Edwin Harkness Spina is an award-winning author, speaker and mystic. He is the author of Mystic Warrior, Mystic Secrets Revealed and Enlightened Relationships. He specializes in connecting people to their Highest Self, leading to greater intuition, clarity and joy.

Edwin developed a holistic healing methodology – his ‘Energy Center Clearing’ and ‘Total Love Immersion’ – to align, balance and center energies for individuals moving through these tumultuous times.

Before becoming a master healer, Ed went through an extreme metamorphosis. After graduating with a BSE degree in math and computer science from Tufts University, Ed began writing systems software for a computer manufacturer. He went on to receive an MBA from the University of Chicago with concentrations in finance and marketing. After graduating, he worked with various venture capital firms, and started several technology-based companies in the sports and music industries.

Stressed out from his entrepreneurial ventures, Ed rented a video from Blockbuster that promised to help him relax and, curiously, help him recall his past lives. To Ed’s surprise, the video changed his life, as he was able to recall a past life in substantial detail. Thus began his 20+ year study of mysticism, metaphysics, energy healing and all things spiritual.

The pure intent of Ed’s desire to understand how the universe truly works drew the attention of his first mentor. Through this relationship, Ed uncovered gifts his scientific mind would not have thought possible. After a few months, his primary means of communication with his mentor was telepathic.

Ed continued his studies with long term mystics and cutting-edge energy healers, when he met his second mentor, a Near Death Experiencer who worked with Ed to raise his energy to new levels. After years of study and preparation, Ed combined his love of mysticism with his love of entrepreneurship and wrote his first book, Mystic Warrior, which won the Independent Publisher Book Award for Visionary Fiction and a Nautilus Silver Book Award for Fiction.

Ed has since written Mystic Secrets Revealed, contributed to the bestseller 101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life and created CDs and audiobooks entitled: Total Love Immersion, Escaping the Matrix, Enlightened Relationships and Travel to Enlightenment.

Living in Los Angeles, Ed lectures around the world and offers Energy Clearings in person and remotely. His company, Higher Dimension Publishing, publishes books, CDs and videos that entertain, enlighten and educate.

Dr. Namie is a social psychologist and widely regarded as North America’s foremost authority on Workplace Bullying. In 2007, 2010 and 2014, Dr. Namie wrote, and Zogby Analytics conducted, the most frequently cited, largest-ever, scientific U.S. survey of Workplace Bullying. Along with his wife, Ruth, they wrote the popular books, The Bully-Free Workplace (Wiley, 2011) and The Bully At Work 2nd ed. (Sourcebooks, 2009). He has 21 years university teaching experience in management and psychology, including the University of Southern California. He was a corporate manager for two regional hospital systems. He won national and college campus teaching awards. He now directs the only U.S. research and education organization with a focus on bullying at work, the Workplace Bullying Institute. The media regard Dr. Namie, after 1,200+ interviews, as the go-to expert. He leads advocates to enact the anti-bullying Healthy Workplace Bill in US states. He serves as expert witness in bullying-related legal cases. Work Doctor®, the consulting firm, created the Workplace Bullying specialization.

Ingar Grev is the managing director of the Washington D.C. area office of The Growth Coach. A technology, leadership and strategy expert, Grev helps businesses run better through business, executive and sales coaching, strategic consulting, and interim executive services. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and holds an M.S. and MBA from the University of Maryland.

Born in the UK and raised in New Zealand, Carlton has led an interesting, eclectic, adventurous, and purposeful life—a road less traveled but with good purpose intended.

Carlton is a veterinarian, biotech entrepreneur, vaccine innovator, hobby archaeologist, and private researcher, as well as the author of Discovering Ritual Meditation. His lifetime fascination with pyramid archaeology and cultures, ancient priesthood ritual knowledge, lost civilizations, and humankind’s history through the Holocene, is augmented by his researches into the science of altered states of consciousness. More recently, his interests have expanded to understanding the story lurking behind global climate change. Carlton lives in Guatemala, his spiritual home, overlooking the beautiful Lake Atitlan and its cluster of inspiring volcanoes, right in the heartland of the ancient Maya.

Carlton earned an MBA from the London Business School (1997), and was the founding CEO of Immune Targeting Systems Ltd (2003-12), which was recently (2015) sold to Vaxin Inc. During his CEO tenure, Carlton raised GBP£23 million of investment funding, developed a biotechnology company and technology de novo, and led a team that successfully validated novel vaccine solutions for mutating viruses, thus solving a multi-decade industry and technology bottleneck (vaccines promoting cellular immunity). In 2012 he stepped down as CEO to pursue his career as an author.

Keynote speaker and author, Lisa Ryan is a nationally recognized gratitude expert and founder of Grategy®.  She is a dynamic presenter who teaches corporations, associations, and non-profits the immense power of gratitude in the workplace, and helps her clients translate soft skills into hard profits.  She focuses on employee productivity, customer retention and growth, and how these affect the bottom line.

