Rating: 5/5 Last year, after a suddenly deep conversation, a new friend gifted me The Book of Joy. I’ve always treated book recommendations as whispers from God, so I read this one eagerly! The book chronicles Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s 5-day visit to the Dalai Lama’s home in 2015, and their discussions on how to live […]
Author: Darren
Live in an apartment and want to compost? Then it’s time to buy some worms. After doing a ton of research, here is why I believe vermicomposting – having worms eat your garbage to produce nutrient rich fertilizer – is the best composting method for those living in apartments: Most cities don’t have composting systems, […]
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Zero Waste Essentials
These products have helped me waste less in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. Remember to question every purchase – do you really need it? If you can get by without buying anything, even better. You’ll support my blog if you purchase through the affiliate links, thank you! Hope this list saves you time. On the Go […]
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Neverwhere by Neil Gaman (1996)
Rating: 5/5 I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun reading a book… maybe Jurassic Park as a 12-year old? I can almost feel the author chuckling while writing this urban fantasy novel about the London underworld. Gaiman masterfully paints pictures in your mind, and you enjoy spending time with his characters. […]
Rating: 4/5 My friend Dai gifted me The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love at just the right time, as I’m facilitating a casino partnerwork class on musicality, and a huge part of that is exploring Timba’s musical influences. I didn’t know Mambo, ChaChaCha and Pachanga all originated in Cuba! The book follows two Cuban […]
Almost four years ago (April 11, 2021), I published a book about managing your well-being as a solopreneur. It was a deeply personal account about my struggles working independently for 10 years. Now, I’m almost at the 15 year mark! The pandemic, higher costs of living, and new technology has only accelerated the movement toward […]
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Writing & Healing
I wanted to share a piece I wrote for my college magazine: A Father’s Death Leads to a Healing Mother-Son Road Trip Across Croatia As entrepreneurs and marketers, we often write with brutal efficiency. Get to the point. Be inspiring. Be useful. Be clear. Whether for our sales page or social media posts, we’re taught to […]
One week after Dad entered intensive care and was on life support, the neurointensivist, Dr. Swami, asked: “What quality of life do you want for your dad?” “We can keep him on the ventilator, break his ribs to resuscitate him, but would he want that? Would you want that? Your dad may have already had […]
Weekly Salsa-Bachata-Kizomba Socials in Ho Chi Minh City, updated regularly
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Your Day is a Garden
This world operates on a miracle-like law of cause and effect. Your every thought, word, and action has an effect. Just as every bit of soil, sunlight and water shapes a garden. How quickly your body changes with two beers — or two workouts! How immediately your stories can imprison or empower you! Everything is […]
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Dedicated
Commit or keep your options open?
In a world filled with misinformation, how can we find understanding and clarity?
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Crucial Conversations
Tools for talking when stakes are high
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#32 Mindful Meals
Can you taste the sunshine, water & earth in every bite?
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Be Yoda
We all want to be the hero. But when it comes to business, always remember, your customer is the hero. Not you or your brand. You are old, shriveled, hairy Yoda who teaches Luke Skywalker to use the force. You are the eccentric guide dedicated to helping your customer – the hero – reach his […]
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How Much Money is Enough?
I’ve been thinking a lot about money lately. I don’t have much of a choice. It’s in my face every day, the engine driving so much fear and action in America. “The S&P 500 is down 4% today.” “How much is he making? Why can’t you get a job like that?” “The Jones are doing […]
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My Favorites from 2021
Now is a great time to look back at 2021, learn from its highs and lows, and set our sights on making 2022 a banner year. Each year around Christmas, I also thank creators whose work inspired and changed me. Most creators hear from 3% of their audience – if they’re lucky. Personally, I know […]
After 20 years of helping people with therapy and coaching, Steve McCready shares his thoughts on the art of listening.
Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, YouTube, Email Justin Parkes, a strength and performance coach, shares how entrepreneurs can build an effective strength training routine. He also recounts his career arc from finance to fitness, and how he has built an enthusiastic community of customers in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Topics Justin’s journey […]
Our lives and hard drives are filled with clutter. What digital documents do adults absolutely need? By adult, I mean an emotionally and mentally mature person (or trying to be!) responsible for doing life’s necessary but mundane tasks. In other words, a responsible person in society. I haven’t read a single blog post on […]