For today’s Monday Morning Mojo, I want to share a few people who were top of mind this past month who give me huge confidence in humanity.

Person #1: Pope Francis. During his papacy, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, better known as Pope Francis, served as head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 13 March 2013 until his death on April 21, 2025. Admittedly, during his life, I can’t say I paid attention to everything he did, but I always had the impression Pope Francis was a force for good. After reading about how he lived his life, his views on serving people and his leadership skills and decision-making, I became a huge fan. This man was a model of humanity, and he will be missed. Here is just a short clip I saw on KTLA in Los Angeles discussing the humble life he lived and the impact he has had.

Person #2: Warren Buffet, the Sage of Omaha. I watched the Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting with my son, and seeing the impact Warren Buffet has had on so many people, and listening to his rationale in dealing with everything from his investing philosophy to managing government debt is inspirational. This gentleman has made the importance and principle of compound interest simple for everyone to understand, and I believe anyone interested in improving themselves should spend some time listening to his annual meeting. This past week Warren Buffet officially stepped down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. His retirement announcement is here.

Person #3: Ketanji Brown Jackson. Ketanji Brown Jackson is the first black female to serve as a United States Supreme Court Justice. Recently I have been inspired by learning about her life, her climb to her present role, her commitment to the legal profession and her interpretation of laws as we know them. Her story is very moving, and she wrote a memoir last year, called Lovely One, which I have read wonderful reviews about. Here is a quote from this memoir:

“Challenges arose, a capacity for personal resilience. My hope is that the trials and triumphs of my journey as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, litigator, and friend will stand as a testament for young women, people of color, and strivers everywhere, especially those who nourish outsized ambitions and believe with stubborn faith in the possibility of achieving them. I want to encourage these bold dreamers not to be turned aside by adversity, because life will always present challenges. We must allow them to teach and fortify us, and help us build confidence in our ability to find a way through. In the end, we must trust the path we choose to walk, anchored by a firm sense of our potential, inspired by the people with whom we surround ourselves, and bolstered by our willingness to keep on.”

Person #4: Bill Owens, Executive Producer of 60 Minutes. In a world confused by the rise of fake news, Bill Owens was respected for his commitment to the truth. Given the pressures he felt from corporate interests around 60 minutes editorial agenda, he chose to resign last month rather than comprise his values. History will celebrate journalists like Bill Owen, and I think he deserves a thank you from everyone who cares about the truth. This clip below captures how important he was in working to tell the truth. I hope you agree this man is inspirational to all current and future journalists, and those who appreciate first-class journalism.

Person #5: Giannis Antetokounmpo, NBA Standout Power Forward for the Milwaukee Bucks. Also known as the Greek Freak, last month Giannis was taunted by the father of Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers star after the Bucks lost to the Pacers in the NBA Playoffs. Instead of responding aggressively, Giannis handled this situation wonderfully and showed athletes from all walks of life how to deal with adversity in critical situations. This clip from the press conference following the game is worth a watch.

Person #6: Chuck Siegal, Luxury Chocolatier. I want to give a shout-out to my childhood neighbor and friend, Chuck Siegal, who expanded his Charles Chocolate franchise to Los Angeles with the acquisition of John Kelly Chocolates. Here is a picture of us at the celebration, along with us and his parents and other friends from my hometown, Flint, Michigan.

Final Bonus. Sharing with you the music video of Prince’s Purple Rain. I heard a podcast recently explaining how significant this song was when it was released in 1984. “Purple Rain” is often interpreted as a song about the end of the world and finding love and faith in the face of adversity. The lyrics, particularly the imagery of “purple rain,” suggest a metaphorical “Judgment Day” or apocalyptic event where purple, a combination of red and blue, symbolizes both blood and faith. The song also explores themes of redemption, love, and finding solace in the face of chaos, with Prince himself stating that it’s about “being with the one you love and letting your faith guide you through the purple rain.” I never really know the deeper meaning behind this song so I am sharing it here. Enjoy.

Wishing you a great month ahead and thanks for being part of this community.