One of the joys of having a teenager at home is the opportunity it affords to practice your cross-cultural communications skills. On my 10 Tips for Good Cross-Cultural Communications, #3 is “Welcome feedback as a gift,” as a way to get insider knowledge about a particular group. My 17-year-old son is very generous with this…
DetailsI was in the middle of the mosh pit at the Village People concert at Riot Fest in Chicago. Someone shouted, “DEATH WALL!” The crowd divided down the middle and then surged toward each other full-force ahead in an adult, Viking-like rendition of Red Rover. A crowd surfer flailed by overhead, leaving a bruise as…
DetailsI saw the familiar panicked, trapped face of a party guest from across the room. She stood next to the stuffed mushrooms, across from Edgar. “I wonder what kind of mushrooms these are,” she innocently asked. That was all Edgar needed to start his monologue on genus, family and habitat for every mushroom that ever existed.…
DetailsAn expert is someone who has deep knowledge about a narrow subject. Take this month’s interview with Taras Lyssenko (below). His first book, The Great Navy Birds of Lake Michigan, is coming out August 26. Taras is the go to expert if you want to recover a navy airplane from the bottom of lake Michigan.…
DetailsHere’s a scene you wouldn’t typically associate with Shakespearean theatre: People ages 8 to 80 whoopin’ it up as they learn about the six wives of Henry VIII. That was just the scene during Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s production of Six. How? The historical characters were presented as pop stars, mimicking the likes of Beyoncé and…
DetailsHere’s a scene you wouldn’t typically associate with Shakespearean theatre: People ages 8 to 80 whoopin’ it up as they learn about the six wives of Henry VIII. That was just the scene during Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s production of Six. How? The historical characters were presented as pop stars, mimicking the likes of Beyoncé and…
DetailsGiven studies that show music can enhance mental health and improve cognitive performance, and in honor of the 13th Anniversary since I founded Intercultural Talk, Inc., here are 13 songs, an entrepreneur’s playlist, to capture the joys and challenges, stress, glee, and ultimately amazing pride and satisfaction in being an entrepreneur and owning your life. What…
DetailsI almost didn’t see Poms because of the poor reviews. That alone is a good lesson, because of how fun and uplifting the movie is. Poms is about a woman, played by Diane Keaton, who moves into a retirement community knowing she is dying. She’s required to join a club, per the community center…
DetailsStorytelling is a powerful way to convey a message. In the not-for-profit world stories are more powerful than statistics to drive donations. Businesses also use stories as a way to highlight what they do and who they serve. Who doesn’t like to hear that their story is inspiring? I post interviews (on YouTube…
DetailsWhat’s the one rule to guarantee you will avoid a midlife crisis? It’s easy! Never make a bad decision in your entire life. Midlife Empowerment Coach Bitsie Thompson says a midlife crisis is not inevitable. “Just make only good decisions every day of your life until you’re 50. That’s the best way to rest-assured that…
Details
