Who uses the term “woke”?

Have you ever had a conversation about wokeness? Has anyone ever asked you about it?

No one has ever asked me a question about “wokeness,” or even brought it up in conversation. Do people even know what that means?

I have a theory. Take a look.

@maryrarick

I’m suspicious. What does woke mean to you? #woketok #woke #foxnews #fauxnews #rightwing #democratsoftiktok #democrats

♬ Wake Up Call (Made Popular By Maroon 5) [Vocal Version] – Party Tyme Karaoke

Why I speak up about racism

Talking about racism is exhausting. I agree. But the truth is that I get to choose when to step into the arena. There’s a certain privilege in that. Here’s why I continue to show up.

@maryrarick

Replying to @khalilove12 Why do you continue to speak up? #ww #wyt #whitepeople #whitegirl #whitewomen #speakup #whiteprivilege #privilege #checkyourself #blm #blackwomen #blackwomenappreciation

♬ Epic Music(863502) – Draganov89

In short, I speak up because it’s my duty and privilege to do so. Will you join me?

Is Bill Maher’s show still worth watching?

  • Is college still worth attending?
  • Is Bill Maher’s show still worth watching?
  • Where can we find enough electoral college votes to cancel Tennessee’s?Gary, Finale, Adrienne and I discuss on this 3-minute You Can’t Beat Blue segment. Take a look and let me know what you think. 

Like what you’re seeing? Go to You Can’t Beat Blue and subscribe to all of our videos.

What’s the starting salary for graduates from WIU?

I recently learned what the average starting salary for graduates from my alma mater, Western Illinois University, and I can’t get over it. Take a look.

@maryrarick

Is it worth it? #college #undergrad #startingsalary #highereducation #highered

♬ original sound – Mary Rarick

We have a serious problem, because these recent college graduates have a lot more student debt than I did 30 years ago.

What do you think? Is it worth it?

Do the Next Best Thing

Six years ago I had a breakthrough in learning how to stop getting stuck in overwhelm by doing the next best thing.

I was working on HUGE client project which involved interviewing seventy plus people over the course of a month and a half, evaluating the data and drafting a report which was due to the client the beginning of October. Not a problem. I’m a planner and I love laying out a project step by step. I don’t even mind deadlines. I’m one of those weirdos who always had her undergrad term papers done a week early. And I majored in English AND history, so there were a lot of papers.

My best friend, Brandie Kajino, diagnosed with pancreatic cancer the previous spring, was just beginning to feel like herself again thanks to an aggressive chemotherapy regimen. So we decided to make a day of it and drive to Hood River to drive the Fruit Loop and enjoy the fall colors. We picked a Friday in early October, and Cory agreed took a vacation day to chauffeur us and participate in the merriment. Continue reading

My name is Mary Rarick and I’m running for public office

Photo of Mary RarickMy name is Mary Rarick and I’m running for public office

Professionally I’m known as a caffeine-addicted shoe lover, connector, Sorkin enthusiast and digital marketing consultant.

Drinking cold brew coffee, catching up with friends, playing cards with my kids, cooking with my husband: these are a few of my favorite things.

But if I’m to be totally honest, I’m also an introverted 56-year-old recovering perfectionist who has spent most of her life sitting in her privilege afraid of making waves.

And then one day I decided to show up. Continue reading

(Not-so) common courtesies

I never cease to be amazed that my ordinary, everyday way of conducting business impresses my clients and team mates. It turns out not everyone operates like I do. What I take for granted–my normal–isn’t normal for everyone.

A checklist

What do these things look like, you may ask? Here’s a short list. Continue reading

Keeping an open mind

Microscope

One of the most important lessons I learned from working for Dr. P. Michael Conn for nearly two decades was the value of pursuing a goal while being open to opportunities outside of that goal.

Dr. Conn was a scientist who performed basic (vs. clinical research) which means he looked at science on a cellular level. He studied the literature, developed hypotheses and his lab performed experiments to test these hypotheses. Every morning he met with his primary collaborator, the woman who ran his lab, to discuss the lab’s previous day’s work and what the day’s focus would be. Every day he reviewed and analyzed information. Continue reading

What does it mean to be a connector?

Stack of open booksWhile I didn’t realize it at the time, I began my career as a connector when I started working as manuscript coordinator for Endocrinology and later as the managing editor for international peer-review medical journal, Endocrine. In order for scientific discovery to move forward, scientists perform experiments, write up the results which they submit to a peer-review journal so that other people in the same field of study can review their work. Continue reading