Moments With Marianne

Ordained Zen priest Duncan Ryuken Williams’ AMERICAN SUTRA: A Story of Faith and Freedom in the Second World War (Harvard University Press; February 2019) described by George Takei as a “must read.” This groundbreaking history tells the little-known story of how, in one of our country’s darkest hours, Japanese Americans fought to defend their faith and preserve religious freedom. The mass incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II is not only a tale of injustice; it is a moving story of faith. In this path-breaking account, Duncan Ryuken Williams reveals how, even as they were stripped of their homes and imprisoned in camps, Japanese American Buddhists launched one of the most inspiring defenses of religious freedom in our nation’s history, insisting that they could be both Buddhist and American. https://www.duncanryukenwilliams.com

Laura Schroff is a former advertising executive who helped launch three of the most successful start-ups in Time Inc. history— In Style, Teen People, and People Style Watch. Schroff has also worked as the New York Division Manager at People magazine. Since the release of An Invisible Thread, Schroff has been a keynote speaker at over 300 schools, libraries, charities and bookstores, encouraging people to find for their own invisible thread connections and appreciate the power of small acts of kindness. http://lauraschroff.com

Mallory O’Meara is an author, screenwriter and genre film producer. Every week, she co-hosts the literary podcast Reading Glasses. Whether it's for the screen or the page, Mallory seeks creative projects imbued with the weird; horror and monsters are her passion. www.malloryomeara.com

Recording artist and MMA trainer Mike Lee has released an epic new music video for his single, THE HEAT. The song features the band VONDI, which is a Canadian-American music and production duo consisting of Stephen Von HeyKing and Cody Norris.  https://www.mikeleemusic.com

Mark Coleman is the author of From Suffering to Peace, Make Peace with Your Mind, and Awake in the Wild. He is the founder of the Mindfulness Institute and has an MA in clinical psychology. Mark has guided students on five continents as a corporate consultant, counselor, meditation teacher, and wilderness guide. He lives in Northern California. www.MarkColeman.org

Laura Gassner Otting helps people get "unstuck" ― and achieve extraordinary results. Laura's 25-year resume is defined by her entrepreneurial edge. She served as a Presidential Appointee in Bill Clinton's White House, helping shape AmeriCorps; left a leadership role at respected nonprofit search firm, Isaacson, Miller, to expand the startup ExecSearches.com; and founded and ran the Nonprofit Professionals Advisory Group, which partnered with the full gamut of mission driven nonprofit executives, from start-up dreamers to scaling social entrepreneurs to global philanthropists. https://lauragassnerotting.com

Darren Cockburn has been practicing meditation and mindfulness for over 20 years, studying with a range of teachers from different religions. As a coach and teacher, he has supported hundreds of people in meditation, mindfulness, and finding a connection to spirituality, with a focus on applying spiritual teachings in everyday life to cultivate a peaceful mind. The author of Being Present, he lives in Bournemouth, UK. www.darrencockburn.com

Thomas Lockley is Assistant Professor at Nihon University College of Law in Tokyo, where he teaches courses about the international and multicultural history of Japan and East Asia. He has published several dozen research papers and articles, including the first in the world regarding the life of Yasuke. He is currently Visiting Scholar at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. He and his family live in Chiba, Japan.

Dr. Marni Feuerman is the author of Ghosted and Breadcrumbed. She is a licensed social worker and marriage and family therapist with a private practice counseling those with relationship issues. She also trains therapists to do couples therapy and writes about love relationships for a number of online media. She lives in Boca Raton, Florida. www.TheTalkingSolution.com

Rachel Cline, author of the novels What to Keep and My Liar, has written for the New York Times, New York, More, SELF, and Tin House magazines, and is a produced screen and television writer. For five years, she was a screenwriting instructor at the University of Southern California and has taught fiction writing at New York University, Eugene Lang College, and Sarah Lawrence College. She has been a resident at Yaddo, a fellow at Sewanee, and a Girls Write Now mentor. She lives in Brooklyn Heights, a few blocks from where she grew up. https://www.rachelcline.com

