On Life and Meaning: 100 Essays Inspired by 100 Guests is a full-color, 283 page, 10x10 hardcover book that profiles the 100 guests who appeared in the On Life and Meaning podcast. The book collects personal remarks I shared at the end of each podcast episode and “final thoughts” about the journey of life we are on.

I care about how we live and the communities we create. I teach courses on ethics and leadership. I am interested in what is true, beautiful, and good. I enjoy blues guitar, the company of friends, and city life. I’m a husband and a dad, the two best decisions I ever made.

On Life and Meaning is a podcast that explores the lives of 100 guests. The podcast is informed by an optimistic philosophy about the human quest. The optimism arises from a willingness to look squarely at the human condition. The podcast looks at the deep gray tones of living and looks for the light from within. It is the only way forward.

Kahlil Gibran offered this, “The teacher who is indeed wise … leads you to the threshold of your mind.” I share lessons with students about leadership and ethics and how to make a difference in the world. It is a wonderful career as it is the students who teach me.

”The most beautiful things are those that madness prompts and reason writes,” wrote Andre Gide. I’ve felt the reverie of something to say at night and the tension of writing it during the day. I feel vital and alive when I write, belonging to something bigger than me.

“Let thy speech be better than silence, or be silent.” So said Dionysius of Halicarnassus, a teacher of rhetoric from long ago. My talks explore what is true, beautiful, and good. I tell a few stories and share a few insights about how we might live in a meaningful and satisfying way. My audiences are life-long learners who renew me in mind and spirit.

Greg Popovich, coach of the San Antonio Spurs, said this about the media: “I’ve never been too concerned about what people say … Whether it’s applause or … whatever, I could care less. They’re both fake notions to me. There are more important things, like what kind of wine to order for dinner.” Spoken like a true philosopher. I’m not quite there yet, but trying.

“I am part of all that I have met,” Lord Tennyson said. Send me a note if anything on this website prompts you or you just have an idea that you’d like to explore. We’ll figure it out together.