Category Archives: General Musings

Just a general post, of no specific import, and which I will use from time to time to make quick comments.

Learning is Supposed to Feel Uncomfortable

It is said (and I say it, often) that therapists, mentors and coaches “disturb the comfortable and comfort the disturbed.” I couldn’t agree more! Peter Bregman – a coach – describes his experiences in a recent workshop: The process our … Continue reading

Posted in General Musings | Comments Off on Learning is Supposed to Feel Uncomfortable

Switch to a Dumb Phone and Get Smart(er)

As many of my readers know, I don’t allow the use of technology in my classrooms. This includes smartphones, tablets, computers … whatever.  Instead, I encourage them to listen to me and to their fellow students as we digest important … Continue reading

Posted in General Musings | 2 Comments

Russo’s Alphabet Relationship Theory

In my work as a life coach, and occasionally in my work as an executive coach, I am asked, “what kind of relationship should I strive for?” My reaction is usually, “wait, what?” But then I remember that relationship health … Continue reading

Posted in General Musings | 1 Comment

Go Forth and Fail

In my classes, usually on the first day, I acquaint students with one of “Dr Russo’s Maxims” – that, as freshmen, “you won’t necessarily know what you are doing, but go forth and fail anyway. I cannot know that you … Continue reading

Posted in General Musings | Comments Off on Go Forth and Fail

Validation

Years ago, while pursuing a graduate degree in counseling psychology, a class I was in was shown a delightful little movie entitled “Validation.” I recommend watching it before continuing with this (rather long) blog post about what it takes to … Continue reading

Posted in Counseling Concepts, General Musings, People (in general), People in general | Comments Off on Validation

Relax, at least you’re an American

Sometimes, the advent of July 4th gets me down. I am traveling on university business and as I sit in a hotel room in the middle of Germany – itself the epicenter of once-fanatical and now renewed nationalism – I … Continue reading

Posted in General Musings, State of the Nation | Comments Off on Relax, at least you’re an American

Please Delete Facebook – And Here’s Another Reason Why

My regular readers know that for several years now I have recommended quitting Facebook. In my doctoral research, I came to read dozens of studies about how this social media site was contributing to a rise in depression diagnoses, an … Continue reading

Posted in Blogging, Business, Counseling Concepts, General Musings, People (in general), People in general, State of the Nation | Comments Off on Please Delete Facebook – And Here’s Another Reason Why

Resilience in the Face of Harsh Criticism – Here’s a CURE

Most of us have been “gobsmacked” at some point in our life. Learning how to deal with it is crucial I love that word – gobsmacked. I learned it whilst living in Australia a few years back. Basically, it means … Continue reading

Posted in Business, Counseling Concepts, General Musings, People (in general), People in general | 2 Comments

Manana Never Comes – Start TODAY

If I have learned anything in my old age it’s that I am far more disappointed by the things I didn’t do, than by the things I did do. Indeed, many people spend most of their time thinking about what … Continue reading

Posted in Counseling Concepts, General Musings, People in general | Comments Off on Manana Never Comes – Start TODAY

This is … Priceless: The Idiocy of “Virtue Signaling”

Starbucks plans to eliminate plastic straws from its stores by next year. Lyft has committed to “carbon neutrality.” Candy-maker Mondelez says all its wrappers will be recyclable by 2025, and Goldman Sachs has banished paper cups. But there’s scant evidence … Continue reading

Posted in Business, General Musings, State of the Nation | 2 Comments