We Need More "Slow Media"

What would possess someone to start a print publication in 2017? Furthermore, why would they start something in Golf, during the year of Golf’s great dissolution? (Nike exited Golf equipment. Adidas sold Taylor Made…etc)
I had to know, so I sat down with Brendon Thomas, the founder of The Golfer’s Journal.
I started subscribing years ago, because I was a golf sicko. I was tired of “3 TIPS TO FIX YOUR SLICE”, “5 WAYS TO BOMB YOUR DRIVES” and the constant infomercials in an antiquated industry. In life, & in golf, wisdom teaches us that there are actually no quick fixes. Perhaps we knew this deep down? And in a similar realization, we wanted more from media.
Media is built on the carrot of FREE media, but the inevitable bombardment of ads comes on the back end. It was time for a change.
Enter The Golfer’s Journal. Brendon was an editor of a surf magazine, got bit by the golf bug and saw a gap in the market for “SLOW MEDIA”- print publication with beautiful photography and long form stories about the sport/hobby/past time.
I wasn’t the only one it resonated with. TGJ has grown to be a full fledged community of golfers, given each other the knowing nod when they see the “broken tee” logo.
To hear about his and more, please enjoy my latest long form video below.
This is my attempt to do Slower Media. Maybe that’s why it’s not highly viewed, maybe it sucks, but either way, if you want deeper analysis, support the YouTube below. 🙏🏼

My Takeaways (not ChatGPTs):

Be Upfront with your Audience. TGJ started charging a premium, but limited ads completely. By creating friction on the front end, you ensure a better experience on the backend.

Just Because Everyone Does It, Doesn’t Mean It’s Right
If Everyone is doing BrainRot, there may be a market opportunity for Slower Paced Content.

Deeply Passionate Hobbies Want to Find Like Minded Individuals
TGJ has found a “community” of golfer’s who all want similar experiences. They now do an event almost every week around the country, because of how successful they are.

Education:

The BrandFathers new episode is out NOW: This week, we do a 2025 Marketing Trends Roundup, but last episode we broke down Boring Businesses in Social. We get this request a lot, so enjoy if that’s you.

Health:
If you’re gonna make the PLUNGE (no pun intended) and finally get a cold plunge or Sauna, Plunge is having their biggest sale of the year. Use my code JORDAN PLUNGE for a bigger discount too.

Blessings:

I’m celebrating 15 years of marriage this month, so I’m reflecting on this milestone.
I interviewed an NFL O lineman yesterday. I asked him about College Sports, NIL & The Transfer Portal. If you’re unfamiliar, players now transfer teams almost every year searching for a better situation, more playing time, or more money. (Sounds kinda like dating.)
He said, “I feel bad for them.” which puzzled me. He went on, “My time at Notre Dame was really hard: spiritually, mentally & physical. All of that made me such a better person, so much tougher and better prepared for the NFL.”
I think marriage may be similar. Is it tough? Sometimes. Is it challenging? Yes. But, that’s not the overwhelming feeling for most people. Despite divorce rates, Married people report higher happiness and Married People with kids report even higher rates.
We are conditioned to fear commitment, relationships, being stuck with the wrong person…etc. Social Media & our modern nomadic nature pours gasoline on that.
“Freedom” is glorified over everything. Freedom is amazing to a level, and after that, it can become unfulfilling. We can become subservient to our wants & desires all the time.
But, commitment actually allows a different kind of freedom. A freedom to stop the dating rat race, a freedom to be fully seen and to drop the guard. A freedom to love someone through the ups and downs.
With trust & commitment, it allows a full mind & body exhale.
It also is rarely achieved without great challenge, struggle or sacrifice of our own selfishness.
My wife’s presence creates accountability in so many ways. To be better than I want to. To provide better. To serve others.
“He who finds a wife finds a good thing AND finds favor from the Lord.”
That’s a wild promise in Provers 18:22, but one I have found true over & over.
I hope you can experience this blessing as I have.
Blessings!