author. speaker. motivator.
Affectionately known as "America's #1 Success Coach," Jack Canfield is the originator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series and a leading authority in the areas of self-esteem, achievement motivation, and peak performance. [www.jackcanfield.com]
political powerhouse. media mogul. author.
Arianna Huffington is the co-founder and Editor in Chief of the Huffington Post and the author of twelve books. [www.huffingtonpost.com]
author. speaker. linchpin.
Seth Godin is a prominent author, blogger and speaker. [www.squidoo.com/linchpin]
yogi. philanthropist. dynamic teacher.
Krishna Kaur is the founder of YOGA for Youth, a program that takes yoga, meditation, and stimulating discussions on the philosophy of yoga to urban youth. [www.yogaforyouth.org]
producer. philanthropist. tv legend.
Norman Lear has enjoyed a long career in television and film. He is also a political and social activist and philanthropist. [www.normanlear.com]
race car driver. activist. carbon free girl.
Leilani Münter is a professional race car driver and an environmental activist who uses her voice in the number one spectator sport in America as a catalyst for change. [www.leilanimunter.com]
Freedom Fighter. Philanthropist. Game Changer.
By going undercover to meet slaves and slaveholders, Kevin Bales exposed modern slavery's penetration into the global economy. He co-founded Free the Slaves, which has helped to liberate thousands of slaves. [www.freetheslaves.net]
mom. big dreamer. lady in red.
Sophie Chiche, lifebyme.com founder and curator, enjoys asking deep questions and living a life of meaning. Today she's launching Shape House, an urban sweat lodge, a place to melt away fears and fat. [www.shapehousela.com]
Writer. Entrepreneur. Daily Lover.
Entrepreneur and writer Mastin Kipp founded TheDailyLove.com, which merges pop culture with inspiration, and co-founded The Love Yourself Company, an apparel company that has started a global self-esteem movement. [www.TheDailyLove.com]
singer. musician. crier.
Liz Phair is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. [www.lizphair.com]
archbishop. author. peaceful leader.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu is Chairman of The Elders, a group of world leaders who address some of the world's most pressing problems. He works energetically for human-rights and in his ministry. [www.tutu.org]
author. ceo. humanitarian.
Zainab Salbi is the founder and CEO of Women for Women International, a group dedicated to helping women survivors of war rebuild their lives. [www.womenforwomen.org]
speaker. psychotherapist. life embracer.
Despite his physical challenges, Sean Stephenson has taken a stand for a quality of life that has inspired millions of people around the world. He's a professional speaker, psychotherapist, and author. [www.timetostand.com]
yogi. meditator. teacher.
Kia Miller teaches Yoga at Yoga Works in Los Angeles, leads teacher trainings, and runs retreats and workshops on meditation, chakras, pranayam, and mantras, and other practices. [www.kiamiller.com]
creator. writer. idea geek.
Simon Mainwaring is an ex-Nike/Wieden creative, former Worldwide Creative Director at Motorola/Ogilvy, branding/advertising writer, author/speaker/blogger, Australian, idea geek. [www.simonmainwaring.com]
Strategist. Writer. Life Coach.
Shannon Bindler is a style editor, life coach, and the co-founder of Get Up Girl, an empowerment company that inspires women to shine. [www.getupgirl.com]
Designer. Art Director. Passionate Creator.
Grammy-nominated art director/designer/photographer Mathieu Bitton has designed over 450 CDs and movie posters. He's a renowned collector of and authority on black films and their soundtracks. [www.candytangerine.com]
Agent. Producer. Photography Enthusiast.
Opus Reps founder and agent-producer Jorge Perez travels the world producing photo shoots with great photographers and celebrities. He's also very involved with Meals on Wheels in Los Angeles. www.opusreps.com
gift swap
Abby Lodmer
laugh giver. community embracer. comedic connector.
Abby Lodmer traverses the world, bringing light and healing through humor. She's performed in comedy clubs around the globe, uplifting humanity through her show, Humor Healing Humanity. [www.humorhealinghumanity.com]
I’ve sometimes been around people or groups who don’t see life as I do. I used to separate myself then and be alone, but I’ve realized that there’s no reason to separate myself from society. I can find groups of people who vibe with what I think and feel. I can find my community. That leads to a much happier, healthier life, because I can give my energy, my love, and my gifts to others and receive theirs.
Now I make much more of an effort to show up, to do my yoga in a class rather than only by watching a yoga video, to meditate with others rather than always sitting on my bed alone. I get out into community with the things I love.
My parents tell me what a loving kid I was. I was always running up to other kids and hugging them, wanting to be part of the group. Most of the kids in Malibu had straight blonde hair and blue eyes, and I had this big afro and was sometimes made fun of. Early on, I felt different and was sometimes ostracized. To cope, I became a comedian. I decided I had to laugh at myself instead of letting it get to me. I became a comedian to cope with the feeling of not belonging. As I’ve grown older, I’ve made more of an effort to find a sense of belonging again.
I want to help other people who don’t feel like they belong. That’s why I’m a life coach, a tutor, and a conscious comedian. I want to use my gifts and training to help others.
I have a lot to give and share. I’m giving to my clients, and to the world through my comedy. I connect with my idea of God or divinity, and to others, through my comedy. When I hear an audience laugh, I feel like I’ve given them my gifts and I’ve received their gifts of acceptance, approval, love, and connection. I feel most connected when I’m giving my gifts and receiving back, when I’m giving and receiving love.
– Abby Lodmer
Explore More Meaning
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business expert. arbiter of style. smarty pants.
Small business expert Amy Swift has helped launch thousands of businesses and ideas. She founded Smarty to give entrepreneurs authentic space to partner and grow. [www.smartypeople.com]
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juxtaposer. course corrector. chicken soup maker.
Alan Cohen loves to extract lessons from the practical experiences of daily living and find beauty in the seeming mundane. He's an inspirational leader, author, and contributor for the Chicken Soup series. [www.alancohen.com]
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body healer. fear overcomer. joy indulger.
Mary Beth LaRue is a yoga instructor and writer whose mission is to inspire others to live their best life, and to fully inhabit, enjoy, and heal their bodies and minds through yoga and intention-setting. [www.mblarue.com]
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all ears. conscious counselor. avid traveler.
As a life coach to creative executives, actor Rahi Chun facilitates alignment between core values and authentic self-expression through entertainment properties. [www.beingtruelifecoaching.com]
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coach. empowered introvert. green thumb.
A coach with a passion for introverts, Joan Shulman supports heart-centered professionals who love what they do but struggle to self-promote. She believes everyone possesses the innate wisdom needed to create fulfillment. [www.fullcirclelifecoach.com]
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meaningful filmmaker. passionate activist. change creator.
Ryan is a filmmaker, video blogger, and gay rights activist. He recently began prepping his first documentary film, which will focus on the unfair treatment of LGBT individuals in the U.S. [www.ryanjamesyezak.com]
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groupon sales gal. brand ambassador. shaper.
Renee Woodruff is a Groupon Sales Gal, a blogger for a magazine, a LOFT Girl Brand Ambassador, and a CrossFitter, yogi, food lover, and travel enthusiast. [www.shape.com/blogs/girl-go]
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entrepreneur. visionary. media man.
As a serial entrepreneur and Internet visionary, Richard Rosenblatt co-founded Demand Media and is redefining the next generation of new media companies. [www.demandmedia.com]
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