Archive for July 2018
Trump vs. Me
I received some good news today. Back in July of 2017, I was blocked by Donald Trump on Twitter after tweeting at him: While there are ways to get around a block and see Trump’s Twitter feed, the block prevents me from ever commenting on any of his tweets or tweeting directly at him. I…
Read MoreA small but glorious victory thanks to Charlie and Elysha
I’m on the beach with Charlie, watching him play in the sand when a man about my age approaches. My thought is always the same: “Damn. He knows me, but I have no idea who he is. I hate this.” It happens all the time. But no. Instead, he reaches down and plucks one of…
Read MoreSpeak Up Storytelling #11: Jessica Isom
Episode #11 of Speak Up Storytelling is now ready for your listening pleasure. On this week’s episode, we talk about finding and crafting stories in your everyday life using my strategy “Homework for Life.” I describe how to turn a seemingly benign moment from my week into a compelling story and discuss how Homework for Life…
Read MoreWindows down. Music up.
Driving home alone after performing in Maine last week, I decided to spend the last hour of my four-hour drive with the windows down and the music up. Music blasted. Springsteen. Tom Petty. Tesla. The Ramones. Guns N’ Roses. The Stones. The wind roared through the car. It was fantastic. As I roared down the…
Read More“What the Heck?” – Episode 1 (Seeds and boys in dresses)
I’ve launched a third podcast called “What the Heck?” It’s an occasional conversation with my kids, Clara and Charlie. “What the heck?” is a favorite expression of Charlie. Honestly, I’m doing it just to record the kids’ voices for posterity, and because they love podcasts and wanted one for themselves. They want to be stars, and…
Read MoreDevil lady
I stopped at McDonald’s while I was in Michigan to get myself breakfast each morning before heading off to record the audio version of Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life Through the Power of Storytelling. It turns out that my standard McDonald’s breakfast in Michigan amounts to $6.66. The woman who took my…
Read MoreCrazy man in the airport
On the way to Michigan, my plane encountered a mechanical problem. After sitting on the runway for more than an hour, the pilot asked us to disembark while they attempted to find us another plane. An hour later, another aircraft was located, and we were assigned a new gate. This gate was designed for a…
Read MoreLemonade advertising was never so legal (or clever) before
There are days when I wish I worked in advertising. I’m sure the industry isn’t as fun, creative, or permissive as I would like to think, but I think I could produce ideas for some unique, amusing, and memorable campaigns. Campaigns like this one from Country Time lemonade. It’s brilliant. So brilliant.
Read MoreNever Have I Ever: 12 things is now 14 things, partially because I’m a jerk
Three years ago I made a list of 12 things that most people have at least tried in some what that I have never done. My “Never Have I Ever” list. I revisited the list today to see how much is still true, and it turns out that all 12 are still true today, and…
Read MoreGet a cat
Earlier this week, I heard a clattering of bowls in the kitchen. When Charlie and I went to investigate, we found Pluto sitting atop the refrigerator, and if you look closely at the first two photos, you’ll see the eye of Tobi peeking out from inside the cabinet. He can find his way into almost…
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