Surviving Spirit

10/07/2026

Author Appearance - The Toadstool Bookshop, Keene, NH - Lessons Learned from Trauma and Abuse - Healing with Music, Nature and Love.

Please join me folks, thank you!!

Please note, Yale University, New Haven CT, honored my book on September 30, 2026, The Alliance for Rights & Recovery, NY gave me an award on September 24, 2026 for what I do as a musician, author and advocate and Portland University, Portland OR, has added my book to their library. The Lunchbox Theory: Lessons Learned from Trauma and Abuse - https://www.mskinnermusic.com/book

Author Appearance - The Toadstool Bookshop - Keene, NH

Saturday, October 10, 2026
11:00 AM 12:00 PM
The Toadstool Bookshop - 12 Emerald S Keene, NH 03431

Lessons Learned from Trauma and Abuse - Healing with Music, Nature and Love. Thriving, Not Just Surviving

Join us for a thoughtful and supportive presentation with author and musician Michael Skinner. Michael will share from his newly released memoir and reflect on lessons learned in healing from trauma, abuse, and mental health challenges, alongside vital statistics and personal insight.

The presentation will include a short reading, music woven throughout, and time for conversation and questions. This event is best suited for adults.

This presentation is designed to be trauma-informed, choice-centered, and community-focused.

Michael Skinner presents and signs "Lunchbox Theory" @ Keene, NH The Toadstool Bookshop - https://toadbooks.com/event/2026-10-10/keene-michael-skinner-presents-and-signs-lunchbox-theory

Welcome to our new website! We're excited to see you. *** RETURNING USERS WILL NEED TO RESET THEIR PASSWORD FOR THIS NEW SITE. CLICK HERE TO RESET YOUR PASSWORD.*** Close this alert

10/04/2026

Thoughts to share:
How will I know that I have succeeded?
If I love more times than I hate
If I give more times than I take
If I forgive more times than I judge
If I cherish more times than I forsake
If I help more times than I hinder
If I heal more times than I harm
If I empathize more times than I criticize
If I listen more times than I speak
If I nurture more times than I neglect
If I create more times than I destroy
If I unite more times than I divide
If I appreciate more times than I overlook
If I encourage more times than I discourage
If I hope more times than I despair
If I learn more times than I remain ignorant
And if I understand more times than I resent. - Tahlia Hunter

–

Discover Michael Skinner’s journey of hope through his memoir "The Lunchbox Theory", his music, and advocacy. Engage with inspiring stories, events, and resources for healing and resilience.

09/28/2026

Thriving, Not Just Surviving: Healing with Music, Nature, and Love with author Michael Skinner - Plaistow Public Library - Tuesday, September 29, 2026,6:00 PM 7:00 PM

A thoughtful and supportive presentation with author and musician Michael Skinner. Michael will share from his newly released memoir "The Lunchbox Theory" and reflect on lessons learned in healing from trauma, abuse, and mental health challenges, alongside vital statistics and personal insight. The 45 minute presentation will include a short reading, music woven throughout, and fifteen minutes [more if needed] for conversation and questions. This event is best suited for adults. Copies of Skinner's book will be available for purchase at the event.

This presentation is designed to be trauma-informed, choice-centered, and community-focused.

Thriving, Not Just Surviving: Healing with Music, Nature, and Love with author Michael Skinner. A thoughtful and supportive presentation with author and musician Michael Skinner. Michael will share from his newly released memoir

09/22/2026

Hi folks, if you're in the Albany, NY area, do attend this incredible conference - The Alliance for Rights and Recovery - Our Movement, Our Moment . This is my 25th year performing, hosting the Open Mic and part of two panel presentations. Lots of outstanding workshops and keynotes. Hope to see you there!! More info posted at my website at Events and via The Alliance for Rights and Recovery website.

The Art of Recovery Workshop with Gayle Bluebird, Bluebird Consulting; Sharon Wise, Wise Workz; Michael Skinner, Surviving Spirit; Bryant Pugh, Mental Health Empowerment Project; Moderator: Andrea Wagner, NYS Office of Mental Health

09/19/2026

Another five star review, ten now!! If you have read the book and feel inclined, please do leave a review. Thank you, Michael

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1963714091?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback

09/15/2026

Hi folks, if you're in the Lakes Region of NH,

Please join me:

Author Visit - Michael Skinner - Meredith Public Library - https://meredithlibrary.libcal.com/event/17135601?more

Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026

Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

91 Main Street Meredith, NH 03253 | Phone: (603) 279-4303

Presentation outline:
Healing with Music, Nature and Love. Thriving, Not Just Surviving
Join us for a thoughtful and supportive presentation with author and musician Michael Skinner. Michael will share from his newly released memoir and reflect on lessons learned in healing from trauma, abuse, and mental health challenges, alongside vital statistics and personal insight.

The 45 minute presentation will include a short reading, music woven throughout, and time for conversation and questions. This event is best suited for adults.

This presentation is designed to be trauma-informed, choice-centered, and community-focused.

Michael Skinner will visit the library on Thursday, September 17 to discuss his book The Lunchbox Theory: Lessons Learned from Trauma and Abuse which is a deeply personal memoir...

09/03/2026

What Does Thriving Actually Look Like After Child Abuse — Michael Skinner • Author • Musician • Advocate

UnBroken: Better Male Survivors Podcast - A heartfelt, poignant, and reflective conversation with host Thomas Edward featuring guest Michael Skinner, a male survivor of childhood sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, discussing his healing journey and what thriving looks like after trauma. Michael shared his story of abuse by both parents, his escape through music, and his advocacy and memoir, "The Lunchbox Theory: Lessons Learned from Trauma and Abuse"

-

 Author • Musician • Advocate - Explore Healing and Find Strength in Resilience. How Michael Skinner survived child abuse and neglect through Music, Nature and Love.  

08/31/2026

Sad but true...that's why in my book I have shared it's 'mental health injuries' caused by the trauma and abuse one has experienced.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17SGKKPooy/

Understand pathologisation in 60 seconds - labelling traumatised and abused people as mentally ill benefits MANY more people and systems than validating the trauma and abuse as real. This is not an accident or coincidence.

08/29/2026

Hey folks, please check out this gracious post about my book by Richard Nunes on FB.

Good morning to all my bookies and friends. Books pictured were taken at the Historic Little Red Schoolhouse in the Cedarville section of Plymouth. It was built as a one room school in 1873 and now serves as a local community and cultural meeting place .
Books read in the past week.

1) The Lunchbox Theory by Michael Skinner. A must read for anyone who cares about children and people. A sometimes disturbing tale of childhood abuse and its aftermath years later.

2)A Year of Marvelous Ways by Sarah Winman . A big hearted novel about the friendship between an old woman’s the end of her life and a young man at the beginning of his.
3) Look What You Made Me Do by John Lanchester . Definitely a difficult book to define. It’s a black comedy between generations which at some point lost me.
4) Crucible by John Sayles. When a historical novel also teaches thins you might not have known, the author has done his job.
5) The Floating Opera by John Barth. It’s a hoot to go back to favorite writers from many decades ago and enjoy them all over again.
6) Western Star The Life and Legend of Larry McMurtry by David Streitfeld . Some may my penchant for reading books on famous and not so famous writers. McMurtry falls under the famous banner.