Before I introduce my guest today I want to explain why a discussion of women suffragists is important to holistic health. I have always envisioned holistic health as encompassing physical, mental and spiritual health, the environment, relationships and political action because all influence health.  The work of women suffragists and activists are a part of political action that focus on change to benefit the health and activities of all people in an democratic society.

April Young Bennett began studying the lives of suffragists to inform her own activism. As Communications Director for Voices for Utah Children (utahchildren.org), she worked within nationwide networks of advocates for changes to state and federal policies affecting children and parents such as pay equity, healthcare, education and juvenile justice. She was a founding organizer and spokesperson for the activist group Ordain Women (ordainwomen.org), which has been featured in respected news outlets such as the New York Times and the Washington Post. Ordain Women collaborates with the Women’s Ordination Conference (Catholic), Ordain Women Now (Lutheran), Women of the Wall (Jewish), the Parliament of World Religions Women’s Task Force and other networks of religious feminists.

April produces and hosts the Religious Feminism Podcast https://www.the-exponent.com/category/podcast/), which provides a forum for feminists across a variety of faith communities and secular feminist organizations to learn about each other and work together toward common goals. She blogs about Mormon feminism at the-exponent.com, which averages 40,000 unique visitors per month.

As April has advocated for gender equity, she has noticed parallels between her modern challenges and those experienced by our first wave feminist forebears. When she marched with hundreds of women to a male-only religious meeting, the women were barred from entrance but allowed to listen over the internet, much in the same way Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton were barred from the World Anti-Slavery Convention in 1840 but allowed to listen from the balcony, behind a bar and a curtain. On another occasion, she was among many women of her faith who demonstrated their desire for gender equity by wearing pants to church instead of traditional dresses. At least one male church member was so peeved that he threatened to shoot any woman who showed up at church in pants. April was reminded of our suffragist foremothers, who received a similarly visceral reaction when they wore bloomers in the 1850s. She witnessed male religious leaders denouncing outspoken women using many of the same tactics employed against women such as Angelina and Sarah Grimké, Lucy Stone and Sojourner Truth.

April began to wonder if her activist community wasn’t recreating the wheel with their frantic brainstorming—the world had not changed as much as they had thought, and certainly some of the feminists who came before them had already addressed some of the problems they were facing. What could she learn from our foremothers? April wanted to read something about this era—one book, preferably, because she was busy—but broad enough to impart the wisdom of activists from a variety of racial and socioeconomic backgrounds. She didn’t want it to be limited to the most famous people because in her experience, movements are built by communities of rank-and-file workers, not solitary heroes. And while history can be fascinating, April was in a hurry—she had urgent causes to support—so she wanted something that focused on what was most pertinent to her modern concerns, like collaborative relationships, strategies and activism, but that would be lighter on dates, meeting minutes and genealogy charts.

April didn’t find that book. So she read everything: memoirs, biographies, history books, archived letters and diaries, even those boring meeting minutes. She asked suffragists her questions and they answered her, but they didn’t all agree with each other; they were a diverse, opinionated bunch. In their lives, April saw much to emulate and some pitfalls to avoid. The people who came before us were as deeply flawed as they were passionate and inspiring. Now, she’s written the book that she wanted to read back when she started this journey: Ask a Suffragist: Stories and Wisdom from America’s First Feminists.

Learn more about April Young Bennett at https://aprilyoungb.com

Julie has been a medium, psychic, and medical intuitive since childhood. She gives readings both in person and over the phone through the use of photographs and artifacts, and by connecting with family members and friends who have passed. She approaches her clients holistically to assist them in bringing their body, mind, and soul into alignment energetically, so they can become the greatest and best versions of themselves. 

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Donna Fatigato has been in the fitness industry for 36 years; ACE-certified Personal Trainer, Holistic Nutrition Coach, NETA Group Fitness Instructor, Specialty Training in Yoga, Pilates, Kickbox and Cycle, Wellness Planning and Nutrition.  Donna is also a Director at USANA Health Sciences, Inc.  

A seasoned wellness professional of 36 years with an extensive history of coaching, teaching and implementation of corporate wellness programs.

Certified as an ACE-Certified Personal Trainer, Holistic Nutrition Coach, Group Fitness Instructor with specialties in Yoga, Pilates, Kickboxing and Spin.

A professional member and spokesperson for the National Fitness Hall of Fame.

Food prep and monthly healthy cooking classes offered since 2013.

Best Selling Author of 'Q2 ~ A Healthy Recipe for a Balanced Life'

Best Selling Author of 'Rise Above: 8 Portraits of Life Transformation'



YOUnique LIFElong FITness will come to you - your house, business or school.  If you would like personal training, fitness and cooking classes, nutritional/wellness seminars or workshops outside of your home - several studio locations are available to YOUnique, including Bloomingdale, Carol Stream and Winfield, Illinois.



