Introducing The Honeybee & The Owl

Giving this a whirl...

1. What in H-E-Double Hockey Sticks is this?

In a world overflowing with information, it's easy to get lost in the noise. "The Honeybee and The Owl" is my way of cutting through the clutter, sharing meaningful insights, stories, and reflections that matter to me—and hopefully to you too. I’ve reached a point where I want to engage in more intentional conversations, not just about trivia or business, but about growth, curiosity, and how we can make a little more sense of the world together.

2. What’s with the name?

The name "The Honeybee and The Owl" comes from two symbols that represent what this newsletter is all about: curiosity and wisdom. The honeybee is a reminder to stay curious, explore, and continuously seek out new ideas—just like a bee tirelessly gathers nectar. It also embodies the concept of unreasonable hospitality, which I’ll dive into as we explore the value of going above and beyond for others, just as the bees do for the queen. The owl, on the other hand, represents wisdom, reflection, and understanding, reminding us that knowledge is only valuable when we take the time to think it through. Together, they symbolize the balance between discovery and insight, which is the heart of what I hope to share with you in each issue.

3. Who made you the boss?

So, why am I the one writing this newsletter? Well, I’ve spent years building communities around curiosity and knowledge. As the VP of Business Development at Sporcle (the world’s largest quiz and trivia community) and the creator of Sporcle's pub trivia business, I’ve had the privilege of engaging with people who share a passion for learning, trivia, and growth. Along the way, I founded SporcleCon, created countless trivia events, and learned a lot about what makes people tick. Beyond trivia, I coach youth baseball, run marketing projects, and believe deeply in the power of unreasonable hospitality and storytelling. This newsletter is an extension of everything I’ve learned and everything I’m still curious about. So, I hope you’ll dig in with me.

4. Let’s build this hive together

This newsletter isn’t just about me sharing ideas—it’s about creating a space for all of us to grow together, like a hive of bees working toward something bigger. I want to know what you’re curious about, what topics resonate with you, and what sparks your own sense of wonder. Don’t be shy! Whether it’s a question, a suggestion, or a thought, feel free to email me anytime at mark@thehoneybeeandtheowl.com. Let’s make "The Honeybee and The Owl" a collaborative space where we explore ideas and build something meaningful together.

5. A Sample Story - Curiosity in Coaching

As someone who coaches three youth baseball teams (yes, three—because I’m a little insane, but I love it), I’ve learned the value of curiosity firsthand. Our most competitive (very very loose term) team is my 8-year-old’s tournament squad, and at our 6th ever practice last night, the kids were sluggish. Back to school is hitting them hard. I was curious if a little gamification could turn things around.

We have a drill called the diamond drill, where infielders throw the ball in a pattern across the diamond, trying to beat a runner circling the bases. It’s one of my favorites because it works on throwing, catching, and baserunning—you know, birds and stones, as they say.

Before starting, we talked about the effort thus far and how we all knew we could do better (the other coach and I included). I told them that when we get 100 outs on diamond drill at practices, we’ll have a pizza party. Mind you, the previous practice, they got maybe 2 outs in 20+ tries. But last night, with 13 minutes left in the night, I told them, “Let’s see how many we can get.” The thought of pizza lit a fire under those 8-year-olds! They asked to stay longer, asked for bonus opportunities, started rooting each other on, etc. They instantly turned their effort around, and in 13 minutes, they completed 8 outs—a huge record for this team.

Being curious about gamification? Totally worth it. And there’s a lesson about unreasonable hospitality in there too that we’ll touch on next time!

Closing Quiz

Each issue I’ll reward your curiosity and readership with one of my favorite Sporcle quizzes at the time. Play it. Celebrate the knowledge you possess, even just for a few minutes. Here’s today’s on Pixelated MLB Logos.

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