Jack Canfield Jack Canfield 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]

 
Arianna Huffington Arianna Huffington 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]

 
Seth Godin Seth Godin author. speaker. linchpin.

Seth Godin is a prominent author, blogger and speaker. [www.squidoo.com/linchpin]

 
Krishna Kaur Krishna Kaur 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]

 
Norman Lear Norman Lear 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]

 
Leilani Münter Leilani Münter 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]

 
Kevin Bales Kevin Bales 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]

 
Sophie Chiche Sophie Chiche 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]

 
Mastin Kipp Mastin Kipp 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]

 
Liz Phair Liz Phair singer. musician. crier.

Liz Phair is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. [www.lizphair.com]

 
Desmond Tutu Desmond Tutu 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]

 
Zainab Salbi Zainab Salbi 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]

 
Sean Stephenson Sean Stephenson 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]

 
Kia Miller Kia Miller 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]

 
Simon Mainwaring Simon Mainwaring 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]

 
Shannon Bindler Shannon Bindler 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]

 
Mathieu Bitton Mathieu Bitton 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]

 
Jorge Perez Jorge Perez 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

 

people

Benjamin Salka Benjamin Salka story pirate. avid learner. people person.

Benjamin Salka is the co-founder and CEO of Story Pirates, which celebrates the words, ideas, and stories of children, encouraging and empowering young people to invent big ideas for a new generation. [www.storypirates.org]

There’s almost nothing in this world I’m not interested in. I like learning about things. I like playing games. I like understanding structures and organizations. But what I’ve always been most excited about are people. I like to talk to people. I like to understand other people’s lives and needs and desires, and I like to share my experiences.

There’s something about life that feels so strange and beautiful. I’m obsessed with what it means that we’re alive and we’re here. I have a compulsion to understand, but I find that I can’t understand only by looking inside myself. I understand through other people’s experiences.

There are a number of things I thought I’d be good at in my life, and there were a number of paths that seemed plausible and would have probably brought me a lot of success. I gave up a lot of other options in my life to pursue a path that’s most connected to people.

In my early adult life I was attracted to the entertainment industry and worked for a wonderful non-profit in New York which connected me to arts and writing programs for children. I mostly worked on and off Broadway and in the movie business, in big commercial entertainment, and I loved it. I loved telling big stories, I loved the business of show, the culture of commercial theatre and Hollywood. It was exciting to me both creatively and from a business perspective.

But even though I felt fulfilled on a pretty big level, there was a huge ingredient missing for me. That ingredient was meaning. I was helping to tell big stories in a professional way, but the stories weren’t personally meaningful to me. So I gave all of that up and founded Story Pirates, which is a mix of the mind-sets of a local, community-serving non-profit and a big, globalized media business. Starting Story Pirates felt like an opportunity to get everything I want out of life.

The work we’re doing now changes people’s lives in a real and tangible way. It’s about individual people and individual stories, and it’s full of the ingredient I was missing.

– Benjamin Salka

Comments

Explore More Meaning

  • Amy Jo Martin
    Amy Jo Martin Amy Jo Martin digital humanitarian. why finder. frequent flyer.

    Amy Jo Martin, founder and CEO of Digital Royalty and Digital Royalty University, teaches brands, corporations and individuals to how to measure and monetize their digital universe. [www.digitalroyaltyuniversity.com]

     
  • Matthew Joyce
    Matthew Joyce Matthew Joyce higher self guide. spiritual integrator. dolphin whisperer.

    Matthew Joyce is a spirit guide. He founded Higher Self Guides to remind people that divine spirituality isn't just for mystics. It's for you, too. [www.higherselfguides.com]

     
  • Carrie McCarthy
    Carrie McCarthy Carrie McCarthy personal lifestyle guide. author. style statement detector.

    Carrie created Style Statement, an intimate process of self-revelation and empowerment, explored through her book and in one-on-one sessions. [www.stylestatement.com]

     
  • Craig Marshall
    Craig Marshall Craig Marshall clarity inspirer. core explorer. fear-facing dude.

    Craig Marshall was a yoga monk for 35 years. His visionary work has awakened thousands worldwide, teaching them how to face fears and draw on intuition to realize their full identity and deepest dreams. [www.gapzip.com]

     
  • Kris Wittenberg
    Kris Wittenberg Kris Wittenberg promotional product developer. veteran entrepreneur. be gooder.

    Kris Wittenberg, founder of Be Good to People, is a veteran entrepreneur whose company, SayNoMore! Promotions, is the go-to resource for promotional products. [www.begoodtopeople.com]

     
  • Michael Neill
    Michael Neill Michael Neill bestselling author. childhood reconnector. messy laugher.

    Michael Neill is an internationally renowned transformative coach and creative sparkplug to CEOs, celebrities, and royalty. His books have been translated into thirteen languages around the world. [www.insideoutrevolution.com]

     
  • Alexandra Solnado
    Alexandra Solnado Alexandra Solnado healer. author. receiver.

