Home: Chicago, IL. Age: 29. Birthplace: Santa Monica, CA. Profession: Doctoral student. Organization: The Chicago School. Title: Doctoral candidate. Alma mater: New York University.
Current project: Launching an AI life assistant called Kratic. Recent recognition: Accepted to a year-long training program at the Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute. Latest contribution to others: I volunteered at my local AA group. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? Moving to Chicago to pursue a doctorate in clinical psychology. Hobbies: Reading, writing, weightlifting, boxing, dog walking, coffee. Recent travel or adventure: Spearfishing in Playa del Carmen. Recently viewed and recommended: Toy Story.
Personality profile: Witty, thoughtful, conscientious. Moral compass: The Golden Rule, and balance in all things, even balance. What is your greatest joy? Writing and fitness. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Astrophysicists. What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Hobbies and experiences, including fitness. What is at the top of your bucket list? Get my business off the ground. Fully acclimate my new dog to the house and the cats. How do you relieve stress? Walks with music. What is your go-to workout? Four-day weightlifting split and boxing.
What was your first paying job? Office intern at a high-end women’s fashion company. What was your favorite childhood toy or game? A Digimon toy that was an egg with eyes and dinosaur feet. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? Chinese scrolls. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? My older brother, Michael. What’s the best advice you received growing up? It’s not personal. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Focus on self-care. What world event has had the greatest influence on your life? The COVID pandemic.
What is your big idea?
The United States to engage in a national reconstruction effort, primarily focused on schools in low-income communities.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? The constant battle to champion empiricism. What change would you like to see in the world? More self-insight and reflection and less trying to change the world instead of ourselves. What message do you want to send out into the world? Love your neighbor. What widely held belief do you reject? That everything happens for a reason.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Contrarian. What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Bill Skarsgård. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? Aristotle. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? Lawyer. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? With my family. What advice would you give your younger self? Endure. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? The day I got accepted to my doctorate in clinical psychology.
Personal mission: Mental, emotional, and behavioral health. Personal motto: We do what we can, where we can. Favorite quote: “Sie wissen das nicht, aber sie tun es” (Karl Marx). Desired epitaph: Contrarian.
