You can find a complete listing of all the articles on this site here. They are listed in reverse chronological order, and are all clickable links. Twenty-five articles are displayed per page, with the publication date included. To find older articles, click on the page numbers at the bottom.
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The Giving And Receiving Of Advice
Advice requires two participants. One must offer it; and another must receive it. If it is offered without first having been solicited, it generates resentment, however small and incremental. And if it is requested, the counselor must yet take care not to overstep his boundaries, for fear of providing insight that is too pungent.
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“Should I Join The Military?” (Podcast)
I receive an email from a guy who feels like he needs a career change. He’s lost his motivation and drive in his present job, and feels it’s time to move on. He is considering the military, but doesn’t know if it is the right thing to do.
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Coping With Extreme Adversity (Podcast)
What traits and habits enabled men to survive extreme physical danger or adversity? In this podcast, we look for some answers in accounts of the First World War.
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Candido Rondon: Brazil’s Greatest Explorer
In the annals of American exploration, few names are as distinguished, and perhaps as little known, as that of Marshal Cândido Rondon. As an officer in the Brazilian Army in the late 19th and early 20th century, he revealed more of the Amazonian basin to the world than any single other figure. His incredible toughness, personal…
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The Massurrealism Of James Seehafer
I had the good fortune recently to speak with James Seehafer, the founder of the artistic school known as massurrealism. A fellow New Englander, Seehafer studied at Parsons School Of Design. He then began exhibiting his paintings in the northeast, including Boston and New York City (specifically in the Lower East Side). His work was…
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No Rest For The Wicked
Boccaccio’s On Famous Women is one of those good books that no one has ever heard of. It is a collection of short essays on some notable women of history, and the author includes characters both good and bad. Queens, schemers, seducers, prostitutes, patriots, and rebels all have a place here. I find these old, forgotten…
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“I Feel Like I’m Missing A Purpose In My Life” (Podcast)
A reader emails me and says that although he has found success in his life and career, something is lacking. Something is missing. He says that he is lacking a real sense of higher purpose.
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Talking And Fighting: Being Alert To “Stacking The Deck” In Negotiations
I find great profit in the study of the art of negotiation. Where two opposing wills collide, it is essential to understand the dynamics of the interaction, so that one may have some chance of achieving the desired outcome. When one has conducted numerous negotiations in his career, one begins to see patterns emerge. These…
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How Do I Know When It’s Time To Change My Life? (Podcast)
A reader is troubled by where he is at in his life right now. He wants to make major life changes involving career and residence, but doesn’t know if the time is right.
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In Praise Of Painting
Certain diversions we do because we more or less have to do, such as vigorous exercising, studying languages, sex, travel, and reading. And these all have their proper place. But there are times when the collective strain of responsibility, and the stress of duties, demand that entirely new parts of our brain be activated…
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The Foundations Of Motivation
What is motivation? From what sources does it originate? And how can it be cultivated and sharpened?
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How Can I Develop Motivation? (Podcast)
This important podcast focuses on motivation. It’s a critical subject for everyone. How can a person develop or sustain motivation? We examine the following:
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Duress Reveals Latent Talent, And Why Women Need Role Models As Much As Men
Some positive features in our characters can lie dormant for long periods of time, awaiting the right opportunity to make themselves known. Even bad men can have positive qualities that manifest themselves only under extreme duress. I have always thought that pressure reveals the man. This has been my experience. And you never really could…
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How Two Guys Started A Knife Manufacturing Business (Podcast)
In this podcast episode, I interview the co-founder of Delta2Alpha.com, a homegrown Canadian knife manufacturing business started by two regular Canadian guys with vision and guts. Their story will impress you. What does it take to succeed in business?
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“How Can I Develop My Aggressive Instinct?” (Podcast)
A young wrestler writes and asks how he can cultivate his aggressive spirit. He has strong willpower, but something could be holding him back in his recent matches. What’s happening? And how can he break through this barrier?
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A Talk With Lucas Temple: Marriage, Having A Family, And Building A Legacy (Podcast)
In this episode I talk with Lucas Temple, proprietor of banterloud.com. He decided to marry in his 20s and have a large family. It’s an impressive decision, and one I very much respect. I talk with him about this views on life, values, family, and education.
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Knowledge And Culture Are Perishable
I was reading an article today about the destruction of Yemen’s literary and artistic heritage. It is a sad story. The bombing of the country by Saudi Arabia, as well as years of neglect by its custodians, now mean that Yemen’s rich literary heritage—much of it contained in medieval manuscripts—is facing possible destruction. I remember…
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“How Can I Best Adapt Myself To A Foreign Culture?” (Podcast)
A reader is moving to a foreign country and needs advice on how “to best integrate” himself into the local culture. He has lived abroad before, but is looking for tips on what to expect, and what attitude to adopt. What is the best way to approach this? What types of challenges will he face?
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“I’m Consumed With Rage And It’s Ruining My Life. What Should I Do?”
A reader of Fortress Of The Mind explains that anger is ruining his life, and he asks for some guidance. How can he regain his balance, and deal with his issues? I discuss the four ways of dealing with repressed rage and anger, and which one may be right for you. Brought to you by…
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Why Is Charity Important? (Podcast)
Why is charity important? How can we best channel our charitable impulses? Are some ways better than others? And what are some of the pitfalls we should be aware of? We discuss the answers in this podcast. Brought to you by Fortress of the Mind Publications. This podcast can be found on SoundCloud, YouTube, and…
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How To Show Kindness Through Charity
Charity, kindness, and other acts of benevolence may be far from your mind. The pressures and confusions of life can weigh on us, and prevent us from seeing the need to help others. The degree to which one is disposed to think of such things often depends on his age and station in life.…
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Cultivate Your Sense Of Awe (Podcast)
What do all creative minds have in common? They always retain a sense of awe at the beauty, mystery, and grandeur of Nature. Why you should never lose your quest for your ideals, and how to cultivate your sense of awe. Brought to you by Fortress of the Mind Publications. This podcast can be found…
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Moral Forces Matter More Than Data
Progress is not linear. It is not a constantly positive quantity, straining for ever-increasing graphical altitudes. Sometimes it is stagnant for long periods. Sometimes it actually goes into negative territory for long periods. People don’t really think about this. There is this perception that things should always move from bad to better, from negative to…
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Every Man Needs His Quest (Podcast)
This is the accompanying podcast to my article Every Man Needs A Quest. We discuss why every man needs a consuming purpose, and a ennobling goal. Brought to you by Fortress of the Mind Publications. This podcast can be found on SoundCloud, YouTube, and on iTunes. If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate me on…
Original copy of Cicero’s De Officiis (On Duties) published in Holland in 1642. From the collection of Fortress of the Mind.
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