Welcome to my blog! Every week or so, I post an article on something involving wicked problems in peacebuilding or comparative politics. I define those fields very broadly, so you’ll probably be surprised by some of the topics I end up covering.
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Recent Posts
The YMCA and Me
Last week, I had the opportunity to rethink my history with the Y when I was invited to a lunch to celebrate its Team Up project
The End of Zero-Sum Thinking?
Damien Cve of the New York Times got me thinking about the world over this tumultuous weekend. And surfing.
Learning (Again) From Les Leopold
Once again, my old friend Les Leopold pulled me out of a writing and political funk.
We Have Work To Do
I haven't written about the election. Here's what I think we peacebuilders need to work on.
Becoming ProHuman
I had known about Daryl Davis and his unique work with KKK members. I recently got to spend some quality time with him and his new organization, the ProHuman Foundation.
Doctor (Hauss)–Heal Thyself
Five ways I had to rethink who I am and what I do in the last few weeks.
Evolution and Foreign Policy
A summary of a remarkable workshop on evolutionary thinking and American foreign policy.
Sweeping Change from the Inside Out
Some thoughts on how lasting social change can be built from the inside out.
My First Rotary District Conference
I attended my first Rotary District Conference last weekend. See what I learned.
Meeting Mercatus
My remarkable two days at the Mercatus Center's Pluralism Summit.
PeaceCon and Beyond
I spent last week at PeaceCon and then convened a group of colleagues who want to build up Peacebuilding Starts at Home.
Rotarians Have Difficult Conversations
Last weekend, I helped organize and facilitate a workshop on having difficult conversations for my Rotary district
Labor Day and Peacebuilding
Because I am now committed to doing a blog post a week, I decided to do this week’s on Labor Day and its implications for peacebuilding. Although I didn’t grow up as a [...]
The New Paradigm Coalition
Last week, I attended the semi public launch of the New Paradigm Coalition
Build Community Online
This week, I revisit a question that has preoccupied me for decades. Can we build community on line? For the first time in years, I think we can.
Evolution Comes to International Relations
I'm helping plan a workshop to explore how evolutionary thinking can (re)shape both conventional foreign policy making and peacebuilding.
From Conflict to Convergence
I go to a lot of launch events and other talks based on books by friends and colleagues. So, I was surprised and delighted by how much I enjoyed—and, more importantly, learned from—the [...]
Our Big Lunchpail F***king Job
How should we peacebuilders and others think and act as the presidential election heats up.
Let’s Build Something Together
I've stolen Lowe's tag line from the late 2000s as a jumping off point for how I'm planning to adapt my on line work so it can help us build peace--and a whole lot more--together.
Politics is NOT a Four Letter Word
How can we embrace our political differences, not run away from them? Especially given the events of last Saturday?
Politically Clinically Depressed
My reaction to the presidential debate--and a whole lot more. What we can do about it.