Essays
Weaving Webs & Breaking Chains
I’m in the midst of a weeks-long dance with intruders. On a daily basis, spiders parachute down to my penthouse balcony and weave their intricate webs along the railing. Unwilling to kill them, I greet them every morning, destroy their delicate homes and pray that today will be different – that...
Change and the Search for Community: The Letdown Lean In Revisited
Newsflash: "Change Sucks," says the founder of 'Strategies for Change' As a psychologist, business coach, and assistant professor, all of my work is focused on strategic change. I live, breathe, and sleep it. But I have a confession to make… I hate change. Seriously, it is the worst. And, yeah, I...
You Win or You Learn: Why Failure is the F-Word to Scratch
I wish I could abolish the F-word – ‘failure,’ that is. It’s the most vulgar word in our vocabulary – a term with the power to dampen down our creativity, our passion, and our soul. Fear of failure prevents us from fully embracing life. Perhaps you recognize this infinite loop: you take a...
The Letdown Lean In: Coping with the Psychological Smackdown After Life’s Big Events
It was a typical day in The Valley – sunny, pleasantly warm, the scent of spring hibiscus in the air, and the vibrations of performance anxiety wafting from my pores. This was the biggest moment of my career – the moment I’d been planning for, preparing for, praying for. Everything that mattered...
In Defense of TV: The Most Maligned Art Form Hits Its Stride
In 2017, a billboard mysteriously popped up across Manhattan and Los Angeles. The black text on the stark white background said nothing but, “NETFLIX IS A JOKE,” and ignited vociferous speculation. Weeks later, Netflix came clean: the billboards were a publicity stunt – a teaser for a wave of...
Longing for a Post-Pandemic Nomadic Life? Embracing Change Starts with Your Why
I am alone on my birthday, staring up at the astronomical masterpiece of my own private ‘dark sky park’ in the middle of Australia. The town isn’t memorable – in fact, I’m certain it only consists of a post office and two or three houses. There isn’t a soul for miles. I am alone. Lonely, but...