Darla Millstein Darla Millstein

The written word

Dear Ma. Dear Esther.

I want to tell you both something. In writing. Because it matters. 

When I look back at my first positive influences around the written word and the English language, the first person who comes to mind is you, Mom. You, who taught your children that through reading we could learn anything, escape anywhere, and be anyone.

Read More
Darla Millstein Darla Millstein

Casting for life

I’ve been thinking about roles a lot lately. Not the roles I play, but the ones that others play in my life.

Who does what in the movie of my life? Who do I turn to during an emotionally trying time? Who is my wingman when I want to try something new? Who is there to hold my secrets? To laugh with me? Who would help me bury a body?

Let’s do a little experiment. 

Read More
Darla Millstein Darla Millstein

If you do this one thing: Ask for help

Welcome to the Befriend Your Brain interview series. In this episode we explore going at it alone, smashing the patriarchy, and cognitive dissonance (or as I like to call it, living in the messy).

I conducted this interview with Lizzy Atwood Wills, founder and CEO of Meridian Boutique Travel (aka MBT)

Read More
Darla Millstein Darla Millstein

MADA (not MAGA) it

I have three goals right now. One has to do with working out. One has to do with writing. And one has to do with studying language. 

The working out one is going swimmingly. Three weeks in and I have not missed my goal. The language one is going ok. I’m hit and miss. But the writing one. Hot damn. You would think writing was not one of my favorite things to do.

Read More
Darla Millstein Darla Millstein

Stepping in front of the cannon

Details in this story changed to protect the innocent and the guilty. Just kidding, I changed them because there is confidentiality privilege in coaching, duh.

I got this text from a client today:

Read More
Darla Millstein Darla Millstein

Hold it Lightly

My friend Blair, all the way over in New Zealand, was talking to her husband the other day. He is also all the way over in New Zealand, conveniently enough. She was complaining about work - the pressure, the stress, the hours, the never endingness of it - the general bullshit of it all.

Read More
Darla Millstein Darla Millstein

Going places

Here's a story about a girl who was told she could do anything she wanted to do.

It goes like this.

Once upon a time, D was born in the U.S.--just outside Philadelphia.

Read More
Darla Millstein Darla Millstein

Your Golden Age

I have this theory that we are all meant to be a certain age.

It goes like this.

When you are born (actually probably before you were born to be honest), you have an age range or a phase of life that is perfectly aligned with you. A Golden Age, you might say. Let's be clear, I don't mean

Read More
Darla Millstein Darla Millstein

I Need

It all begins with an idea.

Read More