Headlined Guests
Headlined Guests that have appeared on BBS Radio TV
Scott L. Steward, a Master Certified Teacher of Entrepreneurship, is an accomplished and award-winning educator with 18 accolades under his belt. As a former Chicago Public School teacher, his entrepreneurial expertise is frequently sought after by various publications for advice on new ventures and guidance for up-and-coming entrepreneurs. He has authored a successful business plan featured in Make $1,000 in 35 days, contributed to the textbook Entrepreneurship: Owning Your FUTURE 11th Edition (Pearson, Prentice Hall), and penned 31 Ways to Improve Your Life: a Book of Stewisms's.
Often referred to as the "force" behind a student's limitless future, Scott is dedicated to empowering his students to become CEOs of their own businesses and lives, creating wealth on their own terms. As a business owner, educator, entrepreneurial expert, and father of five, Scott has firsthand experience with the joys and challenges of entrepreneurship.
From a young age, Scott understood the importance of financial independence. With his mother's encouragement, he started his first business, Scott's Enterprises, at just 12 years old, providing car washing and lawn care services in his neighborhood. During high school, he and his cousin found success promoting parties and album release dates for national artists, experiences that laid the groundwork for his entrepreneurial journey.
Scott's extensive background includes serving as the Interim Director of the Small Business Development Center at Chicago State University, CEO of Break Bread Marketing & Media—a boutique multimedia production company and marketing consulting firm, Master Certified Teacher of Entrepreneurship by the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), and Professor of Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship at Chicago State University.
For over 15 years, Scott has leveraged his corporate marketing and business experience to inspire students to pursue their dreams. His passion and determination have allowed him to forge meaningful connections with his students, many of whom have become successful young entrepreneurs under his guidance.
Award-winning journalist Jill Lawrence is an opinion writer and the author of "The Art of the Political Deal: How Congress Beat the Odds and Broke Through Gridlock." A former columnist, commentary editor and editorial board member at USA Today, her previous positions also include national political correspondent for USA Today, managing editor for politics at National Journal and national political writer at The Associated Press. Her writing on politics, policy and culture has also appeared in The Los Angeles Times, The Bulwark, NBC News Think, The Daily Beast, Politico Magazine, The Week, Al Jazeera America Opinion, The Atlantic, AOL's Politics Daily, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Lawrence is a contributor to The Surge: 2014's Big GOP Win and What It Means for the Next Presidential Race and co-author of Governors and the Presidency: How They Campaign, How They Govern, for the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers, and Phoning It In and Failing to Show: The Story of the 2014 House Primaries, for the Brookings Institution.
Among Lawrence's national awards and honors are the 2021 National Society of Newspaper Columnists award for online columns, the National Press Club's 2016 Lee Walczak Award for Political Analysis, a 2010 Sigma Delta Chi award from the Society of Professional Journalists for her Politics Daily columns, and a 1995 National Headliner Award for her AP columns. Columbia Journalism Review named her one of the top 10 campaign reporters in the country in 2004. Washingtonian magazine included her on its list of 50 "best and most influential journalists" in 2005.
A highlight of her tenure at USA Today was "One Nation, Divided," a series which she proposed after the stalemated 2000 election and which ran in 2002. The stories were based on research and reporting throughout 2001, both before and after the 9/11 attacks, in the archetypal blue and red towns of Montclair, N.J., and Franklin, Tenn. In 2003, the IRE Journal published an article Lawrence wrote about how and why the towns were chosen and the tools she used to find the information she needed.
A thoughtful analyst as well as a social-media aficionado, Lawrence has discussed political and policy developments on MSNBC, C-SPAN, Sirius-XM, public radio and many other media outlets. She was an adjunct professorial lecturer at American University in 2014, teaching on the relationship between politics and the media.
- Brie Burke is an actress, singer, model, activist, and CEO/Founder of D.A.Y.S. (Depression Awareness & Youth/Young Adult Suicide) Nonprofit Organization. She has been kept busy within the last five (6) years, starring in 27 films, various commercials & music videos. Brie is currently also working on her first music cd, which she hopes to release in 2024.
