Browsing Tag

WDS

Finding and Expressing Inner Voice

July 18, 2014

I used to think my voice didn’t really matter. That I wasn’t smart enough, eloquent enough, educated enough, good enough, etc. It’s really quite ridiculous when I look at it now. Sure, some of my heroes had more resources, education, money, better looks, etc., but others were no more prepared to have a massive impact on the world than I am now.

Last week I was doing some research on a project I’m working on, and I came across the story of OutKast and their rise to the pinnacle of stardom from their humble roots in my home city of Atlanta. One part of their story really struck me, but I didn’t really know why at the time. Continue Reading…

Inspiration

A Game Changing Birthday Wish

July 22, 2012
charity: water

2 weeks ago, I sat in the beautiful Newmark Theater in Portland, Oregon as I listened to Scott Harrison of charity: water describe his story and the history of this incredible organization. Like me, Scott spent many years in the nightlife scene and saw enough sketchiness to last him a lifetime. Yet, after all the years of drinking, drugging and everything in between, Scott had a realization that he wanted his life to stand for more than just a stream of good parties.

Scott spent time in West Africa alongside volunteer doctors who were treating hundreds of patients a day that would otherwise have endured unimaginable suffering from a variety of maladies. Continue Reading…

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

Recharging My Soul at the World Domination Summit

June 9, 2011

Last weekend, I had the privilege and honor of attending the first World Domination Summit in Portland, Oregon. WDS is Chris Guillebeau’s brainchild and together with a team of dedicated volunteers, he achieved what I can only describe as an epic coming together of hearts and minds of change agents and explorers from around the world.

I could sense the energy in the city from the time we hopped on the Max train at the airport. We were speaking with a local resident about World Domination and good Pinot Noir as the train wound through beautiful northwest neighborhoods, and a young lady across from me overheard us and said she was attending WDS as well.  Continue Reading…