The Pressures of Privilege

Chris Burres went from performing comedy improv in Houston to manufacturing a Nobel Prize-winning molecule that extended lab rats' lives by 90%. As the founder of MyVitalC and longest manufacturer of ESS60 since 1991, he shares his unconventional journey into longevity science. We explore his "make mistakes faster" philosophy, why he exercises every single day instead of 2-3 times per week, and ho...

Why neuroscience is proving what tradition always knew: effort, restraint, and character expand pleasure, not shrink it.   Yesterday over tea, I was graced by a visit by friends celebrating their 28th wedding anniversary. We sat in my kitchen drinking tea. It was a spontaneous visit that left me feeling love, warmth, and connected to the world. They were raised with the same "Yankee" values I was—...

If you never experience hardship, you never develop your problem-solving muscles. Without stress, they atrophy while others do the heavy lifting to make your life easy and convenient. The clearest example I’ve seen was the story of a billionaire in Costa Rica. Chapters (00:00:02) - Antifragility as a Privilege for Rich People

Money pledges mobility yet frequently roots us in place. I’ve been grappling with this paradox—as have my friends and clients. Many of us wrestle with the simple question:  where do I settle? Chapters (00:00:01) - Why Money Keeps Us From Freedom (00:00:39) - The Wealth Paradox

John Messervey is one of the original founders in family business advising and wealth continuity. Over his 30+ year career, he has advised more than 460 ultra-high-net-worth families globally and conducted over 10,000 individual interviews with family members. He's headlining the Newport Global Summit this week and is known for his work helping families navigate complex relationships, succession p...

What happens when successful people have everything they thought they wanted but are quietly falling apart inside? Dr. Magdalena Bak-Maier, neuroscientist and founder of Make Time Count, joins Diana to explore why high achievers get trapped in cycles of burnout, imposter syndrome, and doing things they don't care about with people they don't like. Drawing from her own journey as an immigrant who g...

What happens when the life you’ve built becomes too complex to enjoy? In this week’s post, I write about the exhaustion that comes with managing an over-scheduled existence—coaching calls, board meetings, cars in Switzerland that need inspection, and problems that follow you across time zones and wake you at 3 AM. But sometimes clarity comes from unexpected places. Like a crowded train to Norwich...

In this engaging conversation, Jake Farrell shares his journey through the maritime world, touching on his experiences as a harbor master, his survival stories from storms, and the evolution of sailing culture. He reflects on the impact of wealth on maritime life, the colorful characters he has encountered, and the importance of authenticity in his career. The discussion also delves into personal...

This week's blog post started with a beach argument that turned into a deep dive on why HFCS might actually be worse than regular sugar. I was trying to convince my relative—who won an Emmy for breaking the opioid story on 60 Minutes—that my "fentanyl of sugar" comparison wasn't crazy. Here's what I learned: Regular sugar makes your body work to break it down, but HFCS is like free glucose and fru...

Katharine "Kitty" Cushing is a finance veteran with deep Wall Street roots who transformed her career from high-stakes investment banking to visionary nonprofit leadership. The granddaughter of HC Wainwright's legendary chairman and step-granddaughter of Brewster Jennings (chairman of Socony Vacuum, later Mobil Oil, and founding partner of ARAMCO's predecessor), Kitty carved her own path through d...

Most people think money keeps you healthy. They think rich people live longer, feel better, and never get sick. They're wrong. A  study  from Brown University found something shocking: rich Americans die earlier than the poorest Europeans. Think about that for a second. The wealthiest Americans don't even outlive poor people in other countries.   A narrated essay from The Pressures of Privilege ....

In this conversation, David Roberts shares his insights on wealth, privilege, and the responsibilities that come with them. He discusses his journey of self-discovery through writing about his experiences in a wealthy bubble, the implications of inequality in society, and the need for reform in capitalism. The conversation also touches on the importance of happiness, parenting, health access, and...

In this intimate and inspiring episode, Diana sits down with Marisa Stalder-Torres—house manager, artist, and spiritual seeker—whose wisdom and presence have been a personal lifeline. From the Swiss Alps to deep inner work, they explore meditation, resistance, emotional healing, and the real meaning of wealth. Marissa shares how she moved from emptiness to awareness, how she helped Diana through a...

