I grew up in a small town in Michigan. Life was routine. Happy family. Good schools. Hard work. Nothing that would signal "this guy is going to ride a Harley through 48 states and serve at a homeless shelter while writing a trauma curriculum."
But here we are.
I spent three decades in public education — teacher, coach, principal, superintendent. Along the way, I earned a master's and a doctorate in educational leadership. I led organizations, built teams, and tried to figure out why some people grow and others stay stuck — even when they have every advantage.
That question followed me into retirement.
These days I teach at several universities, serve on nonprofit boards, work with leaders one-on-one, and show up every week at a homeless shelter where the real education happens. I'm also an ordained pastor through the Coram Deo Association — though my pulpit tends to be wherever people actually are, not just where they're supposed to be.
I completed my training as a Spiritual Director under Gene Maynard at the Compass Institute — a formation that changed how I listen, pray, and pay attention. Spiritual direction is one of the most underused tools in the church, and one of the most powerful conversations I have with people. It's not counseling. It's not advice. It's learning to notice where God is already at work — and paying attention to that.
I've been married for 42 years to my high school sweetheart. We have four adult children and five grandchildren. That part of my life is the part I'm most proud of.
"How can we live better? Not in theory. Not someday. In practice — starting tomorrow morning."
— The question I've been studying for 30+ yearsA few years ago I simplified my reading. Instead of chasing every new self-help book, I went upstream. The Stoics. The Desert Fathers and Mothers. The great mystics of the Christian tradition. Thomas Merton. Dallas Willard. Teresa of Ávila. Abba Poemen.
What I found was that they'd already figured most of this out. And that modern neuroscience — habit research, positive psychology, trauma-informed practice — tends to confirm rather than replace what the ancient teachers knew.
Ancient wisdom. Modern science. Better human. That's the framework. That's what I write about, teach, and coach.
I don't claim to have it all figured out. I'm still learning. But I'm willing to share the experiments — the ones that worked and the ones that didn't — with anyone who wants to go along for the ride.
And if you're willing, let's figure it out together.