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We've launched the Dastardly Cleverness podcast: the podcast for people who make progress, whether they're in nonprofits, governments, or socially responsible corporations. Episode 1 is Part 1 of "Is There Hope for Democracy?" a fascinating panel discussion featuring former Congressman Sam Farr, Obama White House veteran Adrienne Harris, Santa Cruz County Supervisor and … [Read more...] about Is There Hope for Democracy?

The video of this great panel discussion is now posted. "Is There Hope for Democracy?" features former Congressman Sam Farr, Santa Cruz County Supervisor and presidential campaign veteran Zach Friend, former Special Assistant to President Obama Adrienne Harris, and Boots Road Group Managing Partner and presidential campaign veteran Spencer … [Read more...] about VIDEO: Is There Hope for Democracy?

[Also published at Huffington Post.] So far in this series, I've been offering tips that can be used right away, by just about anyone who writes. But now we come to something that can require significant time and dedication: finding your voice as a writer. The good news is you can start making progress today. What is does it mean to have a voice? It's the way people know … [Read more...] about How to Write Fast & Well, Part 11: Find Your Voice

(Also published at Huffington Post.) So far in this series, I've focused on the content of your writing: choosing a good topic, giving structure to your thoughts, and finding the right words. Unfortunately, you can excel at all that and still produce writing that's hard to read. If so, the problem may be rhythm -- or the lack thereof. Rhythm is fundamental to writing, … [Read more...] about How to Write Fast & Well, Part 10: Get Rhythm

(Also published at Huffington Post.) Of all the threats to good writing, the worst -- and most insidious -- is cliché: the re-use of the over-used. As Martin Amis put it: All writing is a campaign against cliché. Not just clichés of the pen but clichés of the mind and clichés of the heart. When I dispraise [writing], I am usually quoting clichés. When I praise, I am … [Read more...] about How to Write Both Fast and Well, Part 9: Why Clichés Are Evil