Neal Hoffman, author and creator of The Mensch on the Bench, shares his journey of inspiration drawn from The Elf on the Shelf. He discusses the tough lessons learned in entrepreneurship, including crowdfunding challenges and the importance of Jewish traditions. The podcast explores the balance between innovation and homage, revealing how success in holiday-themed toys hinges on emotional family connections. Hoffman also dives into how social media and community engagement have transformed self-publishing, alongside navigating the complexities of public criticism.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Mensch on a Bench Origin
Neil Hoffman's son asked for an Elf on the Shelf, prompting Hoffman to invent Mensch on a Bench.
This doll and book celebrate Hanukkah and Jewish values.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Kickstarter Grind
Hoffman launched Mensch on a Bench on Kickstarter, but it gained little traction.
He personally reached out to his network and bootstrapped the project with his wife's help.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Pre-selling over Fundraising
Instead of traditional fundraising, consider pre-selling products.
This approach mitigates risk and validates demand before significant investment.
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In this epic fantasy, Brandon Sanderson introduces a world called Scadrial, where ash constantly falls from the sky, plants are brown, and supernatural mists cloak the landscape every night. The story follows Vin, a young half-Skaa orphan with the rare ability to become a Mistborn, and Kelsier, a charismatic thief who recruits Vin to join a group of Allomancers in a high-stakes plan to overthrow the divine despot, the Lord Ruler. The novel explores themes of rebellion, trust, and the complexities of a well-crafted magical system based on metals. The world-building is rich and detailed, with a focus on the political intrigue and the harsh realities of a dystopian society.
Christmas Past
The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday’s Traditions
Brian Earl
The Mensch on a Bench, New Hanukkah Family Tradition
The Mensch on a Bench, New Hanukkah Family Tradition
Neil Hoffman
The Elf on the Shelf, A Birthday Tradition
The Elf on the Shelf, A Birthday Tradition
Shanda Bell
Krista Pitts
The Elf on the Shelf
The Elf on the Shelf
Carol Aebersold
Chanda Bell
The book tells the story of a scout elf who hides in people's homes to watch over events and report back to Santa Claus. The elf flies back to the North Pole each night and returns to a new hiding spot each morning, playing a game of hide and seek with the family. The story emphasizes the importance of naming and loving the elf to maintain its Christmas magic.
The battle for Christmas
Stephen Nissenbaum
In this book, Stephen Nissenbaum charts the transformation of Christmas from its origins in ancient agricultural cycles and its early forms as a season of excess and public revelry, to its modern incarnation as a child-centered, domestic celebration. The book details how early Christmas celebrations involved drinking, parties, and social inversion, and how these were suppressed by Puritans and later transformed by New York's elite, including figures like Clement Clarke Moore and Washington Irving. Nissenbaum also explores the commercialization of Christmas and its impact on American culture and social hierarchy[1][3][4].
The Mensch on a Bench author Neal Hoffman discusses how he was inspired to write his book by The Elf on the Shelf, the reasons behind the original book’s success and the growth of self-publishing over the last two decades.
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