Difficult conversations are unavoidable, but they don’t have to be destructive. They can become turning points for growth when approached with awareness, honesty, and self-regulation. Many of us weren’t raised with calm communication; defensiveness or shutdown may have felt normal. Learning to notice our emotional triggers and stay present can reshape how we relate to ourselves and others. In leadership and professional settings, emotional intelligence helps us recognize wha

A podcasting mishap turned into a lesson in resilience and authenticity. When a recording glitch triggered imposter syndrome, I learned that mistakes don’t define us—they teach us. From testing equipment to embracing imperfection, this story is a reminder that even failures can move your creative journey forward.

On Thursday night I attended the 10-year anniversary celebration for an organization in Pittsburgh called Steel Smiling. It reminded me why we should never lose sight of those we impact, those we serve, and those who feel every ripple of every step we take. Change takes courage, but it is necessary and can be as simple as the first stone in the pond that creates a ripple. A quote that inspired the founder of Steel Smiling put it best: “If you always do what you’ve always don

This weekend, Josh and I took a quick hop, skip, and jump to our main street area to partake in a local shopping event where the small businesses in town were highlighted and offered some snacks and refreshments along with some discounts on their products. We should have walked, as we're a half mile at most from most of the stores, but it was raining, and my left leg hasn't been cooperating much with me lately. So I asked Josh to drive and he was happy to. We turned off the m