Barbara A. Minton, PhD, is a trailblazing psychologist, musician, and neuroscientist whose innovative work bridges the powerful intersection of music, neuroscience, and emotional healing. As the driving force behind the album “Calm the Storm,” Dr. Minton has dedicated her career to harnessing the therapeutic power of music, drawing on both rigorous scientific expertise and profound personal devotion.

Educational and Professional Background
Dr. Minton earned her BA in Psychology, summa cum laude, from the University of Denver, followed by PhDs in Psychology with an emphasis in developmental and child clinical practice. Demonstrating her deep commitment to brain science, she is Board Certified in Neurofeedback and holds the distinction of Diplomate in Quantitative Electroencephalogram (QEEG).

Her diverse career includes private clinical practice in Boise, Idaho, serving as Mental Health Education Coordinator for the State of Alaska’s Department of Health and Social Services, and as Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Alaska Southeast. These roles have allowed her to cultivate expertise not just in psychological assessment and neurofeedback, but also in the deeply human areas of giftedness and hypnotherapy.

Thought Leader in Neuroscience and Healing
Dr. Minton’s approach is uniquely rooted in science and soul. She draws on cutting-edge neurobiological principles to compose and curate music that activates key regulatory systems in the brain, supporting parasympathetic activation, reducing stress, and fostering deep calm. Her musical projects are informed by EEG analysis and sophisticated biofeedback, highlighting measurable impacts on brain networks. Her expertise is widely recognized—in recent years, she has presented at international conferences, including the Biofeedback Federation of Europe and The Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, and contributed to major reference works on quantitative EEG and neuromodulation.

But Dr. Minton’s artistry carries something transcendent: a quietly transformative and loving energy, arising from collaborations with world-class musician Peppino D’Agostino. Her music offers listeners a sacred pause and a place to return to themselves, aiming to create profound spaces for healing, restoration, and self-connection—especially vital in today’s culture of anxiety and overstimulation.

Community Engagement & Workshops
Beyond her clinical and research endeavors, Dr. Minton is a passionate educator and workshop leader. She crafts transformative experiences—such as “Awaken Your Authentic Self” retreats and Neuroscience Informed Music workshops—inviting participants of all backgrounds to explore music as a tool for enhanced mental health, brain optimization, and emotional well-being. Through visualizations, hypnotherapy, and biofeedback, she guides groups toward self-discovery, empowerment, and joy.

A Vision for Wholeness
Whether supporting clients through neurofeedback, presenting groundbreaking brain research, or inspiring audiences through music, Dr. Minton’s work is a testament to the healing potential of integrating science, creativity, and compassion. The album “Calm the Storm” embodies her mission: to provide a gentle, spacious, and deeply personal invitation to rest, emotional repair, and wholeness.

Peppino D’Agostino stands as one of the world’s most innovative and respected acoustic guitarists, renowned for his expressive playing, masterful compositions, and cross-cultural collaborations. A native of Italy, D’Agostino has made a profound international impact since arriving in America 40 years ago, captivating audiences with his artistry and relentless creative curiosity.

A Remarkable Musical Journey
D’Agostino’s journey began in Italy, but it was in the United States that he solidified his status as a visionary acoustic guitarist. His creative versatility has earned him global acclaim: in 2017, Guitar Player named him one of the “50 transcendent guitar superheroes of all time.” His landmark CD “Every Step of The Way” was awarded the Bronze Medal for Best Acoustic Album of All Time by Acoustic Guitar Magazine’s People’s Choice Awards. His signature Seagull acoustic guitar has also been celebrated as one of Guitar Player’s ten best signature guitars, underscoring his influence on musicians and audiences alike.

To date, Peppino has recorded 19 albums and performed in more than 35 countries, gracing prestigious concert halls and international festivals. His stage collaborations include living legends such as Larry Carlton, Eric Johnson, Tommy Emmanuel, Leo Kottke, Martin Taylor, Roland Dyens, and David Tanenbaum, demonstrating a creative generosity and musical breadth that is rare in the industry.

