How Anti-Family, Anti-Porn Activists Taught Me About Audience Dynamics
When I think back to my years running the Austin Chronicle and organizing the Austin Music Awards, there are a few moments that stick out not for their glamour or glitz but for the chaos they created. One of the strangest lessons I ever learned about connecting with an audience came from an unlikely source: […]
Driving Across the Country in a ’52 Chevy Deluxe: Adventures and Lessons
There is something uniquely magical about hitting the open road in a classic car. For me, that magic was found in a ’52 Chevy Deluxe, a car with a chrome grill that gleamed in the sun and an interior that carried the weight of decades. Driving across the country in that Chevy was not just […]
From Austin to Everywhere: How a City Shapes Creativity and Community
Austin, Texas, is more than just a city. It is a place where creativity, culture, and community come together in a unique way. Over the years, I have come to see how Austin’s spirit reaches far beyond its borders, influencing people and ideas everywhere. In this post, I want to share what makes Austin special […]
Lessons from Doris Day and Townes van Zandt: Finding Joy in Unexpected Places
Life often surprises us by showing joy where we least expect it. Two artists who could not be more different—Doris Day and Townes van Zandt—have taught me valuable lessons about finding happiness and meaning in unexpected places. Their music, their stories, and their spirits remind me that joy is not always loud or flashy; sometimes, […]
The Magic of Meeting Kindred Spirits: How Shared Passions Create Lifelong Friendships
There is something truly special about meeting people who just get you, those rare kindred spirits who share your passions and values. These connections often start unexpectedly but quickly grow into deep friendships that last a lifetime. From my own experience, I’ve learned that shared interests create a strong foundation for relationships that enrich our […]
Choosing How to Die: Reflections on Life, Addiction, and Redemption
Life is full of difficult choices, but few are as profound as the way we face our own mortality. I have spent years reflecting on what it means to live, struggle, and ultimately choose how to die. My journey has been shaped by battles with addiction, moments of despair, and the hard road to redemption. […]
Why Awards Make Lousy Paperweights (And Even Worse Motivators)
The Shelf That Doesn’t Matter I’ve got a few awards. They sit on a shelf. Most are collecting dust, and at least one is propping up a stack of mail I haven’t opened yet. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I’m ungrateful. I appreciate the gestures. It’s nice to be noticed, and sure, it […]
“You Don’t Choose How to Live, But You Can Choose How to Die”
What We Control—and What We Don’t If life has taught me anything, it’s this: you don’t get much say in the setup. You’re born into a world that never asked your permission. You inherit family dynamics, flawed institutions, bad weather, and a list of neuroses longer than your arm. Sometimes you’re lucky, sometimes you’re not. […]
Behind the Curtain: The Real Story of SXSW’s First Chaotic Year
It Was Messy from the Start People see SXSW now and think it must have always been this way—polished, sprawling, international. But the truth is, the first year of SXSW was chaos. Beautiful, maddening, joyful chaos. There was no template, no step-by-step plan. Just a handful of us who believed Austin deserved something more, something […]
Why I’m Opening a Bookstore at 74 (and What I Hope Happens There)
A New Chapter, Literally At 74, most people are settling down. Slowing the pace. Reflecting on what they’ve done. Me? I’m opening a bookstore. It’s not a retirement project. It’s not a nostalgic nod to the past. It’s the most alive I’ve felt in a long time, and maybe the most connected I’ve ever felt […]