About Denise
A home for connection.
I’m Denise—writer, professor, mother, and intentional builder of belonging.
If the internet had a kitchen table, this would be mine—
a place to take a breath and reconnect with yourself,
your stories,
and the people you love.
My work centers on connection:
how it’s built, how it breaks,
and how we find our way back to one another.
I write about the moments that shape us—
as mothers, partners, daughters,
and humans navigating the changing seasons of a life.
I teach future educators how to build trust and belonging.
I research how relationships help learners thrive.
And I co-host Our Rough Draft,
a weekly conversation with my husband
about marriage, family, and the messy magic of becoming.
This is the home that holds all of it.
Come in. Stay a while.
There’s room for you here.
Listen
I hold space for quiet truths and deeper understanding.
Love
I start with care, presence, and curiosity.
Tell Stories
Because stories help us remember who we are.
The Mother Heard
Essays and reflections for women who want to reconnect—with themselves, their stories, and the people they love.
Our Rough Draft
A weekly podcast about marriage, family, becoming,
and the messy magic of everyday life.
Writing
Fiction and nonfiction in progress—
including Florence and the stories shaping my own becoming.
Teaching & Research
How belonging, teamwork, and connection help people grow. Where I teach, what I study, and the work behind the work.