The Daily Valet. - 9/22/22, Thursday

✔️ Have You Heard of This Before?

September 22, 2022

Thursday, September 22nd Edition

Cory Ohlendorf, Editor in Chief of Valet.

Brad Pitt has a winery AND a skin care line. And now I feel like I want those things too.

Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf

Today’s Big Story

Moral Injury Is on the Rise

The condition has some similarities to PTSD, but is more spiritual and less understood

Most of us are familiar with post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, which is triggered by witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event. But it took us a while to go from simply calling it “shell shock,” to recognizing it as a legitimate disorder by the American Psychological Association.

Why? Well, neuroscientists needed time to identify the brain signatures that exhibit the condition. And according to InsideHook, society needed time to shed stigmas around mental health issues—especially those suffered by a group like military veterans.

But while PTSD is now a household name, another similar condition has had trouble finding widespread acceptance and understanding. That would be “moral injury,” which despite being coined 30 years ago, remains unheard of by most of us, right?

Scientific American recently called moral injury an invisible epidemic and define it as “a specific trauma that arises when people face situations that deeply violate their conscience or threaten their core values.” And they say it’s far more devastating than most people realize.

It isn’t just limited to the military. Anyone forced to make decisions in high-stakes situations is susceptible to the guilt, hopelessness and dissociation that are typical of moral injury. The pandemic introduced these situations to a wide range of people and professions, but psychiatrists say it’s particularly high in social workers, educators and lawyers, along with anyone in healthcare .

There still isn’t consensus on what the best treatment methods are for a moral injury and whether the strategies used for treating PTSD are also applicable. Healing is made more complicated by the fact that people suffering from moral injury tend to withdraw and isolate. One therapist told Lifehacker that writing can offer relief for people suffering from moral injury, as that can be a way to get people to open up, even if only to themselves, about what happened, and what the effect was.

↦ Self-Help: Psychology Today has a guide on how to recognize and repair moral injury before you burn out.

Trump Accused of ‘Staggering’ Fraud

New York’s lawsuit against Trump is different from his other legal troubles

A three-and-a-half year investigation into Donald Trump’s business practices leapt into the headlines Wednesday as New York Attorney General Tish James announced a lawsuit accusing Trump of an “astounding” range of fraud in his real estate empire.

James said her office uncovered evidence of federal criminal violations including issuing false statements to financial institutions and bank fraud, and had referred the matter to the southern district of New York and the IRS. The lawsuit states: “The number of grossly inflated asset values is staggering, affecting most if not all of the real estate holdings in any given year.”

According to NBC News, the former president is no stranger to legal scrutiny, but there's something different about this $250 million civil lawsuit: This time, it's as personal for him as it is political. The suit strikes directly at the core of his persona as a billionaire businessman. It also includes his three eldest children (Don Jr., Ivanka and Eric), alleging they broke a variety of state laws as well.

An important distinction: This is a civil suit and not criminal. But Politico reports that legal analysts are already debating the finer points of the suit and whether it will or won't hold muster in court. James only has to prove Trump's conduct was fraudulent by a “preponderance of the evidence,” not beyond a reasonable doubt as would be necessary in a criminal case. Trump would also likely be hurt by pleading the Fifth Amendment—which can be used against him in the civil suit.

↦ Meanwhile: A federal appeals court on Wednesday permitted the Justice Department to resume its use of classified records seized from Mar-a-Lago in its criminal investigation.

Peloton’s New Bike Has No Wheels

The fitness brand debuts a long-awaited (and very expensive) smart rowing machine

After months (and months) of teases, rumors and speculation, Peloton has finally introduced its take on the classic rowing machine. Well, sort of. The all-new Peloton Row is now available for pre-order, with an estimated shipping date of early December. Might we expect a holiday commerical coming soon?

According to Engadget, the company is making its usual noises about a premium piece of hardware (and a 24-inch HD display) that promises better customization than its competition. But as Gear Patrol points out, if there's one thing that can be said about Peloton, its that the brand knows how to make a good-looking piece of equipment.

Like most at-home fitness gear these days, you can stow the sleek rower vertically when not in use. And Peloton has made a big deal about bringing on a raft of new instructors, with a series of pre-recorded classes available on-demand (live classes will start in 2023). Like the Peloton bike, you can swivel the display to work out with free weights or any other class of your choice.

Of course, any Peloton product won't come cheap. Several articles and reviews had questioned if the rower is worth $3,200. And that’s just for the rower itself—it does not include the $44 monthly charge to stream the workout videos.

Brad Pitt Now Has a Grooming Line

Apparently, the products are made with grapes from his vineyard in France

Brad Pitt is on a side hustle roll this week: Just days after debuting his artwork in public for the first time at a museum in Finland, the actor revealed he's also launching a genderless skincare line. It's a project with his partners at Château Miraval, the very winery he and ex-wife Angelina Jolie are currently suing each other over.

Being one of the most handsome leading men in Hollywood has got to be good for business when you're selling beauty products, right? But Pitt doesn't seem all that eager to shill. Apparently you won't be seeing his face promoting the $385 serums (much) because, again, they're genderless—and he doesn't seem all that interested in it.

When Vogue, who got the scoop on the brand's debut asked him about his daily grooming regimen, Pitt baulked, smiling. “I'm not doing that!”Apparently, he was inspired by Gwenyth's Goop empire. So maybe this is just a smart business venture?

It makes sense. Skincare/grooming/beauty has become the go-to move for celebrities it seems. There are dozens of female stars who are pushing product at Sephora, but now the guys are getting into it too. First Pharrell. Now Pitt. And they're joined by Travis Barker, who just joined the fray with his own CBD-infused range as well.

↦ BUY: Le Domaine is available to buy now, and I have to admit, the bottles are pretty cool looking.

In Other News

↦ What Does Putin’s Partial Military Mobilization Mean for Russia and Ukraine?

↦ Ryan Gosling Recorded an Entire Album of Halloween Music, and It’s Actually Great

↦ Daily ‘Breath Training’ Can Work As Well As Medicine to Reduce High Blood Pressure

Other Things We’re Talking About Today

McDonald’s Halloween buckets from the ’90s

Aaron Judge

The lifespan of a pair of Levi’s

Smarter Ways to Supplement

The best gummies, powders and sprays for your needs

Do you take vitamins? Even if you don't, you know you probably should. While it's always a good idea to get the bulk of your nutrients and vitamins from whole foods in your diet, supplements are an easy and effective way to boost your intake.

After all, most of us aren't exactly eating clean, balanced diets every day—so the likelihood we're getting all the nutrition we need from our food is pretty low. Quality supplements can fill in the gaps.

While most supplements come in the form of pills to pop, standard capsules or tablets, these are a bit boring, right? Now innovative brands are offering options that are as inventive as they are effective. So if you'd prefer to spice things up, try a gourmet gummy or smooth powder or even an instantly absorbing spray for a pleasant way to get your daily dose.

↦ Read: The best way to get proper nutrition and boost your health through tasty and innovative supplements.

What We’re Eyeing

If you don't know AYR, ask a lady in your life. After eight years focused on selling classic womenswear, the brand has just expanded into menswear. Designed by J.Crew and Todd Snyder veteran Brice Pattison, the collection includes a solid lineup of wardrobe staples, from straight-leg jeans and a twill bomber, to cargo pants and a fresh take on a denim shirt. The washed cotton denim is light enough to layer but feels substantial enough to wear as a jacket. Swapping the usual chest pocket for a pair of oversized patch pockets gives it a unique look too.

↦ Get It: $175 by AYR