Tom Bunn, LCSW, is the author of Panic Free: The 10-Day Program to End Panic, Anxiety, and Claustrophobia, which is the result of his many years addressing flight panic in his role as an airline pilot. He is also a licensed therapist, regular contributor to Psychology Today, and a former U.S. Air Force captain who flew the Air Force’s first supersonic jet fighter, the F-100. Visit him online at http://www.panicfree.net

Jason B. Kendrick is a Communications and Transformation Specialist, Author, Speaker, Reiki Master, Heart Core Communications Trainer and Heart Centered Living Practitioner. He offers himself to the world in Love and Service to cultivate Peace, Love and Joy within all he works with.  https://www.jasonbkendrick.com

American-born Barbara Berger is the best-selling author of 15 self-empowerment books, which have been translated into 30 languages. Her books can be ordered on Amazon.com and other online sites or on her Web site. Barbara lives in Copenhagen, Denmark and works as coach, helping people around the globe come into alignment with their own true power. www.beamteam.com

Kate Kaufmann embarked on her life as a non-mom when she abandoned fertility treatments, quit her corporate job, and moved from the suburbs to a rural community to raise sheep. Since 2012, she has talked with hundreds of women ranging in age from twenty-four to ninety-one and advocates for better understanding of the childless/childfree demographic. Kate received an MFA in creative writing in 2016 from the Northwest Institute of Literary Arts and has a professional background in corporate staffing, training, and consulting. www.katekaufmann.com

Alden Mills is a three-time Navy SEAL platoon commander and was the CEO of Perfect Fitness. He is also a longtime entrepreneur, with over 40 patents, and has over 25 years of experience working on high-performance leadership, sales, and team-building. https://alden-mills.com

Robert Clancy is a creative visionary, #1 bestselling author, spiritual teacher and co-founder of Spiral Design Studio, LLC. At age nineteen, Robert had a divine spiritual experience that altered his life in profound ways. He is a sought after speaker, presenter and guest. Robert is also a regular contributor and weekly guest on Los Angeles KABC Radio's syndicated Late Night Health Radio show. https://www.soulcyphers.com

Dominique Antiglio is a globally sought-after Sophrologist specializing in stress management, self-development, and birth preparation. After studying with Professor Alfonso Caycedo, the inventor of Sophrology, she founded BeSophro, a London-based clinic and consultancy with an online platform to help people find a better life through the practice of Sophrology. https://be-sophro.com

Jesse An Nichols George is a Coding Interpreter who has authored 6 books and is a collaborator on the International multiple bestseller “Embraced by the Divine:  The Emerging Woman’s Gateway To Power, Passion, and Purpose”.  Her work is founded in the principles of Compassion and how to use it to bring joy to all areas of life; so that you can live your passion and manifest a life filled with joy and fulfillment.  Jesse An is a 13+ generation spiritual healer, energy tuner, life/relationship/spiritual and wellness coach, holistic and natural lifestyle advisor.  www.compassioncodes.com

Charles Lane is an editorial writer for The Washington Post. A former editor of the New Republic and foreign correspondent for Newsweek, he has also covered the Supreme Court of the United States. https://charlesmarklane.com

Alan Cohen, M.A., is the author of 27 popular inspirational books, including the best-selling The Dragon Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, the award-winning A Deep Breath of Life, and the classic Are You as Happy as Your Dog? He is a contributing writer for the New York Times #1 bestselling series Chicken Soup for the Soul, and his books have been translated into 25 foreign languages. His work has been featured on Oprah.com and in USA Today, The Washington Post and 101 Top Experts. Alan’s radio program Get Real is broadcast weekly on Hay House Radio, and his monthly column From the Heart is featured in magazines internationally. https://www.alancohen.com