joy + hope

Angela Dunning founded Equine Reflections in 2007 to share her passion for learning life skills through interactions with horses. In addition she writes and dances the Argentine Tango. [www.equinereflections.co.uk]

Brian Hyman teaches donation-based yoga classes at Strand Street Yoga in Santa Monica, and 12-Step Yoga at various Los Angeles facilities. He's writing a book about his path to wellness. [www.brianhymanyoga.com]

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 Simmons is an author, branding expert, and entrepreneur who believes in the power of ideas to change the world. He founded the social enterprise useless.org. [www.useless.org]

Jamie Gaul is a writer, improviser and stand up comedian in Los Angeles, CA. Whether she is on stage or off, she looks to help people find joy in life through laughter. [www.jamie-gaul.com]

Todd Murray uses both sides of his brain. He's a professional singer/songwriter and a businessman. He's a documentarian, real-estate owner/manager, co-owner of gvbradio.com, dog lover ... and he cans pickles. [www.ToddMurray.com]

Michaela Boehm is a counselor and teacher. She's currently the only counselor personally trained and authorized by David Deida, who she began co-teaching with in 2007, focusing on women's empowerment. [www.michaelaboehm.com]

Cartoonist Dave Kellett previously worked as a writer and toy designer at Mattel Toys. He founded Sheldon Comics and is the creator of Sheldon cartoons. [www.sheldoncomics.com]

With more than fifteen years of fashion industry experience, Roberta Cysne co-founded JilRo, a brand for all sizes, 0-24. JilRo is available at select department stores in the United States and Harvey Nichols in Saudi Arabia. [www.jil-ro.com]

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]

Through Skype-based life coaching, Gwyneth Jones helps people get in touch with their true selves, find out what's holding them back, turn limiting beliefs around, and achieve their goals. [www.makelifemagic.blogspot.com]

Mike Riera, PhD, speaks and writes on the topic of understanding teenagers and children. [www.mikeriera.com]

Elese is a coach, speaker, lecturer, and radio talk show personality who hosts a weekly show called "A New Way to Handle Absolutely Everything." [www.elesecoit.com]

Jason Binn is the Founder and Chairman of Niche Media, one of the largest networks of exclusive, city-specific custom publishing companies in the country. [www.nichemediallc.com]

Author Lisa Nielsen is an outspoken advocate of learning innovatively. She works to help schools and districts educate in real and innovative ways that prepare students for success. [http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com]

Anthony Capobianco is the founder of Zen Tea Traders where he shares his passion for tea with others through his company. [www.zenteatraders.com]

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]

Combining new insights with old wisdom, don Miguel Ruiz has dedicated his life to sharing the ancient Toltec wisdom by translating it into practical concepts that promote transformation through truth and common sense. [www.miguelruiz.com]

Transformative educator, speaker, and writer Claire Zammit co-created The New Feminine Power courses and co-leads a thriving community of thousands of women throughout the world. [www.FemininePower.com]

Ken Wilber is a philosopher, mystic, author, and the originator of Integral Theory, in which the insights of mysticism, science, and systems theory come together to form a coherent picture of the Kosmos. [www.kenwilber.com]

The musical genius of Tbird Luv is about taking risks and creating beauty. She hopes to inspire all of us to take whatever we find beautiful and stand behind it, support it, and proliferate it. [www.tbirdluvmusic.com]

Chef and Culinary Coach Caspar Poyck's business, Consciously Culinary, is well-known throughout the central and southern California coastal regions. [www.consciouslyculinary.com]

An expat living in Barcelona, Chauncey Zalkin is a writer, brand strategist, and the founder of What Women Make, a female design showcase and blog. [whatwomenmake.com]

Nancy Sherr is the creator of A Zestful Life, coaching brave hearted women through Big. Life. Change. She is an inspiring reinvention catalyst, supports graceful navigation of life transitions, exuberant living, fully expressed. [www.nancysherr.com]