Nissue #11: Dave Pell, Founder of NextDraft.
If there’s one thing I do on the daily (besides that), it’s read NextDraft. Each day, Dave (he does this all by himself) somehow finds the best articles and stories to share, adding his own wit, wisdom, and commentary to boot. It’s a newsletter in the truest sense of the word, and you should subscribe immediately.
I know Dave via his wife Gina, who I met way back in my Yelp daze, and that regular reader might remember from Nissue #5 of In Search of Lost Answers. Our kids used to go to the same school, so each issue feels very personal to me, but I promise that you’ll feel like you’ll know Dave in no time. I think he’s the sort of guy who likes asking the questions, so I’m glad he took the time to answer mine.
Nish: What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Dave: No one is mad at me. I’m high. I’m at the Sizzler and all the salad bar items I love are fully stocked. I’m listening to Howard Stern on my AirPods. No one knows where I am. And all of a sudden, the answer to a creative problem I’ve had appears out of the ether.
Nish: What was your worst job ever?
Dave: Painting exterior walls on a plank with no safety rail next to a dude named Jose Luis who liked to bounce up and down and laugh, “Quiero Morir!”
Nish: What was your first job ever?
Dave: My first job was selling coupons for local businesses. It was as shady as it sounds. It’s the last time I interacted with anyone I didn’t know.
Nish: What was your best job ever?
Dave: I used to be a TV sports reporter and I got to stand on the sidelines at NFL games. And I got paid for it.
Nish: What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Dave: Rage.
Nish: What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Dave: Ethical Cowardice.
Nish: What’s some advice you’d give to yourself at 23?
Dave: Relax, no one cares about love handles and your dick is a lot bigger than you think it is.
Nish: What is your greatest extravagance?
Dave: Prewashed, precut vegetables, and I use my height as an excuse to do Business Class on long trips.
Nish: You have dinner reservations for 4 at Noma, excluding family and close friends, who are the three people (alive, dead or imaginary) you’d invite?
Dave: Springsteen and two people who think NextDraft is the best thing ever.
Nish: What is the theme song of your professional life?
Dave: Everyday I Write The Book by Elvis Costello.
Nish: What is your motto?
Dave: Whatever I last tweeted.
Nish: What is something you’re really excited about right now?
Dave: Trying out a Rivian SUV and attending a concert in real life again.
End Interview.
He's one-of-a-kind. Been reading his rants and insight on almost all things - nothing is out-of-bounds for D Pell. Even in Melbourne (Australia) he's appreciated. Go Davo......
All hail the Managing Editor of the Internet!