Let’s set the scene: Imagine a social platform that feels like it’s humming with real energy — a place designed for actual conversations, collaboration, and creativity without all the clutter.

That’s Bluesky. It’s like stepping into Twitter circa 2010, but with a modern twist. For me, it’s a clean slate to focus on what matters: law, tech, and AI. No political brawls. No noise. Just the good stuff.

So, yeah, I’m stepping back from X. Even after building a community of 43K strong over the last 17 years or so, it feels like the right call. I shared my thoughts in a video about I’m leaving X for Bluesky here.

But Bluesky isn’t just a shiny new app. It’s a platform that flips the script on how social media should work. Let me walk you through what makes it tick.

Choose Your Adventure: Apps, Feeds, and Data (Oh My!)

Any App: Bluesky’s open nature is like the social media buffet we’ve all been waiting for. Sure, there’s the official app, but you’re not stuck with it. Want to tweak your experience? Go for it. Remember the early days of social media when we actually had options? It’s like that.

Any Feed: Here’s where it gets fun. You’re not at the mercy of some shadowy algorithm shoving irrelevant content in your face. Instead, you subscribe to the feeds you want — or even build your own. It’s your content, your way. Intentional, meaningful, and distraction-free.

Own Your Data: This is the mic-drop feature. You can set up your own Personal Data Server, meaning your content and domain-tied handle are yours. Forever. Not the platform’s. Not anyone else’s. Yours. Imagine never worrying about a platform holding your content hostage again.

No Ads. No Drama. Just Pure Connection.

Ad-Free Zone: Bluesky doesn’t need your data to pay the bills. Instead, they’re betting on paid features. No tracking. No intrusive ads. It’s a platform built for its users — not advertisers. Revolutionary, right?

Moderation, Your Way: Whether you want Bluesky’s default moderation or prefer to set your own rules, the control is in your hands. It’s like curating your own little corner of the internet.

Un-Buyable: Bluesky’s open-source DNA makes it untouchable by big-money takeovers. If someone ever tries to hijack it, anyone can recreate the platform and keep it alive. It’s like social media with a built-in insurance policy.

Let’s Connect and Build Something Awesome

You’ll find me on Bluesky here: https://bsky.app/profile/mitch.social. My handle? It’s as easy as it gets — mitch.social. If you’re already on the platform, drop your link in the comments so we can connect.

Oh, and my team’s updating the resources on my profile thread to make it easy to hit the ground running. Whether you’re looking for “Starter Packs” or curated lawyer-focused lists, we’ve got you covered.

A Quick Shoutout to LinkedIn

Before I wrap up, let me just say: LinkedIn is still my ride-or-die business platform. I’ll be there daily, sharing insights, connecting, and learning. This community is unbeatable.

The Big Picture

Bluesky’s potential is massive. I can feel it, and I think you will, too. So why not give it a shot? Let’s make something incredible happen there.

Cheers,

Mitch

P.S. Need help getting started? I’ve put together some simple how-to tips and resources. Check them out here: https://mitch-jackson.com/bluesky.

Fair question. My response is simple.

I’m a trial lawyer. I became a trial lawyer 30+ years ago to help those who don’t have the ability to protect themselves.

I want to take on the bullies and hold wrongdoers accountable. It’s in my DNA.

Trump’s a bully, and he’s hurting our country. Today he’s a convicted criminal.

Not only was he found guilty on 34 felonies by a jury of his peers, but dozens of key players in his past administration are also now convicted felons.

Of course I’ll keep sharing posts and ideas about law, business, AI, Web3, and the metaverse.

It’s fun and I enjoy sharing my thoughts on these topics.

But keep in mind this past week is the first time in history a past President became a convicted felon.

What happens in the White House affects every aspect of our nation. From our economy and national security to foreign and domestic policy to everything else in between. What’s happening right now is a big deal.

It’s a big deal in our personal lives, our businesses and America moving forward.

Seeing uninformed people supporting this guy bugs the sh*t out of me.

Watching MAGA politicians intentionally misleading the American people sickens me.

This is why you see me posting this content right now.

To hopefully inform and educate those who are still undecided about how they’re going to vote in November.

Believe me, I wish none of this was happening.

I wish we were simply debating ideas and policy, working together and taking action to make America better and stronger. Instead, Trump and MAGA are tearing it apart.

Once things get back to normal, I’ll transition back to the topics you normally see me talking about.

But as mentioned, I’ve been a trial lawyer for a long time, and doing the right thing and holding wrongdoers accountable is in my blood.

It’s who I am.

