Some of us feel most alive when free climbing a rock wall or gliding down the face of an ocean’s wave. My most profound moments of connection combined with freedom are when I am speaking to a crowd.

I have spoken, mostly about creativity, at conferences, Rotary Clubs, college commencements, the 60th Anniversary of the Seattle Foundation, a TEDxTacoma, a Seattle Pecha Kucha and many more gatherings and circles of learning.

One of my mentors Eric Booth said that his greatest insights came when having to write a speech for a new audience. Indeed this has been true for me as well.

I often think if I had to prepare speeches for a living, I just might resolve some of the great paradoxes of creativity. And then I remember, paradoxes are not meant to be resolved!