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Notes from a Public Learning Journey
On Befriending Uncertainty & Contradiction
Weekly-ish reflections on mental health, spirituality, creativity, storytelling, and the strange work of becoming more human.
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The Latest Paper
Most Recent Unvarnished Note
The newest chronicles from Brian’s public learning journey.
The Most Raw
Spoken Word, Unfiltered
Lightly edited. Typos preserved for the sake of not wanting to fix them.
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The Archive
Recent Paradox Papers
Missed one? Wander back through recent notes whenever something calls you.
Procrastination Had My Back (My Ambition Was Shocked To Learn)
My self-sabotage turned out to be an unlikely ally. Annoyingly, accepting that actually helped.
Read It →Your Intuition Can Be Wrong (And That's the Point)
Intuition feels like certainty. That’s exactly why we need curiosity, transparency, and humility.
Read It →I’ve Learned How To Worry Backwards (And It’s Wonderful)
Worry follows a pattern, but you can do it in reverse, toward possibility instead of doom — and it has a name too: wonder.
Read It →Self-Awareness Feels Really Crappy
There is a 3-stage process to Self-Awareness, and most people get stuck in stage one: Darn, I’m just like that.
Read It →Why Self-Acceptance Is a Terrible Idea
The notion that we should accept ourselves how we are feels like giving up but it’s actually just the beginning.
Read It →My Mind Tricked Me, and I Smiled
We are taught to conquer the mind by overcoming our limiting beliefs, but sometimes we just need to make friends.
Read It →Move Needles, Not Mountains. And Watch What Happens
Have you ever had one of those productive work days where everything felt aligned? Me too, and I just sent 1 email.
Read It →Taking Personal Growth Into My Own Hands
Beyond cultural programming there is a podcast. I’ll meet you there.
Read It →Success & Abundance Scare the Crap Out of Me
Your dreams may not scare your parts nearly as much as the changes they'll require.
Read It →Desire Is Kinder Than Craving (and Planning)
The life meant for you rarely begins with certainty. It usually begins with fascination.
Read It →The Complete Archive
This wall holds the ten most recent Paradox Papers. Every note ever sent lives on in the full archive — step inside to wander the whole collection.
Enter the Full Archive →A record of what I thought I knew, what changed my mind, and what I’m still trying to understand.
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A Next Step
Want to Practice This Stuff, Not Just Read About It?
Befriending Bravely is Brian’s monthly live workshop for practicing the same inner friendship these notes keep circling around.
Learn About Befriending Bravely →