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How can we create common ground at home, on the job, and in faith communities? How can we work together better to address those contentious culture war conflicts that divide us?
By becoming better at riding our quirky feelings elephants through marshalling our less quirky thoughts.
This concept is explored through brief essays on topics ranging from family life, organization behavior, and music, to Christianity, public policy, and politics. These essays focus on lessons drawn from the author's experiences interviewing for jobs, raising stepchildren, playing music, training New York City taxi drivers, watching sports, shepherding dogs, finding common ground on abortion, leading diversity programs, and loving his wife. They suggest that common ground does exist if we can find the patience, skill, and grace to create it.
The e-book edition of Riding Elephants is available at the following online stores:
The print edition of Riding Elephants is available at the following online stores:
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In this book of compact essays, Peter Altschul, MS, explores topics ranging from psychology, sports, and diversity to family life, politics, and Christianity. Peruse this book and you'll find personal stories, political analysis, and satire. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll think. You might find connections you've never seen before and common ground where you think none is possible. And perhaps you'll be influenced to behave a little differently in order to make things a little — or a lot — better.
The e-book edition of Breaking It Down is available at the following online stores:
The print edition of Breaking It Down is available at the following online stores:
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How do a specially-trained guide dog and a person who is blind learn to work together to become a team? What lessons might those who lead others in the workplace learn from this process? These are two of the themes that the author weaves into his compelling memoir.
Altschul focuses on a thirty-month period in his life, beginning with his fifth guide dog, a Labrador Retriever named Jules, and ending with his move from his urban bachelor lifestyle in Washington, DC, to committed family man in Columbia, Missouri. Along the way, he describes his unique professional journey with assistance and companionship of five guide dogs. He also writes about his upbringing, his relationship with music, and the unexpected deaths of his stepmother and father.
The e-book edition of Breaking Barriers is available at the following online stores:
The print edition of Breaking Barriers is available at the following online stores:
Peter was interviewed by Jordan Rich for his podcast. To listen to the interview, use the embedded player below.
On Thursday, May 13, 2021, Peter was interviewed on radio station KFAI in Minneapolis. To listen to the interview, click on this link:
https://www.kfai.org/podcast/disability-and-progress-may-132021/
Peter was interviewed by Tell It To The World Marketing. Click on the following link to listen to the interview.
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1285364/8145925
The following articles are on this site as Word files. Click on the title of the article to read the file.
The following compositions and arrangements are on this site as mp3 files. Click on the title of the musical piece to play it.
Guiding Eyes for the Blind
Learning Ally
American Council of the Blind
National Braille Press
For some unknown reason, Peter Altschul was born totally blind. Since graduating from college, he has traveled a unique journey: customer service rep at the most hated federal government agency, musician, author, trainer of New York City taxi drivers, educator, parent of three stepchildren, grants manager, mediator between pro-life and pro-choice activists, and workplace diversity specialist—all done with the assistance and companionship of six wonderfully quirky guide dogs.
Peter currently lives in Columbia, Missouri.
Email: creatingcommonground@outlook.com
Phone: 573–529–2656