I can’t imagine living without safety nets.
One of the traits I often envy in other entrepreneurs is the ability to throw all the chips on the table without a safety net.
While I would love to be more like that, unless I have an idea that’s a proven concept or doesn’t require a big financial or time investment, I have a tendency to gingerly approach the path and slowly increase my wager as I see positive results. While that has worked for me, there’s something really admirable about people who go all in, risking everything, with a “do-or-die” mentality.
I’ve seen that philosophy produce both skyrocketing and unimaginable successes, as well as nosediving falls. But I believe despite the fears and bruises, the rewards are often sweeter.
Safety nets have a very important role in navigating one’s career path. They allow you to step out on the edge, take some chances, with the comfort of knowing you won’t lose it all if it goes south. But something I’ve realized lately is that while a net can save your ass from falling and hitting the ground, sometimes it can actually be causing more harm than good, despite your best intentions.
Do you have a safety net in your life that is keeping you from flying?
We’ve probably all learned many lessons about having safety nets during this pandemic. When I first started out in my career, I recall the goal of having an emergency fund of 4-6 weeks to cover personal expenses was pretty standard practice. Looking back, it seems rather inadequate as a standard measure, even for back then. These days, financial gurus such as Suze Orman often tout a minimum eight-month emergency fund claiming it can take that long to find a new job. While she may not have ever mentioned it being needed in a pandemic, the logic is the same and during these past 10 months, many have had to deplete their emergency funds.
But not all safety nets are financial.
I actually started my career as a safety net of sorts. When I decided to major in accounting with plans on becoming a C.P.A., I wanted something that would be a safe bet in finding employment. Deep down, I always wanted to own my own business, but I have a natural aversion to risk. Before I started college, I knew every company in existence needed accountants. Those seemed like pretty good odds to me.
I figured I could always learn other aspects of a business through experience so getting my C.P.A. was the safety net I wanted. Fast forward 15 years later, my employer at the time, Arista Records, merged with another label, and I received the proverbial pink slip. I was shocked to find out that afterwards, my phone didn’t continuously ring with new career opportunities. I expected my safety net to save me, but it didn’t. I enjoyed working in many aspects of finance and I was good at it. I’m grateful for the experience and how my career path led me to where I am today, but that net didn’t keep me from getting bruised. It didn’t keep me from having a few really lean years. It didn’t give me security. And in the end, I realized it wasn’t a net after all.
Other safety nets can appear as ‘mental nets’ or attitudes. Those can keep you from taking action or make you act in ways you shouldn’t. And perhaps the worst part is they can get intertwined with the most harmful enemy of anyone wanting success… fear. Unlike fear, they have a very beneficial-looking appearance but are really nothing more than piles of junk getting in your way of success, all while being fully cloaked in something that appears to be for protection.
Have you ever noticed how our junk in our homes starts to really stand out when you are having guests coming over? You can have clutter sitting around in a room and over time, it blends in and you no longer even notice it. But then you have a visitor planning to come over, and all of that same clutter now appears to have a spotlight shining right on top of it, creating an urgency to get it cleaned up before your guests arrive. And similar to that untidiness, it’s important to periodically look around and take inventory of any safety nets that have also become clutter.
The first step is to figure out what safety nets are, indeed, working for you and serving an important purpose. Protect those and reinforce them. But perhaps even more importantly, determine which ones that aren’t safety nets at all. You’ll start to notice nets that have been in your life so long you no longer even remember they are there. It can be quite exhilarating when you start recognizing those that are standing in your way of reaching your potential and you cut them loose.
Once you identify a safety net that isn’t providing you with any safety, how do you let them go?
I admit it’s hard to let them go.
I often cling to them with white-knuckled fists. One of the nets I’m loosening my grip on right now is having everything at the magazine go through my final review. I’ve realized that I made my “review” my own self-appointed safety net at MusicRow. But even though our team members excel with their strengths, I still felt the need to have everything pass across my plate. I thought I needed that safety net in place. But that kind of net easily becomes a dam with productivity getting tangled in the lines, preventing progress from moving forward. It impedes success, rather than produces it.
