Andrea M. Slominski, Ph.D., is a women’s therapeutic midlife and menopause coach, speaker, and author. She went back to school at fifty-five and earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in women’s psychology and mythology, focusing on the triple transformation women must navigate in midlife. Her coaching method is based on archetypal and depth psychology. In her Ph.D. research, Andrea identified the new life stage for women over the past 120 years, including perimenopause, midlife, menopause, and post-menopause. She names this new life stage from ages 45-70+ “Regency” and identifies it as women’s new power years.

Andreas Deja is known for his rich portraits of villainy, having animated Gaston in Beauty and the Beast, Jafar in Aladdin, and Scar in The Lion King. Andreas was first assigned to The Black Cauldron, working on visual development alongside Tim Burton, but he soon moved on to animate many of the film’s characters. After working on The Great Mouse Detective, he traveled to London to animate Roger Rabbit in Who Framed Roger Rabbit. He animated Mickey Mouse for the 1990 featurette The Prince and the Pauper, a character he returned to for Runaway Brain (1995) and Fantasia 2000. 

Angela van Breemen is a graduate of the University of Guelph with a degree in management economics and was a co-owner of a dental supply company. After the company was sold, she turned her focus to writing, music, and volunteering her time at Procyon Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, located in Beeton, Ontario. Her first novel, Past Life’s RevengI, a crime thriller with a twist of spiritualism, was released in July 2024.
       
Angela belongs to the Wordsmiths based out of Alliston, Ontario, is a member of the Crime Writers of Canada and the South Simcoe Arts Council. Music and poetry have been an integral part of her life and in April 2024 she launched her debut album, In The Breeze. Celtic in nature, it includes three original pieces of music, based on her poetry. Angela is a Soprano Soloist. A firm believer in giving back to the community, she loves to sing for different charitable organizations. She lives in Loretto, Ontario.

Anya Achtenberg is an award-winning fiction writer/poet whose publications include Blue Earth (novel); The Stories of Devil-Girl (novella); poetry collections The Stone of Language; I Know What the Small Girl Knew; individual works in many literary magazines, including Harvard Review; Gargoyle Magazine; Tupelo Quarterly; Beltway Poetry Quarterly; Poet Lore. Awards/distinctions received include Southern Poetry Review, Another Chicago Magazine, Coppola’s Zoetrope: All-Story, New Letters, Raymond Carver Story Contest, and Minnesota State Arts Board. Completing: novel History Artist, with an ensemble of characters centered around a young Cambodian woman born at the moment the U.S. invasion begins; poetry collection, land in water rise in flame. Her blog Writing in Upheaval explores her organic approach to writing craft that expands creativity, counters historical amnesia, examines how trauma and narration connect, and how history sits in us. 

With an eye on creativity, Ben Harl is a storyteller at heart. He has spent his life writing music, short stories, poetry, and novels. Ben moved his passion for storytelling from the page to the screen, learning the craft of filmmaking through trial and error (and a huge amount of help from fellow local filmmakers!). As owner and Creative Director of Silver Compass Studios, Ben has written, directed, and produced several award-winning short films and is in post-production on his first feature film, a documentary about the afterlife.

Bill Abernathy has embarked on an exceptional journey, courageously navigating through the ebbs and flows of his musical and corporate life. Rising from humble beginnings, he has persistently pushed beyond the ordinary, challenging the status quo and dismantling long-standing stereotypes. In 2017, Abernathy's musical passion ignited with the release of his album "Find A Way," indelibly inscribing his unique signature on the vast tapestry of music. His pivotal track, "Goodbye Will Never Come Again," ascended to the zenith of the Roots Music Chart, signaling the inception of a truly extraordinary musical journey.

Abernathy's music has permeated the globe, amassing streams from countless devoted listeners. His authentic voice, genuine songwriting, and masterful storytelling have nurtured a long-lasting bond with his audience, carving a niche for him in the hearts of music lovers across the world.