Brie started her acting career on the stage at the age of seven (7), she has been in eight (8) community musical theatre productions and can sing in 5 languages. She attended New York’s Broadway Artists Alliance (BAA) where she auditioned along with 3,000 other youth & young adults, worldwide, for one of 120 coveted spots in their acting/singing program. She was fortunate to work with & be coached by TONY Award winners and current Broadway Performers, as well as NYC’s top Casting Directors, Agents, and Acting/Singing Coaches. When not acting, Brie writes, directs and/or produces when possible.
As the CEO/Founder of D.A.Y.S. she is dedicated to the prevention of youth & young adult suicide, as well as assisting those suffering from bullying, depression, and the loss of a loved one due to suicide. Brie hopes to be “a spark to light the way out of the darkness for those suffering from depression, bullying, or the sadness and despair of losing a loved one to suicide”. She dedicates her organization and platform to the memory of her cousin, David, who committed suicide at the age of 22.
She is the recipient of the White House Presidential Gold Medal Volunteer Service Award (2022), the World-United Pageant “Most Photogenic Award” recipient (2023), the World-United Pageant “Queen of Charm Award” recipient (2023), the St. Petersburg / Clearwater “Ladies in Film & Entertainment Award” recipient (2022), the State of Florida Office of Prevention Services “FIT Award” recipient (2021), the Miss Florida USA “Community Impact Award” recipient (2021 & 2022), the Miss Florida USA “Girlbossing Award” recipient (2020, 2021, & 2022), the Character GPS “Hero of Hope Award” recipient (2021), the Miss Florida USA “Community Engagement Award” recipient (2020), & the NAMI Pasco “Hero of Hope Award” recipient (2020).
In her free time, Brie loves to coach little league soccer, as well as play & referee Competitive Soccer.
Music may have saved his life. After surviving cancer at age 16, music became his helpmate in processing the ‘big questions’ that came to him at an early age. At 18, he took his newly found passion for life and music to traveling the country in a van with a group of wacky Catholic ‘hippies’ giving spiritual retreats to young people.
College found him criss-crossing through Europe with his guitar. It was through hanging with monks deep in desert monasteries and, later, living in the Vatican as a seminarian in his 20’s on the way to becoming a priest, that he discovered his true calling was that of a songwriter. He left the seminary and landed in his native Southern California, beginning his quest to re-invent himself as an artist. Years later, he is now a seasoned performer and award-winning songwriter. What would a person with such a story have to say about life? Plenty, especially when magnified through the prism of a song.
Meet Michael Tiernan. Through the experiences of what could be ten lifetimes, Michael is an artist who has plunged into and explored the deep spaces of personal and worldly conflict, the beauty of love and nature, as well as the meaning of suffering and the pervasive unhappiness that threatens our human experience on all sides. In his music, he resurfaces from these depths with a positive yet real outlook for all of us, while taking us on a sonic joy ride through the many genres he straddles in his music.
Michael is set to release his 8th album, “For Others” in the summer of 2024, and performs regularly in the Southern California region and beyond, as well as engaging corporate audiences with creativity and songwriting workshops. His music has been featured on several TV shows over the years and he was won several songwriting awards, in addition to being named a two-time Los Angeles Music Awards winner, and most recently, the 2023 San Diego Music Awards winner for Best Acoustic Song. Michael is the proud dad of 2 teenagers and resides in Vista, CA, with his wife, Tracy.
Maetreyii Ma Nolan, Ph.D., is an award-winning author, spiritual teacher, and psychologist, expert in consciousness and holistic healing. With a rich background in psychology and spirituality, her work has positively influenced many people's lives. Maetreyii Ma Nolan's wisdom and teachings garner recognition worldwide, making her a respected voice for inner transformation.
She is also a spiritual mentor, providing Baba Talks, teaching classes, and guiding students. She hosts webinars, retreats, and seminars, creating spaces where individuals can explore and experience the Divine.
More about Maetreyii Ma;
In my life activities, I am a writer, a licensed Transpersonal Psychologist, and an Acharya, or ordained yogic minister/spiritual teacher. I teach mysticism, traditional yogic meditation, philosophy, and the ancient wisdom teachings of yoga. I also am an ERYT 500 yoga teacher and a yogic therapist. This is the dream of "me."
