I’ve talked a bit about having lipedema on here (a connective tissue disorder that causes a buildup of fat that can’t be burned by diet and exercise and has to be surgically removed).
I’m 7 days post-op #1 of 3 surgeries - nearly 5L removed. I’m still very swollen but I have actual calf definition!
I’m 7 days post-op #1 of 3 surgeries - nearly 5L removed. I’m still very swollen but I have actual calf definition!
January 15, 2026 at 2:02 AM
I’ve talked a bit about having lipedema on here (a connective tissue disorder that causes a buildup of fat that can’t be burned by diet and exercise and has to be surgically removed).
I’m 7 days post-op #1 of 3 surgeries - nearly 5L removed. I’m still very swollen but I have actual calf definition!
I’m 7 days post-op #1 of 3 surgeries - nearly 5L removed. I’m still very swollen but I have actual calf definition!
Post op day 7
Good news: I can now walk up stairs
Bad news: I cannot walk down stairs
Good news: I can now walk up stairs
Bad news: I cannot walk down stairs
January 15, 2026 at 1:06 AM
Post op day 7
Good news: I can now walk up stairs
Bad news: I cannot walk down stairs
Good news: I can now walk up stairs
Bad news: I cannot walk down stairs
Post op day 3: swollen legs make for a great table
January 11, 2026 at 1:56 AM
Post op day 3: swollen legs make for a great table
72 hours post-op and I’m trying really hard to not be productive. I’ve read 2 books, watched all of Heated Rivalry, and I’m almost caught up on The Traitors.
I still have 10 more days of intentional do-nothingness.
Who knew recovering from surgery would be a mental game too?
I still have 10 more days of intentional do-nothingness.
Who knew recovering from surgery would be a mental game too?
January 10, 2026 at 8:35 PM
72 hours post-op and I’m trying really hard to not be productive. I’ve read 2 books, watched all of Heated Rivalry, and I’m almost caught up on The Traitors.
I still have 10 more days of intentional do-nothingness.
Who knew recovering from surgery would be a mental game too?
I still have 10 more days of intentional do-nothingness.
Who knew recovering from surgery would be a mental game too?
48 hours post op. Swelling is really starting to kick in and it doesn’t feel super great but I knew it was coming. Still walking around every 2-3 hours and drinking a ton of water.
January 9, 2026 at 5:23 PM
48 hours post op. Swelling is really starting to kick in and it doesn’t feel super great but I knew it was coming. Still walking around every 2-3 hours and drinking a ton of water.
New on The Modern Leader this week:
While “good communication” is an important skill, it should be treated as table stakes and not the one to highlight. I cover three others that are worthy of your attention.
www.modernleader.is/p/the-skills...
While “good communication” is an important skill, it should be treated as table stakes and not the one to highlight. I cover three others that are worthy of your attention.
www.modernleader.is/p/the-skills...
The skills that make good leaders actually stand out
Most leadership advice stops at communication. This is about what actually creates momentum and trust
www.modernleader.is
January 8, 2026 at 8:23 PM
New on The Modern Leader this week:
While “good communication” is an important skill, it should be treated as table stakes and not the one to highlight. I cover three others that are worthy of your attention.
www.modernleader.is/p/the-skills...
While “good communication” is an important skill, it should be treated as table stakes and not the one to highlight. I cover three others that are worthy of your attention.
www.modernleader.is/p/the-skills...
The 2026 Reset Challenge officially kicks off tomorrow! If you’re signed up, Day 1’s email will be in your inbox at 6am ET.
If you’re not signed up, you still have time!
👉 modernleader.is/reset
If you’re not signed up, you still have time!
👉 modernleader.is/reset
2026 Manager Reset Challenge | The Modern Leader
Get quick, actionable insights to elevate your engineering leadership in just 5 minutes a week. Trusted by 6,000+ professionals.
modernleader.is
January 5, 2026 at 1:09 AM
The 2026 Reset Challenge officially kicks off tomorrow! If you’re signed up, Day 1’s email will be in your inbox at 6am ET.
If you’re not signed up, you still have time!