Buffy BRATT is a transgender rapper/singer who writes, records, and produces all her own music. From Los Angeles, CA, Buffy was Ms. August from the Angels of Change 2014 calendar. She has released 4 Eps, the  first being “My Mind To Yours” in 2018, followed by the self-titled “Buffy Bratt.” Her Ep was “The Addicted Type,” followed by “Hollywood BRATZ,” and “Rotten Candy” in 2022. Her BRAND NEW 6TH EP is titled “A Different Type Of Gangster;” it will be available February 2024. All Eps are available on YouTube, YouTube Music, Instagram, Facebook, Audiomack, SoundCloud RapChat, and by 2024, they should all be on every streaming platform, including iTunes.

Cheryl Murphy is an accomplished Evidential Medium and Psychic who has studied metaphysics for over 20 years. She has oriented her practice as a spiritual medium towards channeling departed loved ones and helping people make life’s important decisions. Cheryl is an ordained minister, certified hypnotherapist, and a Health and Wellness Intuitive. She founded The Healing Prayer Circle and is a contributing author to ‘The Last Breath: True Stories of Mediumship, the Afterlife & Messages from Heaven.’ Cheryl aims to connect people with their inner light and intuitive abilities. Sign up for Cheryl's FREE Intuitive Psychic Abilities Test at www.mediumcheryl.com Cheryl also has a podcast of her own, titled: Seeing Beyond: Living Transformed.

In addition to being the creator and author of the Disney Mysteries, "Hidden Mickey," author of top-rated tennis and golf instructional books, and many others, Dave Smith is a keynote speaker, hall of fame Inductee, a musician in two bands, a magician and is the owner of the United Racquet Club, the largest combined tennis & pickleball club in the U.S. He has appeared on multiple podcasts, webinars, and shows.
Learn more about David Smith at the links below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0EdEG9thck
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iB32gCiTnf4

Dave Zaboski is the co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Laetro.com, a tech-enabled community of the world’s finest creatives serving enterprise customers with best in class design services. He is a classically trained painter and was an animator at Disney, Sony and Warner Bros. during the Second Golden Age of Animation. He worked on “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Lion King,” “Pocahontas,” “Aladdin,” “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” “Hercules,” “Fantasia 2000,” and others. He has illustrated several acclaimed children’s books, including titles for Dr. Ken Dychtwald, Dr. Deepak Chopra, finance guru Ric Edelman and actor Paul Michael Glaser.

Debbie Heisler is a dedicated author known for her impactful works, including "Faith In The Middle" and "Whispers of Healing and Hope Grief Journal." Recognized as the USA Today 2023 Woman of the Year for the State of Utah, she is a passionate grief coach who provides support and guidance to those navigating loss. As the Regional Director for The Grandparents Community Network, Debbie actively advocates for families in need. She is also the Co-Founder of the Blue Butterfly House Supervised Visitation Center of Southern Utah, a vital resource for families facing challenges. A survivor of domestic violence, Debbie's journey informs her compassionate approach to helping others heal and find hope.

Denise Pyles is a mindfulness coach and the author of "Burn Without Burning Out: 7 Micro-Mindfulness Habits for Clear Thinking, Decisive Action, and Recovery from Burnout.” Her mission is to empower others to find nurturing stillness within a distracted world. With over 35,000 hours of mindfulness practice and a background as a former nun, Denise brings depth and insight into the world of mindfulness. Specializing in creating practical micro-mindfulness techniques, she serves as a guide for professionals in high-stress, high-performance fields like tech. Denise has crafted a unique approach that blends deep-rooted mindfulness practices with real-world applicability, offering valuable tools for managing stress, improving productivity, and cultivating resilience amidst the pressures of fast-paced careers and life transitions.

Don Hahn produced the classic Beauty and the Beast, the first animated film to receive a Best Picture nomination from the Motion Picture Academy. His next film, The Lion King, broke box-office records all over the world to become the top-grossing traditionally animated film of all time and a long-running blockbuster Broadway musical. Hahn served as associate producer on the landmark motion picture Who Framed Roger Rabbit. His other films: The Hunchback of Notre Dame, the 2006 short The Little Matchgirl (which earned Hahn his second Oscar® nomination), Maleficent, and Burton’s Frankenweenie, as well as the Disneynature films Earth, Oceans, African Cats, and Chimpanzee. Hahn has also authored three books on the art of animation, including the 2008 book, The Alchemy of Animation, which provides the definitive account of how animated films are created in the modern age.

