Field Notes 003 - November 2025

Field Notes 003 - November 2025
Scott Galloway’s new book argues that modern masculinity still rests on three timeless roles - to protect, provide, and procreate - but what those mean has evolved. Protection isn’t just physical anymore; it’s emotional, digital, and reputational. Providing isn’t only about income; it’s about presence and steadiness. And procreation, in his view, is creation: building things that last, from families to companies to communities. It’s a fitting idea for November. Gratitude, after all, is about recognizing what we’ve built, who we show up for, and what kind of men we’re becoming while we do it. I might argue that self-care is part of that equation too. Not the indulgent kind, but the daily maintenance that builds our confidence — the kind that keeps us steady enough to protect, provide, and create. In other words, the foundation is confidence.

GROOMING NOTES

SKINCARE BY AGE.
What to do in your 30s, 40s + 50s
 
Your skin doesn’t care about trends; it cares about consistency. From collagen to SPF, here’s what to prioritize as the decades stack up
 
SHAVING CREAM HAS EVOLVED.
The best shave starts before the razor
 
You've upgraded your razor in the last 20 years, but you haven't thought about shaving cream. Learn why today’s best formulas skip the burn and focus on barrier health — so you walk away smooth, not raw.
 
Henkey's Grooming Advisor for Men

KEEP YOUR HAIR.
Ingredients to know

Saving your hair starts with smart science. From caffeine to biotin, here’s what actually helps preserve what’s on top — and what’s just marketing fluff.

READ NOW

STYLE NOTES

"The Cardigan Comes of Age" written next to a man who has a v-neck t-shirt with a cardigan over.

Somewhere between your dad’s golf sweater and Harry Styles’ grandpa-core moment, the cardigan’s found its footing again.

The new versions aren’t slouchy. They’re structured, with real shoulders and clean buttons. Think smart, not sleepy. Worn open over a tee or buttoned under a topcoat, it’s an easy way to look intentional without trying too hard.

Robert Pattinson’s been spotted in Prada’s version; GQ calls it “quiet luxury you can actually live in.”

If you want to go classic, start where every smart wardrobe starts: Huckberry or Buck Mason.

Cardigans are back, but this time, they stand up straight.

SIGNALS

ARE YOU R.A.D.? - THE RICH AUTUMN DAD TREND — THE GUARDIAN

Henkey’s take: Style isn’t always about standing out. Sometimes it’s about standing right. The “Rich Autumn Dad” look blends heritage, texture, and quiet purpose — a half-zip on the court of good taste.
HOW DO I LEAD WHEN I DON’T FEEL LIKE I BELONG AT THE TABLE — HBR

Henkey’s take: You don’t need the loudest voice in the room. You need consistency, presence and the confidence that you deserve your seat. Quiet prep wins quiet rooms.

LISTEN NOW →
A DOCTOR’S SCIENCE-BACKED FORMULA FOR AGING BETTER — WSJ

Henkey’s take: Age isn’t about avoiding wrinkles, it’s about staying active, curious, and doing things your younger self might have skipped. Best tip: Start with one habit and stick to it.

READ NOW →

COOKS CORNER

Smoked Turkey 

 

If you’re the guy bringing the bird, make it worth remembering. I've been working on this recipe for years and I think this is the one.


Smoke, citrus, and a little patience — that’s how you turn turkey into a headline.

A NOD TO THE LEGENDS

 A few good men hung up their boots this month. We raise a glass to them — and to every man who reminds us that confidence isn’t about looking perfect, it’s about showing up with purpose. Because the best legacy isn’t fame. It’s impact.

Tatsuya Nakadai

Actor. Icon. The quiet force behind some of cinema’s boldest stories.

From Ran to Harakiri, Nakadai embodied restraint and intensity in the same frame. He's a reminder that strength doesn’t need volume. It needs precision.

In a world that rewards noise, he proved that true mastery comes from control of craft, of emotion, of self.

NY Times Remembers→

Tatsuya Nakadai
Lenny Wilkens

Lenny Wilkens

Across six decades of basketball, Lenny Wilkens is still the only person in NBA history to win 1,000 games as both a player and a coach, but what made him remarkable was how he did it: with calm, conviction, and an unshakable sense of decency.

Married to his wife Marilyn for 60 years, he proved that loyalty isn’t a headline — it’s a habit.

ESPN Remembers →

Richie Adubato

Some people find their rhythm early. Richie Adubato found his when the world almost stopped watching.

After decades on NBA benches, he hit his stride in the WNBA, coaching the New York Liberty to the Finals three times and proving that great leadership isn’t about spotlight, it’s about substance.

 

Reuters on Richie Adubato →

Stay sharp out there.

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