From Evel Knievel stunt bikes and Pong to life-sized monster trucks, 300-foot roller coasters, and 28 mph e-bikes—a look at why today’s hyper-engineered toys make me drool with pure nostalgia envy.
Drooling With Envy at Today’s Toys
Forget the Meaning of Life—Why Do Wasps Exist?
When I get to Heaven, everyone else will be asking about the secrets of the cosmos—I’ll be in line asking why wasps exist, where lost laundry goes, and for the ultimate divine ruling on Five Guys versus In-N-Out. Priorities, people.
The Quiet Power of Truth
A casual summer trip to a craft shop took an unexpected turn when a simple quote stopped me in my tracks—and delivered a timeless reminder about the enduring power of truth.
Carving My Own Path
Watching my father turn rough wood into detailed sculptures with a pocketknife taught me the art of patience. I never mastered his sharp tools, but I found my own chisel in the pen—carving out words to find my voice and build my world.
The Jellyfish Are Biting And So Are My Book Ideas
A brief warning from a state park attendant kicked off a flood of creative inspiration. From jellyfish apocalypses to mob bosses in flip-flops, here is what happens when your mind wanders on dry land.
An Angel When I Needed It Most
(A version of this story appeared on The Heart of The Matter in November 2023.) The thing I noticed first was his calmness. He wasn’t like the other teachers, coaches, or family friends in my life. He had a soft voice that you sometimes had to strain to hear and he rarely seemed to yell... Continue Reading →
What an Old Flannel Shirt Taught Me About Forgiveness
A simple request from my wife to borrow a flannel shirt sent me down a hallway of memory. Flannel was my father's uniform through every high and low of his life. Looking at his old shirt hanging in my closet reminds me that people are complicated, messy, and full of grace if we choose to see it.
Real Wealth? The True Luxuries of Life
We talk a lot about billionaires and the 1%, but a memory from an old college classroom makes me wonder: Are the world's greatest luxuries already within our grasp?
Up, Up, and Away (Until the Snack Cart Arrives)
From the quiet awe of takeoff to the absurdity of the terminal, air travel is a mix of miracles and madness. A look at the brief magic of flight—and the universal quirks of the people we fly with.
Writing from the Heart with Brian 
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