If you just want the answer to the question “What is the most beautiful word in the English language,” watch this to the end…
Oh, the stream cut out? And I forgot my selfie-stick? Classic road-life sabotage. Boo. I swear, nothing humbles you faster than technology betraying you mid-brilliance. Sorry, folks—live, love, and buffer, am I right?
Here’s the fun thing I noticed at Ron Paul’s 90th Birthday Bash: because of my Free State Project gig, I’ve somehow ended up in the friend zone of an entire constellation of “celebritarians.” The people you normally see on podcasts, in documentaries, or occasionally tucked into weird Wikipedia rabbit holes—they’ve spoken at our events. They’ve all journeyed to New Hampshire to inhale our crisp pine air, drink in our weirdly uncompromising liberty vibes, and, apparently, tolerate me.
It’s kind of wild when you step back and realize that NH—and yes, me, by proxy—is this beacon, pulling a kaleidoscope of brilliant, chaotic, fascinating humans to the Granite State. Like we’re running the ultimate guest list, an intimate VIP club where your club card reads: “Enemy of the State? Enter here.” And the “here” is the Free State.
So, since the vid cut out, without further ado: here’s the “Who’s Who” of who I’ve actually seen, shook hands with, or awkwardly fan-girled over in the name of freedom. Buckle up, this is your most eclectic, slightly nerdy dream guest list come to life:
Nick Gillespie, Matt Kibbe, Jack Hunter, Glenn Jacobs, Luke Rudkowski, Scott Horton, Dave Smith, Lynn Ulbricht, Martha Bueno, Tom Woods, Larry Sharpe, Keith Knight, John Bush, Clint Russell, Mark and Joanna Skousen, Ernie Hancock, Angela McArdle, Tulsi Gabbard, Josie the Red-Headed Libertarian, and Justin Amash.
And of course, our own Free Stater slate, including FSP founder Jason Sorens and three-term former Maine senator (and now FSP Executive Director) Eric Brakey, but most importantly, FSP volunteers and events organizers… The Quillage that makes the FSP tick! (Not all Free Staters are pictured, I counted twenty of us!)
Seriously. Step back and take a breath. It’s not every day your weird little liberty project reflects back a galaxy of “stars” to honor a man who inspired us all: Ron Paul.
Trying to capture a thousand chanting “End the Fed,” but too late!
On a business trip to Japan in 2000, I was stunned to discover the Tokyo subway still ran on the honor system. No turnstile jumpers, just trust. Flash-forward to my life here in New Hampshire, and the same principle thrives: roadside farm stalls, unlocked and unmanned, with a coffee can or a Venmo QR code and a simple request—take what you need, leave what you owe. No cameras. No signs warning of prosecution. Just… trust. It’s not just charming—it’s culture. Live free and act right. One more reason I love living in the Free State!
Today, before the FSP Weekly Update kicks off (about halfway through), I dip into a little soul-spelunking:
Does being good at stuff make people… not like you?
Is excellence alienating?
Should I… pretend to fail sometimes?
Dilute the intensity? Downshift my drive?
What if I told you my mind was trained for success—not gifted, not lucky—trained with something as unsexy and untrendy as daily journaling?
Page after page. Day after day. That’s how I got here.
And now… I think it’s happening again.
The itch. The signal. The pull to level up.
What will that look like? I have no idea. But I hope you’ll come along for the ride. Let’s find out together.
Yes, I nominated LPNH for a free speech award. On principle.
Not because I like them. Not because I agree with their tactics.
But because I believe in the principle of free speech.
And, honestly? To prove Jeremy Kauffman is lying.
No, Jeremy. My issues with you aren’t about “mean tweets.”
You know that. I know that.
You can tweet all the edgelord bait you want under the assets you own.
That’s your right. The government can’t—and shouldn’t—stop you.
But here’s the thing you never seem to grasp:
Just because you can say something doesn’t mean people will want to stand next to you after you say it.
That’s not censorship. That’s consequence. That’s cause and effect.
Eventually, your former friends will stop pretending it’s edgy and start admitting:
It’s just exhausting. Cruel. Pointless. Weird. (Not in the good way.)
No one wants to hang out with a walking 4chan thread.
Also–and I say this with love, or at least a trace of grace–
What the hell is wrong with you?
You might want to… I don’t know… work on that.