I am a mother of two grown sons, a partner to a yogi in a marriage of many years, someone who loves their friends and family deeply and rejoices in those relationships, and a lover of the Divine. I love a good book, a good movie, a hike in nature and just being with those I love, but most of all I love my Baba, my Divine guide, Guru, and lifelong friend. I love the stars, the trees, and all living beings.
I began my spiritual yoga journey in 1969 when I took Diksha, or initiation into yogic meditation practices. From those practices unfolded deep mystical experiences of divine presence From that presence has come the guidance to share with others, as best I am able. This incredible love and guidance that I have found awaits in the mystic heart of yoga.
From the depths of these beautiful experiences of Divine presence and inner guidance from my Guide, I have begun to teach trainings, webinars, and classes. I have authored a number of books on spiritual life, sharing the depth of teachings I receive. I also hold periodic meditation retreats for those who want to go deeper and support people in cultivating direct mystical experiences through meditation practices and other approaches in my Mysticism and Yoga Mentoring Program.
Currently, I spend my time doing this spiritual work in service to the Divine, as well as working as a psychologist in private practice and writing books. I reside with my family in our ashram community in the northern San Francisco Bay Area.
My guest Tim Tactics is a governance expert from Europe. For almost a decade, he worked as a tactical advisor within the covert governance sector in Europe, which aims, among other things, to understand the missions and strategies of non-human intelligences on our planet and beyond. He was in experiments with so-called "exotic lifeforms," beings not from this Earth. Tim also reports on his numerous experiences with advanced technologies behind closed doors and shares his insider knowledge from ten years of work in undisclosed projects, especially on the topic of the current disclosure. His deep understanding of the mysteries of the universe comes from his extensive contacts.
Rob Rudewicz retired at the rank of Captain from the Hartford Police Department after a successful 20 year career. He held a variety of traditional and non traditional positions including acting chief of police. His early experiences growing up in the city combined with his police career contributed to a long term battle with addiction to alcohol, depression and anxiety. He shares his struggles over the years as well as his ultimate success in finding true recovery, honestly and openly in this podcast.
Chris Moore is a Captain with the Chesapeake Virginia Fire Department with over 30 years as a first responder and he is also a national touring speaker. Chris Moore is the son of a Norfolk, Virginia Police Officer and began his own public safety career in Virginia Beach, Virginia as a Volunteer Firefighter/EMT in 1993. As a volunteer, he put in as many hours as possible, picking the brains of the career members and soaking it all in, in hope of one day becoming a career firefighter. In 2000 Chris' dream became a reality as he was offered a job with the Chesapeake Virginia Fire Department as a firefighter paramedic. Chris has served in a variety of assignments including Firefighter Paramedic, Field Training Officer, Recruit School Instructor, MDA Fill the Boot coordinator, Foam Team, PPE Team, Fire Lieutenant and he currently serves as a Captain and a key member of his Departments Behavioral Health and Peer Support Team. Chris has served all over the diverse city of Chesapeake, by providing responsive and caring service to protect and improve the quality of life of others. He has also deployed on various task forces for aid in his home state of Virginia and deployed to Louisiana after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Chris has received numerous awards and commendations for his selflessness, bravery, commitment and dedication to the fire service. He most recently received the Fire Chiefs Medal of Commendation for his personal work and vulnerability in the field of first responder mental health and wellness. Chris was formally diagnosed with post-traumatic stress related to his years of service in 2018. In 2020 he decided that helping other first responders by sharing his journey in a completely open, honest and transparent format was another way of giving back and he started speaking at conferences and symposiums across the country. This let other first responders know that there is help out there as well as hope. He received his PTSD service dog, Lewis, in the summer of 2020. He is also a published writer in Fire Engineering Magazine, has been on numerous podcasts and news stories and is in the renowned documentary PTSD 911. Chris is also an alumnus of Save a Warrior. Chris is a dedicated advocate for awareness, prevention, education, training on Post Traumatic Stress and First Responder Suicide Prevention. Chris continues to candidly share his journey with PTS and speak to, not just fire but all public safety agencies across the United States, with the hope of ending the stigma behind mental health in the public safety community.
