It’s Time To Blackmail Yourself

It’s Time To Blackmail Yourself

Over the last three years, I’ve worked tirelessly to improve my city (Fargo, North Dakota), to shift its global image and create something special for my community of friends. We’ve had a tremendous amount of success, with glowing local and national attention, plenty of nights with the fondest of memories to fill a scrapbook, and […]

Will you please share the gift of kindness this Christmas?

Will you please share the gift of kindness this Christmas?

Almost two years ago I created a social movement called Suspended Coffees. A suspended coffee is the advance purchase of a cup of coffee, for someone who needs it, no matter why. The entire movement is based on kindness, generosity, compassion, and hope. During this time, I’ve devoted myself full time, to working on and […]

The Human Cost of Currency Collapse

The Human Cost of Currency Collapse

In my experience, very few people have even contemplated – let alone planned for – a scenario in which their currency slumps and the public lose confidence. Although such events are rare, they do happen; usually after a prolonged attempt to fix an already-failed financial system. If that sounds familiar, it should set off alarm […]

A Moment of Zen Could Be The Answer

A Moment of Zen Could Be The Answer

I’ve just had my first Zen moment in Japan. For a while now, I’ve been wrestling with what to do next with my life. Something we all face, at some stage. I’m staying on the sacred island of Shikoku – hot springs and 88 main temples, plus 20 minor temples, to make up the magical […]

What if it was easy?

What if it was easy?

Last night as I trekked through the Denver International Airport with a stroller, two kiddos, enormous suitcases, car seats and a heavy, HEAVY backpack, my never-ending inquiry, “what if it was easy?” mocked me from my head. I would have traveled light. I just would have done it. I would have assessed our time away, […]

The Original Assumption

The Original Assumption

Last week I was the most exhausted I have been for quite a time. I was so tired that I could not finish my blog post on The Kindness Virus. I have to confess that the second half (or better half) of the post was actually written by my wonderful wife, Valerie. This was the […]

The Kindness Virus

The Kindness Virus

Last week, I received a masterclass from one of the most remarkable human beings I have ever had the pleasure to spend time with. That man was John Sweeney,, the Founder of Suspended Coffees: a fast-growing worldwide movement that has positively impacted hundreds of thousands of lives with random acts of kindness. A suspended coffee […]

A Journey Into The Unknown

A Journey Into The Unknown

On the 3rd of August 1492, Christopher Columbus set sail with 3 ships to discover a Western trade route to the East. Interestingly, his journey was the result of a miscalculation that the world was smaller than it actually was. If not for the existence of the New World, they would certainly have all perished. […]

The Elephant In The Room

The Elephant In The Room

Where I live, in any given year 1 in 4 people suffer from a diagnosable mental health problem. 1 in 4! Most disturbing is the stigma attached to the problem, making it a taboo subject. And as a result of this societal silence, the problem is getting bigger. I like to flip this, to consider […]

Escape!

Escape!

I have an unusual hobby that brings me a lot of joy. It is provocative – as is my way. For the last decade or so, I have spent much of my time freeing people from the tyranny of employment. Every time I help someone escape their employment restricted life, I mentally chalk up another […]