01Story
I’m Joshua. I live in New York and build products for a living. Outside work, I’m usually planning a trip, watching a race, or trying out a new gadget.
I’m VP of Product at Fruition, where I lead product and design. We bring financial education, practical tools, and human guidance together to help people understand their money and decide what to do next. My focus is making that experience useful and approachable, whether someone is getting a handle on spending, paying down debt, or planning for retirement.
I’m also the founder of Forty4 Consulting, my product and design consultancy. I help companies figure out what to build, turn ideas into products, and improve the experiences they already offer. That work spans product strategy, design, and helping teams move from a promising idea to something people can actually use.
Here, I write about what I’m building, where I’m going, and the things I’d recommend to a friend—with the occasional rant about something I care a little too much about.
Travel is the big one. I enjoy planning a trip almost as much as taking it: finding the right flights, choosing a hotel, and deciding which meals deserve a spot on the itinerary. I’ve visited 21 countries, and Flighty puts me at roughly 263,000 miles flown. I suspect it’s missing a few.
I usually fly out of LaGuardia, despite living closer to White Plains. Delta gets most of my flights, but Emirates is my favorite airline by a mile. The journey is part of the appeal for me—the aircraft, the cabin, the lounge, and the details that make a flight memorable.
Japan is the place I keep coming back to. The food alone would justify the trip, but the hospitality and attention to detail make it special. Omakase at Sushi Korin in Tokyo remains one of my favorite experiences anywhere. I loved that first trip enough to book another for the following year.
Points and miles are a hobby in their own right. I enjoy figuring out which card to use, where to transfer points, and how to turn everyday spending into an extraordinary trip. My best redemption so far: Emirates First Class on the A380, booked with points and under $500 out of pocket. That keeps me looking for the next one. I’m also Marriott Lifetime Platinum, which says something about how many nights I’ve spent away from my own bed.
Weekends tend to follow the sports calendar. I’m a McLaren fan and a Lando Norris supporter, but I was at Monza when Max Verstappen made history with his record-breaking tenth consecutive Grand Prix win. He isn’t my driver, but witnessing that in person was special. Come fall, Saturdays belong to Penn State football. I grew up around it and have spent plenty of game days in the stands.
Then there are the gadgets and tools. New iOS apps, e-ink tablets, old Game Boys, a 3DS, or a well-made hand tool for a project around the house. I appreciate thoughtful design whether something has a screen, a battery, or neither. I enjoy researching the details, putting things to use, and sharing what lives up to its promise. I also own far more chargers than anyone needs. I’ve made peace with that.