Tom's Top 3: December 17, 2024
Yippee Ki Yay
Hi everyone! Welcome to this week’s installment of Tom’s Top 3 Tuesdays, where I highlight three pieces of content (Podcasts/Shows/Songs/Articles/etc.) that I found interesting or noteworthy from the prior week.
If you’re liking what I’m putting out, please consider liking this post and sharing with a friend. I really do appreciate all of the support.
[YouTube] The Kennedy Center - 7 Year-Old Cellist Prodigy Yo-Yo Ma’s Debut Performance for President JFK
I think this video surfaced on my YouTube feed because I recently watched this Yo-Yo Ma performance at the re-opening of Notre Dame de Paris (worth a watch if you haven’t seen it).
Seeing this video pop up prompted a double take.
You’re telling me this is the same guy… 62 years earlier… in black and white… performing for JFK and Ike?!?
Watching this little kid absolutely shred on the cello at 3:34 made me feel like Jack Black discovering his lead guitarist in School of Rock.
What an amazing and prolific career from the GOAT, Yo-Yo.
[Podcast] WHAT WENT WRONG - Die Hard
This podcast usually looks at nightmare production stories, but this episode was rather mild. It instead provides a pretty rosy portrayal of the making of one of the hosts’ favorite movies.
This podcast got me so fired up that I re-watched Die Hard last night. I now have a new appreciation for the film after hearing the behind-the-scenes stories.
And let me tell you: this movie still slaps.
I used to be in the “DiE HarD iS nOt A ChrISTmAs mOvIE” camp, but I was wrong. It is definitely a Christmas movie. However, I was surprised to learn that the movie originally came out during the summer (seems like a missed opportunity).
It was fascinating to learn about the screenwriter’s zero-to-hero story, how Bruce Willis’ $5M paycheck blew up the movie industry, and how many shots had to be re-lit to hide BWilly’s impending baldness.
[Podcast] MFM - How to plan an epic 2025, without setting goals
I’ve never had success with annual goal setting. I often set overly-ambitious goals, my priorities shift throughout the year, and I don’t reliably set up systems to make consistent progress.
Jesse Itzler, co-founder of Marquis Jet and part owner of the Atlanta Hawks, has a different strategy for annual planning. He lays it all on the table during this interview.
Some aspects of his philosophy that I will look to incorporate into my planning:
Hand-written letters to thank important people in your life
Misogi: one year-defining goal or activity
Bi-monthly adventures
Quarterly habits
I find his energy refreshing, and he seems like a guy who gets everything out of life — a guy who creates a life that is perfect for him.
I think it’s definitely worth a listen as you prepare for the new year.
That wraps up this edition of Tom’s Top 3 Tuesdays. If you made it to this point, please drop a 1️⃣, 2️⃣, or 3️⃣ in the comments to let me know what you found most interesting/useful. And as always, please like and consider sharing with a friend who you think would enjoy! I’ll be back next week. ✌️
2 But die hard is not a Christmas movie
1