Every four years in Washington, D.C., January offers a transition of some kind; I landed on Capitol Hill in the last days of the Clinton administration. Harley, my Newfoundland buddy, loved those cold winters.

My work and my life focuses on the practice of using words as bridges, not landmines. That means de-weaponizing ideas, as much as choices in language.

Growing up, people thought it was weird that I wasn't just this (Christian) faith, or that one... that there were a number of religions in my family and my world.

Scene: Thanksgiving table, full of old and newer friends, Santa Barbara. Fresh squeezed pomegranate martinis with a cheese course gave way to a perfect turkey and tasty sides, and delicious pies.

What does the “Aragon” crayon look like to you? 

I was well into adulthood when I found out that my name was literally pulled out of a hat.