Since the opening of Advanced Health of Naperville (AHN) in 1999, Dr. Cathy has helped patients of all ages and types of symptoms reach their optimal health. She is a graduate of the Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa and one of the first doctors in the U.S. trained in cranio fascial dynamics and cranial treatment.
Her appreciation for and interest in chiropractic care came from being a patient herself. Following a springboard diving injury at age 17, she struggled to do daily activities without pain and sometimes couldn’t get out of bed. Traditional treatments were ineffective and by chance, someone asked if she had ever seen a chiropractor. After a few adjustments, her back issues were 95% better and her daily headaches, which she had since she was 13, were gone. Making chiropractic care a career choice was an easy decision.
After 24 years as a practitioner, Dr. Cathy transitioned to overseeing the practice in spring of 2022. Her focus is on ensuring AHN’s team of doctors, therapists and staff maintain the practice’s reputation of being a welcoming and happy place where patients receive the care they need to heal.
She’ll also be devoting more time to running The Branch and Socket. The Branch is a moms’ community with more than 55,000 members. It offers online connections, local events, networking groups, information sharing, opportunities to volunteer, and a place to call home. Socket is a weekly podcast hosted by Dr. Cathy on which she and her guests cover a variety of life and self-care topics that invite listeners to plug into gratitude, confidence, and happiness and unplug from the people and things that no longer serve them.
Chicago Sun-Times columnist Mary A. Mitchell was born Mary A. Duncan on May 23, 1949, in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Mitchell’s mother, Carrie Williams Duncan, and father, Joseph Duncan, struggled to raise ten children in Chicago Public Housing’s Dearborn Homes and Clarence Darrow Homes. Mitchell, the eldest and a twin loved to read as she helped raise her siblings. Mitchell attended Einstein Elementary School and Wendell Phillips Upper Grade Center. At Dunbar Vocational High School, Mitchell joined a girls group called the Exquisite Ladies Club, which put emphasis on good grades, not having babies and service. Graduating from Dunbar in 1967, Mitchell was hired by Peoples Gas as a mailroom clerk. Starting at Wilson Junior College in 1968, Mitchell transferred to Chicago Teacher’s College (Chicago State University) that same year.
Mitchell became the first African American legal secretary at a major Chicago law firm, Seyfarth Shaw, LLP; she eventually quit her job as a secretary after twenty years of service. Taking writing courses at Columbia College and encouraged by Carol Holtz and P.J. Bednarski, Mitchell landed a successful internship with the Chicago Sun-Times in 1990. Graduating with her B.A. degree in journalism from Columbia College in 1991, Mitchell was hired full time by the Chicago Sun-Times. Covering educational issues, Mitchell’s five part series on Chicago Vocational High School earned her an award from the National Association of Black Journalists. From 1993 to 1995, Mitchell covered City Hall reporting on Operation Silver Shovel. Since the start of her column in 1996, Mitchell, like Carl Rowan and Vernon Jarrett before her, has attracted a large and diverse readership. Mitchell also cultivated a substantial national following via the Internet, receiving an average of 900 e-mails per week from readers.
Mitchell was the recipient of numerous journalism awards, including the Award of Excellence from the National Association of Black Journalists, the Studs Terkel Award from the Chicago Media Workshop, and the Peter Lisagor Award from the Chicago Headliner Club. Mitchell was a frequent guest panelist on television and radio programs; a president of the Chicago Association of Black Journalists; and a member of the Association of Women Journalists.
John is a M&A Advisor, strategy consultant and entrepreneur. He previously worked in strategic business development, marketing and management at several companies. Notable are his 15 years of selling businesses and his 11 years as Executive Leadership roles in multiple companies. He has consulted and successfully started businesses of his own and for clients. John’s success has been in developing exponential growth of the companies he works with.
Hilary Arnow Burns grew up in Westport, Connecticut. She graduated from the Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania and was a Division Vice President on Wall Street. She spent over 30 years as a business consultant to companies all over the world. Her best accomplishment is having raised two remarkable children.
12 years ago, a comment from her daughter woke Hilary up. She realized she had been numbing herself with food and alcohol and decided to take a REAL look at her life. She didn’t like what she saw: she was overweight, unhappy in her marriage, drowning in debt, and had no life of her own.