Bottom line, I believe this is a moment in history where it’s dangerous to look the other way.

I try to keep things objective and accurate and am always available in the comments or via DM.

Between now and the next time, enjoy the journey and never stop making each day your masterpiece.

Mitch Jackson, Esq.

Each morning on LinkedIn I’m sharing a new tip to help everyone negotiate better outcomes.

The post are short, easy to read and best of all, POWERFUL.

Enjoy!

Mitch Jackson
Lawyer | Private Mediator

Imagine walking into a negotiation or mediation room with complete confidence, knowing that you have the skills to steer the conversation in your favor and achieve the best possible outcome. Yet, despite all the preparation and knowledge, you often feel that something is missing, that elusive edge that distinguishes the great from the merely good.

The Elusive Edge in Negotiation and Mediation

Negotiation and mediation are not just about presenting facts and making demands. They are intricate dances where psychology, strategy, and communication intersect. Many professionals mistakenly believe that mastering these arts is purely a matter of experience and charisma. This misconception leads to frustration and subpar results. Without a deep understanding of the underlying skills that drive success, you might find yourself stuck in a cycle of mediocrity, wondering why others seem to achieve better outcomes with less effort.

Why Common Solutions Fall Short

You might think that honing your persuasive abilities or improving your legal knowledge is enough. However, these are only parts of the puzzle. Consider the typical advice: “Be confident, know your facts, and stay calm.” While these are undeniably important, they often fall short in real-world scenarios.

Why?

Because they fail to address the holistic nature of negotiation and mediation. Without mastering the core skills of effective communication, relationship building, and strategic thinking, you’re likely to encounter roadblocks. Your well-researched arguments might be ignored, your calm demeanor might be mistaken for passivity, and your confidence might come off as arrogance.

Mastering Three Essential Skills

What if I told you that the key to becoming a successful negotiator and mediator lies in mastering three specific skills? Skills that, when combined, create a powerful framework for achieving your goals. These skills are not just theoretical; they are practical, actionable, and proven to work in real-world scenarios.

1. Communication: The Art of Telling Compelling Stories

Effective communication is more than just speaking clearly or presenting data. It’s about crafting a narrative that resonates with your audience. Think about the most compelling stories you’ve heard — what made them memorable? They likely followed a structure that drew you in, kept you engaged, and left a lasting impression.

In negotiations and mediations, this means using metaphors and storytelling techniques like the Three-Act Journey, In Media Res, and the Hero’s Story. By framing your arguments within a relatable and engaging memorable narrative, you can make complex issues more understandable and compelling. Imagine presenting your case in a way that not only informs but also emotionally connects with the other party, making it difficult for them to refuse your proposals.

2. Building Rapport and Relationships: The Foundation of Trust

Negotiations and mediations are fundamentally human interactions. Building rapport and establishing trust are crucial for success. This goes beyond mere friendliness; it involves a genuine client-centric approach where you prioritize the needs and concerns of the other party.

Consider the difference between a transactional interaction and one based on relationship-building. In the former, the focus is on immediate gains. In the latter, the emphasis is on long-term value. By going above and beyond to understand and address the needs of others, you can create a sense of trust and cooperation. This not only facilitates smoother negotiations but also paves the way for future collaborations.

3. Strategic Thinking: The Chessboard Mindset

Finally, strategic thinking is about anticipating potential challenges and preparing meticulously. It’s like playing chess — each move should be calculated, considering several steps ahead. This means being proactive rather than reactive, identifying potential objections before they arise, and having contingency plans in place.

Successful negotiators and mediators think several steps ahead. They anticipate the needs and responses of the other party and prepare accordingly. This strategic foresight allows them to steer conversations in their favor, address issues before they escalate, and achieve their desired outcomes more efficiently.

Why These Skills Matter

These three skills — communication, relationship-building, and strategic thinking — are the pillars of successful negotiation and mediation. Mastering them transforms you from a good negotiator to a great one. It’s not about working harder; it’s about working smarter. By focusing on these core areas, you can achieve better outcomes, build stronger relationships, and navigate complex negotiations with ease.

Good negotiators and mediators understand that success is not just about winning arguments; it’s about creating value, fostering trust, and thinking strategically. By mastering these three essential skills, you can unlock the full potential of your negotiation and mediation abilities, achieving results that once seemed out of reach.

So, are you ready to elevate your negotiation and mediation game? Start by focusing on these three skills, and watch as your outcomes improve, your relationships strengthen, and your confidence soars.

Mitch Jackson, Esq.

