• A good read about the downfall of Allbirds. Were you ever a fan?! They were just purchased for $39M after being valued at $4B a few years ago. I never bought into the hype—they just looked a touch too orthopedic for me.

• Agree with this re: AI (via !)

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Similar to the Olympics, it’s the stories that pull me in. There’s certain characters every March Madness that gain fame—some forge careers in basketball, while others end up in regular 9-5s and relish their time in the spotlight. This is a fun article about where March Madness stars landed after their college basketball careers ended.

Even more uncharacteristic—this basketball documentary is fantastic. I’m the only member of my immediate family who didn’t go to St. John’s University, and they advanced to the March Madness sweet 16 last night (they last did so in 1999). The documentary digs into how the school’s controversial coach—Rick Pitino—brought the team back to ‘90s dominance. You don’t need to be a sports fan to enjoy!

I will never say no to chicken parm.

Besides basketball, my husband and I went out to dinner and spent a few days together without work travel in between—a rarity! I got married in August, and my husband works for a family business based in upstate New York. Each week, we are apart for three, four, or more days, as he stays overnight upstate and often travels across the country for work.

I call this arrangement “marriage lite,” which definitely has its pros and cons. On nights when we’re not together, I don’t feel guilty about seeing friends, going to a work dinner, or eating a PB&J and spending a night catching up on emails. Of course, the cons are obvious! While this reality is only temporary, it’s made me appreciate the fact that I chose a partner who encourages my independence and professional ambitions. Curious to hear if anyone else is in a long-distance relationship of sorts!

Reading (book): I’m not yet a parent, but I’ve shared that I’m currently in my “data collection year”—exploring how high-achieving people in my life balance children with work and the logistical support they need to make that happen.

I was recommended two books this week that are right up this alley. shared this witty non-fiction book, which explores how society is so quick to portray women as bad moms. By a writer at The Cut (I particularly loved this piece of hers), I know I’ll race through it.

And mentioned this damning book and I immediately ordered. It’s about how the mental health industry has transformed the way we teach, treat, discipline, and even talk to our kids…and it’s not always for the better. Expecting to learn a lot from this one!

Reading (article): Corporate board positions are highly paid roles ($300K+ for a part-time position!) that everyone lusts after…but no one really explains how to get there. This MarketWatch article even praises them as the “greatest job in America.”

I sat down with Morgan last week—a board member in her 50s who nets $1.5M+ per year—to dig into how she transitioned from corporate employee to board member. So many great insights (with a side of salary tea).

On another note, this is a fun Business Insider article about Superpower—a new peptide startup that is aiming to make us all smarter, hotter, and healthier.

Eating: I’m a sucker for an easy meal. But easy doesn’t always mean good. I tried the Fly By Jing noodles last year, and I thought they were fine. A solid 5/10. You know how I feel about fine, though. Fine = I won’t be repurchasing.

However, the brand just dropped brand-new noodle flavors and WOW. The sesame noodles are far and away my favorite—and taste just like dan dan noodles. Add the protein of your choice and boom—you have a healthy-ish balanced meal. Will definitely be rebuying! The roasted garlic noodles rank #2.

Playing: With the same pair of sunglasses over and over again. I tried out this pair two years ago thanks to and never looked back. As an alternate, this pair is a slightly different style and also in my rotation. Both pairs are under $15, but look pricey—and flatter all face shapes!

Sunglasses are one of those items that are frequently left behind, lost, or trampled. Not worth splurging on!

Obsessing: With flatforms. They’re the perfect in-between shoe—when you want the height of a heel but the comfort of a flat.

Please…opt for a flatform and not a pair of Sneex. If you are a fan, I hate to yuck your yum—but I need to know why you’re so into these.

In terms of specific use cases, there’s not a lot of great imagery out there to pull from. But generally, if I’m thinking about wearing a sneaker but want to present as a bit more elevated, I’ll opt for a flatform!

Larroudé does a flatform so well—I have and love a pair of flatforms from them I snagged last year, though I have my eyes on these for summer.

These leather flatforms are super funky—love the mixed materials, which add just the right amount of edge.

