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Can we talk about George Harrison’s "Cloud Nine?" This remarkable album reminds us that creativity can find new life through collaboration, renewal, and rediscovering joy in our work. My latest blog celebrates George’s inspiring comeback and the power of beginning again. #GeorgeHarrison #CloudNine

Can We Talk About “Cloud Nine” by George Harrison?

In 1987, George Harrison returned to recording after a five-year gap between albums. During that time, he had devoted himself to family life, gardening, and pursuits beyond the music business. His collaboration with Jeff Lynne of Electric Light Orchestra sparked renewed creative energy. The resulting album, Cloud Nine, became a celebration of musical renewal, collaboration, and rediscovering the joy of creating.

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Every day, I write, blog, record reels, and work toward finishing my next book. Some days, the applause feels distant, but I keep creating. I am building a body of work with the hope that something I share will find someone who needs it. Creating in the quiet. Still showing up.

Creating in the Quiet

Some days, the applause feels dim and distant. I keep writing, recording, and creating, wondering whether any of it is reaching someone. There is a certain quiet that comes with creating something meaningful and wondering where it might find a connection. Still, I keep showing up. Every day, I sit down to write a blog post, record a reel, and share something meaningful.

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Dave Brubeck’s "The Summit Sessions" reminds me that belonging doesn’t mean finding one band or fitting into one niche. My latest blog and reel explore the hope found in collaboration, connection, and the bandmates we meet along the journey. Perhaps we are never meant to stop making music.

Can We Talk About “The Summit Sessions” by Dave Brubeck?

One of the joys of collecting vinyl is discovering forgotten records that deserve another listen. The Summit Sessions by Dave Brubeck is one of those treasures. Released by Columbia Records in 1971, this quirky, long out of print compilation brings together an extraordinary collection of musical collaborations. It is not your typical greatest hits album. Instead, it celebrates something much more meaningful: the power of community, connection, and making music with others.

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Music is a time machine. Hearing the Steve Miller Band’s “Your Saving Grace” brought back memories of college radio, treasured friendships, and the joy of sharing music. My latest blog celebrates how a deep cut can reconnect us with the people and moments that shaped our lives.

Can We Talk About “Your Saving Grace” by The Steve Miller Band?

The other day, I was driving home from work when a lost classic from my college years came through my car speakers. One of the joys of listening to SiriusXM’s Deep Tracks is hearing something from my own eclectic record collection. There is a certain validation in knowing that someone else digs the same music. This time, it was “Your Saving Grace” by the Steve Miller Band.

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Can we talk about “Coconut” by Harry Nilsson? One sunny childhood day in my mother's station wagon in Carson, California, this quirky song captured my imagination. More than 50 years later, that groove still takes me back. My latest blog explores the magic of music and memory.

Can We Talk About…”Coconut” by Harry Nilsson?

I remember riding around Carson, California, in my mother's station wagon on a sunny day when I was in kindergarten. A song came over the radio that sounded like a transmission from another world. It immediately perked up my ears. There was this hypnotic groove, a repeating guitar riff, and a collection of wonderfully strange voices telling an even stranger story.

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Vince Guaraldi’s music always takes me back to childhood, curled up on the couch watching Charlie Brown on CBS. On this crisp autumn Sunday, I’m revisiting his groovy 1968 album "Oh Good Grief!" and the memories it brings. Some music marks time. Guaraldi’s music brings time back.

Can We Talk About…”Oh Good Grief!” by Vince Guaraldi?

There is something about Vince Guaraldi’s music that always brings me home. I have loved his music since childhood, and no matter what mood I am in, his unmistakable piano playing always lifts my spirits. His music takes me back to being that kid curled up on the couch, waiting for a Charlie Brown special to begin on CBS. Remember that iconic CBS Special Presentation introduction?

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Keeping my daily blogging rhythm going! Today, I’m celebrating “Indian Summer” by The Doors, a song whose beauty lives in its groove, simplicity, and space. Sharing a new blog and reel about why this overlooked gem continues to move me. The writing groove continues! 🎶

Can We Talk About “Indian Summer” by The Doors?

Original photograph by Sean Gaillard. Morrison Hotel album artwork © respective rights holders. Can We Talk About… “Indian Summer” by The Doors? One of my favorite Doors songs is “Indian Summer,” an underrated gem nestled on Side Two of their 1970 album Morrison Hotel. This song reveals a tender, deeply human side of this extraordinary band. On an album that marked a return to their blues and rock roots, “Indian Summer” feels almost like a hidden track waiting to be discovered.

