“Instead of teaching our kids how to sit down and shut up, we should be teaching them to stand up and speak out.” ~ Simon Lancaster The ancient art of rhetoric (the art of effective persuasive speaking) is no longer taught routinely in schools. The STEM education initiatives support Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. However, …Read More
Category: Education
The Interconnected Web – How Wolves Change Rivers
The world is an interconnected ecosystem. Within this system are the predators—the characters in the stories that we love to hate. Ever since Little Red Riding Hood and the Three Little Pigs encountered the Big Bad Wolf, there has been a campaign against the wolf. We are quick to judge these animals that travel in …Read More
The Decline of Play ~ Peter Gray
“Stop playing around,” she said with a look that could turn even the Greek hero, Hercules, to stone. “Be serious! Stop wasting time.” We know that children learn by playing, but at some point we expect them to put away their toys and become adults. What does it mean to grow up? It often means …Read More
Hope Springs Institute ~ Retreat Center
“From this place springs hope for inner and global peace” Hope Springs Institute proves that one person can manifest a dream by just being present to the calling. This retreat center has evolved into a non-profit, self-sustaining institute operated by a board of directors. Mission of Hope Springs Institute To provide sacred space for growth, …Read More
Imagine a World Without Story ~ Carmen Deedy
“It is not that we will one day not know how to tell a story, but that one day we will no longer know how to listen to a story.” ~ Carmen Deedy The places where stories get told—person to person, human to human—are disappearing. Family dinners where stories are told at the end of …Read More
Josh Bernoff ~ Writing Without Bullshit
How can you be more present in your writing? Use the Zombies Test! The Zombies Test will tell you if you are falling into the trap of passive voice. Here’s an explanation from Writing Without Bullshit: Boost Your Career by Saying What You Mean by Josh Bernoff: “Attention must be paid to the state of …Read More
Juggling Elephants ~ James Loflin and Todd Musig
Does your life feel like a 3-ring circus? Have the animals gotten loose? Does it feel like you are trying to juggle elephants? “The result of juggling elephants is that no one, including you, is thrilled with the performance.” James Loflin and Todd Musig have created a lighthearted guide with a heavy metaphor, Juggling Elephants: …Read More
Healing Stories FGCU – Wed Apr 10, 2019
Healing Stories performed in the oral tradition by students of Integrated Studies “Storytelling as Healing” Course with Dr. Joel Ying Experience the power of story to heal, connect, and create community. #healingstoriesFGCU Wed Apr 10, 2019 Reception 5:30pm Stories 6pm – 7:30pm Cohen Center 247 Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) FREE and OPEN to the …Read More
Groundhog Day 2019 predicts early spring – really?
Thousands of people gathered in Pennsylvania at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney awaiting the answer: Will the frigid winter continue for another 6 weeks? the famous Groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, emerged for his annual prediction at around 7:30am. He did not see his shadow! Bundled in their winter gear, the crowd cheered as Punxsutawney Phil predicts an …Read More
Steven Johnson – Play, Creativity, Invention
“Serious play is not an oxymoron; it is the essence of innovation.” —Michael Schrage Creativity and play are inextricably linked. If necessity is the mother of invention, play might just be the father. The interplay (pun intended) of necessity and playfulness have both brought the world some serious innovations. In the TED talk video below, …Read More