Ed has worked extensively as a supervisor and lead on top-flight television projects and animated features. (Most often, people in the cartoon business spend most of their working lives on one side of the animation divide or the other.)

Mr. Ghertner, a graduate of Cal Arts, started his time in the industry working as an animator for Ralph Bakshi, then traveled to Disney, where he worked as a layout artist on The Great Mouse Detective. From there, he segued into television work, being among the first hires at a new studio called Film Roman (the entity that produces The Simpsons.) He’s been zig-zagging back and forth ever since.
Ed served as supervising layout artist on Beauty and the Beast and continued working in similar capacities on the Disney features Lion King, Mulan, and Hunchback of Notre Dame. He’s written a book how-to about composing and designing environments for animated features, and today, he works on prime-time television shows.

Elizabeth Suggs is the co-owner of the indie publisher Collective Tales Publishing, owner of Editing Mee, and is the author of a growing number of award-winning published stories, one of which was part of an Amazon Bestseller collection. She is also a book reviewer, popular bookstagramer, and cosplayer. When she’s not writing or reading, she’s playing video and board games or making cookies.

Evan McDermod is a poet, tarot reader, and the dynamic host of The Fifth Dimension. With a passion for spirituality and creativity, Evan’s work is dedicated to guiding individuals on a transformative journey of self-discovery. Through evocative poetry and insightful tarot readings, he helps others reconnect with their true selves and embark on their own hero's journey. Evan’s mission is to inspire personal growth and spiritual awakening, fostering a deeper understanding of one's purpose and potential. His holistic approach blends artistic expression with spiritual exploration, offering a unique pathway to self-realization and empowerment.

Glenda Benevides is an esteemed award-winning singer-songwriter, a healer, an author, and an altruist with a career that spans decades. Her music, described as the soulful synthesis of Heart, Janis Joplin, and Bessie Smith, resonates with power, emotion, and authenticity. A Recording Academy voting member and Grammy-considered artist, Glenda's songs weave narratives that touch the soul, captivate audiences with emotionally moving performances while exploring the complexities of life, love, and personal experience. Beyond her music, Glenda is a passionate advocate for environmental causes and the empowering force behind the Goddess Movement.

After graduating from Art Center College of Design in 1982, Greg Spalenka moved to New York City and began illustrating for America’s most prominent publishers of books, magazines, and newspapers. Two decades later, he worked as a concept designer on feature CG animated and live-action films such as The Ant Bully, The Golden Compass, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader,  and Escape From Planet Earth. He considers himself a cross-disciplinary artist who loves to work in different mediums, from high touch to high tech, paint to pixels, photography to film, books to music. He founded the educational service, Artist As Brand, to inspire and nurture art career sustainability. Living in Santa Fe, NM with wife/artist/botanical perfumer Roxana Villa of lluminated Perfume keeps him in tune with his essential nature and is always a creative adventure.

Jay J. Levy is a writer, director, and location scout, doing each with equal passion and precision. "Dirty Magazines" was his first breakout short film that won a number of Best Film and Best Short nods. Unnerving comedy with a serious undertone seems to be the voice at play. An absurd new web series, "The Poster Pickers," is also available as Jay partners with established comedy writer Russ Woody to pose as contentious film critics who recommend films based solely on the poster. 

Joan Marie creates art with exuberant passion for life. Her visionary art begun at age 19 with a profound spiritual connection, standing in delirious awe under Michelangelo’s Sistine ceiling. “If art can be this powerful, I must be an artist.” Leonardo DaVinci and Michelangelo communicate with her, filling her soul to this day. Following her MFA, her art career began with ethereal drawings, selling millions of products internationally. Driven by the passion of music, she created abstract “Music Paintings,” intuitively transforming the energy of one’s favorite song into a wild and mystical abstract painting. Combining DaVinci draftsmanship and fluid abstract expressionism, she currently has a waiting list creating your Personal-power Portrait, expressing your deepest passions and unique higher self. Join her, knowing that falling in love with yourself helps to make the world a better place.

