Nick Paproski is an award-winning paramedic field provider and educator who’s worked in municipal, fire based, commercial and volunteer EMS systems. Nick currently serves as the Director of Operations for Vintech Management Services, a 300 employee EMS staffing company based in CT. A staunch advocate for provider mental health and wellness, Nick routinely presents on the topic of PTSD for the Fairfield Country Trauma Response Team.

D. Terrence Foster, M.D., graduated from The Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, New York, and has been practicing medicine for more than 25 years. He is board-certified in pain and physical medicine and rehabilitation. He is the author of three best-selling books: Foster's Opioid Addiction Classification Status Guide, The Opioid Epidemic Consumers and Healthcare Guide, and his latest, The Stress Book: 40-Plus Ways to Manage Stress & Enjoy Your Life.

 Praise for The Stress Book: 40+ Ways to Manage Stress and Enjoy Your Life: Author-  D. Terrence Foster, MD

 1.    "Foster delivers the perfect book for our stressful times. I like the comprehensive approach he gives his readers, with many takeaways and actionable tips." — Tammy Ruggles, reviewer, Reader Views 

2.    A highly readable and cleareyed guide to tackling daily anxieties." Kirkus Reviews.

3.    "This book is amazing and simple to understand even if the author explains in detail the science behind stress…Thank you for this gem of a book". Marie-Hélène Fasquel for Readers’ Favorite - five star

PATRICK REYNOLDS

A grandson of cigarette company founder RJ Reynolds, Patrick Reynolds first spoke out publicly at a Congressional hearing in favor of a ban on all tobacco advertising in 1986. Former US Surgeon General C. Everett Koop commented in 2003, “Patrick Reynolds is one of the nation’s most influential advocates of a smokefree America. His testimony is invaluable to our society.”

Mr. Reynolds’ advocacy work and motivational talks to youth and adults have made him a well-known and respected champion of a smokefree society. He has helped remind many thousands of people of the dangers of smoking. In September 2015, the White House and President Obama presented him with the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Patrick watched his father, RJ Reynolds, Jr., his oldest brother RJ Reynolds III, and other members of his family die from cigarette-induced emphysema and lung cancer. Concerned about the mounting health evidence, he made the decision to speak out against the industry his family helped build.

Mr. Reynolds serves as Executive Director of Tobaccofree Earth, a nonprofit group he founded in 1989. Its mission is to motivate youth around the world to stay tobacco-free and empower smokers to quit successfully.

In 2019 the San Francisco Chronicle published an editorial Reynolds wrote against vaping products. It congratulated voters for approving the first citywide ban of the sale of all vaping and flavored tobacco products, except menthol and tobacco. New York City passed a similar ban later that year.

Reynolds was a strong advocate for the Federal tobacco tax hike of 62 cents, signed into law by Obama in 2009 on his 17th day in office. His USA Today editorial makes a compelling case for higher tobacco taxes.

Reynolds was also a proponent of the Congressional bill for FDA regulation of tobacco. In March, 2009, he met in Washington DC with Rep. Henry Waxman, co-sponsor of the bill, to offer his support. Later that year the bill was passed by Congress and signed by President Obama.

In April 2009, Mr. Reynolds was invited to Greece by Health Minister Avramopoulos to help build public acceptance of Greece’s new no-smoking law. There was strong national Greek news coverage of his visit, and Reynolds successfully focused the public’s attention on the health hazards of smoking and second-hand smoke.

Following his talks in Athens, the Ministry of Health of Greece sent an official letter to Ministers of Health around the world saying, “Mr. Reynolds gave a well-informed, polished and persuasive speech, and there was strong and very positive national media coverage of his visit. Moreover, his talk to youth at one of our local schools was a tremendous success. Mr. Reynolds has made a noticeable difference to our national efforts against smoking.”

Tobaccofree Earth offers a critically acclaimed educational video for grades 6 – 12, The Truth About Tobacco. The video shows a live talk Patrick gave to 1,000 9th graders, and is illustrated with recent TV spots, film clips, and anti-smoking graphics. Available on Amazon.com, it sends an empowering message to youth. The video has been purchased by over 12,000 schools and health departments around the globe.

In both his live talks for middle and high schools and in his educational video, Reynolds speaks with passion about his father’s death from smoking, the addictiveness of nicotine, cigarette advertising, and smoking by stars in movies. He also tells the tragic, powerful story of Sean Marsee, a high school track star who died at 19 from chewing tobacco, and shows before and after pictures.

