📝 Editor’s Note
When I was in my 20s, small talk with guys was straightforward. A recurring theme was sports trivia. For example, a go-to question, popularized by my friend Sether, is "Name all the colleges with mascots that don't end in 's'." Hint, there are 11.
Nowadays, in my mid-30s, the small talk has evolved. Sure, we still cover sports and family, but conversations almost always circle back to new business ideas. I'm not ashamed to admit that I love it. Give me a whiteboard and a few dry erase markers, and I'm in my element.
In the past few months, I've been noodling on everything from:
Lifestyle journals specialized for golf, sermons, and hiking
A new brand of ranch dressing for greasy foods based on Charlottesville's College Inn Ranch (IYKYK)
Concierge accountability partner for husbands needing appreciation and gifting support for their wives
Converting a former car wash into a semi-private gym and sauna you can book privately or with friends
A benefits program helping employees navigate muscle, bone, and joint (MSK) challenges with improved care pathways
My wife is undoubtedly grateful I have other outlets for my constant stream of ideas. Are you sitting on a concept you'd like to workshop with someone? If so, I'm your guy.
Trivia answer: Alabama Crimson Tide, Illinois Fighting Illini, Navy Midshipmen, Nevada Wolf Pack, NC State Wolfpack, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, North Texas Mean Green, Stanford Cardinal, Syracuse Orange, Tulane Green Wave, Tulsa Golden Hurricane
Without further ado….
Why Eleanor?
Eleanor’s older brother David is a close friend from college. Eleanor has also been a long-time subscriber, and I distinctly remember her sending me a nice note of encouragement when she first subscribed. Therefore, I was excited when David recommended his sister for a profile, saying Eleanor is a “great writer and storyteller, works in the spotlight’s wheelhouse (non-traditional, cool job in advertising), has intriguing taste in podcasts and fashion, and is perpetually shopping on a budget.”
Self-Description
Content monster and the edgiest one in my family (which, to be clear, is a low bar). I know "just enough" about everything to want to talk to just about anyone—from Ross Ulbricht, to Big Cat, to the 85-year-old woman at the deli counter wearing cool shoes, to the besties of the All-In podcast.
Eleanor’s 6 Recommendations
Written in her own words…
1. Stainless Steel Salad Scissor ($17)
I am Picasso, and these salad scissors are my paintbrush. Listen, I love a $20 chopped salad as much as the next girl, and yes, I prefer eating said salads with a spoon. But I also love not hemorrhaging money on lettuce. These have single-handedly changed my lunch game. Other use cases: meal prepping, cutting small bites for children, and creating those dramatic tear-off tabs at the bottom of a “Lost Dog” or “Seeking Male Companionship” poster.
2. Omni Crosswords
I love crossword puzzles, but have a meh relationship with the newspapers they come in. Enter Omni Crosswords: the Switzerland of puzzle apps, which I discovered on r/crosswords. It pulls from all the big names—LA Times, USA Today, The Atlantic, Newsday, The New Yorker, Universal Daily—so you can focus on solving, not subscribing. Bonus: it’s free! Downside: it's only available for iPhone and can eat your battery like it’s post-marathon carb-loading, but hey, there’s no such thing as a free lunch.
3. XTRATUF ($105)
Like X (the everything app), these are Xtratuf (the everything shoe). Indestructible, slip-on, non-slip boots—ideal for anything water, sand, or boat-related, plus instant dock-cred from the marina guys. My dad got me these, and I initially resisted because, well, I lean more “fashion” than “function.” But once again, he was right. Everyone should own a pair, but not everyone will buy themselves a pair. Great gift for an adventurous woman as a random “I love you” present (but not for a birthday, Valentine’s Day, or anniversary—unless you enjoy sleeping on the couch).
4. MIT Neurosurgeon’s Mid-Life Crisis
This guy spent two decades as a neurosurgeon, hit a midlife crisis, and decided to completely rewire his life—scalpel down, new purpose up. A must-watch for anyone at a crossroads or just going through it and needing a sharp (but necessary) reminder that we have more agency than we think. It brings to mind that overused but undeniably true saying: We have two lives—the first starts at birth, the second begins when we realize we only have one.
5. West African Chicken Peanut Soup
This soup is a real winner—perfect for shaking off the winter doldrums or convincing yourself you’re the kind of person who makes soup on a Sunday. Pro tip: I use a rotisserie chicken, sub a jar of salsa for tomatoes, and add extra ginger for a little kick. I shared this recipe with M. Wood, the pescatarian of my friend group, and she swapped the chicken for extra sweet potatoes and/or tofu. Her review? Chef’s kiss.
6. Everyday Oil Mainstay ($23)
I’m not a trailblazer when it comes to perfumes—my yearly Sephora travel-size sample set usually gets me through. But when it comes to non-perfume scents, I’m fiercely loyal. As someone with sensitive skin, I have to be extra careful about anything scented, which makes finding everyday staples tricky. Everyday Oil Mainstay is the all-in-one miracle that I've been using for 5+ years. I rub on my forearms and elbows every morning, whether I’m heading to the gym or the office. It’s fresh, clean, and just mysterious enough to make people ask, “Wait, what is that?” If the Foster sisters don’t already use this, they should.
Other non-toxic swoon-worthy scents in my rotation (gentle-skin approved):
💜 ZUM Lavender Laundry Detergent // Smells like a fancy spa, but in a casual way. Plus, it’s plant-based and gentle enough that my skin actually likes it.
🌊 Vitruvi Pacific Diffuser Oil // Crisp, cool, and basically bottled coastal air.
Plug | Let’s Connect
While I love my job in advertising, I’m not here to rack up LinkedIn followers (although, feel free to add me!). That said, self-promotion is my second favorite thing. I just moved to NYC (still smiling at strangers on the sidewalk, so you know it’s recent). I’m on a mission to meet people. If you’re in the city, let’s grab coffee, lunch, or whatever feels appropriately New York. If you’ve lived in NYC at some point, I’m all ears for your favorite hidden gems—restaurants, workouts, vintage stores, secret underground tunnels—bonus points if it requires a password or a secret knock.
Want to get in touch with Eleanor? Email her at eleanorcarey5@gmail.com
P.S. from Rambull — I married into a family where everyone has a trained duck-hunting lab. They also have the same brand of collars. In my house, we are no different. However, Kizmet, our 3-month-old red lab has yet to go to hunt school. While your family dog might not be trained to hunt, the company Gun Dog Supply makes the best collars. They have great customer service, ship fast, and have the best prices ($15). The biothane material is durable while not locking in moisture or odor.
<3 Ellie! A woman of MANY MANY talents!!!
Two more D1 mascots:
- the BIson of North Dakota State University
- the Big Green of Dartmouth (pairs nicely with Stanford Cardinal; both dropped “Indians” in 1972).
In similar fashion, U of ND retired their Fighting Sioux mascot in 2012; they are now the Fighting Hawks.
In D3, Williams takes the prize: they are “The Ephs” and their mascot since 1952 is “Ephelia,” the purple cow