Over a forty-year career, John Bukowski has gone from veterinary practitioner to epidemiologist to medical writer to novelist. He currently writes fast-paced thrillers such as Project Suicide and the recently published Checkout Time, as well as shorter fiction. John grew up in a factory worker family of six kids in Motown. At each step along his path, he needed to embrace change and tackle the challenges of a new direction. Each step has taught him to be a stronger writer. John loves chatting about his writer’s journey and the process he uses to turn “what if” scenarios into novels and short stories. John has extensive experience in public speaking, including numerous appearances on theatrical stages, TV, radio, podcasts, seminars, workshops, civic groups, and book clubs.

Johnny Tan is the Founder & CEO of From My Mama’s Kitchen® organization and publisher of “Inspirations for Better Living” magazine. He is also an Experiential Keynote Speaker, Executive Career & Life coach, Mentor, Talk Show Host, and a Multi-Award-Winning & Bestselling Author of From My Mama’s Kitchen - “Food for the Soul, Recipes for Living,” which honors his 9 Moms. Johnny was awarded the prestigious 2020-2021 Top 100 Visionaries in Education by the Global Forum for Education and Learning (GFEL) and is an Executive Contributor to Global BRAINZ Magazine in 2022. Johnny energizes and empowers people to reach their highest potential with a profound transformative message: “Resilience - Designing Our Life to Live and Perform in Our Genius Zone,” to experience the Synergy of Success, Harmony, and Joy, leading them to flow with Life’s Rhythm in everything they do!

Johnny Worthen is an award-winning, multiple-genre, tie-dye-wearing author, voyager, and damn fine human being! Trained in stand-up comedy, literary criticism, and cultural studies, he writes upmarket fiction, long and short, indie and traditional, mentors others where he can, and teaches creative writing at the University of Utah. Johnny teaches creative writing at the University of Utah, as well as conferences and conventions all over the country. He’s a student of the occult and of Eastern cultures. He teaches a course on Buddhist Lessons for Writers which compares the steps to enlightenment to the steps of any creative activity, specifically writing.

Joshua Loyd Fox is an old-fashioned boy from West Texas who now splits his time between northeastern Oklahoma and the East Coast with his wife, author, and editor Heather Daughrity, and their children, friends, and as many pets and books as they can surround themselves with. He is also the owner/publisher at Watertower Hill Publishing, LLC, and has started his own master class series titled "Joshua Loyd Fox's Mastering the Journey." He has been a soldier, a Master Aircraft Mechanic, a cook, an amateur MMA fighter, and most recently, has worked as an Engineer, a Technical Writer and an SME for the US and foreign militaries on missile defense systems.

Kanah Teagyn is a newly published author of nine children's books and co-founder of Power Book Publishing. Under the pen name Katie Townsend, Ms. Teagyn's children's books teach empowering skills in communication, accountability, and relationships. She introduces parents, teachers, and kids to the wonderful world of words by presenting her stories with challenging words and questions that encourage cognitive processing and building character. The characters in Ms. Teagyn's books take the reader on a delightful journey of each hero's quest to find a skill or solve a problem, or appreciate what is of most value to them. 

Krystal Parry is an Evidenced-based medium who will bring through evidence that your loved ones are right here with you. She is also a Reiki master who facilitates healing for others. In Reiki it is the client’s own energy that heals them. Krystal identifies simply as the  bridge that assists in that healing.  In her mediumship practice she is just the channel between two worlds as she works for spirit. Those souls who have passed on no longer have a voice to express what they would like to say to their loved ones here on Earth.  Krystal Parry has done thousands of readings, International and stateside. Locally, she offers monthly group readings and teach classes.

