I read this week on LinkedIn, someone wrote about missing the old days, when you could sign on to the platform and find an "original thought." No sir. That’s nostalgia dressed up like analysis. Yes, some social networks tried to create a unique niche — Instagram for pictures, LinkedIn for career, Twitter for fast news. But they all turned into garden-variety versions of each other. Because it was never about the content. If it were, IG never would have added videos and Twitter would have stayed 140 characters. It's about the advertising.

Take TV. There used to be 3 channels. Then cable brought hundreds of channels. Now the internet has created billions of channels. Channels used to be special because they were rare and gated. Now they're infinite and accessible. So if everyone has a soap box, then no one does. The playing field was leveled.
Then attention became the scarce asset. So you either pay for it, or earn it by doing something impossible to ignore.

This has always been a game of attention. Go back and watch The Social Network. This all started as clicks, status, curiosity, vanity, and gossip. All the same things that drive these platforms today, with the added value of live shopping.

As gross as it might be, it’s still where the eyeballs are. So if you have something to sell, something to build, or something worth saying, you can’t rely on “post and pray.” The ocean is too ‘yuge’ for that. You need strategy.

And yes — authenticity still matters. Not because the algorithm rewards it. Because when someone finally finds you, they need to know who you really are. And your accounts can’t look abandoned. Think of social media like a storefront. Keep it clean, keep it fresh, keep it ready for your customers when they need you.

Need help with content? Hit reply.

My real estate mentors asked me to share my storytelling experience at a event for realtors looking for an edge in storytelling.

Before I could help, I needed to learn what storytelling means to real estate agents, especially in the luxury space. Because I generally think in terms of video, I was reminded of just how important stories are beyond home tours and IG reels. Every property has a story. Every seller. Every buyer. And learning to tell them in different ways, different formats, different scenarios is so important.

We had a lot of interest in last week’s event. I’m sorry I couldn’t respond to everyone who wanted to come. I will keep you posted on future gatherings!

Video: Want to see what the new Ritz-Carlton hotel and condos on the West Loop will look like in the Fall 2029? LINK HERE

Former TV newsies like me have a lot of transferable skills in this day and age of content. Podcasting is an easy one. That’s not to be confused with “podcasting is easy.” Because it’s not. But for some reason, I keep seeing these social media gurus telling everyone and their momma to start a podcast. There are a lot of issues with that general advice. Who are you interviewing? How are you scheduling them? What about production? Distribution? Marketing? And those questions just scratch the surface.

That’s not to discourage anyone — just set realistic expectations. The first question is simply “why?” From there, consider these things before you start.

With that said, here’s another episode of “901 Bagby: Inside the Mayor’s Office.” New episodes coming soon!

I've got a fence line I want to add some color to. I love the bougainvillea I've seen traveling in Mexico — those vibrant blooms climbing up walls and fences are just stunning. I wanted that look at home. But come to find out, bougainvillea is covered in sharp thorns. That's not something you want to run into by accident when you're playing outside with kids — or even as an adult.

So here's my question: what beautiful flowering vine or plant can I put on a fence that rivals the look of bougainvillea without the thorns? If I could have it my way, the blooms would last most of the year — but clearly I don't know how plants and flowers work. Yes, I'm going to Google it. Yes, I'm going to ask the AI. But I'd love some practical wisdom from neighbors who actually know what grows here and what holds up. Drop me a reply if you've got a recommendation.

Houston has never hosted a Fleet Week before and it's happening right now. Ship tours, Navy flyovers, live music from The Suffers, and over 200 free events through April 22. Take the kids.

Schedule of Events: LINK HERE

My mother was in town recently. I'd fallen asleep on the couch watching a movie when I felt someone pushing on my shoulder. Her voice cut through the haze — and suddenly I was a kid again, getting woken up in the living room and told to go to bed. Except this was 2026, a 75-year-old woman shaking her almost-50-year-old son awake to deliver an urgent message: her husband wanted to make sure we gave his gift to the baby — a slingshot for my six-year-old. You'll shoot your eye out, kid! I know it's not a Red Ryder, but still.

What I love is the juxtaposition with an email I got later that week from the same man, reminding me to have the kids watch the Artemis launch. A genuinely historic moment — inspiring, beautiful. NASA and space exploration were a huge part of my childhood, and something I still love. My kids weren't entirely grasping that people were strapped into a rocket ship, but they were captivated for a while, and that was enough.

The kid’s not getting the slingshot.

If you missed last week's music quiz or any of my other mini apps, they will be listed here: