Thank you for an amazing 2015!

Flash says Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays to you from snowy Salt Lake City, Utah! I’m writing for Sharon, Nataly, Flash & myself to say: “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” It is difficult for me to adequately express my gratitude to you for being in my life and in our lives. Thank you for your support and for your […]

The Classical Guitarist at Portland Airport

Gold ingots to convey the value of practice

As Sharon, Flash and I were changing planes in Portland Oregon on our way to Bend, where we recorded all the videos for my online course, we stopped by the wonderful Cuckoo Clock and listened to a young guy who was playing classical guitar. It was a while ago and I’ve lost his name, but […]

Collaborating with Ben Zander: We Made the Ninja Cry

John Bates and TED Speaker Benjamin Zander

I had been turned on to Benjamin Zander’s purely excellent 2008 TED talk about Music and Passion by my friend Jim McCarthy, the CEO of Goldstar.com who had attended the very first TEDActive in February of 2008. Mere weeks later he showed me the archive footage of his favorite talk that year, Benjamin Zander. I was […]

Absolutely Great TED talks: Benjmin Zander

  What do people remember about a train? The Engine and the Caboose! The opening and closing of your speeches have a special impact. Make them excellent every time. From the opening to the ending Ben Zander is there for the audience. He includes and inspires everyone, on purpose, and he has the audience hanging […]

Invaluable Resources for You

Gold ingots to convey the value of practice

  You are up to great things … and it is my intention that this list of resources makes a difference for you and what you’re out there causing in the World! This is a list of resources I’ve created by curating the best of the many things I’ve come across for you. The focus is […]