And how to stop having relationships with avatars of our moms and dads — Mother Duck & Baby Ducklings Our brains are like computers, programmed by inputs. Early experiences teach us how to survive by creating behaviors that become automatic. Our first exposures to love and relationships are stimulated by our parents. …

How stepping into a famous father’s footsteps runs the risk of tripping up an otherwise amazing artistic career — Rick Beato is a terrific YouTuber, check him out. He’s an ideal combination of adroit musician, superb teacher, and expert storyteller. His latest video (see below) showcases and analyzes Wolfgang Van Halen’s impressive performance at the recent Taylor Hawkins Tribute concert. I agree with every point Rick makes, mostly centered…

How the recent revival is a dream come true for classic and alternative rock music fans — I was gushing to a fellow classic and alternative rock concert-going fan about THE SCORPIONS show this week in Atlantic City, and how me and my kid Nicky saw an utterly thrilling performance not only on par with what we experienced back in the 80s, but even better. My 15-year-old…

Hypocrisy and grandstanding fuel our accolades and memorials — I blame the Walt Disney corporation for Americans giving a fuck about English royalty. Why else would we care? Seriously. Must be growing up with Cinderella, fairy tales, and Harry Potter. We dumb Yanks are Anglophiles, and think their accent is cool. We have a short history, so we appropriate…

How the love of a lifetime exposes unresolved childhood traumas — The Forlorn Princess is beautiful, charismatic, and intelligent. Her sovereignty beckons, her dominion assured — precisely why her ravenously jealous and sociopathically narcissistic Fairy Godmother destroys her. Continuously at war with the Libertine King, Fairy Godmother treats the Princess not as a daughter to nurture, but as an ally to…

Trigger humanity’s innate need for wonder and awe to win hearts, then minds — The patient, decades-long defeat of our American Super Power by the rag tag tribal Taliban tragically but compellingly illustrates the superiority of ideological passion over plutocratic opportunism. Offer someone a dollar and they’ll jump, only to soon fall back to the ground; activate them with a belief that infuses meaning…

How relationships reveal our true selves, and why settling for less in love reveals a lack of self-worth — The most important question to ask oneself and then honestly answer is: Am I worthy of being loved? If deep down you feel you’re not, then no matter how many times you ask for more in a relationship, you’ll settle for less. If instead you feel yourself worthy, then you’ll…

How the fate of the Republic is tied to her own poliltical destiny — Irony of ironies, the Daughter of Darth Vader has become the symbol of hope for America. Liz Cheney just lost her Wyoming primary to a “Stop the Steal” election denying Trump endorsed tool. She knew that was coming, instead setting her sights on becoming the first female POTUS. Liz and…

How perception continues to defeat reality, and what the Democrats need to learn — Nobody likes being told what to do. Power is getting people to do what you want them to do. Successful leaders, brands, and organizations don’t tell people what to do. Instead they understand what their followers, customers, and tribe want, and inspire them to act on what they consider to…