These tree-planting drones are firing seed missiles to restore the world’s forests

April 10, 2019 Good morning! J.D. Dillard has become one of Hollywood’s buzziest directors—from his Sundance debut Sleight to writing and directing Fox’s upcoming reboot of the 1986 sci-fi classic The Fly. So what set Dillard’s career on such an upward trajectory? Being a receptionist. But not at just any company--at J.J. Abrams’s production house Bad Robot. It was a leap of faith that resulted in a sizable pay cut, an extra hour to his commute . . . and the chance to join Abrams across the world for the shoot of The Force Awakens. Dillard says watching Abrams in action was the catalyst he needed to try his hand at directing. [Dillard explains how the lifetime opportunity came about](, how working at Bad Robot fosters creativity, and the invaluable lessons in storytelling and leadership he’s learned from Abrams. —[KC Ifeanyi]( [From Bad Robot receptionist to Sundance darling: What rising-star writer-director J.D. Dillard learned from J.J. Abrams about storytelling]( [From Bad Robot receptionist to Sundance darling: What rising-star writer-director J.D. Dillard learned from J.J. Abrams about storytelling]( Dillard took a chance (and a huge pay cut) when he became a receptionist at Abrams’s production company. But that chance has paid off significantly. [These tree-planting drones are firing seed missiles to restore the world’s forests]( [These tree-planting drones are firing seed missiles to restore the world’s forests]( In Myanmar, a major project is under way: restore coastal mangrove forests–with a little air support. [Your swimsuit is terrible for the environment]( [Your swimsuit is terrible for the environment]( Here are the best alternatives–and they’re still not good enough. [These are the false beliefs we still hold about introverts and extroverts]( [These are the false beliefs we still hold about introverts and extroverts]( You don’t have to be solidly one or the other. On this week’s episode of Secrets of the Most Productive People, we learn the real ways introverts and extroverts operate in the workplace. [Patagonia sues AB InBev for trying to confuse consumers as to who’s behind its new beer called . . . Patagonia]( [Patagonia sues AB InBev for trying to confuse consumers as to who’s behind its new beer called . . . Patagonia]( The legendary outdoor apparel company, which started selling its own beer in 2016, filed a complaint in a California court alleging that the global brewer is intentionally trying to benefit from Patagonia’s 40-year brand legacy. [How I spent my windfall of cash]( [How I spent my windfall of cash]( An 80% salary increase, an unexpected inheritance, an injury settlement: Three people tell us how they managed a financial windfall [5 rituals that spark creativity at Pinterest, Flipboard, and Amazon]( [5 rituals that spark creativity at Pinterest, Flipboard, and Amazon]( From fixathons to wake parties. [Dropbox and G Suite’s new integration is more like a mind meld]( [Dropbox and G Suite’s new integration is more like a mind meld]( The long-awaited ability to keep your Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides in your Dropbox isn’t just about plumbing. Share This Newsletter Did someone forward you this email? Subscribe [here!]( Like this email? Consider signing up for our other newsletters [here](. Too many emails? Update your subscription preferences [here](. No longer want to receive this newsletter? Unsubscribe [here](. Mansueto Ventures, 7 World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007-2195