Museum of Red Flags: How History Groups Go Rogue

Explore the hidden pitfalls of historical organizations and the warning signs that may indicate they’re more focused on profit and prestige than preserving the past. From cobwebbed websites to shady leadership, this article uncovers how some groups can go rogue—and how to spot them before it’s too late.

Think Like a Genealogist: Unearth the Stories that Crafted You

Have you ever marveled at a detective show, watched in awe as mysteries unravel and stories unfold? Now, imagine if that thrilling narrative was about you—your past, your roots, your very DNA. Whether you realize it or not, there’s an epic saga just waiting to be discovered, with you as the central character. Genealogy isn’t reserved for historians or those with a penchant for old photographs; it’s for anyone with a story, a past, a legacy. It’s for you. So, why not think like a genealogist and dive into the most personal mystery of all: your ancestry?

In my podcast Flower in the River (Ep. 29), I talked about a complicated trio: Critics, Clowns, and Creative Defiance. Why this theme? Had a chat with one of my former students at Loft Literary Center (Minneapolis) and got inspired. She penned her thoughts, got published, and then — out of nowhere — she got slimed. Her prose was spot-on, which makes me think she attracted a clown who couldn’t resist. We often make ourselves clown fodder whenever we put our creations out into the world.