On The Fly

In this bonus episode, it’s 2026! Yes— this  is the year! A different kind of start—you feel it right here? No lists! No demands! No fix-all-your-flaws! No “New You by Tuesday!” No rules! No laws!

People often ask me, “So . . . what is  On the Fly  really about?” At its heart,  On the Fly  is about noticing—the small, easily missed moments that quietly shape our lives. Join me!

In this episode, Night Before Christmas, I share a poem I wrote for my brothers to share with their grandchildren, inspired by Edgar A. Guest.

Merry Christmas, everyone — and welcome to this year’s holiday edition of  On the Fly ! Since 2020, Lori and I have created a Christmas gift for our family and friends: a children’s story in our voices, with sound effects, music, and seasonal magic to make Santa smile. Enjoy!

You don’t usually expect a time warp at the post office, but here we are. We only needed stamps for Christmas cards—showing that "slow" places often hold the best stories.

With two weeks left until Christmas, have you ever had to explain whether Santa Claus really exists, considering all the children's books and movies about him?

As this holiday season approaches amid shopping and busy schedules, I embrace simplicity: taking a moment to pause, breathe, remember, and honor the person and place that shaped my sense of home long before I had the words for it.

Travel broadens the mind, but after eight days sailing the Rhône with 140 luxury vacationers, I can confirm it tests patience, calf strength, buffet strategy, and tolerance for people furious that France insists on being French.

As the holiday buzz fills the air with pixels and beeps, it’s easy to feel like the world is drifting into a gentle smartphone sleep. I take a quick break to step back, breathe in cherished memories, and sit comfortably in them—a Holiday Tribute to Mom.

I’ll be honest with you: My triumphant return from France wasn't quite the glamorous homecoming I had imagined. There was no smooth glide back into my routine, and no movie-like moment where I lift my suitcase from the carousel and exchange a wink with life, as if we're old friends. Sometimes, reality is a bit different from our dreams, but that makes the story more interesting.

Every now and then, something has a wonderful way of bringing us back to the wide-eyed wonder of childhood. For me, it was just yesterday—June 2, 2023—thanks to an inspiring visit to a guitar shop, a long drive, and the magic of a talented musician.

Sometimes, connection comes unexpectedly—not through grand gestures but via technology. In a Paris apartment, I understood my family’s words and felt my mother’s presence in every sentence.

If you’re reading this, I’m already off the grid. Today kicks off a well-deserved vacation, and for the next few weeks, On the Fly is taking a little break along with me.

We live in a restless world where mornings start with immediate digital distraction. The urge to dive into chaos is quick, but sometimes, stillness  finds you .

Imagine a room full of bright minds agreeing as a new strategy is revealed. The slides are polished, the vision grand, and the future looks bright. Everyone smiles—nobody wants to question if it might not work, fearing to spoil the mood with reality.

My listening friends, when the world feels overwhelming, go outside. Look up. Find a sliver of sky, a star, a moon, or a bird in flight. Awe is still there, waiting for you.

Welcome back to  On the Fly . In this week’s episode of  The Silent Grid , GridBot tightens its grip. Marvin and Norman notice a troubling absence—the generation they hoped to reach has vanished into  The Signal Box , a youth tech hub pulsing with digital obsession.

Imagination is a mirror and telescope, revealing who we are and where we might go. This summer, I traveled through centuries of imagination with companions: Marcus Aurelius, Jonathan Swift, Mark Twain, Robert Louis Stevenson, Jules Verne, Jack London, and Isaac Asimov.

The first time you see Tommy Emmanuel perform, it might seem like watching a magic trick. You're joking — where's the bass player and drummer – hiding backstage?

History isn't a museum—it's a river, and we're already swimming in it. Its waters carry timeless lessons, flowing through each generation, waiting to be  rediscovered .

Imagine 80 days to explore the world without smartphones, jet planes, or money worries. An exciting thought, right? That's Jules Verne's fantasy adventure in  Around the World in 80 Days , a journey I've pondered from my Vista, California, easy chair.

Much obliged this mornin' to all my friends who took the time to wish me a happy birthday!

One bad moment can ruin your day, but one habit can change your life. In this episode of  On the Fly , discover how small, daily actions can rewire your mindset, replace negativity with possibility, and even lift the people around you.

"You're never a hero in your own home." This phrase reflects how those who know us best also see our quirks and flaws, but when that familiarity causes disconnection—when our deep thoughts are dismissed and efforts go unheard—it highlights the complex dynamics within close relationships.

When was the last time you were so drawn to a quest that you packed your bags and laced up your boots before the rooster crowed? For me, this summer has been exactly that, a journey where the world outside faded away and the one inside my head came alive. Let's explore Treasure Island.