    Alexandra Solnado's path as a spiritual healer began in a moment, when her daughter stopped breathing. Since then, she's channeled books, spiritual therapies, and meditations. [www.alexandrasolnado.net]

     
  • Richard Simmons
    Richard Simmons Richard Simmons fitness expert. health advocate. icon.

    Using his unique wit, passion, and enthusiasm, Richard Simmons, the nation's most revered fitness expert, continues his crusade to encourage people to take control of their fitness destiny. [www.richardsimmons.com]

     
  • More

Contributors

  • Yestyn Griffiths
    Yestyn Griffiths Yestyn Griffiths singer. songwriter. musician.

    Glass Pear is Welsh singer/songwriter Yestyn Griffiths, whose songs are about the fragility and transience of life and love. His songs have been heard on Grey's Anatomy, Bones, and other popular shows. [www.glasspearmusic.com]

     
  • Risa Binder
    Risa Binder Risa Binder musical storyteller. inspired singer. life sharer.

    Risa Binder is a Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter. Her debut album "Paper Heart" was released last February and has been spotlighted by Entertainment Tonight, Billboard, and the Wall Street Journal. [risabinder.com]

     
  • Dave Elliott
    Dave Elliott Dave Elliott relationship guru. cupid assister. blessing counter.

    Dave Elliott is a relationship expert and coach who founded Legendary Love For Life. He develops content and products, and blogs for a number of relationship websites. [www.legendaryloveforlife.com]

     
  • Sheena Iyengar
    Sheena Iyengar Sheena Iyengar amused mom. choice expert. systematic investigator.

    Sheena Iyengar is a world-renowned expert on choice. Her insights are invaluable to businesses, and to every individual trying to make positive and lasting changes in their lives. [www.sheenaiyengar.com]

     
  • Daniel Maltzman
    Daniel Maltzman Daniel Maltzman art devotee. fresh creator. eye-catcher.

    Artist Daniel Maltzman's work draws from contemporary influences and incorporates a pop-culture bent. He's the new name on the short list of savvy art collectors. [www.danielmaltzman.com]

     
  • Kate Bares-Johnson
    Kate Bares-Johnson Kate Bares-Johnson consciousness shifter. choice embracer. happy dancer.

    As an intuitive guide, transformative healer, author, and creator of Soul Integration Therapy™, Kate Bares-Johnson has developed a very real and powerful approach to life as a choice. [www.thecenterforwellbeing.com]

     
  • Lynda Filler
    Lynda Filler Lynda Filler poet. photographer. lover.

    Lynda Filler is a poet, author, photographer, and would-be public speaker who lives in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. She has two published poetry books and is currently working on two memoir/biographies. [www.thelovefix.com]

     
  • Mark Leruste
    Mark Leruste Mark Leruste question asker. superhero maker. broccoli activist.

    Understanding what a busy lifestyle can do to both your emotional and physical state, Mark Leruste is passionate about creating radical shifts in people’s lives by empowering them to drop toxic habits, adopt healthy mindsets, and achieve breakthroughs. [www.lifeinshape.co.uk/about]

     
  • Laura Munson
    Laura Munson Laura Munson author. new york times sensation. passion pursuer.

    Laura Munson is the author of an internationally bestselling memoir. [www.lauramunsonauthor.com]

     
  • Max Lugavere
    Max Lugavere Max Lugavere musician. producer. curious quester.

    Max Lugavere is a co-founding host and producer of Al Gore's TV network. He's also a celebrity ambassador for Causecast.org, a singer-songwriter, and founder of the non-profit concert series Rockdrive. [http://twitter.com/#!/maxlugavere]

     
  • Ingrid Vanderveldt
    Ingrid Vanderveldt Ingrid Vanderveldt sustainability advocate. entrepreneur. fosterer.

    Ingrid Vanderveldt is an entrepreneur, TV personality, and passionate advocate of working with women to foster a more sustainable future. She consults with Fortune 500 companies on their WOMEN + GREEN initiatives. [http://ingridvanderveldt.com]

     
  • Phillip Maher
    Phillip Maher Phillip Maher playful educator. success redefiner. guy next door.

    Philip Maher has travelled to more than 80 countries, working in some of the harshest environments as a communications professional and photographer. He asks one question in his work: How do we get people to care? [www.philipmaher.ca]

     
  • Jeff and Jason Baietto
    Jeff and Jason Baietto Jeff and Jason Baietto brothers. entrepreneurs. healthy philanthropists.

    Brothers Jeff and Jason Baietto founded Complete Balance, an online community of individuals dedicated to improving their own health and the health of the planet. [www.completebalance.com]

     
  • Karly Randolph Pitman
    Karly Randolph Pitman Karly Randolph Pitman teacher. connector. embracer.

