Archive for April 2020

Have you heard the news? Just ahead of its 100th anniversary, Land O’Lakes has retired Mia, the indigenous woman who once featured prominently in its iconic logo, from all packaging. Mia. Who knew she had a name? In place of Mia, the Land O’Lakes products will now display a serene portrait of a tree-fringed lake…

I was standing in line outside of Trader Joe’s yesterday morning, waiting to enter. This is not grocery store that I frequent, nor do I even approve of the existence of this particular establishment. It’s a bizarre and foreign land filled with some of the grocery items that I might need but not all of…

My conversation with Paul and Jennifer Henczel on their podcast and YouTube show, “The Inspiring Show.” A great conversation thanks to two wonderful people!

On episode #95 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks talk storytelling! In our follow up segment, we discuss recent and future virtual shows, brand new Patreon content, and more. We also share listener insight on virtual meetings and performances. In our Homework for Life segment, I talk about turning a crazy…

I was watching Saturday Night Live’s At Home edition on the SNL website, and between Brad Pitt’s cold open and the first skit, this Pantene commercial came on. It featured their new Nutrient Blends collection. A female voiceover invited the viewer to “Explore new worlds” which struck me as slightly lofty and disconnected. New worlds?…

WeCroak, the app that reminds me five times a day that I’m going to die (which is far less necessary these days but still incredibly valuable), accompanies its grim reminders with a quote that is meant to be inspirational, insightful, or thought provoking. They occasionally are. The app was inspired by the Bhutanese folk saying:…

In case you don’t have any experience with role playing games, you may have not noticed this: Trump is treating the pandemic like a game of Dungeons & Dragons. It’s been a long, long time since I’ve played Dungeons & Dragons, but I remember idiot players like Trump well. Dungeon Master: A translucent, jelly-like blob…

One of the worst aspects of this pandemic is the limited ability to help others. When you are forced to shelter in place and maintain social distancing, it becomes impossible to visit loved ones in the hospital or offer your time in service of others. Elysha and I have been trying to do our part.…

This video, produced way back in 2013, seems to have been made specifically for this moment in history. Filmmaker Bianca Giaever went in to her meeting with six-year-old Asa expecting to get a story. Instead, she left with an invaluable life lesson. A lesson we all need to hear, especially at this moment. And a…

During yesterday’s bike ride, I found myself pedaling around Anna Reynold’s School in Newington and was suddenly reminded about how this school changed my life. Back in 1998, I was a student at St. Joseph’s College, preparing for student teaching. The person responsible for assigning students to schools and cooperating teachers was a woman named…