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The boys are back in town
Summer vacation isn’t just about time off; it’s about the quiet transition of family dynamics. As I navigate this summer with both my sons home, I’m reflecting on the beauty of low-key traditions—like mini-golf and bowling—and the ‘inverse nest syndrome’ that comes with raising young adults.
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The case for a slower life
Is the American ‘hustle’ culture failing us? A look at European traditions like the summer shutdown and why we might need to learn a slower pace of life.
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Rebuilding Rob: The Podcast Season 3 Premiere: The Cape is LIVE!
Season 3 of Rebuilding Rob is here. Join me for an origin story on leadership, the ‘100% Policy,’ and why I’m finally stepping into the mantle of administration.
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The First Mistake: A Perspective on Travel
Is it safe to visit the United States right now? A reflection on the current political climate, the burden of systemic fear, and why I’m choosing to prioritize safety over tourism. An honest look at the ‘land of the guarded’ and the shift from political disagreement to personal apprehension.
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The ‘I Want You Back’ Paradox
What happens when a song about heartbreak feels like pure dopamine? I’m taking a look at why ‘I Want You Back’ by the Jackson 5 remains the ultimate feel-good anthem, despite its lyrics. From the technical brilliance of the Motown machine to the ‘raw’ humanity of my own podcasting journey,…
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Rob on…the lame duck illusion
Leadership is a fragile contract. From the halls of an alternative school to the corridors of Washington, D.C., I’m exploring the “lame duck” phenomenon: that liminal space where a leader holds the title but has lost the authority.
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The Waiting Room: Living in the Stretch
I’m currently caught in the ‘waiting room’ of life—the awkward, restless space between closing the book on one chapter and waiting for the next to begin. From navigating the final days of a school year to the quiet introspection following a relationship’s end, I’m learning that the tension of wanting…
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Rob on…closing the comic book
What happens when a relationship doesn’t end with a bang, but with a quiet, passive fade? In this look at the modern dating phenomenon of ‘soft ghosting,’ I explore the cowardly side of the status quo, the brick walls we build to protect ourselves, and why I’m finally closing the…
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How to Build Confidence: A 1,008-Day Guide to Stringing Together Victories
We often think of self-confidence as a static trait, but it’s actually a perishable skill that must be re-earned. From the ‘Samurai’ days of my 20s to the ‘Option C’ choices of my present, I’ve learned that true confidence isn’t about avoiding failure—it’s about stringing together enough victories to prove…
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The Beacon in the Digital Dark: Why I Write to Breathe
Are subscriber lists still the ‘holy grail’ of blogging, or are they just a vanity metric in the age of smartphones? After 14 years of blogging, I’m breaking down the reality of building a loyal audience, why the ‘follow-for-follow’ game feels transactional, and why I’ve decided that writing to breathe…