Category Archive

(This is one of a series of posts we're running on what inspires us as facilitators and designers here at Collective Next.) There’s a new recording out of a famous 20th century music composition, Steve Reich's Music for 18 Musicians, a piece that inspires me deeply.The first time I listened to Music for 18 Musicians was when I was an undergrad. It changed my life. It changed a lot of lives. It was a revolutionary piece. I first heard it in a record shop....

(This is one of a series of posts we're running on what inspires us as facilitators and designers here at Collective Next.)With the anniversary of my mom’s death, her birthday, and Mother's Day all neatly stacked in a row, I’ve always found late spring a difficult time of year. While spring represents newness and hope, for me, it's mostly a time for reflection. Memories of my mom come flooding back: packed school lunches in hand-drawn brown bags, elaborately crafted...

(This is one of a series of posts we're running on what inspires us as facilitators and designers here at Collective Next.) My dad is visiting, which seems appropriate since I’ve been assigned to write about inspiration. From the minute he arrived, we have been generally kicking ass at getting lots of stuff done while having fun. He is the sort of person who is willing to just dive in and do stuff. He may not always know whether he can do it, but he will try,...

(This is one of a series of posts we're running on what inspires us as facilitators and designers here at Collective Next.) I read recently that we spend our lives trying to recreate the places where we were happiest growing up. If my house were evidence, then that statement is true. I grew up on Cape Cod back when few lived there year-round. The winters were tough – most places were closed in the off-season – but for those of us who soldiered through the bleak...