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Submitted by Douglas Newsom on 19 April 2021

Headlined Guests

Guest Occupation: Hollywood Actor
Guest Biography:

Best known for his portrayal of Walter “Flynn” White Jr. for five riveting seasons of AMC’s Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning dramatic thriller “Breaking Bad,” RJ Mitte is an actor, advocate and philanthropist who has carved out his niche in Hollywood by breaking down stereotypes and changing people’s mindsets with his easy-going demeanor and positive outlook. As Walt Jr., referred to by fans as “The Breakfast King,” Mitte acted as the cerebral palsy afflicted son of Walter (Bryan Cranston) and Skyler White (Anna Gunn). As Walter continues his descent into drug manufacturing and trade, Walt Jr. finds himself torn between his father’s deceit, his mother’s protectiveness, and his own developing sense of independence as a disabled teenager. Walter Jr.’s cerebral palsy on the show was embellished, as he had to learn how to walk on crutches and slur his speech to create a more dramatic version of his own disability.

At the age of three, Louisiana native Mitte was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, but that has never deterred his drive to succeed in television and film. A chance encounter with a casting director led to his move to Los Angeles and Mitte quickly landed roles on various shows such as “Weeds,” NBC’s “Vegas,” “Everybody Hates Chris” and co-starred on ABC Family’s primetime hit show “Switched at Birth,” until being cast in his life-changing role on “Breaking Bad.” Mitte has since made his way to the big screen, starring in multiple indie films in the past few years, including DIXIELAND, appearing in his first non-handicapped leading role, TIME SHARE, a winner of Sundance Film Festival’s

Never one to shy away from an opportunity to take his talents to new avenues, RJ was thrust into the global spotlight as the celebrity face and model of GAP International’s “Lived in Spring” campaign; with his image appearing on mediums such as billboards, buses, and life-sized posters in cities across the world from Tokyo to the US,. He has since cemented himself as a face to know in the fashion world after walking in Men’s Fashion Week in Milan, Berlin and New York City for Vivienne Westwood, soPopular and Ovadia & Sons. He’s also a member of Kenneth Cole’s “Courageous Class;” for talent recognized for using their platform for advocacy and creating social change.

Throughout the years, Mitte has been an inspiration to his peers around the world by championing his cerebral palsy in hopes of removing the stigma associated with disabilities. In order to bring awareness to his own issues with bullying and prejudice, Mitte has engaged in public speaking and Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Screenwriting and 2021’s heartfelt hit TRIUMPH, starring World alongside Terrance Howard and Jonathan Schaech.

Serves as the official Ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and partners with Shriners Hospitals for Children to spearhead their #CutTheBull campaign to advocate on anti-bullying measures. He’s also involved with SAG-AFTRA as a committee member of the union's IAPWD (I Am a Performer with Disabilities) and is an active board member of his family’s legacy project, The Mitte Foundation.

Guest Category: Arts, Performing Arts, Entertainment, Health & Lifestyle, Kids & Family, Emotional Health and Freedom, Inspirational, Motivational, TV & Film
Guest Occupation: President and Founder of Unity Unlimited, Inc and Ms Opal Lee
Guest Biography:

Dione Sims is the President and Founder of Unity Unlimited, Inc., a non-profit organization focused on producing educational activities and opportunities to support unity and understanding. She has produced the Annual Juneteenth Fort Worth Celebration with her grandmother Dr. Opal Lee since 2015, engineered the Opal’s Walk campaign for Juneteenth national holiday recognition, developed the Your Voice Unleashed Fine Arts Workshop and Concert unity programming, and sponsored the Opal’s Farm urban farming project that seeks to reduce food insecurity and provide a means for second chance training and employment. She was present at the White House signing of the bill that established June 19 th of every year as a federal holiday. Mrs. Sims served as the Founding Executive Director of the National Juneteenth Museum working to highlight the message of freedom that Juneteenth represents.

Ms Opal Lee Known as the "Grandmother of Juneteenth," was present on June 17, 2021, when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act bill that established June 19 or “Juneteenth” a federal holiday. Ms. Lee is the oldest living board member of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF) started by the late Dr. Ronald Myers to have Juneteenth declared a National Holiday. At 90 years of age, she started her walking campaign and in 2019 she launched an online petition campaign that garnered over 1.6 million signatures to continue the crusade for holiday observance.

Guest Category: Business, Education, History, National, Non-Profit, Self Help, Inspirational, Motivational, Society and Culture
Guest Occupation: Executive Director of the Gary Chamber of Commerce
Guest Biography:

Charles “Chuck” Hughes serves as the Executive Director of the Gary Chamber of Commerce. His mission, along with that of the Chamber is to attract new business, retain existing businesses and to promote and further develop all of the business interests in the City of Gary.

