5SR - November 30, 2023

Today’s curator is the founder of #5SmartReads, Hitha Palepu. She’s a consummate multihyphenate - CEO of Rhoshan Pharmaceuticals, author of WE’RE SPEAKING: The Life Lessons of Kamala Harris and How to Pack: Travel Smart for Any Trip, and professional speaker. Hitha is an unabashed fan of Taco Bell, Philadelphia sports teams & F1, romance novels, and is a mediocre crafter. She lives in NYC with her husband and two sons.

What Happens to Gaza After the War? (Foreign Policy)

I think a lot about post-war Gaza and Israel, and I think I have an overly optimistic view of the extremist forces in Gaza and Israel and the ineffective and weak leaders of the Palestinian Authority being replaced by those who wish to govern and build a secure, 2-state solution that respects each other’s sovereignty.

Am I alone in this? I hope I’m not.

This collection of perspectives from foreign policy experts is a grim read, but a necessary one that helped me better understand the reality of diplomacy right now (and how fraught it’s been with the Hamas/Likud leadership between Gaza and Israel). I highly recommend reading this (with an open mind, as always).

Spotify Wrapped Is Back Again. Are You a Vampire or a Shapeshifter? (WIRED)

I’m a vampire who belongs in NYC (I feel very vindicated), and apparently all I listened to was Fall Out Boy and ODESZA (accurate).

I look forward to my Spotify Unwrapped every single year (and am grateful we have a Family Plan and the Spotify Kids app enabled on our smart speakers to not mess with my algorithm), and I really enjoyed my special video from Fall Out Boy and the different, more fun vibe of this year’s Unwrapped.

I loved this deep dive of Wrapped (both this year’s vibe and the history of the campaign). Not much surprised me about my Unwrapped (except for my vibe - I definitely feel like I’m more of a witch). What surprised you about your Unwrapped?

How the US Ended Up With Warehouses Full of ‘Government Cheese’ (History)

Our government spends a lot of money - some on things aligned with my values, some in complete opposition to them.

This one. I still can’t quite figure out how I feel about it, but it’s a hell of a story (h/t Abby, who introduced this story to me).

The TL;DR - our federal government was the largest purchaser of American made cheese under the Commodity Credit Corporation in the late 70s. Under Reagan, the cheeseplus was distributed to Americans in need (with strong memories), and the government suspended CCC’s operations in the 90s.

It’s a bizarrely American story that made me smile, though government cheese is one type I’m in no hurry to try.

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts Just Did Something That's Never Been Done. It's a Powerful Lesson in Resilience (Inc.)

For those of us who are finding it hard to heed the incomporable Michelle Obama’s advice to “go high,” Jalen Hurts has the reframe we could use:

“Don’t get too high, and never get too low.”

It’s the best reminder of resilience that I’ve come across, and I’m glad to have it in my arsenal of Jalenisms (along with “keep the main thing the main thing”).

This piece delves into the psychology of this phrase and shares tactics on cultivating resilience, which I certainly need.

As do the Eagles - it’s a tough stretch ahead, but we got this. GO BIRDS.

To save axolotls, a campaign in Mexico asks people to virtually adopt them (NPR)

Letting the kids research and pick a charity to donate to every holiday season is one of my favorite moments of the year, and I can’t wait to see what they’ll do this year.

But I think I’m going to double up their charitable gift with virtual adoptions of axolotls (an animal I’m only familiar with because of Laurel), thanks to this article.

These weirdly adorable salamanders have been at risk of extinction for the past few years, but have gotten a popularity boost thanks to Minecraft (and a subsequent boom in demand for them as pets).

We are not pets people right now, and virtual adoptions and funding their habitats seem like a perfect option for us this holiday season (perhaps paired with this plush and this book to learn more about them)?

It’ll make for a great kids birthday gift as well - and do good in the world.

If you’re enjoying this newsletter, might you consider referring it to those who may as well? Referrals unlock perks such as merch, books, and mentoring sessions with our team!

Thank you for being a part of this smart community - it means the world to us!