Rich Kirkpatrick
@rkblog.com
Author, Musician, Creativity Expert | 📖Book - MINDBLOWN: Unlock Your Creative Genius by Bridging Science & Magic | 🎹 Band - A Beautiful Liturgy | East SF Bay Area
Cruelty is the point.
A 5-year-old who was taken by federal agents from the driveway of his metro Minneapolis home Tuesday after returning from preschool is being detained with his father at an ICE facility in Texas, a source familiar with the situation said. https://cnn.it/4qtCmvQ
January 22, 2026 at 8:32 PM
Cruelty is the point.
Reposted by Rich Kirkpatrick
In @nytopinion.nytimes.com
The surge of federal forces into Minneapolis “is about an administration declaring — explicitly, at times — that the purpose of federal law enforcement isn’t to uphold the rule of law or promote public safety but to enforce the will of a single man,” Radley Balko writes.
The surge of federal forces into Minneapolis “is about an administration declaring — explicitly, at times — that the purpose of federal law enforcement isn’t to uphold the rule of law or promote public safety but to enforce the will of a single man,” Radley Balko writes.
Opinion | I’ve Covered Police Abuse for 20 Years. What ICE Is Doing Is Different.
ICE is operating in a scary new way.
nyti.ms
January 21, 2026 at 8:40 PM
In @nytopinion.nytimes.com
The surge of federal forces into Minneapolis “is about an administration declaring — explicitly, at times — that the purpose of federal law enforcement isn’t to uphold the rule of law or promote public safety but to enforce the will of a single man,” Radley Balko writes.
The surge of federal forces into Minneapolis “is about an administration declaring — explicitly, at times — that the purpose of federal law enforcement isn’t to uphold the rule of law or promote public safety but to enforce the will of a single man,” Radley Balko writes.
We’ve lost so much as a country. From marching for peace in past decades to mobs of violence on January 6, 2021. This folksy lament emotionally caught me off guard. Thank you Amy Grant and Sandra Emory Lawrence. We can’t look forward until we make space for grief.
music.apple.com/us/album/the...
music.apple.com/us/album/the...
The 6th Of January (Yasgur's Farm) - Single by Amy Grant on Apple Music
Album · 2026 · 1 Song
music.apple.com
January 7, 2026 at 8:58 PM
We’ve lost so much as a country. From marching for peace in past decades to mobs of violence on January 6, 2021. This folksy lament emotionally caught me off guard. Thank you Amy Grant and Sandra Emory Lawrence. We can’t look forward until we make space for grief.
music.apple.com/us/album/the...
music.apple.com/us/album/the...
Change still can have glorious moments in the middle of the mess. Here's what that was like while directing music at churches for many years.
open.substack.com/pub/richkirk...
open.substack.com/pub/richkirk...
Glorious Moments Come From Mud
Transcendence arrives while leading through the dangers of messy change
open.substack.com
December 12, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Change still can have glorious moments in the middle of the mess. Here's what that was like while directing music at churches for many years.
open.substack.com/pub/richkirk...
open.substack.com/pub/richkirk...
AI (and any new tech) can be a fast race to nowhere, or an amplification of authenticity.
That’s a choice. Worship the tools. Or live out your highest values.
That’s a choice. Worship the tools. Or live out your highest values.
October 19, 2025 at 7:05 PM
AI (and any new tech) can be a fast race to nowhere, or an amplification of authenticity.
That’s a choice. Worship the tools. Or live out your highest values.
That’s a choice. Worship the tools. Or live out your highest values.
Creativity has so many benefits. The opposite of brain rot? 🧠
“Findings indicate a domain‑independent link between creativity and brain health”
“Findings indicate a domain‑independent link between creativity and brain health”
Creative experiences and brain clocks
"The higher the level of expertise and performance, the greater the delay in brain age."
Open Access
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
"The higher the level of expertise and performance, the greater the delay in brain age."
Open Access
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Creative experiences and brain clocks - Nature Communications
Creative experiences such as dance, music, drawing, and strategy video games might preserve brain health. The authors show that regular practice or short training in these activities is linked to brains that look younger and work more efficiently.
www.nature.com
October 4, 2025 at 2:42 AM
Creativity has so many benefits. The opposite of brain rot? 🧠
“Findings indicate a domain‑independent link between creativity and brain health”
“Findings indicate a domain‑independent link between creativity and brain health”
Reposted by Rich Kirkpatrick
Braxton Bragg was an unpopular military figure whose own soldiers tried to kill him. He contended that slavery was “just and necessary.” In June, the Trump Administration ordered the name of Fort Bragg to be restored.
Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Slavey was "just and necessary" to Braxton Bragg.
eji.org
September 25, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Braxton Bragg was an unpopular military figure whose own soldiers tried to kill him. He contended that slavery was “just and necessary.” In June, the Trump Administration ordered the name of Fort Bragg to be restored.
Reposted by Rich Kirkpatrick
⚠️TYLENOL & AUTISM—RFK Jr & Trump are wrong—the largest best study in the world in 2.5 MILLION KIDS—found no increased autism risk with acetaminophen (aka paracetamol/Tylenol). A crude analysis found only a tiny 5% risk, but once you adjust via sibling controls, the even tiny 5% risk vaporizes to 0%📉
September 22, 2025 at 10:10 PM
⚠️TYLENOL & AUTISM—RFK Jr & Trump are wrong—the largest best study in the world in 2.5 MILLION KIDS—found no increased autism risk with acetaminophen (aka paracetamol/Tylenol). A crude analysis found only a tiny 5% risk, but once you adjust via sibling controls, the even tiny 5% risk vaporizes to 0%📉
Jolted awake near Concord! 😅
M 4.6 - 2 km ESE of Berkeley, CA Link: https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/nc75240492
https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/nc75240492
https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/nc75240492
earthquake.usgs.gov
September 22, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Jolted awake near Concord! 😅
What we saw last week happen is NOT what literally anyone, other than a very very small amount, wanted to happen or supported. But, it sells paper, clicks and likes. Don't be duped by the algorithm.
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/read...
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/read...
Why We Misjudge Support for Political Violence
Most Americans oppose political violence. But our skewed empathy and exaggerated perceptions of opponents keep conflict alive.
www.psychologytoday.com
September 15, 2025 at 7:18 PM
What we saw last week happen is NOT what literally anyone, other than a very very small amount, wanted to happen or supported. But, it sells paper, clicks and likes. Don't be duped by the algorithm.
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/read...
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/read...
I think cruel, demeaning, and dehumanizing are better words than callous. The harm such words have and the lack of accountability is disturbing.
After shocking many by saying mentally ill homeless people should be put to death, Fox News morning host Brian Kilmeade apologized for what he called an “extremely callous remark.” https://cnn.it/467isiw
Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade says comment about killing mentally ill homeless people an ‘extremely callous remark’ | CNN Business
After shocking many by saying mentally ill homeless people should be put to death, Fox News morning host Brian Kilmeade apologized on Sunday for what he called an “extremely callous remark.”
cnn.it
September 15, 2025 at 2:05 AM
I think cruel, demeaning, and dehumanizing are better words than callous. The harm such words have and the lack of accountability is disturbing.
Truth and cruelty are opposites. Words of truth require acts of love. It’s why the Word became flesh and walked among us.
September 12, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Truth and cruelty are opposites. Words of truth require acts of love. It’s why the Word became flesh and walked among us.
God is the only one with authority to seek revenge yet He dispenses grace. May we shun retribution and seek mercy.
September 11, 2025 at 8:05 PM
God is the only one with authority to seek revenge yet He dispenses grace. May we shun retribution and seek mercy.
September 11, 2001:
The dark voice of violence is a lasting song. It warns us to choose light and life for our families, neighbors, and the world. Let our laments lead to peaceful acts of defiance and restoration instead of retribution and inhumanity.
We can sing a better song!
Amen.
The dark voice of violence is a lasting song. It warns us to choose light and life for our families, neighbors, and the world. Let our laments lead to peaceful acts of defiance and restoration instead of retribution and inhumanity.
We can sing a better song!
Amen.
September 11, 2025 at 5:50 PM
September 11, 2001:
The dark voice of violence is a lasting song. It warns us to choose light and life for our families, neighbors, and the world. Let our laments lead to peaceful acts of defiance and restoration instead of retribution and inhumanity.
We can sing a better song!
Amen.
The dark voice of violence is a lasting song. It warns us to choose light and life for our families, neighbors, and the world. Let our laments lead to peaceful acts of defiance and restoration instead of retribution and inhumanity.
We can sing a better song!
Amen.
Lord, have mercy.
On the family that lost a father
On college kids that saw violence
On the parents who’s teens were shot
On a nation divided by fear
Amen.
On the family that lost a father
On college kids that saw violence
On the parents who’s teens were shot
On a nation divided by fear
Amen.
September 10, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Lord, have mercy.
On the family that lost a father
On college kids that saw violence
On the parents who’s teens were shot
On a nation divided by fear
Amen.