Have you ever seen a tightrope walker at a circus slowly walking across a thin wire high above the net? Or perhaps trapeze artists spinning, swinging and flying through the air? What happens when all of a sudden the safety net is removed and the crowd exalts a collective gasp? Do they fall? Do they fail? No, they do not. That’s when they soar. That when they succeed at death-defying acts. In other words, that’s when the shit gets really good.
One of my favorite people to learn from is Steve Harvey. He’s a comedian, an author, a host, a presenter, a broadcaster, a businessman, a life coach, an ambassador and so much more. His accomplishments would fill up a book and he’s a masterful teacher. One of the most inspiring messages he’s given was an impromptu video as he was getting in his car one day and driving off. It’s a message I listen to repeatedly and try to remember often. He said, “If you want to be successful, here’s the thing you have to do. You have to jump. There is no way around it. Every successful person has jumped. You’ve got to take a leap of faith. You’ve got to dash off that cliff and you’ve got to jump out there as far as you can.”
In other words, get rid of that false safety net, often tangled up in fear, that’s holding you back.
Harvey goes on to say, “A lot of times you stand on the cliff of life and you see other people soaring by. And you know why? Because their parachute opened. But the only way you can get your parachute to open so you can soar is you’ve got to jump. And If you do not jump, I promise you one thing. Your parachute will never open. You’re safe, but you will never soar.”
Here’s to all of us soaring… and losing the net.
Off The Record is a recurring column from MusicRow Owner and Publisher, Sherod Robertson. After 10 years heading the publication, he shares some of the nuggets of wisdom he’s acquired throughout the years that have helped him in his journey. The views and opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of MusicRow Magazine nor its team members.
Prior Installments:
Off The Record: What Is Your Word For 2021?
Off The Record: Show Me The Receipts!
Sheltered Music Publishing, Patrick Joseph Music Sign Melissa Peirce
/by LB CantrellSongwriter Melissa Peirce has signed to a partnership deal with Sheltered Music Publishing and industry veteran Pat Higdon’s Patrick Joseph Music.
Peirce’s songs have been recorded by Carrie Underwood, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Lady A, Eli Young Band, David Nail and John Paul White (The Civil Wars), among others. Collectively her songs have sold over 12 million units, garnered over 120 million streams, and produced 3 Top 10 hits. Peirce wrote Tyler Farr’s No. 1 hit single, “A Guy Walks Into A Bar,” that was named one of NSAI’s “10 Songs I Wish I’d Written,” and also earned BMI, CMA, and NSAI Awards.
“I am so excited to be a part of Sheltered Music”, says Peirce. “I feel blessed to be part of a publishing company with a legend like Lance Freed at the helm, and the opportunity to work with Darrell Franklin again after many years. Darrell and Dann Huff gave me one of my first publishing deals as a developing writer and I saw many of my first successes with them. It feels like a full circle moment to be a part of this venture, having a 20-year friendship and working relationship with Darrell, and to be part of such a talented group of staff and writers. I am equally as excited to continue my ten-year partnership with publishing legend Pat Higdon. We have celebrated many successes together and I am looking forward to continuing that run with Lance, Darrell, Jenny [Hall] and Dann.”
“Melissa Peirce is a gifted and talented songwriter,” says Higdon. She brings great ideas and a ray of sunshine into every write. I’m so excited to continue working with her in partnership with a wonderful Sheltered Music team.”
Sheltered Music Publishing, SVP Franklin adds “Melissa was the first writer I signed back in the early 2000’s and she was the first writer I spoke to about the new company. Her work ethic, passion, and respect for her art has always stood out to me. She brings everything to the table every time she enters a writer room. I feel honored to be able to work with her again in this new partnership with Pat Higdon.”
James White, Owner of Austin’s Broken Spoke Honky Tonk, Dies
/by LB CantrellJames White, founder and owner of Austin’s popular honky-tonk the Broken Spoke, died Sunday (Jan. 24), according to a Facebook post made by the company. He was 81.
White founded the Broken Spoke in 1964 in South Lamar, a neighborhood in south Austin, Texas. George Strait, Willie Nelson, Bob Wills, Kris Kristofferson, Garth Brooks, The Chicks, Midland, and many others frequented the Broken Spoke; with Nelson including scenes at the venue in his 1980 movie Honeysuckle Rose. Strait featured a photo of the Broken Spoke for the cover of his 2019 album, Honky Tonk Time Machine.
