Stories Archives - Page 6 of 10

Used syringes littering my neighborhood

I've written how I pick up litter every day in the northwest corner of Washington Square Park on top of the other litter I pick up daily. For the twenty-one years I've lived here, walking through that corner after dusk means someone approaching saying, "smoke smoke, weed, smoke smoke." Since the pandemic that corner has evolved to harder drugs. I saw a guy smoking something other than cannabis a couple months ago. A couple weeks ago I saw the first syringe, discarded onto the middle of a park bench. Any kid could have walked by. I didn't think to take a picture of that syringe, but I saw another yesterday. My phone camera may be the worst one around, but I had it so took…

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October 1, 2020

My first time biking 100 miles in a day since the 80s (then 51 burpees)

I can't believe how much today's ride tired me out. I'll only post the high-level details before going to sleep. I recently got a new used bike---a touring bike designed to carry enough to go bike camping. The summer between high school and college, a friend and I rode from Philadelphia to Bar Harbor, Maine and back---about 1,500 miles. For years I used bikes as my main commuting vehicles, until the unlimited MetroCard made subways more convenient. I sold my last bikes a few years ago to put them back in circulation. I believe I last rode 100 miles in a day on that bike-camping trip, when I was 16 years old, about a third my age. Today With the new bike, I wanted to…

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September 24, 2020

Fitness / Stories

When I saw Ruth Bader Ginsburg speak at West Point

I saw her speak at West Point about a year and a half ago. In a room including colonels, generals, and cadets, she riveted the audience with humor, stories, wit, and insight. My favorite insight was her sharing her friendship with Scalia. Their nearly opposite politics didn't stop them from things like he would secretly pass her notes while hearing cases to try to make her laugh. Her sharing contributed to my befriending a few people with opposite political views, against this nation's tide of increasing polarization and beating opponents without trying to understand (Jonathan Haidt's book The Righteous Mind contributed too). Among the results: less anger, more understanding, more self-awareness, though also more confusion among friends and family to why I would talk to…

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September 19, 2020

Leadership / Stories

My Washington Square Park drug dealer dream

I want to write a headline one day saying, "How I Led the Washington Square Park Drug Dealers to Clean the Park," or something like it for a story in the paper. Likely? No. Possible? Yes. For longer than the twenty years I've lived in Greenwich Village, drug dealers have operated wantonly in the northwest corner of Washington Square Park. "Smoke smoke . . . weed weed," they say as you walk past. Since the pandemic, they've increased in number and brazenness. I haven't seen the police walk through in months. They claim to lack manpower and that they have to watch the arch since people spray-painted it. Many days I'll see a half-dozen cops standing around chatting, masks off, by the arch. So the…

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September 13, 2020

Fitness / Stories

Greetings from Sparta

Interviewing Joe De Sena for the podcast led to each of us inspiring each other, which led to friendship, which led to him inviting me to his Vermont farm, which is where I am. Joe founded The Spartan Race, an obstacle course that grew a movement. This picture illustrates the community. Several people I told I was coming up here knew about this farm and said, "You're doing the Death Race?" But this weekend is an invitation-only, non-Death Race. There's a 900-foot hill next to the property with steep, rocky paths. Starting noon tomorrow, people will do laps on it for 24 hours. They bring headlamps for nighttime, as well as what food, water, and other equipment they need. How I inspired Joe: His episode…

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July 17, 2020

Nature / Stories

Roots of my environmental action video

People keep asking what motivates me, why I act differently than most. I recorded this video describing three threads starting from my childhood leading to my actions today. I recorded in the treehouse my stepfather built for the grandchildren. https://youtu.be/tRpLvsK5r2A Notes Below are the notes I practiced from. I didn't try to follow them perfectly. How people describe me nowI try to explain but they never get it so had to go back to beginning. Three or four threadsPreview three threads: 1, 2, 3, overview: If you participate in system, you contribute to it. And there is a way out.1. Grade school: US ConstitutionDidn't plan it, learned2. Physics, conservation of energyStarted nerdy, avoided for social reasons but eventually went for itSatelliteConservation of energy is fundamentalPeople…

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June 14, 2020

Audio / Habits / SIDCHAs / Stories / Tips

Habits create a lifestyle: Hear me on the Style Your Life podcast

Erin and Michelle host the Style Your Life podcast. They wanted to learn and share with their audience about habits, which are the foundation of a lifestyle. They can be if you choose. They led a conversation around habits and how to keep from quitting them. I talk and write a lot about habits and sidchas here. This conversation is a friendly, non-intense entry point. Few things improve a life more than starting and keeping effective habits and sidchas based on your values. Listen to the conversation. EDIT: Erin and Michelle posted the video recording: https://youtu.be/AFGWPHwT9Zs Listen to the conversation.