Ms. Ryan is a featured expert in two films, “The Keeper of the Keys” with Jack Canfield of Chicken Soup for the Soul, and “The Gratitude Experiment” with several experts from the smash hit book and movie The Secret.  She is the author of five books including: The Upside of Down Times: Discovering the Power of Gratitude, From Afraid to Speak to Paid to Speak, and With Excellence. Her audiences love her passion and humor, and the fact that they leave with specific ideas that they can apply immediately.

Get your copy of The Upside of Down Times: The Keeper of the Keys is now available on DVD

Lisa is a Professional member of the National Speakers Association and Toastmasters International. She holds an undergraduate degree and MBA from Cleveland State University. She has been blissfully married to Scott since 1996.

Filling the role of social justice co-ordinator for One Billion Rising Atlanta, Lisa is committed to helping to end violence and inequities that disproportionately effect women and girls and people of color.  She has helped coordinate the Atlanta version of several international events and particularly focuses on the use of the Arts for Social Change.  As co-founder and co-director of Posts for Peace and Justice she plans collaborative workshops that bring diverse communities together to engage in dialogue around issues that matter.  Expression of their shared vision and voices is then manifested in art that is displayed for public viewing to raise awareness and stimulate conversations leading to peace and understanding.

The intersectional organization works to engage men and boys to create new social norms, free from sexism, male privilege and gender violence, across age, gender, and difference. Adele incorporates unconventional methods to raise awareness, build empathy, and inspire action, from spoken word, theater, and public art to workshops, including a SAFE HOUSE Fraternity Training. She mounts billboards and transit sign PSAs and the theater production BECOMING hu-MAN: Words and Images to Help End Rape Culture, periodically, as community call to action. 

In her first career, Leslie was a professional dancer in Atlanta and later created the first Pilates studio, called Body Awareness. Her 22 years of commitment to supporting others to feel more connect and alive in their bodies is now evolving into creating a non-profit called The Joyous Heart Network. Inspired by Eve Ensler and her humanitarian work in the world, the Joyous Heart Network  will be working with other non-profits to bring profound transformational healing resources to survivors of Sexual abuse. She is working with the Atlanta One Billion Rising Team to help raise awareness about the issues and build a bridge for survivors to find deeper levels of healing. 

Leslie Clayton is passionate about helping women discover strength, balance and beauty inside and out. With more than 30 years of dance and exercise training, she uses physical and metaphysical exercises to assist her clients with body awareness. Leslie founded the first Pilates studio in Atlanta in 1993. Leslie combines her knowledge of Pilates, Heart IQ and body wisdom to develop conscious Pilates instructors. Leslie loves providing resources for teachers to fine tune their professional strengths and step up to new levels of skill, talent and expertise as Pilates professionals.

Leslie began her Pilates training with Ramana Krysanowska in New York, and has studied with teachers from San Francisco, Santa Fe and Colorado. She combines her knowledge of dance, Pilates, Yoga and gentle body therapies to create effective programs for all therapeutic and fitness levels. She is a Natural Rhythms Creation Coach and Food Healing Coach. Leslie brings Pilates trainers, fitness professionals and health care practitioners together for continuing education and to maintain the highest standards of fitness, health and well being for her trainers and her clients.

Since 2000, accomplished teacher & healer Alx Uttermann has been conducting healing workshops & trainings in a wide array of healing techniques & spiritual knowledge from ancient India.

From Singapore to California, she's facilitated hundreds of workshops, classes, satsangs, ceremonies & other healing events.

Over many years of intensive study at Sri Kaleshwar's Soul University in Penukonda, South India (five years in residence), Alx gained an in-depth understanding of the stresses facing human beings, and the spiritual medicine that dissolves them.

Her on-going research & expertise lie in effectively healing the underlying root of suffering, as well as the many symptoms of suffering (such as depression, anxiety, chronic health problems, heartbreak, grief, PTSD, anger issues and addictions).

Since returning to the US in 2005, Alx' work sharing these medicinal techniques has continued non-stop, culminating in the co-founding of UCBK (The Universal Church of Baba's Kitchen) with colleague Jonathan D. Rosen in 2008. UCBK is a meditation, charitable, & spiritual center in the Santa Cruz mountains of California, open to anyone of any faith, path, religion, or none.

Alx' passion, wisdom, humor, patience & command of spiritual knowledge is contagious.  Her goal is to spread the light far & wide, to help bring relief, peace of mind, inspiration and miraculous healing to whomever is in need.

All of the dazzling knowledge & spiritual healing techniques she utilizes and shares comes straight from the teachings of ancient India, restored to the world by Sri Kaleshwar & the universal lineage of ascended masters he represents, including Shirdi Sai Baba, Jesus Christ, Buddha, Adi Shankaracharya, Mahavatar Babaji, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, and others.

- Available for personal healing sessions, either in person or via distance healing/Skype, anywhere in the world. Healing sessions are always free for veterans, esp with PTSD.