Marina Bakica is an actress born in Argentina to a Croatian father and a Spanish mother. She made her acting debut training with Opera director Carlos Palacios. Marina was part of the first Dance-Theater company of the National Dance School “Maria Ruanova.” She made a few more theatre performances before traveling to Mexico to study with renowned Maestro Luis De Tavira. Marina then trained under a series of prominent teachers, such as Anna Strasberg and Larry Moss. Marina participated in several plays at the Bilingual Foundation of The Arts, including the prestigious Odyssey Theatre Ensemble's play “Sliding Into Hades.” It was directed by Ron Sossi, who won four awards, including Best Production of the Year (L.A Weekly Awards), among others. Marina ventured into independent cinema, participating in several award-winning productions. 

Michael grew up in Virginia, dreaming of one day becoming a Naval Aviator. That dream came true in June 1981. That dream lead to another dream that saw him become an airline pilot, retiring as an international airline captain in 2017. Retirement gave Michael time doing what he loved only second to flying, which was reading the Bible and studying mythology. This September Michael published his first book "Genesis to Revelation" which combines his love of the Bible and his deep understanding of the mythological traditions found within.

https://x.com/Genesis_to_Rev

Nancy Berggren pours her passion and love of life into everything she does. She is a professional actress, published author, international speaker, ordained minister, and proud grandmother of 22 grand and great-grandchildren! Rev. Nancy was the senior minister at the Fallbrook Center for Spiritual Living for ten years. She is currently a staff minister at the Global Truth Center in Westlake, California. Her first book, Life is a Game and you can play it, has been translated into Russian and will soon be available in Ukrainian. At 90 years young, she is blessed to have worked recently opposite Jim Carrey in Kidding, in Shining Vale, Rutherford Falls, iCarly, and in the feature film Bromates.

Nancy M. Schwartz has taught in Pennsylvania for twenty-six years. She holds certificates as an ESL program specialist, reading specialist, and elementary and early education teacher.

Nancy’s undergraduate degree came from Temple University, in Philadelphia PA, and she attended graduate school at Saint Joseph’s University. Nancy spent several summers studying at the Teachers College Columbia University, Reading and Writing Project. As a positive and courageous spirit full of life, she enjoys ballet, reading, writing, art, fashion, animals, music, and most of all, motherhood.

Learn more about Nancy M. Schwartz at https://www.upnotdownbook.com

Rene Urbanovich is a leading voice and Creativity instructor in the Los Angeles area, having coached singers from television, film and the Broadway stage. Rene's vocal technique is now on her Youtube channel Voice Teacher Reacts, where she has extended her audience to the tens of thousands. She is a Humanities through the Arts professor, a poet and an award-winning author. Rene is a Tedx speaker, has given workshops and spoken at venues such as SAG/AFTRA, Art Center College of Design, Osborne Head and Neck at Pepperdine, CTN and many more. After a vocal injury left her voiceless, she went on to heal and earn a degree in Creativity, in search for the answers that would not only solve her personal dilemma but feed into the collective’s search for meaning. 

Robin Ray is a writer with 6 books to her name: three self-help books, 2 non-fiction, and one fiction. Having penned a column in a Tehachapi newspaper for 3 and half years, she now contributes occasional articles or editorials to various newspapers. Robin takes a philosophical approach in her writing; in her words:  some of the articles I write incorporate ideas about self-improvement. Robin also shares her philosophies when teaching the various topics of leadership in the leadership classes she has taught for almost 23 years now. 

Roslyn Lehman is a recently retired educator of 30 years with a BA in Anthropology. The majority of Roslyn’s work has been with youth experiencing trauma, those with learning disabilities, or simply in need of extra support. She was an educator in Jamaica, did volunteer work in the Ba Tays, in the Dominican Republic, volunteered for Mother Theresa’s institute, the Sisters of Mercy in Haiti, in both their orphanage and school, and worked as an educator in a lockdown facility in San Diego for children whose trauma was so profound they were excluded from the foster care system. Roslyn established a library at a Waldorf-inspired school where she realized the power of story to heal and inspire.
Roslyn volunteered at Men Tsee Khang, a Tibetan medical university. Here, she did transcription work in the BodyMindLife department and taught English to staff.
Roslyn has more recently been a part-time beekeeper and is now reading Tarot cards. 