👉 modernleader.is/reset
If you’re not signed up, you still have time!
👉 modernleader.is/reset
First and final race before surgery next week!
January 3, 2026 at 3:55 PM
First and final race before surgery next week!
Happy Mayor Mamdani day to those who celebrate
January 1, 2026 at 5:16 AM
Happy Mayor Mamdani day to those who celebrate
Officially 7 days until surgery! 1 week! Time has flown by
December 31, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Officially 7 days until surgery! 1 week! Time has flown by
It may technically be a holiday tomorrow, but Modern Leader All Access members will still get their January leadership playbook!
Get yours (and past playbooks) by signing up for All Access: modernleader.is/upgrade
Get yours (and past playbooks) by signing up for All Access: modernleader.is/upgrade
December 31, 2025 at 4:34 PM
It may technically be a holiday tomorrow, but Modern Leader All Access members will still get their January leadership playbook!
Get yours (and past playbooks) by signing up for All Access: modernleader.is/upgrade
Get yours (and past playbooks) by signing up for All Access: modernleader.is/upgrade
Seeing folks interact with and share my content makes me so incredibly happy 🥹
December 31, 2025 at 3:52 AM
Seeing folks interact with and share my content makes me so incredibly happy 🥹
There is a 100% chance someone thinks I’m an asshole for not accepting their LinkedIn invitation.
I’m honestly just too tired to go through them. This is why I end up bulk accepting and then feeling a different kind of regret.
I’m honestly just too tired to go through them. This is why I end up bulk accepting and then feeling a different kind of regret.
December 30, 2025 at 3:18 AM
There is a 100% chance someone thinks I’m an asshole for not accepting their LinkedIn invitation.
I’m honestly just too tired to go through them. This is why I end up bulk accepting and then feeling a different kind of regret.
I’m honestly just too tired to go through them. This is why I end up bulk accepting and then feeling a different kind of regret.
My free 2026 Reset Challenge kicks off in just 1 week!
You'll get a short prompt each day for 3 weeks, helping you to identify a pattern to change and create a plan.
Hundreds of ICs and EMs have already signed up. I can't wait to go through this challenge together.
Join: www.modernleader.is/reset
You'll get a short prompt each day for 3 weeks, helping you to identify a pattern to change and create a plan.
Hundreds of ICs and EMs have already signed up. I can't wait to go through this challenge together.
Join: www.modernleader.is/reset
2026 Manager Reset Challenge | The Modern Leader
Get quick, actionable insights to elevate your engineering leadership in just 5 minutes a week. Trusted by 6,000+ professionals.
www.modernleader.is
December 29, 2025 at 3:18 PM
My free 2026 Reset Challenge kicks off in just 1 week!
You'll get a short prompt each day for 3 weeks, helping you to identify a pattern to change and create a plan.
Hundreds of ICs and EMs have already signed up. I can't wait to go through this challenge together.
Join: www.modernleader.is/reset
You'll get a short prompt each day for 3 weeks, helping you to identify a pattern to change and create a plan.
Hundreds of ICs and EMs have already signed up. I can't wait to go through this challenge together.
Join: www.modernleader.is/reset
Can't wait to talk to my therapist about this tomorrow
December 29, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Can't wait to talk to my therapist about this tomorrow
Well it only took a few years, but I finally got around to migrating my domains off Squarespace after the Google Domains acquisition
December 28, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Well it only took a few years, but I finally got around to migrating my domains off Squarespace after the Google Domains acquisition
Every 6 months I build a new event registration page for a nonprofit. Every 6 months I forget all the steps I need to take.
Last year I refactored everything (with the help of AI) and wrote a readme + scripts to automate as much as possible.
What took me 3+ hours before is now a 15-minute task 🥹
Last year I refactored everything (with the help of AI) and wrote a readme + scripts to automate as much as possible.
What took me 3+ hours before is now a 15-minute task 🥹
December 28, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Every 6 months I build a new event registration page for a nonprofit. Every 6 months I forget all the steps I need to take.
Last year I refactored everything (with the help of AI) and wrote a readme + scripts to automate as much as possible.
