Spirituality

JAMES H. BALLARD, MDiv, DMin Dr. Ballard is the Associate Pastor and Director of Counseling Ministry for a vital 14,000+ member church. He initiates a health and wellness focus in his ministry that speaks to both religious and secular audiences. Author of Healing the Hurt: Processing the Pain of Past nd Present and A Christian Approach to Wellness, James Ballard employs Reality Therapy and fundamental wellness principles along with his pastoral counseling. He is a Fellow and Diplomate with the American Academy of Pain Management, and is a regular presenter at the National Wellness Conference. Dr. Ballard inspires audiences with his belief that "people should be seen as spiritual, physical and psychological beings, and for a victorious life to be experienced, all areas should be addressed."

REV. LEO BOOTH, MTh A former Episcopal priest, Reverend Leo Booth is a Unity minister, an internationally acclaimed author, lecturer, and trainer on all aspects of spirituality and recovery from depression, addictions, compulsive behaviors, and low self-esteem.

A Certified Addictions Counselor, a Certified Eating Disorders Counselor, and a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, Rev. Leo speaks at many National and International conferences, plus churches of all denominations. In addition to specific in-services and lectures on religious addiction and abuse, Rev. Leo presents workshops, lectures, and training on a broad spectrum of issues to a variety of organizations and institutions.

Rev. Leo contributes regularly to newspapers across the United States and is the author of 10 publications, including When God Becomes a Drug, The Wisdom of Letting Go, and Pearl in the Rice. Rev. Leo has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Geraldo, Sally Jesse Raphael, and Good Morning America.

JOAN BORYSENKO, PhD Through her medical research, her best-selling books and her inspired speaking, Dr. Borysenko has become a leading authority and world-renowned spokesperson for the mind-body approach to health. She is the author of Minding the Body, Mending the Mind, Fire in the Soul: A New Psychology of Spiritual Optimism, A Woman’s Book of Life, and Inner Peace for Busy People.

BRUNO CORTIS, MD Author of Heart & Soul: A Psychological and Spiritual Guide to Preventing and Healing Heart Disease. A practicing cardiologist for over thirty years, Dr. Cortis speaks inspiringly and entertainingly to lay audiences, and informs physicians, nurses and hospital administrators on the importance of spirituality in medicine.

THERMAN EVANS, MD, PhD Known as "Mr. Inspiration," Dr. Evans is an exciting and dynamic motivational presenter. He addresses wellness, fitness, nutrition, diversity, stress management, education, dealing with change, and spirituality. Currently a pastor and health consultant, Dr. Evans is former Vice President and corporate medical director of the CIGNA Corporation, one of the largest health care companies in America. Dr. Evans is the co-author of the recently published book Staying Strong, and host of a radio show called "Lifeline" in Philadelphia. He has consulted with many governmental agencies and is a member of Boards of Directors including The Wellness Councils of America, the National Association of Health Service Executives, and the Washington, DC Board of Education.

JENNIFER HAWTHORNE Jennifer Read Hawthorne is an international speaker and award-winning author specializing in inspirational presentations for women. Jennifer’s latest work teaches women to tap into their “authentic power” and use it to create a new paradigm of success—one that includes self-acceptance, freedom and peace. Jennifer is co-author of four bestselling books, including Chicken Soup for the Woman’s Soul and Chicken Soup for the Mother’s Soul. Both books reached #1 on the New York Times and USA Today’s best-seller lists and continue to be among the most popular of all books in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Her latest release, The Soul of Success: A Woman’s Guide to Authentic Power explores 27 principles that create connection, fulfillment and peace.

SAM KEEN, PhD “Overeducated” at Princeton University and Harvard Divinity School, Dr. Keen was a contributing editor to Psychology Today, author of a dozen books and the subject of a Bill Moyers PBS special, “Your Mythic Journey with Sam Keen.” A freelance thinker and skilled explorer, he has a healthy disrespect for traditionally accepted boundaries.

