Hey Reader, 👋

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Cue the confetti, pop the virtual champagne, and start the party music – we've hit a whopping 1000 subscribers on this newsletter which was kicked off just a year ago! 🥳🎈

A massive THANK YOU is in order to each and every one of you for joining our tribe of knowledge seekers. 🌍✨ Whether you've been with us from the beginning or just jumped on the curiosity train by seeing us on social media (along with 250,000 other muses), your support has been the wind beneath our newsletter wings.

This milestone isn't just about the numbers; it's about the shared passion for continuous learning and personal development that binds us together. Your enthusiasm fuels our creative engines, and we're beyond grateful to have you on this adventure with us.

Here's to the next 1000 subscribers, new horizons of knowledge, and countless 'aha' moments ahead! 🚀🌈

Thank you for being the heartbeat of our curious community. Let's keep the learning vibes alive and thriving!

💡 The Braintrust by Pixar

Absolutely love the Pixar magic? Those enchanting moments with Miguel from Coco, the bravery of Merida in Brave, and the nostalgic joy from Toy Story – all sprinkled with a dash of Pixar's creative brilliance! 🌟 From the moment you spot a sprightly lamp leaping around before these cinematic wonders unfold you know you are up to something magical! ✨

Pixar Animation Studios isn't just a name; it's a powerhouse of creativity, scooping up awards in its over 30 years of movie-making mastery. 🏆 And guess what fuels their incredible storytelling that grips both kiddos and grown-ups alike? The real magic lies in something called "The Braintrust." 💡

So, what's this Braintrust buzz all about? It's a simple yet genius concept – the director huddles up with folks not directly involved in the movie but totally invested in its success. Think of it as a creative think tank that kicked off with Toy Story and stuck around because, well, it worked like a charm! 🚀

Edwin Catmull, the former president at Pixar, spills the beans:

And guess what? This isn't just a Pixar thing; it's a life thing! We've all been in those moments of 'What on earth do I choose? and that's where your Braintrust comes to the rescue! 💪

Building your Braintrust is like assembling your Avengers team, but cooler. Grab 5-10 impartial members with diverse life experiences. They're your truth-tellers, cheering you on genuinely. 🤝 And each member? They've got a superpower:

• Senior executive: Linking goals with the team
• Inspirational leader: Painting a clear purpose and an inspiring vision
• Intellectual sparring partner: Giving your ideas a friendly smackdown
• Contrarian thinker: Throwing curveballs of alternative solutions
• Connector: Building bridges and networks
• Peer: Going through the same life chapter

Start with people you trust. Your Braintrust isn't about formal boardroom meetings; it's about having a crew invested in your success. And when your Braintrust dazzles you with ideas, don't forget the magic words – thank you! It's personal, it's tailored, and it's your turbo boost for growth! 🚀

What do you think about this concept from Pixar? Could it be useful as a framework when deciding which folks we want to have on a project, when making hiring decisions or simply when thinking of the right circle for yourself? How can we ensure the complementary set of skills, interests, ideas that help you grow and where you can also add value? 🌱

Let me know by hitting the reply button, I'd love to hear from you!
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🎥 New Video

Urban planning in America is so inconvenient that it has become a meme. However, the ‘city-planning nightmare’ stereotype doesn’t apply to cities such as Boston which deserves the title of the most European city in the US.

Find out why in our new video: Is Boston Really The Most European US City?​

This video is brought to you in partnership with a proud Bostonian and our friend from ARTiculations YouTube channel! Betty's videos on art, architecture and design are amazing so if you haven't subscribed to her channel yet don't hesitate to do so - these are the types of videos you'll definitely enjoy seeing in your YT feed.

Join the discussion with Betty in the comments under the video and let us know which topic you want to learn about next!
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💡 Curious Bites

💀 What you need to know about Día de Muertos The Day of the Dead has become the global phenomenon after the release of Coco by Pixar. But what truly lies behind this vibrant Mexican celebration dating back over 3000 years? Let's find out

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😴 Sleeping habits of medieval people Trying to improve your sleep? So why don't you try sleeping like the medieval people did? Instead of sleeping through the night as we do now, people in the medieval era and other pre-industrial societies slept in two phases, also called biphasic or segmented sleep. Tell me more

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🤌 'The Last Supper' explained You've surely seen this painting by Leonardo da Vinci a hundred times. But do you REALLY know what's going on here? Here's your ultimate 1-minute guide. Zoom in

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✍️ Quote of the week

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Stay curious and have a great week! 💙

Artem & Curious Muse team

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