She got real. She was tired of feeling bad. She discovered tools and techniques for getting over to the right side of life and spending less time on the sad, disempowered side.
She wrote a memoir, the Second Piece of French Toast, to inspire other people to get unstuck and regain their power and happiness. Her show The Getting Real with Hilary Show, is committed to people saying what isn't talked about, getting what's great about themselves, and inspiring others who may also be struggling. It's about Ordinary Heroes telling Extraordinary Stories.
Her second book, Real Talk: How to Say the Things You've Never Said So You Can Have the Things You've Always Wanted is a bestseller and has inspired many people to "start talking."
Hilary’s commitment is to inspire people to create lives they love and to have us all elevate the conversation and consciousness of the planet together. We are all on this planet as one community. By discovering our personal gifts, we can all contribute to making the world a wonderful place to live.
Listen to all podcast episodes on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0WKao0g...
Listen to all podcast episodes on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast...
All The Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtpX7GrEcbgGeLP69G2y0tzF_b2s7nHCX
Book: The Second Piece of French Toast: https://a.co/d/3YOoJFy
Book: Real Talk: https://a.co/d/iZp1eM
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Follow Hilary Burns at:
Website: realtalkwithhilary.com
Facebook: facebook.com/hilaryarnowb...
Twitter: twitter.com/ArnowHIlary
Instagram: instagram.com/gettingreal...
Youtube: youtube.com/gettingrealwithhilary
Jessica Hebert - Bio
Rev. Jessica Hebert is known and regarded for her gentleness, delicate way with words, and humor.
Through intuitive and spiritual services, she provides support, tools, and resources to harmonize your sacred wholeness, instilling calm, clarity, and hope.
A core aspect of her work is training and empowering Light workers, shamans, and healers. She teaches a variety of classes and courses about the workings of the Universe, understanding our mystical experiences, 5th dimensional approaches to life’s challenges, and tapping into the healer within.
Soon she will also release her first book, A Guide for the Budding Shaman, in which she draws on her decade of wisdom as a shaman and interfaith minister, as well as her two decades as a practicing pagan.
Speaking of Jessica’s shamanic experience …
Jessica walks through life consistently connected with the Divine, and the physical dimensions of Earth. She strives to serve the Divine with balanced tolerance, generosity, charity, mercy, compassion, and an appreciation for humor.
She sees the spiritual in all of life, from doing dishes to lighting prayer candles.
Rev. Jessica didn’t grow up seeing dead people, like a lot of her contemporaries. But that didn’t stop her from trying!
She draws on two decades of pagan practice, and self-healing initiations. In the past 10+ years, she has trained and practiced in shamanism, Reiki, dream interpretation, interfaith ministry, and priestesshood.
Jessica serves clients all over the world, offering remote sessions, including:
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Reiki healing
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Intuitive phone readings
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Remote energy clearings
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Dream interpretation
Her virtual classes include a healer course and an “Explore Shamanism” course.
Jessica also offers rites of passage ceremonies, including:
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Baptisms/wiccanings
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Coming of age ceremonies
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Custom weddings
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End of life ceremonies
See her website at https://bluestargaia.com/services/ for more information.
Email: rev.jessica@bluestargaia.com
Website: https://BlueStarGaia.com
Newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/u8jffbrk
Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/bluestargaia
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bluestargaia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blue.star.gaia
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bluestargaia
Ko-Fi: https://www.ko-fi.com/bluestargaia
Insight Timer: http://insig.ht/bluestargaia
Product Link: https://www.ko-fi.com/bluestargaia/shop
Author and award-winning interior designer
Bio 👇
Jeanne Collins is an award-winning interior designer who left the corporate world behind to find her true self through design and internal reflection. Her firm, JerMar Designs, works with executives and entrepreneurs, focusing on projects that combine sophistication and balance with inner and outer wellness. Winner of the 2022 Luxe Magazine Red Award, she was also recently nominated as an HGTV Designer of the Year. She chronicles her journey and the approach that changed her life and work in her memoir, Two Feet In: Lessons from an All-In Life. Learn more at JerMarDesigns.com.
