Rebuilding Rob

  • 50,000 views

    50,000 views

    Rebuilding Rob just hit a massive milestone: 50,000 all-time views! 🚀 Even more incredible? 70% of that traffic arrived in just the last two years. Whether you’re new here or a long-time reader, come see which posts are driving the momentum and join the journey as we keep building toward…

  • Beyond Inflation: The True Cost of Regret and the Art of Balance

    Beyond Inflation: The True Cost of Regret and the Art of Balance

    Everything is getting more expensive, from the price of bread to the cost of living. But as an old Van Halen video famously pointed out, nothing is more expensive than regret. This week, I’m looking at the economics of the heart—and why “Option C” is the one investment you can’t…

  • The Only Good Reason to Get Married (12 Years Later)

    The Only Good Reason to Get Married (12 Years Later)

    Twelve years after first sharing Kelly Flanagan’s famous letter on marriage, I’m revisiting the theory of “dismantling the ego.” Is total vulnerability a beautiful goal or a dangerous risk? From the perspective of “Option C,” I’m looking at why true connection feels like capturing lightning in a bottle and what…

  • Embracing the Suck

    Embracing the Suck

    Dealing with the “polar vortex” in Michigan requires more than just a shovel. From using UV lamps for seasonal depression to the “unexpected win” of a unified co-parenting front, this post explores how to embrace the sucky elements of winter—and life—to find a “good kind of tired.”

  • 11 Degrees: Survival Mode and the Myth of the American Dream

    11 Degrees: Survival Mode and the Myth of the American Dream

    At 11 degrees, survival is not a metaphor. Explore a Realist perspective on the homelessness crisis in Ann Arbor, the myth of the American Dream, and why 59% of Americans are closer to the street than to a billionaire CEO. A deep dive into systemic failure and the ‘Option C’…

  • Staying in the Room

    Staying in the Room

    Staying in the Room” explores the reality of pet loss, the “luminous” soul, and the courage to face life’s biggest goodbyes—and the solitude of 51—alone.

  • Choosing to Be the Villain

    Choosing to Be the Villain

    What do you do when you’re forced to choose between a dying parent and a pregnant partner? In this reflective look back at a 10-year family rift, I explore why I chose to be the “villain” in my family’s story to be the hero in my own home. A story…

  • The Hoverboard Hoax: A Lesson in Cinematic Optimism

    The Hoverboard Hoax: A Lesson in Cinematic Optimism

    Was the Back to the Future hoverboard real? Discover the history of the “Hoverboard Hoax” and Robert Zemeckis’ legendary prank. This post looks back at the 1989 vision of 2015, the “Audacity of Potential,” and how movie magic fueled a lifelong fascination with the future.

  • The Great Equalizer

    The Great Equalizer

    What is the difference between the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean? For me, it’s the salt in the air and the ‘communion with nature’ that happens in the surf. Read my reflections on the ‘boating culture’ of South Carolina, why the ocean is the ultimate teacher of perspective, and…

  • Ring Cameras and Red Bags: Why I Can’t Be a Criminal

    Ring Cameras and Red Bags: Why I Can’t Be a Criminal

    Would you keep a suitcase of money or turn it in? From airport toilet mysteries to Ring camera surveillance, Rob breaks down the ultimate morality test. What’s your price?