I grew up in a Marine Corps family. My dad did 20 years. My mom did 6. In our house, respect wasn’t optional. It wasn’t tied to feelings. It wasn’t something you earned by being charming or agreeable. It was mandatory. You didn’t get to decide whether someone “deserved” respect based on whether you liked them. You respected them because that’s how disciplined adults behave….
(Don’t mix this up) I’ve learned something about myself over the years. When I use my brain to think and my heart to feel, I tend to solve problems. When I mix those two up—or let one completely overpower the other—I create chaos. This isn’t a theory. It’s lived experience. I’ve seen it show up in arguments with my wife. I’ve felt it behind the…
I’ve spent more than 30 years in information security, and here’s a truth that still makes people uncomfortable: Information security isn’t really about information or security. It’s about people. But not just one kind of people. Every security incident—every breach, outage, or “technical failure”—involves three distinct groups of people, whether we acknowledge it or not: The people who make decisions — those who design systems,…
I was recently watching a video on Facebook about the history of the Panama Canal. On the surface, it looked legit. Professional narration. Historic photos. Confident tone. Lots of “facts.” But a couple of things didn’t sit right. Some of the conclusions being drawn didn’t line up with what I thought I knew. So I did what I believe any reasonable, responsible person should do:…
Here’s How I’m Actually Doing It. A few days ago, I wrote a post called Make 2026 Your B*tch. It wasn’t subtle. It wasn’t gentle. And it definitely wasn’t for everyone. That post was about deciding—deciding that this year wouldn’t just happen to you. That you wouldn’t drift, doomscroll, overcommit, or wake up in December wondering where the hell the year went. A bunch of…
Let’s get something straight right out of the gate. 2026 doesn’t owe you a damn thing. It’s not going to be easier just because you’re tired. It’s not going to slow down because you’re overwhelmed. It’s not going to wait until you feel “ready.” If you drift, 2026 will absolutely make you its b*tch. But here’s the good news— It’s early, and you still get…
Every Christmas, people talk about peace, joy, giving, gratitude… all the good stuff. Meanwhile, the criminals are rubbing their hands together like it’s their holiday. Because for them? It is. The truth is simple and uncomfortable: The holiday season is the Super Bowl for scammers, thieves, and every flavor of dirtbag who preys on distraction, kindness, stress, and chaos. Every year, too many good people…
We should always strive for unity, but not conformity. That line’s been bouncing around in my head lately. Maybe it’s age. Maybe it’s experience. Maybe it’s watching the world tear itself apart over every tiny disagreement while pretending it’s “progress.” Whatever it is, I’ve learned this: Unity makes us stronger. Conformity makes us stupid. And yet, we live in a world where people constantly confuse…
You’ve heard the saying before: “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” I think these days it’s paved with convenience. We’ve built a world obsessed with making everything easier, faster, and more comfortable—and it’s slowly killing us. Not in the dramatic, apocalyptic way movies show, but in small, quiet ways that eat away at our capability, our freedom, and our awareness. We wanted…
One truth that’s helped me tremendously over the years: Winners focus on winning. Losers focus on winners. Let that sit for a second. This isn’t arrogance. It’s not bravado. It’s clarity. The moment you stop comparing yourself to others, you reclaim your peace, your purpose, and your power. NOTE: If you’re someone who struggles with defining what your purpose is, here’s a book that might…