During his very diverse and productive career, Mr. Hughes served as a Gary Fire Official for 34 years reaching the rank of Battalion Chief and the department’s Public Information Officer. He worked as a member of the media doing both radio and television. He was the host of the popular “Sound Off” program on W.W.C.A. radio for several years in addition to serving as the evening newscaster. He was the 4th black on-air person hired full time at W.W.C.A. behind only the legendary Lucky Cordell, Vivian Carter and Jesse Coopwood. He later was named as the first black play-by-play announcer and that was followed by his being named the first black Sports Director at that station. Next, he ventured into Chicago television where he served for 12 years as Producer and host for the popular television talk show “Dimensions” seen weekly on W.P.W.R. and U.P.N. Channel 50 in Chicago.

Chuck also served with distinction for 16 years as a member of the Gary City Council at an At-large position. During that time he served two terms as President, two as Vice-President and each year served as the Council’s Public Safety Chairman. He is credited with founding several community programs such as the Gary Midnight Basketball Program, the “No Workshops, No Jump shots” program, the Local and Chicago media anti-violence initiative and bringing the owners of Taser to Northwest Indiana to expose local Law Enforcement to non-fatal techniques.

Chuck’s council success enabled him to serve as the Education Chairman for the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns. National recognition included his being selected as first Vice-Chair and then Chairman of the National League of Cities Public Safety and Crime Prevention Committee  being the only person from Northwest Indiana to ever serve in that capacity. Next Mr. Hughes was asked to serve on the prestigious National League of Cities Board of Directors, where only a couple of other people from Northwest Indiana had ever previously served.

In addition to his duties as Executive Director of the Gary Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Hughes recently served as the Board Chairman for the Gary-Hammond East Chicago Empowerment Zone. Currently he serves as a member of the Indiana University Executive Council, the I.U. Chancellor’s Community Engagement Committee, the Indiana University School of Business Advisory Board, the I.U. SPEA Advisory Committee, Northwest Indiana Chamber Executives Association, the Regional Development Corporation Board of Directors, Ivy Tech Society of Innovators, the Indiana Black Expo Board of Directors, Friends of the Gary Airport and the Salvation Army Board of Directors. Among his many affiliations are the National Association of Black Journalists, Firefighters Local 359, Indiana Association of Fire Firefighters, Retired Fire and Police Association, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and the I CHANGE NATIONS 3M Project Global Initiative.

Chuck has received numerous honors and recognition for his work in the community and on behalf of its citizens. Those include;  the prestigious Indiana University Outstanding Alumnus Award, Pi Alpha Alpha National Honor Society Award for Public Affairs and Administration, Lifetime Achievement Award from The National Civil Rights Library, induction into the National Civil Rights Library Hall of Fame, Honorary Doctorate degree in Philosophy in Humanities from United Graduate College and Seminary International, appointed a Goodwill Ambassador by Golden Rule International, I Change Nations Award as a Human Conservation Solutionist, creator of the internationally acclaimed Community Civility Counts initiative, a campaign that earned him recognition from Ambassador Dr. Clyde Rivers at the Gerald R. Ford presidential Library in Grand Rapids Michigan and later on the U.S. Capitol Hill, Outstanding Individual Award from the Mayor’s Office on Disabilities, and the Lakeshore Classic event that spotlights our student athletes and that also attracts national dignitaries to Northwest Indiana.

Chuck Hughes is a graduate of Gary Roosevelt High School where he was a stellar atlete, has a Certificate of Graduation from Midwestern Broadcast School and a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Public Affairs from Indiana University. He is married to Dr. Danita Johnson Hughes and the father of 3 daughters.

Guest Category: Business, Courses & Training, Education Technology, Local, National, World, Personal Development, Society and Culture, TV & Film
Guest Occupation: licensed Massage & Medical massage therapist with “Get the Knots Out Massage Therapy”
Guest Biography:

My name is Diane Cherico and I have been a Licensed Massage Therapist since 1999 and a Medical Massage Practitioner since 2018. The best thing I've ever learned in my 24 year career was in 2003 when I took my first Active Isolated Stretch class. I now have 95 hours of training in this amazing therapy. I have trained under 2 leading experts in the US. I was so blessed to help myself heal the pain I was in only 3 years into my massage career. Plus, it’s so rewarding to be able to help so many others live their best life free from muscular pain! My clients were so grateful to use this therapy during the pandemic when we couldn’t meet in person. I love hearing how they share this info with others to help them feel better NATURALLY!

The first part of my career was working hands-on with clients who could come to me. The combination of massage and stretching worked so well in helping folks with pain ranging from merely bothersome to chronic. Then I realized that I could reach others via a DVD and, later, a book.

My step-by-step DVD titled "Stretching with Diane Cherico” allows you to stretch your whole body in less than an hour! My book "You Can if You Say You Can"  is common-sense approach to better health all naturally. It contains the keys to unlocking your tight muscles. Plus, as you know, features my 85-year "young" mom demonstrating some of these stretches to loosen her tight muscles so she can keep dancing! So this therapy with help old and young folks alike. 