With a decade of experience in the mobile gaming industry, Ryan Chenier embarked on his professional journey as a 3D modeler and animator. Progressing through various roles in visual effects and technical artistry, Ryan co-founded the indie game studio Nevergreen Games. Spearheading the development of their flagship project, Mori Carta, Ryan undertook a dual role, seamlessly blending technical responsibilities such as programming with creative tasks like visual effects. This hands-on experience illuminated the intrinsic connection between technical and creative facets. Ryan believes that possessing both skill sets enhances the versatility and capabilities of artists and programmers. Grounded in a passion for crafting compelling interactive experiences, Ryan employs modern tools to surmount challenges spanning the technical and creative realms.

Renaissance woman, Shelley Finance expresses her creativity through both her writing and ceramic art. She co-hosted "Hauntcast," podcast for fans of Halloween and prop building from 2009-2017, under the name, "The Mistress of Mayhem." She wrote, produced, and voiced her own segment, "The Charmed Pot," which covered various topics related to that spookiest of holidays. For each Halloween episode, she wrote her own short horror stories to thrill the fans of the show and is currently wrestling one of those stories into a feature-length screenplay.Shelley is currently a ceramic artist based in Los Angeles, California. She's had her sculptural work displayed in Sacramento's Crocker Art Museum as well as juried into international ceramics shows: Feats of Clay and America's Clay Fest. She has taught ceramics classes in Folsom’s Parks and Recreation department while nurturing the idea that creativity is part and parcel of the human experience. 

After completing his PhD in neuroscience, Stuart Wood worked for 20 years in clinical research and medical education, where he became renowned for his strong people skills and ability to clearly explain complex ideas to people of all ages & abilities. Since 2008, he has helped thousands of people to challenge and conquer their fears, using a wide range of legged and non-legged creatures.
Stuart supported a friend out of an abusive, narcissistic marriage, which enabled them to begin rebuilding their life. Out of these experiences, he wrote Escaping the Void – How to support victims out of emotionally abusive relationships.

Ted Young is a college administrator and professor. He received his PhD in Romance Languages & Literatures from Harvard University, his MA in Spanish & Portuguese from UC Santa Barbara, and his BA in English & Portuguese, also from UCSB. He has published a book in Portuguese on a 2,600-page Brazilian historical novel, co-edited the book A Twice-Told Tale: Reinventing the Old World-New World Encounter in Latin American Literature and Film, and has published numerous papers and delivered lectures nationally and internationally on topics including literature, film studies, Latin American and foreign language studies, and issues of race and cultural identity. His most recent book chapter is “The Role of Community Colleges in Liberal Arts Education” in From the Desk of the Dean: The History and Future of Arts and Sciences Education. Ted has worked at UCSB, Harvard, UCLA, FIU, and Pasadena City College. Currently he is Associate Provost at Art Center College of Design.

Terry Tucker is an author, speaker, and international podcast guest on the topics of mindset, motivation, and self-development. He has a business administration degree from The Citadel (where he played NCAA Division I college basketball) and a master’s degree from Boston University. Among his diverse professional roles, Terry has been a marketing executive, a hospital administrator, a SWAT Hostage Negotiator, a business owner, and, for the past twelve years, a cancer warrior. He is the author of the book, 'Sustainable Excellence, Ten Principles To Leading Your Uncommon and Extraordinary Life' and a featured author of the new book, 'Perspectives On Cancer, Stories Of Healing, Hope & Resilience.'

For a very long time, animation has been my passion, and working as an animator has been my goal. I have animated in TV shows, one feature film, and as a freelancer in many projects. I am constantly studying animation and illustration from countless books, websites, and articles on my own, and recently (September 2015), I finally fulfilled a life-long dream and graduated from the Character Animation Program at Animation Mentor.