As the Executive Director of The Date Safe Project, Mike works with schools and communities throughout the United States of America and Canada in producing educational initiatives raising awareness around the many issues surrounding healthy dating. 

In 2003, he wrote the critically-acclaimed book May I Kiss You? and followed up next with the inspirational book Voices of Courage.  In 2005, he produced the "Pledge for Action" campaign which continues to grow in popularity and impact.  In 2006, experts praised his innovative, yet simple approach to teaching consent in the creation of the "Do You Ask?" educational poster series for schools.

Why does Mike have such an intense passion and drive to share with both  parents and students? In 1989, he received a phone call that his sister had been raped. As he held the phone tightly to his ears, he simply could not believe what he was hearing. Mike saw and experienced first-hand the devastation sexual assault brings to the survivor and their family.  To this day, he has never forgotten the look on his Mom and Dad's faces when he first saw them after the assault. They looked as if someone had sucked the life right out of them.

Mike became determined to protect other teenagers and their families from ever having to experience the tragedy and trauma of rape and sexual violence.  He decided to make a difference by creating a safe approach to dating for teenagers and adults!

As he researched the issue of respect, healthy dating, and sexual assault, he constantly heard students complaining that most seminars were boring, depressing, and were not realistic.  No one (including parents) was actually telling teenagers "How EXACTLY to do the right thing" with a system they could realistically apply in their own lives. 

At the same time, parents shared with Mike that there is no manual for having these talks with your teenager. Consequently, most parents just "wing it" according to what their parents said to them at the same age (even though many people admit their own parents were not comfortable or very effective at having these talks).  What is the result?  Very vague conversations which fail to inspire major changes in a teenager's outlook regarding respect, communication, personal safety, sexual boundaries, and their entire outlook on dating and "hooking up."

Mike was determined to create significant and long-lasting change.  With his background in theatre, he created "Can I Kiss You?" (in 1990) - a fun, interactive, and thought-provoking program that provides students with a detailed "how to" discussion on all of these dating issues.  The popularity and impact of his one-man educational program has grown so strong over the years that Mike annually speaks in over 85 cities across North America.

After seeing Mike speak in their teenager's schools, parents were constantly asking him over the years, "When are you going to create  a DVD?  We desperately need this information and your approach is the only one I've ever seen that engaged both me and my teenager on this issue."  In April of 2007, Mike released the Help! My Teen is Dating.  Real Solutions to Tough Conversations DVD/book set.  The incredible reviews, endorsements, and praise continue to flow in for this entire DVD package.

What makes Mike so effective in connecting with both parents and teenagers?  He has a unique combination of using hilarious humor balanced with hard-hitting emotion.  He is straight-forward and to the point.  Plus, his passion is contagious.  As you listen to him and watch him, you find yourself eager to start the conversation with your own teenagers. 

Parents love how he speaks to you at your level (not talking down to students or parents).  Males and females from all cultures and backgrounds appreciate Mike's sincerity and honesty.  While he presents one of the "cleanest" programs, he holds nothing back when he shares with you.  He reveals a new and fun approach towards respect that will change each parent's and teenager's outlook on dating and intimacy. 

Sometimes people will ask Mike, "How do you have so much energy to do so many presentations around the country?"  His motivation is simple.  Ever since the sexual assault of his sister, Mike has committed himself to creating societal change across our continent.  He knows the #1 way to reduce sexual violence is to increase healthy relationships and teach the concept of healthy intimacy at the earliest of stages - teenagers!!

Mike does have one more huge motivation.  As the father of 4 boys, he is determined to raise his sons in a much healthier atmosphere and world, a place where they and their partners will truly be treated equally in their relationships.