- Entrepreneur in the health/wellness field, helping to share Zeal For Life, an unparalleled wellness product with stunning long-and-short-term health benefits.

- Yoga & meditation on the beach in sunny Santa Monica, California! Every Tuesday & Wednesday mornings...!

- Animal Whisperer, talking with cats & dogs, helping pet owners & pets gain more understanding, clear communication, mutual healing & easier behaviors.

- New book of spiritual poems, 'wafting toward heaven,' available on Amazon for Kindle & smart-phone plus Kindle apps on any device!

- Performs weddings - specializes in tailoring special, sacred, unforgettable ceremonies to the needs of the couple. Adept with any religion, spiritual path, or interfaith ceremonies.

BACKGROUND IN HEALING & SOCIAL SERVICE
- Trained in South India for many years, with top healing master Sri Kaleshwar, emerging with hundreds of miraculous healing techniques & a wide body of practical knowledge from ancient India.

Lynne Cockrum-Murphy is an intuitive consultant specializing in helping people move forward on their spiritual path. She channels, offers ThetaHealing®, readings, Access Bars and facilitates physical healing, emotional growth and removes blocks to a life of joy, meaning and purpose.

With decades of experience teaching and counseling, she uses her skills to guide people forward in their quest using a variety of tools to fit each individual’s circumstances.

Lynne received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Nevada, Master’s Degree from the University of Oregon and her doctorate from Arizona State University. She is a certified ThetaHealer® and Instructor, a certified Access Consciousness Bars® healer and Instructor, a channel, a licensed substance abuse counselor since 2003, adjunct university professor, meditation instructor and a best-selling author.

She recently released her second book, Living Hope: Steps to Leaving Suffering Behind (available through Amazon) which describes the trauma of her childhood and how she moved beyond the dysfunction and events of her past. The book is a model of hope, action and success for those who also suffered trauma and seek a life of spirituality and inner peace.

Lynne has led group meditations and taught throughout the Northwest, Southwest and Caribbean. She has a private practice in the Phoenix - Scottsdale, Arizona area. Lynne offers one-on-one services, group sessions, training and private consulting.

MIKE MARINO

Mike Marino – affectionately known to thousands of his fans as New Jersey’s Bad Boy – he is one of the most unique comics of our time. He has performed in every major comedy club from New York to Los Angeles including: The MGM Grand, Catch a Rising Star, The Comic Strip, Stand Up NY, The Improv, Rascals and The Icehouse. Mike, who has worked with some of the biggest names in the business, can be seen nightly as a top headliner at both the world famous Laugh Factory and The Comedy Store in Hollywood.

Mike Marino was born in Jersey City, New Jersey. He entered the world of theatre at an early age, and is a graduate of the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Mike has appeared in over 200 national television commercials, and has received a Best Actor Clio Award Nomination. He has acted in many Prime Time soaps and television shows including: As the World Turns, One Life to Live, Becker, Nikki, Frasier and Party of Five. His film credits include Crooks, Pizza with Bullets, Hangin’ in Hedo and Steven King’s Lucky Quarter.

After great success in film, theatre, commercials and soaps, Mike Marino began touring the country performing at countless comedy clubs and sold out theatres in the thousands. His stand-up material ranges from cutting edge observations of everyday life to his Italian family roots; which recently spun into a T.V. pilot called “Marino’s”. His comedic style has landed him guest appearances on The Tonight Show as a regular sketch player, The Martin Short Show, Comics Unleashed, The Boomer Show, Wild Pitch, Hand Held Comedy Radio and the Rascals Comedy Hour to name a few.

In the Fall of 2008, Mike Marino was inducted into the New Jersey Comedy Hall of Fame. Mike has also been featured on numerous talk shows and has hosted some of the most prestigious award shows including The Beverly Hills Film Awards, Hoboken Film Festival, and the Montreal Quintus Film Festival. He has also headlined several USO Comedy Tours and the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal, Canada.

Mike Marino has a tongue like a razor and a heart of gold. He has the incredible ability to perform in any arena, big or small, and can cater his material for all audiences, from strictly clean to down and dirty. He has performed in hundreds of corporate functions for companies including AT&T, United Airlines, American Express, Paul Mitchell, IBM, Wella, Merrill Lynch, Sebastian Intl., Toyota, L.A.S.D., N.J. Asphalt Assoc., The City of Hope, OSIA, and the LAPD. Mike Has performed for numerous charities including Aids Project – LA, Haven House, Team earthworks, and the Eric Davis Cancer Fund. When Marino is not performing, he enjoys traveling and spending time with his family on the East Coast.

SEBASTIEN GENDRY

Sebastien Gendry is an expert in wellness and wellbeing with over 11 years of full-time experience teaching and training 1,000s of people on four continents. He has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show, 60 minutes, ABC Good Morning America, National Public Radio and many more national media.

He is the creator of Laughter Wellness, an interactive practice based on Laughter Yoga focused on developing a positive attitude and designed to improve physical, mental, emotional and especially social wellbeing and integration.

