Bright Side With Tekneshia

She has been working with volunteers and others and training and teaching about them for over 30 years. Her passion is training and designing an experience that allows learners to find a process that works for them to make the changes they desire.   She spent 23 years with United Way’s Volunteer Center, coordinating volunteers for city government, training local volunteer coordinators and board volunteers, and managing the volunteer program for United Way.   Before that, she taught High School English, French and Social Studies in Utica, NY and Batavia, Ohio. Before that, she earned a BA from the University of Maine in International Relations and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Brown University. While at United Way, she developed and managed a certificate-earning series on volunteer management with Northern Kentucky University and the Union Institute and University. She also taught both undergraduate and graduate courses in Volunteer Program Management at Northern Kentucky University.  Her career at U

Gloria Oren has been honing her craft since she graduated from the Long Ridge Writer’s Group’s “Breaking Into Print” course. She has a powerful perspective of finding positivity in experiences on life’s roller coaster lurches that leave many in panic. She is founder of the Facebook group WWEAP with over 6,000 members, and a member of her local Redmond Association of Spokenword (RASP) where she occasionally participates in open mike gatherings. The author of two nonfiction eBooks, Gloria is an editor for Muse It Up Publishing where she helps authors create the best book they can. People say she’s a woman of many hats and that’s probably true. An award-winning editor. An avid reader. A book reviewer. A writer. A daughter. A wife. A mother of three. A baby boomer. A cancer survivor. A reunited adoptee. The oldest of ten birth half-siblings combined but raised as an only child. As a reunited adoptee, Gloria’s goal is to share her experience with others through her adoption memoir, which she hopes to have publi

An award-winning author, change catalyst, corporate speaker, international facilitator, and practicing consulting hypnotist who brilliantly and skillfully uncovers the powers of the subconscious mind-body connection working through relationship and life issues with clients both personally and for business. With an eclectic background in journalism, the corporate world, and counseling, Georgina is a powerful catalyst for change – in a person, a couple, or a corporation/organization. Writing, teaching, lecturing and appearing in the media, she attracts audiences both young and old, including the 78 million baby boomers in North America looking forward to the second half of their lives and seeking insight and inspiration on life’s deepest questions.  Georgina is an award-winning, board-certified, master consulting hypnotist and in 1997 founded the Ontario Hypnosis Centre, which within a few years became Canada’s leading hypnosis training facility and clinic.  She has since sold the OHC to focus on her writing,

Lisa Dalton appeared in more than 200 films, television shows and commercials as an actor and stunt player in New York, Hollywood and Texas. You’ve seen her in ER, HBO’s Carnivale, Dr. Quinn and Melrose Place among her many TV credits. She was featured in the cult favorite “Berry Gordy’s The Last Dragon” as a bad gal in Sho’nuff’s Gang. Her stunts were used in such hits as Ghostbusters, Money Pit, Crocodile Dundee, Married to the Mob, FX, Legal Eagles, and Splash. She doubled Cher, Madonna, Kelly McGillis, Grace Jones and Meryl Streep. On the other side of camera, she is an award winning director/producer of independent fiction and documentary films. Lisa teaches and performs in Russia, Europe, and the Americas, on stage and film, beginning in 1976 with BondST.org as a founding member. She is on the SAG-AFTRA DFW Board, President of the Tarrant County Live Theatre League, President of the National Michael Chekhov Association (www.chekhov.net); and is a John Maxwell Founders Circle Certified Speaker, Traine

Raffaela was born in Smithtown, NY and raised in the small town of Sayville, New York on Long Island. At an early age it was obvious Raffaela wanted to perform; she could sing before she could talk. Raffaela has formal education and training with the Berkshire Theatre Group and the CAP 21 acting conservatory. She graduated from the Long Island Performing Arts and Technical High School and attended Sarah Lawrence College, where she studied liberal arts and performance as the only freshman in her year to be accepted into senior and graduate-level courses. Raffaela has also trained at the studios of Susan Batson and Ivana Chubbuck, and has been involved in over 50 community and regional theatrical productions as an actress and singer. In 2011 Raffaela wrote and recorded her first EP with Grammy award-winning producers Frank and Christian Berman. The music video for her original track "So What" was accepted into the Dances With Films festival (2015), Rahway International Film Festival (2015), was a jury selectio

