Ideas are free, execution is priceless.

Prohibition didn’t arise because of some puritanical moralist disdain for alcohol use. The temperance movement was a plight against domestic violence. It started to protect women’s safety, because drunk men were more likely to beat and sexually harass their wives. Even one hundred years later, today the consumption of alcohol has been linked to increased violence against women. It’s so simple. Men who drink are more likely to hurt…

Feeling like you’re ahead of the game is a uniquely satisfying feeling. When you realize that you’re in a position of advantage, or you have a head start compared to most people a particular situation, it fills you with relief, pride and confidence. Do you feel grounded with your level of knowledge, skills and preparation for future challenges? Like all the past invisible labor has positioned you for a…

I hired a trumpet player to record horn tracks for the score of my gothic western movie. Our process for collaborating on the album centered around following the funny. First, I sent him the audio file of the song, along with lyrical context and creative direction. Next, he would record a collection of possible trumpet voices for each part of the song. Finally, I would listen to this mixes…

Nothing distresses our species as much as irrationality. Irrational beliefs have been shown to lead to a vast range of dysfunctional emotions and behaviors, and are associated with everything from depression to anxiety to burnout to suicidal thoughts. Ellis, a pioneer in the field of cognitive behavioral therapy, said it best in book. Your unhealthy negative feelings are almost always accompanied by some irrational belief. For example, one category…

Here’s why I dislike complaining so much. It’s a pure projection of powerlessness. Total victim mentality. We have externalized personal responsibility by delivering mouthfuls of misery about our own existence. Which, to be fair, earns us catharsis, attention, validation, support and camaraderie. But all of those are all short term gains. The positive outcomes are limited. There is an illusion of control, since we are at least able to…