Richardson's background is in Persuasion Theory, with a Master of Arts from California State University at Fullerton. He earned a PhD. from the University of Southern California with a dissertation in hostage negotiating. In 1975, Richardson wrote and directed "A Wild Boar in the Vineyard," on the life of Martin Luther, the German reformer. The play won first prize from the Inland Theater League in Southern California. He currently owns a market research company in Cleveland, Tennessee.