In 2016, White starred in Honky-Tonk Heaven: Legend of the Broken Spoke, a documentary about the iconic venue. The Broken Spoke was inducted into the Texas Western Swing Hall of Fame in 2010.
No memorial details have been revealed at press time.
CMA Funds Additional Nonprofits In Continuing Commitment To Pandemic Support
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Country Music Association has strengthened its efforts to aid those affected by the pandemic through its Music Industry COVID Support initiative. The trade organization has outlined additional funding to five nonprofit partners: Music Health Alliance, Musically Fed, Notes for Notes, Porter’s Call, and The Store, which, along with previous nonprofit investments, are funded through CMA’s $3 million long-term COVID-19 commitment that began in early 2020.
Established as a portal for key resources for food supply, health and wellness, and career services, MICS helps connect industry professionals with appropriate nonprofits offering critical support. In the state of Tennessee alone, more than 50,000 music jobs have been impacted by the pandemic, with hundreds of thousands more estimated to be affected nationwide. At the onset of the pandemic, CMA donated $1 million to The Recording Academy’s MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund as well as a $100,000 donation to Music Health Alliance. CMA has continued to analyze and assess the specific needs of music professionals to determine the most vital resources and services to provide, and will announce further nonprofit investments in the coming weeks and months.
“Awareness is key. We are leaning on our entire industry to help us share these essential resources with those in need and keep our people healthy and stable,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “Right now, we recognize the immediacy related to food supply, healthcare and career services, and these five organizations are providing incredible support to music professionals. With the prospect of a vaccine being widely available in the coming months, we will continue to invest in the future of our industry, and the needs required, as we near the return of live touring.”
Those in need are encouraged to visit CMAmics.com and utilize the new chatbot feature to learn more about specific resources available.
Matt Wynn Signs With Given Entertainment For Publishing, Management
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Given Entertainment’s Emily Haupt, Cindy Owen and Kelsey Wise; Matt Wynn; Given’s Cliff Downs and McIntyre Barnhardt. Photo: Bev Moser
Matt Wynn has signed a publishing and management deal with Given Entertainment.
Wynn honed his talents during his teens while touring throughout the Midwest. He performed more than 200 shows in 2019, opening for artists including Luke Combs, Maren Morris, Sam Hunt, Brantley Gilbert, Brett Young, Chris Janson, Russell Dickerson, Jay Leno and more. His soulful sound is influenced by vocalists like Ronnie Dunn, Chris Stapleton and Travis Tritt. Wynn has been working with producer Cliff Downs, Given Entertainment’s Sr VP of Publishing and Artist Development, on new music.
“There is this remarkable authenticity in everything about Matt, as a songwriter, as an artist and most importantly, as a person,” Given Entertainment Founding Partner, Cindy Owen said. “He is one of the best vocalists I have ever heard, with a soulful vocal style uniquely his own. It will stop a room. We can’t wait for everyone to get to know this incredibly special guy and his music.”
“One of the biggest things writers and artists look for is a team and a place to call home. I’m blessed and proud to say that I have found that in Given,” Wynn said. “They opened their doors to me well before I officially signed with them. I believe in this company and more importantly I believe in the people there.”
CMT Reveals Next Women Of Country Class Of 2021
/by LB CantrellCMT has named ten rising artists to its prestigious Next Women of Country (NWOC) franchise, marking the first-ever linear reveal in program history.
The CMT Next Women of Country Class of 2021 includes:
Ashland Craft
Brittney Spencer
Chapel Hart
Hannah Dasher
Harper Grae
MacKenzie Porter
Priscilla Block
Reyna Roberts
Sacha
Tenille Arts
Pictured (L-R, top row): Ashland Craft, Brittney Spencer, Chapel Hart, Hannah Dasher, Harper Grae; (L-R, bottom row): MacKenzie Porter, Priscilla Block, Reyna Roberts, Sacha, Tenille Arts
The news was shared during a dedicated three-hour special on CMT Hot 20 Countdown, which saw NWOC alum Ashley McBryde (2018), Carly Pearce (2016), Cassadee Pope (2014), Lauren Alaina (2014), Lindsay Ell (2014), Maggie Rose (2017), Maren Morris (2016), Mickey Guyton (2015), Tanya Tucker (2020-21 tour) and Tenille Townes (2019) welcoming the new class.
