The User’s Manual: 13 Rules

AI-generated cartoon of the writer's desk, with a thick manual labeled "Kana" beside her typewriter

November 7, 2025November 7, 2025 ~ Kana Smith ~ 17 Comments

Joshua Pantalleresco, who recently had me as a guest on his podcast, "Just Joshing," has ten Life Rules he tries to live by. I asked, after we went off the air, and he rattled them off for me. Number One is "Show up;" Number Ten is choose the option that's more fun (all other things … Continue reading The User’s Manual: 13 Rules

A Horror-Stricken Ostrich

AI-generated image of an ostrich gazing upward as beams of light come down on it

November 3, 2025November 13, 2025 ~ Kana Smith ~ 33 Comments

Note: I hardly ever, ever go into politics here, for reasons that are about to become apparent. This post is an exception. I feel like I should give warning, in the same way that some shows warn when there will be flashing lights or adult language... Be warned. Political anxiety ahead. *** I don't do … Continue reading A Horror-Stricken Ostrich

Giving Thanks: The “October Curse” Stays Lifted

a woman sits in darkness with her face in her hands. Behind her is a calendar open to "October"

October 30, 2025October 30, 2025 ~ Kana Smith ~ 28 Comments

I couldn't tell you what it is about Octobers, but nearly every drama and trauma of my adult life has landed on me in an October. It makes for a month littered with traumatic anniversaries and destructive memories. October has been a haunted month for me, for reasons entirely unrelated to Halloween. Some of those … Continue reading Giving Thanks: The “October Curse” Stays Lifted

On the Subject of Being the Subject

AI-generated image of the author wearing audio headset sitting at a desk

October 26, 2025October 28, 2025 ~ Kana Smith ~ 21 Comments

"My eighth rule of success," the Interviewer says, "is to stay uncomfortable." He's talking about making choices in life, and not just staying in your comfort zone. I'm listening to this podcast---the Interviewer and his two subjects on topics ranging comfortably from Buddhist practices to travel to the character of Canadians compared to Americans---because I'm … Continue reading On the Subject of Being the Subject