Recently, I have noticed places such as “Stretch Zone” opening up different locations so people are noticing the benefit of stretching. Because I always want to stay current with what is going on in the industry, I made an appointment. They didn’t query me as to what areas I needed help with which I thought was important. Also, as they were doing the stretches, they were holding them for 30 seconds which is too long and painful. In Active Isolated Stretches, the hold is only for 2-3 seconds. It’s a much more gentle and effective approach to open up the muscles. I was curious to know what kind of training they had to work on my body and was told “my boss trained me”. Needless to say, I was shocked that someone without extensive training was working on me (and others). 

 

Guest Category: Kids & Family, Self Help, Variety
Guest Occupation: Corin Grillo: who is the founder of the Angel Alchemy Academy here to talk about Angel Wealth Magic. Corin is a licensed psychotherapist, international best-selling author, speaker, healer, retreat leader, and founder of the Angel Alchemy Academy.
Guest Biography:

Corin Grillo is the author of Angel Wealth Magic and The Angel Experiment. She is also a Chicana and Puerto Rican mother, a licensed psychotherapist, visionary leader, inspirational speaker, and proprietor of the Casa Condor retreat center in Mount Shasta, California. Corin offers online training in authentic spiritual leadership, nature immersions, intuitive healing arts, and in-person trainings. She has dedicated her life to sharing the life-changing gifts she received while learning to work with the angels. 

Guest Category: Health & Lifestyle, Kids & Family, Paranormal, Physics & Metaphysics, Psychology, Self Help, Society and Culture, Spiritual, Theory & Conspiracy
Guest Occupation: Police Captain, Speaker, Author, Instructor
Guest Biography:

I'm currently in my 20th year and hold the rank of Captain (overseeing both sworn/civilian personnel). I've blended my law enforcement career with that of a military beginning (US Army), college professor for 10+ years, and by serving as a motivational speaker. On
July 1st, I released my first book; "Copikaze", which is a series of lessons built to help navigate the career, while simultaneously serving as a means of understanding for the non- sworn.
I am most proud of the fact that while much younger, I served as the primary caretaker for my mother who suffered from terminal cancer. Since her untimely death, I now find myself caring for my wife, who also suffers from medical disabilities, to include parenting four children. I provide you this background as a means of understanding why I teach what I teach. Traditional supervisory courses, while valuable, seemingly always offer similar content in the "management" of the position, but not the leadership tenets which focus on the human component. With no bad intention, as we promote and gain more years of experience, we tend to become further separated from the operational level and more importantly - our loved ones, who we are tasked to lead and care for (Ivory Tower theory). To counteract this, I've found by learning transformational leadership strategies, officers can influence personnel in such a way that allows them to expand their potential to heights never thought possible. In addition, learning various methods on how to properly address our personal wellness, so that it aligns with the obligations of our profession serves to achieve a profound effect - multi-dimensional wellness. We become the best TOTAL version of ourselves, which in turn, allows us to perform at our best, while productively influencing others.
Simply stated, this course is about leadership perspective. By having others realize that they too, can be transformational leaders, despite their current rank/designation, serves them on a personal basis, in addition to improving their respective agencies as becoming more effective officers. I can assure you the confidence that enrollment in this course will not only equip the officer student with a newfound leadership mentality, but a work-life balance methodology, built to support wellness on both fronts.

Guest Category: Psychology, Emotional Health and Freedom, Mental Health, Personal Development, Self Help, Inspirational, Motivational
Guest Occupation: #1 Wall Street Journal Best Selling Author, USA Today Best Selling Author, and Consultant
Guest Biography:

DAVID M. CORBIN, Four-time Wall Street Journal Best Selling Author has been referred to as “Robin Williams with an MBA” because of his very practical, high-content speeches, coupled with real life, entertaining and sometimes side-splitting stories and applications. 

He’s known as the “Mentor to Mentors” and Entrepreneur Guru as he’s trained and advised, mentored and guided many luminaries in the fields of speaking, consulting, entrepreneurship and big business.  

A former crisis intervention counselor with a background in healthcare, he has served as a management and leadership consultant to businesses and organizations of all sizes, from Fortune 20 companies to businesses with less than 1 million, and enjoys the fun and challenges of all.

He has worked directly with the president and office of the president of companies such as AT&T, Hallmark, Dominos, Kaiser Permanente, Mountain States Mortgage as well as the Hon. Secretary of Veterans Administration and others. He has been a featured speaker for Inc Magazine and rated top 5% of speakers, Secret Knock, Income Store, City Summit, Digital Footprint, CEO Space and many more. 

David was awarded the Innovation of the Year by Bank of America and presented in association with Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Tom Peters, Sec. James Baker, Maya Angelou and others.  Featured in Forbes Magazine, Inc. Magazine, NBC, FOX, and was star and host of the movie, Pass It On as he hosted such gifted contributors as Brian Tracy, Gavin Keilly, Greg Reid, Les Brown, Mark Victor Hanson, Bob Proctor, Evander Holyfield, Mario Lopez and others.



