The Pittsburgh Experiment

06/01/2026

Last week I had the joy of meeting my new granddaughter, Tala, for the first time! My wife Cyndi flew down to NC four weeks ago the day we got the call that the baby was on her way. The baby was born at home, so there was a plan in place to look after her big brother, Mario. Uncle Andrew was there to take care of Mario and pick Nonna up from the airport.



Over the next few weeks numerous people from their pastor to friends from church and college stopped by with meals and offers to help in any way they could. People called and texted their offers of support and well wishes for them all. It was hard to leave. But it helped to know that Mario and Tala’s other grandmother was on her way to stay for a while to help.

I am always encouraged by the way people rally around loved ones at times of need. It is uplifting to see families and friends serve each other. I am grateful that we have others to lean on.

We were able to help our kids and grandkids because we were asked. My son and daughter-in-law invited Cyndi to come down to stay. They let people know someone would have to watch big brother Mario during Tala’s birth. We could serve them because we were told of the need.

If you are in need, does anyone know? Have you shared your burden? Have you asked for help? As Bill Withers sang:

If there is a load you have to bear

That you can't carry

I'm right up the road

I'll share your load

If you just call me

Lean on me.

Why do we often choose to suffer in silence? To bear our burdens by ourselves? To deal with hardships as a lone ranger? Is it pride? Self-sufficiency? The fear of having to admit we can’t do it alone? Don’t let whatever keeps you from sharing your burdens prevent you from experiencing the joy of community and the warmth of fellowship. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

05/25/2026

On Sunday, May 24, my wife Cyndi and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary. I’m deeply grateful for the four decades we have shared together. So much has changed over those years. Back in 1986, if we wanted to talk on the phone, we were tethered to a wall by a cord. Today, we carry our phones wherever we go. I also wrote Cyndi real love letters and mailed them—there were no quick emails or instant messages. And if we wanted to see a movie, we had to go to the theater; we couldn’t simply stream one from the comfort of home.

Those are only the outward changes. If you look at the two pictures below you can see how much we have changed physically over 40 years. Cyndi to grow more beautiful with each passing year, while I look a little more wrinkled all the time. I now have less hair where I want it and more hair where I never expected to need it.

Our love for each other has changed too. I would say it has grown deeper, and we are more closely bonded than ever. That is not because we avoided conflict over the past 40 years, but because we walked through life’s fires and trials together. Those experiences shaped and refined us, drawing our hearts and souls together in a way nothing else could.

The encouragement I want to share today is this: don’t let trials, hardships, and seasons of testing tear your relationships apart—whether in marriage, family, or friendship. Instead, allow those struggles to strengthen your bond and bring you closer than ever.

05/13/2026

Join us for an unforgettable evening on June 24th at the Rooftop of PNC Park! Enjoy dinner, networking, and a thrilling Pirates vs. Mariners game. This event is open to everyone, so bring your family and friends! With limited spots available, secure your ticket now for just $85. Don't forget to download the MLB Ballpark app for electronic tickets!
https://conta.cc/4n8tUBd

Email from The Pittsburgh Experiment COME JOIN US!! JUNE 24 PX and PX Young Professionals invite you to join us on the Rooftop! WHAT? Join us at the most beautiful ballpark in baseball! We will be pa

05/11/2026

We welcomed our third grandchild into the world this past Tuesday. And yes, I come from a family of four boys, Cyndi and I have four sons of our own who have given us two grandsons, and now we finally have a girl. Our beautiful granddaughter and awesome daughter in law are doing well. I cried tears of joy.
Yesterday was Mother’s Day. I hope it was a great day to celebrate with your mom! But for some of us, yesterday may have been hard. It may have brought up old feelings of deep hurt. It may have reminded you how much you miss your mom if she is no longer with you. It's a combination of both for me.
My mom was a beautiful person, inside and out. Born and raised in Warrington, England, my dad met her in the early 1950's when he was stationed in England during his time in the Air Force during the Korean War. They were married there and she came to the US. They lived with my very Italian father's family in NYC. What a brave woman to leave her country, home and family to start a new life! That bravery was something she exhibited often. Especially when she was battling cancer,
I loved my mom. But for most of my life I remember her being sick. She was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was young. She fought it bravely but died before I turned 11. It was devastating. It marked me for life. At the birth of all 4 of my sons, I cried knowing they would never know their grandmother. Sometimes I struggle to retain memories of her as I was so young when she passed. It’s frustrating and sad.
On Mother’s Day I hope you gave your mom some love if you still have her with you. Don’t take her for granted. If not, then like me, take a moment to say thanks for what you once had. Happy Mother’s Day, to all moms. We, your children, are grateful.
PS. These thoughts apply to all relationships. Say I love you. Don't take loved ones for granted!

05/07/2026

05/07/2026

What a great way to start the day. Beautiful morning for the Pittsburgh Prayer Breakfast. Thanks to PPittsburgh Leadership Foundationfor putting on such a powerful event.

05/04/2026

If you have read these Monday Morning Encouragements over the years you know my love for baseball. My wife and I get to 20 games each season since we've been empty nesters. This Saturday we showed up for a game in weather that was more appropriate for football. But my wife is a trooper. We bundled up with winter coats, hats and gloves and showed up at PNC to cheer on our beloved Pittsburgh Pirates.

What a game we got to watch. Not only was it football weather, but it was a football score as well. The Pirates won 17 to 7. There were lots of highlights. At one point the Reds pitchers walked seven pirates in a row, tying a 43-year-old record. The next day a friend of mine asked me how the opposing team was going to come back from such a drubbing the night before. He assumed they would be disheartened, beat down, and discouraged. He thought the Pirates had so much momentum the last few games that they would be unstoppable. I reminded him of a quote I've heard baseball people share often which is “Momentum is only as good as your next days starting pitcher.” In other words, you can feel like there's a lot of good stuff going your way but one strong outing from one dominant pitcher can stop that in its tracks.
I need to have that attitude in life in general after I’ve taken a hard loss or suffered a beat down in life. Especially when it comes to me stopping negative momentum that seems to be flowing my way. Stand up firmly one time and change all that negative momentum. One good start of the day might make that day the best one yet. I need to start each day, regardless of how yesterday finished, by believing that my best efforts can change the flow of things around me and can set me up for success moving forward.
One good start may be all it takes to change everything. Has negative momentum been going against you recently? Feel like you've been swimming upstream? Start today strong, with a positive mindset and give your best effort. That may be all it takes to shift momentum in your direction.

04/30/2026

The Pittsburgh Experiment Board enjoying cheering on the Pittsburgh Pirates. Let's go PX! Let's go Bucs!

04/27/2026

If you’ve been thinking about getting involved with a PX Group and you work/live in the Fox Chapel/RIDC Park area drop us a message. We would love to have you join us!