Throughout my journey as an entrepreneur, I've learned some of my most valuable lessons from my mistakes. These experiences, although challenging, have shaped me as a leader and reinforced my commitment to my values.

Failing to Secure Investment: When I moved to San Francisco in 2010, I co-founded a mobile app called Crumbly with the intention of capturing the unique energy and spirit of the city. I poured my heart into the project, but I was so fixated on developing the product that I overlooked the critical need for funding. Even though people liked the app, we couldn't compete with the well-funded companies in the market, and the app eventually failed. It was a harsh lesson that taught me the vital importance of securing investment for any startup's success. This was the first time I learned this lesson, but I have bootstrapped several startups and tech initiatives since then that have fizzled out of cash. Only within the past few months have I determined "no more," no more building products without funding. And for me, that may mean no more building tech products ever again.

A Business Partnership Gone Wrong: I've also learned the hard way about the importance of aligning with partners who share my values. While leading my agency, DAG, we experienced tremendous growth and success. However, a proposed project with a bioengineered food company created a moral dilemma for me. I couldn't support a company whose practices I believed were harmful to our health, despite the potential financial gain. The impasse with my business partner led to the brutal unexpected demise of DAG.

Not Being There for My Team: During the closure of DAG, I was so overwhelmed by the situation that I failed to communicate openly with my team. I regret not being more transparent with the people who had worked so hard to build the company with me. They deserved better, they deserved to know the truth and this experience taught me a painful lesson about the importance of honesty and open communication, particularly in times of crisis.

Struggling with Operations: I've always been a visionary leader, but I've often struggled with the operational side of running a business. In the early days of DAG, I focused more on the big picture than on establishing solid operational systems. This lack of attention to detail created inefficiencies, dependencies, bad hires, missed promotions and hampered our ability to scale effectively. I've since realized that even the most creative ventures require a strong operational foundation for sustained success and that I need to be responsible and accountable for all that happens in our business.

Neglecting My Own Well-being: For years, I pushed myself relentlessly, ignoring the warning signs of burnout. This led to a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. This experience forced me to prioritize my mental health. I've learned that my well-being is essential for my success as a leader and for living a fulfilling life. And I also gained empathy for all of those that are struggling to get through their thing. One of my former teammates died by suicide after our time working together which is a heavy feeling still today. I wonder how I might have been able to support him better, while he worked for me – and after. I still feel a sense of responsibility and concern for all my former teammates and I hope they know that I am always always always here for them.

Holding onto the Past: Letting go of the past, particularly after the closure of DAG, was a significant challenge for me. I carried the weight of regret and resentment, and it prevented me from moving forward. I see that now in my pattern over the past 10 years running from one city to the next searching for DC again. It was only when I moved back to DC to face it all that I could forgive myself and those who had wronged me that I found peace and clarity. Forgiveness is a Blessing for all and should be considered swiftly and without hesitation.

These mistakes have been painful, but they've also been powerful catalysts for my personal growth and development. They've taught me to prioritize my values, to be more mindful of my mental health and those around me, and to approach challenges with greater humility and resilience.

It's a journey I continue to navigate, always striving to learn, to grow, and to use my experiences to create a more positive impact in the world.

Hi folks. Bit of an update in case we haven't had a chance to connect. 💛

Few years ago (after the COVID thing) I read a few books, folk tales and poems that reawakened my desire to change things in AMERICA.

That thread in my story – my calling – pulled me by the nose to revisit a familiar vantage point in Washington, DC with a belief that one Changemaker might be what AMERICA needs to pull us back together.

Returning with a helluva lot of courage, a fresh story for AMERICA, and a whole new set of talents sharpened over a decade making a measurable impact in cities throughout AMERICA – my French Bulldog and I made our way back to DC.

What I discovered was entirely different.

DC reminded me of the boy that I had been starting out my career. And the same bright-eyed boy that had to leave DC to find something greater inside me by connecting with real stories in AMERICA.

And to get healthier.

Through stories shared by peers and colleagues over a year – this must be a rare occasion – I gained a perspective on my own life. I was a witness to a life that I had escaped, the path that could have been that I thankfully had avoided.