His video and live talks include Reynolds’ unique initiation into life for youth. He concludes his talks with his inspiring message of hope for the future and a vision of the coming tobaccofree society. “My goal is to reassure teens in a time of new diseases, economic uncertainty, and wars and terrorism, and to share my strong faith in the future with them. I urge them to hold on to their health for the amazing years ahead, and not throw their lives away.” For additional video clips of Mr. Reynolds’ recent live talks, click here, and for a sampling of his TV news interviews, click here. A search on YouTube will bring up more.

The Truth About Tobacco video has won acclaim from educators, and there has also been praise for his live talks.

Since first speaking out publicly in 1986, Patrick Reynolds has spoken before numerous municipal and State legislatures in support of proposed smoking bans, campaigned for State and Federal cigarette tax increases, and laws to limit youth access to cigarettes. He approached several members of the US Congress about the aggressive advertising of US brands in the Third World and Asia.

He continues to be a strong advocate of spending a larger share of annual State tobacco revenues on smoking prevention and cessation programs. Many states have cut these programs drastically in recent years, in spite of their effectiveness. Reynolds points out, “Studies have proven that States with well-funded tobacco prevention programs have significantly lower rates of youth smoking, while States with poorly funded programs have significantly higher levels of teen smoking. In short, these programs work, especially when implemented together with smoking bans and high tobacco taxes.”

In 1987 Mr. Reynolds testified a second time in Congress, joining the many voices who helped bring about the ban of smoking on US domestic flights.

The UN’s World Health Organization honored him with a special award in 1988, and in 1989, Chicago’s Mt. Sinai Hospital awarded him its Humanitarian of the Year award.

Mr. Reynolds coauthored a family biography with author Tom Shachtman, The Gilded Leaf: Three Generations of the RJ Reynolds Family and Fortune. The book was published by Little Brown to critical acclaim and is currently in print through iUniverse.com. Photos, reviews, a press release and a link to order the book may be found at tobaccofree.org/book/. The Gilded Leaf may become a series for television in future.

In college, Reynolds studied English at UC Berkeley and then cinema at UCLA and USC. In 1969 he filmed a documentary titled ‘Berkeley’ which was shown at the 1970 Cannes film festival. Director Robert Altman invited Patrick to appear in his film Nashville in 1975, and following that, Reynolds studied acting with Lee Strasburg and other respected acting coaches. His film resume on IMDB includes several feature films and TV shows, including a starring role in the feature film Eliminators, released in 1,200 theatres in 1986.

In 2007 Patrick married Alexandra Olympios, and they have a son, born in 2009.

ZANE CHRISTOPHER

Zane Christopher is a 22-year-old singer-songwriter, actor, and hockey player born and raised in coastal New England.

With an unconventional childhood, being cast at 11-years-old in the film “Ted,” to dancing professionally for the Boston Celtics, Zane found his natural ability to captivate the room.

After attending boarding school from 8th to 12th grade and experiencing heavy expectations to fit the status quo, Zane decided he’d rather write his own story. His intense passion for music and songwriting led him to divert from his path as a college bound ice-hockey player to pursue a career in music full-time.

Zane’s mission is to inspire others to choose fear over courage, unknown over known, and dreams over expectations.

ILAN NAVAH

Ilan Navah is a singer, songwriter, guitarist and registered nurse. He has been playing guitar and writing songs since he was 15 years old and has released 4 professional studio albums.

Ilan weaves diverse sounds and uplifting lyrics into inspirational musical harmony.

Ilan has traveled all over the world touring as a musician and also volunteering as a registered nurse.

His musical influences include Dave Matthews, Santana, Bob Marley, Paul Simon, and Miles Davis. Ilan’s music has a deep spiritual message and is a blend of folk, jazz, funk, reggae, and world music. 

From jazz influenced folk to world music, Ilan’s discography shows an artist who can break boundaries between musical genres.

New Album Faith & Love

Faith & Love charts new territory into the exploration of soul, folk, jazz, blues, gospel, and funk. Featuring lush production, gorgeous vocal harmonies and a full horn section, it’s his most accomplished album to date.

DR. MINDY HOWARD

Dr. Mindy Howard is symbolic of someone who has set out to passionately achieve her dreams and is reaching the uppermost heights in her chosen field.

American and Dutch, Mindy obtained her Bachelors and Masters of Science in Industrial Engineering with a specialization in Human Factors Engineering in the United States and her Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands.

Now living in the Netherlands, Mindy’s life ambition was always to become an astronaut. Narrowed down from thousands to the last 200 candidates, she was selected by NASA as a “Highly Qualified Astronaut Candidate”, following the conclusion of her Ph.D. Despite not making the final selection to become an astronaut, she refused to let her dream go without a fight.