    Karly Randolph Pitman is the creator of a therapy – growing human(kind)ness – that fosters healing from eating disorders, overeating, food addictions, and suffering from weight and body image. [www.karlyrandolphpitman.com]

     
  • Madelin Adena Smith
    Madelin Adena Smith Madelin Adena Smith dream cartographer. promise keeper. sayer and doer.

    Madelin Adena Smith is a novelist, creative shapeshifter, and strategic visionary. She specializes in helping ambitious young women build road maps around their wildest dreams. [www.madelinadenasmith.com]

     
  • Jenny Solar
    Jenny Solar Jenny Solar happy mom. adventure planner. champion of family.

    Jenny Solar is married to Josh and they have three kids, Max, Ava, and Lia. They created The Happy Family Movement to encourage and inspire family togetherness through memorable family experiences and simple ideas for happy family living. [www.thehappyfamilymovement.com]

     
  • Mark Hanauer
    Mark Hanauer Mark Hanauer life capturer. patience explorer. surprise welcomer.

    Photographer Mark Hanauer moves seamlessly between genres, composing evocative and compelling portraits, otherworldly meditations on flowers, visceral and striking landscapes, and imagery with no traditional description. [www.markhanauer.com]

     
  • Liz Eustace
    Liz Eustace Liz Eustace community stretcher. flexible mama. simple doer.

    Liz Eustace is a total yoga dawg who's savored hundreds of yoga classes throughout North America. She's a certified yoga teacher and the CEO and founder of an online community connecting people to yoga. [www.alignyo.com]

     
  • Shelley Cassidy
    Shelley Cassidy Shelley Cassidy muralist. creativity inspirer. permanent inker.

    London native Shelley Cassidy's artwork has been displayed in numerous private homes, offices, upscale retail spaces, and Los Angeles International Airport. She teaches budding painters and knows there's an artist within each of us. [www.shelleycassidy.com]

     
  • Nova Spivack
    Nova Spivack Nova Spivack digital guru. buddhist. wonder seeker.

    Nova Spivack is a technology futurist, serial Internet entrepreneur, and one of the leading voices on the next generation of searching, social media, and the Web. [www.novaspivack.com]

     
  • Courtney Nichols Gould
    Courtney Nichols Gould Courtney Nichols Gould miss smartypants. situational editor. grace dweller.

    Entrepreneur and advisor Courtney Nichols Gould is the co-founder/co-ceo of SmartyPants Vitamins. Their goal is to simplify health, putting it in the reach of more people more of the time. [www.smartypantsvitamins.com]

     
  • Andrew Skotzko
    Andrew Skotzko Andrew Skotzko truth digger. motivated shifter. calendar ignorer.

    Andrew Skotzko is a curious entrepreneur who's passionate about creating peak experiences and elegant products. He also enjoys finding bits of truth hidden in plain sight ... and going for long bike rides. [www.noticings.com]

     
  • Stephanie Hendler
    Stephanie Hendler Stephanie Hendler wellness educator. visionary. in-person communicator.

    As co-founder of Stay Brilliant, Stephanie Hendler works to increase awareness about people living with mental anomalies. She helps create solutions for individuals' recovery through an integrated bio-psycho-social model. [www.staybrilliant.com]

     
  • Dina Martinez
    Dina Martinez Dina Martinez comedienne. connecting diva. good will hunter.

    Dina Martinez, a transgendered, joke-telling renaissance woman, knows that if we are not given the life we want, it is up to us to create it. [www.dinamartinez.com]

     
  • John Hittler
    John Hittler John Hittler seemingly impossible creator. game changer. transformation coach.

    John Hittler coaches teams and individuals to transform their lives by design and choice, partnering with them to create significance in their lives. [www.evokinggenius.com]

     
  • Judith Wright
    Judith Wright Judith Wright educator. lifestyles expert. friendly elevator rider.

    Dr. Judith Wright has been featured on 20/20, Good Morning America and the Today Show. She is a bestselling author, speaker, coach and consultant. [www.judithwright.com]

     
  • Frank Ferrante
    Frank Ferrante Frank Ferrante self transformer. former addict. gratitude visitor.

    Frank Ferrante is a fifty-four year old Sicilian from Brooklyn whose journey to reclaim his life and fall in love again was the subject of a recent documentary. [May I Be Frank]

     
  • Leonie Allan
    Leonie Allan Leonie Allan goddess. writer. guide.

    Goddess Leonie is the creator of GoddessGuidebook.com, a popular creativity + spirituality website for women. [www.goddessguidebook.com]

     
  • Benjamin Salka
    Benjamin Salka Benjamin Salka story pirate. avid learner. people person.

    Benjamin Salka is the co-founder and CEO of Story Pirates, which celebrates the words, ideas, and stories of children, encouraging and empowering young people to invent big ideas for a new generation. [www.storypirates.org]

     
  • More

Connection


© 2010-2023 lifebyme.com. All rights reserved. (design by nodethirtythree)