Now aged 45, I could commune with that younger man still grappling inside of me and hellbent to make a change. And together, we found peace and stillness.

One week later, I left Washington, DC.

I'm now living on Egg Hill in Spring Mills, Pennsylvania. Finding ways to help my family and neighbors. Writing poems about AMERICA and picking peaches. Learning how to craft cider for spirited souls.

I believe there's a need in AMERICA for change and that a great rebirth of American culture, traditions and moral values are just starting to spring up.

America is only a few hundred years old. My ancestors farmed Pennsylvania long before then. And now it is this land and these stories that fuel me, that shape me, that motivate me to keep pressing.

If you'd like to stay in touch with my work, sign up for updates and try our cider.

When a medical doctor becomes the patient, tables turn. As a patient, the prestigious buttoned-up lab coat is quite literally replaced with an all-too-accessible patient gown – an embarrassing experience we all relate to.

And when our docs share their story of going through that experience with us – dealing with scary moments, making difficult choices – we listen.

Take for example the vulnerable story of being diagnosed with prostate cancer shared by Dr. Francis Collins in the Washington Post.

"Having now received a diagnosis of aggressive prostate cancer and feeling grateful for all the ways I have benefited from research advances, I feel compelled to tell this story openly. I hope it helps someone. I don’t want to waste time."

Dr. Collins isn't just any doctor, he's the former director of the National Institutes of Health serving from 2009 to 2021. Remarkably serving our nation at the will of both Republican and Democrat Administrations.

He is a medical doctor; and also an extraordinary public heath leader that understands politics.

I have met Dr. Collins and admire his work. When I read his story, I felt like I was right there with him. Praying for a positive outcome. I also noticed how brilliantly he wove a political argument of the value of research throughout his story.

We Trust Our Doctors

We Listen to our doctors. We believe what they have to say. And ultimately we trust them with our own life.

No matter how strong, healthy and powerful we think we are, it can all change in an instant. When that time comes, if we are lucky, it will be our doctors helping us understand the situation, be there to advise tough choices, and understand the way forward in our health journey. They are often the bearer of bad news, as well.

The personal bond of trust between you and the 'doctor' in our contemporary society carries profound significance from a communication architecture perspective.

This channel of trust, revered and protected since Socrates acknowledged its sacred nature in his final breath before passing from the fatal dose, remains an enduring cornerstone of health.

I first encountered this perfect story dynamic in a conversation with Dr. Julian Gold on my podcast. Like Dr. Collins, Dr. Gold is both a respected medical doctor and someone that understands politics. He is a 30-year physician and former mayor of Beverly Hills in California.

On the podcast he shared his vulnerable inspiring journey of battling Acute Myeloid Leukemia. From being a respected medical professional to becoming a patient, Dr. Gold shared how he had to navigate the challenges of his diagnosis and treatment.

Imagine if you or someone that you love are diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. I can guarantee that Dr. Gold's story would be one source of information worth hearing.

In fact, it's increasingly becoming the most important source of truth in health communication. According to a recent study by a large commercial PR firm on trust in health:

"The strength of trust in the doctor is in marked contrast to that in the societal institutions. Trust in Business, NGOs, Government and Media to do what is right in addressing people’s health needs and concerns has declined this year."

Trusted individuals, such as medical doctors, play a significant role in shaping our understanding of health-related matters. Their expert opinions hold substantial influence due to the credibility they bring to the conversation (Ethos). When these trusted figures share personal experiences that evoke emotion and relatability (Pathos), while presenting logical arguments (Logos), they create a powerful narrative – the 'Perfect Story.' This trifecta of rhetorical elements can profoundly impact the way we perceive and engage with health communication, ultimately leading to more informed and effective decision-making.

To elevate the conversation around Health in America, we must continue to platform credible storytellers, like our medical doctors, that are not only knowledgeable about the topics, but also can relate and share their real-life experience of being a patient alongside us.

Things change around me.

I've also grown up and gone through some changes, but not as swiftly as the world around me. Through my personal changes, I get to keep my memories and experiences and what wisdom I've earned along the way. The people and the places I've lived and have had the good fortune to return to – they haven't just moved on; in a relatively short period of time they have transformed radically. Nothing remains the same.

