I’m Brendan.

I work on software that captivates me. At different points, I’ve been a writer, simulation designer, product leader, researcher, short-lived founder, and startup operator. I’ve always been an album guy.

Right now I’m working on Heyday. I’m the Chief of Staff, with 90% of my time spent building our product. We've built an AI thought partner that turns your convos into notes and your ideas into plans. It’s fun and meaningful.

Most recently before this, I:

• published research on how experts collaborate and learn together with Rob Haisfield and Joel Chan,

• launched Samepage to enable collaboration across tools like Roam and Notion with David Vargas,

• landed grant and seed funding to build ^^^ and an edtech startup,

• and spent a decade building simulations and choose-your-own-adventure authoring tools at Capsim.

I write about design, tools for thought, and tinkering at Shorthand. My last piece explored prototyping through the lens of a pencil recorder I built. I like building my own tools.

On most days, you can find me in Oakland’s Temescal neighborhood (home), Jackson Square in SF (work), or a redwood forest (play). I spent a long time in Chicago before moving west in 2022.

I’m here to find my people, and I like meeting over a beverage or on a walk. If you’re lucky, my wife and locally famous cat will be with me.

If you’re not nearby, find time for a conversation here.

I wrote this in October 2023 – nine days ‘til my birthday. Life is good.

✌️

BREN