A New Year, A New Start
Guy Raz Newsletter – January 11, 2024
Happy New Year, everyone!
Before I launch into it, I have to admit I’ve been obsessively following the news out of Los Angeles.
LA isn’t just my hometown (I grew up in the San Fernando Valley) and where so much of my family lives, it’s also one of the great and dynamic cities of the world.
To see the level of Hiroshima-like destruction in parts of the city is shocking and heartbreaking. I imagine some of you, like me, know a lot of people affected by these fires. Several former HIBT guests are among them.
There are tons of ways you can help. The American Red Cross is my usual go-to. But there are lots of other organizations and groups working to help as best as they can.
This is a horrific, horrific situation. It will take years—many years—to rebuild and recover. And while I want to be optimistic and say—it WILL happen! The people of Los Angeles WILL recover—I also want to be mindful of how incredibly difficult and painful this process will be.
And often, there are no words we can offer or bits of wisdom to soothe pain.
Years ago, I interviewed a very famous Pastor—a man called Eugene Peterson. He was best known for writing a very straightforward, easy-to-understand version of the original Greek and Hebrew scriptures called “The Message.”
We talked—not about Christianity or faith or God or any of that stuff. I wanted to talk to him about grief. It was right after the incomprehensible tragedy at Sandy Hook elementary in Newtown where 20 children and 6 teachers were senselessly killed.
That incident broke me.
At the time, I was working for NPR. I was a host for All Things Considered. And that day, I was on live breaking coverage duty. I covered that story live on air for 4 hours straight.
It was one of the hardest and most painful experiences of my career. And by that point, I had already seen a lot of tragedy and death and heartbreak as a reporter in places like Iraq, Afghanistan and the Balkans.
But that day in December 2012—I could barely keep it together. As a parent of two small children, I could not even begin to imagine the horror of the parents waiting to hear whether their child was safe.
After four hours of coverage, I sat in the studio as the “on-air” light went dark and cried. A reporter in the studio with me, an outstanding journalist named Carrie Johnson, consoled me. I still get emotional thinking about that moment.
A few days later, I asked Pastor Peterson to come join me on weekend All Things Considered. I thought he might be a good person to talk to about grief. Even though I’m Jewish, I felt a strong connection to his work and his thinking.
He told me something I never forgot and continue to use to this day. Basically, one of the most powerful ways you can help someone grieve is not to give them advice.
It’s not to say “things will get better.” It’s not to try and “fix” the situation. In almost every case, the best thing we can do for others at a time of grief is to sit with them in silence. To just be in the room with them.
We don’t need to say anything.
We just need to be there.
It can be an incredibly powerful way to support someone in a time of need.
OK…so a little bit about the New Year. Obviously its a great excuse to try something new or to re-start (although, frankly, any day of the week throughout the year is a chance to start again. If you don’t believe me, watch one of my favorite TED Talks of all-time by Brother David Steindl-Rast. Every day is a new beginning.)
Now, with all that being said, I started something this year that—so far—is going really well. I bought a regular pen-and-ink analog weekly planner. (I know—how very 90’s of me.)
But I find that if I am forced to HANDWRITE my plans out in advance (on a Sunday night) I stick to the plan with greater success. I bought this one (and no, I’m not a paid endorser and no, I don’t know the company or the founders.) I find it works well for me.
I’ve set an ambitious plan to try and do five specific things every day. So far, I have NOT managed to do all five every single day—but this is my north-star-daily goal-for the year.
So here goes:
Exercise (which I do every day)
Meditate (harder but I’m getting better)
Journal (challenging but I’ve been more consistent than in the past)
Deep stretching at night (check!) and finally
Breathing exercises (I’m doing Wim Hof and it is TORTURE but it really does work for me when I do it.)
What’s cool about the planner is that it has a “Daily Tracker” section with check boxes so I can get that hit of dopamine every time I check off one of these five activities.
Over the holiday break, my wife (unfortunately) tore her ACL on the ski slopes. So our trip was cut short and we spent the rest of the break (between Christmas and New Year) holed up at home while she waited to get an MRI. It turned into a blessing-in-disguise.
Using my Dashboard planner…I set up a bunch of goals (finally clean out the garage, organize your damn desk!, figure out why we have a drawer filled with unmarked keys and get that sorted!)
Guess what? I actually managed to accomplish all these goals. And it was nice to have the time to do it.
OK…so this week on How I Built This, we aired a repeat of a classic episode—one of my favorites actually because it is SO funny: Todd Graves of Raising Cane’s.
When Todd dreamed of opening a chicken finger restaurant, no one believed it could work (quite literally, almost no one!)
His business plan was rejected, his friends and family told him to get a “real job,”, and the road ahead seemed impossible. But instead of giving up, Todd rolled up his sleeves and worked grueling jobs to raise the money so he could start it himself.
He didn’t wait for permission. He didn’t even worry about the doubters. He went for it. And if you’re sitting on an idea and have some trepidation…listen to this episode. It will give you a jolt of confidence!
Here’s to a year of possibility, resilience, and action!
– Guy
(One) of the best gifts I received over the holidays!
These insane slippers from some very good friends. These are REALLY expensive slippers but they are really comfortable. And I plan to care for them like I would a newborn child.
What I’m Cooking
I made a Beef Wellington. Here’s the video to prove it!
On the Podcasts This Week!
Raising Cane’s Recipe for Success
Every bank in Baton Rouge rejected Todd Graves’ business plan for a chicken restaurant. He heard all the common objections, but most of all: “that’ll never work!”
