Sunday Shares atoms, Austin Strong, Brett McKay, Christopher Schuetze, continuous improvement, David Epstein, Drawing, Europe, George Marshall, Hardware, James Clear, Kate McKay, kids, Max Olson, Munich, Oliver Emberton, parents, Paul Graham, process improvement, Sharalyn Payne, Tim Urban, Writing
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29MAR2026 | Sunday Shares
This is a unique one, because it’s all articles I’ve recently read and enjoyed. I’ve pulled some excerpts, and I’ve added some comments. All have been an enjoyable read. I have also updated my Favorite Articles page with many of these.
The “Work from Europe” Dream vs. Reality by Austin Strong—I, too, have dreamed of moving to Europe to give my kids some outstanding childhood memories. Summering abroad feels way more approachable than moving full-time to a foreign country, particularly while I’m still in the military.
Atoms are Cheap, Process is Pricey by Max Olson—I totally nerded out over this article. I love learning about hardware products in a world run by software. This warmed my mechanically inclined heart.
Here’s the problem with the traditional approach: you can’t think your way to perfect solutions for problems you don’t fully understand. Your model is always wrong in ways you don’t know yet. Complex systems have emergent behaviors that only appear when the pieces are actually bolted together.
In a world where atoms are cheap and process is expensive, the real innovation was not a single engine or material, but the decision to redesign the entire stack around the economics of cost.
The Tail End by Tim Urban—This article outlines well how to think about the time you have left with your parents and how to maximize the time you have left with your kids. Tim’s doodles also help keep things light while putting concepts into perspective.
The Physics of Productivity by James Clear—This delighted my engineering brain as it uses terms like inertia or concepts like reducing opposing forces and applies them to discipline and motivation.
The George Marshall Method for Leaving Work at 5 PM by Brett & Kate McKay—I’ve struggled lately with finding a hobby that allows me to decompress after work, and this article shines a light on why “work life harmony,” as Amazon refers to it (since they’ll never be balanced), is so essential.
The Invisible Threat to Leadership: Eroding Trust by Dr. Sharalyn Payne
If your employees were candid, would they express unwavering trust in your leadership?
I could not draw well. Started with drawabox on day 0. Kept going and became a commercial illustrator and tattoo apprentice in 5 years! by u/BlazeIsMyFirstName on r/learntodraw—His process for becoming a much better (and eventually professional) artist was simple and consistant with some good ideas for tutorials.
Surfers in Munich (Yes, Munich) Just Want Their Wave Back by Christopher F. Schuetze—I was recently thinking about this wave-generating bridge, so it was serendipitous when I stumbled across this article.
The Most Interesting Email I Ever Received by David Epstein—Sports journalist David Epstein’s 2019 book, Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World, is a defining work in my life. It taught me to love being a generalist in a world that seemingly rewards specialists. This article talks about his friendship with Jill Dopf Viles, who uses some detective work to compare her genetic disorder to a prominent athlete. She helps diagnose this Olympian and records her trials in finding a treatment for their shared genetic disorder.
Having Kids by Paul Graham—Paul discusses how he had all the time in the world for projects before kids, but after having kids, his work has become much more focused…because he had to be more diligent in using windows of time when his kids weren’t demanding his attention.
You will have chunks of time to work. But you can’t let work spill promiscuously through your whole life, like I used to before I had kids. You’re going to have to work at the same time every day, whether inspiration is flowing or not, and there are going to be times when you have to stop, even if it is.
You Are Not Late by Kevin Kelly—I constantly feel behind in my career, comparing my current state to these lofty, self-imposed goals. Kevin gave me permission to be at peace with where I’m at. I’ll find the technological wave that works for me and find my way to contribute.
How to find your passion by Oliver Emberton—I decided that my passion is process improvement. That is the niche that I love. Give me the space to work on a business instead of in a business. I’ve considered management consulting for that reason. In fact, kaizen has been my favorite element of my Lean Systems course.
How to Write Usefully by Paul Graham
Mistakes seem to lose courage in the face of an enemy with unlimited resources.
As I am slowly refining this newsletter, I’d love feedback on the format and content. Reach out in the comments or via Twitter (@JonnyMHenderson).