My name is Sebastien Gendry. I am the man who wrote this short document and created the Laughter Online University. I first came across the world of Laughter Therapy through an invitation to participate in a laughter club in Mumbai, India, in 1998. I did not to go. The idea of mechanically faking laughter seemed utterly absurd and pointless to me. It took me six full years and my share of physical and emotional challenges to realize that I hardly ever laughed myself and was the one missing out.

To cut a long story short, the world of laughter has been my chosen full time profession since 2005. The beginnings were rough, as there was no path I could follow. I was the first person in the Western world to dedicate myself full-time to the teaching and promotion of Laughter Yoga. I poured my soul into it and then spent years deepening my understanding, continuously learning, questioning and reworking how to use laughter to unlock the inner potential for change. In time my skillset matured and became Laughter Wellness, the program I now teach. It’s a professional approach to voluntary simulated laughter and a service that people value. It’s complete, solid, and it works. It has changed my life and that of many others.

I look forward to laughing and sharing my expertise with you! Mirthfully yours

Sebastien Gendry | The Laughter Wellness Guy

SAM MORRIS

Sam Morris is the founder of Zen Warrior Training®. In 1999, just after leading a bicycling trip for nine teenagers across the United States, Sam was in a car accident caused by a drunk driver which left him paralyzed from the waist down. Rather than becoming the victim of his circumstances, Sam learned and created a system of mental and physical training that brought him more vitality and clarity than he had before his injury. In addition to coaching private clients and businesses in Zen Warrior Training®, Sam teaches classes in Santa Monica, CA, a monthly men’s group called “Zen for Men,” Zen Warrior Training youth programs, and workshops throughout the country.

Sam resides in Los Angeles with his wife Meghan, founder of Amba Yoga™, and their two dogs. He is committed to serving humanity through helping individuals strengthen their awareness of their personal power.

MELISSA REBRONJA (EMAR)

MY LIFE:

Hi, my name is Melissa Rebronja also known as EMAR (pronounced as my initials M.R.). I love people. I want every human to be happy. I was born in a beautiful country that no longer exists. As a child, my first piece of writing began “My wish is that…”. I wished that people who had no limbs would grow them. And people who were sad would be happy. My teacher made me read it in front of the class.

A decade later, I wrote an essay about the war & destruction of my homeland. I got an A+ with this note: “Outstanding! A valuable document. Keep it for reading to your children after the madness has died down.”

I have no children and I don’t know if the madness has died down. But here we are…

I have lived in four different cities (Belgrade, Toronto, Vancouver & LA) in three different countries (former Yugoslavia, Canada & USA). I have friends that I love from all different religions and cultures all over the world. My family consists of Atheists, Muslims and Christians. I LOVE all of them. I see our world as ONE.

My wish is for everyone to love each other. When I see people being good to each other it touches my heart.

The first song I ever wrote was about the madness of war & separation, ”It Could’ve Been Me”. Later, as I embraced my voice as a messenger of peace, I wrote ”Sutra” and EMAR came to be. It’s about returning home, forgiveness and love.

I sing in many different languages ’cause I want everyone on Earth to relate. I celebrate many different cultures in my music ’cause I want YOU to know you belong, no matter what color, religion or nation you are.

I sing and write about love & forgiveness. I want peace and oneness for ALL of us. Thank-you for reading and listening. I feel blessed by your presence on my page.

Love,
Melissa Rebronja EMAR

PRESS BIO:

Melissa Rebronja EMAR is a songstress who knows no borders.

World traveler, mystic, LA Lady.

As a songwriter and recording artist, her green eyes gaze into the sky and beyond, feet firmly planted on the urban streets she calls home.

Marrying world, acoustic, spiritual, and pop sounds, she creates a musical space that MOVES, where celebration becomes devotion becomes freedom.

She was born in Belgrade, gateway between the West and the Orient, razed to the ground time and time again in its chaotic history, but still standing where the Danube and the Sava Rivers meet, its red heart beating. There, she dreamed of becoming a singer, practicing in the mirror with an imaginary mic. The mic wouldn’t be imaginary for long.

When she was a teenager, she left the walnut tree in her back yard and moved to Canada. She came to know this young country as her home, and herself as North American.

Her debut album, EMBRACE YOURSELF, included the radio single & BRAVO TV video “Beautiful” as well as the huge Itunes download, her haunting version of “Wonderwall.” She quickly followed up with YOU’LL BE MINE.

Following her gypsy spirit into new musical realms, she then released one album and one EPs under the name EMAR. She won rave reviews from international media, dj’s and fans for SACRED SOUL, on which she sang in English, Serbian, Hindi, Persian, and Arabic. She added Mandarin, Gypsy, and Farsi to the mix on MOON, proving how far from your mother tongue you can go to express yourself when the spirit moves you.

Exposed to war in her place of birth, she knows about the bruised places on the earth and in our souls, and the power of music to heal and unite.

Music moving from one tribe to all tribes, radiating compassion and communion.

