E2C_Travel

Not all travel is into the great unknown... some takes you 'home', to your people. I found my roots again after the pandemic with an aluminum love child named Bella and the 50 aunts and uncles who just can't seem to get enough of her. The Airstream community took me completely by surprise, but it's not the campers that create the connection -- it's the love of outdoors and nature, working hard to prepare an obscenely over-the-top family meal "just because", and genuine affinity for the stories that brought each of us here.

Any experience where you have an opportunity to learn the stories of others, try new foods, see how people live differently - each of those moments changes your life just a little. If you're lucky, your worldview becomes a patchwork of all those experiences. Mine has.

#mycuprunnethover

ABOUT ME

Hello Peeps.
This is my Why.

Part journal, part treasure map, part petri dish of thoughts about the future – this website is the synthesis of years of informal (and informed) study of the human condition… coupled with an unyielding need to explore every old tree trunk, breathe in as many back alley spice markets as I can find, admire the monarchs in every protected estuary along the coast, and climb the hillsides on gas-powered mules those few precious days the poppies raise their gorgeous orange faces to the sun. I'll do it all - every single mile - while my hands can still manage the camera.

The more time passes, the more I understand Thoreau's beloved Walden and his need to "live deep and suck out all the marrow of life." With Bella and an increasingly more amazing collection of people in my life... my physical footprint has been smaller these past few pandemic-impacted years, but my "heart-print" has never experienced more reach.  To those who are with me, you are everything to me.  To those who will join our treasure hunt, I promise we're going to see the world... and see it differently, #together.

   

E2C_Connection

So many amazing people come into my life and teach me unexpected things. They make my life fuller and more interesting in more ways than I imagined. These connections are what drive me - they’re my secret sauce, my signature strength. Every success in my life is, quite simply, based on my love of people and bringing people together to do wonderful things.

This summer I joined the Board of a publishing company that enables people to publish their personal stories online (here’s mine if you’re curious: Tonya's Cues & Views). Working with this commitment, I’m even more convinced of the importance of sharing our journey to connect with others. I see firsthand the difference connections make when people recognize how much we are alike… not different. With that as my goal, I look forward to sharing my journey and story - sharing my connections and creating new ones on the way. Exploring2Connect. Join me.

#onwardandupward

E2C_FutureofWork

Just Ask

There’s almost never harm in asking, almost never. Yet many of us predetermine the response as a “no” and we don’t even try. The status quo doesn’t work anymore and none of us should be waiting for someone else to…

E2C_Connection

Kenyatta… you are so much light to this world

Range. From the campground to the art museum. High tech and death doulas. Berkeley and Harvard Business School (and, UT-Martin). Somehow it all is coming together… and I love this canvas. Find and follow Kenyatta A.C. Hinkle (IG: @kachstudio). She’s…

E2C_FutureofWork

Do SOMETHING.

“Bias for Action” has been a catchphrase for years, a hollow one. I don’t want someone who “favors” action. I want someone who TAKES action…someone who MAKES things happen. There’s a big difference. Plenty of people talk about things… exceptional…

E2C_FutureofWork

Priorities: Because Clear is Kind

Prioritize — know What, know When, know Why. And know How. Then communicate – top to bottom across your organization. Everyone deserves to know what your priorities are for the future. Transparency builds trust; Trust builds better teams; Better teams…

E2C_FutureofWork

Imposter

We all feel it. Not enough of us talk about it… Yet, there I was on a stage with many dear professional friends in the audience making a run at discussing the very real notion that we all struggle with…

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