Having worked 21 years internationally as a Health, Safety and Environmental manager, human factors engineer, sustainability manager, strategy leader, diversity and inclusiveness leader, and trainer in several blue-chip corporations. Mindy’s background started out in the oil industry working for Royal Dutch Shell. Travelling the globe, working in over 35 different countries in extreme environments (e.g. offshore), Mindy was able to explore different countries and appreciate different people and their cultures.

After leaving the oil industry, Mindy decided to reignite her dream and begin her training to become a commercial astronaut while undergoing 6Gs in a human centrifuge. It was when she saw others in the training struggling in the centrifuge, that she saw a need to help commercial astronauts psychologically prepare for the rigours of space flight.

Striving towards her goal of becoming an astronaut, and wanting to help others do the same, Mindy harnessed her academic and professional skills to create the first and only psychological space training for commercial astronauts, called “Inner Space Training”, in the emerging field of commercial space. In addition, Mindy is working for Blue Abyss Ltd., the world’s first commercial astronaut training centre as the Director of Inner Space Training.

As one of the few commercial astronaut trainers in this new field, she has been asked to accompany a team of people who will win a “once in a lifetime” trip to space by a worldwide competition.

Other astronaut training that she has personally undergone includes, experiencing weightlessness in a Parabolic Flight, High-G Tolerance training, Simulated Space Flight Experience, Hypobaric (High altitude) Training, Situational Awareness Training, SIRIUS Space Disorientation and Motion Sickness Training and Unusual attitude training to name but a few.

A fully trained flight member for the Association of Spaceflight Professionals, Dr. Howard has also written and presented publications on a variety of subjects at various international scientific and space conferences. Her extensive knowledge has resulted in appearances in the media, both on national TV, Discovery Channel, Travel Channel, Dutch TV and radio as a “space correspondent” both in the United States and in Europe. She is also a TEDx speaker with the title, “Train your fear away, like an astronaut”. She has just recently published her book called, Blast Off! Train like an astronaut for success on earth.”

“Blast Off! Train like an astronaut,” is the first book to use the techniques of commercial astronaut training to help people right here on earth maintain the anxiety-free emotional equilibrium and sustained mental focus needed to successfully overcome the day-to-day challenges and obstacles in their personal and professional lives.  Lastly, she was a Guest Lecturer at the International Space University.

Mindy loves speaking both to adults and children about and helping people become high performing individuals who can achieve peak performance, and also can create the conditions to enable a peak experience, like the “Overview Effect”. Her talks and training are not only valuable for people training to go to space but also for high performing individuals, STEM students and executive teams. Mindy helps individuals learn how to get in flow and be more mindful of the present moment, so that they can enjoy their lives more and enable them to achieve their dreams.

WENDIE COLTER, MCWC, CMIP

Wendie Colter, MCWC, CMIP, is a Certified Medical Intuitive, Certified Wellness Coach, and founder/CEO of The Practical Path®, Inc. Her accredited certification program, Medical Intuitive Training™, has been pivotal in helping wellness professionals develop and optimize their inherent intuition.

Wendie’s trailblazing research on medical intuition is published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, and she is the author of the groundbreaking book, Essentials of Medical Intuition: A Visionary Path to Wellness.

Book Summary: Essentials of Medical Intuition: A Visionary Path to Wellness is a practical guide to medical intuition that explores what it is, what it is not, and how it can enhance healing and wellness for your patients, your clients and for yourself. The book presents scientific research, case studies, and the history of medical intuition. You will learn about the innovators, the current uses, and the future potentials of medical intuition in healthcare.

Myths and taboos about intuition being a “special gift” only for the few are exploded. The major “clairs,” such as clairvoyance and clairsentience, are detailed with evidence-supported, peer-reviewed research.

A self-test is included so people can understand how they may experience at least one of these natural intuitive traits regularly. Readers also have the opportunity to learn intuitive self-scanning techniques and Energy Hygiene tools, such as energy grounding and shielding, to help avoid burnout and promote resiliency.

TARA KELLY

FOLK MUSIC, REDEFINED

Folk/Americana singer-songwriter Tara Kelly is putting a new spin on the cosmic country of Kacey Musgraves and Emmylou Harris, with a songwriting style that evokes a darker, more mysterious edge.

