From Scottish Castles to Greek Ruins: My Global Tour (And the Meatballs in Between)
It has been quite the adventure speaking to children around the world. People often ask me where it all began, and I tell them: it started with a literal “blaze of glory.”
The Scottish Spark
My first presentation was at my mother’s school, Balhousie Primary in Perth, Scotland. I’m incredibly glad I didn’t procrastinate on that one, as the school recently burned down. (I promise, my presentation wasn’t that “fire,” but the timing was certainly symbolic!)
That visit sparked a chain reaction. It led me to the Young Carers Group, an incredible bunch of kids who carry adult-sized responsibilities. For years now, I’ve been taking them to camps across Scotland—giving them a chance to just be kids for a while.
Speaking of Edinburgh, I’ve visited the George Heriot School nine times now. It’s a 500-year-old castle that served as the inspiration for Hogwarts. Every time I walk through those doors, I half-expect a talking hat to tell me which house I belong to. No magic wand yet, but the energy from the students is definitely supernatural.
The European Whirlwind
Since I was already in the neighborhood, I figured, “Why not take the show on the road?”
Vienna: I presented at the Vienna International School to the children of UN delegates and royal families. I had to make sure my “dad jokes” were diplomatically sound and fit for a Prince.
Switzerland: This was a marathon—nine presentations in a single day! From leadership seminars to classroom music workshops and teacher training, I’m pretty sure I was sustained entirely by Swiss chocolate and sheer adrenaline.
Greece: Thanks to a random email blast from my office in Canada, I ended up in Athens. I did three shows there, ranging from the little ones to high schoolers, proving that leadership and laughter translate perfectly in the shadow of the Parthenon.
The Virtual & The Very Cold
While at home, I’ve used the power of the internet to connect with youth in Ukraine and Kazakhstan. I truly hope to visit Ukraine in person once the war has ended to see those resilient faces face-to-face.
But before I get back to Europe, I’m heading north. This Monday, I’m off to Muskrat Dam. It involves two small planes, a lot of layers, and a level of cold that makes a freezer look like a sauna. Stay tuned for a detailed (and probably shivering) account of my wintery adventure there!
What’s Next?
In May, the compass points back to Scotland for a run of school shows, followed by a trip to Sweden. I have two very specific goals for the Swedish leg of the trip:
Eat my weight in authentic Swedish meatballs.
Sing at least three ABBA songs (likely poorly).
Life as a speaker is rarely quiet, but as long as there are kids to inspire and castles to explore, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
