Brad Rourke

Brad Rourke’s Blog

  • Clarity and Inspiration

    Clarity and Inspiration

    At my most recent yoga teacher training weekend, our teacher challenged us to find the essence of what drives our commitment to teaching yoga. We were asked to complete a simple sentence: “My name is __________ and I am a commitment for __________.” The invitation came at a funny time for me. I had traveled…

  • Latest Work: New Report For United Way Worldwide

    I am delighted to announce the release a new report I co-authored for United Way Worldwide with my friend and colleague Mike Wood at UWW. From my announcement at the Mannakee Circle Group site: Last week at a national conference held in Nashville, TN, United Way Worldwide released its latest report, Voices for the Common Good: The World…

  • When The Curtain Parts: My Latest Column At Ethics Newsline

    When The Curtain Parts: My Latest Column At Ethics Newsline

    I have begun a monthly column published at Ethics Newsline, the flagship publication for the Institute for Global Ethics and one which I helped develop when I worked at that organization. This month’s column is about the lessons to be drawn for leaders from the Secret Service and DEA scandals.

  • The Learning Attitude Curve

    The Learning Attitude Curve

    I’ve been thinking lately about how our attitudes shift over time, especially when faced with new learning or practices. Many people are familiar with the “attitude curve,” which describes people’s response to change. It’s a U shape — people have to go through a low point before they accept change. This is a familiar idea…

  • Engaged, Not Engaged?

    At the college fair, an admissions officer told us, “I have never seen a couple more disinterested than you two.” Boy, was he wrong.

  • Writing For The Institute For Global Ethics

    Writing For The Institute For Global Ethics

    Friends and colleagues know that, for a number of years, I lived in Camden, Maine and led a large election-ethics initiative for the Institute for Global Ethics. Going to IGE was a decisive moment in my career, which up to that point had consisted primarily of work in government and politics (and some lobbying) in…

  • Learning To Meditate

    Learning To Meditate

    As a part of my yoga teacher training with Down Dog Yoga, I have been asked to start a regular meditation practice. When I first learned of this requirement, I thought it would be relatively easy. I have for many years had a spiritual practice that involved daily contemplation. I have learned since that the…

  • Idiomatic Pet Peeves

    I can’t seem to help myself. I get my dander up when confronted by improper use of idiomatic English (or even just plain, old correct English) expressions by people who ought to know better. A few on my mind lately include: One does not “home in on” something. One “hones in on” it. [UPDATE: I…