About Dr. Dennis Stevens

Founder of Penelope Mimetics LLC & Conway Cultural Development Corporation
Author, Sacred Descent of the Warrior | Founder of SEMPERGEIST

About Dennis Stevens, Ed.D.

My work here addresses the crisis of civic trust and shared meaning in America as neurotechnology, AI, technocracy, and technopoly reshape what it means to be human. I create frameworks and lead communities of practice for ethical leadership in unprecedented times.

Background: U.S. Coast Guard veteran and narrative philosopher with a doctorate from Teachers College, Columbia University. I bring a multidisciplinary lens to projects spanning art, science, AI, and systems change.

Core Belief: Democracy is a living architecture that we must cultivate. When neglected, weeds grow, as do polarization, mistrust, cynicism, and apathy– the biggest risk is nihlism. When cultivated with courage, curiosity, and moral imagination, it becomes fertile ground for trust and new possibilities.

Ten threads run through this work:

+ Polarization as myth and meaning

+ Fighting misinformation with moral imagination

+ Civic renewal through dialogue, not just debate

+ Ethical governance of AI and digital platforms

+ Re-enchanting journalism as a public trust

+ Emotional and narrative self-regulation as civic practice

+ Cultivating the virtues that democracy demands

+ Community as a living civic lab

+ Leadership as a moral archetype (not simply authority)

+ Soul science for the civic spirit

This isn’t about easy answers or polite performance. It’s about showing up, fully human, in spaces that can hold conflict honestly and transform it into new interpretive understanding.

If you're seeking a speaker, advisor, or collaborator for projects, I’m happy to connect with like-minded leaders, communities, and organizations.

About SEMPERGEIST

SEMPERGEIST is a mission-driven platform and community of practice that equips educators, civic leaders, and engaged citizens with tools, training, and actionable resources for building civic trust, ethical AI governance, and resilient communities. Through online spaces, practical toolkits, and ongoing thought leadership, SEMPERGEIST empowers members to bridge divides, foster dialogue, and lead meaningful civic innovation.

America cannot bridge its divides or create new shared meaning without cultivating both the emotional intelligence to engage across differences and the moral imagination to envision what’s possible together.

Dennis brings a unique blend of philosophical depth, practical frameworks, and engaging storytelling to every collaboration—empowering organizations and communities to lead with courage, clarity, and imagination.