WRITING

Articles

Short, practical writing on culture, identity, and belonging at work, and what the signals there point to.

A man with short dark hair and stubble looks directly at the camera with a serious expression. The right half of his face dissolves into teal and blue pixel squares that scatter outward across a cream background.

Proof of humanity required: What constant doubt is doing to us

If you write too well, you might be accused of relying on a machine. What happens to creativity, confidence, and belonging at work when brilliance always needs a receipt?

Aug 7

A sunlit photo studio with lights, a camera on a tripod, a makeup mirror, and a clothing rack. In front, a framed sign titled “The price of real” lists costs for a photographer, studio, hair, makeup, wardrobe, and more, totaling $12,000. A poster on the back wall reads “The price of admission: your authentic self. Not every room is built for that. Being seen fully is a luxury.”

“Real” has always been a luxury

Who has to file themselves down to belong, and who gets to walk in untouched?

Jun 3

They wrote it down: The 27 reasons America said "no" to kings

In the year of America’s 250th birthday, the founders’ own paper trail is the place to start. The Declaration of Independence listed 27 grievances against a king. Here is what they wrote, and why it still matters.

Mar 26

A collage of June moments. Protesters hold a “Black Lives Matter” sign and a partially visible sign naming Breonna Taylor. A crowd carries signs reading “This is what democracy looks like” and “Liberty and justice for all.” A Loving Day graphic shows two hands of different skin tones forming a heart. A Juneteenth Freedom graphic shows a gold star on red, black, and green. A rainbow graphic reads “Celebrate Pride.” Marchers with American flags carry a “No Kings” banner down a city street. A center panel reads “June Is Not Just a Month, It’s a Mirror.”

June is not just a month. It’s a mirror.

Pride. Juneteenth. Loving Day. Protest. Power. June holds multitudes, and it shows us what our workplaces are really mirroring. Includes a quick inclusion scan you can use with your team.

Jun 17, 2025

A grid of textures arranged in vertical and horizontal lines: striped fabric, weathered wood planks, white vertical blinds, teal corrugated metal, bamboo poles, a living wall of plants, dark wooden slats, stacked stone, a strip of colored threads, glossy orange panels, and bolts of cream fabric. A center panel reads “Vertical vs. Horizontal Morality: Why It Matters for the Workplace Today.”

Vertical vs. horizontal morality: Why it matters for the workplace today

Vertical morality centers authority and structure. Horizontal morality centers equality and shared well-being. What happens at work when we ask who we’re centering in our empathy: systems, or the people they serve?

Apr 3, 2025

A bearded man in a white shirt with red tape over his mouth glances sideways while carrying a box of office belongings, including a potted plant and binders. A blurred colleague sits in the background. A panel reads “From Free Speech to Fear Speech: When Language Becomes a Liability.”

From free speech to fear speech: When language becomes a liability

We’re being asked to play Taboo in real life: talk about identity, justice, and inclusion without using the words that define them. Avoiding the words doesn’t change reality. It just reveals discomfort with acknowledging it.

Mar 15, 2025

An abstract black-and-white image split down the middle, with flowing wave-like textures and columns of binary code, 0s and 1s, meeting at the center. A panel reads “The Illusion of Binary Thinking: Transgender Bans, Mixed-Race Erasure, and the Pitfalls of Arrested Development.”

The illusion of binary thinking: Transgender bans, mixed-race erasure, and the pitfalls of arrested development

From the transgender military ban to the old “pick one race” census box, the same outdated mental maps keep showing up. You don’t get to erase someone’s identity just because you don’t understand it.

Feb 28, 2025

A split portrait of Lady Justice holding scales. The left half is a cracked statue in cool blue tones. The right half is a mosaic of colored tiles, with faces of people in the background. A panel on a slate blue background reads “The Attack on DEI: What It Is, What It Isn’t, and What These Presidential Actions Mean for All of Us.”

What does DEI actually mean? And why is our government working overtime to dismantle it?

Diversity, equity, and inclusion aren’t about quotas or unfair advantages. Here’s what DEI actually means, what the January 2025 executive orders changed, and why it matters for workplaces everywhere.

Jan 23, 2025

Drag queen Aimee Amour poses against a soft gray backdrop in a black off-the-shoulder sequined gown, with a towering black beehive wig, winged eyeliner, and red lips. One hand rests on her hip and the other at her collarbone, with pearl bracelets on both wrists.

What drag taught me about authentic leadership

My son Christian is the drag queen Aimee Amour. When he gave me my drag debut, I learned that transformation takes time, asking for help is a strength, and leadership, like drag, is an art form.

Jan 7, 2025

A woman with curly dark hair sits at an outdoor table, resting her forehead in one hand and holding a mug in the other, eyes downcast and visibly weighed down. A panel reads “‘How Are You?’ A Question of Depth and Trust.”

“How are you?” A question of depth and trust

We ask “How are you?” as a greeting, not a question. But when someone answers honestly, they’re placing trust in us. Are we ready to hold space for the answer?

Nov 21, 2024

Four smiling young adults hold up large wooden letters spelling VOTE in red, white, and blue. A panel reads “Election Talk at Work: Balancing Professionalism, Identity, and Dialogue.”

Election talk at work: Balancing professionalism, identity, and dialogue

Political conversations can be a source of both connection and conflict at work. How leaders can balance professionalism, identity, and open dialogue during election season.

Oct 23, 2024

Four friends laugh together while taking a selfie at a restaurant table, one holding a slice of pizza. A panel reads “Trivia Night’s Best Kept Secret: The Power of Diversity.”

Trivia night’s best-kept secret: The power of diversity

My trivia team wins every time, and it’s not because any of us are geniuses. It’s the mix. What our new neighbor’s first question taught me about building diverse teams at work.

Oct 2, 2024

Wooden letter blocks spelling ALLY sit on a white surface, with blank blocks scattered and blurred in the background. A panel reads “The 5 S’s of Engagement: Navigating Your Path Through Allyship.”

The 5 S’s of engagement: Navigating your path through allyship

Sympathizer, supporter, sponsor, spokesperson, strategist. Allyship isn’t a label. It’s a journey with different levels of engagement, and it isn’t always linear.

Aug 6, 2024