Welcome to the X.

For those who know me, you know I am a bit of a coffee nerd. I roast my own beans and have a blast experimenting with combinations that produce interesting flavors. On our recent vacation, I was thrilled to be able to visit, albeit briefly,…

As we traveled by bus through Sicily, we found ourselves on NARROW roads filled with switchbacks and tight curves. Our tour guide assured us that the driver knew what he was doing and explained that the only rule for driving in Sicily is: There Are…

I write this with a degree of trepidation, as well as a wry smile. As you might recall, I asked whether we should keep our monthly Zoom get-togethers for men only, open them up to women, or invite couples. I can’t say the responses were…

I met a friend at an event a few weeks ago. He’s still working and sees no alternative, not for financial reasons, but because, as he put it so clearly, "I have no idea what I’d do with myself. I used to love playing sports,…

If I’ve learned anything in the more than 240 episodes of the Chapter X podcast, it’s that sharing stories is an important part of life. I see this from several perspectives. First, and maybe most importantly, we are giving a part of ourselves to others…

I think it’s fair to say that one of the struggles many men experience is connecting with others and making new acquaintances and friends. As a dedicated introvert, it can be a painful and anxiety-filled experience. With that in mind, it pushes me to think…

I have been focusing on listening more closely to my inner voice. You know, the one that keeps getting drowned out by distractions. As you might know, if you’ve been following and reading my pieces, I am not a “meditator.” I don’t sit on a…

For those of you who have come through the crucible of the transition from a full-time career to the next part of your journey, the good news is: you’ve done it! You’ve walked the path and are still breathing. Yay! You’ve proven to yourself that…