What will her next incarnation be? As always, she will dance between the street smart and the spiritual. Tough and tender.

Taking us all on her magic carpet ride.

She likes company.

Stay tuned.

THE AMAZING MUSICAL COLLABORATION OF GARY LUCAS & JANN KLOSE

ON  THE RAY SHASHO SHOW

On January 8th, 2016 guitarist Gary Lucas and singer Jann Klose released 10 songs they’ve collaborated on the past three years. Look for STEREOPTICON on Cosmic Trigger Records/The Orchard. The album was recorded in New York City’s premiere analog studio The Maid’s Room in September 2014 and June 2015.

Jann says “A Stereopticon is a classic slide projector that combines two images to create a three-dimensional effect. The title fit since there are the two of us and the album was recorded live on two-inch tape, the classic analog recording technique.“

Gary explains how the two create their new songs, “There is a lot you can do with just voice and guitar; we took influences from all over the Americana spectrum, and added a few odd surprises.”

“Secret Wings” was one of their first collaborations. Jann says, “it’s about the City beating you down and making it through the noise and craziness, especially in New York City!” Created by DeAngela Napier, “Secret Wings” is the duo’s new music video and available on YouTube. “Secret Wings” features scenes of the City, from jarring cabs and graffiti to comfort zones like Jann and Gary playing at the Rockwood Music Hall and breathing in Central Park. (In fact Gary will be sitting in with Jann at the Rockwood Stage 3 on the 21st of December at 8:30 PM. After that date, the two will be back on the road in Germany, United Kingdom and the U.S.

The jazzy “Fair Weather” is about two-faced people, while the Canned Heat-influenced “Walking And Talking” and the dramatic “Take Your Medicine” fit perfectly on blues radio.

Some songs “Nobody’s Talking” (about cellphone users who text in the company of friends) and a few with double-entendres: the sea shanty “Jewel Julia” and acoustic blues song “Let No One Come Between Us” were co-written with Dan Beck (who has collaborated with Dion DiMucci, the Iron Cityhouse Rockers, and the Rascals’ Felix Cavaliere). Dan also contributed to the Renaissance-esque “Overture,” and the pop-influenced “Well of Loneliness.”

Dan co-wrote “Mary Magdalene,” which has found support from a variety of New York City-area stations as the song supports the people in Long Island, Queens, Staten Island, Brooklyn, and New Jersey still struggling to get their lives back to normal since Oct. 29, 2012’s Superstorm Sandy. (Gary and Jann encourage their fans to donate to the Island Park Volunteer Fire Dept., P.O Box 500, Island Park, NY 11558 or online at 2ndbattalion.org/departments/island-park.)

STEREOPTICON is produced by Jann, Gary, and Dan, who call themselves “Dr. Tre.” The album was engineered by Jack McKeever (Joan As Police Woman, Anna & Kate McGarrigle) and Jason Candler (Queen Esther), who also plays soprano sax on “Nobody’s Talking” and tenor sax on “Well of Loneliness.” STEREOPTICON was mastered by Ben Kesler (Robert Randolph and the Family Band).

While Jann and Gary write as collaborators in the Roots Music Genre, both artists are eclectic musicians that tour throughout the world on their own.

Gary’s co-written hits with artists Joan Osborne: “Spider Web,” and Jeff Buckley’s “Grace” and “Mojo Pin.” He’s worked extensively with Captain Beefheart. ROLLING STONE says Gary is, “One of the best and most original guitarists in America…a modern guitar miracle.” He just received the Premio Ciampi Lifetime Achievement Award in Italy, named for one of Italy’s most famous songwriters. In 2014, Gary received the Ambassador’s Award for Cultural Diplomacy from the US Consul General of Milan. His long-awaited GARY LUCAS’ FLEISCHEREI: MUSIC FROM MAX FLEISCHER CARTOONS will be released on Cuneiform, February 2016. He is currently collaborating with Steve Kilbey (The Church), and Chris Shinn (new lead singer of Live), and was (this fall) Music Director of “State of Grace,” a multi-artist Australian tribute to Tim and Jeff Buckley.

Born in Germany and raised in Kenya, South Africa and the United States, Jann Klose is currently collaborating with Ann Hampton Callaway, Renaissance’s Annie Haslam, Hall & Oates’ John Oates and The Yardbirds’ Jim McCarty. In 2015 Jann and his music appeared in the short film THE BEAUTY OF DISASTER (Glimmer Girl, USA) and the award-winning Australian feature documentary A VENUE FOR THE END OF THE WORLD (BrinkVision, USA). His most recent album, MOSAIC won three 2014 Independent Music Awards and charted for several months on the AMA and Roots Rock charts.

Gary and Jann both worked on the movie GREETINGS FROM TIM BUCKLEY (Tribeca Film/Focus/Universal). Jann is the singing voice of Tim Buckley, while Gary consulted and played guitar. Tony Award winner Frank Wood plays Gary in the film.