But instead of folding, like many might have have, he persisted. He took on dangerous jobs in an oil refinery and on Alaskan fishing boats to fund his vision for a one-of-a-kind chicken restaurant – what would eventually become Raising Cane’s.
After about a year and a half, Todd’s vision became reality when he opened the first Raising Cane’s near Louisiana State University. With a laser focus on four simple menu items, Todd set out to perfect what he believed no one else was doing well.
And…it worked. Late-night crowds and lines out the door proved that simplicity, done exceptionally well, could capture hearts and stomachs.
But Todd’s journey wasn’t without challenges. From navigating early struggles in new markets to scaling his business with loans and investor support, Todd learned how to grow Raising Cane’s while safeguarding its quality and culture.
HIBT Advice Line: Scaling Smarter
This week on the Advice Line, Lara Merriken of LÄRABAR lends her insights to three entrepreneurs navigating the challenges of scaling their businesses:
First, Alison: How do I grow without losing my brand's personality?
Alison, the founder of Joy Breeders, built her toxin-free skincare brand on humor and authenticity. As she expands to new retailers, she’s worried about staying true to her roots. Lara suggests focusing on maintaining authenticity through storytelling and connection—while letting growth happen organically.
Next, Mariano: How do I re-enter major retailers?
Mariano runs Maax Caffeine Gum, a product designed to replace coffee and energy drinks. After a stint in big-box stores, he’s ready to break back in. Our advice? Position your product as a clear solution for busy professionals who need a boost – simplify the message.
Finally, Lauretta: How can I fundraise effectively for my ginger tea business?
Lauretta’s British Ginger Tea, born from her own experience with morning sickness, needs funding to scale. We encourage her to lean into her personal story and use it to build a compelling pitch that resonates with potential investors.
This episode is packed with practical advice for entrepreneurs at every stage—don’t miss it!
If you would like to be featured on an upcoming episode, call and leave a 1-minute message at 1-800-433-1298 or send a voice memo to hibt@id.wondery.com
Sylvan Esso: Creative Sparks and Surprises
Ten years ago, Sylvan Esso burst onto the indie music scene with a sound that was as unexpected as their partnership. Amelia Meath’s folk-inspired roots and Nick Sanborn’s experimental electronic background merged into something entirely new—an electro-pop duo that continues to defy expectations.
In this episode, Amelia and Nick reflect on their journey from a chance meeting to headlining festival stages. Their creative process? They liken it to fishing—casting out ideas and waiting for that electric moment when something truly exciting takes shape.
Over the years they’ve learned to trust each other’s instincts, embrace surprises, and anchor their work in the vibrant artistic community of Durham, North Carolina, where they’ve built their own record label to support other artists.
Watch it on YouTube:
The Power of Small Habits
What if the key to lasting change wasn’t about willpower or massive overhauls, but tiny, consistent shifts? That’s exactly what BJ Fogg has been studying for nearly his entire career.
How do habits form? What makes them stick?
It’s simple: start small.
Whether it’s doing a single push-up or flossing just one tooth, small wins build momentum and lead to massive change over time.
As we kick off a new year, BJ shares a practical framework for creating habits that actually last—by anchoring them to existing routines and celebrating every step forward.
Science Podcasts for Kids!
The Small Secret to a Healthy Lifestyle!
This week, we are off to Lil Buff Bunny's Big Gym, where the workouts are—quite literally—extreme. 8 hours a day, 8 days a week?! Sounds exhausting just thinking about it!
But fear not—the crew discovers a much simpler way to stay healthy. Turns out, small bursts of exercise throughout the day might be all you need to unlock the benefits of an active lifestyle.
Join the adventure as they explore the science behind exercise, bust some fitness myths, and uncover how even a little movement can go a long way!
Barking Up The Wrong Tree!
This week on Two Whats?! And A Wow, we dive into the wonderful world of TREES!
Does cinnamon come from trees? Is it true that there are more trees on earth than stars in the galaxy? This episode is packed with tree-mendous trivia!
Don’t miss the fun, the facts, and the forest of knowledge in this week’s Two Whats?! And A Wow!
From the Archives!
LÄRABAR: Lara Merriken
At 32, Lara Merriken found herself at a crossroads: newly divorced, jobless, and looking for a fresh start.
Inspired by her love of healthy eating, she began blending simple ingredients like cherries, dates, and almonds in her Cuisinart. What started as a kitchen experiment quickly grew into LÄRABAR, a brand that redefined energy bars with its commitment to simplicity and flavor.
Within two years, LÄRABAR became a multi-million-dollar business. And by 2008, Lara sold the company to General Mills while continuing to guide its growth. Today, LÄRABAR is a staple in households across the U.S. – a testament to the power of perseverance and creativity.
Revisit this episode to hear Lara turned LÄRABAR is a staple in households across the country!
Sukhi’s Gourmet Indian Food
Sukhi Singh didn’t start with a grand business plan or venture capital—just a passion for sharing the flavors of her Indian heritage.
In the early 1990s, after closing her struggling café in Oakland, she rallied her family to bottle curry paste and sell freshly made Indian meals at farmers markets. After expanding into refrigerated and frozen meals, products like her tasty chicken tikka masala and samosas landed in one of the biggest box retailers in the U.S. – Costco!
This episode is a masterclass in resilience and the power of family teamwork. Tune in to hear how Sukhi turned small beginnings into a thriving culinary empire!
See you next time!
What do you want more or less of?
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