MEET TOAD!

I go by many names... Edgar Allen Toad, Channing Toddum, Tater Todd, Todd Cruise, and Todnado when I'm swirling up controversy. They dubbed me Hairy Todder at the School of Wizardry I attended, where I gained notoriety for being an up-and-coming story wizard with a penchant for troublemaking, ultimately leading to my expulsion. They call me Todd-Da when I'm performing my mind-altering magic acts on stage and Tik Tod when I'm tearing up dance floors in music videos. I've even earned the label as the Todd-Father from the Feds for the charity work I've done with struggling organized crime families and homeless cartels. But mostly, I go by my nickname TOAD, which originated from my name (Todd) and my unusually small size as a kid (think small like a Toad). 

 People sometimes ask, “Who calls themselves Toad?”
They once said the same thing about Apple Computers.
Like the fruit?

Or Walmart, what to do they sell there, walls?
Never underestimate someone who thinks different. You may regret it. 

 Glad you asked. I got my education from three very different places… 

And none of them were boring. 

First, my FORMAL EDUCATION is both broad and diverse, comprising three college degrees alongside a high school diploma from one of New York City's premier Catholic boys' schools, Mount St. Michael. During my time there, I was part of a student body that was predominantly students of color, with white students being in the minority. This composition was a direct reflection of the school's deep commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion, a principle that held significant weight during a period marked by heightened racial tensions both within New York City and across the United States. The mission of Mount St. Michael extended far beyond mere academic excellence; it was an environment that encouraged acceptance, personal growth, and the development of maturity. The school was dedicated to shaping us into healthy, well-rounded individuals who were service-oriented leaders, instilling in us the values of love, helpfulness, and a profound sense of community responsibility. 

Second, my INFORMAL EDUCATION, or my education from the streets,  includes a B.S. in B-S (bull-shitting and creativity) and a Master's Degree in Bad Times from the prestigious Street Corners of New York City. I hold a 14th-degree Bronx Irish Green Belt in drinking (fully retired) and a Grand-Master status for my creation of the Mental Arts self-defense systems, Todd-Fu and Sin-Jitsu. 

Lastly, I feel I was educated through the wild WORLD OF FILM. During my my teenage years I watched the Bronx transition from a place that famously burned in the 70s with anger to one that boiled with issues like drugs, gangs, crime and murder in the 80s. To try to keep me out of trouble, my older sister who worked at a neighborhood video store allowed me to borrow and watch an unlimited number of movies. With ten to twelve movies out at a time, my sister thought she would get canned if the owner found out. And even today, I recognize the profound impact all those films, particularly movies from the "message movie era," had on my life. They provided me with invaluable real-world knowledge of life and history and served as a huge source of inspiration to strive for better outcomes. As I grew older, my enduring love for cinema and its ability to convey compelling stories enabled me to think beyond the conventional and explore uncharted territories.

 I believe creativity begins with curiosity. I’ve spent most of my life observing the world around me, studying people, stories, movies, street-life, history, and human behavior, and weaving all of it into something new. My approach isn’t about chasing trends or copying what’s popular. It’s about asking, “What's different?”

That mindset shapes everything I create. While I usually shy away from familiar genres, Dracilla sparked something different in me because it felt fresh, a chance to blend supernatural mythology with my own urban experiences. My stories often move back and forth between imagination and reality. They let real-world experiences influence fiction while fictional ideas reflect back into everyday life.

At the heart of it all, I don’t just write to repeat familiar stories. I write to explore new ones.

The use of "Fighting" in "Fighting Irish" not only embodies the spirit of resilience and determination at the University of Notre Dame but also pays tribute to the enduring history of the Irish people. Throughout the ages, the Irish have confronted various adversities and challenges.

While my Irish heritage is just part of my identity, I've carried that fighting spirit with me all my life. My noticeably small stature during childhood made me a prime target for bullies. It was during my  youngest years that I quickly learned to stand up for myself. Regardless of the odds stacked against me or the size of my adversaries, I was determined to defend myself and often enjoyed the challenge. 

Unfortunately, at around ten years old, my encounters with bullies took a much darker, more sinister turn. Growing up on the streets of the Bronx during one of the bloodiest periods in New York City’s history was frightening enough, but what came next changed my life. At times, a grown man would randomly call our house for the sole purpose of hurling vile, sexual harassment at me over the phone.

The chilling realization that “a man in the van” was somewhere outside our front door, possibly waiting for me, forced me to grow up faster than I should have. And I decided that I would never, ever allow myself to be an easy target for anyone out to hurt me. So after school, I often found myself shadow-boxing alone, copying the moves I had seen in Rocky and the Bruce Lee movies, turning fear and anger into motion and confidence. I became nearly fearless, ready to throw punches with almost anyone who tested me. 

Looking back now, that traumatic experience didn’t just build my confidence as a scrappy teenager. It ignited a real desire to become a boxer. But life had other plans. My path veered far from that street-kid dream, twisting into a turbulent young adulthood marked by heavy drinking, wild nights, and total immersion in chaos.

It's hard to fathom, I’ve been in around a hundred fights in my life, yet I never once stepped into a actual ring. Still, I believe I earned the right to call myself what I became.

 A fighter… first in life, then in my books. 

While you will probably never see me on stage pretending to be a comedian, I am a true jokester at heart. Growing up on the streets of New York toughened me, both physically and mentally. But beneath my thick toad skin, I find real joy in entertaining others and making people laugh.

I do not discriminate. I make fun of everyone equally. And my favorite target for jokes and roasting is myself, because I poke fun at me first and far more than anyone else.

“I will gladly throw myself to the lions if it means making Rome cheer.”
— Toad McGee

 As a self-certified, toadally unlicensed, all-natural Smile Doctor, I specialize in controlled chaos and weaponized laughter. My treatments combat the everyday heavy hitters: depression, boredom, burnout, and the soul-crushing effect of too much recycled content. No pills. No scripts. Just raw humor, wild creativity, and a Bronx-bred commitment to lifting spirits by any means necessary.  If you’re feeling better already, my work here is done. If not, don’t worry. Side effects may include smiling without permission, sudden optimism, and an uncontrollable urge to come back for more. 

When combined, all my talents, abilities, and life experiences make me a mighty little force who brings bad-ass, kick-ass, wickedly twisted, and on occasion, hilarious entertainment. 

Whether I am writing fiction, tales from my crazy life adventures, or reimagining myself as a comic book superhero, most people usually agree that they have never heard anything close to what I bring to the family dinner table. And I would be lying if I said some people would not puke me right out.

As of now, my book and movie story bank is bubbling with a nice stack of feisty concepts that I hope will someday entertain the masses. I can't promise everyone will like my stories, but I find comfort in creating entertainment some people should find highly original in often unoriginal times.  

 “Love him or hate him, he wrote good stories,” the guide said during our tour of the Hemingway estate. I hope someday the same can be said about me.