CURRENT MISSION

Change the world. Make new friends. Drink (and maybe brew) awesome beer.

ABOUT ME

I grew up in a National Park in Southwestern Pennsylvania. George Washington built a fort in my backyard. Needless to say, it was kind of a weird childhood, but all the kids like to hang out at my house.

I always thought I would be a doctor. Now, I run a progressive think thank. The story involves me moving to Amish Country, then the UK, then NYC, and then Montana. Working with asylum seekers and refuges. Interning at UNICEF. Working in McDonalds. It's a long story, but it's my story, and I'd love to share it with you.

I spend as much time as possible outside. I feel so incredibly lucky to live in a state that's a beautiful as Montana. I hike. I camp. And sometimes, I just sit outside and enjoy the tranquility.

I like to cook. I like to eat. I like to drink local beer. I like to laugh. I like to meet new people and try new things.

Most of all, I try to be grateful each day- for my family and friends (new and old), for new opportunities and experiences, and for life. Because, it's pretty darn good.

PHILOSOPHY

My mom used to say, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." Years later, here's what I've learned from it-

Be positive. Think before you speak. Really, really think. Listen. Listen well, and after you're done listening, try to understand. Be open. Be honest. Be yourself. The greatest lessons you will ever learn and the greatest friends you will ever meet will come from listening to other people.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I finally get to host in Montana- the Last Great Place. They call it that for a reason. It's not just about the scenery. It's about the people. And the life.

That's something I want to share. Just don't blame me when you fall in love and never want to leave.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Years ago, I CouchSurfed in Seattle with a friend. If you had told me I would some day sleep on the couches of complete strangers, I would have called you crazy. Then I realized, these weren't strangers. These were new friends with awesome stories and great life experience.

Interests

Hiking. Reading. Cooking. Traveling. Drinking good beer with new friends (and the old ones too). Laughing loudly in public. Working to live and not living to work. Learning and growing every day.

• dining
• cooking
• beer
• running
• drinking
• trivia
• reading
• traveling
• hiking
• camping
• medicine

Music, Movies, and Books

I personally maintain that I taught myself to read at the age of three, or perhaps it was two.

I don't think I could pick a favorite book. My love for books is not so much about the story, but about the beauty of the written word. Good writing, the kind that moves you, makes you cry, gives you goosebumps, or makes you pause, is one of the greatest forms of art.

As for music- I like it. Strike that. I love music. Remember what I just said about the written word? That applies to music too.

I listen to just about everything. Really. I knew the words to "Desperato" by the Eagles before I knew "Mary Had a Little Lamb." At least once a day, I have a dance party in my office. Barefoot. By myself. It's good for the soul. Maybe, if you come hang out in Helena and share your music with me, we can dance too.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I watched the sun set from the top of Temple IV in Tikal. There were only three other people in the park. It was peaceful, and eerie, and surreal.

In reality, I don't think I could really boil my life down to one amazing moment. If you're really living your life, if you really appreciate the moment, amazing things happen all of the time.

Teach, Learn, Share

What do I have to teach?

Well, I'd be happy to teach you to make Greek food. My pastistio could make you cry.

I am also a wealth of random knowledge- dates, facts, quotes. It's pretty useful in trivia, and otherwise just generally entertaining.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Canada, Costa Rica, France, Guatemala, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United Kingdom, United States