how about the semi-long version…

my interests and hobbies are probably no more varied than any other person. my early life revolved around baseball like most kids in the american south. similarly, like most children i thought that i was destined for the MLB (in fairness, i was pretty good—a pitcher—but statistics are humbling). following a knee injury just before my senior year of high school ball (and a final flare-up before freshman undergrad) i accepted fate and understood i was a better brain than an athlete. 

i thought i would attend SCAD (savannah college of art and design) for music. continuing my unoriginal experiences streak i played guitar and sang and was genuinely interested in pursuing a career in composition and teaching. my academic interests shifted and i became laser-focused on psychology.

i ultimately attended the university of west georgia in pursuit of a degree in psychology and history. west georgia was known for its unique psychology program — a department founded in the 50s/60s in the bourgeoning humanistic discipline. i earned my undergraduate degree in both psychology and history and my graduate masters in humanistic & existential psychology. oh, i also met my wife!

fast-forward…a series of jobs involving operations support (turns out i’m good at streamlining) roles landed me in Serenbe working for a disruptive artists residency, AIR Serenbe. i enjoyed a little over 5 inspiring years there and remain involved with the community, still. this work reinvigorated my love for the creative and disruptive arts; when i stepped into the role of director i was fortunate to keep the company of so many talented creatives—emerging and established, of all disciplines—and work alongside them developing some really cool and new ideas. here, i understood a calling: to do everything i could to support the individual artist. 

i continue to work around operations. my formal education in critical psychology and my ability to help make happen just about anything you can think of (“yeah, i can do that”) found me working with a nonprofit think tank. i am proud to have taken part in the development of the country’s first-ever climate action plan for children. you can read what i did there here: the work.

i try to get my hands into any and all things disruptive (i like that word). 

living and death are too short a span to experience doing little what makes you feel joy. 

- michael