self-government as a practice, not just a principle.
I speak about self-government as a practice: how people figure out what they actually believe, and how organizations run without a chain of command. Audiences have ranged from student conferences to party conventions to teams exploring self-management.
Each of these can be a keynote, a workshop, or a conversation. Titles and length can be adjusted to your program.
The World's Smallest Political Quiz has been taken by approximately 30 million people since 1985, and a large share of them do not land where the two-party map says they should. This talk walks through what the Quiz measures, why the left-to-right line hides more than it shows, and what changes in civic engagement once people can see where they actually stand.
For general, political, and student audiences.
Morning Star processes a large share of America's tomatoes with thousands of colleagues and no managers. Each person writes agreements with the people they work with and is accountable to them directly. Drawing on time at the company's Self-Management Institute, this talk covers how the system works in practice, where it strains, and which of its habits any team can adopt this quarter.
For business, nonprofit, and leadership audiences.
The liberty movement has spent decades arguing for self-government in politics while running most of its own organizations by command. This talk makes the case that a self-managed organization is the most persuasive demonstration of liberty available, and shows how liberty groups, campus chapters, and nonprofits can practice the principle inside their own walls.
For liberty movement conferences and organizations.
Quiz in the Classroom brings the World's Smallest Political Quiz to students without telling them what to think. This talk explains how the program is designed, what teachers report, and why self-assessment holds attention in classrooms where advocacy loses it.
For educators, school leaders, and education policy audiences.
Political identity has more dimensions than one line can hold. This talk introduces the Political DNA framework, the 32 archetypes it produces, and what the results suggest about coalitions, persuasion, and the voters that pollsters keep miscounting.
For media, political, and general audiences.
Since 2017 Mike has led a nonprofit founded in 1985 through a rebuild of its systems and programs. This practical talk covers what he applied from Morning Star, including clear written agreements, distributed authority, and measuring what matters, and what he would do differently.
For nonprofit leaders, boards, and founders.
In person or virtual. Based in the Sacramento area and available to travel.
Email is the fastest path. Include the following and I will reply with availability and a rate if one applies.
Selected conference and event appearances. Podcasts and interviews are listed on the press page.
Libertarian National Committee reception, Dallas, TX
Speech on unifying the liberty movement, delivered alongside Dr. Mary Ruwart.
LibertyCon, Students For Liberty
Libertarian Party of California, 2019 Convention