Hailing from a rural town in southern New Jersey, Tara Kelly moved to Los Angeles to write and perform, securing a show at the iconic Troubadour venue. Shortly after, Kelly was personally invited by Rhett Miller of Old 97’s to sing his hit duet “Fireflies” with him on a stop in Los Angeles after posting a cover of the song on her Instagram. 

Kelly’s sound is deeply influenced by cosmic American music, fathered by Gram Parsons in the late 1960s and popularized by the likes of Linda Ronstadt and Brandi Carlile. She also draws inspiration from bands like Fleet Foxes, The Civil Wars, and Mandolin Orange; while her songwriting is shaped by the word-play of Kacey Musgraves, the raw vulnerability of James Bay, and the unabashed and fierce-feminine power of Maren Morris. Her lyrics allegorize a gamut of lived experience from heartache to mental health awareness, creating modern folklore that is all her own.

Before I died I used to be a marketing executive for a Forbes Fortune 100 company, fly around in private jets, and have a very affluent lifestyle. Then life kicked me in the butt and my life of abundance turned into being homeless, having mental health labels (C-PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, Agoraphobic), and an incurable heart condition- leading to losing my son in a custody battle.

That's when I died ~ this was truly a gift. Coming out the other side of this plasma-like experience of death, with full memory recollection. I ‘saw’ the essence of teachings like non-duality, the law of attraction, the metaphysical, and others as all aspects of one power. I saw the heart of them- and ended up writing a book about it.

I also started to see the ‘energy’ behind people and life and found that I could access deepened states of consciousness and from this state create things into the form magnetically and almost magically, people may call that the ‘Law Of Attraction’ I call it 'Conscious Creation!’ and I share with others how they can create via their being-ness.

Later losing my beautiful teenage daughter to a fatal car crash deepened my experience I saw when I died and allowed my heart to stretch even further to let in more light. This light coming through me propelled me to help thousands of other grieving parents beginning with the almost two-thousand attendees at my own daughter's memorial.

Eventually, this was channeled into my book Wholality®: The Missing Link to Love and has helped myself and my husband reach an estimated 1 million people to help them experience more inner unconditional freedom. We do this via our accredited training company based in Hawaii and we run retreats where people from all over the world join us to go back within- back to the universe within. Compassion.

Website

Lieutenant Doug O’Rourke has been a member of the Hamden Fire Department for 17 years, and is a United States Navy veteran. Doug is a part-time farmer, PEER Support Advocate, Director of Hamden’s PEER Support Team as well as Director forCT Firefighter PEER Support Network.

Ron possesses over 30 years of basic science research laboratory experience within the university and medical field. His expertise surrounds: Microscopy and digital imaging of tissue and cellular biology; application sciences, equipment and facilities management, and systems operations. Among his forte is hands on teaching and training of faculty, students, and staff on the use of sophisticated instrumentation and implementation of standard operating procedures in the field of sciences.

Ron is a graduate of Louisiana State University and proudly served our men and women in uniform for 16 years as a Research Biologist at the Denver VA Medical center.

Ron is a co-author in over 41 peer-reviewed scientific journals and publications and has a wide range of understanding surrounding medical problems and diseases such as diabetes, Parkinson disease, Alzheimer disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Loue Gehrig Disease) and Apoptosis (causes of cell death). Ron is a Constitutionalist and staunch supporter of individual choice when it comes to their health.

Ron is proud to offer his multitude of skills running for Arapahoe County Coroner. As per Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 30-10-60, as an elected official, Coroners are required by state law to determine the cause of death for those who pass suddenly, violently or in an unexplained manner. I pledge to the people of Arapaho County, that no unexplained death of any individual will go without a though investigation.

As your candidate for Coroner, I will stand for the following principles, “I represent the living but speak for the dead.” We are living in very challenging times. I wish to unify with one another to gain a firm understanding surrounding serious medical issues that have affected so many lives. We must elucidate the root cause of deaths associated with global COVID-19 pandemic.

Denise Schonwald has been practicing as a licensed spiritually-based mental health counselor, a medical intuitive and has been a registered nurse for over 30 years. She is a certified family and eldercare mediator and has helped families navigate through highly contentious situations.

Thanks to her deeply insightful and caring nature, Denise is known for helping clients learn how to care for themselves in ways they couldn’t even imagine prior to working with her. Her kindness, compassion and open-hearted approach allows you to feel safe in exploring (and releasing) what’s held you back from living your fullest life.

Denise is an avid tennis player, enjoys practicing yoga and meditation and loves to travel to Italy. She’s a Reiki master and a certified hypnotherapist. She is recently published her first book, Healing Your Body by Mastering Your Mind, you can find it on Amazon. Her therapy dog, Henry, works alongside her in the office offering support and comfort.

