In the early days of cinema, "Coming Soon" signs were typically basic. Movie theaters, often converted storefronts, used painted wooden boards or simple electric lights to announce upcoming films. These signs were primarily functional, providing information to passersby about showtimes and titles.
Source: iStock.com/mesh cube
However, with the rise of automobile traffic, theater owners needed to grab attention more effectively. As the film industry progressed, so did the sophistication of "Coming Soon" marquees. The period between World War II and the 1960s saw the emergence of what are considered traditional marquee signs. Today, many historic theaters have preserved and restored their original marquees as symbols of cultural heritage, blending nostalgia with modern functionality.
Today, we have our own coming soon announcement to share with you!
Coming Soon:PopEnomics: 12 Relatable (And Not Boring) Pop Culture Insights for Retirement Success
Source: Jesse’s iPhone
After more than a year and a half of writing and editing, with a super large assist from my amazing wife Rachel, I am thrilled to share that I have finished my first book, PopEnomics: 12 Relatable (And Not Boring) Pop Culture Insights for Retirement Success, and I am excited to share the news with all of you!
What is PopEnomics? It is a unique lens through which to view the economic and investment world. You may be surprised to find that many financial topics and lessons have parallels to themes and concepts found in television shows, movies, and popular music. As a fan of all three, I use these unique illustrations to create a narrative that allows me to share complex topics in a much more fun and engaging way. This is what I call PopEnomics!
PopEnomics is Your Backstage Pass to a Confident Retirement—No Spreadsheets Required
Whether you’re in your 50s and wondering if you’re behind, or you’re just starting to think about your future, retirement planning can feel intimidating, overwhelming, and even a little boring.
My goal is to pull back the curtain on retirement planning with a refreshing twist: pop culture. From classic rock songs to unforgettable film scenes, I breaks down complex financial concepts into entertaining, relatable stories that actually make sense—and might even make you laugh or sing along.
You’ll learn how to:
- Discover where you stand financially and why it’s never too late (or too early) to start planning.
- Use every day pop culture moments as keys to financial literacy.
- Shift from saver to spender without guilt or fear.
- Tune out the negative news cycle and invest with a clear head.
- Understand what a great financial advisor actually does—and how they can help you.
Your financial goals deserve more than confusion. They deserve clarity, confidence…and maybe a little karaoke. Grab your copy today and press play on your financial future. The book is going to launch on September 4th. You can currently pre-order your Kindle copy through Amazon.com. The paperback and hard copies will be available starting on launch day.
We have started doing pre-launch promotion of PopEnomics. This has included photo sessions, video shoots, and appearing on podcasts. If you belong to organizations that are looking for speakers, either in person or virtual, and you think my book might fit the bill, please keep me in mind. I am always happy to share anecdotes, wit, and wisdom from the book with others. We will be launching a book website and new social media pages, which we will share with you soon when they go "live".
Source: Jesse’s iPhone
As I was thinking through pop culture references about the grind of writing and editing, Jack Nicholson's character, Jack Torrance, from The Shining, came to mind. In reflecting on the exhilaration that can come from a new book showing up on your doorstep, I thought about Steve Martin's character, Navin R. Johnson, being excited about the new phone book, which actually had his name in it, being delivered. He was sure “things were going to start happening to him now!” Since one character was a psychopath and one was a dullard, Rachel encouraged me not to use these examples in announcing the PopEnomics book. However, it sounded funny, and I couldn't resist.
Thank you for allowing me to share this announcement with you. This book has been a true labor of love — filled with pop culture, perspective, and plenty of personality. I told Rachel and the team at Impel Wealth Management, the last thing the world needs is another dry, boring, numbers-based retirement planning book.
Forget stuffy charts and confusing financial lingo. With wit, humor, and a playlist-worthy mix of pop culture references, PopEnomicsmakes financial planning not just approachable but fun for everyone as we continue “Moving Life Forward!”
© 2025 Jesse Hurst
Senior Wealth Manager