DEBORAH KERN, PhD Author of Everyday Wellness, Dr. Kern is one of the nation's foremost proponents of mind-body health and women's wellness. Dr. Kern combines her background in nursing, 12 years of teaching fitness, and doctoral studies in Health Science to present a dynamic, interactive session on the “Mind-Body Connection” in health. In addition to providing up-to-the-minute wellness advice, Deborah is a certified yoga instructor and a leading instructor of an innovative form of movement called "NIA" - Neuromuscular Integrative Action. Her commanding presence and positive attitude invite full participation.

LEWIS MEHL-MADRONA, MD, PhD Author of Coyote Medicine, Dr. Mehl-Madrona draws upon his Native American background to present a model of healing that is holistic, humanistic, and scientifically grounded. A family physician and psychiatrist, he has worked many hours in rural emergency rooms. He is on the front lines in the struggle to integrate his traditional Cherokee and Lakota heritage with modern medicine. In his words, "To be healed, we need to believe in the possibility of healing, and in a greater world, and in higher powers than our own...We cannot live without spirit."

CAROLINE MYSS, PhD Author of the New York Times bestsellers Anatomy of the Spirit and Why People Don’t Heal and How They Can. With degrees in journalism and theology, Caroline Myss holds a doctorate in “intuition and energy medicine” from Greenwich University in Hilo, Hawaii. In 1997, Myss and her work were featured in two hour-long shows on PBS-TV.

DENISE DeFOREST PASTOOR, MEd, RN, CNS Denise Pastoor is a dynamic nurse psychotherapist and educator with 28 years of experience in the field of mind-body-spirit health. Her enthusiastic approach in sharing her wealth of practical coping skills teaches people to reach their potential for top performance, tap into creativity, manage stress, and maximize health and healing. Working with individuals and groups in business and healthcare, Denise incorporates powerful mind-body techniques to channel energy into true empowerment. As a speaker at national conferences, her popular topics include: work-life balance, performance pressure, grief and loss, creative potential, and holistic healing.

MILES O'BRIEN RILEY, PhD Ordained at the North American College in Rome and doctoral graduate in communications from the University of California at Berkeley, Father Miles founded the Communications Center for the Archdiocese of San Francisco more than 30 years ago. An entertaining presenter, Fr. Miles has conducted communication training workshops throughout the world and has received three Emmys for outstanding TV productions.

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ANITA J. SCANDURRA, PhD The wellness/health promotion coordinator at St. Joseph's Hospital in Wisconsin and a regular presenter at the National Wellness Conference, Dr. Scandurra presents on integrating wellness into everyday life, mindfulness, stress management, and spirituality as a core foundation of wellness. Her newest topic is "A Wellness Revolution: The Power of Choice"—a highly motivating, empowering presentation on the dynamics of choice and one's deep commitment to the wellness journey. Other topics include "Living Well: Integrating Wellness into Everyday Life," "Life Balance: An Integrated Approach to Stress Management," "Mindfulness Practice: A Core Foundation of Wellness," and "On and Off the Mat: Yoga Practice and Wellness." Dr. Scandurra focuses on integrating mindfulness into everyday activities as a way to deepen your overall wellness.

ELAINE SULLIVAN, MEd Her presentations on self-esteem, relationship building, gender issues and developing awareness of the inner child are so popular that they are “standing room only” at the National Wellness Conference. In great demand as a speaker to corporations and hospitals, Elaine’s positive attitude, caring and sense of fun are contagious.

DONALD A. TUBESING, PhD, MDiv Dr. Tubesing is the author of Seeking Your Healthy Balance and the Founder of Whole Person Associates, a large firm which develops stress management and wellness programs for clients including the YMCA and the U.S. Air Force. Don’s warm, caring personality sends his audiences home enthusiastic and motivated.

LISA VENABLE, MA Counselor and Spiritual Director of the Agapé Sanctuary in Minneapolis. As a counselor, Lisa guides her clients to release their fear through positive messages, guided imagery and transformational healings. She is also a gifted speaker on spiritual and psychological aspects of wellness, always showing great sensitivity for her audiences. Topics include "Who Am I and How Am I Creating This Life?"