HRC Equality in Action: What I Learned by Showing Up
I flew to DC for HRC Equality in Action expecting panels. I came home with new friends, an award I did not see coming, and a clearer view of the work ahead.
Read the storyThreads of Perspective
52 stories about identity, community, work and technology. Most have a narrated version you can listen to.
2026
A Good City Is Not Enough
A year in Columbus, Ohio showed me the difference between a place working on paper and a place working for you.
AI Is Not Making You More Productive. Yet.
The on-the-ground feedback from people using AI does not match the hype. History tells us why.
How Iran Got Here
The unrest in Iran traces back to a 1953 CIA coup, British oil greed, and seven decades of consequences the Iranian people never asked for.
You Can't Just Be Yourself
The advice to be yourself assumes a fixed self exists and distinction is optional. Both are wrong.
We're All Staying on Social Media in 2026 and Here's Why
Logging off is a luxury. For many, being online is not vanity. It is economic, social, and civic survival.
2025
When Pride Becomes Performance: My Complex Feelings About the Gay Community
Why being lectured about Pride history by the same people who have consistently marginalized you feels particularly hollow.
Quantum Computing: How Your Passwords Became Obsolete Overnight
Quantum computing promises incredible power but might destroy the digital security we depend on. Here's how this tech works and why you should pay attention.
My Own Naw Ruz: Finding Growth in New Beginnings
This Naw Ruz marks more than spring, it marks a fresh start, reclaiming myself after years of feeling paused.
2024
Immigration: The Truth Behind the Divide
A balanced look at the immigration debate, exploring its history, economic implications, and modern challenges.
17 Reasons Trump's Next Term Could Leave Us Trumped
Examining 17 key areas where Donald Trump's proposed policies could reshape the nation—and bring about sweeping changes for the future of America.
π0 (Pi-Zero) and the Dawn of Truly Intelligent Machines
π0 (Pi-Zero) blurs the line between human capability and machine precision. But are we ready for it?
The Heartbreak of the 2024 Election
A personal and informative reflection on feeling betrayed by the election results and questioning the values we hold dear as a society.
Why Does Every Rejection Feel Harder Than It Should?
An honest reflection on the emotional toll of repeated rejection and the deep exhaustion that follows.
Growing Up Gay: How Early Rejection and Acceptance Shaped My Identity
A candid reflection on early experiences as a gay Asian man, exploring culture, community, and self-discovery during my college years.
Exploring M&A: Is This My Next Big Step in Entrepreneurship?
After years of supporting small business owners, exploring mergers and acquisitions presents an opportunity to make a direct impact, especially in minority and LGBTQ+ communities.
10 Invalidating Phrases in Relationships: Why They Hurt and What to Say Instead
Drawing from personal experience, this highlights 10 common invalidating phrases that can damage relationships and offers alternatives for healthier communication.
How Much Influence Do Corporations Have Over Our Government?
Corporations and government—two powerful entities that shape our daily lives. But how much sway do big businesses really have over the laws and policies meant to serve the public?
What Happens When the Need to Please Others Undermines Your Self-Worth?
Discover how the journey from a middle school people-pleaser to a self-advocate has shaped relationships, self-worth, and outlook on life.
The State of the Economy: What's Next for the U.S.?
The U.S. economy is facing significant fluctuations, with recent stock market drops and a mixed jobs report highlighting potential challenges and uncertainties ahead.
What Moving to Austin Taught Me About Friendship, Family, and Self-Growth
Moving to Austin, TX, was meant to be a fresh start. Instead, it turned into a journey of unexpected challenges and profound lessons about friendship, family, and personal growth.
Is the Paralysis of Overthinking Holding You Back from Personal Growth?
Overthinking can be both a tool for deep reflection and a barrier to personal growth.
Interview with Fares: Growing Up Bahá'í and Gay in Iran
An intimate conversation with Fares reveals the profound challenges of being a gay Bahá'í in Iran, highlighting the intersectional discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in a country where both their faith and sexuality are persecuted.
How Does Grindr's Public Status Affect the Future of Digital Intimacy?
Grindr going public highlights concerns about turning intimacy into business and shifting focus from user experience to shareholder satisfaction.
Do Circuit Parties Offer a Sense of Community or Just Fleeting Moments?
After a hiatus from the circuit party scene, revisiting this familiar territory led to reflections on community, connection, and self-discovery.