ED ASNER is an American actor best known as gruff-but-lovable newsman Lou Grant, who debuted on the television sitcom The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
 

Synopsis

Born in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 15, 1929, actor Ed Asner got his big break when he landed the part of gruff newsman Lou Grant on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. When that popular sitcom ended, Asner continued with the drama spin-off Lou Grant. He won Emmy Awards for both shows. Asner's voice also starred in many animated features, including Pixar's Up. He served as president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1981-85.

Early Life

Actor Ed Asner was born Edward David Asner on November 15, 1929, in Kansas City, Missouri. For more than a decade, Asner delighted television audiences with his portrayal of the tough, grumbling, but ultimately lovable newsman Lou Grant. This award-winning actor started on his chosen career path in college, appearing in productions at the University of Chicago.

After serving in the U.S. Army's Signal Corps in the early 1950s, Asner moved to New York to pursue an acting career. While he landed a few stage roles and made some television appearances, his career didn't really take off until he landed a part on The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970-77). The situation comedy followed the life of Mary Richards—played by Mary Tyler Moore—a professional woman in her 30s working in TV news in Minneapolis. The show was groundbreaking for its time, showing an independent woman focused on her career. Asner played her boss, Lou Grant, a tough producer who, despite his hard facade, was more of a teddy bear than a grizzly bear. Audiences adored his portrayal of the character, along with reviewers and peers as well.

Asner was nominated for an Emmy Award seven times for his work on the show, winning the award three times—in 1971, 1972 and 1975. Though still popular, the series ended in 1977. During its final episode, most members of the TV station's news staff were fired after new management took over.

Lou Grant Lives On

While The Mary Tyler Moore Show was finished, the character of Lou Grant lived on. He moved to Los Angeles to become the city editor for a Los Angeles newspaper on the dramatic series Lou Grant (1977-82). Asner's character often went head-to-head with the newspaper's publisher, Margaret Pynchon, played by Nancy Marchand. While the show had its share of lighter moments, it took on many important issues, including gun control and child abuse.

In the later years of the series, Asner became known for speaking out on numerous social and political topics, especially in opposition to the U.S. involvement in Central America. The show was canceled in 1982, reportedly due to poor ratings, while some—including Asner—have speculated that the actor's activism may have influenced the decision to end the series.

More Television Roles

While it may have lost some of its audience over the years, Lou Grant remained a critical success, winning the Emmy Award for outstanding drama series in both 1979 and 1980. Asner was nominated for outstanding lead actor in a drama series every year the show was on the air, taking home the Emmy Award twice—first in 1978 and again in 1980.

Throughout the rest of the 1980s and '90s, Asner worked on a variety of projects. He returned to TV a number of times, making appearances on Hearts Afire (1992-93) with John Ritter, Thunder Alley (1994-95) with Haley Joel Osment and The Closer (1998) with Tom Selleck. He also appeared on The Practice (1997-04) and held a regular role on Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (2006-07). In 2011, he returned as the star of his own show, Working Class (2011). In this Country Music Television original series, Asner starred as a butcher who befriends a struggling single mom.

Big-Screen Work

Asner has also brought his talents to feature films, including a comic turn as Santa Claus in the 2003 comedy Elf, starring opposite Will Farrell. In 2007, the actor garnered an Emmy Award nomination for his work on the TV movie The Christmas Card.

Over the years, Asner has also lent his trademark voice to a number of animated series, including Fish Police (1992), The Magic School Bus (1994-98) and Spider-Man (1994-98). Perhaps most notably, in 2009, he did voiceover work for the award-winning Pixar film Up.

In addition to his acting work, Asner served as president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1981-85.

ACTIVISM and 9-11

Asner signed a statement released by the organization 9/11 Truth in 2004 that calls for a new investigation into the September 11 attacks. A brief summary of the reasons for his position appears in a video available on YouTube.  Asner confirmed his support for the statement in 2009. Asner also narrated the documentary film The Oil Factor: Behind the War on Terror.

Asner served as the spokesman for 2004 Racism Watch. In April 2004, he wrote an open letter to "peace and justice leaders" encouraging them to demand "full 9-11 truth" through the organization 9-11 Visibility Project. In 2011, Asner hosted the Architects & Engineers for 9/11 Truth documentary on the collapse of 7 World Trade Center that concludes that the building was taken down by controlled demolition.

Tom T. Moore is an award-winning author, speaker, and is in the entertainment business, where for over 25 years he has been president and CEO of his own international motion picture and TV program distribution business, based in Dallas, Texas. During this time, he has traveled extensively as part of his business duties to international film markets held in Cannes, France, Milan, Italy, Los Angeles, California and Budapest, Hungary.

He is the author of four books: The Gentle Way: A Self-Help Guide For Those Who Believe in Angels, The Gentle Way II: The Story Continues, THE GENTLE WAY III: Master your life, and FIRST CONTACT: Conversations With An ET (ISBN #s 978 1-891824-60-0, 978-1-891824-80-7, 978-1-891824-80-7, 978-1-622330-05-8 Light Technology) Visit his website at www.TheGentleWayBook.com.

