In partnership with

There is so much beauty in the world.

Traveling reminds you of this — the oceans, sea life and culture of Belize… the mountains, glaciers and dogsledding pups of Alaska…

You couldn't get more different environments. Tropical island vs. frozen tundra. But here's what struck me: they're not actually that different.

The people in both places? Hardworking. Helping each other's businesses thrive. In Belize, the boat tour operators recommend the best fishing guides. The chef would send you to their friend's shops for groceries. In Alaska, the ice fishing outfitters partner with the dog sledding operations.

Everyone's building together, not competing.

Both communities understand that when tourism thrives, everyone eats. When you take care of people, they come back. When you show them the beauty of where you live, they tell others.

And in Belize especially, the locals were taking care of us like concerned moms, literally asking “Are you guys okay??'“ Like they could sense we were Americans and needed a little extra love right now.

I didn't catch any fish in Belize (which for a Wisconsin girl, stings a little). But I left both places with my heart equally full. Because the environment was different, but the humanity was the same.

I returned from this trip to Alaska and Seattle with my heart feeling so fucking full. The shows were incredible in both cities, but the memorable parts were with the people — visiting forever friends, making new friends, meeting locals, getting the chance for friends to meet other friends and seeing them all get along.

All reminders of how life has the ability to feel.

When you genuinely love nature, adventure and people, you can appreciate how different things can be while recognizing how similar we all are underneath.

So how did we get here? This divided. This angry. This convinced that people who live differently or vote differently or think differently are somehow the enemy?

Who benefits from that divide? Because it sure as hell isn't us.

The Hustle

I’ve always been a leader, and so have many of the people I surround myself with. I’m drawn to people that love a challenge, and can take charge, but that also understand the capacities of others.

Even in past jobs where I didn’t want to be a leader, someone always put me there. Maybe it’s because I get shit done without being asked. Maybe it’s because I can communicate with others on their level. Or maybe it’s because I was just fun to be around and people could respect what I had to say.

Regardless, I know what great leadership feels like: Trust, togetherness, that feeling of knowingness that “I got your back.”

Great leaders unite. They don't divide.

They provide comfort during crisis, not fear. They choose their words carefully because they understand the weight those words carry. They lead with empathy and remind people why we're in this together.

Think about the leaders who actually moved us forward. The ones we remember decades later. They didn't pit neighbor against neighbor. They didn't mock the vulnerable. They didn't treat being in charge like a reality show where cruelty begets good ratings.

They inspired us. They called us to be better. They reminded us what we stand for as a country — not just what we stand against.

And even if any of it was complete bullshit, at the very least, it gave us hope.

Leadership isn't about being the loudest voice in the room. It's about being the steadiest. It's about making people feel safer, not more afraid. Heard, not forgotten. It's about bringing people together around shared values, not exploiting differences for power.

And right now we don't have that.

We have chaos disguised as strength. Division marketed as "telling it like it is." Fear sold as protection.

And somehow we're all supposed to act like this is normal. Like screaming at each other on the internet is civic engagement.

What I know from comedy and my platform personally is you can't build anything lasting on sheer negativity. You can get attention. You can get a reaction. But you can't create real connection. You can't inspire people to be better. You can't lead.

Real leadership requires empathy. It requires considering how your words land on the people who are scared, struggling, or just trying to get through their day. It requires remembering that your job isn't to serve yourself — it's literally to serve everyone else.

My heart aches seeing all the beauty and possibilities in this world, and watching it dissolve into chaos with absolutely no hope or resolve in sight.

We deserve better. We ARE better. We just need to remember that.

Now can someone PLEASE get up to the podium and remind us?

The Chill

So what do we do when leadership fails us?

We lead in our own circles.

I can't fix what's happening in our country. I can't make people choose empathy over anger. I can't force leaders to act like leaders.

But I can control how I show up. How I treat the person next to me at the coffee shop. How I run my businesses and brand. How I lead. How I make people feel when they come to my shows.

“Leave ‘em feeling better than how you found them” has always been a motto of mine.

Comedy is its own form of leadership, honestly. You get a room full of strangers — different backgrounds, different beliefs, different lives… the wide array of fashion and personal grooming choices — and for an hour, you make them laugh together. You remind them they're more alike than different. You create connection where there wasn't any before.

(I talk about all this in my TEDx talk if you haven’t seen it yet!)

That's the work. Not just on stage, but in every interaction.

We don't have to accept the division. We can choose differently. In our homes. In our businesses. In our friendships. In the communities we build and engage with.

Be the leader you wish you had. Unite instead of divide. Choose empathy. Speak carefully. Make people feel seen and safe.

The beauty I saw in Belize and Alaska? That's what we're capable of. People working together. Building together. Taking care of each other.

That's still possible here. We just have to choose it.

And maybe, just maybe, if enough of us lead that way in our own lives, the people at the top will remember that's what leadership is supposed to look like.

Or they won't. Let’s be real — they won’t.

But at least we'll have done what we can to put good into the world.

We need US now more than ever.

I mentioned last week that my newsletter has begun monetizing. I received an offer this week to partner with 1440 Media on this newsletter, and I happen to be VERY close with their team! So that was an easy YES!

The 1440 team is not only brilliant, but they essentially bootstrapped to over 4.4m monthly readers, and have built a community of beautiful minds and curious people. Their entire (small but mighty) team was at my live TEDx talks! Tim, the co-founder of 1440, has become such a great pal that I’m attending his big media birthday bash in Chicago this Saturday. He’s an incredible leader and takes such great care of his team and the readers they have amassed.

So when I say I’m proud to rep this crew in this newsletter, I mean it. You actually should sign up for their newsletter. As I promised, the ads will remain at the bottom as to not obstruct your read 🙃 

…and if you want to help me grow like 1440, feel free to share my newsletter signup link with a friend you think would enjoy being in my inner circle.

Upcoming Shows

This weekend:

Thursday Jan 29th — Laugh Factory Chicago at 7pm

Friday Jan 30th — Laugh Factory Chicago at 9pm

Use the code: LAUGH for comps! My cousin RayRay is coming to Thursday’s show, and if you haven’t met Ray, that’s equally a worthwhile experience as the show itself.

And Saturday, as I mentioned, I will be partying with the 1440 crew.

Tour dates for 2026 and information on my next special taping is coming!!

Love you all and cheers to the hustle + chill. We are leaders and we got this.

xx NPH

PS - prayers up for my dad, Dean Hansen. He’s still very, very sick. I’m heading to WI to be with him again Sunday and attend his doctors appts Monday. ❤️

The Daily Newsletter for Intellectually Curious Readers

Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with 1440 – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed.

Join for free today!