{"id":107,"date":"2026-10-22T13:26:08","date_gmt":"2026-10-22T13:26:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/michaelmackniak.com\/?page_id=107"},"modified":"2026-10-22T13:26:08","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T13:26:08","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/michaelmackniak.com\/?page_id=107","title":{"rendered":"About Michael Mackniak, J.D."},"content":{"rendered":"\n<link rel=\"preconnect\" href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\"><link rel=\"preconnect\" href=\"https:\/\/fonts.gstatic.com\" crossorigin>\n<link href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=Belleza&#038;family=Source+Sans+Pro:ital,wght@0,400;0,600;0,700;1,400&#038;display=swap\" rel=\"stylesheet\">\n<style>\n\/* --- break out of Colibri container on this page --- *\/\nbody.page-id-107{background:#faf5fc}\nbody.page-id-107 #content,body.page-id-107 #content .h-section,body.page-id-107 #content .h-section-boxed-container,body.page-id-107 #content .h-row-container,body.page-id-107 #content 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h1{font-size:40px}.mm-page .mm-bio .wp-block-columns{flex-direction:column-reverse}.mm-page .mm-bio .wp-block-column{flex:none!important;width:100%!important}.mm-page .mm-news h2,.mm-page .mm-contact h2{font-size:27px}}\n<\/style>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull mm-page\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull mm-sec mm-title\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About Michael Mackniak, J.D.<\/h1>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull mm-sec mm-bio\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For more than 30 years, Michael Mackniak, J.D. has worked where mental-health care, law, hospitals, caregiving, fiduciary responsibility, and community systems collide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His work is driven by a clear conviction: when every part of a system completes its own task but no one takes responsibility for the whole person, families are left carrying the cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Michael is the author of three books, creator of the Guardian Model\u2122, and a leading voice behind the Care Coalition. His Top 50 U.S. mental-health podcast, Holding It Together (Kinda), pairs candid conversations with more than 25 practical Podcast Action Companions that help people move from insight to action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the center of his work are the Seven C\u2019s of coordinated care: client-centered, comprehensive, collaborative, communicative, consistent, committed, and coordinated. Together, they offer a practical standard for protecting dignity, restoring accountability, and improving outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Through speaking, advocacy, media, and coalition-building, Michael helps families, professionals, and leaders see the system clearly\u2014and build what works better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Join the Cracked Cup Coalition community on Discord: <a href=\"https:\/\/discord.gg\/2TCSdfNb\">https:\/\/discord.gg\/2TCSdfNb<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1100\" height=\"1430\" src=\"https:\/\/michaelmackniak.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/michael-mackniak-portrait.png\" alt=\"Michael Mackniak, J.D.\" class=\"wp-image-147\" srcset=\"https:\/\/michaelmackniak.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/michael-mackniak-portrait.png 1100w, https:\/\/michaelmackniak.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/michael-mackniak-portrait-231x300.png 231w, https:\/\/michaelmackniak.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/michael-mackniak-portrait-788x1024.png 788w, https:\/\/michaelmackniak.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/michael-mackniak-portrait-768x998.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1100px) 100vw, 1100px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull mm-sec mm-dark mm-news\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Get Michael\u2019s Briefing Before It Goes Public<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"mm-lead wp-block-paragraph\">Practical intelligence for families, caregivers, advocates, and leaders: new podcast conversations, action companions, and the ideas shaping better mental-health systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"mm-form\"><input type=\"text\" placeholder=\"First Name\" aria-label=\"First Name\" disabled><input type=\"email\" placeholder=\"Email Address\" aria-label=\"Email Address\" disabled><a class=\"mm-fbtn\" href=\"https:\/\/michaelmackniak.org\/\">Sign Up<\/a><p class=\"mm-note\">Sign-up form placeholder \u2014 connect MailerLite to activate.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull mm-sec mm-plain mm-contact\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Start a Conversation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For speaking engagements, podcast appearances, interviews, professional collaboration, or questions about Michael\u2019s work, send a message below. Please include the organization, opportunity, proposed date, and the best way to reach you.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"mm-form\"><label>Name<\/label><input type=\"text\" disabled><label>Email<\/label><input type=\"email\" disabled><label>Message<\/label><textarea disabled><\/textarea><a class=\"mm-fbtn\" href=\"https:\/\/michaelmackniak.org\/contact\">Submit<\/a><p class=\"mm-note\">Contact form placeholder \u2014 opens the contact page.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull mm-sec mm-dark mm-foot\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"mm-social\"><li><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><rect x=\"3\" y=\"3\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" rx=\"5\"\/><circle cx=\"12\" cy=\"12\" r=\"4\"\/><circle cx=\"17.5\" cy=\"6.5\" r=\".6\"\/><\/svg><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/carecoalition_byguardian\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Instagram<\/a><\/li><li><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><circle cx=\"12\" cy=\"12\" r=\"9\"\/><path d=\"M13 21v-7h2.5l.5-3H13V9.5c0-.9.3-1.5 1.6-1.5H16V5.3c-.3 0-1.2-.1-2.3-.1-2.3 0-3.7 1.4-3.7 3.9V11H7.5v3H10v7\"\/><\/svg><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/mmackniak1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Facebook<\/a><\/li><li><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><circle cx=\"12\" cy=\"12\" r=\"9\"\/><path d=\"M3 12h18M12 3c2.5 2.7 3.8 5.7 3.8 9s-1.3 6.3-3.8 9c-2.5-2.7-3.8-5.7-3.8-9S9.5 5.7 12 3z\"\/><\/svg><a href=\"https:\/\/www.holdingittogetherkinda.net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Holding It Together (Kinda) Podcast<\/a><\/li><li><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M14 3v11.5a3.5 3.5 0 1 1-3.5-3.5M14 3c.5 2.5 2.3 4 5 4\"\/><\/svg><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@care.coalition\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">TikTok<\/a><\/li><li><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M16 5v10a4 4 0 0 1-8 0M16 9a4 4 0 1 1-8 0 4 4 0 0 1 8 0z\"\/><\/svg><a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/author\/show\/15430446.Michael_Mackniak?from_search=true&amp;from_srp=true\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Goodreads<\/a><\/li><li><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><circle cx=\"12\" cy=\"12\" r=\"9\"\/><path d=\"M3 12h18M12 3c2.5 2.7 3.8 5.7 3.8 9s-1.3 6.3-3.8 9c-2.5-2.7-3.8-5.7-3.8-9S9.5 5.7 12 3z\"\/><\/svg><a href=\"https:\/\/discord.gg\/2TCSdfNb\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Discord<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u00a9 Michael Mackniak, J.D.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/michaelmackniak.org\/privacy\">Privacy Policy<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/michaelmackniak.org\/terms\">Terms of Service<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>About Michael Mackniak, J.D. For more than 30 years, Michael Mackniak, J.D. has worked where mental-health care, law, hospitals, caregiving, fiduciary responsibility, and community systems collide. His work is driven by a clear conviction: when every part of a system completes its own task but no one takes responsibility for the whole person, families are [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-107","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/michaelmackniak.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/107","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/michaelmackniak.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/michaelmackniak.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michaelmackniak.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michaelmackniak.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=107"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/michaelmackniak.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/107\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/michaelmackniak.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=107"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}