Don’t wait

August 24, 2025By Travisthings that inspire

Don’t wait. On your ideas, your plans, your goals. That trip you’ve wanted to take, that career change you’ve considered making, that course you’ve considered taking, that skill or hobby you’ve always wanted to pick up, that person you’ve wanted to be honest with, that loved one you care about but haven’t reminded lately. Because … Read More

A generalist approach to problem-solving

July 28, 2025By Travispsychology, behavior, and other science things, story time, things that inspire

Research shows that generalists—those who draw from diverse sectors—are less prone to cognitive “tunneling,” the narrowed focus that stifles innovation. Ancient Roots and the PolymathThe value of range isn’t new. Ancient thinkers such as Aristotle and Plutarch championed the polymath—a person who studied and connected multiple disciplines as a path to wisdom. The term polymath … Read More

Lessons in Kindness and Care: Reflections from Professor Yumi’s Class

November 19, 2024By Travisstory time, things that inspire

While studying at Columbia, I had the pleasure of studying under Professor Yumi Shimabukuro, Director of Urban & Social Policy at the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). Professor Yumi is such a kind and optimistic professional and educator. She works tirelessly on systemic policy design and analysis to help marginalized populations around the … Read More