James’ Daily Emails

In the most recent episode of the Trumpet Dynamics podcast, I featured the great Rex Richardson, trumpet soloist extraordinaire. Rex is based in Richmond, VA and since I had some business to attend to in Richmond recently, it worked out for us to meet in person to record! One of the topics that came up is…

Sana and I were visiting some friends one time, and happened to see in their fridge a package of “nonfat yogurt”. We decided to take a small taste – with our hosts’ permission of course – and quickly realized it was more than just “nonfat”. It was decidedly “nontaste” as well. And a quick glance…

It seems there’s always some excuse as to why we shouldn’t do what we know we need to be doing. For example, anytime I miss a few days publishing my “daily” email newsletter, it’s really difficult to sit at the computer and type something out. “Your subscribers are disappointed in you. You keep making commitments and…

When I began my podcasting journey in January 2015, the medium was still very much a novelty. People were enamored with the idea that literally anyone can broadcast whatever they want and have it streamed on the web, all for minimal investment. And as a result, it seemed like everyone and their mom was starting…

It occurred to me that I haven’t let y’all who read these emails that Sana and I have relocated to Minnesota from Virginia Beach. It’s something we had been talking about for some time – even well before she arrived in the U.S. – but circumstances which we’ll call “providential” made it clear this was…

Sana and I watched The Secret Life of Walter Mitty last night. My mom had been raving about it for awhile, so we decided to finally check it out. Walter Mitty (the character) is about as mundane as you can get. Never been anywhere, never done anything. He can’t even muster up the nerve to…

Sana and I were out and about the other day and came across an intersection where we wanted to turn right. The light was red, and the guy in front of us was stopped. Even though he was in the right turn lane and it was perfectly safe and legal to turn, he refused to go.…

Who doesn’t love a good story? I sure do. People often ask me, “How do you make your living?” I usually say I’m in the business of publishing digital media, be it through podcasts, audiobooks, website building and the like. But really I’m in the business of telling stories. Those mediums of podcasts and audiobooks…

“ ’Tis better to be than to do,” so the saying goes. I’m going to put a little twist on that classic, iconic phrase and say, “It is better to do than to read.” I guess “read” rhyme with be, so that’s the logic behind it. Honestly, I jotted down that idea a few days ago…

I was told by somebody the other day that I am “small potatoes” compared to another group of people who evidently have made a name for themselves in this world. And I don’t know the actual intent of the person that said this, but I would venture to say that it was meant to insinuate…