
Halloween Scares & Election Flares: A Spooky Comparison
Core Article: Halloween Scares & Election Flares: A Spooky Comparison
Paragraph I’m Pondering: “Whenever life gets overwhelming, go…”
Powerful Affirmations to Inspire: “By staying present and grounded, I…”
Book Review: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad by Austin Kleon
Cool Stuff: Interested in creepy unsolved mysteries?
AI Info & Resources: These “Awful AIs are doing some scary stuff.
Halloween Scares & Election Flares: A Spooky Comparison
Ok, I’m gonna go there in today’s email. I know, I know, I really tried to keep this at bay, and well, I just can’t ignore these two things…
- It’s fricking Halloween – TODAY, my eNewsletter is coming to you on the spookiest day of the year! When’s the next time this will happen?! Muhahaha, you’re in for a real treat…
- By this time next week, we may have a new president… (I did say “may.” Well, at least, maybe all those political ads will stop, right?!)
I’m not gonna make an assumption you’re voting for who I am. Yet, I’m hoping if you’re on my list, we have similar beliefs and values.
If not, well, I guess you may be unsubscribing! 😉
Halloween can be a really scary time, especially when you’re young, foolish, or scared easily, like my pup Emma and me!
I truly despise scary movies. If I’m forced to watch one, yep, I’m the person hiding under a blanket during the scary parts or watching with my hands over my face.
Halloween just adds a somewhat weird and scary twist to how I’m feeling about this Presidential Election and all that I feel is at stake.
It’s a weird blend of intense scares, smoke and mirrors, and enough gruesome messaging to make anyone want to scream. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen before in an election.
Let’s get into the real spooky tricks and treats…
The Tale of Two Campaigns: Soulful vs. Cult-Like
Let’s be honest—both sides are doing a bit of fear-mongering. And if we’re talking Soulful Marketing vs. “Cult of Fear” tactics, there’s a clear difference in style and presentation:
- VP Kamala Harris is coming in with a vision, a plan, and a bigger purpose. You can tell this campaign is fighting for inclusivity, basic freedoms, and autonomy (especially for women). They’re laying out the offer: a vision for the future, and the common enemy is Trump and the fear of the destruction of the Constitution of the U.S. So it’s about fighting for what our country was founded upon.
- Donald Trump? Now, that’s a whole different kind of campaign—straight out of the narcissistic, cult-building handbook. His messaging centers on creating an “us vs. them” mentality, villainizing anyone who disagrees with him and labeling them as enemies. There’s not much in the way of real plans here other than dividing and conquering. Let’s just say this style is the polar opposite of anything I’d call Soulful Marketing.
Soulful Marketing 101: Unity, Connection, and Respect
Soulful marketing is all about building bridges of connection. The best way to create genuine connections is to use empathy and authenticity—not control. And it doesn’t ever use deep-rooted fear or divisive labels to drive engagement and sales.
- VP Kamala Harris’ campaign uses some classic soulful strategies, such as showing up with a clear, unity-based, inclusive message and transparency around what they hope to accomplish. It’s about creating a genuine connection. At times, it may not be pure, soulful marketing (cuz there’s a good bit of fear in there). Yet, it feels like a definitive effort to serve the collective good. Fear is one of the best strategies for competing against a candidate like Trump, albeit not quite as soulful. Yet, this campaign feels like it’s a choice between good vs. evil. A classic “Hero’s Journey.” And when it’s such high stakes, you gotta use the strategies that will help you win.
- On the other side, Trump’s campaign is using the fear-based playbook to a tee: casting doubt on the very systems that define us as a democracy, painting fellow Americans as “others” and “the enemy within,” leveraging anxiety as a tool for control. It’s about creating a culture of dependency—where only he has the answers, and anyone else is suspect. The only thing he’s building unity about is inciting another government take over when he loses. Hence, he’s going overboard and taking too much out of Hitler’s playbook, “Mein Kampf,” to my liking. He even goes as far as saying how he wants all his military to be loyal to him, not the Constitution. Hmmmm…
And let’s not even go there with Project 2025, which feels a little too “Handmaid’s Tale” for me. And as history has proven itself over time, this approach rarely leads to unity or progress—just more fear and fewer freedoms.
The Big Question
So, when it comes down to it, what are you really choosing?
When you go deeper, the choice isn’t just about the two candidates—it’s about the kind of mindset, beliefs, and values you want your next President to have.
Are they aligned with your values?
What type of energy will each candidate bring to the office of the President every day, and how will that impact or affect your life and our country?
- One choice leans into authenticity and connection and has the experience and a plan to serve the collective good.
- The other thrives on control, exclusion, and intimidation, hiding behind a mask that tries to conceal his true intentions and tactics that manipulate rather than uplift.
In soulful marketing (and in life), the more real, transparent, and service-driven your message, the deeper the trust and connection you build.
When someone hides behind a mask of manipulation and fear, like the tactics we see with Trump, it creates only a temporary illusion—one that eventually slips and reveals the truth beneath.
And to drive this home—one of my favorite quotes from Maya Angelou: When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.
So, if you’re heading out tonight with the ghouls, goblins, and all the spooky fun, take a moment to remember what it means to choose connection over fear, empathy over ego, and authenticity over manipulation.
I completed my assignment and voted early and proudly for VP Harris. It’s time for a change.
Wishing you a safe, happy, and just the right amount of spooky Halloween!”
Paragraph I’m Pondering “Whenever life gets overwhelming, go back to chapter one of this book and think about your days. Try your best to fill them in ways that get you a little closer to where you want to be. Go easy on yourself and take your time. Worry less about getting things done. Worry more about things worth doing. Worry less about being a great artist. Worry more about being a good human being who makes art. Worry less about making a mark. Worry more about leaving things better than you found them.” ~Austin Kleon, 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad
- “I attract clients and opportunities that resonate with my values, allowing my business to thrive while serving the greater good.”
- “I measure success by the difference I make in the lives of others, and I am grateful for every opportunity to serve.”
- “By staying present and grounded, I navigate challenges with ease and grace, trusting the process of success.”
Book Review
10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad by Austin Kleon
(It’s definitely a book that’s about more than just creativity; it’s about changing your perspective and your mindset.)
Cool Stuff
- Check out the 15 Best Scary Ghost Stories That’ll Give you Goosebumps, oh my!
- A Monster sculpture garden mystery in an Italian garden – Boo!
- Interested in creepy unsolved mysteries? Oh, come on, I know you’re curious!
AI Info and Resources
- Awful AIs that are doing some pretty creepy and scary stuff.
- Scary good mind mapping AI tool on steroids, using this – whoa –
- New AI tool that creates some scary realistic audio—boo!
Weekly Photos
- The view from my desk with Emma, who’s just a lap dog, that’s the truth.
- Just gorgeous – I love the view of Mt. Lassen with these amazing sunrises in the fall.
- Today, we found a butterfly on our walk…
- The silliest and funniest dog I know – Emmmaaa!
- Yeah, this mug says it all, and yep, it’s mine now. These are good reminders while I’m drinking coffee with my most amazing wife…
- This happened yesterday – the fix-it guy was here doing some painting and scraping, and well, there it was, a heart just fell. I love it when that happens so unexpectedly. It’s a heart-shaped paint chip; you can’t make this stuff up!
- Look at those rays coming through those clouds – love these inspirational sunrises – so, so grateful.







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