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June 9, 2020

Art / Stories

The advice I shouldn’t have taken from a black friend on talking about race

Context Before starting the Leadership and the Environment podcast, I gave a series of talks on environmental action at NYU---my first foray into applying leadership to the environment. By then I had experimented enough an practicing stewardship to have experienced the joy that it brought. I felt compelled to share my results and how to act on them. Every would-be leader of any renown I'd heard speak on the environment presented action as deprivation, sacrifice---a burden, a chore. Before my results, I couldn't promote action if I considered the cure worse than the disease. As far as I can tell, every would-be leader still considers stewardship deprivation, sacrifice---a burden, a chore. They're leading people not to act! Action In these talks I related acting on…

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June 7, 2020

Stories

Why are we blind to sexism hurting men, take 4: Central Park false accusation

Following three previous posts here Why are we so blind to sexism that hurts men and boys?Philadelphia and Starbucks: How blind are we to sexism hurting men?More missing sexism when it hurts men and countless incidents in life, here is yet another story with blatant sexism largely unremarked on. To be sure, some remark on it, but far from how much they recognize the racism. The New York Times covered the story in White Woman Is Fired After Calling Police on Black Man in Central Park. Here's the video: https://youtu.be/h6eJmRJHq4k Note the subtitle: Video of the incident touched off intense discussions about the history of black people being falsely reported to the police. Yes, blacks are falsely reported. So are men! The article calls out…

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May 27, 2020

Audio / Nonjudgment / Stories

Three Latest Videos on New York City’s lockdown with Me and Magamedia.org’s Rob Harper

I can't describe the unexpected fun and growth coming from my conversations with Rob. When I learned of Ruth Bader Ginsburg's friendship with Antonin Scalia, I couldn't get it. How could one tolerate someone who worked to make the world the opposite of what they wanted, especially with the stakes so high? Reading John Stuart Mill's On Liberty, I intellectually understood his point that you have to share your ideas to have them challenged or you don't know what you're talking about. I didn't internalize it. Living with two people---my mom and stepfather---who look on Trump with disdain, I think all three of us are surprised at the friendship and conversations Rob and I are creating. I think my surprise is pleasant. Theirs is more…

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May 16, 2020

Recovering from running a marathon versus rowing a 2k

After I finished running a marathon. This picture came hours after finishing, meaning I had already recovered a bunch.

Fitness / Stories

Recovering from running a marathon versus rowing a 2k

I recently shared this experience with someone who described the feeling of suffering after beating their personal best for rowing a 2k: This picture came hours after finishing a marathon, meaning I had already recovered a bunch. Can you tell how miserable I felt? And it was my sixth marathon, so I had experience to help handle it. Your story reminds me of finishing my first running marathon. In the area where runners could get their bags and put on warm clothes, some happy-go-lucky guy, despite also having just finished, jauntily walks in saying spritely, "You did it! It hurts now, but the pain will pass and you'll always be able to say you finished!" The rest of us, nursing our pain, looked at him…

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May 15, 2020

Fitness / Freedom / Habits / My Favorite Posts / SIDCHAs / Stories

Life-Changing Habits Even (Especially) Under Lock-Down

Here is the video from my webinar last week on life-changing habits during lock-down (and the rest of your life). https://youtu.be/BfnO0nQSuPk Wondering if you should watch? Quoting attendees: "My boyfriend was an Olympic fencer and I texted him: this webinar is like an insight into your brain. Now I see how you do everything and how you're so productive." "Holy cow, it's so simple. It's so true. I could immediately see the ways . . . I'm pretty fit, I was a collegiate athlete. I work out. I'm doing the insanity program now and I was like 'Wow!'" "We talk a lot about freedom, whether it's financial freedom. Mental freedom is not something I've thought of. I thought about freedom with my time---I'm an advertising…

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May 5, 2020

Leadership / Nature / Stories

My third TEDx talk: People Don’t Want to Do Small Things. They Want to Do Meaningful Things

TED and TEDxConnecticutCollege posted my third TEDx talk (scroll down for my first two). I can't express my gratitude for the organizers for the opportunity to develop and deliver this talk. The event was February 29, just as the pandemic was starting. I believe the pandemic only makes my message more valuable. People Don't Want to Do Small Things. They Want to Do Meaningful Things. https://youtu.be/3GMTpaxlLGg I consider it my most meaningful talk. Times rehearsing it, tears streamed down my face, thinking of role models who led us through challenges before---especially that boat. If you like it, please share and upvote it. Here's the direct link: https://youtu.be/3GMTpaxlLGg. If you don't like it, I appreciate constructive criticism. Either way, I'd love your thoughts. Here's how to…

