Why I like myself better in Italian. — Recently I was watching a charming Japanese Netflix series called Giri/Haji (Duty/Shame). At one point, the main character’s teenage lesbian daughter tells her dad why she prefers London to Tokyo.“I like myself better here,” she said. Even though it was a throw-away line in the show, but for me, it…

Really, it’s not imposter syndrome. — What if I’m not good enough? That’s the thought. It comes to me late at night or early in the morning, usually when I’m not busy or after I’ve looked at my checking account balance. It’s not the imposter syndrome; it’s more than that. It’s a feeling of dread. Of fear. My Mother, The Nurse I was born at 12:20…

The Secret to Driving In Italy (And Other Life Lessons) Ever since I first went to study in Rome in 1985, I’ve had a not-unfounded fear of driving in Italy. Back then, traffic in Rome was sheer pandemonium. Every day, walking to school through traffic, smoking cigarettes, and trying to…

Why Creators Need to Ignore the Epidemic of Bad Marketing Advice Last week I read a post on LinkedIn that said, “If you can’t explain your business in one sentence, you don’t have one.” Both as a marketing consultant and a creator, I disagree. Vehemently. What bothered me more than…

Happy Belated Father’s Day To Everyone Who Had a Shitty Dad For as long as I can remember, no single word has caused me more conflicted feelings than the word “dad.” A few days ago, with Father’s Day approaching, my favorite brother Lucian (my only sibling) texted me to ask…

How to Deal With the Death of a Puppy and Other Harsh Realities There really aren’t many things cuter than a puppy — they look like living teddy bears. Something about watching them run, play, and sleep can make most even the hardest people melt inside. That’s what makes what…

Plus, How Creators Can Hate LinkedIn Less — If you’re like most creators, including writers, consultants, coaches, and solopreneurs, spending time posting on LinkedIn is pretty much a lost cause. That’s why when I checked my email this morning; I was so thrilled. I found out my Friday LinkedIn post is in the top 1% of engagement with…

You Don’t Need To Make Writing Any Harder — Who Are You Really Writing For? If you’re having trouble getting traction with your online writing, the problem may not be with your content. The problem might be that you’re writing it for the wrong person or the wrong reasons. Let me explain. When I answer questions online, write emails, or send text messages, I usually…

Advice from a cool gay dad — Before there was cyberbullying, there was bullying. Before it was called bullying, it was called high school. Back in the 1980s, when I went to high school, no one “felt safe.” No one was safe. …