byronmccaughey

Newsletter cover image of Winnie and Nelson Mandela

Winnie & Nelson: Embracing Diversity in Approach

Winnie and Nelson Mandela shared a vision of dismantling apartheid in South Africa but had rather contrasting approaches to achieving that vision. Winnie adopted a strategy focused on grassroots activism and direct action. She was heavily involved in organising protests, mobilising the masses, and supporting resistance activities. On the other hand, Nelson emphasised peaceful negotiations,

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Newsletter cover image of Craig Foster

Wilderness Rapture

Craig Foster, from the documentary My Octopus Teacher, was on his morning ocean swim in the Great African Seaforest when suddenly he spotted a giant 17 x 14-foot stingray, the largest species in the world. Keeping his movements steady and vibrations low—essential given a sting from their spine can be fatal—Craig glided alongside this giant

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Newsletter cover image featuring Misty Copeland

Dancing with Doubt

Misty Copeland became the first African American female principal dancer with the prestigious American Ballet Theatre—but that wasn’t supposed to happen. Told she didn’t have the ‘right’ ballerina body—too muscular and curvy. Her background didn’t fit the mould of what a ballerina ‘should’ be, and she started ballet far too late to make it as

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Newsletter cover image feating Nathan Florence

Chasing Mastery: Why Success Doesn’t Quiet the Need to Prove Ourselves

Nathan Florence is a hellman. That’s surf slang for someone who rides waves of serious consequence, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on a surfboard. He’s been recognised as such, this year winning the prestigious Waterman of the Year award. Nathan recently tried to paddle into a wave called “The Right” in Western Australia without

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Newsletter cover image feating Metallica

Creative Tension: Striking the Balance Between Competing and Collaborating

It’s early 2000s and Metallica are well established heavy metal gods. But progress on their highly anticipated new album St. Anger is plagued with issues, including creative tension between frontman James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich. Ulrich reflects during an early recording session for the album: “It’s like I’m racing against time… it’s a weird

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