OPEN MIKE
reflections
ARTICLES AND PERSONAL REFLECTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED IN MAGAZINES, NEWSPAPERS, AND ON BLOGS
The Physics of Attraction
The other night we returned back to the restaurant where the term steak tits was coined; I was secretly hoping lightening would strike twice and wasn’t disappointed. Brax Landing is known for its waterside dining, fishy goodness, and, this year anyway, the inspiration...
The Night my Daughter Ordered Steak Tits
Misunderstood song lyrics are always fun. Take for example Bad Moon Rising. I used to think, “There’s a bad moon on the rise,” was actually, “There’s a bathroom on the right.” You know what’s funnier? When you are at dinner with your family and your daughter orders...
Look What the Cat Dragged In
Day two of vacation in Chatham. I spent most of the day solo—my wife was doing her thing (those of you who know her, know what that means) and my kids were out and about with their friends. I’m running a 10K tomorrow so took the day off of exercise but did manage to...
Finding My Tribe
I just arrived in Chatham, MA tonight—a town where I’ve vacationed for most of the past twenty-three years. I started coming here in the summer of 1996 when I was dating the woman who currently identifies as my wife. It’s one of my favorite places on the planet and a...
Building Rapport
Are you all sitting down? I'm about to lay some truth down on you. As hard as it might be to accept, I do not make a living doing comedy. I know, it's difficult to believe, but a guy who started doing open mics in January still hasn't gotten his stab at doing The...
Less is More
When I was in eighth grade, my friend Chris Hart convinced me to join him on stage to perform stand-up comedy at our middle school's talent show. While I'd like to block every second of that experience out of my mind, I remember just about everything about it; my...
What do the Grateful Dead and Moderating have in Common?
I love The Dead. While I can't say I embrace the "culture" of The Dead, I love their musicianship. To be able to jam the way they did is a true talent. I believe that the work I do in qualitative research requires the same improvisational skills. Unplanned topics...
A Quantifiable Difference
At its best, Qualitative Research helps my clients build a sense of empathy for their consumers. Sometimes, it even impacts the way we moderator's look at the world. This article summarizes a project that changed my perspectives on healthcare reform. [gview...
Lessons to Keep in Mind When Interviewing Via Webcam
I was an early adopter in the use of webcams for qualitative interviewing. While today's technology is very promising, it is not yet perfect. This article summarizes some lessons to keep in mind when interviewing via webcam. [gview...