The first drafts of all my past books were long, followed by many rounds of editing, including a lot of cutting. My latest draft is around 80,000 words with maybe 20 percent more to write. At 275 words per page, that’s pushing 300 pages. Not bad for a first draft. Except for some good news. My best writing, or progress, tends to come not when I’m writing or at the[…] Keep reading →

I’ve talked a lot lately about a few movies that have spoiled me for most other movies. That is, I find them so meaningful that other movies might entertain but don’t compare in value they bring to my life. After seeing them, if any other movies resemble them, I can’t help but try to compare them and the other ones don’t measure up. The movies that spoil me for other[…] Keep reading →

I wrote last month about how I love recognition for my work and friendships that others pay for, like going on the field for batting practice. This time I can’t help sharing about access to another big New York City institution. A friend works at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It turns out that since Wednesday is their maintenance day, it’s closed to the public but open to staff and[…] Keep reading →

I’m deep into writing my next book. It takes a lot of work, and I don’t just mean time and attention. As part of the process, I went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art today. I wanted to see finished great works of art to inspire me, but I also hoped to see something in particular, and I found some examples. I wanted to see sketches and studies. Sometimes a[…] Keep reading →

Of the throngs of people who pass this Gandhi statue in Union Square, I’d guess a few percent notice it. That modesty and humility are part of its appeal to me. Also that my parents met in Ahmedabad, India, where his ashram was. I spent a year there as a child. My father probably spent ten or fifteen years of his life there. Also that Gandhi has long been one[…] Keep reading →

I recently finished a book and a video course on sustainability leadership. Writing means editing. Any creative, expressive work means sketching ideas, composing, outlining, etc. Any creative, expressive work emerges from copious practice work—any painting, musical piece, novel, poem, etc. You’ve seen sketches by da Vinci, Michelangelo, and so on. I don’t keep a writer’s or artist’s notebook. I don’t start by writing on a computer. I start by writing[…] Keep reading →

I’ve thought of a simple way to illustrate what the Spodek Method workshop delivers. The mission is to change American and global culture to embrace sustainability by evoking our powerful, basic human emotions relevant to nature. The Spodek Method unearths joy, wonder, oneness, connection, spirituality, divinity, and related passions in people you do it with. They return gratitude. Evoking joy and returning gratitude leads to growing community acting together, achieving[…] Keep reading →

The audio book for Sustainability Simplified is on sale at last! If you’ve been waiting to hear me read it, now’s your chance. It’s only available on Amazon (I’ll work with my publisher to make it available elsewhere). The free preview of the first five minutes is captures the opening story. I predict you’ll find it engaging. I confess I’m nervous how people will find my reading, which I consider[…] Keep reading →

One of the more common line of questions people ask me when they learn I disconnected my apartment from the electric grid is what I do for light. Before I share what I share with them, if you’re curious, you can find out easily: don’t turn your lights on this evening. If you do the simple task of not dying, you’ll find an answer. I’m no do-it-yourselfer. If you just[…] Keep reading →