On the family that lost a father
On college kids that saw violence
On the parents who’s teens were shot
On a nation divided by fear
Amen.
I still believe that there is a real person on the other side of my laptop screen.
Do you still believe?
open.substack.com/pub/richkirk...
Do you still believe?
open.substack.com/pub/richkirk...
September 5, 2025 at 4:36 PM
I still believe that there is a real person on the other side of my laptop screen.
Do you still believe?
open.substack.com/pub/richkirk...
Do you still believe?
open.substack.com/pub/richkirk...
Creativity is a process, not a product, commodity, or the ends. It’s the means. I create; therefore, I am!
September 3, 2025 at 12:17 AM
Creativity is a process, not a product, commodity, or the ends. It’s the means. I create; therefore, I am!
Reposted by Rich Kirkpatrick
Being kind boosts mental health more than seeking joy.
Evidence: Doing 3 random acts of kindness a week is enough to reduce depression, anxiety & loneliness. It's more beneficial than doing nice things for yourself.
Self-care feels good, but generosity builds lasting bonds.
Evidence: Doing 3 random acts of kindness a week is enough to reduce depression, anxiety & loneliness. It's more beneficial than doing nice things for yourself.
Self-care feels good, but generosity builds lasting bonds.
August 30, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Being kind boosts mental health more than seeking joy.
Evidence: Doing 3 random acts of kindness a week is enough to reduce depression, anxiety & loneliness. It's more beneficial than doing nice things for yourself.
Self-care feels good, but generosity builds lasting bonds.
Evidence: Doing 3 random acts of kindness a week is enough to reduce depression, anxiety & loneliness. It's more beneficial than doing nice things for yourself.
Self-care feels good, but generosity builds lasting bonds.
I lvoe this! Crop rotation for creatives, from @austinkleon.bsky.social
substack.com/@austinkleon...
substack.com/@austinkleon...
Austin Kleon (@austinkleon)
Why I practice “crop rotation” in the studio
substack.com
August 29, 2025 at 10:37 PM
I lvoe this! Crop rotation for creatives, from @austinkleon.bsky.social
substack.com/@austinkleon...
substack.com/@austinkleon...
I have been blogging now for 20 years! What is one vital lesson I can share with you? There is a real person on the other side of your screen.
open.substack.com/pub/richkirk...
open.substack.com/pub/richkirk...
20 Years of Blogging!
A celebration of the good the Internet used to be and hope for the future
open.substack.com
August 28, 2025 at 8:38 PM
I have been blogging now for 20 years! What is one vital lesson I can share with you? There is a real person on the other side of your screen.
open.substack.com/pub/richkirk...
open.substack.com/pub/richkirk...
Creativity is what humans do when we thrive! Imagine if you could unlock that natural trait. You can, btw.
amzn.to/41j0vuI
amzn.to/41j0vuI
MINDBLOWN: Unlock Your Creative Genius by Bridging Science and Magic
MINDBLOWN: Unlock Your Creative Genius by Bridging Science and Magic [Kirkpatrick, Rich, Kirkpatrick, Emilie] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. MINDBLOWN: Unlock Your Creative Genius by Bridging Science and Magic
amzn.to
August 25, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Creativity is what humans do when we thrive! Imagine if you could unlock that natural trait. You can, btw.
amzn.to/41j0vuI
amzn.to/41j0vuI
Reposted by Rich Kirkpatrick
August 20, 2025 at 2:47 AM
Organic, handmade creativity stands tall against cut-and-pasted, Chat-GPT-prompted “work.” Productivity will never answer meaning, only amplify our lack of it. One kind makes meaning, the other evaporates it into 1s and 0s.
richkirkpatrick.substack.com/p/my-first-s...
richkirkpatrick.substack.com/p/my-first-s...
My First Substack Post
Welcome, new and old friends, to my Substack!
richkirkpatrick.substack.com
August 14, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Organic, handmade creativity stands tall against cut-and-pasted, Chat-GPT-prompted “work.” Productivity will never answer meaning, only amplify our lack of it. One kind makes meaning, the other evaporates it into 1s and 0s.
richkirkpatrick.substack.com/p/my-first-s...
richkirkpatrick.substack.com/p/my-first-s...
We need less content creation and more connection creation. We can consume content or treasure people, including ourselves.
August 13, 2025 at 4:48 PM
We need less content creation and more connection creation. We can consume content or treasure people, including ourselves.
My First Substack Post
Welcome, new and old friends, to my Substack!
richkirkpatrick.substack.com
August 12, 2025 at 10:48 PM