I was born and spent my formative years in southwestern Ohio. After earning an undergraduate degree in philosophy at Ohio State University, I spent a short stint in law school. After it became evident that I was spending more time reading about the latest developments in aesthetics than studying case law and civil procedure, I decided that my hopes of being cured of the philosophy bug were close to zero. I left law school and worked odd jobs while getting materials together to apply for graduate school. From 2022-2024, I worked toward a master's degree at the University of Utah, completing my thesis project "Trembling and Unafraid: Aesthetic Value in the Sublime" under the supervision of Thi Nguyen. As of Autumn 2024, I am pursuing my PhD at the University of British Columbia.

Outside of philosophy, I enjoy writing music and fiction, playing games, everything 20th Century avant-garde and nurturing my fashion addiction at every thrift store I can get my hands on.

You can call me Rhiannon or Ryan (though I have a Rhiannon preference for new people). Either is fine. Students sometimes send me emails directed to "Dr. Michael" or "Professor Michael" and while neither of these are (yet, fingers crossed) accurate, I will graciously accept the compliment.