23 Comments

Thank you so much for this Tom. This means the world and so fortunate to have gotten to know you and have you in my life. I can't wait to see where we are in the next 6 years. Massive hug and can't thank you enough for the support and friendship. PS: Luc and Liam say hi.

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Michael in 6 years we're going to have another retreat in Spain and we're going to have a big soccer match with Luc and Liam. 😆 Cheers brother!

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I loved that Michael made the jump to Substack! Looking forward to playing this here in a bit.

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thank you Kevin for this and your incredible taste in music.

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He's single-handedly made Substack better to be on for me personally. Love seeing him here!

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What an incredible series of life realities, coupled with Michael’s choices, created a life well-lived. I'm excited to read his book.

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You'll love it Dawn! :) Enjoy!

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Great interview!

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Thanks Nina! It's easy when you're talking to a friend :)

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That was an interesting conversation/review of Michael's life experience.!

Thanks.

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Awesome, glad you liked it Karl! :)

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Awesome interview! Love the recap of Mike's story at the beginning. Thanks for the shoutout guys. 😎

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Thanks Nik!! Sometime I would love to interview you and Michael at the same time.

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We'll get around to it! Will be a blast :)

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Wow, I'm really looking forward to the book. All my life I've been shy and I've thought it to be my biggest blocker in connecting with people. I'm really curious about how to think differently about this.

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The first few chapters will really blow your mind Veronika. For the first time I felt like a book was written for me, a shy person! :)

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Damn, now I'm really sold!

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"Soft Help" not "Self Help", love that new to me phrase.

I'm also feeling a bit shocked that I didn't know who Michael was. He appeared on Substack a month ago, everyone was cheering and shouting his name, and I was just thinking, that's cool, good for this guy. Then I started reading his posts, honestly, sincerely. I dropped my writing style and started being more deliberate in my storytelling. I haven't read anything of his other than 3 newsletters (so far) and see there is a wealth to consume on Medium. My copy of the book isn't here yet, but it's ordered.

Great interview, I'm glad to have a bit more perspective on Mr. Thompson (I guess I have to use that now since he's famous) and delighted to see that he's "made it" by writing his stories with less emphasis on expertise and more on 'this might help' advice. That is my writing to a T.

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I always stand in front of a mirror In a Superpower pose 🤣🤣❤️❤️

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I really liked the sincerity in which he was speaking ❤️❤️

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Great insights

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That ending part about how someone can be perceived more interesting when they showed two contrasting sides, like strong and sensitive... Whoa. I gasped. It's (kinda funny, mostly) amusing hearing this from a writer perspective because I largely experienced this in K-pop sphere. The concept of duality.

Example, 1) when the songs are all about confidence or being serious but in reality (or variety shows) the members are cracked, funny, sometime is a loser (lovingly); or 2) when a person is assigned/strong in one skill but can also does the other skill outstandingly well - like when a main dancer member can belt high notes effortlessly.

I guess it is indeed applicable to many things. Dynamics, different contrasting sides that subverts our expectations and made someone/something stand out much more!

(So many takeaways too. I think i need several rewatch/relisten to pick good points out haha, thank you for the convo! First time listening an interview in Substack and whoa, I never thought Substack to be a podcast app but it delivers really well?? Daaaamn.)

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Two GREAT dudes. ❤️

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