I spent nearly twenty years as a professional nightclub comedian in New York. Eventually I moved over to become a professional speaker to companies, organizations and their stressed people. My presentation has naturally included standup comedy, because it was baked into my life and speaking. Over time my content has morphed over to more of […]
For the past six years I have teaching strategic communication courses in the online graduate program at Purdue University. The students we have are all seeking to find positions in strategic communication after completing this Masters Degree. And the program has had a great impact and track record. Our graduates are in communication leadership positions […]
Arie Kruglanski from the University of Maryland is a noted social psychologist and researcher on extremism. He studies what motivates people to join terrorist groups like ISIS. Dr. Kruglanski writes about the psychology of binary thinking. His principle is called ‘cognitive closure’ in psychology. It’s defined by the APA as a state where a person […]
This evening I gave a speech to the annual meeting of Indiana Appeal Court Judges. It was a privilege to address them. My sister Barbara is an attorney and brother Stephen is a judge. I have many friends who are attorneys and several who are judges. Most people associate the legal profession with their role […]
In our book Refrigerator Rights Glenn Sparks and I make the case that America’s current social isolation and its lethal consequences are a direct result of two significant social forces: moving and media. Over the decades our regular relocation away from established relationships is an American norm. But the failure to reconnect in our new […]
For the past several years I have been writing a daily journal. The system I use is called ‘Morning Pages’. It’s an appoint my Mac, but you can use any system. Just a word document will do. I have been faithful to my daily entries and believe that this practice has had significant psychological impact […]
In December 1969 every young man in America was riveted to the pending draft lottery that would tell each of us the likelihood of being drafted into the army. Prior to that year virtually every male between eighteen and twenty six was eligible to be called up. But soon events became ominous because, up until […]
So we learn today the predictable and tragic fate of the submersible taking ‘tourists’ to see the Titanic wreckage. For days the country was riveted to the unfolding drama of missing vessel that went down to the ocean floor to ‘view’ the infamous ship. It was an incredible and costly luxury for the five on […]
My next graduate class at Purdue begins next Monday. I will once again be leading the class on Strategic Communication and Health Care. This topic is of special interest to me. I have led this class several times over the past few years. The content is rich and broadly focused on the communication challenges that […]
My posts in the Blog and the Podcast have been ordinary and meh. I realize I have to step it up and find my voice here. Posting with some conviction and passion is the goal. But I have been so distracted by the restart of the site that I have not turned my energy and […]