by Danny Ballan | Jan 4, 2026 | Thinking Out Loud
Happy New Year! Kick off 2026 with my biggest update yet. We’re introducing a new community-funded model, revealing an ambitious AI game project, and opening the vault on 15 years of unreleased music and stories. Plus, join our new creative challenges and Discord server. Let’s make this year unforgettable together!
by Danny Ballan | Dec 31, 2025 | Social Spotlights
Tired of failed weight-loss resolutions? This New Year, try a “Character Resolution.” Learn how to become a “Luminary”—a source of light, warmth, and stability in your workplace and home.
by Danny Ballan | Dec 30, 2025 | Social Spotlights
From the fireballs of Scotland to the candles of Scandinavia, join us on a global tour of light traditions. Discover the meaning behind St. Lucia, Diwali, Kwanzaa, and Hogmanay, and why we all crave light in the dark.
by Danny Ballan | Dec 29, 2025 | Social Spotlights
Cold nights mean clear skies. Discover the science and philosophy of winter stargazing, from the “time travel” of looking at stars to the psychology of awe. Connect with the cosmos this season.
by Danny Ballan | Dec 28, 2025 | Social Spotlights
Carrying a grudge is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to suffer. As the New Year approaches, learn why “unilateral forgiveness” is the ultimate act of self-care and how to let go of the heavy baggage from the past year.
by Danny Ballan | Dec 27, 2025 | Social Spotlights
Why do we love reading about freezing characters? From Dickens to Narnia, we explore how literature uses winter as a powerful symbol of isolation, clarity, and the necessity of warmth.
by Danny Ballan | Dec 26, 2025 | Social Spotlights
Feeling overwhelmed by political arguments and family tension? Learn the “Lighthouse Effect”—a strategy to remain a calm, non-anxious beacon in a polarized world. Master active listening and empathy this season.
by Danny Ballan | Dec 25, 2025 | Social Spotlights
Why do we eat together? From the biology of bonding to the sociology of the dinner table, we explore how feasting acts as a universal language of peace and reconciliation across cultures.
by Danny Ballan | Dec 24, 2025 | Social Spotlights
Are you tired of the holiday shopping frenzy? Discover how to reclaim the “sacred” in the season by choosing presence over presents. We explore meaningful alternatives to buying stuff, from experiences to the art of the handwritten letter.
by Danny Ballan | Dec 23, 2025 | Social Spotlights
Does the festive season feel more like a struggle than a celebration? We explore the “Empty Chair,” reframe loneliness as solitude, and offer a guide to inclusive hospitality and finding peace in the noise.
by Danny Ballan | Dec 22, 2025 | Social Spotlights
Feeling depleted? The story of Hanukkah isn’t just about oil; it’s a blueprint for burnout. Discover how to find “spiritual endurance” when your inner resources are running low.
by Danny Ballan | Dec 19, 2025 | English Plus Podcast, Thinking Out Loud, When the Bells Stop Ringing
As 2025 comes to a close, we look at the transition from holiday magic to ordinary reality. Through stories set in a nursing home in Buenos Aires, a dark river in the Amazon, and a drought-stricken well in Turkana, we ask: How do we keep the music playing when the orchestra stops?