This guy will reignite the fire in your belly, no matter how long it’s been out — If you’ve never heard of the hip-hop artist Russ, you’re seriously missing out. If you have, you already know the deal: self-confidence for miles and the artistic results to back it up. His prolific output can save you from those diminishing thoughts and condescending voices swimming around in your dome…

Help the People at Home and Put Away the Drones — Many years ago, as a young college student and “weekend warrior,” my Army National Guard unit was activated right after the holidays to serve in the first Gulf War. …

Hint: Think of it as a raise — When I first started the first of my [now several] side hustles, I was wildly impatient for the revenues to pour in. It wasn’t simply about the income; it was my need to know that my time — after hours, late nights, and weekends — was being well spent. Maybe…

The Short Answer: Hope — As a retail investor and trader, I have three confessions to make about my own personal finance: I shamelessly bought some AMC stock today. I secretly long for the day when finance professionals recognize that we’re not all “dumb money” investors. I certainly know that “hope” is not an investing…

Transparency with money is the key to our domestic bliss — Too many of us are coping with current events by shopping online. (Guilty as charged!) It’s both practical during social distancing and it’s a fun distraction. But we all need limits. What are yours? Before we go any further: How about 328 million cheers to all the amazing essential workers…

Are you hitting your peak creative output? Use magic. — Can you imagine how magic it would feel if you built a regular writing ritual of at least 2,000 words per day, and what you’d do with it? Wait! Is that the only simple part? The imagining? Some days, does it feel you have to trick yourself to write? If…

Get POTUS to hear/see those words every day until January 20th — My daughter, like many American kids, is remote learning. She’s set up on our dining room table in front of a window showing the New England foliage. One morning last month, a few minutes after 9 A.M., as I walked by on the most-traveled route in our house — from…

A Musical Story Challenge: Alanis Morissette — “Thank U for sealing that door behind you. It’s dangerous out there,” the postman said. “I know you’re new around here, but You Learn fast it takes everyone on high alert to keep out the Uninvited. Danger is always Closer Than You Might Believe.” “You Oughta Know that I’m not…