2012 Conference Speakers

Marianne Williamson

Marianne Williamson is an internationally acclaimed spiritual author and lecturer. Six of her ten published books have been New York Times Best Sellers. Four of these have been #1 New York Times Best Sellers. A Return to Love is considered a must-read of The New Spirituality. A paragraph from that book, beginning "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure..." - often misattributed to Nelson Mandela's Inaugural address - is considered an anthem for a contemporary generation of seekers. Marianne’s latest New York Times Best Seller is A Course in Weight Loss: 21 Spiritual Lessons for Surrendering Your Weight Forever. A Course in Weight Loss was selected by Oprah to be one of her Favorite Things in 2010.

Marianne's other books include The Age of Miracles, Everyday Grace, A Woman's Worth, Illuminata, Healing the Soul of America and The Gift of Change.

She has been a popular guest on television programs such as Oprah, Larry King Live, Good Morning America and Charlie Rose.

Marianne is a native of Houston, Texas. In 1989, she founded Project Angel Food, a meals-on-wheels program that serves homebound people with AIDS in the Los Angeles area. Today, Project Angel Food serves over 1,000 people daily.

In December 2006, a NEWSWEEK magazine poll named Marianne Williamson one of the fifty most influential baby boomers. According to Time magazine, "Yoga, the Cabala and Marianne Williamson have been taken up by those seeking a relationship with God that is not strictly tethered to Christianity."

Dr. Jean Houston

Jean Houston, Ph.D., scholar, philosopher and researcher in Human Capacities, is one of the foremost visionary thinkers and doers of our time. She is long regarded as one of the principal founders of the Human Potential Movement. Dr. Houston is noted for her ability to combine a deep knowledge of history, culture, new science, spirituality and human development into her teaching. She is known for her inter-disciplinary perspective delivered in inspirational and humorous keynote addresses.

A prolific writer, Dr. Houston is the author of 26 books including “Jump Time”, “ A Passion for the Possible”, “Search for the Beloved”, “Life Force”, “The Possible Human”, “Public Like a Frog”, “A Mythic Life: Learning to Live Our Greater Story”, and “Manual of the Peacemaker”.

As Advisor to UNICEF in human and cultural development, she has worked around the world helping to implement some of their extensive educational programs. In September of 1999, she traveled to Dharamsala, India as a member of a group chosen to work with the Dalai Lama in a learning and advisory capacity. Dr. Houston has also served in an advisory capacity to President and Mrs. Clinton as well as assisting Mrs. Clinton in her writing of her book, “It Takes A Village: And Other Lessons Children Teach Us”. She has met with President and Mrs. Carter, and with leaders in many countries and cultures. As a high school student she worked closely with another First Lady of the United States, Eleanor Roosevelt, in developing strategies to introduce international awareness and United Nations work to young people.

Elayne Boosler

Comedian/writer/animal activist Elayne Boosler is best known for her thoughtful and feisty political humor, and her love of baseball and animals, all sharing a big part of her act. For 38 years, she seemingly has appeared on every talk show ever on TV, has produced and written 5 one hour Showtime comedy specials, written and directed two movies for Cinemax, appeared on Comic Relief for years, on Politically Incorrect over thirty times, and has hosted specials, series, and events.

In 1985 she financed her own comedy special ("Party of One", and no, she had no credit cards) when the cable stations would not let a female standup have a special. The success of that show blew open the gates of tv for female comedians. She recently spent years sitting in for Stephanie on Stephanie Miller’s syndicated radio show, and hosted the game show Balderdash for NBC in 2005/06. She has traveled the world doing standup from Las Vegas to colleges to the London Palladium to the White House Press Correspondent’s Dinner for President Clinton, to clubs to theaters everywhere. She has performed for the Queen of England as well as the president and congress at Ford’s Theater. She moderated the Democratic Presidential Candidates Debate on C-Span for NOW, and is very active in women’s and political issues. She has written for TV, print and film, and you can find a current large body of her work at the Huffington Post.

Ari L

Ari L is a motivational speaker, childcare professional and mother of two. Her dynamic speaking style and inspirational stories teach you that it is possible to have exactly what you want by “Acting as If...and Changing Your Life!”

Ari holds a degree in Early Childhood Development. She was presented with the first Child Advocate Award from Saddleback College. This award was created by her professor acknowledging Ari’s dedication to children.

Ari uses vivid stories of personal accounts to motivate and inspire. Her motivation arises from her own struggles and turbulent past. She has overcome many obstacles using her “Act as If” technique; she started developing as a teenager.

Incurable disease, bitter divorce, foreclosure, and bankruptcy are among the many challenges placed before her. Yet, throughout this incredible path she has taken, she has realized not only her own power to change her life, but the power to help others change theirs as well. Her life experiences have shaped her present passion – to educate, motivate and inspire. Her words are honest and direct; she will make you laugh one moment and cry the next.

Ari shows through her example that no matter what our story is, by using our imagination and “Acting as If” anything is possible!

Colette Carlson

Only by telling the truth on herself was Colette Carlson able to lose her own fears and addictions that kept her 50 lbs. overweight and making underwhelming choices.One thing she didn’t lose was her sense of humor which is apparent whether she’s sharing her system for success as far away as South Africa or within Success Magazine.

As a human behavior expert Colette knows her stuff and has the research, education and personal experience to back it up which is why her clients include Microsoft, Accenture, Cisco, PepsiCo, Boeing and New York Life.   

Truth be told, the skills gained in her powerful programs transform relationships which are the backbone to professional success and personal happiness.

Maria Hall-Brown (Emcee)

Maria is the host and producer of Bookmark with Maria Hall-Brown, a news magazine featuring interviews with book authors, and a producer and occasional correspondent on KOCE's Real Orange newscast.

Maria Hall-Brown was a producer for Calworks: Steps Towards Success, which was nominated for a Los Angeles Area Emmy Award in 2003. She was awarded a Golden Mike Award by the Radio and Television News Association of Southern California in 2007

Carol Guscott

Carol Guscott's story is the true tale of survival and intense hope of one resolute woman, who never gave up, never lost faith, and though disfigured and blind, never lost sight. This is a story about the power of hope, faith, forgiveness, and motivation.