{"version":"https://jsonfeed.org/version/1","title":"Bob Cavnar","home_page_url":"https://bobcavnar.com","description":"Bob Cavnar","author":{"name":"Bob Cavnar"},"items":[{"id":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/why-this-buddhist-is-cheering-for-pope-leo","html_content":"

My grandfather was a Methodist preacher. So was my father. My uncles were Catholic. I converted to Catholicism in 1973, practiced for over a decade, and then quietly moved on. I didn’t slam the door; it was more like a d...

","url":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/why-this-buddhist-is-cheering-for-pope-leo","title":"Why This Buddhist is Cheering for Pope Leo","summary":"My grandfather was a Methodist preacher. So was my father. My uncles were Catholic. I converted to Catholicism in 1973, practiced for over a decade, and then quietly moved on. I didn’t slam the door; it was more like a d...","date_modified":"2026-05-09T16:05:50Z"},{"id":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/one-of-one","html_content":"

A few weeks ago I had one of the most meaningful weeks of my life when I attended a five-day retreat at Modern Elder Academy with a group of men who came from all walks of life, but who each embodied two key traits: curi...

","url":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/one-of-one","title":"One of One","summary":"A few weeks ago I had one of the most meaningful weeks of my life when I attended a five-day retreat at Modern Elder Academy with a group of men who came from all walks of life, but who each embodied two key traits: curi...","date_modified":"2026-05-04T14:36:16Z"},{"id":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/when-the-armor-comes-off-surviving-the-messy-middle-of-a-career","html_content":"

I spent forty years being the person with the answer. Not always the right answer, but an answer, fast enough that the people around me could keep moving. That’s what being in the corner office actually is, most days. It...

","url":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/when-the-armor-comes-off-surviving-the-messy-middle-of-a-career","title":"When the Armor Comes Off: Surviving the Messy Middle of a Career ","summary":"I spent forty years being the person with the answer. Not always the right answer, but an answer, fast enough that the people around me could keep moving. That’s what being in the corner office actually is, most days. It...","date_modified":"2026-04-09T22:26:54Z"},{"id":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/were-all-in-this-together","html_content":"

How the Buddhist Practice of \"Saving All Beings\" Can Help in Midlife Transitions

","url":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/were-all-in-this-together","title":"We're All in this Together","summary":"How the Buddhist Practice of \"Saving All Beings\" Can Help in Midlife Transitions","date_modified":"2026-03-17T03:17:25Z"},{"id":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/to-change-first-you-must-begin","html_content":"

For many years, my career was centered around corporate change – turn-arounds, restructurings, mergers & acquisitions, reorganizations, start-ups. All these transactions affected the lives of those who worked for these ...

","url":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/to-change-first-you-must-begin","title":"To Change, First You Must Begin","summary":"For many years, my career was centered around corporate change – turn-arounds, restructurings, mergers & acquisitions, reorganizations, start-ups. All these transactions affected the lives of those who worked for these ...","date_modified":"2025-11-26T21:36:28Z"},{"id":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/french-immersion-and-the-lesson-of-long-life-learning","html_content":"

I've always wanted to learn a second language. Since my wife and I spend so much time in France — and with our oldest son now living here with his family — it felt natural, even necessary, to learn French (le Français, t...

","url":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/french-immersion-and-the-lesson-of-long-life-learning","title":"French Immersion and the Lesson of Long-Life Learning","summary":"I've always wanted to learn a second language. Since my wife and I spend so much time in France — and with our oldest son now living here with his family — it felt natural, even necessary, to learn French (le Français, t...","date_modified":"2025-07-21T20:24:24Z"},{"id":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/from-who%E2%80%99s-who-to-who%E2%80%99s-that%C2%AE","html_content":"

The Day Everything Changed

","url":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/from-who%E2%80%99s-who-to-who%E2%80%99s-that%C2%AE","title":"From Who’s Who to Who’s That?® ","summary":"The Day Everything Changed","date_modified":"2025-07-02T10:27:27Z"},{"id":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/zen-and-the-art-of-relevance","html_content":"

When I turned 65, my phone stopped ringing. Not on my birthday—but certainly around it. Many of my friends and colleagues had already retired or were on their way out. Others were still clinging to their roles, hanging o...

","url":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/zen-and-the-art-of-relevance","title":"Zen and the Art of Relevance","summary":"When I turned 65, my phone stopped ringing. Not on my birthday—but certainly around it. Many of my friends and colleagues had already retired or were on their way out. Others were still clinging to their roles, hanging o...","date_modified":"2025-06-16T16:40:29Z"},{"id":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/lessons-on-impermanence-taught-by-eagles","html_content":"

For months now, I’ve been watching the bald eagle nest in Big Bear Valley California through the live video feed provided by Friends of Big Bear Valley a local conservation group. Jackie and Shadow, a mated pair, have ca...