DNM ND CFMP BCND

Holistic Family Practice

Dr. Sean Mc Millan is a board certified orthopedic surgeon with specialty certification in orthopedic sports medicine (CAQ).  He is the Chief of Orthopedics at the Virtua Health Willingboro and Camden Campuses and serves as the Director of Orthopedic Sports Medicine at Virtua Medical Group.  Dr. Mc Millan lectures and teaches nationally and internationally on a variety of orthopedic sports medicine topics and is affiliated with the Rowan School of Osteopathic Medicine and Inspira Health orthopedic residencies.  Dr. Mc Millan currently serves on the Board of Directors for the AOAO as the 3^rd Vice President and is a past recipient of the AOAO Emerging Leader Award.

Today we are talking with Debbie Solaris who is an ET contactee, interdimensional traveler, and galactic historian.  Debbie awakened to her true star lineage and higher calling. Through her ancestral connection with the Akashic Records, she has been receiving downloads of galactic historical information and universal spiritual knowledge ever since. Debbie offers visually appealing, multimedia-rich classes on extraterrestrial life and culture, galactic history and ancient civilizations, as well as starseed and lightworker enrichment workshops, in the Front Range area of Colorado. She is also a certified Akashic Records Reader and gifted intuitive, using information channeled from her Arcturian and Pleiadian guides to heal and assist others on their own spiritual journeys.

Peter Elste has been a Police Officer for 21 years. He started his career working four years with the NYPD 73rd Precinct in Brownsville, Brooklyn.

During his short time with NYPD, he was part of the Street Narcotics Unit and Community Conditions Unit.

He is currently serving with the Danbury Police Department where he is a Field Training Officer, Crisis Intervention Team Coordinator, and a member of the Emergency Services Unit and Peer Support Team.

Pete also serves on the Executive Board of Responder Wellness Inc., a non-profit organization that works to support First Responders in the State of Connecticut.

Teresa de Grosbois is a four-times bestselling author and an international speaker sought by entrepreneurs and large corporations wanting to better understand how local word of mouth can suddenly turn into epidemic. Her #1 international bestselling author of Mass Influence – the habits of the highly influential, which is now a bestseller in 7 countries has been on the top of the Bestseller list for over 7 years!

As the Chair of the Evolutionary Business Council, Teresa leads an international, invitation-only council of speakers and influencers dedicated to teaching the principles of success.

Specializing in the topics of influence and success, Teresa has a proven track-record in understanding word of mouth epidemics having taken three books to best-seller status in only 8 months. Teresa teaches business and marketing courses around the globe, including teaching courses to start-up entrepreneurs in developing countries. Teresa believes we can shift the thinking of society just by understanding how to generate the spread of positive word of mouth.

Teresa is a big thinker and a big doer. An avid outdoor enthusiast, she has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro with her two daughters to raise money for schools in Africa. Teresa believes it is possible to eradicate poverty by changing the way people think.

She’s based in lusious Costa Rica where she is one of the founders of the Vista Mundo intentional community and retreat centre.

Simon T. Bailey is the author of Ignite the Power of WOMEN In Your Life: A Guide for MEN, the book destined to spark a worldwide movement.

In fact, Simon has committed to a life of purpose that sparks individuals and organizations to lead countries, companies, and communities differently. This current mission caps an illustrious career as a Hall of Fame Keynote Speaker and renowned advisor to companies in diverse industries.

His framework is based on his 30 years’ of experience in the hospitality industry, including serving as sales director for Disney Institute, based at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL.

As a prolific author and speaker,  Simon has worked with Signet Jewelers, SalesForce, T-Mobile, Stanford Healthcare, General Mills and Hilton Hotels just to name a few.

He has three online courses featured on LinkedIn Learning that reach professionals in 100+ countries. Recently, Simon became a certified Caritas Coach, leading with heart-centered intelligence. His approach is grounded in Caring Science that focuses on preserving human dignity, wholeness as the highest gift to self, systems, and society.

It was Simon’s Goalcast video about a conversation with his daughter that inspired his book and the movement, a post that has spurred 90 million views on Facebook.

www.simontbailey.com

Ignite the Power of Women in Your Life: A Guide for Men

Ashe Epp is an activist in the USA and correspondent for AltNewsMedia

https://defendourunion.org/ashe-epp
https://twitter.com/therealashepp
https://defendourunion.org/ashe-epp
https://www.altnewsmedia.net/news/bestie-the-leftie/