The Distill - The Retraction

Greeting Pioneers,

I step out for one week and the wheels fall off. JKJK, but something unforgivable did happen. Felice was misidentified. See apology. Writing the newsletter is so much fun, so we decided to stop hogging all the fun and start a newsroom, so more folks can get in on the fun. Yay everyone. We’ll be lighter the next few weeks as we wrap up the year. Next week we’re off entirely. Enjoy our first official retraction.

-Jack

The Newsroom

The Distill is currently written by Jack and Rachel with occasional pieces from Dan or the broader community. Over the last year we’ve grown our audience to ~1K in weekly readers, which we’re super proud of - but curating content takes time each week. As we pass our 1 year anniversary of KYX and start thinking about maturing operations next year, we’re looking for more writers and thought leaders to contribute each week (with byline).

Want to be a part of it? Here’s what being on the team looks like:

• You’ll meet every Monday at 4pm at The Block (1205 E Washington St) with the rest of the newsroom.

• You’ll come with at least one topic to pitch.

• We’ll hear pitches and collectively choose which pieces to write (200-300 words).

• Each of us will submit our writing assignments in slack by Thursday.

• The EIC’s will edit & layout the newsletter & content for the week.

• Any piece you write will get a promo run on Linkedin.

Interested? Reply to this email or shoot Jack Crowdis & Rachel Edenfield a DM.

Retraction

Big apology to Felice Tempo - truly terrific person - who I (dan) accidentally called Felipe(also a fantastic guy, by the way) in the last weeks newsletter. Nobody apologizes better than we do, believe me!

First, I want to say something very brave:

I take full accountability. (Not responsibility. That’s different.)

As your Founder cofounder*, I understand the importance of projecting strong leadership in times of crisis. And nothing says “leadership” like acknowledging the problem while subtly ensuring everyone knows I personally did not cause it.

To be clear:

• Was the mistake made under my watch? Absolutely.

• Did my fingerprints ever physically touch the newsletter? Only in draft mode.

• Should someone be thrown under the bus? Look, I’m not saying it was the EIC… but I’m also not not saying it.

-DRL

A Letter From The Editors

You’ve come to only expect the highest quality from The Distill. That’s because Jack and Rachel rule with an iron fist. That’s why when a mistake like the one regarding our dear Felice happens, heads must roll.

Thus, Dan is indefinitely suspended from the newsroom effective immediately & his purple headband has been confiscated for a period of one week.

This is 100% not on either of the EIC’s who are responsible for editing Dan’s remarks.

-Jack & Rachel

Note’s on The Distill’s co-EICs: Jack Crowdis & Rachel Edenfield

Jack runs the newsletter, helps run KYX. He’s a career startup kid, past founder, and current operator. Weekly contributor. Always editor.

Rachel’s the Founder/CEO of venture-backed Swell, and a driver of KYX. Routinely delivers the city’s sharpest long-form startup advice. Always re-edits Jack’s edits (including this bio).

Know someone who should read this? Forward it, or send them this link.

That’s a wrap 🎬
Keep showing up 👊 
Keep shipping 🚢 
Peace, Pioneers ✌️ m