Lawyer, private mediator and author of “The Mediator’s Handbook: Turning Conflict into Collaboration” and “From Courtroom to Boardroom: A Trial Lawyer’s Guide to Winning Negotiations!”

America stands at a crossroads, grappling with an array of interconnected crises that threaten the very fabric of our society. From the erosion of educational standards to the proliferation of misinformation, from the lack of accountability in the halls of power to the rolling back of reproductive rights, from the corrosive influence of money in politics to the epidemic of gun violence, from the rise of authoritarianism abroad to the disregard for science at home, from persistent racial injustice to the looming climate catastrophe — these challenges demand bold action and moral clarity.

Paramount among these is the denigration of education. When prominent figures on social media proclaim that “school doesn’t matter,” they couldn’t be more wrong. Education is not mere fact memorization; it is the crucible in which young minds learn to reason, question, and analyze, developing the critical thinking skills essential for informed citizenship and professional success in an increasingly complex world.

Moreover, the classroom serves as a vital training ground for social interaction, teaching students how to collaborate, communicate, and coexist with others from diverse backgrounds — skills that will prove indispensable in their personal and professional lives.

Take the recent push to ban critical race theory from classrooms — a thinly veiled attempt to whitewash history and stifle important discussions about ongoing inequities. We must resist such efforts and instead invest in universal pre-K, boost teacher pay, and expand access to affordable higher education.

The pursuit of truth in media and politics has become increasingly fraught, as epitomized by the spread of baseless election fraud claims that culminated in the January 6th Capitol riot. To combat misinformation, we need stronger regulations around political advertising, more robust fact-checking by social media platforms, and greater investments in media literacy education.

Accountability remains elusive for the privileged and powerful, as demonstrated by the sweetheart plea deal originally offered to Jeffrey Epstein and the wave of presidential pardons for political allies. Preventing such perversions of justice requires strengthening independent oversight, closing loopholes around white-collar crime, and reforming the campaign finance system to mitigate conflicts of interest.

The overturning of Roe v. Wade constitutes a grievous breach of individual liberty, as the whims of state legislators now dictate the most intimate reproductive choices a woman can make about her own body. The Women’s Health Protection Act, which would codify abortion rights into federal law, must be an urgent priority.

At the same time, the stranglehold of gun lobbies has blocked even modest firearm safety measures, as our children continue to endure lockdown drills and all-too-frequent mass shootings. Enacting universal background checks, banning assault weapons, and funding community-based violence intervention programs are essential first steps.

On the world stage, despots like Vladimir Putin sow chaos and bloodshed with impunity, as evidenced by Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine. Upholding the international rules-based order requires bolstering NATO, leveling tougher sanctions against human rights abusers, and providing robust support for democracies under siege.

Here at home, the COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the life-and-death consequences of neglecting public health and scientific expertise. Rampant vaccine misinformation and the politicization of basic mitigation measures deepened our losses. Investing in pandemic preparedness, rebuilding trust in institutions, and expanding access to quality, affordable healthcare must be top priorities.

Racial disparities in policing, prosecution, and incarceration remain stark, from the murder of George Floyd to the glaring inequities in marijuana arrest rates. Tackling systemic racism head-on requires ending qualified immunity, decriminalizing low-level drug possession, and increasing police budgets while providing more funds to education and social services.

The existential threat of climate change looms larger by the day, as record heat waves, wildfires, and hurricanes batter our communities. Denialism and fossil fuel interests have impeded progress for far too long. We need a sweeping Green New Deal to transition to clean energy, build resilient infrastructure, and create millions of good-paying jobs.

None of these solutions will come easily. Enacting meaningful change will require sustaining the passion of protest movements, challenging vested interests, building diverse grassroots coalitions, and electing courageous leaders at all levels of government who are willing to put country over party.

The road ahead is long and arduous. But as Americans, we have risen time and again to confront the great challenges of our era — from abolishing slavery to defeating fascism to securing civil rights. By recommitting ourselves to the ideals of education, truth, accountability, freedom, integrity, safety, diplomacy, health, equality, and sustainability, we can begin to reverse the dumbing down of our discourse, restore faith in our democratic institutions, and build a more just and vibrant society for all. The moment of reckoning is here. Let us seize it, together, while we still can.

-Mitch Jackson

There’s a lot going on. My “AI, Web3 and Metaverse” newsletter offers weekly cutting-edge AI, web3 and metaverse business/legal strategies presented through the eyes of a seasoned lawyer and entrepreneur with 30+ years of experience.

Enjoy!

Mitch Jackson

In the high-stakes game of web3 business, you’re either in the know, or you’re out in the cold.