$120! And the perfect chunky loafer.

These flatforms are similarly funky…and $93.

To round out these potentially controversial shoes…these adorable espadrille flatforms. The lace-up detail is so fun!

Recommending: As temperatures rise, so does people’s willingness to overpay for white T-shirts. But seriously, every season I see white tees hawked on Shopbop for $500+ and question what the hell is going on.

Buy this perfect white tee for $20 and move on. Fits just like the LESET Margo for a fraction of the price. I’ve had my tees for over two years and have never had the need to repurchase—even through summer wear & tear, the fit holds up beautifully.

Admiring: Some things, people, and content I’ve been loving this week:

• Wedding guest dresses are more expensive than ever—somehow, $600 is the new floor for a good dress. Not if I have something to do with it, though! This stunning number (from a mall brand!) is $160 but hits way above its price point.

• A little reminder via that there’s still so much to do this year!

• Has anyone seen ROOSTER yet (starring Steve Carrell)? It’s a new comedy on HBO Max. Reviews are mixed, so I haven’t tried it just yet!

• I rag on this brand a lot, though it is an influencer favorite and is perpetually all over my Instagram feed. For a while, I firmly believed that there were only two items worth buying from this retailer—this sweater and this perfect evening bag. However, I’ve now revised my thesis and added a third item to the fold…this short-sleeved button down, which pairs perfectly with printed party pants and more muted trousers for work.

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This interview is a peek behind the curtain into just that. Being a board member is something that everyone in corporate wants to do, but there’s no clear path to get there. At a high level, you’re a fractional advisor to a company—leveraging your specific subject matter expertise to steer the business in the right direction.

Take BlackRock’s board as an example. Their board is composed of CEOs & presidents across oil & gas, healthcare, beauty, robotics, and more. Everyone has something unique to bring into the boardroom—and they’re paid handsomely for it. The average total compensation for public board members is $336,352. And most board members (like my interviewee Morgan) is on multiple boards. They’re collecting base cash compensation as well as even heftier stock options.

If you currently work in corporate and have been curious about a path to board leadership, Morgan lays out a path to get there that you can replicate on your own.

In addition, Morgan (who is in her 50s, a newly minted empty nester, and lives just outside of NYC) is an example of someone who deserves every penny of her compensation. Thanks to the network she’s built and the depth of knowledge she has in her industry, she’s advised (and turned around) many companies in times of crisis. She’s a corporate fat cat actually worth her salt. 😉

People may try to make a board member agent with Claude. But they’re never going to replace someone like Morgan.

Without further ado…

Julia: Talk to me about how you transitioned from being a corporate employee to being on boards. When did that shift happen?

Morgan: I have a very specific expertise in a very specific field which happens to be pretty well represented in the S&P 500. I have a background as a portfolio manager, and in 2013, I started getting invited to present to boards. We would talk about why we invested in said companies.

I started getting comfortable in rooms like that, and I saw this consensus building happening in the boardroom. And I thought, gosh, that is not a skill I have, but I’d like to have.

And a couple years later, during my role as a portfolio manager, I worked for a firm that really prided itself on socially responsible investing. We sent out a letter to every company in the S&P 500 that had fewer than two women on their board–just letting them know we were paying attention and putting them on notice. Out of the 500 companies, 425 did not hit the criteria.

20 of those non-compliant companies were in my industry, and I saw an opportunity. People had sort of casually mentioned board work to me in the past, but it wasn’t something I thought about seriously. And then in 2013, one company that I’ve known forever called and asked me about joining their board, and I immediately said yes…without even thinking about the implications because it was such an honor to be asked.

Julia: So did you leave your role as a portfolio manager immediately after saying yes?

Morgan: I thought I could stay at my job doing it. And my boss said…oh no. He said, if I let you do this, I’ll have to let everyone that gets asked to join a public board do it. And I said, oh…how many people is that per year? And then he said, “You’re actually the first one ever!”

So it made me feel better that this was a good, prestigious jump to make.

Julia: Why do you think that your first board recruited you over other candidates? Why did they make that call?

