A reflection on Adam Grant’s Hidden Potential, exploring how progress, environment, and support shape success more than raw talent. From Cy Young winners to astronauts, the book challenges traditional gatekeeping and reframes what it takes to be seen. I connect Grant’s ideas to personal experiences and creative spaces like Web3, where the path forward often means finding a way in through the side door.

I didn’t set out to work in tech. I just wanted to take an art class. But a detour through computer science led me to something deeper: a path that combined logic, creativity, and human-centered thinking. This essay traces how an unexpected beginning shaped my approach to design, helping me become the kind of leader who thrives in ambiguity and builds bridges between people, ideas, and systems.

A reflection on Adam Grant’s Hidden Potential, exploring how progress, environment, and support shape success more than raw talent. From Cy Young winners to astronauts, the book challenges traditional gatekeeping and reframes what it takes to be seen. I connect Grant’s ideas to personal experiences and creative spaces like Web3, where the path forward often means finding a way in through the side door.

I didn’t set out to work in tech. I just wanted to take an art class. But a detour through computer science led me to something deeper: a path that combined logic, creativity, and human-centered thinking. This essay traces how an unexpected beginning shaped my approach to design, helping me become the kind of leader who thrives in ambiguity and builds bridges between people, ideas, and systems.

As AI automates routine tasks, early-career roles are not disappearing. They are being reshaped. This piece explores how the middle of the job ladder is compressing, pushing junior workers into more complex responsibilities without traditional support structures. Drawing on historical parallels, it argues that AI raises the floor rather than eliminates it, and calls for new systems of training and mentorship to meet the moment.

As AI automates routine tasks, early-career roles are not disappearing. They are being reshaped. This piece explores how the middle of the job ladder is compressing, pushing junior workers into more complex responsibilities without traditional support structures. Drawing on historical parallels, it argues that AI raises the floor rather than eliminates it, and calls for new systems of training and mentorship to meet the moment.

I’ve been creating since before I knew what “legacy” meant. Art was never a race for me—it was how I stayed grounded. Some of us build from the margins, in connection, not competition. This is where I build from.

I’ve been creating since before I knew what “legacy” meant. Art was never a race for me—it was how I stayed grounded. Some of us build from the margins, in connection, not competition. This is where I build from.

The Brutalist Mannequins series began as a way to process four decades of anxiety and depression, but it ended up revealing something deeper—the quiet unraveling of a 12-year relationship. Created during a personal breakdown, these works became a mirror for emotional truths I hadn’t yet faced. This reflection revisits the series five years later and explores what it helped me understand, express, and survive.

The Brutalist Mannequins series began as a way to process four decades of anxiety and depression, but it ended up revealing something deeper—the quiet unraveling of a 12-year relationship. Created during a personal breakdown, these works became a mirror for emotional truths I hadn’t yet faced. This reflection revisits the series five years later and explores what it helped me understand, express, and survive.

Emotions are powerful and immediate, but they don’t have to dictate how we respond. A key insight I’ve gained is the importance of separating emotion from the event itself. This practice allows me to fully experience emotions with clarity. The goal isn’t suppression, but deeper, intentional engagement for better guidance in life.

Emotions are powerful and immediate, but they don’t have to dictate how we respond. A key insight I’ve gained is the importance of separating emotion from the event itself. This practice allows me to fully experience emotions with clarity. The goal isn’t suppression, but deeper, intentional engagement for better guidance in life.

A personal reflection on the lasting influence of high school art teachers and the interdisciplinary art program, The Palette Paradigm, developed by Doug DePice. Through archived video lessons and storytelling, Eric explores how early exposure to the connections between art, science, math, and humanities shaped his critical thinking, creativity, and lifelong learning—revealing the deep impact of integrated arts education.

A personal reflection on the lasting influence of high school art teachers and the interdisciplinary art program, The Palette Paradigm, developed by Doug DePice. Through archived video lessons and storytelling, Eric explores how early exposure to the connections between art, science, math, and humanities shaped his critical thinking, creativity, and lifelong learning—revealing the deep impact of integrated arts education.

Reflecting on the tension between action and stillness, and the importance of pausing to truly listen.

Reflecting on the tension between action and stillness, and the importance of pausing to truly listen.

Accept – then act. This Tolle quote resonates with me as I work to embody acceptance and lean into my intuition. It’s not about passivity but alignment—trusting the present moment as a foundation for purposeful action. By embracing where I am now, I honor my inner knowing and create a life that blends instinct with intentionality. How do you practice acceptance and trust your intuition?

Accept – then act. This Tolle quote resonates with me as I work to embody acceptance and lean into my intuition. It’s not about passivity but alignment—trusting the present moment as a foundation for purposeful action. By embracing where I am now, I honor my inner knowing and create a life that blends instinct with intentionality. How do you practice acceptance and trust your intuition?

Everyone has a unique destiny, but not everyone chooses to follow it. The path can feel uncertain, unconventional, and even intimidating, but I’m learning to trust my instincts. It’s about listening to that inner voice, embracing uncertainty, and stepping forward with courage. This is my moment to follow my path with clarity and intention, living in alignment with who I’m meant to be.

Everyone has a unique destiny, but not everyone chooses to follow it. The path can feel uncertain, unconventional, and even intimidating, but I’m learning to trust my instincts. It’s about listening to that inner voice, embracing uncertainty, and stepping forward with courage. This is my moment to follow my path with clarity and intention, living in alignment with who I’m meant to be.

Ever notice how once something’s been brought to your attention, you start seeing it everywhere? That’s the “red car theory” at work—where focus reshapes perception. Lately, I’ve been noticing opportunities for education and creativity, but it makes me wonder: What patterns am I missing? What else could I set an intention to notice and bring into focus?

Ever notice how once something’s been brought to your attention, you start seeing it everywhere? That’s the “red car theory” at work—where focus reshapes perception. Lately, I’ve been noticing opportunities for education and creativity, but it makes me wonder: What patterns am I missing? What else could I set an intention to notice and bring into focus?