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Can we talk about Ringo’s drumming on “Flying”? Those subtle drum breaks on this overlooked Beatles gem absolutely captivate me. Sometimes the smallest musical moments reveal the greatest genius. My latest blog celebrates Ringo’s remarkable touch and impeccable timing. #TheBeatles #RingoStarr

Can We Talk About Ringo’s Drumming on ‘Flying?’

A song in The Beatles’ remarkable catalog that deserves more love is “Flying.” It is one of the few Beatles recordings credited to all four members and one of their rare instrumental tracks. Tucked away on Magical Mystery Tour, it is a little gem that has always captivated me. “Flying” does not sound like a typical Beatles song, yet there is something unmistakably Beatles about its dreamy atmosphere and irresistible groove.

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Can we talk about Paul McCartney’s bass on “Dear Prudence”? From its first entrance to that glorious final crescendo, it grooves, soars, and transcends. Some musical moments never lose their magic. This is my love letter to one of them. #TheBeatles #PaulMcCartney

Can We Talk About Paul’s Bass on “Dear Prudence?”

There are certain moments in music that move me on a visceral level, no matter how many times I have heard them. Paul McCartney's bass playing on The Beatles' “Dear Prudence” is one of those moments. The song is a highlight of the band's eponymously titled 1968 double album, The Beatles, affectionately known as The White Album because of its stark, nearly all-white cover.

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New Blog Post: "Riff Matters." The best riffs happen when we feel free to share ideas, listen without judgment, and discover something new together. Like a great jazz session, meaningful collaboration is built on trust, connection, and the belief that every voice matters.

Riff Matters

A simple riff in music can be unforgettable. Consider Keith Richards' iconic guitar hook on The Rolling Stones' "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction." A handful of notes became one of the most recognizable sounds in rock and roll history. Sometimes a simple musical idea can leave a lasting impression. There is another kind of riff that I find equally fascinating. It is the free flow of ideas, thoughts, and questions that happens when we feel comfortable enough to explore unfinished thoughts with someone else.

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Keeping My Writing Groove Going Thirty days. Thirty consecutive days of blogging and creating reels. What began as my Four Weeks to Rubber Soul creative challenge has become a rhythm that I want to continue. There is something deeply satisfying about sitting down, gathering my thoughts, finding…

Keeping My Writing Groove Going

Thirty days. Thirty consecutive days of blogging and creating reels. What began as my Four Weeks to Rubber Soul creative challenge has become a rhythm that I want to continue. There is something deeply satisfying about sitting down, gathering my thoughts, finding the words, and pressing publish. Writing has become a source of peace and meaning for me. It gives me an opportunity to reflect, create, and share a little piece of myself with the world.

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Dr. Donya Ball and I explore educelebrity culture, brokenness in education, and authentic leadership in the latest episode of "Real Riffs." I am grateful for this collaboration and the joy of simply riffing! Read my latest reflection and give us a listen.

The Joy of Riffing: Real Conversations and the Value of Collaboration

There is something that always brings a smile to my face when I look at my calendar and see the words Record with Donya. Our monthly conversations on Real Riffs with Donya Ball have become one of the most rewarding and enriching creative collaborations I have experienced. We have now recorded six episodes, and I genuinely look forward to each opportunity to connect, reflect, and explore the realities of educational leadership.

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Day 28. FINISH. After 28 days of creating, reflecting, and sharing, my #FourWeeksToRubberSoul journey comes to a close. I began hoping to inspire others and discovered how much I needed this journey myself. My heart is full of gratitude. Finish makes Next possible. Thank you for being part of it.

Four Weeks to Rubber Soul: Day 28 | Finish

Finish Makes Next Possible Twenty-eight days ago, I began a creative journey inspired by an album that The Beatles recorded over approximately four weeks during the fall of 1965. I wanted to explore the lessons of creativity, collaboration, experimentation, and commitment found within the making of Rubber Soul. More importantly, I wanted to challenge myself to create something meaningful every single day while encouraging others to embrace their own creative possibilities.

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Day 27 of #FourWeeksToRubberSoul is about Release and the courage to let go. The response to my daily creativity has not always been what I hoped, but the courage to create and share has grown. Inspired by The Beatles, I reflect on this lesson in today's blog and reel.

Release: Day 27 of Four Weeks to Rubber Soul

There is something magical about release day, especially when it involves The Beatles. For the past several years, I have made it a personal tradition to purchase new Beatles releases and reissues on the very day they become available. There is an excitement that comes with holding the finished product, opening the packaging, exploring the liner notes, and listening to familiar music in an entirely new way.

