When I first told my extended family I was moving to Japan, my sister was excited for me, but my stuck-in-her-ways mother exclaimed, “But they eat raw fish over there.” I said, “Yes Mom, they call it sashimi and I am told it is delicious and so fresh that it doesn’t taste too fishy at all.”As I have
I have spent almost 30 years on the proverbial couches of licensed therapists and in the offices of various pastors, as well as a week at an emotional healing retreat called Onsite, outside Nashville, where I received intensive therapy. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, here are 10 things I
In 2011, as your Secretary of State, when I proposed a new policy to protect your vote — and the integrity of our elections — I was told repeatedly that Mississippi’s newly enacted Voter ID law would not pass constitutional muster. The U.S. Department of Justice will single out Mississippi, they sai
The view from my desk is inspirational. I’ve been in the same office for 27 years. There are no windows, but I have surrounded myself with things that inspire me and things that I love.There are a lot of photos of family all over the room. There are also a lot of photos of the Beatles. There are odd
For many young professionals, the question of “Where do you see yourself in five years?” can be daunting.For me, it was especially challenging to answer after moving to a new state, jumping into an unfamiliar job market, and learning to call the Mississippi Gulf Coast home all in the early stages of
My advice to upcoming graduates: You are a few years away from beginning your professional life, but you are only weeks away from planning for it. The decision you make about your professional life should be the easiest decision you ever make — your career should be about one thing: passion.It’s not
It’s true that there’s no place like home, and I deeply and dearly love my hometown of Hattiesburg and my home state of Mississippi. I could live other places, but I never will. My roots are in South Mississippi. I am a seventh generation citizen of the Pine Belt and I am Mississippi to the core. Te
In the wake of the Alabama Supreme Court’s controversial ruling that frozen embryos could be legally considered children under state law, IVF families across the nation are grappling with uncertainty and fear about the implications of such a decision. This groundbreaking ruling has sent shockwaves t
There are many emotions associated with parenthood. Joy and amusement come to mind immediately. The early responsibilities of parenting can bring worry and guilt. There can be irritation and disappointment as well. The unique thing about being a parent is that sometimes one can feel several of those
Efforts have been underway for the past few years that would significantly reverse Mississippi’s quality white-tailed deer management efforts. We are already seeing the widespread movement in the state of the always deadly Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and efforts to allow the sale and/or transporta
No matter how hard I tried, sleep remained an elusive companion last night.It wasn’t just the usual restlessness that kept me awake; it felt like the weight of the world’s troubles was pressing heavily on my mind. My brain was stuck in the muck of the daily grind and the relentless, troubling newsfe
One of the top complaints I receive as Commissioner of Insurance is regarding the rate increases policyholders are seeing in this difficult market. I am certainly sympathetic to this, as I have seen rate increases on my own property as well. Inflation and supply chain issues have affected the cost o
In the world of Mississippi’s outdoors, a quote by John Audubon serves as a clarion call: “A true conservationist is a man who knows that the world is not given by his fathers but borrowed from his children.” This sentiment underscores the significance of protecting and preserving our natural resour
In the late 1990s, I was asked by my local newspaper to write a weekly food column. I politely declined citing an overloaded schedule and lack of any known writing skills. They were persistent and kept asking until one day, after the fourth or fifth ask, I gave in and agreed. Once that first column
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks is entrusted with the responsibility of conserving and managing our state’s diverse wildlife, fisheries, and parks. Their work impacts not only the environment but also the economy, tourism, and the overall well-being of our communities. It
I celebrate Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann for creating an opportunity for Mississippi to have an important debate about Medicaid expansion.In today’s polarized political landscape where division seems to reign, it is crucial that we, as Mississippians, come together to address the pressing issue of
One small sliver of light began to peek through the blackout curtains at the head of my bed. The light coming through was human error. It seems I had haphazardly shut the curtains before I went to bed the night before.I have a beautiful view of the East China Sea, but my floor-to-ceiling windows tha
Most everyone seems to understand that workforce development is crucial in addressing Mississippi’s labor challenges. Most everyone accepts that reaching our youth, training them and keeping them in Mississippi is key to our success when it comes to workforce development. As Ag Commissioner, I beli
In the 1985 Ron Howard movie, “Cocoon,” a group of senior citizens from a retirement home break into an abandoned indoor swimming pool filled with alien pods. The energy radiated from the pods at the bottom of the pool gives the seniors bucketloads of youthful vigor and renewed energy.I haven’t been
Good stewardship is critical to Mississippi’s university system and represents a fundamental component in the work of the Board of Trustees of Mississippi’s Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL).The latest credit opinion from Moody’s Investors Service, released on January 11, offers a strong endorse
I wrote the following as I screamed along the Japanese countryside between the cities of Hiroshima and Fukuoka at 200 miles per hour.My family and I got ambitious and decided to escape our small island in the South Pacific known as Okinawa. We wanted a big adventure for the holidays. We booked fligh
The year was 2008. I remember it vividly. Senator Barack Obama, candidate for president of the United States, was discussing his plans for health care reform in a television ad. He talked about his plan for employer “shared responsibility.”I generally didn’t pay much attention to politics or politic
A few weeks ago, an interviewer asked, “Give me a typical day in the life of Robert St. John.”I had never thought about it and so my knee-jerk reaction was, “Every day is different.” That’s true. But there is a certain structure to how my day typically begins.When I’m working out, the day starts at
Several years ago, in preparation to work for you as Lt. Governor, we visited with a Mississippi university economist to discuss the economic challenges and opportunities facing our State. Since then, our unemployment rate has dropped to 3.3 percent. Every person who wants a job can find one in Miss
