Archive for March 2020

Let us remember that in this time of the pandemic, when our leaders in Washington failing to take the actions necessary to keep us safe, it’s the grocery store employees, pharmacists, gas station attendants, mail carriers, first responders, delivery drivers, and anyone working in a hospital or medical staff are honest-to-goodness heroes right now. Anyone…

I’d like to suggest that we all be as gentle as possible with each other in this unprecedented time. I’m thinking specifically about the paradox of preparation: Outstanding preparation and precaution often yield outstanding outcomes, but these outstanding outcomes often cause the preparation to seem unnecessary, silly, or an overreaction. Japanese officials were characterized in…

Two weeks ago, before our country came to a standstill and life changed so profoundly for so many of us, I was stepping toward the counter at a 7-11 with a Diet Coke in my hand. A man was already standing at the counter, but off to the side. Not exactly in line. You know…

On episode #90 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks talk storytelling! In our follow up segment, we discuss the importance of storytelling and self-care in the time of this pandemic. We also read some listeners’ emails and discuss events and workshops moving forward. STORYTELLING SHOWS 2020 April 18: Storytelling workshop (beginner),…

I was the guest on a radio show in DC yesterday with Bram Weinstein, talking about Tom Brady’s terrible, tragic, no-good, very bad exit from the New England Patriots (a topic for another day) and the challenges of distance learning during the pandemic. I know that many parents have been struggling to teach their kids…

Today is my mother’s birthday. She would’ve been 70 years old had she not passed away back in 2007. When my mother died, she was just 57 years old. Far too young. Every year since then has felt like another tragedy for me. Every year still felt far too young. Even 70 feels far too…

If you follow me in any way, you probably know about Homework for Life. Maybe you’re even doing it already. If so, congratulations. You are among the thousands of people around the world who are doing Homework for Life and changing their lives in the process. Just yesterday, I heard from folks in Oregon, Toronto,…

A client is preparing for a talk at an upcoming conference in May (which is in serious jeopardy thanks to the current pandemic) and asked me what I thought about using slides as a part of his presentation. My answer was simple: “As few as possible. Zero is a great number. Only when absolutely necessary.”…

Yesterday was my last day of teaching for at least two weeks. Schools have shuttered in my school district in an effort to flatten the curve of this global pandemic, and so I find myself at home for the foreseeable future. In addition to teaching, all of my speaking engagements, workshops, and storytelling performances in…

A few pertinent facts about the Trump administration’s response to the coronavirus pandemic: The administration is proceeding with its proposed cutting of Health and Human Services funding by $9.5 billion, including a 15 percent cut of $1.2 billion to the CDC and a $35 million cut to the Infectious Diseases Rapid Response Reserve Fund’s annual…