Morgan: It’s a combination of factors. My firm had a great reputation as a big investor. And personally, I had a good reputation for not being a jerk.

Hilariously, though, I talked to a search firm in my industry before joining my first board. I let the recruiter know I was interested in board work, and the recruiter was so dismissive of my skills gave me five reasons why I wouldn’t be a good board member. And then I joined four boards in three months. And he’ll never get over it. We talk all the time now. It’s very funny.

Julia: Everything comes back around! I think there’s a lot of misconceptions about what the day-to-day of being a board member actually looks like. And I know you work more than 40 hours per week, even though being on a board is technically part-time. How many boards are you on now? How much time do you allocate to each?

Morgan: Generally, it’s one day a week per board. Over the course of a year, sometimes I’ll go a couple weeks with nothing. Or sometimes there’s a crisis and I’m putting in a ton of hours. But basically, I need to do all of the work that the company is asking of me, plus keep up on the industry–which not many of my peers do.

Julia: How many boards are you on now?

Morgan: I currently sit on four public boards. In addition, I advise a venture capital firm and I’m an advisor to a private equity firm. I also sit on the board of a nonprofit, which is very important to me. If you’re talking about a 40 hour workweek, I work six days per week.

So much of the work is just networking, which I never had to think about very much because I was a big investor and people came to me. I find I really enjoy it. I love connecting people. Very inspired by you, Julia. And so I spend a lot of my time on that!

Julia: Thank you! Yes, social capital and maintaining your network takes a ton of time and energy–but I am super energized by connecting people and that will always be a thread in what I do.

Something that has also come up in our conversations is that there’s a method to the madness. In other words, your work on board A informs your work on board C–there’s connectivity there. When you have a portfolio career like you and I have, that is very important. How do you think about that?

Morgan: The boards are distinct businesses, and I always remove myself if there’s any kind of conflict. But the cross pollination of ideas is amazing. For instance, I joined a board in the hospitality sector, which on the face of it, didn’t really relate much to my primary industry. But I’ve learned so much about scale and marketing and hospitality, and that’s not always the way people think in a very old-fashioned industry like [redacted].

Julia: Tell me more about that cross-pollination.

Morgan: The first board I joined was a blue chip, old-school company in my space. And it’s related to retail, so when I joined, everyone was buying Amazon and shorting this company. And so it was my job to think about what online shopping meant for this company.

The next board I joined was a smaller company with an amazing, high-caliber board and high-caliber new management. And it was a company that was emerging from a fraud situation. It was restructuring and I was a little nervous reputationally, However, it was a masterclass in being a good board member because nobody was wed to the history of the company. There were no factions on the board or in management. We had a problem we needed to solve. We were there to try to get the stock up and resolve this the best way for shareholders. So that was an amazing experience.

The next board is in the technology space and that’s the one that people ask me about the most. A great lesson that you learn along the way is that you can have amazing people take a company from A to B, but sometimes you need to bring in people with different expertise–e.g., make layoffs.

The same applies to the two private investments I work with. One is technology at a venture capital firm as it relates to my industry. It started out being a relationship-built business but I’m fascinated by the possibilities that AI can bring to my industry. The last one is a very light responsibility that I took on for someone super smart in my industry. They are starting a firm that is really going to go places.

Julia: What does your board work look like tactically? What do you do for them day-to-day?

Morgan: I help with a lot of introductions, which is why networking is so important. I am thinking about the business at a high level and then going into my network and thinking, “okay, this person can be a plug-in to this problem, and this other person can solve for X.” I also weigh in on a lot of business plans given my expertise in the industry–where the business is going and helping management see around corners.

I also sometimes interview key management hires like members of the C-suite to ensure they’re a good fit for the company.

Julia: You’re on the board of a university. How much does it cost to be part of that board?

Morgan: It depends. I’ve always thought about it in terms of donating to [university] as paying for somebody to go besides my own kid. [Author’s note: The yearly tuition for said university is $70,000, with an estimated cost of attendance reaching $100,000 when housing and food is accounted for].

Julia: And how did you get involved with the university and ultimately get on the board?

