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GETTING N8N RUNNING LOCALLY WITH SSL: THE PORT 443 DILEMMA AND HOW I SOLVED IT

Homelab July 13, 2025

Setting up n8n to run locally with SSL sounds like it should be straightforward. After all, it's just a matter of pointing to some certificate files and changing a port, right? Well, what I thought would be a quick 10-minute task turned into an hours-long debugging session that taught me some valuable lessons about n8n's configuration quirks. I needed this setup specifically for Telegram bot webhooks, which have strict requirements: HTTPS only, and the webhook URL must use one of Telegram's supported ports: 80, 88, 443, or 8443. N8n's default port 5678 simply won't work for Telegram webhooks, making this SSL configuration a necessity, not just a nice-to-have. The challenge was further complicated by running this in my homelab with a dynamic IP from my ISP, requiring me to use a subdomain from my hosting provider to make the service accessible from the internet. In this post, I'll walk you through my experience, the mistakes I made, and the eventual solution that got everything working smoothly using proper HTTPS that satisfies Telegram's webhook requirements in a homelab environment.

BOOK REVIEW: THE MOTIVE: WHY SO MANY LEADERS ABDICATE THEIR MOST IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITIES BY PATRICK LENCIONI

Book Review July 10, 2025

"The Motive" by Patrick Lencioni argues that many leaders fail because they view leadership as a reward rather than a responsibility. The book contrasts two types of leaders: those who are responsibility-centered, willing to do the hard, often uncomfortable work of managing people, holding others accountable, and providing claritty, and those who are reward-centered, who avoid these tasks and focus on status or perks. Through a fictional story about a struggling CEO named Shea, Lencioni shows that real leadership requires humility, courage, and the commitment to serve others, not just enjoy the benefits of the title.

BOOK REVIEW: TWELVE PILLARS BY JIM ROHN

Book Review July 8, 2025

Twelve Pillars by Jim Rohn is a hidden gem that delivers powerful life lessons through a simple yet profound story. I really liked how the book blends storytelling with practical wisdom, making each of the twelve pillars easy to understand and apply. It reminded me that success isn't just about ambition or hard work, it’s about character, discipline, relationships, and continual growth. Every chapter felt like a conversation with a wise mentor, and by the end, I felt genuinely inspired to reflect and take action in my own life.

BOOK REVIEW: HOW TO WRITE BEST-SELLING FICTION BY JAMES SCOTT BELL

Book Review June 23, 2025

James Scott Bell offers a practical guide to writing fiction that connects with readers and sells. The book covers essential elements like strong story structure, character-driven plots, and emotional stakes — all framed through the “LOCK” system: Lead, Objective, Confrontation, and Knockout. Bell walks writers through planning, writing, and editing a novel with clear examples, actionable checklists, and advice from a commercial fiction perspective. He also dives into the habits of professional writers, the psychology of the reader, and how to make your writing market-ready without losing your unique voice. It's a toolbox for serious fiction writers who want to turn ideas into compelling, publishable novels.

BOOK REVIEW: HOW TO WRITE YOUR FIRST BOOK: TIPS ON HOW TO WRITE FICTION & NON FICTION BOOKS AND BUILD YOUR AUTHOR PLATFORM BY STEFANIE NEWELL

Book Review June 23, 2025

A quick, beginner-friendly guide by Stephanie Newell for anyone stuck on starting their first book. Whether fiction or nonfiction, it gives simple tips to help you focus, write, and think about your author platform. No fluff, just enough to get you moving.