Laura Gassner Otting 
Last week I was told that I’m not good enough. Twice. One of those people looked me in the eye and told me that she knew I had work to do, saw my future, believed in me, and sat with me to help me map out how to get there. The other did not. She made it … Read more
When I was held back, I didn’t know it. It’s not abundantly apparent to those of us who believe we are pursuing the right path. Let me explain. I’m out in Denver at a conference for people like me who speak for a living. I was at this same conference this time last year. Holy … Read more
Years ago, I was at a posh little restaurant on the fancy isle of Nantucket. “You’ve got to get their Big Mac! It’s the best thing ever! You won’t believe how much it’s just like a real Big Mac!” implored my friend and island host. And it was. If you had blindfolded me and given … Read more
I’m often asked in the book signing line after I get off stage how I got so comfortable speaking in front of thousands of people, especially when the fear of public speaking surpasses a fear of dying for many. “Speaking in public terrifies me,” they’ll admit. I would argue that it doesn’t. If we speak … Read more
It was first obvious during the 2018 Super Bowl when viewers saw something surprising aside from the Eagles beating the Patriots, the ads were different. Normally funny (and even raunchy) bits made to promote products like beers and cars, the ads in 2018 featured a significant shift to storytelling arcs about ethos for the companies … Read more
It’s Independence Day weekend. That means freedom. And, yet, tyranny abounds. No hats, no sunglasses, no fun. It’s time to break some rules.I grew up understanding that there are hard rules and soft rules. Hard rules: don’t cross the street without looking both ways, don’t steal, don’t kill people. Soft rules: the broken cookies at … Read more
I’ve been thinking a lot about our country lately. I’m a democracy nerd of the highest order. I once thought I’d be the first female US Senator from the Great State of Florida. (That title is still open, btw. Get your shit together Florida!). The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States starts as … Read more
“Do your job, make your money, and volunteer on the side,” they advised. “Get your purpose outside of work,” they counseled. Once we’ve gotten out of the passion trap, we muck about in the other long-held college career center trope, where one conflates consonance with purpose, having a higher calling, of doing service, of prioritizing … Read more
“What Did You Do for Fun Today?” Ten years ago, I picked my son up from preschool and, per usual, asked him about his day. Normally, a happy, chatty kid, he didn’t hesitate to regale me with tales of story time, snack time, painting time, pee-in-your pants time. But then, suddenly, he stopped in his … Read more
Do you ever reflect on your life – the past and the present – wishing if only you could freeze time? A friend of ours recently passed away. He was 47, a year younger than I am right now. My heart wrenches for his wife and his two young daughters. I immediately thought of the … Read more