Quotes And Leadership Lessons From The Boys In The Boat

A Reel Leadership Article

My latest book, Reel Leadership, is now available on Amazon. If you love movies and leadership, you will love this book.

In 1936, the University of Washington’s Junior Varsity crew team did something amazing. The crew team consisted of Don Hume (Jack Mulhern), Joe Rantz (Callum Turner), George “Shorty” Hunt Bruce Herbelin-Earle), Jim McMillin Wil Coban), John ‘Johnny’ White (Tom Varey), Gordy Adam (Joel Phillimore), Charles ‘Chuck’ Day (Thomas Elms), Roger Morris (Sam Strike), cox Bob ‘Bobby’ Moch (Luke Slattery). They beat varsity teams and then went to the Olympics. From there, they won the Olympic games and took home gold medals for the USA.

These boys, not men, competed in one of the most grueling sports imaginable. Most people don’t even know what crewing is. I only knew what crew was because of the ethical clothing boutique my wife shops at and does a side hustle for. 

The University of Washington Junior Varsity crew team in their boat

Quotes And Leadership Lessons From The Marvels

My latest book, Reel Leadership, is now available on Amazon. If you love movies and leadership, you will love this book.

Many people have said the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been in decline since the amazing Avengers: Endgame movie. While there haven’t been as many great movies since that film, Marvel still has had some winners. 

Having previously seen Captain Marvel and not being a fan, I wasn’t too excited about their latest film, The Marvels. The Marvels continues the story of Carol Danvers (Brie Larson), Monica Rambeau/Photon (Yeyonah Parris), and Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani). The trio all have light-based powers that get entangled thanks to a new threat.

For those of you who haven’t watched Captain Marvel or the Ms. Marvel Disney Plus series, you may come away a little lost. This movie picks up after both of these, and they are crucial to understanding what is happening. However, I think you can enjoy this movie even without the backstory from those two entries.

Quotes And Leadership Lessons From Slumberland

My latest book, Reel Leadership, is now available on Amazon. If you love movies and leadership, you will love this book.

Growing up, I remember playing the Nintendo Entertainment System’s video game Little Nemo: The Dream Master by Capcom. It was a video game about Nemo and his journey through dreams. I also remember watching Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland.

The game was based on the comic series from 1910-1911. Those comics didn’t age well.

Recently, a new entry in the Little Nemo series was released. The release is the Netflix movie Slumberland.

Slumberland stars Jason Momoa as the eccentric Flip, Marlow Barkley as Nemo, and Chris O’Dowd as Uncle Phillip.

Jason Mamoa in the Netflix movie Slumberland

The film is enjoyable, especially as a great retelling of a classic story. You’ll be taken to the real world along to dreamland. There, the cast faces multiple challenges.

Leadership Reflections From The Amway River Bank Run 2023

I participated in the Amway River Bank 25K run this past Sunday. It’s an annual event that was started in 1978. The race, a 15.5-mile stroll through downtown Grand Rapids and more, is one of scenic beauty. You run past the John Ball Park Zoo, along the river bank, and back into the city. Every part of the run can take your breath away.

Over the years, the sponsors have changed. It started as the Old Kent River Bank Run, transitioned into the Fifth Third River Bank Run, and is now the Amway River Bank Run. There’s a lot of history in the race and people are proud.

Something unique about the race is the distance. You hear about 5k, 10k, half marathon, and full marathon but the 25k is an elusive distance. It’s one that brings in runners from all across the country. Over 10,000 people ran in this race. It’s quite the experience to run with that many people!

Quotes And Leadership Lessons From John Wick: Chapter 4

A Reel Leadership Article

My latest book, Reel Leadership, is now available on Amazon. If you love movies and leadership, you will love this book. And don’t miss out on my Leadership Lessons From John Wick ebook on Amazon.

It’s been a long four years since John Wick: Chapter 3 was released. We’ve faced a pandemic together. John Wick: Chapter 4 was delayed. We know it was supposed to be a celebration of Keanu Reeves. May 21st, 2021 would have seen the release of The Matrix 4 and John Wick: Chapter 4 on the same day. Sadly, this wasn’t the case, and we had to wait quite some time before Chapter 4 of John Wick was released.

That happened recently. Most of us weren’t disappointed.

John Wick: Chapter 4 brings back the character Reeves had made popular. The action movie is once again packed with guns, violence, and extreme action.

Keaunu Reeves as John Wick. Standing in the rain.