The Gentle Way books provide a simple, yet powerful tool for everyday use that is a giant step forward from The Law of Attraction, and include hundreds of stories sent to Mr. Moore from all over the world from people living The Gentle Way. In 2014 Tom was voted Best Self-Help Author by the readers of Health & Happiness Magazine.

FIRST CONTACT: Conversations With An ET details Mr. Moore's telepathic communications with his "brother on another planet," who's part of a "first contact" team coming to earth in 2017.

Before becoming an international film distributor, Mr. Moore owned and operated, with his wife, an international wholesale tour company, selling tours through 3,000 travel agents nationwide. That business began out of his first successful venture, a ski club for single adults, which grew to be the largest snow ski club in Texas. Mr. Moore is still an avid skier, and loves to ski both in the United States and Canada, and Europe.

Mr. Moore graduated with a BBA in Finance from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, and served in the U.S. Army as a 1st Lieutenant. He is a native of Dallas, Texas, is married, and has two children.

Paola Leopizzi Harris (Italy/Europe/Vatican)

is an Italo-American photojournalist and investigative reporter in the field of extraterrestrial related phenomena research.  She is also a widely published free-lance writer, especially in Europe.  She has studied extraterrestrial related phenomena since 1979 and is on personal terms with many of the leading researchers in the field.  From 1980-1986 she assisted Dr. J. Allen Hynek with his UFO investigations and has interviewed many top military witnesses concerning their involvement in the government truth embargo.

In 1997, Ms. Harris met and interviewed Col. Philip Corso in Roswell, New Mexico and became apersonal friend and confidante.  She was instrumental in having his book The Day After Roswell, for which she wrote the preface, translated into Italian.  She consequently brought Colonel Corso to Italy for the editorial group Futuro, publisher of Il Giorno Dopo Roswell, and Corso was present for many TV appearances and two conferences. She returned to Roswell in the summer of 2003 for the American debut of her book, Connecting the Dots; Making Sense of the UFO Phenomenon.

Because of her international perspective on extraterrestrial related phenomena, Paola has consulted with many researchers about the best avenues for planetary disclosure with emphasis on the “big picture” and stressing the historical connection.  She is a close friend of Monsignor Padre Corrado Balducci and assisted in filming the Italian witnesses, including the Monsignor, for the Disclosure Project for the May 9, 2001 press conference.  She was instrumental in bringing to Italy Robert Dean, Dr. Steven Greer, Linda Moulton Howe, Dr. Richard Boylan, Russell Targ, Travis Walton, Derrell Sims, Helmut Lamner, Michael Lindemann, Nick Pope, Bill Hamilton, Ryan Wood, Carlos Diaz and Dr. John Mack.  Her new non-profit association, Starworks Italia, will continue to bring speakers to Italy and promote disclosure and exo-political dialogue world-wide.

She has a regular column in Area 51 UFO Magazine, has written for Nexus, Australia, Notizario UFO and Dossier Alieni, among others publications.

Paola lives in Rome and Boulder, Colorado and has a Masters degree in Education.  She teaches history and photojournalism and On-line classes in Exopolitics for Dr. Michael Salla’s Exopolitics Institute for which she is the International liaison director.

Chris Grosso is a public speaker, writer, spiritual director of Tovio by Advocacy Unlimited, teacher with the Worldwide Insight Organization, and author of Indie Spiritualist: A No Bullshit Exploration of Spirituality (Beyond Words/Simon & Schuster) and Everything Mind: What I’ve Learned About Hard Knocks, Spiritual Awakening and the Mind-Blowing Truth of it All (Sounds True). He writes for ORIGIN Magazine, Huffington Post, and Mantra Yoga + Health Magazine, and has spoken and performed at Wanderlust Festival, Celebrate Your Life, Yoga Journal Conference, Sedona World Wisdom Days, Kripalu, and more.

Chris is passionate about his work with people who are in the process of healing or struggling with addictions of all kinds. He speaks and leads groups in detoxes, yoga studios, rehabs, youth centers, 12-step meetings, hospitals, conferences, and festivals worldwide. He is a member of the advisory board for Drugs over Dinner and hosts The Indie Spiritualist Podcast on The Mindpod Network.

Warrior, poet, author, artist, consultant to film and TV documentaries, interfaith minister/chaplain, motivational speaker, workshop facilitator, meditation teacher and non-paid Veteran advocate and lobbyist. He’s counseled several thousand veterans over the past three decades and been recognized by the US Congress and the State of California for his tireless assistance to veterans and their families dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

The story telling and poetry writing of ancient spiritual warriors has a long tradition in bygone eras. The Vietnam War was no different, providing a long creative experience for this author. The poetry and stories in his many books are a direct result of Bill McDonald’s own experiences during that part of his life. Bill McDonald served in Vietnam in 1966-67. He was a crew chief/door-gunner on Huey helicopters (UH-1D) with the 128th Assault Helicopter Company. Bill was awarded numerous medals, including The Distinguished Flying Cross, The Bronze Star, and multiple Air Medals. Because he was wounded during several helicopter shoot-downs, he was awarded the Purple Heart.

