Biography

Welcome to my site! I hate talking about myself, but I guess the biographical overview on my own website will have to be an exception.

I’m a Catholic convert, #1 New York Times bestselling author, former White House speechwriter, historian, scholar, speaker, and classical pianist. I’m passionate about theology, philosophy, and history. I’m an advocate and defender of Christian civilization, and the Catholic Faith to which I intellectually converted in 2018, and formally converted (i.e. came into full communion with the Church) in 2019. My conversion story appears in the 2018 book, Mind, Heart, and Soul: Intellectuals and the Path to Rome, edited by Princeton professors Robert P. George, and R.J. Snell. My Confirmation Saint is St. Ignatius of Antioch, who was a disciple of the Apostles, and martyred in the Coliseum in AD 107. He opened my formerly protestant eyes to the reality and truth of the ancient Catholic Faith. I am writing an ongoing blog about my conversion, and the reasons for it, called Becoming Catholic.

My life’s goal is to become a Saint. In pursuit of that ultimate goal, my “career” goal is to “Make Wisdom Popular.” That ultimately means the highest wisdom—love of God—but includes every lesser wisdom as well, including philosophy, politics, history, etc. I endeavor to bring “the Great Tradition”—the wisdom of the great minds and heroes of human history, especially those of Christian civilization—to as many people as possible, especially the young. I am a passionate seeker of truth—both by studying original historical sources, and doing on-the-ground research around the world. I’ve learned the mainstream narrative is usually wrong; and the truth is more beautiful and gloriously unexpected—and occasionally much darker—than most of us realize.

I’ve authored and co-authored several bestselling books. My first book, The Original Argument: The Federalists’ Case for the Constitution (Simon & Schuster, 2011), was co-authored with Glenn Beck, and a #1 New York Times Bestseller. My second book, Liberty’s Secrets: The Lost Wisdom of America’s Founders (WND Books, 2015), was a #1 Amazon Bestseller in multiple categories. I also co-authored the book God, Israel, and You: The Scandalous Story of a Faithful God (WND Books, 2016). I served as the Concept Developer and Senior Editor for The Global Impact Bible (Museum of the Bible, 2017). On nearly every page, this “study Bible” illustrates the profound impact the Bible has had on art, politics, music, education, etc. through quotes, stories, and pictures. Likewise, I was the creator and Senior Editor of the Faith and Liberty Bible (American Bible Society, 2021), which similarly highlights the role of faith and Scripture in American history through quotes, stories, and pictures.

I was the editor of The War of the Antichrist with the Church and Christian Civilization (TAN, 2023), which is a republication of a book originally written by a priest, Msgr. George Dillon, in 1885. Though written nearly 140 years ago, its outline of the Freemasonic plot to de-Christianize the world reads like prophecy. It was endorsed by Pope Leo XIII. As editor, I added numerous explanatory footnotes throughout the work, corrected some minor errors in the original manuscript, and wrote an extensive introduction outlining the philosophy of Freemasonry, and the Church’s warnings about it.

With former White House colleague and fellow Catholic convert Alec Torres, I co-authored Persecuted from Within: How the Saints Endured Crises in the Church (Sophia Institute Press, 2023). We profile the lives of twelve Saints who were persecuted by forces within the Church, and reflect on the lessons their stories have for Catholics today.

A forthcoming book will be coauthored with Catholic theologian and protestant convert, Dr. Scott Hahn, called Built on Sand? The American Founding in the Shadow of Christendom (St. Paul Center, 2024). This book will provide an in-depth analysis of the American Founding from a Catholic perspective, praising the numerous salutary elements of the American order, while offering a strong theological, philosophical, and historical critique of other elements.

I’ve also authored or ghost-written speeches, books, and articles for various political, corporate, and non-profit clients. My work has appeared in outlets such as Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, The Christian Post, Salem Radio Network, CBN, Jerusalem Post, Times of Israel, The Federalist, The Stream, Washington Times, WND, PragerU, The Blaze, Catholic Vote, Regnery Publishing, and others. Some of the clients and projects have been with organizations such as Simon & Schuster, the American Bible Society, Advancing American Freedom, the Reagan Library, the Faith and Liberty Discovery Center, Hobby Lobby, Worthy Books, Philos Project, WND Books, TAN Books, Sophia Institute Press, St. Paul Center, the Jerusalem Institute of Justice, William Jessup University, Ambassador Advertising, K-Love Radio, Gatestone Institute, Middle East Forum, Mercury Radio Arts, Rotary Club, Thomas More College, Ashland University, Colorado Christian University, Regent University, Eagle Forum, and others.

While at the White House, I was asked by the President’s Advisory 1776 Commission to contribute to The 1776 Report, which was released in January 2021.

I hold an undergraduate degree in Piano Performance (I’m a concert pianist who has performed throughout the US and Europe, including for two Supreme Court Justices), an MA in Government with a certificate in Global Politics, and a J.D. (law degree). I was an Israel Experience Scholar, a Tikvah Fellow, and a member of the Council for National Policy. I also serve as the Pope Leo XIII Fellow of Catholic Teaching on Capitalism, Socialism, and Communism at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Florida, and as a scholar on the Scholar Advisory Board of the American Bible Society’s “Faith and Liberty Discovery Center” in Philadelphia.

I am based out of the Sacramento, California region.

Many of my friends describe me as a “Renaissance Man.” In truth, I find happiness in only a few things: faith, family, friends, books, and travel (I’ve been to every continent except Antarctica).