Lisa Weiss

June 30, 2026

I turn 50 today.

Inside: What we never say, a book I devoured, and a writing prompt for you.

Hello!

I’m sending this on my 50th birthday, which feels like a fitting day to talk about the things we never say.

Sometimes, we leave our age and graduation year off a resume. We're afraid we'll look too old, or too young. We keep things to ourselves, lie by omission, or we make others feel they can't tell us the truth about themselves.
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When a relative passed along their copy of Elizabeth Strout's new novel, The Things We Never Say, I devoured it. Strout's protagonist, Artie Dam, is an endearing high school teacher on the coast of Massachusetts who feels inexplicably sad and disillusioned with the surface of things. After a party, Artie asks his wife of three decades: "I wonder why people never say anything real." Yes, Artie.

As the slim novel progresses, it's revealed that beneath the surface lies a secret Artie could never have known, but yet somehow felt. The secret forces him to reckon with how little we sometimes know about others, even those closest to us.

This month, I'm thinking about the choice we make to share or hold back. Our monthly writing prompt will help you explore something you may be ready to say. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic. Just hit reply!

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In this issue:

Practice What if you just said it On my mind An object I couldn't buy Recommendations Ideas and things I love right now

Practice

What if you just said it?

Strout's Artie wonders why people never say anything real. On the occasion of turning 50, I'm becoming less contained and restrained than I used to be. Where do you stand on that spectrum? Here's a prompt to inspire your reflection: What's something you understand about yourself now that you couldn't have said five years ago? After working with a brilliant career coach, Jadey Ryndak, I became comfortable with a hidden part of myself: my love for my cat, and specifically how I love to take my cat for walks. This has become somewhat of a personal rally cry. I'm a woman who walks my cat, and I don't care what anyone thinks about that. Write freely for about five minutes and see what comes up. As always, try not to edit what you write. If you come back to it later, I promise there will be seeds to continue exploring.

On my mind

An object I couldn't buy
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This month I've been looking for a sewing box to hold my various needles, thread, and fabric scraps. I found a beautiful one from the late 1800s at one of my favorite antique shops. It is a gorgeous box, and I'm sure much more valuable than the listed price. It even has a little pillbox-shaped cubby at the top to store needles. But the name Columbus is stamped inside the lid, and I don't want to own this box. Some objects carry stories we can't unknow. Have you ever encountered something seemingly lovely that, upon inspection, told a different story?

Recommendations

Ideas and things I love right now

I've been avoiding coffee for the past few years (sad, I know!) for a few reasons: headaches and jitters. If you're like me and want that smooth, complex taste without the caffeine, try Sip Herbals. I met the founder in NYC (we are both Tory Burch Fellows) and I immediatey ordered her coffee alternative in three flavors: Signature Roast, Salted Maple Blondie, and Royal Mocha. I love it hot or iced. It's currently 95 degrees in Chicago, so today I think I'll have it iced.

I love it when something I love also has a GREAT story. Here's a delicious and adorable chocolate treat with a super fun story behind it: Bixby Chocolate Sardines. They are not actually sardines, but a 100% chocolate nod to the sardine-fishing history of Maine. They come in the most charming little sardine tin and are absolutely delicious. Dark or milk chocolate.

I'm making a big deal out of turning 50 when the comedian Mel Brooks turned 100 on June 28! I enjoyed this Atlantic piece "Long Live Mel Brooks" by Adrienne LaFrance, where she claims that Mel's milestone birthday is "indelible proof of a beneficent universe." It's nice to see someone positive staying alive out here in this mess! May we all live to celebrant a vibrant and happy 100th.

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