There’s a moment in Stand By Me that never lets go of you. Four boys. A narrow, rickety railroad bridge. Water over a hundred feet below. Nowhere to step off. When’s the next train coming? Nobody knows. But we have to go. There’s no going around. On to the bridge. No turning back. And then, […]
For those of you who are just here for the picks, they’re at the bottom. For those who like a story, read on. My history with the Oscars goes back a long way. Not all the way back to the beginning of cinema, mind you, I’m not that old, but far enough that the Academy […]
“You may not think you’re going to make it. You may want to quit. But if you keep your eye on the ball, you can accomplish anything.” — Hank Aaron Communities across the country have begun gathering, sometimes in large auditoriums, sometimes in small support group rooms, sometimes online, to watch Boys of Summer: Short […]
Don’t feel bad. “Uh…” is a very common response. Have you ever watched a kid burst into spontaneous play, giggling, dancing, making up stories on the fly, and wished you could tap into that same carefree energy? For most adults, routines, responsibilities, and stress create mental rigidity. The Jam for Joy provides a fun, supportive […]
“A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.” – Willy Wonka Last Halloween, my beard became part of a bit. I dressed as Gene Frenkel, Will Ferrell’s iconic SNL cowbell character. To make the look, I dyed my beard from salt-and-pepper to nut brown. It worked. And it was fun. As […]
A few weeks ago, I did something simple but meaningful: I wrote a fan letter to Adam Sandler. This is akin to throwing a message in a bottle and tossing it to sea. I wasn’t really expecting a reply. I wrote to Adam about his Netflix special Love You , because his show helped shape […]
I had the pleasure of talking with Eli Pollard , Executive Director of the World Parkinson’s Congress (WPC) , on Your Daily Dose of Dopamine . If you haven’t seen the interview yet, you can watch it here: What struck me most wasn’t just the breadth of topics we covered, but the genuine heart […]
Some songs are written. Others are lived. “Dad Was Here”, crafted with my long-time composing partner, Will Townsley, PhD (a.k.a. Brother Will ), grew out of miles on the road, long conversations between innings, and the quiet understanding that forms when a parent and child share something bigger than either of them. It sits at […]
If you’re caring for someone with a chronic illness, you’ve probably gotten very good at holding things together. You manage appointments. You anticipate needs. You stay calm when things feel anything but. And somewhere along the way, your own story can start to fade into the background. This Stand By Me Cinema Therapy class isn’t […]
There is only one time any of us truly have: now . No, it isn’t convenient. No, it isn’t fair. And no, despite all our planning, striving, and bargaining, we will never fully control what comes next. What we can do is influence this moment. And storytelling, if we’re courageous enough to work hard and […]
