Founder of Counterculture Kids · Author & Dad in Charleston, SC

I grew up in Richmond, Virginia, in a family that cherished music and the writers and artists who lived a little left of center. Names like Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Hunter S. Thompson, and others graced the spines of books on our home's shelves. My dad was a Deadhead who even worked security at a few Grateful Dead shows in the Washington, D.C area.

I studied at the College of Charleston, earning a B.S. in Anthropology and a B.S. in Political Science, then spent my career as a brand manager and director of brand strategy. In 2022, my wife Isabel and I welcomed our daughter, and we have enthusiastically embraced the joys and challenges of parenting. As my daughter has grown, we have enjoyed sharing our passions and interests with her, including some of the counterculture icons that have most influenced my own life. Without much success, I looked for age-appropriate stories to introduce my daughter to some of the counterculture icons of the 20th and 21st centuries. I found myself wondering, "Where are all the children's books on counterculture musicians, writers, and activists?"

Counterculture Kids is my answer: a biographical children’s series for early readers that makes “grown-up” icons feel welcoming, accessible, and inspiring. It’s a love letter to creative misfits and an invitation for kids to think differently, follow their curiosity, and see that there are many non-traditional paths to a meaningful life. It’s also a nostalgic treat for parents and caregivers who grew up with these songs, books, and scenes.

My family and I live in Charleston, South Carolina, where I write, research, and test stories at bedtime with my favorite focus group: my family.