Fake Pics, Real Lessons: Understanding a Gay Catfishing Past
A candid and humorous look back at the awkward stumbles of exploring one's sexuality in the early internet age - with insight into why some turn to catfishing.
From Heritage to Pride Month: Celebrating Asian and LGBTQ+ Identities
Celebrating Asian and LGBTQ+ identities as we transition from AAPI Heritage Month to Pride Month.
Is It Normal to Feel Like a Walking Contradiction?
Exploring the paradoxes within, understanding why one can be both needy and independent, and seeking balance in life and relationships.
Navigating Difficult Client Relationships: When to Say No
Balancing client demands with business integrity is challenging. Here's how Up High Studio handles difficult clients and when it's best to part ways.
Are There Truly Gay Third Spaces to Find Genuine Connection?
Exploring the lack of dedicated 3rd spaces for gay individuals and the maddening cycle of seeking connection through apps like Grindr.
Lost in Thought This Mother's Day
On Mother's Day, there's a mix of gratitude for family and a restless want for the vibrant life left behind in the city.
Who Decides Our Worth: Can the Gay Asian Community Overcome External Stereotypes?
An introspective look at overcoming societal biases and internal struggles within the gay Asian community, inspired by personal experiences and TikToker Kevo.
Is This Really What We Signed Up For, America?
As America moves forward, there's a growing sense of unease about our future direction.
Is TikTok Facing Its Last Dance in the U.S.?
Learn how TikTok became a vital part of daily life during the pandemic and examining the potential impact of its possible ban on users and the broader digital landscape.
The Eulogy Unspoken: Remembering My Dadu
In a world paused by a pandemic, there is reflection on the profound quiet left in the wake of a dad's passing—sharing the eulogy that was never delivered.
Can You Learn to Love Polyamorously?
Explore the nuances of polyamory through personal experience and the limits of love's expansiveness in the world of multiple partners.
Why Do Some Cis Gay Men Hesitate to Support Trans People?
Explore why certain cis gay men hold back from supporting the trans community.
Is Workplace Equality Real or Just a Buzzword?
A revealing inside look at a toxic workplace exposes the harsh realities of discrimination that minorities, women and others face, highlighting the critical need for true equality and respect in professional environments.
Is It Really About Being Gay, or Is It Something Deeper?
Unpack a story that goes beyond being gay, digging into how society's rules about gender and identity really affect us all.
Finding a Place to Call Home...
A gay's experience through the Midwest reveals an unexpected sense of belonging in Columbus, OH, highlighting the minority experience.
Behind DE's Smile Lies a Story of Deception and Discovery
Reflecting on 16 years: A story of trust, manipulation, and cultural complexities, as lived by a group of friends at Wayne State University.
Celebrating Naw Ruz - A Story of Tradition, Memories, and Renewal
Explore the Persian tradition of Naw Ruz, from vibrant community celebrations to intimate reflections on renewal and memory, honoring the past while embracing new beginnings.
The Transition from Party Animal to...Something Else?
Transitioning from the vibrant nightlife of your 20s to a more subdued social life in your 30s can be a perplexing journey.
A Campy Tale of Sunday Scaries
Explore that kind of anxiety that sets in before the workweek through campy analogies.
17 Challenges of LGBTQ+ Dating as a Minority
Navigating the complexities of dating as an LGBTQ+ individual with intersecting minority identities.
Exploring Intersectionality within the LGBTQ+ Community
The journey of a Filipino-Iranian gay man highlighting the importance of building an inclusive LGBTQ+ community.
Fasting and Faith: A Spiritual Journey Across Traditions
Exploring the Bahá'í fast period teaches profound lessons about community bonds, self-discipline, and the essence of empathy that can guide one's spiritual journey.
Debugging Life Lessons for a Code-Inspired Existence
Understand how common coding dilemmas mirror real-life challenges and explore practical solutions to navigate the complexities of both worlds.
Navigating the 2024 Tech Job Market
Discover how networking, skill development, and avant-garde approaches can guide you to your next opportunity.
From Digital Agency to Cultural Advocacy?
Exploring the vibrant intersection of personal passions, cultural identity, and professional aspirations.
Navigating Future Careers in an AI-Driven World
Reflecting on the future of work amidst tech layoffs, economic uncertainties, and the widening wealth gap.
The Whirlwind of Millennial Existence
A guide through the whirlwinds of existential uncertainty, introspection, and the embrace of life's darker recesses that make the human experience beautifully messy.