Sometimes my best thinking happens with a cup of tea, a notebook, and a view that reminds me how big the world really is. That's where I am today as I write this. Looking out at the Alps, I am finally ready to show you the grid I've been talking about. But before I do, let me tell you about the week that brought me here.   A narrated essay from The Pressures of Privilege . Subscribe for more essay...

Fritzli and I just landed in Zurich. We're on the train to Bern, where we'll switch to the Zweisimmen train. Then comes the little train that slowly curls up the mountains to Gstaad. Speaking of Gstaad, check out  Gstaad Guy's new podcast. If you haven’t discovered him yet, Gstaad Guy is this 28-year old mystery creator behind Instagram's  parody of luxury life.  Through his characters Constance (...

As you know, I'm someone who geeks out over productivity systems and uses a digital task manager called Things3 for my to-do lists. (Yes, I know - I collect productivity systems like some people collect vintage wine.) But what drew me to  The Grid  is that it’s designed for people who value health—it’s analog, and it’s grounded in neuroscience.   A narrated essay from The Pressures of Privilege ....

In this conversation, Dr. Rich discusses the mental aspects of golf and how they relate to personal growth and self-awareness. He shares insights on the importance of presence, mindset, and the connection between golf and life skills. The discussion also touches on meditation, mindfulness, and the role of music in enhancing performance. Dr. Rich emphasizes the significance of letting go of control...

Before I tell you a story about finding belonging and holding onto one’s true self in life, I wanted to share a photo taken by Henry, my morning walking and fishing buddy.  Apparently, last week’s photo of the Cliff Walk didn't look 'cliffy' enough. So here's an action shot of yours truly with her faithful companion clambering on the rocks. There's something about these rugged edges that reminds m...

My day started beautifully. My neighbor Henry, my dog Fritzli, and I walked Newport's rocky cliffs. The sky was blue, the ocean glistened. On our way home, I noticed the perfectly green leaves and blossoms on the trees. Thank goodness I have this morning walking routine. Without it, life would be stale air. Starting a blog post is near-impossible when you worry about family. I have one loved one i...

While I was in London last week, I chatted with a friend who places children into top British boarding schools for a fee. Nothing wrong with that! But it made me think about my training as an addiction recovery specialist and interventionist, where we were warned that "selling souls" was highly unethical and illegal in most states. Both involve placing people in residential facilities, but with va...

6:30 a.m. — I've just arrived at London Heathrow after flying from Boston. The weather here is surprisingly sunny and warm - a welcome change from the mist and wind I left behind. I've never experienced such fast immigration and baggage "reclaim." I literally never stopped walking since exiting the plane and the espresso at the airport bar is really good. Apparently, all those jokes about British...

Take Lorenzo. He recognizes my routine. When he sees me walking out the door on my way to karate class wearing my backpack, he usually says, "kick some butt." And when I return red-faced and sweaty, and sometimes even limping, he goes, "Hard class, hey?" Then there's Julito. He has back problems but he's always cheerful and asks me how I am and how my kids are. When things got hard with a loved on...

This is taking all of my will and energy to write. My dear friend Esmond Harmsworth passed away suddenly a few days ago and I don't feel like doing much of anything anymore. He was my anchor, my confidant, my mentor, my cheerleader. He was also a faithful reader of this column. Just this January, he texted me: "I'm so enjoying your current series on Substack. You have so many things exactly right!...

Growing up in the south of France as well as in a castle, my understanding of wealth was shaped by reading stories written by the Comtesse de Ségur, one of the most popular authors of the Bibliothèque Rose, a French literary collection known for its pink children's books. In these tales, set against the backdrop of European aristocracy, being privileged wasn't about money and luxury—it was about r...

I stood in the bustling conference hall in London, clutching my copy of the memoir. Across the room was its author—a man whose words about losing a parent at a young age had resonated with my own experience of losing my father at age five. The fact that his mother had been from Newport, like me, felt like an amazing coincidence. Heart pounding, I approached his booth. "Your talk today was incredib...