 

Guest Category: Business, Education, Courses & Training, Entertainment, Health & Lifestyle, News, Psychology, Self Help, Society and Culture
Guest Occupation: Psychologist
Guest Biography:

Tim Murphy, PhD, is a licensed psychologist; specializing in resilience and recovery from psychological trauma, and author of three books (most recently, The Christ Cure).   He consults on mental health and public policy with national organizations an speaks extensively throughout the US.

He served in the Pennsylvania State Senate (six years) as Chairman of the Aging and Youth Committee, Vice Chairman of Health and Welfare, and member of Appropriations, Banking/Insurance and Rules.  As senator he authored the historic Managed Care reform Act. 

Elected to the US House of Representatives eight times, Congressman Murphy was a member of the prestigious Committee on Energy and Commerce, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation, Co-Chairman of the Mental Health Caucus, and Chairman of the Doctors’ Caucus. He championed landmark mental health reforms while in Congress. After years of fighting for passage of his bill, the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis act of 2016 passed the house 422-2, was amended onto the 21st Century Cures act and signed into law in December 2016 by President Obama. 

Dr. Murphy served eight years as an officer in the Medical Service Corps of the US Navy Reserve, achieving the rank of Commander.  He worked on the staff in the inpatient Traumatic Brain Injury/PTSD unit at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD, served with the medical crew on three aircraft carriers, (USS Carl Vinson, USS Theodore Roosevelt and USS Ronald Reagan) and performed on the assessment/selection team with Navy special warfare. His personal awards include: Joint Services Commendation, Navy Commendation with Gold Star, and Navy/Marine Achievement medal among others.

He earned his PhD from the University of Pittsburgh, MA from Cleveland State University, and BA from Wheeling Jesuit University. Murphy also served on the staffs of Children’s Hospital, and Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh, and founded his own private practice.  While at the University of Pittsburgh his faculty positions included Associate Professor in the School of Medicine, and Assistant Professor in the School of Public Health.  He has been recognized as a champion for advocacy in mental health by the American Psychological Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Mental Health America and many other national and state organizations.  

His many media appearances include hundreds CBS, ABC, NBC. cable news (CNN, Fox, MSNBC, CNBC, Newsmax, Fox Business; multiple international radio (BBC, China news, Al Jazeera, Voice of America, RTE), and many radio programs across the US including 3 years on his own program.  

He is the author of The Christ Cure: Ten Biblical Ways to Heal from Trauma Tragedy and PTSD (2023 Humanix).  He is also co-author of two additional books (The Angry Child: Regaining Control When Your Child is Out of Control (2001 Clarkson-Potter/Random House), and Overcoming Passive Aggression: How to Stop Hidden Anger from Spoiling Your Relationships, Career and Happiness (2016 DaCapo/ Hachette). Dr. Murphy has also published many articles and chapters in scientific publications.

Dr. Murphy is the founder and clinical director of Fortis-Future near Pittsburgh, PA specializing in the care of veterans, military and first responders, with a comprehensive brain and behavioral health treatment program for PTSD. He is a board member of national and local organizations advocating for improved treatment of mental illness, and for the care of veterans/first responders. 

Guest Category: Literature, Business, Health & Lifestyle, Kids & Family, News, Politics & Government, Psychology, Personal Development, Society and Culture
Guest Occupation: Writer
Guest Biography:

Eila Mell is one of the book industry’s go-to fashion authors.  She recently worked with Heidi Klum and Harvey Weinstein on the official book of the hit television series Project Runway titled Project Runway: The Show That Changed Fashion (2012, Weinstein Books).  She is also the author of How to Win at Shopping: 297 Insider Secrets for Getting the Style You Want at the Price You Want to Pay, New York Fashion Week: The Designers, the Models, the Fashions of the Bryant Park Era (2011, Running Press).  The fashion world was so behind New York Fashion Week that the legendary Bergdorf Goodman not only stocked their shelves with the book, but launched it with a champagne reception in their couture section.  Many A-list designers participated, including Narciso Rodriguez and Thakoon Panichgul.  It was a huge event, with press and paparazzi, and was featured in the film Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf Goodman.

Eila has worked with many of the top names in fashion including Michael Kors, Tommy Hilfiger, Donna Karan, Naomi Campbell, Fern Mallis, Ralph Rucci, Heidi Klum, Rachel Roy, Kenneth Cole, Narciso Rodriguez, Nina Garcia, Ariel Foxman, Glenda Bailey and Andre Leon Talley.

