Hi, I’m Deana, a mom, psychotherapist and educator. I write fun and relatable children’s books that help children (and adults) explore their emotions and feelings through endearing stories that make emotional intelligence (EI) fun and natural. The Bella and Bird the Emotion Explorers is a book series based on Bella, my real-life therapy horse, and her friend, Bird, the cheeky barn swallow. Through their adventures, they help children navigate big emotions and feelings. Bella and Bird equip children with simple tools and exercises they can use at any time to build their social and emotional intelligence.
Deana Plaskon is an educator and mental health expert whose work guides and equips children (and adults) with social and emotional knowledge and tools to help them live healthier lives through relatable, enchanting children’s books. With a PhD in Education specializing in human behavior, a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Master’s in Arts specializing in Teaching and Learning with Technology, Deana has a uniquely informed, yet fun-loving approach to children’s books. Her series, Bella and Bird the Emotion Explorers, is inspired by her real-life therapy horse Bella, and her friend Bird–the not-so-common barn swallow.

Imbued with Bella’s calm, wise presence and Bird’s cheeky humor, these delightfully empowering children’s books are designed to entertain and inspire children ages 5-10, and the adults who care for them. These books combine three important elements: engaging, relatable stories; emotional intelligence and literacy exploration; and vetted therapeutic tools by validating the big emotions and feelings of childhood while giving children powerful, practical tools to succeed.

Each book in the series explores a single primary emotion (like anger or sadness) through the lens of a child’s story. Bella and Bird act as gentle, fun guides to help the child feel seen and heard, while also providing them with age-appropriate psychology-backed tools to process their emotions and communicate more effectively.

Deana’s experience as a mom, therapist, and educator has deeply informed her work in this unique emotional intelligence series that combines truly enchanting storytelling with humor and useful tools–a rarity in children’s literature.

In addition to her decades of expertise, Deana is also a speaker who loves sharing the latest research, methods, and insights in education and mental health with audiences nationwide. With focus areas in child psychology, equine and talk therapy, bullying, resiliency, motivation, and emotional intelligence, she is a uniquely informed speaker, author, and expert.

Melissa Feick is a multidimensional channel, author, and teacher of the Quantum Akashic Records. Her mission is to support Starseeds and spiritual seekers in accessing their soul's Divine frequency and wisdom. As a multidimensional trance channeler, Melissa has an agreement with the Galactic Ascension Councils to channel specific transformational information for the Ascension journey. She also channels Light code activations, facilitating profound spiritual transformations that are elevating for the highest frequency for your star mission. Melissa also has a unique ability to see and help you to transcend your entangled Karmic patterns and lower states of consciousness through the Quantum Akashic Records. This is a multidimensional healing and transformational process that assists you in anchoring in your Higher Consciousness. Melissa is the bestselling author of "A Radical Approach to the Akashic Records: Master Your Life, Raise Your Vibration," which has sold over 58,789 copies and received more than 1,928 5-star reviews. Through her Spiritual Expansion Academy™, she offers Activating Ascension & Alchemy classes and a Quantum Akashic Records Certification. Two new anticipated books are coming in 2025: "Quantum Akashic Records Manifesting: Unlocking the Spiritual Keys to Wealth, Success and Limitless Growth" will be published in September, followed by a trance-channeled book about Ascension in November.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jodi Velazquez was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Robert Morris University with a bachelor’s degree in marketing communications and an emphasis on writing. After graduating, Jodi left Pittsburgh to accompany her husband who accepted a job in Texas with the government. After multiple moves, and learning how stressful moving can be, Jodi self-published the “Slick Move Guide” to help others with relocation. The book is sold on Amazon and used by home builders, sports teams, moving companies, and the National Association of Realtors. In 2014, Jodi Velazquez was interviewed as an “Ultimate Expert” about relocation in Woman’s World Magazine’s April 24th Edition. The Slick Move Guide received the 2014 – 2015 TAZ Award for Business & Reference (Pittsburgh, PA author award). Over the years, Jodi has worked as an account executive, and she also was a TV Co-Host on Pittsburgh Community Television for eight years (2012 – 2020) on a show called “1st & 10 with Smokin Jim and Jodi” where they interviewed sports and wellness professionals to enlighten the community. In 2020, Jodi was a content writer creating health and wellness articles for the Downtown Community Development Corporation - Common Thread, Pittsburgh, PA a bi-monthly newsletter. Her latest book, Know the Enemy: Preventing Weight Gain, Diabetes and Disease is a collection of 16 years of documenting her journey of helping her young daughter with diabetes management. Her daughter is now in her twenties. This memoir and self-help book details the discovery of healthy habits and good nutrition that paved the way for successful management which she incorporated into the entire family. Jodi worked with Atlas Elite Publishing Partners to produce and publish this book. She resides in Pittsburgh, PA with her husband and two daughters.

Dr. Rob is a native of Delaware County, PA. He attended Saint Joseph’s University and Thomas Jefferson Medical College and is board certified in Family and Sports Medicine. He is a decorated Navy veteran, devoted husband, and father of 3 grown children.

His mission has been to help his patients live healthy and pain-free life. Dr. Rob has been working with athletes of all ages for more than 20 years and has traveled internationally as team physician for U.S. Figure Skating.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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