vulnerability

November 30, 2025

Everyone Has Something to Give ❤️

Time, energy, money, positivity… I believe everyone has the capacity to make a difference and the originators of “Giving Tuesday“, a tradition started in 2012, say it best: “Whether it’s making someone smile, helping a neighbor or stranger out, showing up for an issue or people we care about, or giving some of what we Continue reading

Family, kindness

advocacy, charitable donations, disability, giving, Giving Tuesday, gratitude, kindness, love, vulnerability
July 27, 2025

Don’t Play it Safe

I received the loveliest bit of feedback recently about my demeanor as a writer. The educator in me knows that very often we’re driven for concluding remarks when we seek input from others. Hoping for high fives and praise… hoping for thoughtful queries conveying interest and approval. But I learned something new last week that Continue reading

writing

author, courage, feedback, Inspiration, motivation, vulnerability, writing, writing tips
March 13, 2025

This Story is Worth Your Time

Do you know Lori Pohlman? The writer behind the enchanting blog, Lake Arrowhead Lady Writer? Lori wrote a generous review of “Surviving Sue” on March 8 and I must admit, in the not-quite two years since I shared my story with the world, I continue to be thrilled and delighted every time a reader has Continue reading

Surviving Sue

author, book promotion, book review, gratitude, intergenerational healing, Surviving Sue, vulnerability, Wellness, writing
January 29, 2025

Don’t Look Away

I write often about my dad and one post in particular from over two years ago is still a conversation starter with readers – White Shirt, Helping Heart – Victoria Ponders. I think the resonance of that piece comes from the fact that my dad looked like a contradiction; an imposing looking privileged man – Continue reading

kindness

gratitude, helping, inclusion, kindness, privilege, safety, vulnerability
May 3, 2024

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes…

Changes. Being the new guy…I think it’s a tough role and it’s one I played over and over again as a child – moving a lot because of my dad’s job. When Wynne and I chatted with the wonderful Mark Petruska in this week’s podcast, I remembered there’s joy to be found when we step Continue reading

podcast

careers, change, humor, lifestyle, resilience, vulnerability, writers
February 2, 2024

Podcast Friday – Plus!

Being vulnerable is a tough thing. Having a buddy to travel with as you peel back the layers and engage in self-disclosure is a joy and a blessing and those two words describe my friend, Wynne Leon perfectly. She’s a joy and a blessing, for sure! This week, not only did we have a thoughtful Continue reading

podcast

courage, creativity, Family, podcast, relationships, resilience, vulnerability, writing
January 12, 2024

Podcast Friday: Sharing a Secret

I’m going to share a secret. I get nervous…really nervous when I’m talking about my book, “Surviving Sue”. Even when I’m chatting with my dear friend Wynne Leon on our podcast. I’m continuing to learn how to talk about the motivation to write my mom’s story… about living with her and persevering. Yes, surviving. The Continue reading

Surviving Sue

authors, books, courage, gratitude, love, personal narrative, vulnerability, writers
October 31, 2023

Peek Inside: “Surviving Sue” – Learning & Growing

Thanks so much for continuing to ride along as I share more about “Surviving Sue“. I can’t believe it’s only been three months since her debut! (Hmm…Three months or three years?) I’ve learned so much about the process of publishing and promoting but even more… about myself. A lot of personal growth has been packed Continue reading

Surviving Sue

author, books, healing, love, personal narrative, publishing, vulnerability, writing
July 25, 2023

Peek Inside: “Surviving Sue” – Writer’s Vulnerability

Gifts come in unexpected wrappers. I doubt she suspected her post would be perceived that way, but when Georgia from the beautiful blog Person on the Page wrote about personal nonfiction a few weeks ago, referencing “Body Work” by Melissa Febos, she bestowed a gift upon me. The whole post was a treat, but Georgia’s Continue reading

Surviving Sue

author, courage, Family, gratitude, memoir, new book, vulnerability, writer
April 25, 2023

Maybe He’s On His Way

I know a dear one who’s struggling with an eating disorder. It’s still not the sort of thing that men openly talk about but that doesn’t mean the challenges of disordered eating, food addictions, are unique to one gender. My dear one? He’s invited to a weekend of debauchery, Las Vegas style, for a bachelor Continue reading

Wellness

Brene Brown, eating disorders, men's health, vulnerability, Wellness

“Surviving Sue”, a special story about resiliency and love: Eckhartz Press (paperback) and eBook on Amazon.

Peek Inside “Surviving Sue“

Visit Resources on Atkinson Group Solutions for more.

Podcasts

Listen to the “Sharing the Heart of the Matter” podcast.

You can find our podcast on Apple, Amazon, Spotify and Pocket Casts. Please subscribe!

Workshops

Chicago Writers Association Speakers Bureau – Writing for Wellness; Navigating Elder Care with Grace & Humor; How to Create a Writing Platform; AI for Caregivers

About Me

Learn about five books that inspired and supported my writing journey by visiting my personalized book review page on Shepherd.

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