Say it Loud
Recognition is free. I told three people their work mattered. Here's what happened.
Most Fridays, I give you tools. Links. Resources you can use to build faster or think sharper.
Not today.
Today, I’m giving you three people who reminded me that the best resource on the internet isn’t a tool. It’s a voice. And the best thing you can do with a voice that teaches you something is tell them so.
Recognition is free. Clarity fixes everything. And the people worth knowing show up without the pitch.
Here are three voices that mattered this week. And here’s what I told them.
1. JASON STEVENS: WHEN YOU SAY IT OUT LOUD
Jason Stevens writes notes and insights that cut through the noise. I’ve been on Substack since November. I’ve engaged with a lot of people. But I’ve learned the most from him.
So I told him.
“Hi Jason, if it means anything to you, I have been on Substack since November and from all the people I have engaged with I have learned the most from you. Your notes and insight are what I aspire to. I’ve been in the game for long af, and I appreciate you.”
His reply:
“Thank you Mark, I appreciate you and I appreciate the kind comments. You sometimes don’t realise the impact one has on others and it’s good to hear it, too.”
The lesson: If someone’s work changed how you think, tell them. They don’t know unless you say it. Pattern recognition at 55 teaches you this. The people doing real work rarely hear that it landed. So when it does, you say it out loud.
You can read Jason’s work here:
2. PETER REGINELLA: WHEN YOU GET IT WRONG
I misread a post by Peter Reginella. Thought he was poking fun at people who buy followers. Jumped in with what I thought was agreement. Turned out I completely misunderstood the tone. Made it sound like an attack when I meant it as solidarity.
I felt silly. So I owned it.
“I didn’t mean for it to sound negative, but I guess yes, I’m always this negative when it comes to buying followers. I’m sorry you took it as an attack, I thought that you were making fun of people who buy followers or something. Being facetious about bribery. I think, I misunderstood your joke or post.”
His response:
“No worries, dude - it’s all good 👊”
The lesson: Misreading the room happens. What matters is the clarification. Peter could have let it sit there, awkward and sharp. He didn’t. He met the apology with grace. That’s real. And that’s the kind of builder worth knowing.
You can find Peter here: Peter Reginella | Peter Reginella’s Substack
3. AMERICO DA COSTA: WHEN SOMEONE SHOWS UP
Americo Da Costa reached out. No pitch. No ask. Just genuine interest in helping me improve my livestreaming setup.
He showed up with time and skill. Not because I’m a customer. Not because there’s a transaction. Just because he saw a gap and offered to close it.
The lesson: The real ones don’t pitch. They help. After decades in the game, you learn to spot the difference between someone selling you something and someone actually building with you. Americo is the latter.
You can connect with Americo here: Your Stage
THE CHALLENGE
This is the Hoard. Not tools. Voices. Not resources. Recognition.
Go find three people whose work or character taught you something this week. Tell them. Be specific. Quote what they said that changed your thinking. Screenshot the exchange. Tag me if you want. Or don’t.
Just stop hoarding the credit.
The internet rewards volume. But the real builders reward clarity. And clarity starts with saying out loud what most people only think in private.
Recognition is free. And it compounds faster than any tool you’ll ever find.
ABOUT THE 55/35 METHOD
The 55/35 Method is the bridge between veteran intuition and modern velocity. It applies decades of pattern recognition to today’s high-speed tools. We don’t just move fast. We move with the weight of experience.
THE ARMORY
I build in public because that’s the game. Free readers get the perspective. Paid subscribers get the tools. When you upgrade, you unlock the operational layer: the actual workflows, the step-by-step guides, and the internal methods I use to run VengaDragon.
You get immediate access to the three foundational PDFs, plus the new tactical guide I add every month. If you want to stop watching the system and start running it, you’re in the right place. Join the armory now.
V➤ The people building in public need to know their work landed. Be the one who tells them.
Some excellent advice here. Being able to be humble and apologise when you get it wrong is gold.