The YOUnique staff is compiled of wellness-minded and professional trainers with YOUR best interest in mind.  We pride ourselves on helping people to reach their goals by positive steps toward permanent changes with realistic expectations.  



Contact Donna@q2fit.com for more information. 

OPHER BRAYER

Talent Developer expert, Business Mentor, Coach, Teacher, Methodologist and Creator

Since 1984, Opher has been researching, refining and applying unique methodologies which have demonstrated that people can develop multi-disciplinary talent, contrary to the popularly held notion that talent is “natural”.

Originally a jazz musician and teacher who founded the jazz department of Thelma Yellin High school of the fine arts in Israel, Opher has developed and optimized his RTC (Real Time Composition) model for excellent musicianship. During those years he raised an impressive number of both local and international world class professional musicians.

Opher has taught alongside pioneer of competitive intelligence theory and founder of the Academy of Competitive Intelligence, Professor Ben Gilad, in FULD, Boston. He has also developed dozens of unique methodologies and processes for developing talent and the potential found in both individuals and groups. Opher’s latest methodology, “Swing Management”, has enabled companies to shift from startup thinking to corporal level management and vice versa, using original and sophisticated models that were implemented by Opher in the corporate world, as well as in startups.

The Swing Management uniquely enables precise analysis and re-engineering of the strategic management fabric of individual organizations, divisions, departments or ad-hoc teams, as well as the capability of integrating the appropriate strategy and methodology with the most effective and appropriate method of implementation for any given situation. By using three main models – Talent Development, Management Strategies, and Personal Business Relationships, the system enhances the managerial ability of individuals and organizations, thereby improving effectiveness both on an individual level and as part of a broader managerial structure.

Opher assists leading CEOs and industrialists with dedicated management strategies, supports processes in mergers and acquisitions, shares expertise in establishing large corporations, and supports start-ups.

These days, Opher is in the process of launching his latest innovation, The Talent Academy, a worldwide off and online enterprise, based on his Multi-Talent Disciplinary Model.

Specialty:

• Management Strategies
• Business Systems’ Dynamics
• Talent Development
• Intuitive Innovation
• Systemic Improvisation & Creativity
• Networking
• Problem Solving Techniques

Some of Opher’s clients include:

Orange (communication), Pelephone (communication), Eurocom-Nokia, Cellcom (communication), HP, Gilon (BI), Matrix, Quintyles, Microsoft, Comverse, Amdocs, Good People, Astra Zeneca, NDS, Reckit Benkizer, Tnuva, Strauss Group, Intel, Motorola, Orek, Teva, Dan Hotels, Magic, BBDO EU.

CAROLINE WATERS

CAROLINE WATERS is a heartwarming and engaging Jazz Entertainer, Musical Theatre Actress, Voice Over Artist, Film Composer, Author and Quantum Healer with a fierce commitment to Human Rights and Vocal Freedom.

Multi-Platinum recording artist Caroline Waters shares intensely heartfelt pieces from her extraordinary life adventure, while accompanying herself on guitar, piano, percussion and sometimes violin. Brilliantly assisted by a variety of world renowned musicians, such as cellist Ruti Celli, bassist Abraham Laboriel, drummer Chris Wabich and sax/ flute player Katisse Buckingham, Waters is currently scheduling a tour to promote her new album and musical, Finding Venus.

As a child celebrity, starring in her first movie at age three, Caroline often performed as a duo with her legendary entertainer dad, Per Asplin. By age sixteen she had become a seasoned performer with more than 2000 shows to her name. After recovering from a traumatic brain injury, amnesia and PTSD, Caroline graduated with honors from The Grove School of Music. Shortly thereafter, she established Redhead Records and immigrated to the US as an Alien of Extraordinary Ability in the Arts. 

In addition to her artist career, Caroline is often hired to give keynote presentations and seminars in Vocal Freedom, a program she initially designed to help people heal from PTSD. Today Vocal Freedom is a powerful transformative experience for all who wish to free their expression and enhance their performance ability. For those who wish to heal physical and emotional issues on a deeper level. Caroline Waters is accepting clients as an Accredited Journey Practitioner.

Frank St. James is well known for his work with many local police and investigative authorities. He appeared on The Psychic Detectives, as well as the Bio Show on A&E Cable, and is also a top radio personality. He was once a detective, has worked with the FBI, and the answers he gives are usually spot on! Frank is very popular at the New Jersey Psychic Fairs and books out quickly.