Things change around all of us. And as a Changemaker my skill is change. And I know that it is not only because of me that everything around me is changing all the time.

This idea that things are always changing together as one interconnected system, well it's an idea as old as time. For example, when I lived on the Eagle Creek Ranch in Beaver, Dave the salmon keeper would tell me that you can never walk into the same river twice. The river is always changing.

The river is always changing?

At first it didn't make a lot of sense. How can a river change? It's a river. It's just there.

And over that year and a half during our pandemic lockdown when I lived on the Eagle Creek Ranch, I observed the many seasons of that river. From all sorts of angles, I listened to all of its stories. I even noticed how historically, the river itself is constantly moving all over.

The other day I thought about a story that I might write one day of a tree that changes the world. All sorts of characters could come into the realm of the tree, and they'd be the characters in my imaginary story, and it would be their change that our world has noticed. Great war heroes and wonderfully encouraging teachers. Kind of like a historical fiction with a twist. It'd give me an opportunity to tell some back stories of changemakers that are worth retelling, but also express this insight about the nature of change.

That through it all – through all these stories of our change is our one tree. Rooted and holding shade. Consuming carbon and expelling oxygen. Just there. Unnoticed. But there. And that would be the story of the tree that changed the world. And, well, someone took the time to notice and recognize that old tree.

I've been yearning to answer my calling my entire life. To once and for all, meet the moment that I am called to answer. To have peace knowing that I stepped forward when I needed to. I've always imagined it's something grand and dystopian. A rebel kind of cause where there's a good side and a dark side. Or maybe a grand social justice movement that bends the arc. Or a word or phrase or a speech that sparks off some extraordinary story.

I have optimized my entire life for this moment. My motto is Live Your Calling. Very little holds me down. I have no roots like that old tree. Going wherever whenever to do whatever is asked of me.

For what?

My life has amounted to a great realization that the world – with or without me as the main character of the story – changes. Just as the tree changes the world, so do I. One more contributor showing up. All of us – every single one of us – participate in all this change.

I am aged 45. In changemaker years that's more than a lifetime. Most of my models were struck down by the bullet before then. My late Grandpa lived to age 93 and Grandma lived to 98. They were also extraordinary changemakers – and yet I'm only now realizing how wonderful they were and how much change they made in our world.

To Live Your Calling is no easy task. You can build up a tolerance to fear. I know that no matter what — I will make it through any situation.

You can learn to trust your body and feel your intuition through difficult choices. But only when you make they difficult choices to abstain from all of the externalities meant to control and change your body and numb your feelings.

You can, as I have, optimize your life for that moment. Like training all your life to climb the tallest mountain you may never meet. Or even see off in the distance.

I grieve that I may never meet my moment.

Grieving is the secret weapon of a changemaker. It's not something I was born with or even thought about until I was living on that old Eagle Creek Ranch and had some space to work things out and remember all those stories.

Grieving helps me wake up, soften up and lead forward. The grieving is how I hear my calling clearly. It makes evident both the feeling and the purpose. See what is. Fine tune. And keep going.

I grieve for all that has been lost in my journey. I grieve for all that has been gained and earned. I grieve for the place I'm in. And all the places I have been. I grieve. My God do I grieve.

To Live my Calling I wake up each morning, plant both feet, and get up. And each night, I grieve. And in between, I get to notice how it's that tree right over there that's always been changing the world all around us.

Today is the start of Health in America with our kick-off event at the National Press Club featuring the extraordinary change-making story of Phyllis Greenberger.

I sent the following note to our FOUND3R community of small businesses and startups in America inviting them to take a seat at the table. We intend to be a bridge for America's innovators building to change health in America and hope to include their stories in future events.

This is the first note to to the FOUND3R community connecting the dots to our work climbing up MOUNT PURPOSE.

Tomorrow at the legendary National Press Club we'll climb up the tallest mythical mountaintop in Washington, DC – MOUNT PURPOSE – to connect with the extraordinary change-making story of Phyllis Greenberger, a current bestselling author and women's health changemaker.

As the first event in our series, Health in America, all of the marketing, messaging and modus operandi are being created. This will be my 78th in-person event since 2010.