Tomorrow, Caylee Hammack (2020), Rissi Palmer and Lauren Alaina will host a one-hour digital special, CMT Presents: Next Women of Country Class of 2021, on CMT’s Facebook and YouTube channels featuring full performances from each of the new inductees, with a special appearance from CMT Equal Play ambassador Jennifer Nettles, who also headlined the 2016 CMT Next Women of Country Tour.
“We’re thrilled to welcome the newest class of CMT’s Next Women of Country,” said Leslie Fram, Senior Vice President, Music & Talent, CMT. “These artists represent the best of fresh new talent and the diversity of styles that country music has to offer. We look forward to providing this group more exposure than ever before, particularly within the ViacomCBS family on Pluto TV, as well as providing them with essential resources to help them build their musical careers.”
Over the next year, the new NWOC class will receive cross-brand support for their music and videos across CMT and CMT Music channels, CMT Radio (220+ channels), CMT Hot 20 Countdown, CMT.com and CMT social channels, in addition to cross-promotional opportunities for ViacomCBS’ MTV Entertainment Group.
New this year, the women will be featured in music video rotation in the newly permanent CMT Equal Play channel on Pluto TV, which offers country music 24/7 with an equal male/female playlist.
In addition, CMT will offer its new NWOC inductees access to independent media training, photography consultations and artist advocacy opportunities designed to assist them in supporting charitable causes and social issues. These resources will be provided by Nashville-based communications firm, The Change Agent·cy.
Chris Janson Celebrates Fourth Career No. 1, “Done”
/by LB CantrellPhoto (L-R): Mitch Oglesby, Matt Roy, Chris Janson, Jamie Paulin
Though it may have looked a little different than a normal No. 1 party, Anthem Entertainment and Warner Chappell Music hosted an intimate dinner this week for Chris Janson and the co-writers of his multi-week chart-topping single “Done.”
“Done” was a MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart No. 1 in July.
The hit song, written by Janson, Mitch Oglesby, Matt Roy and Jamie Paulin, marks the Warner Music Nashville’s fourth career No. 1 as an artist. “Done” follows his Gold-certified, No. 1 “Good Vibes.” Jason’s current single, “Waitin’ On 5,” is at country radio and streaming platforms.
Tim Mcgraw, Tyler Hubbard Claim Most Added At Country Radio
/by Alex ParryTopping off a whirlwind week, Tim McGraw and Tyler Hubbard have claimed the most added spot at country radio with their new collaboration “Undivided” released via Big Machine Records. This milestone marks the most first week adds in the history of the Mediabase chart.
“Undivided” debuted at No. 61 last week on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart receiving a total of 25 new adds. This week, the single received 22 new adds and gained 337 spins putting it at No. 31 on the CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
To celebrate, the pair joined their respective management teams and label via Zoom.
Pictured (L-R): Row 1 – Big Machine Records’ Samantha Kane, Tracy Wilkinson, Bill Lubitz and Brooke Diaz; EM.Co’s Jack Purcell. Row 2 – Big Machine Records’ JC Coffey, Kris Lamb; Tim McGraw; Big Machine Records’ Clay Hunnicutt; EM.Co’s Kelly Clague. Row 3 – EM.Co’s Scott Siman; Big Machine Label Group’s Scott Borchetta; Tyler Hubbard; EM.Co’s Jeff Davis; Big Machine Label Group’s Erik Powell. Row 4: Full Stop Management’s Jeffrey Azoff and Irving Azoff; Big Machine Records’ Nicole Hunt; Hit Farm Management’s Halie Hampton.
Lucas Hoge Shares Gospel Favorites On New ‘Sunday Sessions’ Project
/by Lorie HollabaughLucas Hoge‘s first gospel project, the 10-track acoustic Sunday Sessions, is out today (Jan. 22).
Sunday Sessions follows the tremendous response to Hoge’s #SundaySessions weekly live stream, which airs Sundays on Facebook at 8 a.m. PT in partnership with Country Rebel. The album features acoustic versions of gospel hymns and standards that were most requested during his Sunday live stream, along with some of Hoge’s original faith-based music. Hoge’s #SundaySessions have continue to chart on Pollstar‘s Weekly Livestream Chart for 28 out of 32 weeks.
