Welcome to Snafu, a newsletter about authentic influence in a chaotic world. 100 founders, entrepreneurs, and executives gathered at the Oakland Museum of California to explore influence, selling, and AI. Here are a few highlights from the day. If you're enjoying Snafu, it would mean the world to me if you would share it! Was it sent to you? Subscribe here. In early March, 100 founders, entrepreneurs, and executives gathered at the Oakland Museum of California for a day exploring Influence in...
8 days ago • 2 min read
Welcome to Snafu, a newsletter about authentic influence in a chaotic world. Growing as an entrepreneur often means facing hard moments for the first time—and realizing you’ll be okay. If you're enjoying Snafu, it would mean the world to me if you would share it! Was it sent to you? Subscribe here. Growing as an Entrepreneur Every so often I sit down with a fellow entrepreneur – somebody a bit ahead or behind me in their business journey. I don’t mean financially ahead or behind. Where...
15 days ago • 6 min read
Welcome to Snafu, a newsletter about authentic influence in a chaotic world. What do we actually mean when we say we’re afraid of feeling manipulative? Today's essay explores how respecting boundaries, avoiding force, and clarifying your intentions lets you ask for what you want without feeling sleazy. If you're enjoying Snafu, it would mean the world to me if you would share it! Was it sent to you? Subscribe here. If You’re Afraid of Feeling Manipulative How do very successful people ask...
21 days ago • 5 min read
Welcome to Snafu, a newsletter about authentic influence in a chaotic world. And welcome to the 4 new readers who've joined the newsletter in the last week! During a particularly busy season and in a era of rapid change, I’ve been thinking about what kinds of work actually matter. Today's essay is about attention, physical books, and why returning to source material may be one of the most important disciplines for the future. If you're enjoying Snafu, it would mean the world to me if you...
28 days ago • 5 min read
Welcome to Snafu, a newsletter about authentic influence in a chaotic world. And welcome to the 17 new readers who've joined the newsletter in the last week! I got married on Monday, and produced the inaugural Snafu Conference on Thursday. It was a busy week. Instead of my regular weekly article, I thought I'd share something I've been working on for the last few months... If you're enjoying Snafu, it would mean the world to me if you would share it! Was it sent to you? Subscribe here. I got...
about 1 month ago • 13 min read
Welcome to Snafu, a newsletter about influence and persuasion in a chaotic world. Over the last decade of running Responsive Conference, I’ve had to evaluate tools I don’t personally buy. With the Snafu Conference, that’s changed because it’s for founders and operators, and I use these tools every day. Here’s my list of the software I actually rely on. If you're enjoying Snafu, it would mean the world to me if you would share it! Was it sent to you? Subscribe here. My Tech Stack Over the...
about 1 month ago • 9 min read
Welcome to Snafu, a newsletter about influence and persuasion in a chaotic world. At the Snafu Conference 2026, we’re exploring how founders, operators, and reluctant “non-sellers” can build influence — without becoming someone they’re not. If you're enjoying Snafu, it would mean the world to me if you would share it! Was it sent to you? Subscribe here. We have a really exciting Snafu Conference coming up in 10 days, so today I wanted to share a few highlights from the agenda. We’d love to...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
Welcome to Snafu, a newsletter about influence and persuasion in a chaotic world. After 1,000+ first dates across 20 years, here’s what I’ve learned about finding connection without losing yourself. If you're enjoying Snafu, it would mean the world to me if you would share it! Was it sent to you? Subscribe here. How To Date I’m happily engaged. I think we might get married next month? But I sat down with a friend recently who is dating – and in San Francisco, no less. Our meeting was...
about 2 months ago • 11 min read
Welcome to Snafu, a newsletter about influence and persuasion in a chaotic world. Today’s essay comes from a sold-out session I led this week with senior leaders on how to sell yourself without pressure. If you're enjoying Snafu, it would mean the world to me if you would share it! Was it sent to you? Subscribe here. How to Sell Yourself – A Workshop I taught a 100+ person workshop this week for Sidebar, a community of senior leaders in tech. Today, I thought I’d share the session – along...
2 months ago • 6 min read