Humans Among Us

18/10/2026

This is probably one of the most personal and vulnerable Sunday Reflections I've shared.

A voice note from my friend Gareth in South Africa, expressing his deep love and appreciation for his mother, unexpectedly brought me to tears.

It opened something in me about my own mother, Comfort, and left me reflecting on vulnerability, the strength of women, and how another person's openness can give us permission to feel.

Sometimes, the greatest gift we give someone is the freedom to be human in our presence.

As you watch this reflection, I invite you to think about the people who have shaped your life, especially those whose love, sacrifices, and quiet strength you may not have fully appreciated at the time.

How much of who you are today carries a little of who they are?

And perhaps, if you have the opportunity, take a moment to let them know what they've meant to you.

This reflection was inspired by my article, My Comfort, Gareth’s Gillian. Please create some space to read the article: https://humansamongus.org/professional-engagem/my-comfort-and-gareths-gillian/

12/10/2026

This is perhaps one of the most personal and vulnerable reflections I have written.

It began with a WhatsApp voice note from my friend and brother Gareth with Saiosh, speaking about his mother, Gillian Nortjé. As I listened, I found myself crying, transported back to memories of my own mother, Comfort.

During our conversations, Gareth said something that stayed with me:

“I'll be a man, a protector, a leader, but also I will be emotionally open and connected.”

That word "also" made me reflect on how we define strength, particularly in leadership.

What if tenderness, vulnerability, care, and emotional openness are not alternatives to strength, but part of what makes us whole?

My Comfort and Gareth’s Gillian; is a reflection on feminine energy, two mothers, two sons, and the legacy of love that continues to live through us.

I invite you to read the full reflection on Humans Among Us, where I share stories and reflections that explore the humanity behind our experiences, relationships, and leadership.

As you reflect on your own journey, I leave you with this question: What parts of your humanity have you learned to hold back in order to appear strong, and what might become possible if you gave yourself permission to embrace them?

Over the past few weeks, my friend Gareth Nortje and I have been exchanging voice notes on WhatsApp. I met Gareth through the SAIOSH family during my time in South Africa, and these conversations have given us an opportunity to know each other beyond the brief moments we shared while I was there. We...

11/10/2026

This week, my lovely wife Angela Salazar-Tetteh joined me on my weekly reflection to continue exploring the idea of cosmic compassion introduced ti me by my brother Yaseen Francis I really enjoy when she joins me for conversations like these.

We shared our thoughts, personal experiences, and what it might mean to extend compassion beyond ourselves and the people closest to us.

It was a beautiful conversation that left us both with something to reflect on.

There is always more to the story ❤️.

04/10/2026

Cosmic compassion.

My brother Yaseen Francis reminded me that compassion is something we all have; but having it and practicing it are two different things.

This week’s reflection is about connection, the little moments life gives us to practice compassion, and what might happen when we begin to see our world a little more cosmically.

27/09/2026

I went looking for one story and somehow found myself inside a much bigger one.

Last week, the Rock Springs High School cross-country seniors; my people; surprised me with something that meant more to me than they probably realize: the Senior Impact Shirt.

That experience left me thinking about how easily we can become so focused on what we set out to accomplish that we miss everything else the experience has to offer.

As you listen to this week’s reflection, think about your own journey. Where might you be so focused on the goal that you’re missing what is happening around it?

What else is here? What else can we learn? What else can we give?

I also mention my friend Dan Baker’s Friday Thought emails, which continue to challenge my thinking. If you’d like to receive them, email him at

[email protected]

and ask to be added to his list.

Eric Urlacher Bridget Louderback

20/09/2026

Last week, a funeral reminded me of something we often avoid: life is short, fragile, and never promised.

This week’s reflection is about death. That might sound strange, but more importantly, it is about how we choose to live while we are still here.

15/09/2026

During the 2026 SAIOSH Health and Safety Conference in South Africa, I had the opportunity to sit down with My Safety Hub after my keynote presentation for a conversation about storytelling, curiosity, trust, and the human side of safety.

This was honestly one of the most fun and human-centered conversations I had during my time in South Africa. We laughed, reflected, and simply allowed the conversation to go where it needed to go.

At the heart of it was the theme of my presentation; a simple question I grew up hearing my dad ask visitors:

“How was your journey?”

A question that invited curiosity and created space for people to share their stories.

A special thank you to Saiosh and My Safety Hub team for creating space for this conversation.

13/09/2026

Weekly Reflection - A couple of event from last week and recent interest in learning science and current work with organizational learning had me reflecting on what it means to learn?

After watching I would love to know through the lens of your experience what your take on learning is?

Bo-Kaap with Prof: Faadiel link:
https://humansamongus.org/professional-engagem/what-professor-faadiel-and-bo-kaap-taught-me-about-learning/

12/09/2026

Because I said I would…I did. 😂

Last Friday, I joined the Rock Springs High School Cross Country team for a recovery run, and, as always, it was FUN and insightful.

Yes, I’ve started calling them my team. 😂 I’m the silent team member who occasionally shows up to run, take photos, and mostly…learn. Learn about people. Belonging. Relationships. And what it really takes to become a team.

And if these kinds of human stories resonate with you, I would appreciate your support by subscribing to the channel and come along for more.

There is always More to the Story.

08/09/2026

I have been thinking a lot about what it really means to learn.

Growing up in Ghana, a poor examination result was often followed by a beating at school and again at home. That experience taught me that being wrong could bring pain. Instead of searching for understanding, I often found myself searching for the safest answer.

Last month, while sitting inside Professor Faadiel Arnold’s home in Bo-Kaap, South Africa, I experienced something very different.

There was no test waiting for us and no single answer we had to reach. There was conversation. We shared our experiences, asked questions, listened, and learned with and from one another.

That time with Faadiel gave me a deeper understanding of something I have carried since childhood. It also connected strongly with my interest in organizational learning and what becomes possible when we create room for people to question, contribute, and make sense of their experiences together.

I am grateful to Yaseen Francis and his wife, Nazeema, for arranging this meeting, and to Faadiel for opening his home and sharing his wisdom with us.

When you have a quiet moment, I invite you to pause and read this reflection on the Between the Lines page of my Humans Among Us website:

https://humansamongus.org/professional-engagem/what-professor-faadiel-and-bo-kaap-taught-me-about-learning/

After reading it, I would genuinely love to know: What stayed with you, and what you took away from the reflection?