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May 4, 2020

Audio / Stories

Video on New York City’s lockdown with Magamedia.org’s Rob Harper

I appeared on Magamedia.org a second time, which I'll post about tomorrow (here's my post on my first appearance, explaining why I'm appearing on a site supporting someone acting contrary to many of my values). [EDIT: I posted it the next day: See my second appearance on Magamedia.org. My podcast episode with my mom preempted it.] In preparing for the appearance, Rob and I got to talking about New York's lockdown and how the region is handling it. We didn't talk politics---just about experiences, observations, and predictions. I considered a fair amount of it insightful. (Here's Rob's appearance on my podcast). We talked about handling SolitudeConfinementNot being able to get away from partnersLosing incomeOpportunityReflectionFamilyMuch more https://youtu.be/zy-7w2WLoqI If you don't talk with people with diverse viewpoints,…

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April 12, 2020

Events / Stories

See me speak at TEDxConnecticutCollege, February 29th

I'm honored to give my third TEDx talk February 29th at TEDxConnecticutCollege. The theme is "Beyond the Disarray." I will speak about formative experiences that led me to develop confidence and direction amid the confusion, disarray, and inaction plaguing so many from acting decisively about what they care about most. Email me for tickets if you'd like to attend or buy them here. The event logistics: Saturday, February 29, 2020 11:00am to 5:00pm Cummings Art Center, Connecticut College 270 Mohegan Avenue, New London, CT The location Connecticut College has a stunningly beautiful campus. From Wikipedia: Connecticut College (Conn College or Conn) is a private liberal arts college located in New London, Connecticut. It is a residential, four-year undergraduate institution with nearly all of its approximately…

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February 19, 2020

Audio / Education / Exercises / Leadership / Nonjudgment / Stories

Hear me on the Ask Women podcast

Would you expect me on a podcast called Ask Women Podcast: What Women Want? With an episode title "How To Be A Leader With Women | The BJ Technique"? Yes, 'BJ' meaning what you think. Here are the notes about the hosts, Marni Kinrys and Kristen Carney: What do a female comic and a professional wing girl have in common? The realistically raw and hilarious perspectives on what women ACTUALLY want in a man. Prepare to be offended and awed as Marni Kinrys & Kristen Carney take you through the uncensored and often ridiculous mind of a woman to help you better understand, appreciate, and avoid getting punched by the next girl you come across. Listen to the episode I met Marni first. Here's her…

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February 14, 2020

Choosing/Decision-Making / Fitness / SIDCHAs / Stories / Tips

When, specifically, is the best time for evening exercises?

Yesterday's post answered the best time to exercise in the morning. What if you exercise in the evening too or instead? The beginning of that post---why exercise, listing the benefits, and so on---apply here. No need to repeat everything up to "First things first." Alternative 1: Just before bed The latest option is to exercise last before going to bed. Many ask if getting your heart rate up might keep you up at night. They probably haven't exercised late, or they would have learned that, however paradoxical it sounds, exercise gives you energy in general and helps you sleep at night. Vigorous summer exercise will make you sweat, assuming you don't over-air-condition yourself. You rarely need more than a fan. Exercise challenges you. Knowing and…

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December 29, 2019

Fitness / Habits / Stories

I rowed 100k (60 miles) in 22 days. Memento Mori.

The manufacturer of my rowing machine, Concept2, created its annual holiday challenge. In honor of anyone rowing at least 100,000 meters between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, they would donate to a climate charity of your choice. Something got into me to do it. 26 days meant five of my workout cycles (day 1: lifting, day 2: Turkish Get Up (TGU), day 3: rest, day 4: cardio, day 5: rest). I worked out to make my cardio days a 10k row and to add another 10k row on my TGU days. My only concession was to use lighter weights on my lifting days. I still did my twice daily burpee-based calisthenics, cold showers, and everything else. This morning I finished my tenth 10k. Here are my…

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December 20, 2019

Fitness / Stories

Cold weather when I was young

Running errands today in 16 degree weather (-9C) reminded me of a time playing Ultimate in college. I think it was the year we were in the finals of most regional tournaments against Wesleyan and expected to make nationals, though I don't remember exactly since what do I remember exactly from around 1990? In any case, the only times we could all meet was super-early, maybe 6am. This was during the off-season, so we were meeting maybe January or February at 6am in the middle of campus to walk down to Central Park to practice. The weather that morning was as cold as I've felt in New York, probably around 10F. We didn't question that we would practice so we all showed up. Imagine about…