Eila has been tapped for her expertise on the fashion industry by The New York Times, Marie Claire Magazine, Glamour, People StyleWatch, The Huffington Post, ELLE Canada, Zink Magazine and many more.  She has been featured on over 100 television and radios shows including CBS’ The Insider, The Better Show, Hollywood 411, The Mark and Brian Show and The Morning Jolt.  Eila has been a contributor for many of the top rated fashion websites including Tyra Banks’ typef.com. Eila is a contributor to Runway magazine, as well as the on-camera correspondent for Runway TV.

Eila Mell is a writer who has interviewed the likes of Neil Patrick Harris, Carol Burnett, Donna Karan, Michael Kors, Bryan Cranston, Martha Stewart, and Tommy Hilfiger. Her book credits include Designing Broadway, Project Runway: The Show That Changed Fashion and New York Fashion Week: The Designers, the Models, the Fashions of the Bryant Park Era. She has been featured on CBS’s The Insider, in the New York Times, Marie Claire, Glamour, People StyleWatch, Page Six, and in the documentary Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s. She is the co-host of the podcast Jiffy Pop Culture with Frank Liotti.

Guest Category: Arts, Literature, Business, Entertainment, Kids & Family, Society and Culture, TV & Film
Guest Occupation: former figure skating champion, founder of Flexafit & Figure Skating Fitness magazine
Guest Biography:

Signe has over 15 years of experience coaching beginner to senior level skaters at the Granite Club, East York Skating Club and Richmond Training Centre in Toronto.

 

Signe is the founder/head coach of FLEXAFIT, a sport specific fitness program. As the industry leader in sport specific off-ice conditioning, Signe's mission is to train, educate, motivate and equip athletes of all levels with the right tools for achieving on-ice success. Signe's program is recognized globally; she travels across North America and Europe hosting seminars and workshops for skaters and coaches. Signe's program is run across Ontario at various figure skating clubs, where she has implemented a structured workout program for figure skaters of all ages and levels. Signe's goal is to help skaters build a solid foundation off the ice at the grassroots. She is a key player in club off ice development, consulting with directors and providing strategies on budget, scheduling and implementation of the FLEXAFIT program. Signe has developed fitness testing specific to figure skater needs, which she tracks throughout the season and establishes consistent results with skaters improvements. In addition to working with club directors, Signe is actively involved with the board of directors at club level to promote coach feedback days, parent seminars, club development seminars and more. In 2017, Signe launched the very first licensing program, where she licensed the FLEXAFIT program to South Africa. 

Signe presented at the Strength in Unity conference in 2018 to a group of 100+ coaches, where she spoke about the importance of off ice training and how best to implement into clubs. 

Signe presented numerous workshops for skaters through Skate Ontario, Skate Newfoundland and Patinage Quebec. 

In 2017, Signe was the key note speaker at the World Figure Skating Championships in Finland. Her presentation was well received and took the interest of the Olympic Training Centre in Finland, where she has now joined in collaboration to help develop testing assessments, programming and coach education sessions specific to figure skating. Signe also presented at the 2018 Skate Canada Ice Summit General Meeting, amongst top Canadian Olympic Level Coaches, on sport specific training off the ice. 

Signe also produces products for skaters and coaches to help support on and off ice training. In 2010, Signe released a DVD "Reach New Heights", which incorporated sport specific off-ice training, off-ice jump exercises and conditioning drills. In 2017, she published "Plan, Skate, Track- The Ultimate Figure Skater Guidebook", which is designed for skaters to periodize their season, set SMART goals, track on and off ice sessions, and track nutrition/sleep. Signe has recently released a more global educational approach to training. 

She launched a weekly show called: The FLEXAFIT Show, which provides educational topics each week with various guest speakers as well. In addition, she has opened up her services to allow more skaters from across the world to train with FLEXAFIT via online training. Signe also offers full package consulting plans online for skaters who are interested to see the bigger picture of their training year, where she breaks down each month and cycle of training with proper prescription of exercises. 

Signe is the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Figure Skater Fitness, a quarterly magazine that takes a scientific approach to sport specific training on topics of fitness, nutrition, injury prevention, mental training, glamour and more. 


 

Guest Category: Health & Lifestyle, Self Help, Variety
Guest Occupation: Resilience Expert & Author
Guest Biography:

Dr. Renee Thornton holds a Doctorate of Crisis Intervention and a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, an MBA in International Business, as well as a dual Psychology and Communications degree. She has served as a guest lecturer for the Indiana University Vera Dwyer College of Health Studies, the John Jay School of Criminal Justice, and the John Jay School of Law and Police Science. Dr. Thornton is a visiting lecturer in the Communication and Business Schools in Arkansas Tech University and has served as an adjunct professor for Indiana University in the Ernestine M. Raclin School of the Arts and the Kelley School of Business.