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Day 26 of #FourWeeksToRubberSoul is “Complete.” On John Lennon’s 86th birthday, I’m reflecting on the courage to create, trust our work, and press Publish. Just 2 days remain in this personal creative journey. Today's blog and reel explore what completion means.

Complete: Day 26 of Four Weeks to Rubber Soul

Complete: Day 26 of Four Weeks to Rubber Soul Today’s word for Day 26 is “Complete.” There comes a moment in every creative journey when we have to stop revising, stop second-guessing, and trust the work we have created. We have to declare it complete. For The Beatles, that moment arrived in November 1965 as they finished recording Rubber Soul…

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Complete: Day 26 of Four Weeks to Rubber Soul

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Day 25 of #FourWeeksToRubberSoul. Today’s word is Refine. As we move closer to finishing, how do we improve the work without losing the energy that inspired it? Refinement is not perfectionism. Refine the work. Protect the spark. #TheBeatles #RubberSoul

Refine: Day 25 of Four Weeks to Rubber Soul

As we move closer to finishing any creative work, there comes a moment when we need to look again at what we have made. We are not looking to tear it apart or chase perfection. We look again because there may be an element that needs attention, an idea that needs sharpening, or a small adjustment that brings the original vision more fully into focus.

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Day 24 of #FourWeeksToRubberSoul. Today’s word is SUSTAIN. The Beatles had committed. They were focused. Now they had to sustain the momentum to finish "Rubber Soul." Starting takes courage. Sustaining takes commitment. Today’s blog and reel are below. #TheBeatles #RubberSoul

Sustain: Day 24 of Four Weeks to Rubber Soul

Sustain As the finish line approaches, starting is no longer the challenge. We have committed. We have focused. Now we have to sustain the momentum long enough to finish what we started. The final stretch of Rubber Soul fascinates me because of the pace The Beatles maintained. During the last week of recording, they were still creating new songs, returning to unfinished ones, adding overdubs, and working increasingly long sessions.

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Day 23 of #FourWeeksToRubberSoul. Today’s word is FOCUS. The Beatles kept returning to the work until "Rubber Soul" was finished. That resonates with me. Focus is not about getting it right the first time. It is about returning to what matters. #TheBeatles #RubberSoul

Focus: Day 23 of Four Weeks to Rubber Soul

Focus I keep coming back to the focus it took for The Beatles to finish Rubber Soul. They were working against an immovable deadline, with EMI needing a new album ready for the Christmas market. A deadline can certainly sharpen our attention, but I wonder if something else was driving them. Maybe they knew they were onto something. Maybe they could feel the music changing and did not want to lose the momentum.

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Week Four of "Four Weeks to Rubber Soul" begins with Commit. The Beatles experimented, explored, and took risks, but eventually they had to finish the record. The same is true for us. At some point, the question changes from “Can I?” to “I will.” Let’s finish what we started.

Commit: Day 22 of Four Weeks to Rubber Soul

Commit Welcome to the fourth and final week of Four Weeks to Rubber Soul. For the past three weeks, we have explored what it means to begin, collaborate, and experiment. Now we arrive at our final theme: Finish. Our word for Day 22 is Commit because finishing begins with a decision. At some point, the experiment needs a commitment.

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Day 21 of "Four Weeks to Rubber Soul" is "Discover." Three weeks of daily blogs and reels started as an experiment in creativity. Along the way, I discovered something about myself and a new direction for my work. What might your next experiment help you discover? #RubberSoul #TheBeatles

Discovery: Day 21 of Four Weeks to Rubber Soul

As we wrap up Week Three of Four Weeks to Rubber Soul, I am still carrying the positive energy from two wonderful moments: the release of the Rubber Soul Super Deluxe Edition and the opportunity to speak at FabFest in Charlotte. Both experiences arrived at just the right time as we close a week centered on one theme: Experiment…

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Today’s #FourWeeksToRubberSoul word is Rest. Perfect timing after a joyful day at FabFest in Charlotte, where I was honored to be a featured author and speaker. Today’s blog and reel are short on purpose. Make a little room to rest. #RubberSoul #TheBeatles

Rest: Day 20 of Four Weeks to Rubber Soul

Sometimes in the creative process we can get weighed down by the burden of shipping the work. There may be external deadlines or self-imposed accountability. It's a labor of love, but it is important to take care of ourselves. You can give yourself permission to pause and recharge. Today's word is Rest. Take time to rest and nurture your nervous system.

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