Hadiya Ayodele, a 22-year-old recording artist, music producer, mental health advocate, CEO of Dollhouse Entertainment Media and Publishing, and versatile professional from Baltimore City, has carved her path as a freelance digital marketer, influencer, and content creator. With a passion for music and a flair for digital innovation, she seamlessly navigates the dynamic intersection of artistry and marketing in her day-to-day. A former student of Prairie View A&M University studying classical voice and political science, she further honed her expertise through Georgia Tech’s One Ten Blacks in Technology Scholarship Program with Udacity, earning a degree in digital marketing. This unique blend of education and talent positions her at the forefront of the dynamic music and digital landscape.
Brooke oversees the Prevention Education Team, working primarily with School Districts, Businesses, and Community Organizations. She attained her Bachelor's in Community Health from Texas A&M University and got certified as a Health Education Specialist (CHES) which forged the way for her passion with preventative efforts and initiatives. She believes prevention work is a hidden treasure because you never truly know who you’re talking to. It could be a survivor hearing people speak about something they don’t have the courage to share yet, a victim waiting to say something, or a trafficker being confronted with the truth. When it comes to prevention education, the sky is the limit! Brooke was previously a Program Coordinator/Health Educator aiming to reduce teen and unplanned pregnancy on community college campuses with Healthy Futures of Texas and has trained at a National, State, and Local Level.
Sarassa is currently serving as the Interim Executive Director. She has most recently served as the Director of Operations for Ransomed Life, overseeing the procedures and processes for staff, after-care programs, and more. She became passionate about the victims and survivors of human trafficking in college. She has served as a mentor with Ransomed Life for over 5 years and she desires to see the victims find a place of restoration and healing. Sarassa holds a Bachelor’s degree from Birmingham Southern College with a major in Psychology and minor in Religion.
In 1986, five neurologists told Sandi Gold that she had 6 months to a year to live. Years later, she was told she had to get a mastectomy, but she declined. Just five months later, using only a natural treatment she was cancer-free. Sandi’s book, “I Chose Love: How to Thrive After a Life-Threatening Illness Using Love to Guide You,” was published in January.
It’s been described by her readers “as a powerful and inspirational guide, offering a transformative journey that transcends the realms of self-help and motivational literature”, as giving “inspiration and wisdom on every page, opening new perspectives on how to react to the slings and arrows we encounter in life”. Dr. Bernie Siegel, a retired pediatric surgeon from
Yale University and best-selling author, wrote the foreword to Sandi’s book. It has already received ten 5-star reviews.
Ms. Gold earned her BFA at Boston University and upon graduation, received a full scholarship to study at the Leo Marchutz School of Art in Aix-en-Provence, France. She’s been featured in The New York Times, People Magazine, and ABC Television’s 20/20, where her show was among the top three programs the year it aired. She has also been interviewed on National Public Radio and its Connecticut affiliate. She was the keynote speaker for the Calgary Cancer Center in Canada and has spoken at Brown University, and the Brain Tumor
My guest Shivananda Swamiji is a beacon of hope and healing in the cosmic realm, offering a new multidimensional approach to healing the body, mind, and soul. This is an amazing opportunity to experience a true modern-day living Avatar, Shivananda Swamiji, who is a light in these times of great global change. Shivananda is the author of "La Mia Storia" (plus the English version: “My Story”), and "The Infinite Embrace: In Search of Divine Love," and leads workshops, retreats, and sessions globally. Meeting Shivananda during a Satsang is a powerful and heart-opening experience, one that initiates inner change. Unconditional Divine Love flows through him and touches your heart. Shivananda's purpose is to bring love and transformation worldwide, especially during this historic transition from the Kali Yuga to the Golden Age. Born in Puglia, Italy, Shivananda's extraordinary divine experiences shaped his mission on Earth. Shivananda Swamiji devotes his life to the service of humanity and stands in the lineage of the great Indian Masters such as Shirdi Sai Baba, Babaji, Yogananda, Satya Sai Baba and is completely devoted to Jesus and Mother Mary. Collaborating with master celestial healers, Shivananda co-created a method based on the understanding that life's challenges are lessons for soul evolution. Addressing healing on four levels—physical-energetic, emotional, mental, and soul—Shivananda's essence is to assist individuals in recognizing and resolving challenges from a multidimensional perspective. Through his Avatar's presence, he facilitates restoration, revealing the lessons in each challenge and guiding the healing journey with divine energy, accelerating a sacred process that awakens and integrates the soul's essence. As part of his mission, Shivananda heads up the New Light Collective to build 27 ashram locations worldwide.
