Personal Development
Lessons in managing public-speaking fears. Fear of public speaking haunts countless people. I’m one…a shy introvert whose career – oddly – has involved lecturing worldwide. Presenting in a tense situation during my final Duke class taught me invaluable lessons. That speech topic – racism and religion – evokes today’s headlines. (Duke Magazine article)
Caring for Her Husband’s Love Child. Would you volunteer to care for your spouse’s love child? Debbie Fuller faced that decision. Her choices – and how she made them – may inspire you and your family. (Short op-ed)
Giving can improve your health; science says so. Want happiness and fulfillment in life? Then practice giving, advises an influential medical professor. Insights from Dr. Stephen Post’s book, Why Good Things Happen to Good People. (Short op-ed) Spanish French
Giving Can be Good for You: Science Says So. Want happiness and fulfillment in life? Then practice giving, advises an influential medical professor. Insights from Dr. Stephen Post’s book, Why Good Things Happen to Good People. (Probe radio series transcript)
Does God’s Love Make You Want to Give? Some current social scientific research suggests it might. Intriguing survey results, and an inspiring story of Auntie Anne, the pretzel lady. (Short op-ed)
When Life Careens: Love Child Locates Bio-Dad. A former girlfriend phoned, saying, “You have a 27-year-old daughter…She’d like to know if it’s okay to contact you.” Gary’s life was about to take a wild turn through painful introspection and sweet reconciliation. In the process, he discovered that he needed his long-lost daughter as much as she needed him. (Short op-ed by Rusty Wright and Meg Korpi)
Courageous Movie Portrays a Different Kind of Courage. Courageous is a fast-paced police drama with heart-pounding action and a spine-tingling surprise in the first three minutes. Good-natured banter and comic mishaps had us laughing, but the movie quickly reveals an introspective side that portends a human drama that challenges norms and will get you thinking. (Short op-ed by Meg Korpi and Rusty Wright)
Mighty Macs Movie – Teamwork Works. The basketball team at tiny Immaculata College – a “pint-sized papal institution” – became an example “for every team that thought they never had a chance” as they played for the national title. Their story could get you cheering, too. Rocky meets Sister Act meets Hoosiers. (Short op-ed)
New Comedy Brings Hope for Frazzled Moms. Hang in there, frazzled moms. Hope is coming! Moms’ Night Out, a new movie comedy about the challenges of parenting, recently wrapped shooting and is headed for release in 2014. (Short op-ed)
Moms’ Night Out movie: Laughs, plus hope for frazzled moms. Want laughs, plus a way to tell a mother she’s loved? Take her to see Moms’ Night Out, opening Mother’s Day weekend. On the set, actors and producers promised the comedy would be a hoot. They’ve delivered, with loads of family fun. I laughed out loud. (Short op-ed)
New Football Movie: Character trumps winning. Could a football coach who teaches that character trumps winning … win games consistently? It’s happened – and quite dramatically – inspiring the film When the Game Stands Tall. Jim Caviezel plays Coach Bob Ladouceur, who led an obscure, struggling California high school team to record-shattering national prominence by helping his players mature toward adulthood. (Short op-ed)
Beyond the Mask movie: Swashbuckling fun, with a message. It’s certainly got swash. And buckling. Plus romance, intrigue, thrills, spills and chills. The protagonist in this Revolutionary War-era action adventure film even saves George Washington’s life … and then saves America. (Short op-ed)
Cleveland Abduction: Courage, faith, riveting TV drama. No one should have to suffer what Michelle Knight and her fellow captives did in Ariel Castro’s house of horrors. With gripping realism and tender reflection, Lifetime’s movie tells this absorbing story from abduction to liberation and beyond. (Short op-ed)
Captive movie: gripping Atlanta hostage drama. Her story captured a nation’s heart. Hostage Ashley Smith reads to courtroom killer Brian Nichols from Rick Warren’s The Purpose Driven Life. Two broken, wounded souls navigate a risky journey about purpose, survival, faith and redemption. (Short op-ed)
Indivisible movie: Would your romance survive this? U.S. Army chaplain Darren Turner wants to encourage soldiers through difficult battle circumstances. An ambush, live combat, and assorted conflicts make him question his own teaching and faith. He returns home callous and closed, angry and mean, casting his marriage on the rocks. A compelling and uplifting true story for everyone tempted to fight with their spouse or partner rather than fighting for their relationship. (Short op-ed)
Mr. Rogers movie: Want him as your neighbor? Ever feel lonely? Underappreciated? Frightened? Need a friend who’s kind? Respectful? Wise? You might like Mr. Rogers. Sony/Tristar’s new film, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, depicts Fred Rogers’ friendship transforming a cynical journalist’s life. (Short op-ed)
Coping with COVID-era holiday loneliness. Zoomed out? Exasperated by COVID-era isolation? Longing for face-to-face human interaction beyond your home? You’re not alone. Such craving is widespread, and holiday-induced loneliness brings additional challenges. Maybe some expectation management – and realistic solutions – are in order. (Short op-ed) WashingtonExaminer.com version
‘Wonder Woman 1984’ movie: Will you get what you want? Suppose you could have anything you ever wanted – fame, fortune, relationships, pleasure. Would that make you happy? A megalomaniacal global villain is tapping human desires to help him dominate civilization. In 1984, Wonder Woman races to foil his dastardly scheme. (Short op-ed) Washington Examiner version
‘A Week Away’ movie: Facing fears, feelings, fun, faith and friendships. As a teen, did you struggle to find your place in a complicated world? Could you ever be “good enough” or express your true feelings to one whose smile you desired? Has a personal tragedy made you question divine existence or goodness or power? Do those feelings still linger? If so, A Week Away could help you sort them out.(Short op-ed)
‘A Father’s Legacy’ movie: What was your dad like? Did you ever want to feel valued by someone special? Or mourn losing a loved one? Ever wish you could undo past decisions or take back hurtful words? Maybe you know the right thing to do, but lack courage to do it. The complex characters in A Father’s Legacy may resonate with you. (Short op-ed)
‘Show Me the Father’ movie: You and your father. How do you think of your father? With love, happiness and respect? With fear, misery and anger? Your relationship with your dad can influence your self-image and success. Show Me the Father uses gripping stories of good parenting and bad to motivate viewers to promote healthy fatherhood. (Short op-ed)
‘American Underdog’ movie: From supermarket stocker to Super Bowl MVP. Do life’s challenges ever get you discouraged? NFL Hall-of-Famer Kurt Warner’s wild journey from castoff to superstar could inspire you to keep pursuing your dreams. (Short op-ed) Washington Examiner version
‘The Mulligan’ movie: Need a second chance? Ever wish life granted second chances? What would you do with them? The Mulligan movie uses the game of golf to get you to ponder possibilities. (Short op-ed)
On a Wing and a Prayer movie: deadly danger; divine drama? Ever faced mortal danger? Imagine that you, your family, and a pilot have boarded a small private plane for a flight home from Florida to Louisiana. Ten minutes after takeoff, the pilot dies, leaving you – a passenger – to fly the plane. How would you feel? What would you do? MGM’s On a Wing and a Prayer depicts the dramatic dilemmas that Doug White and his family faced on Easter Sunday, 2009. (Short op-ed)
Sony’s The Forge movie: absent father, resentment, respect. Ever experience family conflict? Wish your dad had been more involved in your life? Longing for love and respect for yourself, or for your children? Is resentment churning in your gut? You’ll likely connect with key characters in Sony’s The Forge movie. (Short op-ed)