Finally Friday (Oct 31, 2025) - Week 1

Week one of Finally Friday and it would be Halloween. Last year this time was traumatic, a story for another day. A year later and I'm launching ideas I've had tucked away, it's a good feeling.

Here are three things that caught my eye this week... a book chapter that I needed, a fairly inexpensive mic for content, and a blog platform that makes RH a smooth process. It'll be fun one day to look back at some of these Finally Fridays. Consider this my way of sharing the good stuff so you don't have to dig for it.

The Autobiography of Malcolm X (Chapter 11: "Saved")

What it is: In this chapter Malcolm discovers reading in prison and it just opens his mind.

Why it matters: I've read this book a few times, but this chapter always hits. Malcolm teaches himself to read by copying the entire dictionary. Not because he had to. Because he wanted more, and he knew he could find that by reading. That level of curiosity is rare. Every time I get to this part I get a flashback. When I was kid, I remember my mom having notepads and writing from the dictionary word for word. She just wanted to communicate clearly, and did whatever was necessary to accomplish that. There really are no excuses. You save yourself. If you're feeling stuck, read this chapter.

Where to get it: Local bookstore, library, or Amazon

Rode NT-USB Mini

What it is: To keep it simple it's just a USB microphone. No complicated setup. Just plug in and record. But you can hear the difference instantly.

Why it matters: I spent 12+ years planning How We Hustle and never launched it. Part of the problem? I kept waiting for "everything to be perfect." The right mic. The right setup. The right time.

I pulled this Mic out and put it to use, it's been sitting in a box for years. Not because everything's perfect. Because I'm just taking action. No more analyzing and getting stuck, if I have a thought I do it immediately now.

RecreatingHayes is becoming a full media brand. YouTube. Podcast. How We Hustle interviews. All of it requires good audio.

If you've been waiting to start your podcast or YouTube channel "when you have better gear," this is your sign. Get the mic. Start recording. Fix it as you go.

That's how we hustle.

Where to get it: I purchased mine here on Amazon, also available at rode.com or B&H Photo

Ghost.org

What it is: Blogging platform. Fast. Simple. Built-in newsletter. No plugins or theme drama.

Why it matters: I've created hundreds of websites over the years. Using WordPress with it's clunky themes endless plugins and security updates.

I'd spend 10+ hours setting up the perfect site and 0 hours actually writing.

That perfectionism kept me from launching for over a decade.

Ghost removed that excuse.

Setup took 15 minutes. The default theme is clean and simple. Newsletter functionality is built-in. No customization needed.

RH launched in a day because I couldn't hide behind perfectionism.

The site was ready. Now the ball is in my court to actually consistently gather my thoughts.

Now I write weekly. No excuses. Just me, the blank page, and my own ideas.

If you've been saying "I'll start my blog when I have the perfect setup," Ghost is your answer. The setup is already simple. You just have to show up and write.

That's the real work.

Where to get it: Ghost.org