Insights

Personal reflections on business, giving, and life’s big pivot — all from the messy middle of figuring it out.

Below is a collection of 1,144 posts Tim has made including blog posts, books, songs, quotes, and videos. Filter by category, type, or pathway to find what you need.

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Little Blue
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Little Blue

By Jacob Collier

January 28, 2025

Editor’s note: I’ve played this many times since my sister, Felicia, shared it with me. Beautiful acoustic guitar playing, a virtuoso soloist, haunting voices in the choir and good camera...
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Talk with Tim Ep. 5 Character Lending
VideoLeadershipBuilder

Talk with Tim Ep. 5 Character Lending

January 27, 2025

Before diving into marketing, Ron Mattocks and I take a step back to talk about my journey—how I built, sold, and reinvented businesses, and why I now spend my time...
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Talk with Tim Ep. 4 The List
VideoLeadershipBuilder

Talk with Tim Ep. 4 The List

January 27, 2025

A good list isn’t just a collection of names—it’s your biggest marketing advantage. In this episode of Talk with Tim, I break down how to identify the right customers, focus...
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Talk with Tim Ep. 3 Distilling Numbers
VideoLeadershipBuilder

Talk with Tim Ep. 3 Distilling Numbers

January 27, 2025

Numbers matter, but which ones should you actually track? In this episode of Talk with Tim, Ron Mattocks and I break down how to cut through the noise, focus on...
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Talk with Tim Ep. 2 Define the Need Then Fill it
VideoLeadershipBuilder

Talk with Tim Ep. 2 Define the Need Then Fill it

January 27, 2025

Marketing isn’t about throwing ideas into the wind and hoping something sticks. It starts with defining the need, building your list, and knowing exactly who you’re trying to reach. In...
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Talk with Tim Ep. 1: Marketing as a Business Discipline
VideoLeadershipBuilder

Talk with Tim Ep. 1: Marketing as a Business Discipline

January 27, 2025

Marketing isn’t about making things look pretty—it’s about knowing your customers and giving them what they actually need. In this episode of Talk with Tim, I sit down with Ron...
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Write or Speak Your History
PostTim's StoryWhat's NextMentor

Write or Speak Your History

By Tim McCarthy

December 30, 2024

My dear friend, Mardy Grothe, often inspires me with his weekly blog, which you can subscribe to at www.drmardy.com. Mardy has spent much of his life collecting and publishing books...
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Hope for a Great Sea-Change
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Hope for a Great Sea-Change

By Seamus Heaney

December 30, 2024

"So hope for a great sea-change On the far side of revenge. Believe that a further shore Is reachable from here. Believe in miracles And cures and healing wells. Hope...
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I am Pilgrim
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I am Pilgrim

By Terry Hayes

December 30, 2024

Book of The Month: "I am Pilgrim" by Terry Hayes Editor’s note: I love mysteries and thrillers that are deep, filled with varied characters, cover the world with fast-paced portrayals...
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Truly Funny |  Question
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Truly Funny |  Question

By Tim McCarthy

December 30, 2024

Truly Funny: Question Over the years, quips that make me laugh end up being part of my common responses. I was in my first job in politics when I turned...
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I am a Rock
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I am a Rock

By Paul Simon

December 23, 2024

Editor’s note: Simon wrote many of the poems/songs that affected my development as a young man. This is a lovely cry for relationships and meaning using the metaphor of one...
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Truly Funny |  Calculating Fees
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Truly Funny |  Calculating Fees

By Tim McCarthy

December 2, 2024

Truly Funny: Calculating Fees During the days ad agencies were transforming from commission-based to fee-based compensation, we asked the chairman of our ad agency how he calculated the fees we...
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The Good News You May Have Missed
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The Good News You May Have Missed

By Angus Hervey

December 2, 2024

Book of The Month: "The Good News You May Have Missed" by Angus Hervey Editor’s note: No, it’s not a book, it is an 8-minute TED talk. Dr. Hervey is...
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Live Learn
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Live Learn

By The California Honeydrops

December 2, 2024

Song of the Month:  “Live Learn” by The California Honeydrops Editor’s note: Thanks to son, Kevin, for turning me on to this obscure band. This song represents their style well,...
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Wake Up, Get Up
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Wake Up, Get Up

By Sal LeCesse

December 2, 2024

“If you wake up, get up. If you get up, do something”. ---Sal LeCesse
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Don’t Get Mad, Get Busy
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Don’t Get Mad, Get Busy

By Tim McCarthy

December 2, 2024

There is no question that we, the people, have spoken. All three branches of government have been won by populist conservatives. The executive, legislative and judicial branch will be led...
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Funny Thing |  Agency Chairman
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Funny Thing |  Agency Chairman

By Tim McCarthy

October 31, 2024

Truly Funny: Agency Chairman Another one from my young advertising career…I took great pride in being a “rising star” in our agency. One day when I must have been a...
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When Breath Becomes Air
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When Breath Becomes Air

By Paul Kalanithi Editor

October 31, 2024

Book of The Month: "When Breath Becomes Air" by Paul Kalanithi Editor’s note: Don’t read this if death freaks you out. If you’re excited about “running through the tape”, like...
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A Little Max (Parfait)
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A Little Max (Parfait)

By Duke Ellington

October 31, 2024

Song of the Month:  “A Little Max (Parfait)” by Duke Ellington Editor’s note: I’m not a dedicated jazz fan but have enjoyed what I would term, jazz light, all my...
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Ego
QuoteLeadershipBuilder

Ego

By Farnam Street

October 31, 2024

“The healthy part of ego helps when we lose; the humble side helps when we’re winning” ---Farnam Street
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Golden Rule 1.a, 1.b, and 1.c
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Golden Rule 1.a, 1.b, and 1.c

By Tim McCarthy

October 31, 2024

The best version of the golden rule is: “Treat others as you wish to be treated”. Ideally, that would be the only rule we need. But for real life, which...
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