Elon Musk and the American Tradition of Calling on Experts

I read another book! And as always, it got me thinking. This time, it was about how America has a long history of calling on experts outside of politics to help solve big problems. Yet today, when Elon Musk is asked to lend his expertise, the response is pure politics. If one president asks him … Continue reading Elon Musk and the American Tradition of Calling on Experts →

Preservation and Possibility: What ‘Before and After’ Homes Teach Us #2

A house, like a life, holds its story in its heart. Some stand weary but strong, their timbers whispering of laughter once shared, storms endured, and years that slipped quietly past. When we see a house on the verge of collapse, we might be tempted to look away—to believe its time has passed. But then … Continue reading Preservation and Possibility: What ‘Before and After’ Homes Teach Us #2 →

Stepheny’s View: Before and After—Inspiration for Rocky Mount, NC, and Our Lives

There’s something deeply moving about a “before and after” photograph. A small, forgotten house, weathered by time, standing in quiet dignity, waiting for hands to restore it. And then—the after—windows gleaming, a fresh coat of paint, a porch made welcoming again. These transformations inspire because they remind us of what is possible, not just in … Continue reading Stepheny’s View: Before and After—Inspiration for Rocky Mount, NC, and Our Lives →

Rocky Mount, NC – Stepheny’s Reflection on Finding Safe Haven

A Stepheny story: The first time I saw Main Street, silent and empty, the idea of this blog was born. I prayed about what I had seen and was there anything I could do about it. The answer I heard, "You're a writer, write!" Here I go again. A Season of suffering: Do you recognize … Continue reading Rocky Mount, NC – Stepheny’s Reflection on Finding Safe Haven →