In researching her story, I was moved. And inspired by our epic solar eclipse, I expressed how I felt through this image of her metaphorically 'eclipsing the sun.'

This is what it should feel like for a Changemaker when they climb up Mount Purpose, the tallest of all tales in Washington, DC. It should feel like they are seen, heard and felt across the world. That their change-making matters and changed the world.

You are invited to join us at the kick-off to this important series of events, Health in America. It's all taking shape right in front of your eyes!

Eat with us. Co-create change together.

I am pleased to invite you to the kick-off to our luncheon series, HEALTH IN AMERICA, beginning on April 17 at the renowned National Press Club in Washington, DC.

UPDATE (April 9): We are excited to announce bestselling author and women's health changemaker Phyllis Greenberger as our first storyteller to help us focus our kick-off event on women's Health in America.

Ms. Greenberger is currently #1 Amazon Best Seller in Health Care Delivery & Women’s Sexual Health for SEX CELLS: The Fight to Overcome Bias & Discrimination in Women’s Healthcare. She has led the change for women's equity in medical research and health policy.

Let's change health in America together!

This is your shot. This is our shot.

The scientists. The geeks. The policy wonks. The flacks. The public. The industry. The mothers, fathers and children of this great nation. The elected. The appointed. The oathtakers. The powerful and the power-less. The community leaders. The front-liners. The docs and nurses. The payers and providers and patients and prescribers and pharmacists and pharmaceutical companies — Health in America is where we all get to come come together, break bread, and start a conversation about Health in America.

I have been told that Health in America will fail. That the issues are too broad. And that people do not want to get together in person in DC. That partisan politics has broken the spirit of collaboration in DC. And that real change is impossible. Especially when it comes to America's health.

The reality is that real change is hard, complex and slow – but possible. Real change is incremental. It doesn't happen overnight. Rather, it's a slow and arduous process that few have the stomach for. It's a job for those with the heart for it. Real change is for the Changemakers that live and walk among us; yet are all too often invisible.

As a changemaker, it is my duty to move us forward, together. I need you to cross the line and join me. Help me tell our stories.

Together, this movement to change Health in America is a powerful force for change. A way forward – one story at a time. Over lunch, at where else, the legendary National Press Club in Washington, DC.

Join me. DM me your questions. Be a Gold Plate Sponsor. Shoulder up. Nominate a changemaker. Help make this happen however you can. Now is the time.

Series Topics in 2024:

• Health in America, April
• Mental Health in America, May
• Men's Health in America, June
• Children's Nutrition in America, September
• Opioid Epidemic in America, October
• Recognizing Changemakers in Health in America, Nov/Dec

Be in the room when it started - tickets available now!

Step up and be a Gold Plate Sponsor! This sponsorship is priced for anyone and everyone to have a chance at funding a movement. Your support keeps our stories independent.

Gold Plate Sponsorship

Sponsor Health in America

Last month – prior to the US House of Representatives voting overwhelmingly to force TikTok to disband or divest – I published a media statement on behalf of the 1,700 small businesses, startups and independent creators in the FOUND3R community. After the House vote, members from our community stepped forward and raised their voice on why TikTok empowers small businesses. Later, TikTok US's CEO created a video where he spent time focusing on the small business message – a message that we first articulated through the voice of our members.

Yesterday I was meeting with Mount Purpose organizers and partners to plan our upcoming Health in America luncheon storytelling series at National Press Club and I saw a billboard underscoring the message first amplified by FOUND3R's membership regarding the important benefits of TikTok to empower small businesses in America.

I was inspired to create a short video message for my TikTok community, #RAISEYOURVOICE. I have also published the video story below.

If you're a small business owner, startup founder or independent creator, Raise Your Voice on this issue by finding contact information for your Member of Congress and US Senator and then putting a phone call. Your story matters and your voice will be heard.

A TikTok Presidential Debate?

The time to hear directly from the candidates on the issues that *actually* matter to Americans is now. Let’s tap in to tune in for increased civic engagement.

David AllDavid All

Start your day right with a week's supply of invigorating lemon water.

