Archive for March 2019
Speak Up Storytelling: John Smith-Horn
On episode #40 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks talk storytelling. In our followup segment, we announce our first LIVE PODCAST RECORDING! May 18: CT Historical Society. Tickets just $5. All proceeds go to the CT Historical Society. Purchase here: https://chs.org/event/speak-up-podcast-live ALSO, UPCOMING SHOWS: March 16: “Exposed: Lies, Secrets, and Indiscretions Revealed” at…
Read MoreWhen everyone is you, it’s not good.
According to a new poll from The Public Religion Research Institute is an American nonprofit, nonpartisan research and education organization: 62 percent of Americans said they interact with people who didn’t share their race or ethnicity at least once a week, while 21 percent said that happened seldom or never. 21 percent? I understand that…
Read MoreThe “Let’s do it” button
I worry that human beings, adults and children alike, are spending too much time staring at screens and not enough time communicating face-to-face. Rather than engaging in the messiness of human interaction, people simply send text messages. Rather than speaking directly to a colleague who has upset you, a scathing (and oftentimes cowardly) email is…
Read MoreMy daughter’s issues with Title IX. Kind of.
Clara, age 10, is sitting in the backseat of my car, reading a book. She says, “Dad, this book has it all wrong!” “What are you talking about?” I ask. “The girl in this book started playing football on the boy’s team in 1974 because of Title 9.” “You know what Title 9 is?” I…
Read More“Star Wars Always” saves the day
The last Star Wars film really depressed me. I loved the original three films. I watched the first one – my first film ever – while sitting in the aisle with dozens of other children at The Stadium in Woonsocket, RI. I also liked the prequels. I know there were serious issues with those movies,…
Read MoreStanding up in defense of comedy instead of decency
I was standing in the checkout line at Stop & Shop on Sunday, which was a mistake. A snow storm was coming, threatening to dump half a foot of snow on the ground, so the crazy people were out in force, stocking up on food and drink in case of … I have no idea.…
Read MoreTwenty-one Truths About Love: Cover reveal!
It’s here! Not the actual book, which publishes in October, but the cover of my next novel, Twenty-one Truths About Love. This is the first in many baby steps to be taken before the book can finally land on store shelves. What do you think? The book is a bit unusual. Unconventional, you might say.…
Read MoreSpeak Up Storytelling #29: Matthew Dicks
On episode #39 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew Dicks talks storytelling! With report cards and parent-teacher conferences filling Elysha’s week, she takes some time off from the podcast, shifting our format again. I’m going it alone this week. Rather than posting a re-run, we have some exciting new content for you. Hope you…
Read MoreYou might be sick, but count your blessings
Charlie’s tummy was not feeling so good earlier this week. He looked into my eyes and said: “Dad… diarrhea is the worst.” Then he paused for a moment, looked down at his feet, and then returned his gaze to me and added, “Though I have to say, the Black Death is actually worse.” To his…
Read More“Republicans buy sneakers, too” is not a reason to remain silent
Earlier in the week, I wrote a post explaining my bewilderment over anyone who didn’t understand my relentless opposition to Donald Trump. It was well received, read and shared tens of thousands of times online. Of course, not everyone agreed with my position, which I expected. Every time I speak out against the President, there…
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