Product Therapy: On breaking rules, lunch slop and the perfect headphones
Dispatches from Q3 2025
No rules here
I’ve been thinking a lot about what this Substack is and how its transformed over the past two years. What started as a medium to showcase my work to build a coaching business has morphed into a more generalist space: a girl working her way through a career transition writing with equal fervor about work and restaurant reviews.
I live passionately: from the way I manage a team to how I select the right headphones. And I like to write about it.
I don’t write for clicks, although I enjoy gathering more people to this metaphorical table. I write because crafting a time capsule each passing month feels deeply nourishing. It’s like packaging a period of time in a more distinct way than a journal.
Since making the transition from soloprenuer to startup employee, I’ve felt a lot of pressure to redefine what this Substack is. I feel strongly that when you put something out into the world it should be anchored in a clear purpose. I assume people subscribe because they’re here for product talk. What if they land here and we’re talking about tacos to try in NYC. Will they be disappointed?
I’ve felt pressure (from literally no one) to redefine what the vision for this space is.
This weekend, I attended a day-long refresher put on for Hoffman Process Graduates. I spent my Saturday in the basement of a church while the city pulsed outside with late summer energy. I whooped, hollered, cried and laughed. All in service of reconnecting to myself in the ways I did 18 months ago at my Process. We spent a lot of time doing deep visioning work - looking at all aspects of our life today and the gap that exists between today and where we want to get to.
At the end of the day, one of the teachers shared a Hoffmanism that I’ve been thinking a lot about since he said it Saturday evening:
Vision isn’t about knowing. It’s about being able to see.
It was one of those one liners that stops you in your tracks.
So for today, this quarter and maybe longer, I’m going to worry less about what this space is. Focus on the people who are drawn to it - for product purposes or taco reviews. And focus more on seeing what unfolds. I’ll be giving it room to breathe as I continue shifting into this fresh season.
Substack pieces I wrote this quarter
I wrote some of my favorite pieces - some in under a day - the past two months:
I’ve shared The Vexing Problem of the ‘Medium Friend’ before and again in my piece Glass Balls, Rubber Balls. It continued to be a big contact driver. I love pieces on adult friendship. Send me your favorites.
I also loved my friend Brad’s exercise: Creating more “best days” from Brad Farris.
And, I keep thinking about the drama triangle - a tool my coach shared with me.
Culture Clicks
I’m hitting lowbrow television hard right now cycling between The Summer I Turned Pretty and Hunting Wives. On the flip, I’m feeling drawn to classic / heavy writing like The Bell Jar, Slouching Towards Bethlehem and The Virgin Suicides.
I read Elizabeth Gilbert’s new book, All The Way To The River, in 2 days because 1) I’m a huge fan and 2) she has an important story to tell. Too bad all the press is focusing on all the wrong parts of her story. Relatedly, I listened to Louis CK on Theo Von. Both Louis and Elizabeth struggle with sex & love addiction. Fascinating, different flavors.
🎧 I’m plowing through Hot Since 82’s live sets on Youtube to get me through focus hours. Discovered a new DJ while going to see a DJ I already knew which is always a fun surprise. Absolutely grooving to this mix. But I need new headphones. I’ve reached the end of the road ordering refurbished pairs of Bose Soundsport headphones and I want something exactly like them. HELP! On a better note, I may have found the perfect boxy crop t-shirt in an unexpected place.
🌭 In Park City, we went back to Harvest twice because it was that good. In NYC, I loved Papa San in Hudson Yards, Barely Disfigured in Cobble Hill - what a patio, and Matchaful enjoyed in the Elizabeth Street Garden with my girl Gabrielle Bufrem. Our family swapped bagels for rye bread from La Bicyclette Bakery for Break-the-Fast and the loaf was a hit. And while this is elevating my everyday eggs, I struggle with eating slop for lunch near my office. Give me something else, corporate America! At least we have Mid Day Squares.
Happy Fall everyone!
Hi - I’m Jori and I’m a Product Coach. If you’re Product Leader or on a Product team looking for support - drop me a note.