Investing in faceless entities?

Not on my watch.

“Here’s the deal: those web3 avatars and cryptic handles?

They’re a gamble, not a strategy. Some might call it the new norm; I call it a rookie mistake.”

It’s about more than just a name. It’s about certainty, trust, and reputation. Here are the top five reasons to play it smart and vet your web3 partners:

#1- Fraud Prevention: Confirm who you’re dealing with to sidestep scams.

#2- Legal Compliance: Stay on the right side of the law.

#3- Risk Control: Keep shady characters at arm’s length.

#4- Financial Protection: Safeguard your investments from unreliable partnerships.

#5- Reputation: Your name is your brand. Don’t let it get dragged through the mud.

I won’t make a move in web3 without thorough background checks. It’s high time the rest of the web3 world caught up.

Investing in anonymity?

Not in a million years.

Remember the Jared from Subway fiasco? Exactly. That’s what happens when you skip the homework.

I’m here for legitimate deals, not back-alley gambles.

Case in point: a multimillion-dollar investment I helped an investment group with hinged on the answer to one simple question concerning the two potential investment seeking candidates — “Who are we really investing in and dealing with?”

Guess who won?

The team with transparency, not the faceless PFP avatar driven project holding Spaces on X claiming “generational wealth” and dropping the f-bomb every 60 seconds.

I’m a big fan of web3 technology. I believe the blockchain, smart contracts, NFTs, Ordinals, DeFi, DAOs and digital currency are already changing the world. Add AI and the metaverse into the mix and I believe we’re going to see more positive changes in the next 5–10 years than we’ve seen in the last 200.

Having said that, what’s going on right now in many of the web3 projects is ridiculous.

Bottom line: In web3, do your due diligence or prepare for a downfall. Know who you’re dealing with, or you’re setting yourself up for fraud, legal nightmares, and a tarnished reputation.

What are your thoughts? What are your safety tips?

When all is said and done, play it smart and safe.

Mitch Jackson, Esq. | Lawyer and Private Mediator

Join us! If you enjoy learning about new AI, web3 and metaverse content, shared through the eyes of a seasoned lawyer and entrepreneur, then make sure to get weekly AI, Web3 and Metaverse updates, with a legal/business twist, via my free newsletter on LinkeIn.

Heads up, law professionals — if AI isn’t in your playbook yet, you’re playing catch-up. Tune in to my insightful chat with Tanner Jones on the LAWsome Podcast by Consultwebs. This isn’t just another talk, it’s a must-hear. Witness it firsthand, and see the difference.

Mitch Jackson, Esq.
Lawyer and Private Mediator

I just created the AI Negotiator. It’s a FREE GPT-powered chatbot, leveraging my best approaches developed over 30+ years of negotiating multi-million dollar cases in high stress environments. It’s trained on all of my best tips, approaches and advice along with the full content of my two books, “From Courtroom to Boardroom: A Trial Lawyer’s Guide to Winning Negotiations” and “The Mediator’s Handbook: Turning Conflict into Collaboration.”

In business, my AI Negotiator will help you:

-Finalize a project deadline.

-Allocate team resources.

-Negotiate better sales and deals.

-Negotiate salary terms.

-Discuss partnership agreements.

In your personal life you can use it for:

-Splitting a dinner bill.

-Choosing a movie to watch.

-Allocating household chores.

-Setting a meeting time.

-Deciding on a vacation spot.

Everyone can now use this new AI tool to quickly guide them through resolving small and large business deals to everyday personal decisions. Again, the FREE AI GPT negotiation chatbot link is https://mitchjackson.com/ai-negotiation

Enjoy and much success!

Mitch Jackson, Esq. | Mitch Jackson Mediation

They know how to leverage both when building rapport and connecting with others.

Perception is crucial because it’s how you gather information about another person. You need to accurately perceive their body language, tone of voice, and other non-verbal cues. If your perception is off, you might misunderstand their intentions or feelings.

Perspective, however, is key to empathy and relating to others. By considering someone else’s perspective, you can understand where they’re coming from, which can help you connect on a deeper level. Recognizing that someone else may see things differently from you is essential for building rapport.

In the context of building rapport, perspective might be considered slightly more important because it involves actively trying to see and feel things from another person’s point of view, which is fundamental to establishing a connection and trust. However, without accurate perception as a foundation, you might misinterpret their perspective.

So, while perspective might have the edge in importance, it works hand in hand with perception in the process of building relationships.

Both are powerful.

Understanding the difference can change everything.

Mitch