Category Archives: Writing & Social Commentary

History of PowerSpeaking, Inc.

Every time we brought on a new employee or trainer, we told the same old [...]

Saying Goodbye to Dena

Like many people, my childhood attempts to learn music had been painful affairs. For example, [...]

Photography: the Shortest Distance Between Two Hearts

Talk about connecting two hearts. My friend Harlan Crowder got this amazing shot in Cuba [...]

1 Comment

Fitness is a journey

This is disgusting! Unfortunately, this is how I looked in September. The writing on my [...]

3 Comments

Photography: The Shortest Distance Between Two Hearts

Cal vs Washington, October 11, 2014 Berkeley, Sproul Plaza, 2:00PM. First, in came the cheerleaders, [...]

4 Comments

Oddities of Human Behavior and Language

Behavior  • Passivity. Why do people stand on the moving walkway in airports, or on [...]

4 Comments

Finding Your Roots

My grandfather was a soldier, So my father could be a businessman, So I could [...]

Human Caused Global Warming: The Real Doom and Gloom

I‘m amazed in recent years how the climate crisis is discussed in the media, and [...]

2 Comments

An Evening of Iron Workers Photography

Thursday Evening, November 20, 2014 Thirty people battled cold rainy weather to come to the [...]

Reflections of an Irreverent Entrepreneur

With my retirement I’ve been reflecting on what made PowerSpeaking successful over the past three [...]

4 Comments

Oh, oh. The Mayor’s Daughter Has Syphilis

On the spot diagnosis of syphilis requires a “darkfield microscope.” As a new public health [...]

Hooray for People Magazine!

I disdain People Magazine. I disdain celebrity gossip. You will never see a copy of [...]

2 Comments

How To Shoot a Wedding For Free (Almost)

You are invited to the wedding of a relative or friend. Why not contribute to [...]

Absurd TV Ads: Viagra and PowerSpeaking

Have you noticed recently how TV ads for medical products follow a strange pattern? They [...]

A Transition and A New Beginning

As you have already seen from Mary’s note, last week she wrote me a check, [...]

PowerSpeaking Founder Retires!

After 30 years in the business, I am out of PowerSpeaking, Inc. To make it [...]

Tales of Therapy, Part Deux

An Encounter Group Miracle The pretty blond in her late 20s had been quiet during [...]

2 Comments

Photography: The Shortest Distance Between Two Hearts

A Street Musician Recently I attended a workshop on portrait photography in Santa Fe, NM. [...]

4 Comments

Dave Brubeck Played Until the End

I’ve lost three friends in the past several months. Lately, I’ve been very reflective about [...]

5 Comments

Castration Anxiety: Tales of My First Therapist

Ib Harris, circa 1950   “Jesus Christ the unconscious!” yelled my therapist, Ib Harris, as [...]

2 Comments

Iron Workers: Final Installment

  This is Mike Carter working on the theater building in downtown Redwood City in [...]

6 Comments

Reflections on the Iron Worker’s Reception

On August 14, I sponsored an “Iron Workers Reception” at a local Redwood City restaurant. [...]

3 Comments

Breaking News!

Several years ago, it appears that the United States Congress passed legislation regulating an out-of-control [...]

1 Comment

How to Make Good Video on a Shoestring Budget

  Q: What do I need? A: An iPhone!     Before you read this, [...]