Matt Braddock

Today, an 84-year-old retired football coach at the gym asked if I wanted to arm wrestle. I almost said yes.

Sometimes, the universe offers you unexpected invitations. Whether you accept them or not, it’s the pause that makes you smile.

Got any plans for next Friday? Cancel them and do this instead, we need you. ❤️🇺🇸

‘Economic blackout’ boycott will target Amazon, Twitch and Whole Foods A ‘calculated strike’ organized by The People’s Union USA is set to begin Friday

The People's Union of the USA is pushing for a week-long economic blackout against Amazon, Twitch, and Whole Foods starting Friday as a 'calculated strike.'

www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...

Some days, the path feels clear. Other days, it feels like I’m a raccoon in a labyrinth holding an old granola bar, trying to remember why I walked into this metaphor.

Anyway, hope you’re all doing well 🌀

Two observations from today:

1. Everyone at the gym was in a terrible mood.
2. I walked past someone with awful BO… then realized it was me.

Unclear if these are related, but I have my suspicions.

Save NOAA Stop DOGE · Chesapeake Climate Action Network / Action Fund The Trump Administration and Elon Musk continue to recklessly demonize dedicated federal workers who provide critical services everyday. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) who ...

Monday @ 10 at NOAA in downtown Silver Spring!

My crocuses are out, and I’m ridiculously thrilled. They push through the cold, bloom before it feels safe, and remind me that courage doesn’t wait for perfect conditions. Thanks, crocuses, for showing up when the world still feels inhospitable.

Every morning feels like waking up in a dystopian cult documentary. Grand promises from self-obsessed leaders, but behind the curtain, grifters run the show. Is there an unsubscribe button for this reality?

Woke up feeling we're in American democracy’s final season. Even if Congress wanted to push back on executive power, they’re too beholden to the tech bros whose businesses run our government’s back end. Sigh. Taking a breath. Small acts of truth and kindness matter when the systems feel broken.

I had a couple of brief personal interactions with Gov. Wes Moore yesterday. No politician is perfect, but I have to say he strikes me as a genuine and sincere leader. In a land full of meanness, authenticity goes a long way. Here’s hoping for more of that in our politics.

Happy Friday! The world’s still a mess, but you’re here, and that’s no small miracle.

Today’s challenge: Do something with zero capitalistic value. Listen to a song you loved in high school, text a weird meme to a friend, sing karaoke loudly in your car.

Joy is resistance. Small rebellions matter.

I try to do something weird every day (weirder than my baseline) to keep grounded. Yesterday, I sang my to-do list to the houseplants. They don’t judge me...I control the watering. Today, mismatched dog socks to a personnel meeting?

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve done to keep your sanity intact?

So much in my feed is a reminder of our crumbling federal republic. Heavy stuff. So, here’s a little light for the day: Small kindnesses matter. A quiet breath matters. Showing up for each other matters.

Let’s keep being the good, even when the world feels like chaos. Presence is resistance.

50501 debrief: The crowd was so white—chants led by people who sounded like Ray Romano. Lots of outrage, but now what? Congress took the day off, so no lawmakers were inconvenienced.

Action works best at the lowest level, where impact is real. Still glad I went. Presence is resistance. #50501

At the 50501 protest in D.C.. The urgency of now! So many voices and stories, all saying: we refuse to look away from injustice and dehumization. Never underestimate the power of showing up. Presence is resistance, and we are here #50501

On the to-do list, breathe

If you’re breathing, you’re still here. And if you’re here, you matter. That’s enough for today.

Nourish yourself in a world that profits off your exhaustion. Rest like it’s rebellion. Find joy like it’s your birthright. Take care of yourself because they’d rather you didn’t 🌀

👏👏 That’s why authoritarians fear art, joy, and curiosity - they remind us we’re human and not subjects. Today I'm gonna make something weird, laugh too loud, and love what I love without apology.

I went on a yoga retreat for five days. Came back, re-engaged with the world, and…overwhelmed is an understatement. So much chaos in so little time.

Never underestimate the power of small, collective movements: protest, mutual aid, or simply showing up for each other. They matter more than ever.

Wars end, dictatorships end. We have a future. Everything you do or don't do matters. Choose faith, hope, collective power. Do whatever you can, where you are, with whatever you have. You matter and together our voices will make a difference.

Needed this reminder today. Hope is a muscle and collective power are muscles. We have to use them, even when it feels easier to sit down and sigh dramatically. Thanks for the encouragement!

I watched someone take two marmalade thumbprint cookies, scoop up a pile of salsa, and eat them together. Not as separate snacks—as a unit.

Is this active defiance, a questionable food choice, or the behavior of an actual psychopath?

Thoughts and prayers.

Study Reveals a Simple Trick to Communicate With Your Cat Cats have a reputation for aloofness (and flooffiness), but if you and your feline friend aren't bonding, maybe you're just not speaking their language.

I tried this slow-blink trick on my niece’s cats. One bolted like I whispered 'vet visit,' the other slapped me and ran. Science said this would build trust—guess science IS fake. 😼👀

www.sciencealert.com/study-reveal...

With everything happening in certain corners of the world (you know the ones) I completely forgot about Punxsutawney Phil. He pops out once a year, sees the state of things, and immediately decides whether to crawl back into a hole. Honestly, I don’t blame him. Deeply relatable.

Feeling stressed? Simple acts of self-care can be acts of resistance.

Drink water like you’re overthrowing the system 🌊

Rest like you’re dismantling hustle culture 😴

Take three deep breaths like you’re reclaiming peace from the chaos. Every inhale is proof you’ve made it this far 🌀

The plane collision at DCA is a sobering reminder of how quickly life can shift. Deep gratitude for the quick response teams and the resilience of those navigating unexpected moments. If you’re traveling today, may your journey be smooth and your landing gentle ✈️

Same here!

Glad you blazed the trail. Guess I’m catching up to your trendsetting ways. As for robust content, how many dad jokes I’m allowed to post?

Hey, friends! Who followed me here after I ghosted Zuck? Or did you blaze your own trail to Blue Sky? Either way, welcome! Let’s see what we can build together in this new space. 🌀
#hellobluesky
#metaescape
#pathfinders