Guest Category: Military, Psychology, Emotional Health and Freedom, Mental Health, Personal Development, Self Help, Inspirational, Motivational
Guest Occupation: Magenta is a Channel for the White Winged Collective Consciousness of Nine and devotee of all things hippy weird alternative green and woo woo.
Guest Biography:

My guest Magenta Pixie is a channel for the higher dimensional, divine intelligence known as 'The White Winged Collective Consciousness of Nine'.  The transmissions she receives from 'The Nine' have reached thousands of people worldwide through the extensive video collection on her YouTube channel.  Magenta has been communicating with the 'The Nine,' a sixth dimensional 'monadic light structure,' for over 24 years. She has written many books, her first book 'Masters of the Matrix,’ won the 'Best Spirituality Books of All Time' and 'Best Consciousness Books of All Time' book awards. Magenta works globally as an intuitive consultant and holistic life coach.  She lives in the New Forest, U.K. with her partner, her son, one dog and two cats.

Guest Category: Earth & Space, Health & Lifestyle, Kids & Family, Paranormal, Physics & Metaphysics, Psychology, Self Help, Spiritual, Theory & Conspiracy
Guest Occupation: Joel and Kim Feller Endowed Professor of African-American Studies and Anthropology in the College of Behavioral & Social Sciences at the University of Maryland-College Park
Guest Biography:

Dr. Joseph Richardson, Jr. is the Joel and Kim Feller Endowed Professor of African-American Studies and Anthropology in the College of Behavioral & Social Sciences at the University of Maryland-College Park. This endowment supports his research on gun violence and trauma among Black boys and young Black men.

Dr. Richardson received his PhD in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Rutgers University-School of Criminal Justice and his bachelor's degree in African and African-American Studies from the University of Virginia. He completed a Spencer Foundation Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship at the University of Chicago and an NIMH clinical post-doctoral research training.

He holds a joint appointment in the Department of Anthropology (Medical) and a secondary appointment in the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Division of Preventive Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Dr. Richardson is currently the principal investigator for the UMB Center for Injury Prevention and Policy and the Violence Intervention Program (Baltimore) — a hospital-based violence intervention program at the University of Maryland.

Dr. Richardson is the executive producer and director of the award-winning digital storytelling project entitled LIFE AFTER THE GUNSHOT — which explores the social context of gun violence, trauma and the intersection of the health care and criminal justice systems among 10 young Black men survivors of gun violence in Washington, DC.

 

Guest Category: History, Kids & Family, Politics & Government, Self Help, Society and Culture, Variety
Guest Occupation: Veteran film & television Director, Producer
Guest Biography:

Winning was born in CalgaryAlberta.[1] He became a dual citizen of the US and Canada in 2003 and lives in Los Angeles. He was making films at age ten with a Super 8 camera. In 1979, he received a Canada Council grant to make the sixteen millimeter drama Sequence,[2] and expanded the plotline into his first feature film Storm, filmed in the summer of 1983 in Bragg Creek, Alberta. It was shot with money that his father had set aside for film school and was screened at Cannes.[1] It took four years to finish and was released by Golan-GlobusCannon Films International and Warner Home Video in 1988. A December 11, 1989 Los Angeles Times review called the film "taut, ambitious and darkly comic".[3]

At 27, he directed episodes of Friday the 13th: The Series for Paramount and received three Gemini Award nominations.[4] His second feature Killer Image followed in 1992; the mystery-thriller starred Michael Ironside and M. Emmet Walsh. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s he directed 45 movies and episodes of twenty-nine series, including Stargate: Atlantis,[5] ABC's Dinotopia filmed in BudapestNickelodeon’s Are You Afraid of the Dark?, and four seasons on Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda.[6] He directed Kim CattrallSean Young, and Eric McCormack in the award-winning thriller Exception to the Rule. His biggest budget studio movie to date is the $29-million kids sci-fi action sequel Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie for 20th Century Fox.[7] He directed seven episodes of the Cannell police series Street Justice with Carl Weathers.[8][self-published source?Winning said "Episodic TV gets no respect" in a March 2000 Toronto Star interview.[9] He directed a 16-year-old Ryan Gosling in the Pilot and seven episodes of the Paramount UPN kid series Breaker High.

According to the February 2010 Avatar issue of Sci Fi Magazine, he was slated to direct the movie Sinbad: The Fifth Voyage with Patrick Stewart.[10] He directed episodes of Space Channel's comedy/horror series Todd and the Book of Pure Evil and Lost Girl[1] for SYFY Channel and Showcase—and supervised and directed the far north webisode series YUKONIC online in 2011. He is directing XIII: The Series with Stuart Townsend, produced by Roger Avary for French Canal +, and multiple episodes of the live audience multi-camera sitcom Mr. Young for The Disney Channel. In 2017 he became one of the house directors on the Netflix / SYFY channel series Van Helsing; an explosive post-apocalyptic take on the vampire rising based on a graphic novel. He also started directing over a dozen Christmas and family films for the Hallmark Channel; including A Summer Romance, Tulips in Spring, A December Bride, and Unleashing Mr. Darcy, which broke the network record on social media with 47 Million tweets.
 

