Failing Up

In this episode we are visited by our new reoccurring guest, Uncle Dave the Baker.

He shares with us his wonderful sugar cookies he made from the King Arthur Cookbook.  We also talk about traditional pies and other cookies.  Next month Uncle Dave will be sharing his home made bread with myself and Jungle Jim!   

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On October 22nd 1962 the youngest person ever elected President of the United States John F. Kennedy informed the American people that the United States will be imposing a quarantine on Soviet naval ships attempting to get to Cuba. This was the result of a discovery of nuclear missile launch sites being built in Cuba supported and by the Soviet Union. The world was on the verge of nuclear war and this young President did not back down.  After negotiations and many close calls the crisis came to a peaceful conclusion.  A year later this President and war hero was as...

I firmly believe that women are natural leaders, its in their DNA.  This is why for hundreds of years there have been attempts to keep them down.  Let's face it the old white man experiment has run its course!  Who do we run to as children for safety, comfort, security and reasoning, our mother, grandmother aunt, guardian. Why is this, because they are able to provide comfort and take time to be thoughtful.  Throughout history woman have made history in the shadows.  We would have not gotten into space with out the women engineers and computer experts.  The time has co...

There is a unique connection between the beautiful season of autumn and a peaceful Sunday afternoon.  Autumn in all its beauty and warmth among the chill marks an end to the cycle of seasons, yet the beginning of many other activities, including, school, holidays, and nature's transitions.  There is  warmth in the chilly air as we wear sweaters and flannel.  Sunday afternoon marks the end of the weekend and yet the beginning of the week.  Just like autumn it is transitional.  For a brief moment there is peace on a Sunday afternoon, a stillness, as we like nature shift gears...

Way back in my high school days I really did not want to be pegged or placed in a group with a title, or activity.  I liked to hang out with a wide array of characters.  I was not, nor wanted to be  one of the cool kids, not a good student, I played sports but did not want to be a "jock".  I liked to break the rules and challenge most of the teachers.  Classes were structured and lessons cookie cutter.  I was bored and a bit of a screwball.  That changed in September of 1975 when ABC premiered a telev...

There is no such thing as "Fake News". There is accurate news, and inaccurate news.  When a person/leader responds to a question with "fake new" is means they are not smart enough or quick enough on their feet to answer the question and explain the premises of their answer.  If the news pertaining to the question is inaccurate point it out with counter accurate information.  I must say I do miss the day the of intelligent sparing with the press.  Calling the reporter derogatory names and saying. "fake news reminds me the spoiled kid who name calls and whin...

So, all the pouting has led to the attempt to change the name of the "Great Lake of Ontario" to the "Lake of America".  Few observations: 1. Does this make it America's Lake even though it is the smallest of the great lakes  2. Seeing if borders only New York State on the U.S side why not name it Lake New York?  3. The lake is split between the United States and Canada, are we naming only half the lake? 4. Does this mean the lyrics to Gordon Lightfoot's song "The Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald" need to be changed?  The name Lake...

I just love Canada, and the Canadian people We could not ask for a better neighbor to our north!!  I have had the opportunity to spend a great deal of time there.  Toronto, Kingston, Montreal, Quebec City and Ottawa all beautiful.  One of my  best friends in the world lives in Toronto.  The Canadians have stood with from D-Day on Juno Beach, where they lost 5000 brave souls in the month long battle of Normandy to, well almost the present day.  With all that is going on, I believe they would still stand with us in need.  They are just some of...

When America stares into the water of the reflecting pool, hoping to see her reflection of the history that has been her life for the past 250 years.  A history made up of  the bravery required to fight for freedom and maintain it.  The courage of her people to bring awareness to injustices instilling change, and the greatest generation who sacrificed all to save freedom. She would see a vision to soar into space, speech, and media that ended wars and made us aware of corruption.  She would see the struggle for equality, and her open her arms welcoming your poor...

In this episode Paul and I catch-up on college, broadcasting way back, and performing. He also shares his future creative plans.  It was a great back to the future. 