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December 19, 2019

Stories

My China Africa story of common ancestors

Years ago I lived in Shanghai for eight months, helping develop the next generation of my first company, Submedia's, technology with our sub-licensee. I knew the technology best, having invented it and with my physics background. They knew manufacturing. No one knew how to make cylindrical lenses to the tolerances we needed and an affordable price. So I worked in their factories with their engineers. We often met after work in restaurants around big circular tables with a lazy Susan in the middle that you could spin to pick what food you wanted. Only the secretary spoke both English and Chinese so she sat next to me. Dinners began with some of engineers talking to me through her, but as they drank more, translating took…

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December 17, 2019

Events / Leadership / Nature / Stories

My second TEDx talk, “What everyone gets wrong about the environment” and how to get it right

I am deeply grateful to the TEDxWaltham team for inviting me and hosting the event, October 5, 2019. https://youtu.be/sTYiHr1lu10 Here's the blurb: Josh shares his remarkable, radical, personal journey to more sustainable living -- away from a standard American diet (and life) to his vegan, nearly package-free diet and away from a jet-setting lifestyle to not flying for 4.5 years and counting -- and his profound discovery of a common misconception about acting on environmental values that can help each help each of us live more sustainably and enjoy it.Joshua Spodek PhD MBA is the bestselling author of Leadership Step by Step and Initiative, host of the award-winning Leadership and the Environment podcast, and a professor at NYU. Josh has challenged himself to live a…

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November 7, 2019

Nature / Stories

4 Delicious Benefits of Acting on the Environment

I wrote a piece in Thrive Global, 4 Delicious Benefits of Acting on the Environment, on my process of polluting less and the joys I've received from it. It begins: I last emptied my household garbage in September 2018. The time before that, June 2017. Yes, I took 16 months to fill one load of garbage, and a small load — one canvas tote bag full. I don't need to use plastic bags because everything wet or that rots I compost. When I said those dates in my last TEDx talk, the crowd woke up. I could hear people saying, "What?", "Really?", "How is that possible?" Afterward, people asked how I did it. Specific details for eliminating the biggest sources of garbage — food packaging…

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November 3, 2019

Nature / Stories / Visualization

Victory from the jaws of defeat: I froze two-thirds through my TEDx talk

Today I gave my talk at TEDxWaltham, "What Everyone Gets Wrong About The Environment." Before I got home, an attendee emailed one of the most encouraging and heartwarming reviews I've received: "I just wanted to tell you, I was extremely inspired by you and your talk today. I can't remember a time when I was more impressed by someone's philosophy and dedication to action. I hope we can chat soon by phone or video. I'd love to learn more about what your doing and how I can make positive changes in my life. I am available at your convenience if you can chat for a few when you can. Thanks for sharing your message - it was really a gift." It didn't go as planned,…

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October 5, 2019

Epstein, Weinstein, Trump, the Clintons, and the Sacklers were close

The future United States President with Epstein

Stories

Epstein, Weinstein, Trump, the Clintons, and the Sacklers were close

Talking to a friend, I was surprised at how close the richest, most powerful, and scandalous people are. We wondered if all of them were in the same room at the same time. Try searching "Epstein Weinstein Trump Clinton Sackler". It's shocking how close they are. I don't have to present new information, only to point out how they may well have all known each other. What does that closeness say about democracy in the U.S.? How does it make you feel about working so hard to make ends meet while the people in authority seem to get money from drugs, engage in sex trafficking, assault, and such? Here are the top pictures and a few headlines. There are plenty more. The future United States…

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September 22, 2019

Nature / Stories

I plogged on TV with the Doctor and the Diva

"The plogging community is waiting for you to come aboard!" I said it to Doctor Steve and I'm saying it to you. "When you jog, plog." The producers from daytime TV show The Doctor and the Diva contacted me. They were doing a segment on plogging. They seemed genuinely interested in the activity and bringing it to their audience. Is picking up garbage off the street on TV what I got my Ivy League degrees for? When I live in a world with this garbage, hell yeah! Logistics took forever. I saw the work to create a show with several segments per show. Eventually schedules worked, I went to their studios, we recorded me and Doctor Steve, plogging, and here is the segment: https://youtu.be/9RWOV0jwWVY Though…

4 Comments

September 19, 2019