On May 18, 2026 Ray Levias, a Seattle Prep classmate of mine, passed away. He was, for all who knew him, a truly unforgettable human being. At Prep, he was an exceptional student-athlete, a cornerstone of the back-to-back undefeated state championship football teams in 1965 and 1966. Ray was known for his electric speed, instinctive play making, and quiet intensity. He was inducted into the Seattle … Continue reading Remembering Ray Levias »

If ever the world needed an understanding of leadership beyond the one embodied by many contemporary leaders perhaps we need look no farther than the teachings of the ancient Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu. The author of the Tao Te Ching. Lao Tzu by many accounts was a contemporary of Confucius. There’s one record of a young Confucius traveling to the capital of Luoyang to consult … Continue reading Humility »

I thought it was time to pay homage to all our grandmothers. It has been one of the great pleasures of my life to watch the grandmothers in my family do their — grandmothering. A remarkable labor of love. Abraham Lincoln’s grandmother, Bethsheba Lincoln, was born around 1741 in Virginia. After her husband was killed by Native Americans in 1786, she raised her five children—including … Continue reading An Ode to Grandma Power »