Morgan: I’m an alum and I’ve always been very passionate about the school and have given back a ton over the years. If you just showed up out of nowhere and said, I really want to be on [university] board, they would probably ask, “can you donate $100K tomorrow?” University boards generally don’t want people who just write blank checks or expect favors. They want some sort of connection to the school.

Just because you made a big donation that doesn’t mean you’re automatically on the board…it’s not 1-for-1 like that. Also, there’s people who give way more and they just don’t want to be on the board.

Julia: Has your time on [university] board been beneficial to you in your career even though it is a nonprofit board? If someone is at the beginning of their board journey and they have $50K to spend, let’s say they could spend it on being on a nonprofit board or joining a country club. What would you personally advise?

Morgan: It depends on what you have a passion for. But you can even start at a lower level. There’s this great organization called Boardsi that connects people to nonprofits seeking board members just so you can get into that world. And it tells you the time commitment and the financial commitment.

But a lot of networking does happen at those clubs!

Julia: Yeah, that’s true. I think also on the nonprofit board level, a lot of people don’t understand that they have to pay to be part of a nonprofit board. But to me, it’s the sentiment of sometimes, you have to pay to be in rooms that won’t deliver value for you until later on in your career. And I think a nonprofit board is a perfect example of that.

Morgan: Definitely. As I’ve found my voice in boardrooms over the last twelve years, I owe it to being able to interact with people from all different areas of expertise, which you don’t see on a corporate board. I’ve been able to work with amazing leaders in academics, medicine, private equity, and actual college leadership. And also that the core business of a school is like running a small city.

Julia: In terms of compensation, what does that look like for you? Some of it is in cash and some of it is in stock / carry. But how does your comp differ from what you were making as an employee in corporate?

Morgan: I am making more now. None of them I’m doing for the money per se and I’m so aligned with the work that I’m doing. The stock / carry is really what is going to allow me to grow wealth long-term and the cash is great, but it’s really just there to pay the taxes. I also don’t get benefits like health insurance or a 401K in any way–all of that is on me.

Each public board ranges from $250K - $400K in annual compensation, and I’m on four of those. And then the private boards I’m on really range. [Author’s note: Beyond Morgan’s specific compensation, this is a great piece by about board member comp].

Julia: So you’re taking home around $1.5M in cash every year.

Morgan: Yes, it ranges, but that’s a good ballpark.

Julia: How do you get started marketing and socializing yourself as someone who wants to be a board member? What is your advice to people?

Morgan: So of course the joke is how do you get on a board? Be on a board.

If you’re really serious about it, trying to get on a somewhat influential nonprofit board is really helpful. I didn’t actually get my first board because I’d been on this nonprofit board. But I did get the nonprofit board because I was doing some very visible public speaking in my space and that got me featured in a high-profile article, which helped me get on my college board. It’s all a domino effect.

Julia: So visibility is currency, as I always say!

Morgan: Of course. Accept all invitations to do speaking engagements or panels and then post it on your LinkedIn in a non-annoying way. Try to be a somewhat visible person.

Also, network with people who are currently on boards. There’s also ways to learn more about board work. There’s the Stanford Directors program, which I’ve never done, but it’s a good training ground. Harvard has a good one too.

You do need to be a leader to be on a board. Another way is getting involved in affinity groups at your company. For instance, if you’re a veteran and there’s a military affinity group at your company, get really involved with that. That will get you a ton of visibility at your company, and that will take you to the next step.

Julia: Something that you and I have talked about a lot is networking. Even when you and I were having breakfast earlier this year, we ran into a guy from your industry, and you said “yeah, every job I’ve had he’s wanted something from me…and he’s never asked how he can help me.” Now that you’re in your 50s, I want to talk a little bit about the delta between the people who are givers and takers. How does that compound later in your career?

Morgan: That’s a great question. I’ve told you that my greatest character flaw is that I think everyone is my best friend, and so I have to help them even if I just met them. And you’re always saying I should start a business to help people get on boards, and I know I should!

Julia: Yes! It’s such a whitespace in the market. But continue.

Morgan: My advice is if you’re reaching out to someone for help, spend time understanding them. Figure out how you can help them. Like if you learn that the person likes to cook, send them olive oil after your conversation or make another connection for them in something else you’re involved in. Or invite them to an event.

