iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Rod Thorn @rodthorn.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

I published a new essay on Wise Ash today. Here 'tis. rodthorn.substack.com/p/sailing-on...

Rod Thorn @rodthorn.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

substack.com/@rodthorn I write Wise Ash, a personal weekly essay that helps people see their lives—and the possibilities within them—more clearly. My core philosophy is the story you've inherited isn't the story you have to live; you can rewrite it. I hope you’ll visit me over there.

substack.com

Wise Ash with Rod Thorn | Substack

I’m an author, playwright, screenwriter, essayist, journalist, and actor. I write Wise Ash, where I try to understand the world and my purpose in it.

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Rod Thorn @rodthorn.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

I’m co-writing a book about the need for immigration reform in the United States. This video/short film (not mine, but I wish it was) cleverly dramatizes the perils of telling immigrants to “go back to their own country.” www.threads.com/share/BAohpM...

threads.com

Sean Macreavy (@seanmacreavy) on Threads

It felt good to put my French degree to some good use this morning. Doesn't happen much these days. An absolutely superb and powerful short film on our precious immigrant workforces, by @leeno_daash ...

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Rod Thorn @rodthorn.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

25 years ago today I was in a meeting at the World Trade Center. 25 years ago tomorrow morning, on a clear blue day, I was safe at home, drinking coffee, and watching the world end on TV. Life lives on a razor’s edge. #9/11 #September11

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Rod Thorn @rodthorn.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

I hope Ann Telnaes goes to work for the @washingtonsun or publishes with them. She’s the 2X Pulitzer Prize editorial cartoonist who resigned from the @washingtonpost because they tried to censor because of this piece. We need her voice. The @washingtonsun launch video follows. youtu.be/9eUH3D_NP0A

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Rod Thorn @rodthorn.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Public service announcement here

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Rod Thorn @rodthorn.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

I hope you read my newest essay. It's about an experience I had with my father long ago. There's a lot more like it on Substack, including many great essays by other writers. rodthorn.substack.com/p/while-on-a...

rodthorn.substack.com

While On a Walk in the Wild Woods

. . . a tall tale of a squirrel, a radio, and maybe a French Queen in hiding. .

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Rod Thorn @rodthorn.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

What are these “community update” things I keep getting about getting verified, a check mark, a badge? Does it cost anything? Is it a scam? Why would I want to do it?

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Rod Thorn @rodthorn.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

I predict Trump will ask Maria Bartiromo to be his new press secretary. So she can make it official and lie WITHIN his administration instead of only on FOX.

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Rod Thorn @rodthorn.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

From today’s essay about being critical rather than encouraging: "I’m talking about how I feel. Not necessarily what’s actually happening. I say this not to invalidate my response, but to clarify it." rodthorn.substack.com/p/in-a-world...

rodthorn.substack.com

In a World of Critics

. . .be an encourager

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Rod Thorn @rodthorn.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

This Wise Ash essay is about the time I traded vultures for coyotes, at least for a while. Still trying to figure out why. rodthorn.substack.com/p/mr-smithee...

rodthorn.substack.com

Mr. Smithee Goes to Armonk

. . .and encounters vultures and coyotes.

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Rod Thorn @rodthorn.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

This is the beginning of when one life ended and a new one began. A painful experience, but I don't think I'd be who I am today without it. Desperado open.substack.com/pub/rodthorn...

open.substack.com

Desperado

. . .why don't you come to your senses?

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Rod Thorn @rodthorn.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Today, the 2000-year-old man turns 100. Only 1900 more to go. If anyone could do it, it would be the birthday boy, Mel Brooks. #MelBrooks

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Rod Thorn @rodthorn.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Here's my newest Wise Ash essay. Published today. open.substack.com/pub/rodthorn...

open.substack.com

Leaving Tara

And starting a new life

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Rod Thorn @rodthorn.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

I’m writing this on my iPhone because my laptop keyboard is acting up again and has decided I no longer need the letter r. So when I try to type my name it says Odd, because while it’s refusing the r, it’s autocorrecting and adding a d at the end. I guess I’ll have to accept that I’m just odd.

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Rod Thorn @rodthorn.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Pro tip: Don’t eat sardines at night. What was I thinking?

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Rod Thorn @rodthorn.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

I’m watching the Knicks and my hands are clammier than actual clams.

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Rod Thorn @rodthorn.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

My newest essay. It’s about how, if we’re not careful, technology can give us a representation of life rather than life itself. open.substack.com/pub/rodthorn...

open.substack.com

The Illusion of Living

Trying to keep it real

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Rod Thorn @rodthorn.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Here's my newest Wise Ash essay, published today. Relevant in the age of AI. If what I write resonates with you, I hope you'll consider subscribing. open.substack.com/pub/rodthorn...

open.substack.com

The Illusion of Living

Trying to keep it real

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Rod Thorn @rodthorn.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

My “party trick”: when I watch politicians being interviewed, I can often give their answers, almost word for word, before they do. The people I’m with are impressed at my ability. But really, it says more about the politicians than it does about me. Their answers are SO canned.

