Before graduating from Arizona State University (ASU) in 2019 with a B.S. in Digital Audiences, I freelanced under the moniker Manic Theory, working as a Brand Strategist for grassroots organizations, indie artists, and socially conscious businesses. While I valued the impact of that work, I found myself grappling with deeper moral and existential questions—particularly around environmental degradation and our collective responsibility.

That persistent call for meaning led me to philosophy and to a lifelong inquiry into knowledge, identity, and the systems that shape us. I began holding uncomfortable conversations, reading widely, and questioning not just the world around me, but the ways our individual and collective identities are formed, divided, and transformed.

In 2023, I completed my second degree in Philosophy at ASU, focusing on epistemology, mind, and technology. My research included a Google-funded scholarship in AI ethics, exploring generative AI, art, and identity at the Lincoln Center of Applied Ethics. Since then, I’ve continued independent studies in psychology, sociology, media, and business, always with an eye toward innovation and social liberation.
 

Today, I’m based in Atlanta, GA, working as a philosopher and innovation ally. My mission is to make philosophical, critical, and creative thinking accessible to all—especially to the next generation. I’m currently launching several projects, including my new platform, There For I Am, which brings together my course (The Sense Method), community events, and advocacy work. This new space is where I explore how philosophy and innovation can help us reimagine education, equality, and connection in a rapidly changing world.

If you’re interested in my latest work, events, or collaborations, check out what I’m up to below, email me at sam@therefori.am, or follow @samthereforiam on all major platforms.