I have taught political philosophy and ethics and public policy at Brown University, Johns Hopkins University, New York University and Western Washington University.  My scholarly interests have included embodiment and subjectivity, affect and ethical reflection, ethics and public service, social justice and public policy, philosophy and theology, and the ancient notion of philosophy as a way of life.  

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In addition, in over two decades of public service, I addressed issues of poverty and disadvantage, and advanced policy analysis and evaluation across government, including working in the White House under three Presidents, in Congress, and in four federal agencies.  My role has been to understand government and public policy, to formulate issues and options, and to explain these understandings to leaders and the public. 

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I have explored religion, theology, spirituality and meditation through participating in and leading many courses, discussion groups, and retreats.  This has broadened my understanding of philosophy, uncovered new resources for reflection, and allowed dialogue with persons of diverse beliefs.  It also has allowed experimentation with practices of reflection grounded in our nature as emotive, embodied, mortal beings – which I originally explored philosophically in The Corporeal Turn. 

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My education includes a B.A. (Highest Honors, Phi Beta Kappa) in philosophy from Macalester College, a Ph.D. in political philosophy from Johns Hopkins University, coursework in philosophy through Harvard Extension School, and certification in Philosophical Counseling from the American Philosophical Practitioners Association.