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In his 1861 inaugural address, with a country divided Abraham Lincoln provided a famous closing quote that is as applicable now as it was then: ""We are not enemies, but friends...The mystic chords of memory...will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature." 

There will come a time when labels will not matter, but the betterment and care for our neighbors will.  The framework of our democracy will.  Oh, we will still disagree, but we will argue under one united overarching framework.  War...

In this episode my good friend Jamie and I sit down over a cup of coffee and share our thoughts and observations about the world we are navigating.  Of course we have many recommendations, as we look back and ahead in one breath.   

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In this episode I discuss the John Lennon song Imagine.  A true masterpiece, and just as, even more so applicable to our world today as it was in 1971. 

"Imagine all the people livin for today, Imagine all the people livin life in peace. Imagine all the people sharing all the world."

...."the world will live as one."

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In this episode I have conversation with my dear friend, David, Hongo Robertson.  Hongo is a musician, visual artist, wood crafts, and writer.  He is a true renaissance man.  Hongo and I talked about the artistic, process and not being labeled or defined by one activity, but instead continue to push boundaries and become who you are.  We talked about the talented artists who I consider part of a modern renaissance movement, and his journal project where he is interviewing all kinds of creative individuals as he explores the artistic creative process.  To learn more about Hongos' journal you can v...

Ever since I was in elementary school and up to this day, Sunday afternoon caused a kind of melancholy fog over me as I thought about the week ahead.  The month of August has the same affect on me.  As far back as I can remember, The Back to School advertisements came out in early August.  Football practice started  in mid to late August, and college was in session by late August.  Boom! just like that.  I was in the grocery store today and saw Halloween candy!  Soon someone will say, "the leaves are turning early this year."  Autumn is summe...

We humans just don't interact anymore.  We walk down the street and stare at phone, we push the buttons on the ATM, the gas pump, self-checkout, people are having relationships with AI Chatbots, even going to them for mental health counseling, we have lost touch!  The consequences are severe.   When interpersonal communications erodes, so does are sense of value for others.  People are labeled, leaders utilized communication to divide, because people become objects. Road rage occurs because the other driver is an object.  War is portrayed as clean with videos of items blowing up.  We do not see or hear th...

In this part of the Unites States some seasons can be identified by weather, activities based on the weather and the food of the seasons.  Autumn is apples, cider, changing leaves, and you know it is the middle of summer when you are lathering up an ear of sweet corn.  This is when you know that summer has matured, grabbed every warm day and ear of corn, because when it is gone we will all be eating apples and drinking cider!

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I think that our planet Earth is a living breathing entity, and we are like fleas on dog living on her.  Just like bad habits effect our health they also impact Earth's.  Smoking cigarettes is bad for our health, unregulated emissions are bad for earths.

We all need healthy plasma, Earth needs the oceans. We need healthy lungs Earth needs trees.  Once we have symptoms of an illness we go the doctor.  Who takes care of earth?  Not us. 

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"Hello Muddah, hello Fadduh, take me home from camp Granada."  This song released in 1963 and sung by Alan Sherman summed up how I felt about summer camp.  To me summer meant freedom, no schedules, endless days and nights with friends on bicycles, swimming in the lake and at my aunt Helen's camp.  Not forced summer day camp filled with "fun" activities and teenage camp counselor more interested in summer "fun" than anything else.  They thought they were so cool 17 and 18yrs treating us like kids. It was not a good situation for someone like myself who had issues with real...

July 10, 1969 the #1 song on the charts was 'In The Year 2525" by Zager & Evans a cautionary scene-fiction tale about humanity's over dependence of technology and  progressive dehumanization.  That descriptive comes from AI, how ironic! The song takes place over 7000 years, predicting that machines will eventually replace human thoughts and movements, leading to our extinction.  This one hit wonder is as applicable now as it was then.  2525 may come early this year.   

