VOTE! In the run-up to the election, that message is everywhere from billboards to social media. Sometimes it seems like a routine exhortation. Other times it feels like voting has been weaponized, a way to reward people we like and … Read More
Cooperative Wisdom can show up in the most unexpected places. Recently, I had to make two customer service calls. Nobody enjoys these calls. They happen only when something has gone amiss. In one case, a radio that was supposed to … Read More
Fred Rogers was ahead of his time. Fifty years ago, in one of the first episodes of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, King Friday the 13th built a wall and prepared to go to war in order to “keep out the changers.” … Read More
Small towns exercise a particular hold over the American imagination. Many people imagine life would be idlyllic in a place where you run into people who knew your parents or even your grandparents whenever you stop in at the hardware … Read More
The Monday after the Thomas Fire, everyone in Montecito knew it was going to rain. As a resident of neighboring Santa Barbara, I’ll admit that I felt grateful. The fire had created toxic particles that still seemed to be hanging … Read More
Every New Year is an opportunity to renew our sense of purpose. For us, that means thinking about how we can become more compassionate, discerning, imaginative, integrated and courageous in practicing Cooperative Wisdom. After a little brainstorming, we came up … Read More
The flood of allegations about sexual misconduct is, at its least, a teachable moment, especially for men. Many are anxious about whether they have crossed lines in the past and confused about how they should proceed in their workplace relationships … Read More
Hurricanes. Earthquakes. Wildfires. This has been a season of extreme events. The media present graphic images of destruction, and heartbreaking stories of people who have lost everything. Often, we also hear stories of first responders, professionals and people-on-the-scene who act … Read More
Last week, I heard a story about Creative Courage at a luncheon for our local chapter of Girls, Inc.. Their mission is to help girls become strong, smart and bold. And, if the young speakers were any indication, they are … Read More
“Most people try to do the right thing most of the time.” That’s the first line in our book, Cooperative Wisdom. Recent events in Charlottesville force us to be explicit about the corollary: Sometimes, some people don’t try to do … Read More