The Nebraska native returns with his new series Hoge Wild for a second season in June 2021. The show had a successful inaugural season in the U.S. on Sportsman Channel in 2020 and is now airing in Canada Friday nights at 11 p.m. ET and re-airing throughout the week on Sportsman Channel Canada. Fans everywhere can stream the series on MOTV. Hoge Wild takes viewers across the globe with the singer as he travels to New Zealand, Bolivia, Africa and more.
Sunday Sessions Track List:
1.) Sweet By and By
2.) Because He Lives
3.) Just A Closer Walk With Thee
4.) Don’t Fear Goodbye
5.) Power In The Blood
6.) How Great Thou Art
7.) Old Rugged Cross
8.) Have I Done Something
9.) Everlasting Arms
10.) This Little Light Of Mine Medley
Pat Barrett Readies Sophomore Album For February
/by Lorie HollabaughPat Barrett is set to release his sophomore album, Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly, on Feb. 26 on Bowyer & Bow/Capitol Christian Music Group.
The new album features 17 tracks, including four songs released in 2020 (“Canvas and Clay,” “Lightning (ft. Harolddd),” “No Weapon,” and “Heavenly”). It was recorded over the span of two years and highlights Barrett as a worship leader as well as an artist/songwriter and features guest artists such as Chris Tomlin on “As For Me” and Harolddd on “Lightning.”
Accompanying the studio project will be specially-recorded live videos released over the next few months with appearances including Tomlin, Mack Brock, Jon Reddick and Franni Rae Cash of We The Kingdom. The pre-order for the new album is available now, along with the title track and lyric video.
“I made a promise to myself years ago to only share songs that have helped me in some way,” said Barrett. “For this album, I have tried to stay true to that promise. Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk humbly…Act, love, walk….for me, these have been the songs that touch every area of my life. The songs that have helped ‘make sense’ of things, and also the songs that have helped set the table of communion when not much has made sense at all. Some songs are about matters of the heart and some songs are matter of fact about how things aren’t the way they should be. It felt important to include both. In a lot of ways I see this collection as an invitation to abide in God, but also an invitation to change. The type of change that happens when you audit your soul and don’t like what you find. These are the songs I’ve sung at the top of my lungs on Sunday and under my breath on Monday. Songs about faith, hope, love, marriage, kids, questions, regret, moving on…and for me, all of it worship. So I’ve decided to keep all of it on this project.”
Off The Record: Is It Time To Cut The Net?
/by Sherod RobertsonI can’t imagine living without safety nets.
One of the traits I often envy in other entrepreneurs is the ability to throw all the chips on the table without a safety net.
While I would love to be more like that, unless I have an idea that’s a proven concept or doesn’t require a big financial or time investment, I have a tendency to gingerly approach the path and slowly increase my wager as I see positive results. While that has worked for me, there’s something really admirable about people who go all in, risking everything, with a “do-or-die” mentality.
I’ve seen that philosophy produce both skyrocketing and unimaginable successes, as well as nosediving falls. But I believe despite the fears and bruises, the rewards are often sweeter.
Safety nets have a very important role in navigating one’s career path. They allow you to step out on the edge, take some chances, with the comfort of knowing you won’t lose it all if it goes south. But something I’ve realized lately is that while a net can save your ass from falling and hitting the ground, sometimes it can actually be causing more harm than good, despite your best intentions.
Do you have a safety net in your life that is keeping you from flying?
We’ve probably all learned many lessons about having safety nets during this pandemic. When I first started out in my career, I recall the goal of having an emergency fund of 4-6 weeks to cover personal expenses was pretty standard practice. Looking back, it seems rather inadequate as a standard measure, even for back then. These days, financial gurus such as Suze Orman often tout a minimum eight-month emergency fund claiming it can take that long to find a new job. While she may not have ever mentioned it being needed in a pandemic, the logic is the same and during these past 10 months, many have had to deplete their emergency funds.
But not all safety nets are financial.
I actually started my career as a safety net of sorts. When I decided to major in accounting with plans on becoming a C.P.A., I wanted something that would be a safe bet in finding employment. Deep down, I always wanted to own my own business, but I have a natural aversion to risk. Before I started college, I knew every company in existence needed accountants. Those seemed like pretty good odds to me.
