The flustered flapping of feathers catches me off guard.
AUTHOR
Derek MacDonald
Writer & systems consultant specializing in brand narrative, strategy, and storytelling operations. Sharing the small, but meaningful, moments that make you rethink how you move through daily life. Started 'Unobstructed' after a 15+ year journey in marketing, outdoor education, and leadership development. Visit derekmacdonald.com to learn more.
Stories by Derek
Rethink how you move through the world.
I'm walking around the block this morning, testing my sprained ankle that I just freshly reaggravate...
Henrik Karlsson writes stuff that makes me start speculating wildly about "what if?"
Photo of Derek MacDonald and the 2026 HOBY junior staff team by Andres Tejeda.
I was an avid reader when I was a kid, and I can pinpoint the exact moment when that stopped being t...
It's always the palette cleanser that does it.
I shouldn't have come here.
I'm sweating profusely; let's... um, ok how about we just leave it at that?
I went running today but I probably shouldn't have.
Last night Isobel and I were talking about my comfort with public speaking.
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Hey, I'm Derek—Head of Editorial.
Unobstructed is a built-in-public, multimedia platform. What we publish aims to reveal things, not prescribe them. Said differently—we purposefully leave room for interpretation here.
Sometimes, a different way of seeing things is all it takes to get unstuck. That's our goal. We believe big ideas and small steps can create clarity and help reframe the stories people tell themselves.
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