Master Educator and Composer
Beyond performance, D’Agostino’s passion for sharing knowledge has made him a sought-after educator and composer. He leads guitar workshops, master classes, and seminars worldwide, and his instructional methods and original compositions have been published by Truefire, Alfred Publishing, Hal Leonard, and Acoustic Guitar Magazine Books. His artistry and technical skill continue to inspire students at all levels, nurturing the next generation of acoustic guitarists.

Artistry in Service of Healing
D’Agostino’s most recent work demonstrates the healing potential of music on both a personal and collective level. His involvement in the “Calm the Storm” project with Dr. Barbara Minton is a testament to his commitment to using music as a tool for well-being. The project is informed by neurobiology and seeks to support parasympathetic activation and alleviate stress, with D’Agostino’s soulful guitar creating spaces of gentle transformation. Inspired by a desire to help chronic pain sufferers and individuals faced with anxiety and isolation, Peppino has channeled a lifetime of musical mastery and compassion into this therapeutic artistic collaboration, designed to be a companion for emotional repair and self-connection.

Speaking about his work, renowned guitarist Leo Kottke praised D’Agostino: “Peppino writes wonderful guitar pieces. He’s one of my favorite composers for this cranky instrument. Plus, he’s a tone player. I love his sound… gets the resin and the wood.” Acoustic Guitar Magazine notes his place as “one of the most capable composers among fingerstyle guitarists.”

A Visionary for Musical Wellness
Peppino D’Agostino’s artistry transcends genres, cultures, and continents. As an artist deeply committed to the healing power of music, he continues to inspire both the mind and the heart—contributing his signature sound and spirit to projects like “Calm the Storm” and beyond.

Sean is President & Co-Founder of ElevationXR and is also Co-Founder & Director of Wisdome LA, North America’s pioneering immersive entertainment venue. EXR produces content and manages the programming and operations of location-based entertainment experiences around the world.  

At Wisdome Sean directed & produced a variety highly successful immersive broadcast programs featuring contemporary stars such as, Demi Lovato, SZA, Steve Aoki and Jhene Aiko. Live concert performances featuring the music and art of such classic rock acts as Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, and Daft Punk as well as top EDM artists including, Diplo, Calvin Harris, Kascade, Gaudi, Karsh Kale. Recent production partners include top Fortune 500 companies AEG, Live Nation, HP / Intel, Google, Facebook, & Tesla.

Prior to forming EXR, Sean served as Director of The Harmony Festival and President of Pangea Music Int’l. Over his 30+ year career Sean has produced projects as top festivals & conferences including Coachella Festival, UN Rio+ 20 Summit Brazil, Earth Day SF, Voodoo Fest, Earthdance, Lightning in A Bottle, Bhakti Festival, Fest Forums & Burning Man. Sean’s produced partner activations for Fortune 500 clients including AEG, Live Nation, Verizon, Toyota, Sony, Delta Airlines, United Air & Microsoft

As a record label president and production manager Sean produced projects featuring renown luminaries as; Jack Bruce & Ginger Baker (Cream), Bill Ward & Ozzy Osbourne (Black Sabbath), Mick Taylor (The Rolling Stones), (Andy Summers) The Police) Eric Burdon (The Animals), Band From Utopia (Frank Zappa), Roger Hodgson (Supertramp), Alan Holdsworth, Brand X, Gong, Michael Franti, Sheila Chandra, Deva Premal, & Krishna Das and HH The Dalai Lama.

Sean is also an in demand professional speaker, emcee & creative consultant. He has served as a keynote speaker at a variety of international gatherings including: City Scapes Global Summit (Saudi Arabia), VRLA, The Global Summit, The Global Sound Conference, The Oregon Country Faire, and Burning Man.

Raised in Corona Del Mar, California, Sean is a graduate of UCLA.  He is an accomplished writer and journalist, teacher, radio host and a former professional basketball player and seasoned global traveler to 65+ countries around the globe. Sean currently lives in Venice Beach, California.

Lisa Ritchie moved to Los Angeles in 2015. She had the opportunity to build an incredible network of residencies around the Southbay and continues to gain traction within her online communities. Recently, she released her latest album, “Landlines” in August 2023.

