A break.

This is one of those, “I've had a few worried messages about why I'm so quiet” posts. It's likely to be a bit deep, and sound like a cry for help — but I've actually already cried for help so it's really more of an FYI.

I'll try and keep it brief.

At a time when — among other things — Known & Cited has been shortlisted for the SeedLegals Startup Awards (I'm suddenly getting connection requests from loads of fascinating people), and I've just been invited to Paris and possibly London to talk for FCancerWith.AI, I've realised I need to take a bit of a temporary step back.

I've been off chemo for about 2 months, and it's been pretty brutal. In that time, I've:

• Had a month-long period of cluster headaches
• Had a relentless cough, that seemingly won't stop without chemo
• Had a groin strain that stopped me from walking
• Panicked about all the above in relation to cancer

Throw in trying to manage 2 projects on my own and I think I basically burnt myself out, physically and mentally. I've never experienced anything like it before, but I'm not sure I've ever felt any lower.

Oh, and it's 3-month scan results tonight, so everything is once again building up to that.

So — following chats with amazing family, friends and the mental health support at bigmoose (no waiting list) — it's time to take a break. Step back. Work out what's sustainable, with chemo, family, and generally living a life that's enjoyable, inspiring, and NOT dominated by stressing about things that actually don't matter that much.

I'll be back.

All that said, if you've got an amazing opp relating to AI and healthcare / cancer, or GEO, from about September onward, please do bear me in mind.

If it's not amazing, maybe leave me be. Cheers.

— Russ

Anything urgent while I'm away: [email protected]. The original post is on LinkedIn if you'd like to say hello there.

For health reasons I'm taking some time away from client work over the summer.

K&C has always been honest about how it works, so here's the honest version of this too. Any correspondence – email, LinkedIn, the contact form – may take longer to get a reply than usual, and some of it will wait until I'm back at my desk properly.

Existing clients: everything in flight is being wound down cleanly, and I'll be in touch with you directly.

New enquiries: you're still very welcome to get in touch, and I read everything that comes in. I'll respond in September.

Thanks for your patience. The AI engines will keep answering questions all summer; so will the blog archive if you want something to read in the meantime.

– Russ