We’ve celebrated Yule, honoring the return of the light, and now find ourselves standing at the threshold of a new year — that liminal space where reflection naturally gives way to possibility. I’ve always loved this time: when endings feel intentional, and beginnings feel earned. As this Year of the Snake draws to a close, I find myself … More Yule Reflections and the Road to 2026
Lately, I’ve been aware of how much of my life is lived in between.Between countries and time zones.Between research and relationship.Between certainty and curiosity. There’s a quiet tension in that space — and also a deep kind of truth. Much of my work centers on social capital, but what I keep noticing is that connection doesn’t … More Between Where I’ve Been and What’s Becoming
As the year edges toward its close and the nights grow longer, I find myself filled with gratitude. Not just for the bright moments of the past year, but for the quiet ones too. The pauses between motion, the stillness between breaths. This season, the dark half of the year, has always been my favorite. … More Giving Thanks and Honoring the Turning of the Year
I just returned from an incredible journey to Malaysia, and I’m still taking it all in. Over the past week, I had the honor of hosting two commencement ceremonies — one in Penang and another in Subang — celebrating the achievements of students whose determination and spirit remind me why international education matters so deeply. While there, I also led three workshops on … More Coming Home: Reflections from Malaysia
As I make my way to Malaysia—somewhere between Boston Logan and Seattle—I find myself reflecting on a great conversation I just had with Mikala. We dove deep into the perception of “other” and how it functions as the durable stock of social capital—the idea that our awareness and acknowledgment of others is what sustains the very fabric of … More In Flight Reflections: Clubs, Connection, and the Perception of “Other”
The Official Author Page of Dr. Rick L. Mask (The Social Capitalist) and the Home of Social Capital 2.0 