Public Speaking

Public Speaking

Storytelling, Speeches, and Comedy

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Recognitions

Recognitions

Publications, Awards, and Honors

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Welcome to my Redesigned Site

Welcome to the re-designed uncommondiscourse.com. This site spotlights my work as a writer and a public speaker.

From 2017 through 2021, I published a weekly humor column here. It won the National Society of Newspaper Columnists’ 2019 award for Best Humor Column in its class. The entire 200-column archive may still be found here.

Please take a look around the new website to learn more about my work in genres such as memoir, humor, poetry, and storytelling. Read More

I Finally Understand Mom’s Greatest Joy

I Finally Understand Mom’s Greatest Joy

Before she passed away, Mom always used to say that her greatest joy was sitting in our home hearing all three of her sons make each other laugh.

I don’t remember her saying it very often when we were growing up but it became her refrain after her pancreatic cancer diagnosis when our visits increased in frequency and became less about seeing old friends and more about spending time together as a family. Read More

Naps Aren’t Bedtime and My Kids Know It

Naps Aren’t Bedtime and My Kids Know It

My days are divided into two distinct sections: before the kids are in bed for the night and after the kids are in bed for the night.

I love my kids (2.5 year old daughter and 6-month-old son) with all of my heart, but post-bedtime life is just a little bit easier.

Consider this: I’ve never once told my wife, “Let’s wake the kids up a little bit early today, we could use a break.” Read More

So It Turns Out I’m a “Pool Guy”

So It Turns Out I’m a “Pool Guy”

Halfway through my first summer as a pool owner, I’ve clearly become a “pool guy.”

At this point we’ve survived small gatherings, family swims, and a blowout party without any major incidents so something’s going right.

We don’t yet have the stereotypical lifesaver on a rope hanging on the pool house wall but we’ve got a first aid kit with a lifeguard cross on the cover, a freezer full of freeze pops, and a counter full of sunblock. Read More

The Subtle Art of Dealing with Painters, Plumbers, Electricians, or any Handyman You Need

The Subtle Art of Dealing with Painters, Plumbers, Electricians, or any Home Repairman You Need

I’ve dealt with at least twenty-five different home service providers in just the past year ranging from your standard plumbers and electricians to targeted specialists in things like radon mitigation or basement waterproofing.

If you include all of the ones I’ve gotten estimates from, it’s gotta be well over one hundred.

“Oh, you must work in real estate or construction,” the casual reader might think, but no. Read More