Multitalented Musician, Actor, Director, Producer, and Writer
With over 15 Million Streams and 20 CCMA and BCCMA Award Nominations, Multitalented Musician, Actor, Director, Producer, and Writer, Wes Mack hits Fall 2023 with a Brand New Album, Single, TV Show, and Film.
Following up on his first two albums, "Edge of the Storm" and "SOUL," (which amassed four top 20 Billboard hits, millions of streams, and saw him tour with Shania Twain and Florida Georgia Line among others) Mack is now releasing his third studio album "Hummingbird" on October 20, 2023.
“Hummingbird” began production in early March 2020, just weeks before the pandemic began. “It certainly changed the album. It changed everything. But honestly, it allowed the album to come together in a really unique way that opened up a million new possibilities,” said Mack.
“Zoom sessions, Facetime calls, and sharing files across the world… suddenly it was possible to work with anyone anywhere. It oddly freed us up to collaborate without even thinking about where anyone was. Just about the most interesting thing, we could make something sound. That was the best part, and has become a huge part of how I make music now.”
The album’s work across multiple studios, provinces, and counties allowed it to feature the talents of some of the biggest names in the business, with writers including songwriters Gavin Slate (James Barker Band, Jade Eagleson), Travis Wood (Morgan Wallen, Jake Owen, Jordan Davis) Karen Kosowski (Mickey Guyton, Tim Hicks, Brett Kissel), Victoria Banks (Jessica Simpson, Mickey Guyton, Carly Pearce, Meghan Patrick), and many others.
The production was helmed by veteran producers Dan Swinimer (Madeline Merlo, Jojo Mason, Billy Currington) and Jordan Oorebeek (Spencer Crandall, Lydia Sutherland, Owen Reigling), as well as Mack himself, producing on Be Without You, House of Love, and Don’t Change.
With its unique origin, “Hummingbird” has already spawned big successes for Mack. The singles have amassed over 2 million streams, have had multiple top 5 hits on SiriusXM (including a Number 1 this year with “Lookin’ For You”), as well as generating multiple placements in film and TV projects.
While working on the EP, Mack also penned a series of co-writes with other artists including the top 10 hit “Fighting” from Tyler Joe Miller, the current top 30 “Breakup Song” from Lemon Cash, and the SiriusXM Number One hit “Bleed Country” from David Boyd Janes.
Playing into his other strengths, this fall, Mack joins the cast of the CTV/NBC hit series Transplant, premiering its fourth and final season on October 6th. Mack plays Ryan Ashcroft, a new resident doctor at York Memorial Hospital who immediately creates problems in the ER. Season 4 of TRANSPLANT finds Bashir “Bash” Hamed (Haq) on the precipice of finishing his residency at York Memorial and officially re-qualifying as a doctor.
Later in 2023, Mack is set to appear in a lead role in the heartwarming Christmas film, “Cape Holly Christmas” where art imitates life and Mack portrays a country musician named Luke, performing multiple original and classic Christmas songs, just in time for the holiday season. The film was shot in Mack’s home province of Alberta earlier in 2023.
Mack has shared the silver screen with a variety of stars from Liam Neeson in “Cold Pursuit,” to Kate Beckinsale in the Paramount Plus series “Guilty Party,” and recently played a lead role in the 2022 Netflix series “The Imperfects” which spent multiple weeks in the global top three shows. Other past credits include: “Power Rangers,” “DC’S Legends of Tomorrow”, “iZombie”, “Motive” “The 100”, “Supernatural”, “Continuum”, “Smallville”, “Heartland,” “The Vampire Diaries”. “Magic Beyond Words: The JK Rowling Story”, “A Dog Named Christmas”, “Girl House”, and “The Phantoms”.
Behind the camera Mack has also made a name for himself as a director and producer, earning him nominations for Music Video of the Year and Director of the Year at the CCMA, BCCMA, and Leo Awards, while creating compelling narrative pieces for artists like JUNO Award Winner Jess Moskaluke.