Marcello
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defeo.io
Marcello
@defeo.io
Writer. Former chef and restaurateur. Devoted to my wife, kids, and chicken cutlets. Usually in that order.

https://defeo.io
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Marcello @defeo.io · May 14
@bsky.app friends,
I've spent a long time trying to figure out my place in the world. I think my empathy, words, and truth can be reminders that you are not alone. My voice is all I have, and I want to put it to use at defeo.io

If you would be willing to subscribe, I'd be incredibly appreciative.
The Last Meritocracy | Marcello De Feo | Substack
Grew up in kitchens, raised in old-school newsrooms, and humbled by dev teams. I write about the lives I’ve lived and the ones I’m still figuring out. Click to read The Last Meritocracy, by Marcello D...
defeo.io
Reposted by Marcello
The exhibit, Freedom and Slavery in the Making of a New Nation, honored nine people enslaved by George Washington at the President’s House Site and examined the contradiction between slavery and freedom at the nation’s founding.
January 23, 2026 at 1:56 PM
Reposted by Marcello
The Trump administration has removed an exhibit on slavery at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, calling it “corrosive ideology.”
January 23, 2026 at 1:56 PM
Lost in spacetime
A crisis of consciousness and identity
www.defeo.io
November 16, 2025 at 2:31 AM
If we're being honest
If we're being honest
When the definition of self has nothing to do with who you are, it's a problem.
open.substack.com
September 18, 2025 at 5:12 AM
I can see the Ducks signing Carter Hart. If they're shitty enough to hire Joel Quenneville, they won't have any issues adding Hart either.
September 16, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Did we forgot?
We promised we never would. I think we did.
open.substack.com
September 12, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Pimping myself out:

The Last Meritocracy is a reader-supported collection of weekly essays on mental health to help you know you're not alone.

If you are able to subscribe to support the work, please do so! There are free and paid subscription options.

www.defeo.io/p/join-the-l...
Join The Last Meritocracy Community
Honest essays on anxiety, neurodivergence, and the everyday mess of being human — written to make sure you never feel alone.
www.defeo.io
September 9, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Campfire weather is right around the corner. So, this Triple Chocolate S'mores ice cream was a natural next choice to make for @dadyolks.food.

Also, my son requested it, and there's no way I was going to say no to him.
September 6, 2025 at 3:23 AM
Fig and Mascarpone Gelato freshly churned and headed into the freezer.

I know two things:
1. This is delicious
2. I am going to gain 100 pounds making all this food for @dadyolks.food
September 4, 2025 at 3:15 AM
Whining about a first-world problem
Time to get out the world's tiniest violin
open.substack.com
September 2, 2025 at 7:13 PM
The Great Imposter
Sometimes fact trumps syndrome
open.substack.com
August 30, 2025 at 1:07 AM
My first ever project guitar: a J. Mascis Jazzmaster from Sweetwater. Shielded it, swapping in Tone Shaper electronics, added a Fender saddle bridge and Classic Player Tailpiece, and putting on a Decoboom pick guard. Really excited to finish this up and post pics of the final product.
August 8, 2025 at 3:56 AM
Failing with fire: A reflection on burnout, growth, and slowing down
www.defeo.io/p/failing-wi...
Failing with fire
A reflection on burnout, growth, and slowing down
www.defeo.io
August 6, 2025 at 3:23 AM
Not the most exciting picture, but part of my plan with @dadyolks.food is to come up with ways to save cash & minimize waste.

I bought 4 $5 Costco rotisserie chickens, broke them down, and turned them entrees, soups, and snacks.

Was it haute cuisine? No, just easy recipes with virtually no waste.
August 5, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Pickling is such an easy and great way to add flavor and a new dimension to food. Excited to publish some pickling recipes on @dadyolks.food soon!
August 3, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Here are some par cooked fries I prepped today. I'm going to start simple with my first recipe for @dadyolks.food and go with the world's most universally loved food: French Fries.

(Sorry pizza.)
August 2, 2025 at 12:11 AM
On the provenance of self
Physics holds us together, language defines our reality
open.substack.com
July 25, 2025 at 7:28 PM
This is one of the earliest pieces I began writing but I kept pushing it aside. I don't mind showing my vulnerability, but casting a dark shadow on myself is scary.

www.defeo.io/p/im-sorry-f...
I'm sorry for what I said, or did, or thought
Ignorance is a starting place for growth
www.defeo.io
July 18, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Goodnight, my love. Goodnight, goodnight.
A retrospective on mental health and its impact on the death of Robin Williams
open.substack.com
July 11, 2025 at 2:52 AM
Do what you love.
An unanswered call
To love what you do, you must do what you love.
open.substack.com
July 3, 2025 at 7:33 PM