Photo: Bronson with professional clowns Toto and Andy. A few days ago, I returned from Dallas after taking part in the Texas Clown Association annual convention. Clown conventions are certainly… something else. Before I go further, let’s address the stereotype: clowns are not scary. Many adults remember meeting clowns at birthday parties, circuses, libraries, schools, or community events as children. Clowns were once a common part of family entertainment. The fear many people describe...

Last spring I got very sick: double eye infection, fever, sweats, cough, congestion, the whole “hit by a truck” look. My doctor ruled out covid, called it a nasty virus, prescribed some pills, and told me to rest. The timing was terrible. Summer was coming, and that’s my busiest season. From late May through August, I drive from show to show, sometimes three in one day, mostly at libraries. The medicine helped, and soon I could be around people again. But there was one big problem: I lost...

This is my secret technique for leading a room of people.