Lemon water has lots of benefits:

• Keeps you hydrated and full of energy
• Helps with weight loss and boosting your immune system
• Great for your digestion and can help with constipation
• Loaded with vitamin C, vitamin B, calcium, and magnesium
• Perfect drink for before and after exercise

Here's a look at my weekly prep routine:

Here's a simple guide to prepare frozen lemon juice for a week!

Ingredients:

• Seven lemons and
• Seven 1 oz cups (or ice cube tray)

Instructions:

• Cut each lemon in half and squeeze the juice into a glass.
• Remove any seeds from the juice.
• Pour the lemon juice into each 1 oz cup or the ice cube tray, filling each compartment about 3/4 full.
• Place the ice cube tray in the freezer and freeze until solid.

How to Enjoy:

• Every morning, pop out a lemon juice ice cube and add it to a glass of hot or cold water (8-12 oz).
• Give it a stir and let the cube melt for a few minutes before enjoying your refreshing and revitalizing lemon water.

Experience the benefits of lemon water throughout the week with this easy prep method!

I'm excited to announce a new series of elevated storytelling luncheons at the prestigious National Press Club, kicking off on April 17.

Our aim is to uplift the inspiring stories of Changemakers, bringing them directly to media, the world, and our community of fellow changemakers and friends.

In a city like DC, where brave spaces for vulnerability and courage are needed, National Press Club stands out. Walking through its halls, you'll see portraits of Changemakers lining the walls, serving as a constant reminder of the power of storytelling.

Your story deserves to be heard, and Mount Purpose is where that happens. Climb on up and get a View from the Top. 🏔️

We're focusing first on Health in America, a critical topic that affects us all and where I have focused a majority of my career. We get to hear directly from Changemakers in America over lunch about their personal story, purpose, and persistence to create meaningful change.

I expect to share my own story and my six years of work in Ohio's opioid epidemic later this year.

Join us in this journey as we elevate voices and share stories of change that have the potential to shape the future of health in our country.

✅ Sponsors email me to start a conversation.

🗳️ Nominate yourself or a Changemaker by filling out this form.

✨ Huge thanks to Erik Meltzer and Andréa DaSilva for their leadership on this extraordinary new series.

The idea of a TikTok Presidential debate is taking hold in DC with those of us that raised and made possible the YouTube CNN debate.

In an era where social media has become the dominant force in American politics, it only makes sense to leverage these innovative platforms to facilitate a more dynamic, audience-centric exchange.

In the past I imagined a similar style of debate in the idea of a 'People's Court' in The New York Times and now the tech has caught up with my vision.

We're all a bit tired of the boring conversations where the moderators get talked over. We yearn for a raw, unfiltered dialogue between the candidates and the electorate on the issues that *actually* matter to us.

With TikTok, the audience wouldn't just be consuming, but meaningfully participating.

The real priorities of Americans, like the need to solve man-made disasters in our food and recovery deserts throughout the nation, would take the stage, instead of the endless conflict-driven media news cycle. No need to tour the border and call this the end of democracy as we know it, let's just have a table top conversation.

Indeed, the interactive nature of social media would empower the people to lean in and be active participants, rather than mere spectators.

Features like real-time polling allow the audience to instantly weigh in on the candidates' responses, providing crucial feedback and sentiment checks. Emojis aren't just for fun, but a universal visual language across all communities and cultures.

This community-driven approach would inject a level of authenticity and accountability that has long been lacking in traditional debate formats. And it would be a lot more fun.

During the President's State of the Union Address, The White House deployed a similar digital engagement strategy that I wrote about on DavidAll.com.

Now I know not everyone is crazy about TikTok and who owns what in this country; but in this moment, let us imagine a more engaged electorate and a democracy capable of withstanding anything that has ever been thrown at it.

I know there are valid concerns about maintaining order, substance, and journalistic integrity amidst the frenetic pace of social media. However, I believe these challenges can be effectively navigated through strategic partnerships and thoughtful moderation.

The time to hear directly from the candidates on the issues that *actually* matter to Americans is now. Let's tap in to tune in for increased civic engagement.

I am an American Changemaker. Aged 44. Born in Columbus, Ohio and currently living in Washington, DC.

