ABOUT ME

Guide, speaker, and soul friend helping people grow, find presence, and deepen their connection with life and spirit. Promoting spiritual practice and social justice in times that need more of each.

Spiritual Director, Speaker, Author, Soul Friend, & Coach

I’m a guide for those navigating life’s twists, turns, and mysteries.

I’ve spoken at The Wild Goose Festival (three times), The Embrace Festival, The Lion and The Lamb Festival, and Christianity 21.

My writings have been published on Elephant Journal, Huffington Post, Sojourners; on Patheos as “The Holy Kiss," and increasingly on Medium and Substack.

I’m the author of Discovering Fire and Kissing Fish, and I manage the Kissing Fish Book Facebook community.

I am a reuglar contributor to the John Shelby Spong weekly newsletter "Progressing Spirit," and serve on the Board of Directors of The Center for Progressive Christianity aka ProgressiveChristianity.org.

I’m also an experienced wedding officiant (including premarital counseling) and support grieving families through meaningful funeral, memorial, and celebration-of-life services.

Those things are nifty, but I’m just a human, a fellow human being who’s learned many things the hard way in life. Now well into my 50s, I bring the wisdom of a midlife journey and a renewed sense of purpose to my life and work.

Over the years, I’ve explored a wide range of spiritual practices and personal development work, and I’m passionate about helping others discover the fullness of their lives to leave a legacy of love.

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Places I've Been, Things I Love

Originally from Minnesota, I’ve returned to my hometown following the passing of my parents, to be closer to family. I have a twin sister and a wonderful son in his mid twenties.

I lived much of the past two decades in Colorado, including Denver, Boulder, and Grand Junction. I’ve served as a pastor in United Methodist congregations across Minnesota, Iowa, and Colorado. After 29 years of service in that role, I retired in June 2025.

My travels have taken me to the UK, much of Europe, Central America, Israel, and South Korea, experiences that continue to broaden my perspectives and shape my work globally.

I’m an arts lover, theater-goer, live music enthusiast, blues dancer, yogi, trail runner, motorcyclist, trumpeter, and photographer.

My spiritual practices include centering prayer, tending a personal altar, Lectio Divina, reading and writing poetry, helping people in need, and being present in nature with contemplative awareness.

I lead men’s groups and have particiapted in retreats through the Men’s Leadership Alliance. I have training in shadow work, dream work, authentic relating, circling; as well as experience with tarot, the Enneagram, sacred plant medicine, and various shamanic healing modalities. I have particular gifts in helping people intetgrate plant medicine journeys.

I value and seek to foster wholeness in Body. Mind. Soul.

My work is increasingly a matter of presence - being present to Presence, and bringing that presence to others, being present to you.

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Passionate About Inspiring Others

I'm a social justice advocate and I embrace all human beings as fellow children of God who are fully loved by the Creator just as they are.

I’m a straight, white, cis-gender male who is aware of my privilege and am resolved to use this privilege to help empower everyone, including those who are oppressed or marginalized by our current social structures.

My work with men seeks to help other men share this resolve. My work isn't limited to men however! I seek to help all of us grow to be the best we each can be.

People I like to meet:

Spiritually curious explorers; wounded healers;

people with allergies to organized religion; people who are spiritual but not religious, as well as people who are spiritual and religious; people who've stepped in it; people who've eaten generous helpings of humble pie;

people who've frozen their tongues to fences or flag poles; people who've face-planted in life;

people who turn lemons into lemonade;

people who have quirks that they used to get teased for-but are now realizing that they're super-powers;

people who've broken-and are discovering they're broken open to love!

Certifications

Qualifications

Certified Spiritual Director through the Benet Hill Monastery in Colorado Springs, CO (a rigorous 2 year training)
Round one 12 week training in 4 Gateways method of Archetypal Shadow Work
Ordained United Methodist pastor (elder)
Participant in several retreats run by the Men's Leadership Alliance, and participated in the Inner King Retreat in Loveland, CO.
Certified Crisis Intervention Counselor
Certified Mediator (conflict management)
CPR certified.
Eagle Scout— well prepared.

Published author.
Blog for Huffington Post, Elephant Journal, Sojourners, Progressing Spirit, and Patheos ("The Holy Kiss")
Avid runner, yogi, poet, photographer, trumpeter, and dancer (over 35 years of experience with most).
Founded several non-profit organizations, have served as president, and/or on their board of directors. Including the Boulder International Fringe Festival; Wesley Foundation at C.U. Boulder; and The Center for Progressive Christianity (ProgressiveChristianity.Org)