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The 1976 Bicentennial celebration of America's 200th birthday was designed as a unifying healing event.  The nation was healing after, the Vietnam War, Watergate, and economic struggles.  I was 17 years old in 1976 and about to enter my senior year in high school.  The top songs on July 4th were. "Silly Little Love Song" by Wings,  "Afternoon Delight" by The Starland Vocal Band, "Misty Blue" by Dorothy Moore. On the television the programs were, Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, MASH, Charlies Angels and the Six Million Dollar Man.  Rocky, A Star is Born, Taxi Driver and Carrie were the hot films.  There were 1...

To begin with I must say, I do not believe the elections in the United States are rigged at all.  How can a political party complain when they won the House, the Senate, the White House and Supreme Court, drop the mic. That is not what I am talking about here anyway.  I just love to vote. I love the entire day, the experience  of going to the local polling location the feel of community.  There are spaghetti  dinners, bake sales, just an energy throughout the day.  I feel it is a day where we are truly united regardless of who...

It's a given that I have many issues that can keep a therapist occupied for eternity, and one of them is my aversion to the dreaded  Pot Luck dinner or event.  To be clear this disinclination does not apply to events involving family, or friends  holiday parties or celebrations.  What  I am talking about is that large community event where your "luck" is placed in the unwashed hands of strangers.  I just don't know what went on behind the scenes with that potato, macaroni or Jell-O salad. Ziti is safe if you get there first while the cheese topping has not...

Art began as an accidental theme in my life back in high school when chose it as a major.  Little did I know the important role it would play in my life, through college and into my professional career. I was fortunate to have leadership roles at Syracuse University at the College of Visual and Performing Arts and Alumni Office that involved the arts.  I was in a similar role at Cornell University at the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning, and have spent over 30 years performing and teaching improv.  We need art in all it's forms, especially now to...

Almost every city or town, urban or rural has a Farmers Market.  I have been to them from New York, all the way to Santa Monica California. I will include its cousin the Flea Market as well, which I have been to from the Big Apple to Santa Fe New Mexico.  These are places where people go to without an agenda, no rush and interact.  There is no AI at the farmers market, no push button service, you interact with those selling their produce and items.  People interact with each other. No labels no screaming, just flowers, fruit cool stuf...

In June 5th 1968 Robert Francis Kennedy was shot in the kitchen at the Ambassadors Hotel in Los Angles after winning the California primary.  He was my first hero who was not a relative, he was the torch JFK mentioned in his inauguration. He was the new generation, and in a year of turmoil, violence, division and extreme change, he was also the change agent steering into a horizon of hope.  That all ended 25 hours later at 1:44am on June 6th, 1968, he died.  A simple grave in Arlington Cemetery next to his brothers and at the foot of the hill of...

I took a vacation recently to relax and regroup.  My attempt to escape from the chaotic events of the world.  What a great unexpected day!  First I took bottles and cans to the recycle place and made some new friends as they sorted through my $34.00 of returns.  I got a hug and bottle of water before I left.  Then, I loaded up my vehicle and was off to the dump.  I have not been to a dump in over 30 years.  The size, the purging, the people I met, the satisfaction of just tossing stuff into a large pile in very la...

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial kickoff to summer. That means hotdogs!  I was recently a the cardiologist for testing, because that is what you do at this age.  I told him that from Memorial Day until Labor Day I eat hotdogs! My test results were perfect and he almost seemed disgusted with me.  The Hotdog is summer!  It is America, whether at the hotdog stand in the city, the ballpark, Fair, or on the grill in the backyard it is our common ground.  I am a hotdog snob, I only eat a certain brand, Hoffman's not Nathan's, and New Y...

If seeing is believing is true, all attorneys would be mimes.  When faced with the reality of events right in front of their eyes, followers will hang onto words over events. The carefully crafted words that discredit the truth no matter what form it comes through.  These false truths bring false hope, and a sense of belonging.  Just like the mother reading to here children in the movie Titanic.  Telling them all is ok as the ship around them sinks.  All parties should have the freedom to ask questions, entertain and seek the truth so it aligns with what we se...

