In today’s pilot episode we meet with author, entrepreneur and motivational speaker Michael Brian (aka Mike McDonnell), host of The Ask Mike Show and author of My Introvert Journey to Being Visible coming out in late November. 

Go to  to subscribe for early announcement of release and a discounted rate.

To celebrate one year since starting my podcast, I have launched a new website and a brand new name. Thanks for the Words will aim to connect ideas through a shared platform where we bring together thoughts, perspectives, philosophies and personal stories from a variety of guests from across the world.

Thank you so much to everyone who’s supported me in this endeavor over the last year. I look forward to what the future brings and what kinds of new ideas we can connect over.

Beau of the Fifth Column and Brian Tyler Cohen already gave great analysis on the problem with Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett being unable to name all five of the rights secured by the First Amendment.  I had a few additional thoughts on the matter I'd like to share.

Donald Trump left Walter Reed today, and instead of using the moment to bring awareness, through personal experience and empathy, to a highly infectious and potentially deadly COVID-19, The President used the moment to do what he does best, tout his own greatness and inflated sense of self.

Politics involves long term and short term.  As important as the long term is, we can't get there if we don't live through the short term.

During a recent trip to Apple Hill up in El Dorado County, I was stunned to find myself eating at an establishment that was not enforcing social distancing standards.  None of the staff of Apple Bistro in Placerville, CA wear a mask or seem to think the practice is important.  What's worse, the local government seems to be doing nothing about it.   Here is the email to report public health violations in El Dorado County: [email protected]

Go to headcount.org to learn more.  

Music by Caffeine_Creek_Band from Pixabay 

Image by jaykingsta14 from Pixabay

Be sure to check out howto.vote, or democracy.works to learn everything you need to know to vote this November.  

Music by Caffeine_Creek_Band from Pixabay Image by Please Don't sell My Artwork AS IS from Pixabay

Today is a very special, somber day of remembrance for me and I've decided to open up about it in my own way.  Apologies in advance for the bit of rambling.  I think I just wanted to give an acknowledgement for my daughter on this important day.  

Link to my loss story/interview:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kJWNU2UPtM

I don't believe there's any such thing as a dumb question. There are, however, dumb answers.  And I personally think it's dumb to settle for answers from the wrong people.

"It goes through the air, that's always tougher than the touch. You don't have to touch things. Right? But the air, you just breathe the air and that's how it's passed. "And so that's a very tricky one. That's a very delicate one. It's also more deadly than even your strenuous flus."  -Donald Trump, February 7, 2020