Don’t Stop Believing

July 10, 2012
Brandon Sutton - World Domination Summit

Just over a year ago, I attended the inaugural World Domination Summit in Portland, Oregon, which would come to be an experience that motivated and inspired me in ways I find difficult to fully convey. This past weekend, I returned to beautiful Portland for the second WDS, and it was nothing short of magical for me. Allow me to take you on a journey, if you please.

I will never forget walking into the Portland Art Museum last year on the first morning of WDS and seeing Chris Guillebeau’s welcoming smile (the conference creator) as he asked me if I would go down to the front row and help fill it out shortly before the first presentation began. Never one to argue with one of my biggest personal heroes, I happily obliged.  Continue Reading…

To Connect or Disconnect?

July 5, 2012
Jacks River - Cohutta Wilderness

3 months ago, I flew to Singapore on a business trip and was fully expecting to have in-flight internet access on the plane. In the hours leading up to the flight, I found myself putting certain tasks off until I was safely nestled on the plane. The thinking was, ‘oh I’ll have plenty of time for that when I’m on the flight.’

Imagine my surprise when I opened up my laptop on the plane and had no WiFi service. 2 flights and 25 hours of travel with no connection to the world below forced me to be with some questions that had been nagging me for some time. It was the best forced downtime I’ve had in quite a while. Continue Reading…

Inspiration, Social Causes

Profiles in Inspiring Youth

June 8, 2012
Ethan - Charity Ball

Earlier this week, I received an email from a lady that I haven’t spoken to in quite some time with a link to a video featuring her son, Ethan. I had a look at it and I was moved beyond words.

I originally met Ethan in the Summer of 2010 when my neighbor and I interviewed him for a photography initiative we were working on during the World Cup. When I heard about his story of providing new soccer balls to kids in Africa through his non-profit, Charity Ball, I knew he was a remarkable young man and had a lot to share with the world.

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Inspiration

On Gay Marriage, Equal Rights, and Speaking Out

May 10, 2012
Barack Obama on Gay Marriage

Yesterday’s news that President Obama is now publicly supporting gay marriage has brought up a lot of chatter and caused some emotions to run high throughout the nation. When I heard the news, I was enjoying a respite from city life up in my friend’s recording studio. We had discussed the North Carolina amendment vote the night before and my heart went out to my friends that have campaigned aggressively to block this amendment from passing.

Unfortunately, there is still a lot of fear and even some hatred that drives people to create barriers for others in order for them to feel secure themselves.

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Inspiration

Spreading Joy

March 23, 2012
Brandon & Jeremy - Hunger Walk/Run 2011

Joy. It’s one of those words that gets used far too infrequently in my opinion. I believe that we are at our best when we are living in joy.

Some people exude joy everywhere they go, even in the most mundane activities. I’ve been fortunate to know several people like that over the years. 3 days ago, I lost one of them in a tragic accident and my heart feels very heavy today as I think about it.

My friend and neighbor, Jeremy Smith, was one of the most positive, upbeat, enthusiastic people I have ever met in my life.

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