MSI Press Blog

Writers love to pretend inspiration arrives like lightning, but more often it shows up with dusty boots, a full tank of gas, and a dog who thinks every mile is an adventure. Two travelogues—written sixty years apart—prove that the open road has a way of shaking loose the stories we didn’t know we were carrying. John Steinbeck’s  Travels with Charley  and Larry MacDonald’s  Travels with Elly  share a surprising kinship. Both authors set out with a poodle riding shotgun. Both felt a tug to understand their country more deeply. Both believed that the best way to see a place is to move through it slowly, talking to strangers, watching the land change, and letting the journey rearrange their thinking. Two Journeys, Two Countries, One Instinct Steinbeck left Sag Harbor in 1960 because he feared he no longer knew the America he had spent decades writing about. He built a custom camper—Rocinante—and set off with Charley, his French poodle, for a 10,000‑mile loop around the U...

    Recently,  An Afternoon's Dictation  (Greenebaum), reached #92 on the Amazon bestseller list of books in ecumenism Christian theology. The book has been on bestseller lists many times.  Book Description:  In 1999 Steven Greenebaum felt he'd hit the wall. Fifty years old, he could not make sense of his life or the world around him. For several months he angrily demanded answers from God, if God were there. One afternoon, an inner voice told him to get a pen and paper and write. Steven then took dictation - three pages, not of commandments but guidance for leading a meaningful life.   An Afternoon's Dictation  grapples with, organizes, and deeply explores the revelations Steven received and then studied for over ten years. His sharing is NOT offered as the only possible way to understand it the dictation. It is offered, rather, as a start. The book's sections include deep explorations into "The Call to Interfaith," "The Call to Love One Another,...

  It’s a question that pops up more often than you’d think — usually right after someone realizes they’re stuck, overwhelmed, or quietly yearning for change. Do I need a mentor? Or a life coach? Or just a nap? Let’s start with the basics. 🧭 Mentors: The Wisdom-Sharers Mentors are people who’ve walked a path similar to yours and are willing to share what they’ve learned. They offer stories, shortcuts, cautionary tales, and encouragement. Think of them as experienced guides who say, “I’ve been there — here’s what helped me.” Mentoring is often informal and relational. It’s built on trust, not transactions. You might meet monthly, or just exchange texts when life gets messy. A mentor won’t always have a structured plan, but they’ll have lived wisdom — and that’s gold. 🎯 Life Coaches: The Clarity Catalysts Life coaches, on the other hand, are trained to help you clarify goals, identify obstacles, and create actionable plans. They don’t need to have lived your exact experience ...