Short bio
 

45 Features, 29 Series, over 180 TV credits, David Winning is a US/Canada Dual Citizen and veteran film & television Director and Producer. Experience in all genres: Sci-Fi, horror, drama, action, theatrical release, movies-of-the-week, episodic, romance, westerns, Christmas movies, comedy, family, kid's series, live audience multi-cam, situation comedies, web-based, to name a few 
 

Guest Category: Arts, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Entertainment, Kids & Family, TV & Film
Guest Occupation: Registered Nurse, & Director of Lifelong Learning at Virtual Brain Health Center.
Guest Biography:

LeAnne Stuver, our Co-Founder & Director of Lifelong Learning here at the Virtual Brain Health Center. Her beneficial background to the organization comes from her over two decades of service directing a comprehensive lifelong learning program on a senior living campus. If that wasn’t enough of an achievement, she’s a  registered nurse with ten years of hospital experience.

She taught a vast wealth of educational programs during her career, educating both adults and professional audiences. Putting her knowledge into practice, LeAnne released a publication through the American Society on Aging – highlighting creating educational opportunities for older adults in a senior living setting.

An asset to the Virtual Brain Health Center, she brings her educational background and innovative practices to all our students, enabling them to successfully achieve their personal brain wellness goals.

Guest Category: Health & Lifestyle, Kids & Family, Self Help, Variety
Guest Occupation: Maverick player, builder, and teacher of the ancient native Australian instrument, the didgeridoo
Guest Biography:

There is only one Pitz Quattrone. Maverick player, builder, and teacher of the ancient native Australian instrument, the didgeridoo. A writer of songs, from tragic to comic, and everything in between. Dynamic frontman, able to bring an audience to its feet, with his singing, playing, and wild rock-funk testifying. Whether manic and hilarious, or serious as a heart attack, Pitz Quattrone is truly one-of-a-kind.

Since the early-1990s, Pitz has been honing his chops and credentials, he has become the 'go-to-guy' for the didgeridoo. He has toured from Greenland to Africa and throughout the U.S., performing solo and with top artists such as Ronstadt Brothers, Dark Star Orchestra, Senegalese superstar Baaba Maal’s band, his band The Freelancers, and his humorous act: Harv Darvis - Inferior Lounge Singer. A feature article in The Huffington Post has further increased Pitz’s international profile.

All the while, Pitz has built a reputation as a learned and inspiring teacher. Able to bridge cultural divides with his quirky enthusiastic energy, Pitz has brought the pleasures of didge playing and building to thousands of kids and adults around the world. By turns hilarious and serious, funky and intense, there is only one Pitz Quattrone.

Pitz is a true pro in front of a crowd, microphone, or camera. His radio career began in 1990. On the radio, he has been the creator, host, and producer of specialty music shows as well as voice-over/character voice talent in commercials and recording projects. He’s also managed to combine his love of sports and radio by working as a color commentator and play-by-play announcer. He’s fluent in Hockey, Football, Lacrosse, and Baseball. For Pitz's 3-minute fun, performance video demo reel, click here.

Being a professional entertainer since the mid-1980s has given Pitz a level of comfort on the public stage that can only be obtained in a hands-on environment. He has also enjoyed being the MC of special events and music festivals. Pitz has earned an Associate’s degree in Communications, combining TV, film, video, and radio. pitzquattrone.bandcamp.com

 

Guest Category: Entertainment, Health & Lifestyle, Kids & Family, Self Help, Variety
Guest Occupation: Rob Gauthier, a professional channel for Pleiadian, ET, and Archangelic consciousness. He's channeled thousands of ET races for individuals all over the world.
Guest Biography:

Rob Gauthier is one of the most respected trance channelers in the world. For more than a decade, he has helped thousands of individuals receive clarity on their life path and mission through his classes, coaching, and readings. Rob primarily works with three main guides - Aridif, Treb Bor Yit-Ne, and Metatron - and also channels hundreds of ET consciousnesses. Rob is an in-demand speaker and teacher and has been featured on GAIA TV, in many documentaries, internet shows, interviews, and books for his unique channeling abilities. 

Guest Category: Earth & Space, Health & Lifestyle, Kids & Family, Paranormal, Physics & Metaphysics, Psychology, Self Help, Spiritual, Theory & Conspiracy
Guest Occupation: Educator, Trainer, Podcaster. Speaker
Guest Biography:

Eric Chase is a speaker, educator and podcaster, who has experience in the Military, Law Enforcement, Fire Fighting, and EMS as a Paramedic.

Eric is dedicated to improving individual & organizational engagement in a pro-social/psychologically safe environment by providing workshops & classes including: 
dealing with failure, listening, feedback, simulations, public speaking, accepting ideas, collaboration, leadership, mindfulness, anxiety, and resilience. EMSIMPROV Emphasizes the role of play and joy through humor.