So just don’t always say “I’d love to pick your brain.” And as I’ve told you, I’ve spent too much time doing that over the last couple of years.

Julia: Has the brain picking ever resulted in anything material for you?

Morgan: Yes, so many conversations have yielded in great friendships and board seats. But so many of them have resulted in nothing. One thing I always do, though, is answer my phone. I always answer my phone when someone calls me.

I take the call, I respond to the email because you never know. But what I’m trying to do is segment people into boxes because I definitely have so many people that are just asking for stuff. And not that the sentiment should always be “what’s in it for me?” But what’s in it for me?

Julia: Yes, you definitely need to be more selfish with your time! And looking back on your career, how many people circled back versus how many people just were takers? Can you quantify it a bit…as in, for the people that you’ve met who reached out for help, X% actually took the time to circle back, update you, and make it into a relationship vs. someone just asking for help continuously?

Morgan: I would say 30% of the people are amazing–and it’s been a virtuous cycle and time well-spent.

Another thing to note is that I do take every single call from people who went to my college. It is a small school, so it’s something that’s important to me.

Julia: If someone is just graduating from college now, what are the industries where you feel like there’s immense growth and opportunity?

Morgan: Private wealth management. We are at a place in life where people are cashing in on their 401ks and IRAs at a record rate. We’re pivoting to capital preservation after a long period of capital appreciation in the market. If you are financially motivated, that might be a better job than being an investment banking analyst.

I also have some unsolicited advice for young people. If you want to get involved in the nonprofit world and make that your career, that’s wonderful. Especially if you have student debt, do something else with the first two or three years of your life so that you can be financially secure as you enter into the nonprofit world, because your compensation trajectory is not amazing.

Julia: Any last words or pieces of advice?

Morgan: I absolutely love Danny Meyer’s book SETTING THE TABLE. It’s a wonderful book about bringing hospitality principles into business and I recommend it to everyone.

If you’re in NYC and haven’t already been to Sunday in Brooklyn, you’re in for a treat. I took my husband there for a birthday breakfast on Friday and it’s a spot I can’t wait to go back to (even though I rarely repeat restaurants). The maple praline pancakes were insanely good (and if you go at dinner, they have a maple praline sundae too).

And the menu decor was insanely cute! Love a green and Frenchie motif.

Reading (book): THE IDEA OF YOU came up in conversation over the weekend, and everyone immediately ordered it on the spot. I read it two years ago and it’s been a forever favorite since—it was originally a and rec.

Smutty but deliciously well-written, it’s the ultimate beach read. It's about a mom who falls in love with a tween boybander. And of course, her daughter is a rabid fan (think Harry Styles-level fandom). Read it in one sitting, and I know you will too.

Reading (article): I’m not a parent, but I’m always interested to read about how parenting differs across cultures. This Business Insider article recounts a mom’s experience raising kids across Switzerland, Australia, and the U.S.

Separately, one thing that I’d love to do with my future kids is do a “remote year” with them. Every friend of mine who grew up as a third culture kid is so dynamic and adaptable, and this article spells out how a mom pulled her kids out of school for a year to live and attend school in three separate countries. Obviously very logistically difficult, but such a unique, formative experience.

Eating: During my sugar cleanse earlier this year, my eyes were wide-open to just how many foods are loaded with sugar. Jam is one of them.

Not that I didn’t know that before—but cutting out sugar forced me to find equally good alternatives. This chia seed jam is just as delicious as the OG, and you can pronounce all ingredients—fruit, dates, chia seeds, lemon, and fruit pectin (natural thickener for jams). I restocked this week (and even my husband, who can sniff out a healthy substitute in a second, was an instant fan!)

Playing: If you haven’t already tried Quiplash, it’s a party game must! Players compete to write the funniest answer to weird prompts. I played it last night with some friends and I forgot how good it was, as I haven’t played in years. Would be a great activity for family reunions or bachelorette parties (definitely not corporate-friendly, though!)