I figured I could always learn other aspects of a business through experience so getting my C.P.A. was the safety net I wanted. Fast forward 15 years later, my employer at the time, Arista Records, merged with another label, and I received the proverbial pink slip. I was shocked to find out that afterwards, my phone didn’t continuously ring with new career opportunities. I expected my safety net to save me, but it didn’t. I enjoyed working in many aspects of finance and I was good at it. I’m grateful for the experience and how my career path led me to where I am today, but that net didn’t keep me from getting bruised. It didn’t keep me from having a few really lean years. It didn’t give me security. And in the end, I realized it wasn’t a net after all.
Other safety nets can appear as ‘mental nets’ or attitudes. Those can keep you from taking action or make you act in ways you shouldn’t. And perhaps the worst part is they can get intertwined with the most harmful enemy of anyone wanting success… fear. Unlike fear, they have a very beneficial-looking appearance but are really nothing more than piles of junk getting in your way of success, all while being fully cloaked in something that appears to be for protection.
Have you ever noticed how our junk in our homes starts to really stand out when you are having guests coming over? You can have clutter sitting around in a room and over time, it blends in and you no longer even notice it. But then you have a visitor planning to come over, and all of that same clutter now appears to have a spotlight shining right on top of it, creating an urgency to get it cleaned up before your guests arrive. And similar to that untidiness, it’s important to periodically look around and take inventory of any safety nets that have also become clutter.
The first step is to figure out what safety nets are, indeed, working for you and serving an important purpose. Protect those and reinforce them. But perhaps even more importantly, determine which ones that aren’t safety nets at all. You’ll start to notice nets that have been in your life so long you no longer even remember they are there. It can be quite exhilarating when you start recognizing those that are standing in your way of reaching your potential and you cut them loose.
Once you identify a safety net that isn’t providing you with any safety, how do you let them go?
I admit it’s hard to let them go.
I often cling to them with white-knuckled fists. One of the nets I’m loosening my grip on right now is having everything at the magazine go through my final review. I’ve realized that I made my “review” my own self-appointed safety net at MusicRow. But even though our team members excel with their strengths, I still felt the need to have everything pass across my plate. I thought I needed that safety net in place. But that kind of net easily becomes a dam with productivity getting tangled in the lines, preventing progress from moving forward. It impedes success, rather than produces it.
Have you ever seen a tightrope walker at a circus slowly walking across a thin wire high above the net? Or perhaps trapeze artists spinning, swinging and flying through the air? What happens when all of a sudden the safety net is removed and the crowd exalts a collective gasp? Do they fall? Do they fail? No, they do not. That’s when they soar. That when they succeed at death-defying acts. In other words, that’s when the shit gets really good.
One of my favorite people to learn from is Steve Harvey. He’s a comedian, an author, a host, a presenter, a broadcaster, a businessman, a life coach, an ambassador and so much more. His accomplishments would fill up a book and he’s a masterful teacher. One of the most inspiring messages he’s given was an impromptu video as he was getting in his car one day and driving off. It’s a message I listen to repeatedly and try to remember often. He said, “If you want to be successful, here’s the thing you have to do. You have to jump. There is no way around it. Every successful person has jumped. You’ve got to take a leap of faith. You’ve got to dash off that cliff and you’ve got to jump out there as far as you can.”
In other words, get rid of that false safety net, often tangled up in fear, that’s holding you back.
Harvey goes on to say, “A lot of times you stand on the cliff of life and you see other people soaring by. And you know why? Because their parachute opened. But the only way you can get your parachute to open so you can soar is you’ve got to jump. And If you do not jump, I promise you one thing. Your parachute will never open. You’re safe, but you will never soar.”
Here’s to all of us soaring… and losing the net.
Off The Record is a recurring column from MusicRow Owner and Publisher, Sherod Robertson. After 10 years heading the publication, he shares some of the nuggets of wisdom he’s acquired throughout the years that have helped him in his journey. The views and opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of MusicRow Magazine nor its team members.
Prior Installments:
Off The Record: What Is Your Word For 2021?
Off The Record: Show Me The Receipts!