In celebration of Fast Company magazine’s 150th issue (and 15th anniversary), fastcompany.com published a list of the “most groundbreaking Fast Company stories.” And while I could quibble with some of these choices, I thought it would be more interesting (and career-preserving—I work at FC!) to select a few personal favorites of mine, “deep cuts” from Fast Company’s album. These are pieces that I wanted to include in Fast Company’s Greatest Hits (the compilation book I put together of the magazine’s first 10 years—out of print, but available from Amazon Marketplace sellers for less than $3! So proud), but for a variety of reasons didn’t get the chance to do so. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. 

Who Ever Said Comedy Had to Be Fun?

Chuck Salter’s profile of Rob Burnett, the guy who runs David Letterman’s Worldwide Pants production company. A remarkable look at what it means to be creative, the struggles and challenges of producing television, and most of all, an unflinching look at someone unafraid to reveal his perpetual dissatisfaction with his work (which is exactly what makes him so good). 

Give Us This Day Our Global Bread

Another master of his craft, this time breadmaker Lionel Poilane. Basically every serious foodie I know has read this story and brought it up to me back when I was putting together the compilation book. And foodie or no, the transformation of such simple ingredients into something sublime holds wisdom about what matters and what doesn’t and inspiration that even the most pedestrian things can be reinvented.

The Digital Debutant’s Ball

An inside look at the most influential startup event in the first dotcom boom, PC Forum. The piece subtly lays bare the tech industry’s b.s. that if anything is more prevalent today than ever before. Sub TechCrunch 50 for PC Forum and enjoy the ride.

Silicon Valley Gets Potomac Fever

WIth Al Gore as VP in the late 1990s and dot-com culture ascendant, many of its leading players tried to bring their brand of tech savvy to Washington. With delightfully misguided results. A field guide to naivete in the ways of D.C. that still routinely afflicts innovative companies that rocket to stardom.