ARCHIVE: OSCAR
Category: personal
WHAT REALLY MATTERS
TO GET SUPER PERSONAL FOR A MOMENT…
I’m super proud of all of our kids. And my wife.
They’re each doing hard things. And they’re amazing at the things they take on. I’m so UNBELIEVABLY grateful and proud of them.
But in this long a** text to my son, I’m very clear on my POV on what REALLY matters in life…
And I’ll throw this encouragement out to everyone…
$20, given to a stranger, who’s asking for help. We’ve all needed help.
Maybe today you can be someone who helped someone else.
And if you give $20 to someone, but can’t really afford it right now… let me know. We got you.
Much love. Always and all-ways.
YOUR LIFE IS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK
**How one decision changed everything—fast**
It’s September 2015. Almost ten years ago.
After a two-hour visit at a local animal rescue, I had a new sidekick.
A scruffy, sweet-faced Bedlington Terrier.
Nine months old. I named him Solomon.
He was the kindest creature I’d ever met.
And I had no idea this one random decision would launch an entirely new chapter of my life.
But first—let’s rewind.
A few months earlier, I’d started working with a career coach.
Trying to figure out what I wanted next.
I didn’t know it then, but I was six months away from a major company layoff.
And my divorce had been finalized earlier in the year.
The adjustment was hard.
The silence was louder.
But credit to Angela, my coach—she cracked something open.
The exercise that did it:
“Describe your life 10 years from now.”
No rules. No limits.
Career, family, relationships, experiences—anything that mattered.
I grabbed a pen and started dreaming.
Near the top:
“I’ll have a dog at my side.”
And two months later?
Boom. Solomon.
From day one, we brought each other joy.
My son adored him too.
And somewhere in that whirlwind of fur and feelings, I had an epiphany:
If one thing on my ten-year vision happened in two months…
What else could happen?
So I went back to the list.
And I started moving.
That one small decision wasn’t small.
It was momentum. It was proof.
It was the spark that got me unstuck then—and still fuels me now.
So I’ll leave you with this:
Do you know what you want?
Good.
Now go get it. Full steam ahead.
BURNOUT. SELF-DOUBT. STARTING OVER. (And what came next.)
“Stuck” is how I’d describe the past year.
Wanting change but barely moving.
Inspired by possibility yet overwhelmed about where to begin.
I wouldn’t trade being “multi-passionate” for anything.
But when your head’s not on straight, burnout wins and progress stalls.
I don’t have it all figured out. But I finally feel pointed in the right direction —
taking better steps, and working with momentum instead of against it.
“How did I get here?”
I’ve asked myself that more than once.
I was stuck — not challenged at work in ways I needed.
So I jumped into a new role and new company.
The mission was great. I liked the hustle.
But the culture? It didn’t fit. I knew it wouldn’t last.
Layer on some shaky confidence — and, if I’m honest, moments of low self-esteem.
The last decade has brought its hits:
• A divorce.
• Putting down my creative tools.
• Leaping into a new industry.
• Reevaluating my faith.
• Feeling like I didn’t know enough — about anything.
So yeah… it’s been hard.
I’m grateful for my wife, family, and friends.
They stood beside me, whether they knew it or not.
I’m thankful for my doctors.
And the new things I’m trying.
For the books and teachers lighting a better path forward.
And slower moments to ask: “What’s one thing I could do right now?”
For walking at least 10 minutes a day.
And remembering that “an object in motion stays in motion.”
Along with joining a new team with new opportunities — and a healthier culture.
The pieces are finally starting to click.
A few weeks ago, walking into a store, I found myself reflecting.
And the biggest confidence boost didn’t come from anyone else.
It came from me.
From my own internal voice, quietly saying:
“I loved who you were today.
And I love who you’re becoming.
You were helpful. And kind.
You moved things forward.
You worked with your team.
You stayed present.
You have experience. You have confidence.
And you care.”
And it landed:
I liked me.
Hell, I loved me.
I’ve been reminded that I’m good for people. And myself.
Here’s to a new day — to live, breathe, and enjoy.
P.S. I’m sharing this mostly for me. But maybe it’s for you too.
Keep going. The small steps add up.
20250330
SOUNDING BOARD
I had the opportunity recently to be a sounding board for a good friend preparing for a new client pitch.
Helping him think through the strategy and push the pitch further was so energizing and rewarding. For both of us.
And the result? A strong YES from the client to a monthly retainer!
There’s nothing better than helping people win.
