Writer & systems consultant.
Hey, I’m Derek and I specialize in
brand narrative, strategy, and
storytelling operations.
Cover photo by Derek MacDonald
Published work.
Publications
- Unobstructed — a multimedia lit mag for rethinking how you move through the world.
Columns, essays, & podcast episodes.
- Kickturn — a daily column on pivots, patterns, and new perspectives.
- The Unobstructed Newsletter — weekly essays on navigating agency, grief, and creativity in daily life.
- The Unobstructed Podcast — monthly conversations on creating clarity and increasing agency.
My Top 5 Column of 2025
- Your Most Unconventional Self
- Grieving, Still Believing
- When You Least Expect It
- Hyper-Vigilante Injustice
- The Flow State You Requested Is Ready
My Top 5 Essays of 2025
- What Lonely Men Won’t Say Online (Or In-Person)
- The Masked Destruction Of “Male Loneliness”
- A Cup Of What Sets Your Heart On Fire
- For When Your Spark Burns Out
- A Story All Your Own
My Top 5 Podcast Episodes of 2025
- The Overlooked Half Of ‘The Let Them Theory’
- Digging Out Of Content Fatigue With A Different Approach To Posting
- Talking About Suicide Saves Lives
- If Your Data’s A Mess, Your Results Will Be Too—Even With AI
- The Other Side Of Shame And Fear
Archive
Browse the full collection of my published work including print features like:
- Jackson Hole Snowboarder Magazine by Sharp Eye Deer.
- “Powerful Community” — Issue No. 16
- “Paving A Path” — Issue No. 16
- The Leader by NOLS.
- “Semester in the Rockies” — Summer Issue 2017
- “Wilderness First Responder: What It’s Like To Use It” — Fall Issue 2017
The best way to stay connected is to subscribe to my newsletter.
Or, contact me here to get in touch.
onward.
Me & my work.
As both a writer and systems consultant, I help people become more curious, clear, and capable.
Find out more about me and my work.
Stay connected.
Sometimes a different way of seeing things is all it takes to get unstuck.
Join readers from over 37 countries who believe big ideas and small steps can create enough clarity to become unobstructed.
Explore more of my work.
-> Daily column.
- I was dripping sweat, but refusing to slow down.
- This angry voice was the same one from before, so what happened?
- One day you’re going about your daily life, just as you normally do, when, seemingly out of nowhere, you become disturbingly aware of how your […]
Read more from the daily column.
-> Blog.
- Discerning what to share and where to share it.
- Discerning what to share and where to share it.
- Collecting inspiration while chipping away.
Read more from the blog.
-> Newsletters.
- Despite the discomfort of handling hard truths.
- I'm tired of seeing boys full of shame become men full of fear.
- And the dumbfuckery he'll find instead.
Sign up for the weekly newsletter.
-> Podcast.
Browse more episodes.
Features & favorites.
An Overview Of Everything I Publish
Check out my daily columns, essays, and podcast episodes.
Read more.
The Most Popular Essay I Wrote In 2025
“What Lonely Men Won’t Say Online (Or In Person)”
Read more.
Praise For The Unobstructed Podcast
A top 10% most-shared show on Spotify in its first year.
Read more.
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