","url":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/lessons-on-impermanence-taught-by-eagles","title":"Lessons on Impermanence; Taught by Eagles","summary":"For months now, I’ve been watching the bald eagle nest in Big Bear Valley California through the live video feed provided by Friends of Big Bear Valley a local conservation group. Jackie and Shadow, a mated pair, have ca...","date_modified":"2025-06-09T19:21:41Z"},{"id":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/the-old-salt-and-the-bodhisattva","html_content":"

Several years ago, during a series of dharma talks given at a retreat I attended, Zen teacher Reb Anderson of San Francisco Zen Center spoke of Zen practice as rowing a boat across polluted waters—rescuing those struggli...

","url":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/the-old-salt-and-the-bodhisattva","title":"The Old Salt and the Bodhisattva","summary":"Several years ago, during a series of dharma talks given at a retreat I attended, Zen teacher Reb Anderson of San Francisco Zen Center spoke of Zen practice as rowing a boat across polluted waters—rescuing those struggli...","date_modified":"2025-05-10T23:25:04Z"},{"id":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/the-wisdom-we-forgot-why-elders-matter-now-more-than-ever","html_content":"

In a world obsessed with social media that glorifies youth, good looks, and celebrity, we’ve wasted a vital resource that served societies for a millennia: the presence of elders. Not just \"old folks\" that we have ignore...

","url":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/the-wisdom-we-forgot-why-elders-matter-now-more-than-ever","title":"The Wisdom We Forgot: Why Elders Matter Now More Than Ever","summary":"In a world obsessed with social media that glorifies youth, good looks, and celebrity, we’ve wasted a vital resource that served societies for a millennia: the presence of elders. Not just \"old folks\" that we have ignore...","date_modified":"2025-04-20T18:45:46Z"},{"id":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/experiencing-change-heres-a-guide","html_content":"

“I don’t know where I’m going, but I know how to get there.\" — Boyd Varty

","url":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/experiencing-change-heres-a-guide","title":"Experiencing Change? Here's a Guide","summary":"“I don’t know where I’m going, but I know how to get there.\" — Boyd Varty","date_modified":"2025-04-11T20:00:23Z"},{"id":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/finding-my-way-back-adding-horses-to-my-coaching-practice","html_content":"

From the oil fields to the C-suite, and now to quiet moments with horses—my journey has come full circle in ways I never anticipated. After decades of leadership in the energy industry, I've found a powerful new dimensio...

","url":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/finding-my-way-back-adding-horses-to-my-coaching-practice","title":"Horses and Coaching - Finding My Way Back","summary":"From the oil fields to the C-suite, and now to quiet moments with horses—my journey has come full circle in ways I never anticipated. After decades of leadership in the energy industry, I've found a powerful new dimensio...","date_modified":"2025-03-10T19:55:30Z"},{"id":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/the-true-purpose-of-meditation-beyond-self-improvement","html_content":"

In today's wellness-focused world, meditation is often portrayed primarily as a tool for self-improvement—a way to reduce stress, improve focus, or find inner peace. While these benefits are real and valuable, they repre...

","url":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/the-true-purpose-of-meditation-beyond-self-improvement","title":"The True Purpose of Meditation: Beyond Self-Improvement","summary":"In today's wellness-focused world, meditation is often portrayed primarily as a tool for self-improvement—a way to reduce stress, improve focus, or find inner peace. While these benefits are real and valuable, they repre...","date_modified":"2025-02-26T18:46:34Z"},{"id":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/retiring-whats-next","html_content":"

As corporate professionals, we spend decades building our careers, defining ourselves through achievements, deadlines, and organizational impact. Then retirement arrives, and suddenly the familiar markers of success vani...

","url":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/retiring-whats-next","title":"Retiring? What's Next?","summary":"As corporate professionals, we spend decades building our careers, defining ourselves through achievements, deadlines, and organizational impact. Then retirement arrives, and suddenly the familiar markers of success vani...","date_modified":"2025-01-30T17:54:16Z"},{"id":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/make-the-jump","html_content":"

As leaders, we often pride ourselves on our quick thinking, mental sharpness, and ability to rapidly process new information and solve novel problems. This \"fluid intelligence\" is a critical strength, especially earlier ...

","url":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/make-the-jump","title":"Aging Leaders: Make the Jump","summary":"As leaders, we often pride ourselves on our quick thinking, mental sharpness, and ability to rapidly process new information and solve novel problems. This \"fluid intelligence\" is a critical strength, especially earlier ...","date_modified":"2024-05-30T17:35:08Z"},{"id":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/manage-yourself-first","html_content":"

In today's fast-paced, high-pressure business world, it's all too easy for leaders to get caught up in the whirlwind of deadlines, performance metrics, and the bottom line. We've all seen it: the frenzied executive barki...