ONE SENTENCE
Today, someone said one sentence to me that meant everything and put the wind back in my sails:
“I see, deeply appreciate, and value your contributions.”
MY NEW SECRET WEAPON
My new secret weapon?
Apple’s CarPlay – and here’s why:
I can listen to stimulating and interesting audiobooks or podcasts that get me thinking.
THEN, I can easily send myself – through CarPlay – text messages of ideas, thoughts, considerations, and next steps to myself, so it’s documented to take action on later.
This is a game changer.
altMBA: HALFTIME REFLECTION
Eric Moeller, my altMBA coach, asked me to reflect on what I’ve learned so far in the altMBA process. Because time is precious, I will be brief.
Here are my three keys to success in the altMBA.
Read and Re-Read
I read every project at least 10 times and take lots of notes. Why? To understand what is being asked and how the process is supposed to challenge and change me.
I paid for the opportunity to be pushed beyond my limits — real or perceived — and digging into the project description and reading materials is where I focus my time and energy.
Additionally, if I fail to understand how the project is supposed to change me, I won’t be able to ask my classmates the right questions about their own work.
Kill the Obvious
I’ve personally challenged myself to ignore obvious solutions.
altMBA was not created so I could lean on previous knowledge, experience and skills. I’m intentionally here to challenge myself with new concepts and new ways of looking at the world.
I’m searching for the unexpected answer that stretches me and is interesting to the reader. I love brainstorming the crazy, backwards and, sometimes, most obvious, simple solutions.
I don’t get a thrill out of the predictable answer.
Don’t Be Afraid
If I’ve read the project prompt, created an interesting solution to the project (by killing the obvious) and used my observations to ship my best work… I’m not afraid.
I can take the critique, questions or feedback knowing that I shipped my best work.
I can rest easy at night.
And if my work didn’t accomplish its’ intended goal, then I missed something and need to reconsider my assumptions, communication or the worldview of the audience.
It’s been a wild ride and the second half is already here. Let’s go!
A WILD AND WONDERFUL 365 DAYS: DIVORCE, LOVE, AND A LAYOFF
Today begins a new career chapter and just recently I realized how full of a year it has been:
My divorce was finalized (and I got a tattoo the same day to remember what I learned in the process).
Established a new home and tried to regain a sense of normalcy.
My grandmother passed away.
Oscar, my son, turned 6 years old.
Photographed Night Beds during a studio visit.
Took a weekend adventure to see my friend Liz in Atlanta.
Saw WELD open and Nashville’s strong community continue to grow.
Started navigating the dating world.
Attended so many Nashville Sounds baseball games with Oscar.
Witnessed two friends successfully adopt their first child.
Drank Soylent for 3 months.
Vacationed with family in Michigan and Iowa.
Gave up navigating the dating world.
Heavily played Tame Impala’s album ‘Currents.’
Oscar started 1st grade.
Read a great interview with Ian MacKaye of Minor Threat/Fugazi/Dischord Records.
Attended my first Plywood Presents conference in Atlanta.
Intentionally began taking more risks, being vulnerable and generous, and staying true to myself.
Started writing.
Adopted an awesome puppy.
Attended a great Men’s Retreat with my church.
Applied to the altMBA program.
Unexpectedly met an amazing woman.
Saw C H R I S O L U X speak at Nashville Creative Mornings.
Was accepted into the altMBA program, January 2016 session.
Saw Sufjan Stevens live in concert for the first time.
Fell in love.
Had a weekend adventure to Atlanta with my love and her kids.
Was laid off from my job of 8 years.
Interviewed for a new job.
Decompressed with family over the holidays.
Introduced Oscar to Star Wars IV, V, and VI.
Started a Moment Calendar, chronicling at least one memory from each day.
Picked up my camera again.
Started altMBA.
Was offered — and accepted — a new job.
And yesterday, January 20, 2016, was my last day at my former employer.
I have been so blessed by the people of Nashville. This city has truly become my home.
To the friends, family, coworkers, acquaintances and strangers who have come alongside me during such a wild and wonderful year — thank you. You have truly given me an endless supply of hope, encouragement and support to see the beauty in each day.
In 2016 I will be stretched and challenged like never before — yet also more intentional, purposeful and fulfilled.
I am both excited and scared, which is giving me an undeniable energy to dance with my fear and tackle the challenges I want to face.
“I have been bent and broken, but — I hope — into a better shape.” ― Charles Dickens, Great Expectations