Dude Talk Dinners Buena Vista

I’ve been living and working in the Buena Vista area in the mental health field since 2023. I enjoy biking, photography, hiking, and music, as well as settling in with a history book at the library when it gets too hot or rainy.

I have a passion for, and experience in, group work and men’s work, and I’m involved with the Chamber of Commerce, the BV Library, and the Chaffee Mental Health Coalition. Dude Talk Dinners brings those threads together: a regular table where men in the valley can slow down, share a meal, and talk honestly about what’s going on in their lives. I’m glad to help set that table here in Buena Vista, and I also serve as Secretary of the Dude Talk Dinners board.

Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, I found my way to Buena Vista, Colorado, alongside my fiancée, Terah, when we took a leap of faith and moved here to build a life closer to the outdoors. I love spending long days in the mountains, whether hiking, trail running, mountain biking, or skiing, and feel incredibly fortunate to have all of it right outside our door. Terah and I will get married here in Buena Vista in the summer of 2027, and I’ve come to appreciate that what makes this place home isn’t just the landscape. It’s the people and the community we’ve found here.

While I value the solitude and perspective I find outdoors, I’ve come to believe that meaningful connection with other people is just as essential to a healthy life. For much of my career, I’ve worked in the nonprofit mental health and suicide prevention field, including my work with Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners, where I’ve seen firsthand how isolation can impact people’s lives. If there’s one lesson that work has reinforced time and time again, it’s that connection matters. It doesn’t solve every challenge we face, but feeling seen, supported, and connected to others can make a profound difference.

That’s what drew me to Dude Talk Dinners. I love the simplicity of the idea: ordinary people gathering around a table once a month to share a meal, have real conversations, and build relationships within their community. In a world where many people feel increasingly disconnected, creating spaces for authentic conversation and belonging feels more important than ever.

I’m also a co-owner of TerraForm Sauna in Buena Vista. While many people initially come for the benefits of hot and cold exposure, what often keeps them coming back is the community they find there. In an increasingly digital world, watching friendships form and connections grow has reinforced my belief that strong communities are built through intentional spaces for simple, human connection.

Of all the places I’ve lived, Buena Vista feels most like home. I’m grateful to be part of this community and honored to help create a space where men can build meaningful relationships, support one another, and experience the power of genuine connection.