What took me 3+ hours before is now a 15-minute task 🥹
Last year I refactored everything (with the help of AI) and wrote a readme + scripts to automate as much as possible.
What took me 3+ hours before is now a 15-minute task 🥹
"Planning becomes a stand-in for motion, even though it doesn’t actually relieve anything. It just keeps the mind occupied enough to avoid sitting with the unease underneath."
New on After Burnout: The week where time stops making sense
afterburnout.co/p/the-week-w...
New on After Burnout: The week where time stops making sense
afterburnout.co/p/the-week-w...
The week where time stops making sense
Planning, discomfort, and the strange quiet after burnout
afterburnout.co
December 27, 2025 at 5:38 PM
"Planning becomes a stand-in for motion, even though it doesn’t actually relieve anything. It just keeps the mind occupied enough to avoid sitting with the unease underneath."
New on After Burnout: The week where time stops making sense
afterburnout.co/p/the-week-w...
New on After Burnout: The week where time stops making sense
afterburnout.co/p/the-week-w...
❓I’m thinking about adding a new section to my newsletter for The Modern Leader showcasing some Engineering Manager roles I come across. Useful or noisy?
December 26, 2025 at 4:55 PM
❓I’m thinking about adding a new section to my newsletter for The Modern Leader showcasing some Engineering Manager roles I come across. Useful or noisy?
(Checking my notifications this morning)
Dad: Merry Xmas
Text group: Merry Christmas love you all!
Chase: Your statement is available
Dad: Merry Xmas
Text group: Merry Christmas love you all!
Chase: Your statement is available
December 25, 2025 at 2:28 PM
(Checking my notifications this morning)
Dad: Merry Xmas
Text group: Merry Christmas love you all!
Chase: Your statement is available
Dad: Merry Xmas
Text group: Merry Christmas love you all!
Chase: Your statement is available
2 weeks until surgery ❤️
Made the payment in full yesterday so I’m locked in. Now to buy all of the necessities for home.
Made the payment in full yesterday so I’m locked in. Now to buy all of the necessities for home.
December 25, 2025 at 3:45 AM
2 weeks until surgery ❤️
Made the payment in full yesterday so I’m locked in. Now to buy all of the necessities for home.
Made the payment in full yesterday so I’m locked in. Now to buy all of the necessities for home.
Officially off work for the next 5 days. How many new side projects should I start? 3? 6? 2 new domains?
December 24, 2025 at 1:33 AM
Officially off work for the next 5 days. How many new side projects should I start? 3? 6? 2 new domains?
10 performance reviews down, 5 to go!
I suppose I should take a coffee break ☕
I suppose I should take a coffee break ☕
December 23, 2025 at 8:00 PM
10 performance reviews down, 5 to go!
I suppose I should take a coffee break ☕
I suppose I should take a coffee break ☕
Thank you for supporting me on another great year of writing The Modern Leader 💌
Today's newsletter is the last for the year. See you on Jan 1 for the All Access members download, Jan 5 for the start of the Reset Challenge, and Jan 6 for regular programming!
www.modernleader.is/p/2025-wrap-up
Today's newsletter is the last for the year. See you on Jan 1 for the All Access members download, Jan 5 for the start of the Reset Challenge, and Jan 6 for regular programming!
www.modernleader.is/p/2025-wrap-up
Before we head into the new year
A quick thank you before signing off for 2025
www.modernleader.is
December 23, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Thank you for supporting me on another great year of writing The Modern Leader 💌
Today's newsletter is the last for the year. See you on Jan 1 for the All Access members download, Jan 5 for the start of the Reset Challenge, and Jan 6 for regular programming!
www.modernleader.is/p/2025-wrap-up
Today's newsletter is the last for the year. See you on Jan 1 for the All Access members download, Jan 5 for the start of the Reset Challenge, and Jan 6 for regular programming!
www.modernleader.is/p/2025-wrap-up
I feel like I need to make a donation to an environmental impact fund 😬
December 23, 2025 at 2:02 PM
I feel like I need to make a donation to an environmental impact fund 😬