He has an AA degree from San Jose City College, and a BA degree from the University of San Francisco. He went back to Vietnam in 2002, with a small group known as “The Peace Patrol” to a warm welcome from his former enemies. He wrote about that experience in 2003 in his first book A Spiritual Warrior’s Journey.

His other book 'WARRIOR: A Spiritual Odyssey' is told by a true warrior. In the book " . . .Rev. Bill  recounts his spiritual journey in selected stories through a life which began with a seemingly unending dysfunctional childhood, included an astonishing tour of duty in Vietnam, and then opened into one of the widest benevolent lives ever. His entire existence has been lived out under a spiritual umbrella that keeps him safe no matter how powerful the storm. Not afraid to go out into the rain, Rev. Bill’s humility, integrity, loyalty, faith and courage is expressed through his every move. His investment in recounting events provides all readers to experience places they’ve only dreamed about. The situations allow reflective readers to parallel the events to their own lives. And in the end, each reader will stand with him at Machu Picchu, Peru and begin his or her own odyssey. In effect this book is a road map to Rev. Bill’s personal, spiritual and emotional destination. Metaphorically the ‘map’ is on the seat of his pickup. When you begin the book he’s essentially handing you the keys and offering you the opportunity to experience his route, after which you’ll be able to tweak your own map." Available on Amazon.

Many of his poems and stories are published in national publications including Parade Magazine (10/06/02), and Self-Realization Fellowship magazine’s summer 1998 edition. Bill is featured in the book God in the Foxhole by Charles W. Sasser (2012), Divine Moments: Ordinary People Having Spiritually Transformative Experiences, by Nancy  Clark (2012), Stories of Faith and Courage from the Vietnam War (Battlefields & Blessings) by Larkin Spivey (2011), Silent Battlefields, by The Military Writers Society of America (2012 member anthology), and others.

He was also part of a documentary film crew that recorded interviews across the country in the fall of 2002, dealing with the effects of the Vietnam War and the Huey helicopter experience called, In The Shadow of The Blade. The film premiered at the LBJ Presidential Library on November 8, 2003 in Austin, Texas. He has since produced, or been a part of four other documentary films that have been shown on PBS TV, The Pentagon Television Network and The Military Channel. He is currently working on a DVD about his healing and spiritual trip back to Vietnam in 2002.

His autobiography entitled A Spiritual Warrior’s Journey, discusses his life experiences, not only in Vietnam, but both before and afterwards . It is his spiritual experiences and the supernatural events that surrounds his life that makes his writing totally unique amongst writers. He is currently working on a follow-up to A Spiritual Warrior’s Journey which deals with a near-death experience that occurred in 2004 in the mountains of India when he fell off a 30 foot sloping cliff. He landed on a large rock looking up at the blue sky. He had no heartbeat or respiration. He drifted away from his own physical body and was looking down at himself on the rock. Then a large cobra snake crawled across his feet, but that is an another story he can tell you if you ask.

Bill is an internationally known inspirational and motivational speaker. He has been an advocate for veteran’s rights and the treatment of PTSD veterans. He is also a chaplain and minister for many non-profit groups and organizations. He speaks to various spiritual organizations across the country about yoga, ESP, angels, NDEs, healing powers, and psychic abilities.

His web site, has had over 30 million visitors since 1998 and continues to be among the most visited of its genre on the internet.

His acclaimed poetry book Purple Hearts deals with poetry from the Vietnam War and is available to organizations to sell for fund raising. His award winning poetry book “Sacred Eye – Poetry in Search of the Divine” won a $25,000 marketing and promotional award from Booksurge Publisher (March 2004).

Bill works with several non-profit foundations doing projects for the people of Vietnam and for the vision of world peace. He also helps veterans and their families through his support network and other PTSD organizations.

He is the founder of two of the biggest author organizations in north America – The Military Writer’s Society of America (MWSA) http://www.mwsadispatches.com/ and The American Author’s Association (AAA).

Bill has appeared and been interviewed on various issues and subject matters by over 300 radio and TV stations and newspapers since 2001.

Bill was born in San Francisco, California and was raised on the west coast – living in California, Oregon, and Hawaii. He was a surfer, SCUBA Diver Instructor, and Lifeguard in his early days. Spent over 30 years in management with the USPS and retired in early 2001 as a Safety Manager. He now lives with his wife of 45 years in Elk Grove, California. He has two adult children and six grandchildren. He used to spend part of each year away in India at an ashram in the jungles outside of Pune. But recent health issues have keep his travels within the USA – were he takes off for several months on the road helping non-profit organizations and promoting events and other authors. If you, or your organization, needs to connect with him he can be reached at:

Bill McDonald
Spiritual Warrior Productions
Post Office Box 2441
Elk Grove, CA 95759-2441
Email Address: Angelnet@surewest.net