It goes without saying that I am not an authority on hair, but having acknowledged this I just don't get the "Man Bun."  I really thought this would just be a passing fad, but it is still going strong.  Why is it event called a Man Bun, I don't hear anyone saying "Woman Bun."  Why do guys have to identify the bun on their head with a gender. Does Man Bun say, I am a real man with a bun, or is intended make it clear that a woman bun is not on their head?  How about a man muff...

With all that is going on in our country, and hearing constantly that The First Amendment  of the Constitution is under attack, I thought I better brush up and take a look at it.  What hit me in the face is that the freedoms I've taken for granted my entire life: 1. Are the foundation of who we are. 2. I've taken for granted. 3. Are under attack.  I don't care if you are right, left, up down, red, blue or purple we all have a right to these five core freedoms and the disagreements, varied views and truth have made us ALL...

In this episode I have a conversation with Reiki Master Heather Maloney.  Our conversation explored the subjects of healing through the Reiki practice and benefits  of maintaining self inner peace.  We also discussed spirituality and  how different cultures and maintain their connection to a higher power.  

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In this episode I have a conversation with my dear friend  Patrick Hogan, former local political figure, baseball fan/historian, who's Irish ancestry flows through his veins. We discussed the critical importance of local politics, (Tip O'Neal, "All politics are local."), baseball history and players from the past, and our Irish culture.  

A wonderful conversation, with a great friend! 

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When I was a young boy I listened to top 40 radio for hours.  There was something comforting in listening to the local DJ spin records, have call in games and take requests, they were there all night, in the morning, on the school bus and in the car.  With most of broadcast/cable television having screaming mannequins spew noise and make lots of money doing so, I find comfort in my old friend. I can still change stations, get just the news and not screaming, have friend in the car or any place. The internet, AI, Newspapers are on li...

There is nothing like the aroma of fresh cut grass to let you know all is alright.  That comforting smell of growth and hope seems like a switch was flipped from black and white to a color screen.  It does not matter if it is in a city park, small patch of grass in a yard or acres and acres that magical whiff of springs takes us through the times of our lives and reassures that all is well.  I recall the noise of the lawn mower being driven by Joe the janitor outside the open classroom windows at Kas...

When a little boy I use to love to watch the television program Let's Make a Deal with my grandfather. It was fun to see the contestants struggle to get the best deal.  When I was at Cornell University one of my responsibilities was to co-manage the Cornell Baker Program in Real Estate Advisory Board.  This Board was made up some of the most  influential and successful individuals in the industry.  They were smart, slick, talented and transactional.  While a student at the Maxwell School of Public Administration at Syracuse University, I was taught and had guest lecturers who were...

This was the common question shouted from the wayback in the station wagon when on a trip.  The reply was always vague in an attempt to keep all children in the car calm and unaware of the actual circumstance.  Dad are we almost there? Dad replies: "yes few more miles, about an hour."  Mom, I have to go the bathroom, she replies: " hang on, the next stop is close."

When will the war end? Reply: "in two to three weeks."  America is in the wayback!!

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The first American to be Pope; Pope Leo the XIV finds himself under attack from the current administration for praying for peace, and calling for leaders to stop the violence and find a diplomatic solution to end war.  These are not the words of a weak person, in contrast these are the words of a very strong person, there is no weakness in faith. He stated that Jesus does not recognize prayers for war and destruction.  That makes sense to me, especially after the threat from our President that a whole civilization will die. Jesus was after all the pr...

I don't care about red states, or blue states, or conservative, liberal, what do we Americans see when we look in the mirror. Do we recognize the reflection today? 

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After just watching the Artemis II go around the darkside of the moon and viewing the crescent earth, I was in awe and how small our planet is in a vast universe.  As they sent back a photo of the full earth in the darkness of space, just like the one taken in 1972, I was struck by beauty of earth.  This fragile planet that we al share and have found ways to destroy eachother and it.   John Lennon had it right: "Imagine there's no countries, It isn't hard to do, nothing to kill or die for, and no religion too...