2025 speakers

Martha Beck, PhD, is an award-winning writer, life coach, speaker and long-time monthly columnist for O, The Oprah Magazine. Known for her unique combination of science, humor and spirituality, she has spent a lifetime delivering powerful, practical, and entertaining teachings that help people improve every aspect of their lives. Her published works include over 150 magazine articles and several self-help books and memoirs, including New York Times and international bestsellers "Finding Your Own North Star," "The Joy Diet" and "Expecting Adam." Her recent book, "The Way of Integrity: Finding the Path to Your True Self," was an instant New York Times best seller and Oprah’s Book Club selection. Martha’s forthcoming book, "Beyond Anxiety: Curiosity, Creativity, and Finding Your Life’s Purpose," will be out on Jan. 7, 2025.

Monica Parker is a writer, speaker, thought leader and corporate change consultant. The founder of global human analytics and change consultancy HATCH, whose clients include blue-chip companies such as LinkedIn, Google, Prudential, and LEGO, she has spent decades helping people discover how to live more meaningful lives. Her bestselling book, "The Power of Wonder: The Extraordinary Emotion That Will Change the Way You Live, Learn, and Lead,” includes her groundbreaking research on the little-known subject of wonder, a profoundly beneficial emotion that is only just beginning to be scientifically examined and can transform our bodies and brains. In addition to inspiring her audiences to reconnect with a reverence for the world and all the magic in it, Monica has been an opera singer, a museum exhibition designer, a policy director, a Chamber of Commerce CEO, and a homicide investigator defending death row inmates.

Billy Blanks Jr. is the creator of the worldwide dance fitness program Dance It Out (as seen on ABC’s “Shark Tank”) and the senior on-air host and creative director at Talent Recap, a viral YouTube channel with 10 million subscribers. He is also the president of Kibu, an online wellness and life skills platform for people with disabilities and special needs. From director and choreographer to starring in Broadway performances, television shows and music videos, Billy has worked with Tom Hanks, the cast of “Will & Grace,” Paula Abdul, Britney Spears and Celine Dion, among others. A certified instructor for both the American Council on Exercise® and the Athletics and Fitness Association of America™, he has been featured on “Good Morning America,” “EXTRA,” “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” “Dr. Oz,” “So You Think You Can Dance” and more. Billy’s moving talk show, “Dance It Out!,” currently airs on Lifetime and he has a new daytime talk show that is in the early production stages to launch in 2024.