Guest Category: Psychology, Emotional Health and Freedom, Mental Health, Personal Development, Self Help, Inspirational, Motivational
Guest Occupation: Ward 3 representative of the DC State Board of Education
Guest Biography:

Eric Goulet grew up as the son of two public school teachers in Baldwinsville, NY.  He graduated from the State University of New York, College at Geneseo with a BA in Political Science in 1999.  Immediately after college, Eric attended the University of Notre Dame School of Law, where he graduated in 2002. During his third-year of law school, Eric taught a Street Law course to students at a high school in South Bend, Indiana.

Eric is licensed to practice law in the District of Columbia and Virginia.  He began his professional career in Washington, DC in 2003, as a legislative counsel for the DC Council, Committee on Human Services, overseeing health and aging issues for committee chairperson, Ward 8 Councilmember Sandy Allen.  In 2005, Eric became the Director of the Council's Committee on Finance and Revenue.  As Committee Director, Eric moved important legislation through the Committee, including Bill 15-1028, the “Ballpark Omnibus Financing and Revenue Act of 2004”, which approved the construction of the Washington Nationals stadium and brought Major League Baseball back to the District of Columbia.  During this time, Bill 16-250, the "School Modernization Financing Act of 2006" was introduced by Councilmembers Adrian Fenty, Vincent Gray, and Kwame Brown, and referred to the Committee on Finance and Revenue.  Eric visited over a dozen DC Public Schools and found them to be in a state of woeful disrepair.  Eric worked with Councilmembers Jack Evans and Kathy Patterson to create an ongoing financing mechanism for public school capital funding that paved the way for the $5 billion Phase 1 modernization of DC Public Schools.

In 2007, Eric was appointed as Budget Director for the DC Council by Chairman Vincent Gray.  Soon after, the country entered the period known as the Great Recession.  Eric led the legislative oversight and approval process of the DC budget through a period of nine consecutive quarters of sharply declining revenue during the Great Recession.  Eric worked with the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, led by Dr. Natwar Gandhi, to draft legislation to establish DC’s 12% debt cap and require two months cash-on-hand, which allowed DC to recover from the recession and achieve Triple-A bond ratings for the first time ever.  Eric worked with Chairman Gray to allocate funding for Bill 17-537, the"Pre-k Enhancement and Expansion Amendment Act of 2008", which created the first universal pre-kindergarten program for three and four-year-olds in the country, even as revenue was declining and other programs were being cut.

In 2011, Eric became the District of Columbia Budget Director, overseeing the District's $11 billion budget.  Eric developed and executed an annual operations plan to ensure the DC government stayed within budget, and created the Spending Pressure Task Force that identified and eliminated over $100 million of overspending within DC government agencies. Through these savings, Mayor Vincent Gray was able to invest in transformational initiatives, such as maximizing Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, increasing access to inclusive special education services, and funding a capital modernization of all DC Public Schools and DC playgrounds.

In 2017, Eric decided to return to the Council's Committee on Health, because despite having nearly 97% of our residents insured, there are still significant health outcome disparities in DC driven by social determinants of health.  As Committee Director, under the leadership of Committee chairperson Vince Gray, Eric drafted legislation to transform DC’s health care system for its two eastern wards with a new state-of-the-art community hospital, an ambulatory care center, and two urgent care centers. Eric also worked with his Committee staff to draft the Birth-to-Three for All DC Act of 2018, which will make subsidized high-quality childcare services available for all DC families with children from birth to age three.  

Eric was recently elected as the Ward 3 representative of the D.C. State Board of Education and will focus on solving Ward 3 school overcrowding, attracting and retaining teachers, and expanding Out of School Time and summer programs for all DC youth.  Eric lives in the Palisades with his two sons, Alec and Chan, and his two dogs, Scarlet and Domino.  When Eric is not representing the students and families of Ward 3 he enjoys running and weight-lifting.

Guest Category: Health & Lifestyle, Kids & Family, Politics & Government, Variety
Guest Occupation: entrepreneur, best-selling author, podcaster
Guest Biography:

Elena Harder is here to catalyze your Joygasm! Through her own experience of decades of depression, postpartum rage and psychosis, she awakened to the need for mother centered communities of care.

Spending far too many years as a workshop junkie, single mother and struggling entrepreneur she knows what it is to work too hard for too little reward. A destined encounter with Joygasm showed a path out of the shitstorm and into a new beautiful life. Sharing vulnerable stories of transformation through her podcast The Joygasmic Life.  She offers attunements to release rape from your yoni, quit expecting the worst from your kids and heal compulsive over giving. She is an international best-selling author of 3 books with a postpartum healing journal coming soon.

She catalyzes mothers to empower themselves through digestible eCourses to help remove negative self-talk, alchemize daily stressors and create their own Joygasmic Life. 

Guest Category: Literature, Business, Health & Lifestyle, Kids & Family, Philosophy, Emotional Health and Freedom, Personal Development, Inspirational, Motivational