What a delight that my first book festival was the Virginia Festival of the Book! I was in my hometown of Charlottesville at the festival my mother loved to attend, presenting on the grounds of the university where my father was on faculty for decades and where I worked in the 1990’s when I started […]
Are you feeling overwhelmed by political news, rapid shifts in government, conflict with others over values and views? This downloadable worksheet can help you stay grounded and engaged in these turbulent times. A few tips for completing the worksheet:
2024 was a busy year! This video sums up some of my professional endeavors in a song, and the pictures that follow give you a glimpse into what else I’ve been up to these past 12 months. If you want some deeper dives, check out my posts about visiting Charlottesville for my 40th high school
This past year has been a rough one on college campuses, especially those that experienced public battles over national and international politics, free speech, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. As faculty, staff, and administrators shared their struggles, it inspired me to develop programming to meet the moment. In 2024, I offered talks and workshops that
These photos accompany episode 13 of the Ready to Be Strong podcast, Swing State Stories. Listen on your favorite podcast platform to hear what I learned when I talked with, and listened to, voters in Hazleton, PA. In mid-October, I found myself in Pennsylvania after a speaking engagement. I made a last-minute decision to stick
I recently returned to my hometown for my 40th high school reunion. My trip to Charlottesville was sandwiched between speaking engagements about navigating political division, and I arrived in the midst of the contentious 2024 election season. Growing up in Charlottesville set the stage for my work on bridging divides. As a bi-racial, Chinese, Jewish
What a great week it’s been introducing my new book to our nation’s capital. Although election stress is evident across the United States, people who work in policy, political journalism, and campaigns may be feeling it even more acutely than most. I hope bringing Facing the Fracture “inside the beltway” will offer a helpful resource
My first book was published in August 2020. The height of a pandemic is not the ideal time to gather with people to celebrate a book release, so back then, friends and family joined me on Zoom for a virtual birthday/book party. Four years later, I was excited to give Facing the Fracture a proper
I arrive at the studio ready to go. Having narrated the audiobook of my first book, I had learned a thing or two. I know to wear soft clothing and avoid jangly jewelry. I am equipped with throat lozenges and tea. And I am well rested — this will take a lot of energy. This
To be honest, I had no idea I was going to write another book about political conflict. When my first book, Beyond Your Bubble, received a flurry of attention in 2020, I didn’t think anyone would care what I had to say after election day. But political polarization continued to ramp up, with our country