5 Things / The Pantry
My dad built a cheap-ass pantry in our basement.
Every time a grocery store ran a can-can sale, he’d stock up on dozens of cans of cream of mushroom soup and V8 juice, which, for the record, is disgusting. My parents were Irish immigrants. Money was tight, and I absorbed the joy of a good deal and the message that you’d better hold on tight.
I carried that into my business for years. I treated money like it was scarce. I saw peers as competition.
I did the hard work to get on the abundant side. Then I realized the same mindset is everywhere. Zero sum thinking isn’t new. It’s just scarcity dressed up in politics. More for you means less for me. Your belonging comes at my expense.
Here’s what I know: the antidote is a genuine belief that there’s enough for everyone. That the more we give, the more comes back. I’ve lived that.
It’s also a daily choice. Let’s get to it.
I’m cheering you on-
Bernadette
This Week's Good Vibes:
Trans history gets citywide shine
San Antonio issued a proclamation recognizing May 4–10 as Trans History Week. The proclamation was read at City Council, with community leaders, including Lynz Andrews of the San Antonio Arts Commission, present. Local recognition matters when trans people face targeted policy fights and public erasure. ♐️Pair proclamations with funding, protections, and public programming led by trans communities.
Elim Chan will become the San Francisco Symphony’s next music director next year, the first woman to hold the role in the orchestra’s 115-year history. She’s only the third woman to lead a top-level U.S. orchestra. Classical music leadership has long been dominated by men, especially in elite institutions. Chan’s appointment widens who is seen as a cultural authority at the highest level. ♐️ Build leadership pipelines before the podium opens.
Ghana names slavery’s moral debt
Ghana welcomed Pope Leo XIV’s apology for the Catholic Church’s role in slavery. The apology recognized the Church’s historic involvement in legitimizing slavery and its delayed condemnation. Taking institutional responsibility matters. ♐️For descendants of enslaved people, truth-telling is a starting point for accountability, education, and restitution conversations.
Knicks make finals seats reachable
The Knicks are donating 250 free tickets for each NBA Finals home game, with another 250 if there is a Game 6. The team’s Finals run has sent prices soaring, making access unrealistic for many local fans. Sports moments can become wealth-only experiences, especially in cities with deep income inequality. ♐️ Reserve seats for community, not just the highest bidder.
New York City secured 1,000 World Cup tickets for residents at $50 each, with free round-trip buses to MetLife Stadium. Tickets were distributed by lottery. Global sporting events often price out the communities that give them culture and energy. Affordable access keeps public celebration from becoming luxury-only. ♐️ Build affordability into major events before prices lock people out.
Good Vibe to Go:
Watch Wanda Sykes’ new Netflix stand up special, Legacy. She’s so great at physical comedy.