Brad Rourke

Brad Rourke’s Blog

  • A Call For Rhetorical Nonviolence: It Starts With Me, Not My Enemy

    The tragic events in Arizona may well be a turning point. Many are calling for changes in policies, and many of these changes may well make sense. Many are also calling for a scaling back of the vitriolic political rhetoric that has marked public life these days. There is much blame being directed at political…

  • Why Does YouTube Have Comments?

    YouTube has, no question, revolutionized the way we interact online. It opened the door for video sharing and now when something new is going on in our lives, one of our first questions is: “Should I take a photo or a video?” It’s also a great avenue for getting ideas out there — the solo…

  • Writing For The Christian Science Monitor: In Praise Of An Editor

    Early in my career as an independent consultant, I began writing specifically to be published in the mainstream press. I began pitching various pieces to op-ed editors. Of all the news outlets, the one I really wanted to write for was The Christian Science Monitor. I thought there was the best fit between overall editorial…

  • Farewell Martin

    I learned yesterday that a friend had taken his own life. I knew him some, but not well. It makes me wish I had taken the time to get to know him better when I could. It makes me angry and hurt all at once. Martin was a photographer. He sometimes shared his work with…

  • Making Document Reviews Work

    If you are having a meeting (or a conference call) to review a document, here are three things that can make it helpful: Insist that whatever is being reviewed get shared ahead of time, with ample time to read Insist that participants edit the document using Track Changes ahead of time, send the changes directly…

  • Jerry Brown Came To My Apartment

    The year: 1989. The place: dilapidated beachfront apartment on Venice beach. I was awakened one groggy morning by a knock on the front door. It was Jerry brown, who came into my apartment and said something quite memorable. Watch the video of me telling the story: (Yes, I told this story as a podcast some…

  • Thoughts For When Things Are Tough

    Like anyone, I’ve had my share of ups and downs. The downs always seem especially dire. When you’re in the weeds, it can seem like there’s no way out. Like you’re stuck there for good. Here are two things I have learned to do during those times. I do not always practice this very well,…

  • Hopping John Recipe

    It is a family tradition in our house to eat black eyed peas. On New Year’s Day. It is said to bring luck. As someone who says “rabbit rabbit” religiously every first-of-the-month, who am I to resist? In the past, I have included black eyed peas in soup for New Year’s Day. But lately, I…

  • My 2011 Focus Areas For A Balanced Life

    I believe in New Year’s resolutions, if only to focus my mind on the kind of person I want to aspire to be. (My friend Caryn has written a great article in praise of resolutions.) Typically, I focus on my shortcomings — things I want to improve. This year, I thought I would try for…