# Chautauquas

Posts

How to Figure Out What You Want in Life

Oct 31, 2026

In Afghanistan, I could see a future making good money in intelligence contracting. Instead, I kept thinking about a turkey sandwich. It took me a while to understand why.

Why Do People Join Groups? And What Do We Give Up When We Do?

Sep 17, 2026

Why do people join groups? Belonging gives us community, identity and purpose—but what happens when being part of the group means giving up independent thought?

How to Set an Intention and Make It Real

Aug 24, 2026

After putting another $10,000 into my struggling business, I set a clear intention: we would create $8,000 in sales that week. By Friday, we had done it.

Raising Disciplined, Independent Kids in a Screen-Filled World

Feb 18, 2026

A reflection on parenting, discipline, trust, and raising independent children in a world filled with screens. Why boundaries and consequences still matter in the digital age.

An Open Letter to My Children About Emotional Boundaries

Feb 14, 2026

A father reflects on emotional boundaries, relationship maturity, and protecting your peace in this open letter to his children about choosing the right life partner.

The Most Important Decision You’ll Ever Make (and It’s Not What You Think)

Nov 25, 2025

The best advice I’ve ever given my kids isn’t about work or money. It’s about love—and the choice that shapes the rest of your life.

Tightly Held Opinions, Loosely Held Wisdom

Nov 24, 2025

What if the wisest thing you could say today was “I don’t know”? This reflection explores the power of open-mindedness, the discipline of thinking, and why tightly held opinions often get in the way of true wisdom.

A Key Life Skill: Reflection as a Practice

Oct 15, 2025

Taking time to pause, think, and learn has shaped how I parent, coach, and lead. Reflection isn’t about judgment—it’s about curiosity, space, and the willingness to ask what could be better next time.

You vs You | The Real Battle Is in Your Mind

Oct 14, 2025

The toughest opponent you’ll ever face doesn’t wear a uniform. It lives in your head.

The Pull of the Dark: A Chautauqua on Keeping the Fire Alive

Oct 5, 2025

There’s a quiet pull in life that draws us inward—a kind of darkness that waits for everyone. This is about learning to tend your own fire, to keep showing up, and to find warmth even in the coldest places.

Creating Space For Fulfillment

Aug 12, 2025

Meditation teaches us to pause before reacting. What if we widened that pause to life itself? In a culture obsessed with busy, creating space might be the most radical path to fulfillment.

The Day I Peed on Myself and Stopped Caring What People Think

Jun 25, 2025

This is the story of how I once pissed myself on a stalled New York City subway train—and why I wouldn’t trade that night for anything. It’s about shame, letting go, and realizing the world doesn’t revolve around you. Thank God.