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​Issue #63 - July 20th, 2026

The authenticity trap

Can authenticity survive once it becomes something we can buy? Explore how tourism, social media, and modern branding reveal the paradox of authenticity—and why the more we chase it, the more elusive it becomes.

​Issue #62 - June 22nd, 2026

When a generation starts speaking in code

Why do teenagers seem to speak a language adults can’t understand? Explore how digital communities, shared symbols, and the universal need to belong are shaping a new generation’s culture. And what happens when the rest of us stop listening.

Issue #61 - ​June 17th, 2026

The invisible contract

Why does missing a workout, postponing a call, or sending a newsletter late bother us so much? Explore the hidden link between personal commitments, identity, and accountability.

Issue #60 - ​June 8th, 2026

When belonging becomes a business model

Why are people increasingly willing to pay for memberships, clubs, and communities? Explore how belonging has become a powerful business model, and what it reveals about our growing need for connection, identity, and recognition.

Issue #59 - June 1st, 2026

Maybe we are more like octopuses than we think

What if humans are less rational than we like to believe? Discover how the remarkable intelligence of octopuses offers a surprising lens on human behavior—and why businesses need to embrace a more fluid, emotional understanding of people.

Issue #58 - May 26th, 2026

The fear of the invisible employee

Why does the idea of the "invisible employee" make organizations so uneasy? Explore how a viral remote work story reveals a deeper tension between trust, visibility, and what it really means to measure contribution.

Issue #57 - May 18th, 2026

The “don’t worry about it” economy

Why do we care so deeply about ethical consumption—and still click "buy"? Explore how brands like SHEIN and Patagonia reflect the emotional contradictions we navigate every day, and why modern consumers no longer expect consistency from themselves.

Issue #56 - May 11th, 2026

Is Apple still for the creative rebels?

Has Apple lost its "Think Different" spirit? Explore how the tech giant's shift into the AI era raises a bigger question about leadership, identity, and what it takes for iconic brands to stay emotionally relevant.

Are we there yet?

Not quite. But we are moving... awkwardly, beautifully, sometimes in circles. A weekly reflection on brands, culture, and growth to help us make more human sense of the road ahead.


​By Riccardo Cristiani PhD

 

Continue the journey

Are We There Yet? is Riccardo Cristiani's weekly newsletter exploring brands, culture, leadership, and the human side of growth.

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Continue the journey

Are We There Yet? is Riccardo Cristiani's weekly newsletter exploring brands, culture, leadership, and the human side of growth.

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