My flight from New Orleans this weekend had broken WiFi.

We are not surprised. But, hey at least we had a pilot and air traffic controllers…

I perused my very few downloaded YouTube videos, and I found a very old one. One hour and eleven minutes long. Exactly the time remaining on the flight. A reflective meditation. Fuck it, let’s do it.

As I dug through my laptop bag for a scratch piece of paper to write reflectiveness on, I found a list I had written in 2024 of goals I had drummed up for 2025. I had forgotten about this completely. I had just written them down once and sent them into the ether.

I won’t tell you what they were, but literally all of them have either happened or are currently in the works of happening.

Never deny the power of scratch paper…

Does anyone else notice when the clock strikes 11:11? Or that today is 11/11?

Here’s the thing about “11:11” — it’s not some woo-woo magic. It’s just your brain finally paying attention. Tell yourself to look for yellow flowers? Suddenly, they’re fucking everywhere. Start shopping for your dream car? Every third person on the interstate suddenly has the exact model you’ve been eyeing.

I had completely forgotten about that scratch paper list. Didn’t make a vision board. Didn’t chant affirmations in the mirror at sunrise. Just… wrote it down once, decided it was all going to happen, and kept on moving.

Our minds are more powerful than we think. May as well put them to work expecting good shit to show up in the mail.

The Hustle

Growing up farming in the Midwest, you’re told to be humble. Reasonable. You’re trained to whisper.

I was unfortunately never quiet. Especially when told to be.

Comedy often expects you to talk shit about yourself. Early in your career, it's practically the initiation. "Why don't you make fun of yourself more?" Dude, sure I find my life ridiculous, but it’s not because I think I suck, rather the absurdity is right there. 

Why would I mine for personal insecurities when I could just point at the world around me and go "you seeing this?"

Self-deprecation became the price of relatability. The humble brag became cringe. Ambition became something you apologize for or dress up in a joke.

I get it. Nobody likes the person who only talks about their wins. But there's a difference between humility and making yourself small. Between being grounded and pretending you don't want or expect big shit to happen for you.

I keep my goals to myself.

Not because I'm ashamed of them, but because I'd rather announce them when they've become reality. Less talking, more doing.

I learned a long time ago that telling people your goals too early is like asking them to poke holes in your arm floaties. Everyone's suddenly got opinions about what's "realistic."

Fuck realistic. Realistic is boring and unimaginative.

Case in point: that scratch paper list. Nobody knew about those goals except me and apparently the bottom of my laptop bag. Now they’re just… happening.

There’s a level of trust in life that comes with silence. And there’s power in choosing the right people to be loud around.

The Chill

Everyone has got their opinions on how to optimally begin your day…

One guru says “no tech for the first hour, meditation, cold shower, journaling your gratitudes.” A star athlete swears by supplements and an immediate workout. For some people, it's just a cigarette, a coffee, and a nice shit. (Me in college)

I'm not gonna tell you what works. There’s no reputable one-size fits all clothing brands for a reason (sorry not sorry, Shein). Routines are custom, tailored, and constantly evolving. Because you are constantly evolving.

I’ll let you in on something that happened in that hour-and-eleven-minute meditation.

I didn't plan it. I was just bored on a plane with broken WiFi and limited options. But somewhere around minute twenty-two, when the voice was guiding me through "what do you want your life to feel like," I had this weird moment of —

“Holy shit. I'm already living parts of this”

Not all of it. Not the final form. But enough of it that five-years-ago me would've been like "wait, that's your life?"

We spend so much time looking at the gap between where we are and where we want to be that we forget: we're standing in someone else's dream. Someone else is watching your life wishing it was theirs.

You're probably standing in a version of your life that past-you would've killed for.

Doesn't mean you're done. Just means you're allowed to notice.

And once you notice? Permission granted to be loud AF.

Upcoming Shows

My next special taping is getting locked in this week. We are deciding what venue/city we want to shoot in… I have a vision. Respond with your requests and thoughts! I welcome anywhere that’s a vibe and a killer audience.

I’ll be at Laugh Factory Chicago this weekend. DM me on IG for comps. The next few months I’ll be working through some final buttons and connective pieces for my taping, and also new material for the hour to follow. Would love you to be a part of this process.

Love you all and cheers to the hustle + chill. We really do see those yellow flowers fucking everywhere now…

xx NPH