Stop Wasting Time: Use the MEETUPS Framework to Lead Meetings That Matter

Let’s be honest—most meetings miss the mark.

They lack purpose. They run long. They can wander.
And when it’s over, people are left asking: Why did we even meet?

But it doesn’t have to be that way.
What if your meetings became a strategic advantage?

That’s the power of THE MEETUPS FRAMEWORK—a simple, 7-step tool to help you lead meetings that drive clarity, connection, and action.

Introducing: M.E.E.T.U.P.S.

Each letter represents a key checkpoint to walk through before—or during—your meeting. Use it to stay focused, respect time, and move things forward.

M – Mission
Why are we meeting?
Every meeting needs a clear reason to exist. Define the purpose up front.

Ask: What’s the point?

E – Expected Outcome
What do we want to walk away with?
Decide what success looks like: a decision, an action plan, alignment, or something else?

Ask: What result are we aiming for?

E – Engagement
Who needs to be in ...

 Today, my heart grieves for Texas.

As of July 6, 2025, at least 67 people are still missing—including 27 girls from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp, and others like campers and visitors unaccounted for in the holiday chaos—after a devastating July 4 rainstorm turned the Guadalupe River into a raging wall of water. Fifty-one lives have been lost. Homes vanished. Families shattered. A community overwhelmed by sorrow.

When I was a kid in Rio de Janeiro, I saw what a flood can do. One afternoon, rain hit hard, and water came rushing down the hillsides, turning streets into rivers. My family got trapped in a tunnel as a mudslide came down. I remember the darkness. The fear. The silence that followed. We made it out. That moment never left me.

So when I read about Texas, it’s not just a news story. It hits a nerve. I know what it feels like when nature turns fierce, fast, and unforgiving.

Now, sitting in Fredericksburg, Virginia, I picture the Rappahannock River rising 26 feet in 4...

Guys—this is a bestseller for a reason. It’s different. Unique. Game-changing.

Derek Coburn’s Let’s Retire Retirement isn’t just another retirement book—it’s a bold redefinition of what it means to live a fulfilling life at any age.

With wit, wisdom, and compelling storytelling, Coburn challenges the outdated idea of retirement as a finish line. Instead, he champions a life of purpose, meaningful work, and relationships that grow with you.

Through surprising historical insights, practical strategies, and raw honesty, he shows how to design a future where work becomes a source of joy and impact—not something to escape. His take on financial independence is refreshingly human—centered on freedom to pursue what matters, not just hitting a number.

Coburn also elevates the role of relationships—not just for networking, but for building a life of connection, collaboration, and meaning.

If I were to title this book, I might call it Smart Retirement—but Let’s Retire Retirement says it bes...

The recent U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities shook me—a reminder of how our world has changed.

Less than 50 years ago, my dad traveled through Iran and Israel. He loved the richness of their histories and the warmth of their people. Before 1979, Iran quietly partnered with Israel. There was trade, intelligence cooperation, and U.S.-backed regional stability.

But that all changed with the Iranian Revolution. Allies became adversaries. Dialogue gave way to decades of tension and mistrust.

As nuclear threats return to the headlines, I understand that firm action is sometimes necessary to preserve peace. The recent strikes were intended to neutralize a credible threat. Initial IAEA findings confirmed no off-site radiation—highlighting the precision of the operation.

Still, every move in this region carries weight—impacting families, peace efforts, and future generations.

Yet I still believe restoration is possible.

This isn’t a time to panic. It’s a time to pray.

Pray for wi...

You and I are living in a leadership crisis. Can you feel it? The headlines point to scandals, breakdowns, and failed leaders. Culture in corporate America is being tested. But the root problem isn’t just mismanagement—it’s a trust gap. One that keeps widening unless we act.

Consider this: only 21% of American workers strongly agree they trust their organization’s leadership. That’s not just a stat—it’s a warning signal. Trust isn’t a luxury. It’s the foundation. And without it, everything else crumbles.

In every corner of leadership, there’s one force that determines the health of teams, the culture of companies, and the momentum of movements: trust. Cory Scheer’s Closing the Trust Gap is one of the most important contributions to the conversation on trust in years. It’s timely, actionable, and filled with sharp insight.

Why Trust Is the Game-Changer

This crisis isn’t limited to boardrooms or company cultures—it’s part of a broader cultural challenge. Public trust in institutions,...

Have you ever noticed that negativity creates negativity?

I must confess—this one’s personal. I’ve been trapped by the newsfeed, endless scrolling on social, the "you know better, don't go there" news pulls that your mouse wants to click. It’s easy to slip into the trap, to get caught in the noise without even realizing it. Negativity creates negativity.

Ironically in math, a negative times a negative may equal a positive. But let me tell you—when it comes to life, a negative plus a negative is always more negative. When we feed on negativity, it multiplies. And it doesn’t take long before it starts to shape how we see the world—and see our environment.

Our world feels heavy sometimes.

Scroll too long, and the weight settles in. Another headline. Another scandal. Another reason to feel like things are falling apart. Outrage drives clicks. Fear keeps us hooked. And before we know it, we’re addicted to the very thing that’s draining our hope.

We weren’t made for this much noise.

Ye...

We weren’t made to stay indoors.

When I need clarity or perspective, I go outside. It’s not just about fresh air—it’s about remembering what matters. The trail, the water, the stillness—they all speak. They remind me I’m part of something bigger.

In a world full of pings, noise, and never-ending alerts, nature gives us a chance to reset. There’s something sacred about the quiet. It re-centers the soul. When I’m kayaking or hiking, problems don’t vanish, but they shrink. I come back more present, more grounded.

John Muir once said, "In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks." I’ve found that to be true.

Call to Action:

Take 30 minutes today. Step outside. Leave the phone behind. Walk. Breathe. Listen. You don’t need a grand plan—just a willingness to reconnect.

Just finished listening to Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams. It’s not just a story about Facebook—it’s a lesson on leadership, culture, and the loss of trust.

As leaders, we often talk about innovation, growth, and impact. But the core of any lasting organization is culture—and trust. Culture isn’t the slogans on the wall; it’s the lived experience of the people inside. Careless People is a reminder of what happens when trust fractures, when culture becomes misaligned, and when the pursuit of scale overtakes the discipline of stewardship.

This book (for me) isn’t about bashing anyone. It’s a call to attention. A chance for leaders to ask:

• Are we listening to our people?
• Are we building structures that reinforce integrity—or just performance?
• Are we as intentional about maintaining trust as we are about hitting targets?

Wynn-Williams writes with clarity and conviction—not from the outside looking in, but from the inside looking back. Her perspective is rare and valuable....

Wisdom from a galaxy not so far away

You don’t need a lightsaber or a brown robe to think like a Jedi. (Although if you have one, why not wear it? Just don’t try it in a TSA line.)

Jedi thinking isn’t about space wizardry. It’s about focus, clarity, calm under pressure—and not turning into a grumpy cyborg with breathing issues.

In today’s fast-paced, over-scheduled, emotionally-charged world, we could all use a little Jedi mindset. So here are a few timeless, slightly ridiculous, and strangely practical lessons straight from the galaxy far, far away.

1. Master the Mind Trick (on Yourself)
Obi-Wan’s classic line: “These aren’t the droids you’re looking for.”
Translation for today: “This isn’t the drama you need to get pulled into.”
Jedis know the real battle starts in the mind. Reframe the situation. Control the narrative. Talk yourself back into focus. Before you change the world, you’ve got to change your thinking.

2. Don’t Fight Like Anakin (Especially in Meetings)
Anakin had po...