Letting Go Of My Peanuts
Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at 07:31PM Friday, April 29 will be my last day at CBS Interactive and CNET.
I joined CNET in January of 2008, six months before the network was acquired by CBS. I moved from San Francisco to New York City for this position with much trepidation. I was alone and inexperienced. Little did I know that this job would afford me invaluable TV experience, as well as lead me to my precious family.
I am proud of the work I have done here and proud of the friends, colleagues, and viewers that I've met. If you are reading this blog, you are probably one of those people and I am grateful for you.
So what is next for me? I am hoping the answer is "A lot!" I have a few irons in the fire but no big announcements as of yet.
So why leave? The simple answer is that it is time. I have been hosting a daily technology news show for over 4 years, if you consider that Loaded is an extension of my previous show, Textra. I love this show but I am ready to challenge myself in new ways. Please allow me to put it allegorically.
I once read a story about how people in India used to catch monkeys. They put peanuts in a jar that was nailed to the floor. When the monkey walked by, it would reach in for the peanuts and be trapped because its hand could not come out of the jar while it was full of peanuts. The monkey did not realize that it would be free if it just let go of the peanuts.
The peanuts are a metaphor for the things in our lives that we cling to. We all hold onto things that entrap us. It could be a job that you are a little too comfortable with, a friend that drains your energy, anger, or resentment. In my case, CNET represents my peanuts and those peanuts are hard to let go of because I am comfortable here. I love it here. I am proud to be a part of this team. Nevertheless, I feel that it is time to see what else my career has to offer and I'll never do that while I cling desperately to these peanuts.
I hope you will continue to follow my career. I will keep you abreast of upcoming projects on this site and on Twitter. Meanwhile, thank you for your continued support and interest. I hope you will stick with me as I let go of my peanuts.
cbs, cbs interactive, cbs news, cnet, cnet tv, loaded, natali del conte, natali morris, peanuts, textra
Reader Comments (153)
Why the exodus of talent at CNET?
It was sad when you left Textra but Loaded was even better. I can't wait to see what you do next. Good luck! And I loved the peanut story. I might be too comfy with my gig as well.
Awww Morris this is one of the many things I love about you, your always willing to take on a new challenge, I remember when you first tweeted that you where leaving SF to move to NYC, and my thoughts then as I read your tweet are the same as my thoughts now as I read your blog post, they are and were, that you are so strong, brave, smart and absolutely gorgeous. An I was so worried about you moving to NYC with their big stupid cold buildings, but I'm so happy you did because you found your new amazing an super precious, precious, family. An I wish you the best of luck with your new adventures, and I will continue to be a Natali Morris fanboy forever, I love you to bits your really amazing yay :)
Hi! I'm a big fan of you. I subscribed to podcast of loaded on itunes after seeing you in some other video of cnet. I'm going to miss you on loaded and no-one at cnet can take your place. All the best for your journey. And will be following your career. May you find your new peanuts sooner. Take care.
Ankush from New Delhi India
I'm in the middle of an exciting change in my life's path, right now, too! So I completely understand - and used your "peanut jar" allegory (attributing it to you, of course) to describe to those close to me the reasoning behind my decision.
I've been a fan for a long time because you've got a head that cranks out stuff worth following; whatever you do, I know you'll excel - and so do you - so you don't need "good lucks" and no one needs to feel remorse because I've not a doubt in my mind that you'll be fabulous and that your audience will always benefit from your talents. So...
Bon voyage! And thanks, again, for the inspiration to not feel bad about letting go of MY OWN peanuts!
Like all the others have mentioned, I will miss your presence on CNET. However, that is tempered by my happiness that you are following your ambitions towards some new challenge. I greatly admire your courage, to twice already, to have left your comfort zone. Wish I had half your strength. Good luck!
Good luck, Natali. First Tom, now you. Who's next? Molly? :) My Geekling, CJ, and I wish you, Baby Mo, and Daddy C well.
Natali, it is really sad to read this, but of course you know what you want and need the best. We will all miss you, the404 will be not as funny as it was with Natalie Thursdays. Loaded will be totally different without you, now we will have to watch Jeff all the time :( Just kidding, he is also quite good!
I hope, that you will find great job, which will make you happy!
Well said, Natali! Looking forward to seeing what you do next!
Never watched you on Loaded. I wasn't interested in stories about alcoholics. But I did enjoy you on buzz out loud BB and the occasional TWIT. Did your decision to leave have anything do to with the CBS culture? I'm sure in the interim spending more time with the baby is a good thing. Will look forward to your next appearance..
loved u r show loaded . never missed a show . good luck ahead . will catch u on twitter .
Thanks Natalie. You just created a whole new perspective for me. With this read, I'm realizing that I too have the same issue.
Thanks and good luck with all that you do.
Good luck with future endeavors. Most wouldn't quit a cushy job, especially in this dismal job market.
Geeks rule!
Good luck with future endeavors. Most wouldn't quit a cushy job, especially in this dismal job market.
Geeks rule!
Wherever you go, I will follow you.
Hi Natali Morris,
It has been truly an honor to be one of your lucky fan who watch you everyday at CNET. Nothing will be the same without you getting us loaded with tech news every morning, but nonetheless life must move on.
I love your story about the peanut. Yes sometimes we are just too comfortable with our own way of doing things that we are afraid to venture out into the wild. Thank you so much for sharing that story with me. It teaches be valuable lesson that only life can bring to us.
So my wishes to you and your family, all the best and I hope to see you in another show!
You should look into moving to TWIT. More flexability would make it easier spending time with your family.
I've always enjoyed your work. Hope that there are bigger things on the horizon. I'm looking forward to seeing your career progress. Keep us posted! :)
Natali (I know you use your married name proudly but you will always be Del Conte to me.... maybe ou can hyphen it? :)
You are the reason I love Loaded, and I wish you only the very best in your new adventure.
Muchas felicidades!!!!!
Sorry to here that you are leaving. I wish you the best of luck in the future. I watched Loaded periodically but always enjoyed your presence on the 404.
Rock On!
I have enjoyed your Loaded show, I think it is one of the best and I will miss you hosting it. I hope you are mostly replaced on Loaded by that dark swarthy guy with the nice body and big arms, that will keep me watching :-)
Sorry to see you leave Natali, but I'm sure you'll be back on screen very shortly. I hope you team up with Cali and Pelpina - and the 3 of you do a show on TWiT - that would be fab!
Good luck for the future.
Natali, I got to know you thru listening to the 404 podcast. As another member of the digital media world (queer podcaster in Phoenix), I know it can be a tough thing to keep going with. I re-launched my own show last year to change things up and it helped a lot. I wish you good luck and it's been fun watching you on CNET. I'm sure your next venture will do quite well! :)
--Joe
I'm so hungry for peanuts now...
Best of luck, Natali! I will miss you on The 404, especially (but, hopefully you can be a guest star every now and again).
Ru in Toronto.
You will be missed...and I love the allegory!!