by Karen Patterson It’s time to unite. To shine our light. Yes, and join the fight To do what’s right With all our might. Yes, and time to cross that line— To admit we are not “fine.” With your stories and mine, Memories traced along the third base line. Unite is the word I’ve chosen for 2026. It comes from unity —a state in which we are at our best. Unity means connection, understanding, and love, our most powerful force and emotion. Love was my word for 2025, and what I l

Vulnerability. I don’t like this choice because it threatens me. I know the power of the word. I teach it often in my improv and storytelling classes. I ask students to say the first thing that comes to mind, to put their characters in peril, to raise the stakes by increasing vulnerability. But making it my  word of the year? I don’t like it. Which means I’ve got work to do. A dear friend of mine, Diane, uses vulnerability alongside another word: visible . Visible and vulnera

Life really isn’t fair. People in the Parkinson’s community know this very well. Most of us heard this truism early, but it never stops hurting when it shows up unexpectedly, cruel, and senseless. Rob Reiner and his wife, Michelle, being gone isn’t fair.  And yet, here we are. I keep thinking about Stand By Me , a film that has called out to me since the first time I saw it as a teenager.  Gordie: Do you think I'm weird ?   Chris: Definitely.  Gordie: No man, seriously. Am I

I’m heart-broken. Like so many, the devastating news that Rob Reiner, whose work shaped how I see movies, storytelling, and life itself, was taken from this world along with his wife in a violent tragedy. My heart goes out to their family, friends, collaborators, and all who loved them. Rob’s work made us laugh, cry, scream, and think - one hell of a package. I first remember Rob on television as Meathead  — Archie Bunker’s liberal son-in-law on All in the Family.  I was a ki

Empowering the PD Community Through Success Stories™ Parkinson’s disease has always been surrounded by stories—some helpful, many harmful. “It’s just tremors.” “You don’t look like you have PD.” “It’s not that bad.” These phrases, often spoken casually, can land with surprising weight. They erase complexity. They minimize struggle. And, perhaps most damaging, they silence possibility. Hope may not be the best strategy, but hopelessness is definitely an emotional tourniquet. L

For many, the words “Parkinson’s disease” (PD) elicit fear. Decline. Stillness. A gradual shrinking of life. That’s part of the narrative people in the PD know and subscribe to—the one dominated by stigma, misunderstanding, and hopelessness. But that isn’t the whole   story. It ’s not even the most important one. Success Stories™  were created to shift the narrative. They are a vibrant, storytelling celebration of real people living with Parkinson’s disease. Produced by Yes,

Cinema Therapy is a creative therapeutic approach that leverages the power of film narratives to support emotional insight, healing, and personal growth. Rather than simply watching movies for entertainment, Cinema Therapy invites participants to witness, reflect, and respond  to cinematic stories as mirrors of their own inner lives. ( Link )  At Yes, And…eXercise! , we use Cinema Therapy as a narrative engine . We help people not just heal, but create Success Stories™ whose

I’ve been a Stephen King fan for as long as I can remember, but The Long Walk  has always held a special place for me. Written under his...

Dear John, From the moment we met, you brought wisdom, humor, and heart into the Yes, And…eXercise! circle. You were one of the first to...

Up until the mid-2000’s, Parkinson’s disease (PD) treatment was almost entirely pharmaceutical. Exercise wasn’t yet validated as...

“Stories don’t matter—facts do.” It’s a common refrain, especially in an age obsessed with data, evidence, and measurable outcomes. But...

​​ The Transformative Power of Cinema Therapy You’ve heard the phrase “hurt people hurt people.”  But what if we flipped that narrative?...

Whether we realize it or not, our brains are always  telling stories. From the moment we wake up—sometimes even before—we’re stitching...

Ready to step into the storytelling ring? We’re inviting you —Rock Steady Boxers, care partners, family members, and coaches—to join a...

We’ve heard the dismissals before: “Your/My story doesn’t matter.”  Or worse: “Storytelling can’t possibly lead to meaningful change -...

By Robert Cochrane, PhD Submitting a film to festivals can feel like tossing a message in a bottle into the ocean—hoping the right person...

By Robert Cochrane, PhD When I was a little kid, I didn’t care much about baseball. But I cared about Dave Parker. He was the towering,...

It's tough to get something new for a guy who's done as much as Jimmy Choi: He's a captivating motivational speaker, 3X Fitness World...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—MLB Hall of Fame Inductee Dave Parker teams up with Iconic Sandlot  to Support Parkinson’s Cinema Therapy Program...

ChatGPT is revolutionizing the way we write, explore, and think. Whether you’re a seasoned storyteller or someone who’s always wanted to...