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
persistence
Joel Pelcyger
education pioneer. classroom collaborator. inspired perspirer.
Joel Pelcyger, a nationally respected educator, has served as Head of PS1 Pluralistic School since 1971 when he co-founded the independent elementary school in Santa Monica, CA. [www.psone.org]
When I was a child, my parents told me two things over and over again:
- Be a lawyer and follow in your father’s (and later your brother’s) footsteps
- You can accomplish anything you set your mind to in life as long as you are the best that you can be.
As a young adult, I set out on a course of political action. By chance, I attended an “Alternatives in Elementary Education” workshop as I concluded my year as a VISTA Volunteer after college. My eyes were opened. I realized that our educational system could be doing a much better job empowering all children to achieve success and fulfillment in life. I didn’t have to become a lawyer if I followed my parents’ Second Commandment.
I started PS1 Pluralistic School in 1971 when I was 24 years old. I wanted to create a school as compelling as my summer camp. There were many obstacles to overcome. Yet parents welcomed and embraced being partners in the educational process, and so I knew that this philosophy had to be given time to evolve. I could see that the students were loving school and engaging actively in their own learning. Honoring every child and recognizing and affirming the genius that lies within each of us was the right starting point in a child’s education. I continued to grow as an educator, as many people attracted to the philosophy of pluralism brought their commitment, ideas and talents to make the school flourish.
The school is successful today because the individual goals of many transformed into collective community goals. The school now is not what I had always hoped it would be – it has always been that. It is what WE have built together based on the ideas and commitment that others have brought to the process, confirming that the school was great but continuing to ask, “what if?” Good luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.
– Joel Pelcyger
Explore More Meaning
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brilliance advocate. student of nature. peaceful storyteller.
Joan loves people and their stories. She's been working on hers for a long time and shares it in books, speeches, and through her inner peace organization. [www.peacebeginswithme.org]
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life by me’er. comedian. pretty thankful guy.
Life By Me’s Content Editor, Mikey Scott, gets to hear stories from people around the world creating meaningful (and pretty darn fun) lives for themselves. And he thinks that’s pretty neat. [www.mikeyscott.com]
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non-profit philanthropist. insightful thinker. thanks giver.
Judi Goldfader is a philanthropy consultant and non-profit strategist, currently serving as Vice President Development of Insight University and Insight Seminars. www.givingtuesday.org/insight-university
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full-time monk. compassionate mentor. instrument of growth.
Rasanath Dasa went from being an investment banker on Wall Street to being a monk of the Bhakti tradition. He draws his spiritual wisdom from a wide range of personal experiences. [www.gitanyc.com]
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mom. idea activista. no-bullsh**er.
Sophie Chiche, lifebyme.com founder and curator, enjoys asking game-changers deep questions, wallpapering her stairway, dancing with her staff, reading The Little Prince, and ... oh, you know living a life of meaning. [www.lifebyme.com]
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singer. songwriter. masterpiece creator.
Chris Assaad left a promising career in law several years ago to pursue his dream in music. He’s been actively using his voice to enCOURAGE others to follow their dreams, express their creativity and live life to the fullest. [www.chrisassaad.com]
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life author. real mother. unique sparkler.
Miki DeVivo is a mom, story wrangler, still space finder, and bridge builder. She's passionate about building a community of moms who give voice to what's in their hearts. [www.thestillspace.com]
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participitory journalist. community funder. spotter.
David Cohn is the founder of Spot.Us, a nonprofit organization that fundraises for independent journalists. He's a frequent speaker on topics related to new media and beyond. [www.digidave.org]
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