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Rod Thorn @rodthorn.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

I'm watching the Tom Hanks special about WWII & learning new things. For instance, the French and Polish militaries fought a LOT harder than American historians have given them credit for. It's upsetting the way Americans have always denigrated those countries to make themselves feel more heroic.

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Rod Thorn @rodthorn.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

My newest Wise Ash Substack post. If this touches you or you can relate to it, please consider subscribing. Every bit of support helps. open.substack.com/pub/rodthorn...

open.substack.com

The Warmth of Other Suns

What I learned in first grade

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Rod Thorn @rodthorn.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

Sam & Patch dispensing wisdom. From Wise Ash

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Rod Thorn @rodthorn.bsky.social · 17/05/2026

More than 350 years after his death, Galileo's middle finger is displayed at the Museo Galileo in Florence, Italy. Since the Catholic Church put him under arrest for the last nine years of his life—for stating the earth orbits the sun—it’s fitting his middle finger is on display.

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Rod Thorn @rodthorn.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

My new Wise Ash post -- Wisdom with a Wink -- is up on Substack. open.substack.com/pub/rodthorn...

open.substack.com

Wisdom with a Wink

Applied philosophy through lived experience

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Rod Thorn @rodthorn.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

I’ve noticed a few movies and TV shows use the name Thorne as their villain. That’s the original spelling of my last name.

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Rod Thorn @rodthorn.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

I used to be on PepsiCo’s Board of Directors for DE&I. I guess they thought I filled their need to include an older, straight, white male on their board. 🤣 If you’re at all interested in this topic, you might find this video by the @nytimes.com enlightening. www.nytimes.com/2026/04/24/o...

nytimes.com

Opinion | Did D.E.I. Go Too Far?

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Rod Thorn @rodthorn.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

Close on the heels of my last Wise Ash essay, here’s another one! open.substack.com/pub/rodthorn...

open.substack.com

What Keeps Me Running

The thrill of victory, the agony of the feet

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Rod Thorn @rodthorn.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

Here's my new Wise Ash essay. I hope you'll read it and engage with it. What I'm writing about touches everyone. open.substack.com/pub/rodthorn...

open.substack.com

Capitalism Isn’t Dying. It’s Failing People.

From ancient markets to modern layoffs, a personal case for why the system must evolve

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Rod Thorn @rodthorn.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Here's my latest Wise Ash Substack essay. It's about my perspective on the economic/societal system in which we live. Thanks for reading, subscribing, and all that you do to support my work. open.substack.com/pub/rodthorn...

open.substack.com

Stop Looking Away #4 The Ladder, the Treadmill, and the Slide

I’ve Lived All Three

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Rod Thorn @rodthorn.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

Check out my newest Substack post. It's the latest in a series of essays on wisdom, self-deception, and the cost of seeing clearly—written from a life that spans chaos and power. open.substack.com/pub/rodthorn...

open.substack.com

Stop Looking Away #3: The First Time I Told the Truth and It Cost Me

An essay on wisdom, self-deception, and the cost of seeing clearly—written from a life that spans chaos and power.

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Rod Thorn @rodthorn.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Who is Sam Hill? As in, “What in the Sam Hill is going on here?”

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Rod Thorn @rodthorn.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

The keyboard on my laptop has apparently decided the letter “t” is unnecessary because it’s dropping the letter from everything I type. So I’m writing this on my phone to let my laptop know I’m on to its tricks, and I’m not going to let it get away with it. This is a public shaming.

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Rod Thorn @rodthorn.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

Snow outside, and I'm inside writing, wishing my childhood beagle were at my side. #dogs #pets open.substack.com/pub/rodthorn...

open.substack.com

The Legend of Chiquita

My constant companion for 17 years

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Rod Thorn @rodthorn.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

If the United States were a company, this would be a terrible earnings report. When it happens this early in the year, and you get a message from the CFO to cut all "unnecessary" spending, it's bad. www.nytimes.com/2026/03/13/b...

nytimes.com

U.S. Economy Was Vulnerable Before War With Iran

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Rod Thorn @rodthorn.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

substack.com/@rodthorn/no...

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Rod Thorn @rodthorn.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

A Particular Set of Skills open.substack.com/pub/rodthorn...

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Rod Thorn @rodthorn.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Kristi is Noem More. Finally.

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Rod Thorn @rodthorn.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

Today is my 66th birthday. Rather than write a new post today, I thought I’d share this essay I wrote one year ago today. Oh, and here’s a picture of me with my mother at someone’s wedding (not mine) about 40 years ago. Thanks for reading. substack.com/@rodthorn/no...

substack.com

The Wise Ash with Rod Thorn (@rodthorn)

Today is my 66th birthday. I rarely tell people when it’s my birthday because I don’t want to draw attention to myself. Plus, I always want my birthday to be less about me and more about my mother a...

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Rod Thorn @rodthorn.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

Well, I do feel lucky. Thanks to everyone who cares and takes the time to read, like, comment, share, follow, and best of all, subscribe to what I write. I'm baring my innermost thoughts much of the time, and even a silent nod of the head or 'sup helps. open.substack.com/pub/rodthorn...

open.substack.com

Punks, Knuckleheads, and Me

When I realized I'd become Clint Eastwood

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