Five Bullet Friday - November 28, 2025

Dear A, 

It's November 28th and we're closing in on the last month of 2025.  Let's make it a great one.  I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving yesterday and you were able to be surrounded by family and friends.  Hopefully, it was a time to reflect and be filled with gratitude.  

Here's what I'm exploring this week...

AUDIO BOOK I'M LISTENING TO...

Zero Minus Ten by Raymond Benson. I remember reading this James Bond thriller more than twenty years ago during an overseas flights to one of my first assignments for CIA. It popped up in my audio book recommendations and I had to give it a listen. Benson was authorized by the Ian Fleming estate to carry on the tradition of writing James Bond novels. This was his first attempt and it stays in line with tradition. A short, but fun, listen.

HOLIDAY MOVIE I'M WATCHING...

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. This is the best - and one of the few - movies about Thanksgiving. Steve Martin and the late great John Candy give some of their best performances ever. A classic comedy with unforgettable lines such as, (Martin) "Where's your other hand?" (Candy) "Between two pillows." (Martin) "THOSE AREN'T PILLOWS!" This is can't miss for the holidays.

SONG I'M LISTENING TO...

Crowded Table by The Highwomen. This song was recommended by Ryan Holiday. It really gets to the heart of what matters in life... having the entire family crowded around you at the dinner table. Sharing a meal with loved ones is sacred and should be done as often as possible to truly appreciate all we have in life.

INTERVIEW I'M ENJOYING...

Gene Kranz on Leadership and Teamwork. The original NASA flight director, Gene Kranz, discusses leadership and teamwork as it applied to the Apollo Space Program. Kranz was the guy in charge during man's first steps on the moon, as well as bringing back the Apollo 13 astronauts, turning potential disaster into NASA finest hour. The world needs more heroes like Gene Kranz.

QUOTE I'M PONDERING...

“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us."

- Albert Schweitzer

Thank you for your attention. As always, I welcome your thoughts and suggestions.

Stay safe and vigilant,

Luke Bencie