Obsessing: This tweet says it best. 2026 is the time to take career risks, build alternate revenue streams, and launch that idea swirling around in your mind for years.

A few resources to do just that:

• ’s is a hotbed of information on how to build a nonlinear career—straight from the mouths of people who have done it. She interviewed me on my own career path last week, and this was a great read on a Microsoft exec who built a personal brand without having to leave the company.

• is a neuroscientist and writer specializing in helping people get more curious—a critical input to making bold career moves! Her Substack is a new subscription for me, but has been an immense value-add so far.

• I recommend this book to every generalist I meet. Such an excellent read for anyone who feels like they’re a jack of all trades, master of none. It pushes back on the traditional career advice that you should specialize early. Rather, use the first years of your career to build a broad skillset and figure out your unique expertise—then choose a specialty later.

• If you really want to dig into how people have become high earners (and the niche paths they chose to get there), my Substack CAREER CONFESSIONALS spills it all. What high-earning professionals make, how they chose their profession, and a roadmap for you to replicate their journey. Earlier this week, I interviewed an NYC tutor who pulls in over $1M+ per year (yes, really).

Recommending: If you’ve been around here for a while, you know I describe my style as classic with a twist. A basic tee with a fun detail. Colorblocked jeans. An embroidered jacket. The list goes on!

These cross-waist straight-leg jeans are a perfect example of that style philosophy. I snagged them in Japan last year and they’ve been a staple in my closet ever since. A few other classic-with-a-twist items I love:

1. This ruched short-sleeve shirtdress is such a win. $50, looks just like Veronica Beard, and way funkier than your garden variety shirtdress. Be warned, though, it’s on the shorter side! I’m 5’7 and only wear it with flats or sandals. If you’re below 5’5, you can probably wear with kitten heels with no problem.

2. We all love a white tee, but if it has some sort of interesting detail, I’m immediately in. This draped, sculptural white tee is stunning and would look equally good with jeans as a pair of statement silk pants. For the same look at a lower price point, this tee is a great alternative. (I actually like the lower-priced option more than this mid-point option!)

3. A white button-down is a true closet workhorse, and I certainly have a timeless staple that I love (this is my favorite classic, wrinkle-free button-down). As soon as I saw this iteration, though, I immediately purchased. So avant-garde!

4. While statement pieces will always underpin my entire wardrobe, statement-making accessories play an equal role. I recently snagged this pendant necklace, and I love that the charm can be swapped. This brand is a go-to for bold earrings—particularly these chandelier earrings and these gold-dipped pearl earrings.

5. A denim jacket is the perfect throw-on-and-go piece. I have and love this one, but there’s so many cape denim jackets this season that immediately funk up an outfit. I love this mixed-material variety, but am also eyeing this jacket.

Admiring: Some things, people, and content I’ve been loving this week:

• A total punch in the heart (in the best way!) via . Closed mouths don’t get fed. Get clear on what you want and get loud about it.

• Loved this Atlantic article, which challenges the notion that everyone has a “type.” Dating is hard, and narrowing your potential partner to a short list of traits makes things even tougher. Open the aperture!

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I love pay transparency combined with some good gossip, and that’s exactly what CAREER CONFESSIONALS is delivering every single week. My first interviewee (a former meth addict without a college education) pulls in $1.2M in her unconventional corporate job, and my second interviewee is raking in $250K+ (and growing) in an industry most think will be erased by AI. But oh, how wrong they are.

And that’s exactly why I love this week’s interview—the unexpectedness of it all. You wouldn’t think that a tutor could pull in $1M…and honestly, most people side-eye the profession as something they experimented with in college before they found a “real job.” (This a perception that my interviewee Katherine, a 38-year old tutor in Manhattan, definitely struggled with as she forged her tutoring career). But there’s so much opportunity in professions like this—ones that don’t fit the expected paths of success.

In addition, there’s also a narrative that people earning in high salary brackets (especially business owners) don’t deserve to make what they make. That they’re somehow doing something untoward or unethical in order to take home such high pay. But Katherine is a great example of someone who puts ethics at the center of what she does and is a high earner. Rich is relative, but not all rich people are bad.

Without further ado…

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