Essie Jain is an English singer and songwriter, who has been performing and recording music for over two decades. Her songs have traveled far and wide out into the world and gently weaved themselves into the fabric of people’s lives, daily healing practices and stories.

Essie often works alongside her husband, guitarist and long term collaborator Patrick Glynn, for both recordings and live performances. They live in Los Angeles with their daughter Opal.

Rick Shugarman is a yoga instructor, growth coach, and entrepreneur whose work bridges the physical, mental, and creative aspects of human potential. As the founder of Beat Up The Sun, he explores the transformative power of morning rituals, yoga, and mindfulness to cultivate clarity, resilience, and purpose. The phrase “beating up the sun” refers to a morning routine of being up and moving with the sun as it’s rising. Like most transformations, it was born out of necessity.

Before stepping into the personal growth space, Rick’s career spanned multiple industries, from real estate investing and construction to teaching high school mathematics in underprivileged settings, and two years as a professional musician. As a real estate investor and business owner, he honed the discipline, vision, and adaptability needed to navigate uncertainty. As a math teacher, he developed a deep appreciation for structure, problem-solving, and guiding others toward breakthrough moments. And as a lifelong musician, he embraces creativity as an essential tool for personal evolution.

For most of his life, Rick thought yoga was weird, and spirituality even weirder. He knows firsthand what it’s like to be spiritually disconnected—and has experienced, in real time, the profound impact that a deeper connection with nature, presence, and the universe can have. By integrating these elements, he has seen how they can supercharge not only inner peace and happiness, but also professional success, financial freedom, and personal relationships.

Leveraging his background in education, Rick has created a step-by-step introduction to yoga on his website, BeatUpTheSun.com, which he gives away for free. His aim is to make yoga accessible to beginners of all abilities, guiding them from their very first pose with confidence and an immediate sense of “I can.

Angel's career trajectory is a testament to the power of transformation and adaptability. Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, he graduated from Cornell University's College of Human Ecology and embarked on a journey that ultimately saw him rise through the ranks at Sony Pictures Entertainment over 23 years.

His tenure at Sony was marked by significant leadership roles across the world. He lived internationally for 13 of those years, managing teams in cities like Mexico, Brazil, Miami, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing, Mumbai, Sydney, London, Madrid, Paris, Rome, Munich, and Dubai. Angel's leadership in sales and operations showcased his managerial prowess and a keen understanding of the global business and media landscape.

However, following the global pandemic and his departure from Sony Pictures, Angel experienced a profound personal transformation. He shifted his focus from the corporate world to the realm of creativity and content creation. This period of self-awareness and introspection was deepened by a two-year mastery course in spiritual psychology, extensive reading in related fields, and the beginning of a career in coaching and empowerment. Together with his wife of 23 years, Rocio Aquino, Angel co-founded For The Highest Good, LLC, a company dedicated to female empowerment.

Their collaboration led to the co-authoring of The Orchid: The Secret Code of Modern Goddesses, a self-help novel designed to guide readers on a journey of personal and spiritual growth, mindfulness, transformative self-help, and love, with the aim of helping them become the highest and best versions of themselves.

Ultimately, For The Highest Good’s focus is on sharing powerful stories of personal growth, spirituality, and helping others find love within. Looking ahead, there are plans to expand that vision through various projects, including a TV series, a reality TV show, a digital community, and other empowering content.

Rocio Aquino is the co-author of the Best Seller "The Orchid: The Secret Code of Modern Goddesses," recognized by The Los Angeles Tribune as "Culturally significant." Rocio has lived in Mexico, Miami, Hong Kong, London, and Los Angeles, visiting more than 70 countries. For 32 years, she sought answers on how to overcome sadness and depression, leading her to study various courses, books, and earn a master's degree. She discovered that self-love is the key to personal transformation. Inspired by this revelation, she co-wrote "The Orchid," a novel that guides readers through the lives of five women seeking their true selves. Rocio applies the philosophy of radical responsibility, teaching that everyone can create their own reality and transform their lives. Rocio remains committed to empowering women to discover their inner strength and live fulfilling, conscious lives, sharing her findings with the world.