This story was originally published in the Traverse City Record-Eagle. This winter has been weird. Super weird. And while I do my best not to whine about the weather, it’s sometimes hard. Lucky for me, I have friends like Jon. Jon is a Ventura, California, native who moved to Traverse…

Every action we take is a vote for the kind of community we wish to become. And no single act will drive change, but as the votes build up, so does the evidence of what’s possible. Evidence that our actions are making a difference. Evidence that builds the confidence and…

46 years old and I’ve said the words “anxiety”, “depression” and “suicide” more this past year than all of my other years combined. As a physical therapist, I get physical health, but the behavioral and mental health world is brand new to me. Learning is a systems change strategy. I have so much to learn. And…

“Young people don’t need to be our next crisis — but they do need us to do better.” One year ago, a small but mighty group of ordinary people came together to form We Fight Northern Michigan — a community with one agenda: leverage the Surgeon General’s Advisory to better…

It’s an honor to tell stories about awesome people who opt outside here in Northern Michigan’s capital for my local paper, the Traverse City Record-Eagle. My monthly column, Out ‘n About (it helps if you pronounce it with a Manitoban accent — say “oot n aboot”), is a joy to…

This story was originally published in the Traverse City Record-Eagle. In between the carnage and heartbreak of the pandemic are stories of hope and inspiration. I recently read one of these stories in the New York Times called “One Cure for Pandemic Doldrums: Walking Every Street in Your City” by…

This story was first published in the Traverse City Record-Eagle Her trail name on the Appalachian was Energizer. Like the Energizer Bunny. If you’re lucky enough to know my friend, Sara, you’ll understand how perfect of a nickname this is. She’s tireless. At 70 years young, Sara is undoubtedly one…

This story was originally published in the Traverse City Record-Eagle. Summer! Barely two days in, and I feel the summer of 2022, my sixteenth here in Traverse City, will be the best. Like ever. After two summers of uncertainty, I’m committed to doing all the outside things this year. …

This story was originally published in the Traverse City Record-Eagle. I hate to admit it, but until this year, I’ve been one of those guys who likes getting Christmas letters from friends but never sends them. Why the change in 2022? My friend Tony Anderson. I met Tony on January…