Author: curiousmike

Scott Perry at creativeonpurpose.com once told me that, at some point, I had to speak my message “out loud and in public.” In part, that statement planted the seed in my mind for this website. I understand this statement to mean that thoughts we have in our heads are little good to anyone until they […]

As a musician, I’m mostly a solo artist. I like it that way because I get to be in full control. I conceive of the songs, I write them, and I perform them. It’s one of the few parts of my world in which I focus on “my own voice” — literally and metaphorically. I […]

I have not yet done the homework to learn how to launch an official podcast. But I did just finish a first draft of my first episode. This is a conversation with two friends of mine, both of whom I know from practicing Aikido. We got together over beer to discuss how to have better […]

I use an app called “Ten Percent Happier” to help me with guided meditations, and learning about meditation in general. I’ve had a regular meditation practice for years, and this app is part of the reason it sticks.   One of the guided meditations that I came across is by a guy named Jeff Warren […]

I’ve often fantasized about being a cartoonist. I’ve tried from time to time to learn to draw cartoons. I have a couple that I draw occasionally, but I’ve never taken the time to work at the craft. Maybe this will be an inspiration. I do believe that there’s wisdom in cartoon strips. It’s a form […]

A friend of mine recently turned me on to a site called “Free Press.” I guess it used to be called “Common Sense.” I put those things in bigtime “air quotes” because I’m immediately suspicious. Part of my suspicion, I have to admit, is because the friend that sent me the link is very conservative, […]

I’m posting today about one of the more interesting people I’ve barely met in my life — Abe Partridge. I met him as he rolled through Roanoke, Virginia on his way to or from somewhere — touring, as he does. He played a wonderful concert of his original music to a small but incredibly appreciative […]

I’m still reading Monica Guzman’s “I Never Though Of It That Way.” Just wanted to post a note about a new idea — for me. Guzman makes a distinction between asking yourself two questions which usually signal whether you’re open to a new idea. Question 1: “Can I believe this?” Question 2: “Do I have […]

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how to have better conversations, mainly spurred on by a book I’m reading: “I Never Thought Of It That Way,” by Monica Guzman. Here’s an off-the-top-of-my-head collection of “Truths” I think I’ve collected in the past few months. As always, subject to change… Here’s a Braver Angels podcast […]

I posted the following piece (minus a few edits) on Facebook in 2012. Facebook reminded me of it today. It seems I was ahead of my time 10 years ago — or at least foreshadowing this web site. . . . There are lots of things about Affordable Care to dislike — among them, the […]