Hi there! I’m Will Soprano – defined by my decisions and actions of today. Let’s explore together.
Things About Me.
Plugged in, eternally seeking. Things I’m interested in:
Integrated Web | My Dog | AR/VR | Baseball | Cooking
Defined by the decision and actions of today
Will Soprano in Wilmington, NC:
Punctured. Pierced. Painted. Can you figure out what that means?
I got into tech by a bit of an accident. Hired to write a video game while I was in college, I didn’t know much about tech. I was studying Creative Writing and Lit, with dreams of writing the next great American novel. (Can you believe the ego on that guy?!)
That small contract job introduced me to creatives and developers, changing my entire life and view of the world. I’d soon drop out of college to chase all of the knowledge necessary to work alongside these nerdy people.
I probably wouldn’t recommend the road I’ve taken in life, but I also wouldn’t change anything. I’m proud of the person I’ve become, and I hope you’ll take a few moments around this site to see Will Soprano with your own eyes.
Maybe there’s something we can relate on – I’d love to chat. Or maybe you’d like to work together – let’s get started. Or maybe you’ve just clicked this link in random curiosity – in which case, hello.
This is some of my life and some of my work.
Whatever your reason, welcome.
Life in Wilmington, NC
I came to Wilmington for a fresh start and found so much more. I found a supportive community that encourages social entrepreneurs and puts real action to work.
Built in California, I made it to Wilmington, North Carolina by way of Raleigh. My upbringing was culturally diverse thanks to the Bay Area. My dad introduced me to music at a young age, I still remember playing his pink Fender Strat during a storm. My mom played catch with me, I’d throw the ball over her head and say, “Go get it”.
One of my favorite questions to answer is, “Why Wilmington, NC?”
For so long I’ve searched for what I found in Wilmington: love, opportunity, acceptance. Maybe these things can be found elsewhere, and maybe they are anywhere that I’m willing to search for them. But I found them here, on Front street, in midtown and packed into these little known hole-in-the-walls throughout this little oasis.
Life in Wilmington is quiet; I exercise, play with food in the kitchen and I seek god. That’s little g on purpose, not a typo. I’m not sure what god is or what god looks / feels / sounds like. But god has become a very real thing for me.
Who Is William Soprano?
For most of my life I thought the answer to this question was directly related to what I do for work. I know that’s not true. But I still don’t really know who I am. And today I’m OK with that. I will probably never find out who I am, but I can tell you what I’m doing today.
Most of my days include some form of spending time with my dog, talking with humans, and working on the web. I like to get out of myself and try new things – I’m no extrovert but I’m willing to say hi. Who knows what will come out after that.
Trying new things, finding my way
I’m not sure where I’m at in my journey – for all I know I’m nearest the end, or the next great idea is one turn away. But I do know that I’m seeking. I’m taking verifiable actions to be better, and I’m willing to share my experiences with others because I know that through experiential sharing we grow as humans.
Safety is Important for William Soprano
If I’m to continue growing I’ve got to choose safety for myself. That means I must be painfully aware of my needs with my unique circumstances and take steps to be safe in an unsafe world.
Find Me On The Web: Twitter | Medium | Brainz. | SocialMediaToday | DZone | LinkTree | SubStack
Featured On
Dog – “god” spelled backwards.
Me in Wilmington, NC – Visualized:
Service Work in Wilmington, NC
Some people call this volunteering – I call it service work. Not because it’s work, but because it is the act of being of service to others. I believe I’m placed on this earth to serve others, and what that looks like changes day to day. But I’m in search of opportunities to be of service to my fellow humans each day my eyes open.
Progress ≠ Perfect
So many people have come to my aid – their service of others (me) saved my life many times over. Whether it was family members, friends, or strangers in AA. Eventually folks in AA taught me that in order to keep what’s been so freely been given to me I must give it away. That’s my why. And if sharing on here helps even one person, or generates one conversation then I’ve played my role to the best of my ability.
My Role in Society
I believe my role is to serve. Here are some examples of service that I attempt daily 👇
Listening to others
Wherever I am I can listen to you
Sharing with others
Through our shared experiences we can relate and get well together
Aware of the faces around me
I keep my eyes open for the faces that might need a smile
You’re the most important person in this room
Regardless the room, it’s important that I understand my role
Unconditional acts of love and service
Love and service given without need or expectation of a return.
A Couple of Service Projects
Life isn’t about me anymore. It’s about the people I serve. Here are some projects where I’ve served:
CURRENT
Wilmington Treatment Center 2020-present
Homeless Shelter in Wilmington January 2022
Wilmington Foodbank April 2022
Wilmington AA
PAST
Cause for Paws NC
Neuse Riverkeeper Foundation
The Billfish Foundation
Will Soprano, Scripting:
We Are All Hated. Will There Ever Be a Movie About Us?
It’s gratitude day, when we reach deep to remember what we’re grateful for. This is difficult for everyone – whether you’re rich or poor, successful or an abject failure – finding things you’re grateful for is no easy task. Maybe it’s our human condition, maybe it’s our ultra modern world corrupt by social media. Whatever…
Keep readingThe Tethers of a Rickety Boat: How to Get Well in the Face of Adversity
When you’re struggling people offer suggestions – some are useful and some not so much. But the point is that people believe that if you do good things and get well then good things will follow. And maybe the math works out that most of the time that’s true. But it’s not always true. I’ve…
Keep readingMental Health
In my spare time I like to be part of things that matter in Wilmington, NC
How we feel is so often informative to how we respond to life. And the trauma we incur often informs how we perceive life events. I am one of these people. I struggle with my emotions, how I feel, and a disease of addiction. I proudly call myself an alcoholic because that’s where I found a solution to my metaphysical problems – in the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous.
A Couple Mental Health Exercises:
Delete social media from my phone
Cut internet at home
Say “hi” to strangers
A Snapshot of my Professional Experience: Will Soprano
Cross-function communication is kind of my thing. Self taught in the more nerdy bits, I showed up to the tech table with an ability to write. My combination of technical, soft, and creative skills enable me within organizations up and down the ladder and across functions with ease.
Contractor
Technical PM
IT Management
December 2020 — Present
Transmira
Dev Relations
Technical Writing
June 2021 — Present
Qlik
Manager, Dev Product
Jun 2016 — Jan 2017
DZone / TSG
Web Integrations
Dev Communities
Apr 2012 — Jun 2016
Will Soprano in Wilmington NC 