I believe that when I walk in the direction of my purpose, the space underneath my feet fills in with the steps toward change that must be made. When I am true to my purpose, I feel connected to my community in a powerful way, almost as if there is a physical and spiritual connection to me and those that I meet.

I have a deep sense of faith in humanity and an optimism for the future. But that's only my viewpoint because I can see the goodness and willingness to do the right thing in most people that I come up across.

I see Changemakers, like me, everywhere. But often, not in the media or even on social media. In fact, I don't think anyone else can see Changemakers or knows their role in creating change.

Changemakers are like the salt of any dish; bringing communities together and enhancing their impact.

When you create a dish from scratch, salt is dashed in at every turn. When you watch cooking shows with home cooks, most dishes are under-salted. Salt, though often not even listed on any recipe, is the key ingredient.

Even when it's invisible, through taste, it's either present or not.

During the 2024 State of the Union (SOTU) address, the White House implemented a smart, impactful and elevated digital engagement strategy that proved successful.

Before the SOTU (welcome back!), I alerted my LinkedIn community with a spot-on analysis of the strategy.

In summary, their digital engagement approach utilized a simple, positive-only emoji system, allowing viewers to watch the live stream and engage with the speech by clicking or tapping on one of three available emojis: 👍 💖 🎉

Over the past decade, I've organized more than 75 events, and several have been live-streamed. Every event is an opportunity to tell a story with your community: Beginning, middle and end. And well-resourced events that can support live-streaming and digital engagement provide a way to tell that story with data in powerful new ways. This data helps shape the narrative of the success of key events.

Indeed, the data gathered during the live stream provided insights into viewer reactions, highlighting high and low points of engagement throughout the speech. This allowed the White House to analyze the impact of the address on various segments of the audience. It also creates a compelling reason to revisit the SOTU address even today at WhiteHouse.gov.

This strategy could be further explored by incorporating more interactive elements, such as polls, live chats, or even video editing to share favorite clips and memes on social media, to gather even more detailed insights and keep viewers engaged.

Stirring up social media engagement

Interestingly, the emoji-only interaction strategy mobilized Twitter users on both sides of the political spectrum increasing the reach and visibility of the SOTU address. While those on the right expressed frustration about the limited emojis in their community, the President's supporters rallied their followers to participate in the emoji rating fun.

This approach could be expanded by incorporating more emoji choices around the issues, for example, 🇮🇱 and 🇵🇸 emojis would mobilize specific segments of the audience around a top politically debated issue and drive further engagement.

More views, longer viewer engagement

📈 By offering an interactive activity, the White House had a reason to promote watching the live stream on their website (where they get to control the experience versus YouTube) and successfully kept viewers engaged for a more extended period, encouraging them to stay connected. SOTU is still earning views by providing value through an interactive sentiment analysis tool.

The 2023 SOTU has 1.8M views, while about 36 hours later, the 2024 SOTU has already reached 1.7M views. And don't forget: YouTube's view count for a video is updated approximately every 24 to 48 hours. This means that the currently displayed view count is lower than the actual number, given the video's trending position at #6.

Update (March 12, 2024): Current YouTube views at 1,875,261.

📍 Granular location information: The strategy likely captured IP addresses, offering valuable data on where the President's message resonated in the U.S. and around the world.

📩 Email list growth: The strategy might have also expanded the email list, as scrolling viewers might have opted to "Stay Connected" for future updates. As I noted earlier, empowering advocates to invite their friends to join in the fun increased audience reach.

😎 Appeal to a younger audience: The use of emojis might have successfully attracted a more youthful demographic, making the SOTU address more accessible and engaging for a broader audience.

Subtle, Elevated and Impactful

In my opinion, the White House's emoji-focused digital engagement strategy during the SOTU address demonstrated a clear understanding of audience-first storytelling.

By utilizing positive-only emojis, they effectively captured real-time sentiment in a controlled environment, expanded their email list, and engaged viewers longer.

The approach also sparked social media discussions on both sides of the political spectrum, making the SOTU more accessible and engaging for a broader audience.

Overall, the emoji strategy proved to be a successful example of modern political communication and audience engagement.