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Changing minds. Occasionally.

I make a lot of arguments in writing, both on my blog, via social media, in the magazine columns I write, and in the occasional newspaper pieces that I publish. I say a lot. And I admittedly have a lot to say. My intention is always to express myself. Make my positions clear. Argue forcefully…

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Spy magazine’s prank from 30 years ago is more remarkable now than it was then.

The following is a true thing. Also, it seems absolutely impossible. Impossible to me and perhaps to you. When I first read about it, I assumed it was false. A hoax. But no. It’s true. I checked and rechecked. This really happened. Here goes: 30 years ago, Spy magazine sent “refund” checks for $1.11 to…

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Dr. Seuss’s The Grinch is feminist and lovely.

Elysha and I took Charlie to see Dr. Seuss’s The Grinch last weekend. It’s a great film, not unlike the cartoon that we grew up watching on television. And I’ve always thought it was a pretty brilliant story: Christmas is stolen from the Whos, but still they gather and sing on Christmas day, just as…

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Don’t sleep on Die Hard 2

Here’s the thing that everyone misses about Die Hard absolutely being a Christmas movie: So is Die Hard 2. Maybe even more so.

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Speak Up Storytelling: Linda Storms

On episode #26 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks talk storytelling! In our followup segment, we talk about upcoming Speak Up events, respond to listener comments, and offer a shout-out to our fans down under.  Next, we talk about finding and collecting stories in your everyday life using “Homework for Life.” We…

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Trump’s Thanksgiving Day hissy-fit

The Washington Post’s Josh Dawsey summarized Trump’s Thanksgiving Day antics so well that I thought I’d share my favorite couple of paragraphs from the piece. If Trump ever manages to construct a Presidential library when he is finally out of office (unlikely given his inability to construct his stupid wall), I feel like the words…

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I’ll be speaking at the NYC Public Library Main Branch alongside storyteller Erin Barker… join us!

I’ll be appearing at the main branch of the New York City Library on Wednesday, December 26 alongside the great Erin Barker to talk about my book Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life Through the Power of Storytelling. About the event: We are always telling stories. In communicating with family and friends, we are…

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Important notes on the phrase “scantily clad”

Five important notes about the phrase “scantily clad” that are worthy of your attention: 1. “Scantily clad” has been done. It’s been overdone. It’s absolutely, positively finished. Beaten like a dead horse. It’s moved past cliche and into the realm of tragically unoriginal. It’s a phrase that you should never, ever use again. 2. It’s…

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Baptism as a threat

I know this sign is a joke, but it’s a joke based upon a threat. An amusing and innocuous threat, of course, and nothing to be taken seriously, except for this: Isn’t this also what the church does to babies? Churches baptize babies into their religion without first checking to see if the baby believes…

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