Product Therapy: back to basics, lentil season & classic disco
November 2025 Things
I cant stop thinking about this article:
It strikes a chord on multiple levels:
I’m laser focused on building highly committed peer group experiences, engineering Core at Hampton.
I’m at my best living in and hosting community.
I’m obsessed with analog.
So when this article cropped up on my feed I thought…well this is really just a convergence of everything I’m building, living and wanting, right?
And who wouldn’t want this… [as summarized by GPT]
“An impossible-to-get-into club” of six women who have shared “innumerable tears shed, hands held and assurances given that none of life’s difficulties will be faced alone.” Known simply as “Group,” they are “a generically named, remarkably devoted circle of friends.”
For 44 years, they have met “on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month” with “a paid facilitator.” It is “not, clinically speaking, group therapy” but also “not a social gathering.” As one member says, “We are not swapping recipes. This is hard work.”
Group began as “a family-raising effort” built on the belief that raising children and sustaining marriage is “best done in community — with other women walking the same path.” Over time, “what began… became something bigger” and turned into “a gift they gave themselves.”
Attendance is sacred: “There were no ifs, ands or buts.”
Conflicts are worked through because “just like family it can get messy, but we work it out.” When one member tried to quit, “the others would not let her go.”
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There is a radical shift back to basics. Whether its refurbished tech like iPods or DVDs, generational shifts or tech leaders promoting IRL, people are craving analog experiences more than ever. Why? Our screens are burning us out. We’re combatting noise like never before. And we know that social media fuels anxiety and depression.1
There is a global shift back to basics.
And I’m so fking happy about it. To be living it and building it.
Pieces I wrote
I reflected on work this month with two pieces…
Culture Clicks
I’ve been stalking Fred Again’s 10 week touring journey and I think he is one of the most impressive artists of our time. I loved this video he released above with Ezra Collective.
It’s Alison Roman season, baby. The lentils on the cover of the new book are absolutely deserving of the top spot. Congrats to lentils this season.
I did some amazing NYC eating this month. I hit two bucket list spots at the opposite ends of the spectrum: Bernie’s & Eleven Madison Park. And I found that second times a charm for places like Inga’s & F&F Restaurant, Fausto & Theodora. I was angry the moment I stepped into Liar Liar because it took me so long to patronize it.2
My Wrapped was just wrong this year. Thank goodness for Ben Hixon, an incredible vinyl DJ who’s set kept me discovering new disco all month (like Bumblebee Unlimited: a true one album wonder).
I’m lapping up Pluribus and novels like Flesh and The Sisters. The Eddie Murphy documentary was heart warming and inspired a first time viewing of Beverly Hills Cop. The new Sebastian Maniscalco special had me choking, per usual.
I need more comedy content. We all need more comedy content.
I’m hoping to close out this year with some reflections - sparring you gift guides or fake Wrapped reports.
I hope you have an easy start to your December season.
I’m Jori Bell, VP of Core at Hampton. I’m also a Coach for Product Leaders. I have one more open coaching spot this season—if that sounds like something you’ve been craving, reach out.
No link needed - it’s fact because you’ve experienced it yourself.
Only 10 months, but I’m annoying like that.