","url":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/manage-yourself-first","title":"Manage Yourself First","summary":"In today's fast-paced, high-pressure business world, it's all too easy for leaders to get caught up in the whirlwind of deadlines, performance metrics, and the bottom line. We've all seen it: the frenzied executive barki...","date_modified":"2024-05-27T23:30:54Z"},{"id":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/lessons-in-kindness","html_content":"

While on the road in Europe this month I experienced two acts of kindness from perfect strangers, one of whom I never even laid eyes on. My wife and I have spent the last several weeks in Paris to visit family and recha...

","url":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/lessons-in-kindness","title":"Lessons in Kindness","summary":"While on the road in Europe this month I experienced two acts of kindness from perfect strangers, one of whom I never even laid eyes on. My wife and I have spent the last several weeks in Paris to visit family and recha...","date_modified":"2023-06-29T18:21:12Z"},{"id":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/life-lessons-learned-with-a-shotgun","html_content":"

“Both eyes open; see it, shoot it.” “If you miss, CHANGE something; don’t do the same thing again expecting a better result.” These are the words of Gil Ash, one of the top shotgun instructors in the country, who spoke ...

","url":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/life-lessons-learned-with-a-shotgun","title":"Life Lessons Learned with a Shotgun","summary":"“Both eyes open; see it, shoot it.” “If you miss, CHANGE something; don’t do the same thing again expecting a better result.” These are the words of Gil Ash, one of the top shotgun instructors in the country, who spoke ...","date_modified":"2022-08-23T21:33:51Z"},{"id":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/optimizing-non-profits-is-just-as-important-as-for-profits","html_content":"

For some years I was a member of the board of a large performing arts organization. During my time on the board, I was a member and chair of the finance committee, chair of the development committee, and eventually serv...

","url":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/optimizing-non-profits-is-just-as-important-as-for-profits","title":"Optimizing Non-Profits ","summary":"For some years I was a member of the board of a large performing arts organization. During my time on the board, I was a member and chair of the finance committee, chair of the development committee, and eventually serv...","date_modified":"2022-08-10T12:34:07Z"},{"id":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/an-organization-mirrors-its-leader","html_content":"

When I walked in the door, the office looked like King Tut’s tomb after the raid.  It was a high-dollar interior design complete with an art collection, a red leather floor in the board room with handmade glass panels in...

","url":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/an-organization-mirrors-its-leader","title":"An Organization Mirrors its Leader","summary":"When I walked in the door, the office looked like King Tut’s tomb after the raid.  It was a high-dollar interior design complete with an art collection, a red leather floor in the board room with handmade glass panels in...","date_modified":"2022-08-07T03:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/climate-change-is-real","html_content":"

Climate change is real; the evidence is clear and irrefutable. There is scientific consensus on these facts, and those denying, minimizing, or worse, amplifying misinformation about this reality are causing serious delay...

","url":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/climate-change-is-real","title":"Climate Change is Real","summary":"Climate change is real; the evidence is clear and irrefutable. There is scientific consensus on these facts, and those denying, minimizing, or worse, amplifying misinformation about this reality are causing serious delay...","date_modified":"2022-07-31T03:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/working-on-the-edge-of-technology","html_content":"

This is a video of a panel discussion I participated in during Aspen Ideas a few years ago about the documentary, The Great Invisible by Margaret Brown. #energypolicy #oilandgasindustry #environment

","url":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/working-on-the-edge-of-technology","title":"Working on the Edge of Technology","summary":"This is a video of a panel discussion I participated in during Aspen Ideas a few years ago about the documentary, The Great Invisible by Margaret Brown. #energypolicy #oilandgasindustry #environment ","date_modified":"2021-07-07T04:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/managing-in-trying-times-%E2%80%93-zen-and-the-art-of-leadership","html_content":"

This morning the markets opened down 7% and trading was halted for 15 minutes to allow cooler heads to prevail.  At this moment, the Dow is down 20% from its recent high.  At the same time, global crude prices are down 4...

","url":"https://bobcavnar.com/thoughts/f/managing-in-trying-times-%E2%80%93-zen-and-the-art-of-leadership","title":"Managing in Trying Times – Zen and the Art of Leadership","summary":"This morning the markets opened down 7% and trading was halted for 15 minutes to allow cooler heads to prevail.  At this moment, the Dow is down 20% from its recent high.  At the same time, global crude prices are down 4...","date_modified":"2020-03-09T10:00:00Z"}]}