How to Relax into Life as a Living Meditation, More Fully and Enjoyably as You: Tis is the essence of Canela Michelle Meyers’ teachings. Her cherished volume of satsang invitations supports readers in practical and profoundly human ways to awaken to the True Self. Embracing topics such as trust, love, attraction, blame, anger, self-remembrance, abundance, and many more, these “reading meditations” demonstrate how available it is to awaken more deeply to the present moment, here and now. No need to go off to a cave in the Himalayas! Every single aspect of yourself—no matter what—is benefcial in this sacred process. Since 1999, Canela Michelle has been supporting the awakening of humanity worldwide through Transformational Satsang, offering direct support for Awakening to and embodying the Truth—available to all, no matter what they know or don’t know and how long they have been looking or not looking for “Tis Tat Is.” Learn more about her work at CanelaMichelle.com.

Jeffrey R. Fidel, MD refuses to live his life medicated for Bipolar I disorder. In near complete solitude, he endured nearly a full year of intense mental anguish. Utilizing mainly the ancient teachings of Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching, he learned how to connect to a voice originating from his heart. The “voice within” teaches him that our true identity is “beyond thought” and that we and the universe are I(One)... Dr. Fidel is now sharing these ancient teachings to help others discover their answer inside. He says, “By quieting the constant chattering of our minds, we begin to hear the inner voice that originates from our hearts. By surrendering the ‘thought of who we are,’ we can begin to accept this inner voice as our teacher. This inner voice teaches us that we are one.” Jeffrey R. Fidel graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from Brandeis University in Waltham, MA. He earned his Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree from Tulane University in New Orleans, LA. Dr. Fidel is a board certified-MR

Scott Frazelle is known for his work on Watercolors (2008), Richard III (2007) and Creepshow 3 (2006).

Hot off a career working on video games, Dave Zani has set out to become the next Roger Corman or Charles Band. He talks to us about his sexy horror-comedy efforts Shark Babes and Scared Topless, and his plans for the future. Dave Zani is an award-winning film Producer, Director and Writer mostly known for his works in the Sci-Fi, Horror and Comedy genre, however his body of work ranges from commercials to children's shows. His skills include an in-depth knowledge of editing, camera work and project development. He has written and produced two feature films with his company, Old Mill Entertainment LLC. Scared Topless (2014) and Shark Babes (2015). In the past he has worked on video game projects such as Grand Theft Auto V (2013), Max Payne 3 (2012) and L.A. Noire (2011) in which he did animation and provided voices for characters. His most notable role was portraying the side character "Mitch" in Grand Theft Auto V. In 2008 Dave worked closely with Actor/comedian, Richard Belzer of Law and Order fame,

I have the pleasue of chatting with actor, writer, and producer Ivan Djurovic. We will be discussing one of his new films that he produces and stars in 'It Watches,' which will be released this December

Dr. Greg Tefft likes to say he was his own first case history in personalized nutrition. Even as a seven-year-old champion swimmer, he became convinced that by using nutrition and exercise, he could custom design a one-of-a-kind body built to help him achieve his goals of being a World Class Swimmer and Track and Field Athlete. He just missed a spot on the Olympic Swim Team in 1972, and then the 1976 Track and Field team. His drive to excel followed into adult life as a powerlifter-turned-bodybuilder, when he became a three-time Natural Mr. America (meaning without steroids)—never done before in history! But despite his success and commitment to healthy living and proper nutrition, Dr. Tefft suddenly found himself hospitalized, unable to breathe at the pinnacle of his bodybuilding career. It turned out to be asthma -- standardized medicine provided no real cure and no permanent relief. After hearing Dr. Carlton Fredericks, an early leader in alternative health on a radio show, Dr. Tefft pursued a course of t

Since her early years in Memphis, Tennessee, Deirdre Hade has been an artist and a visionary, writing poetry and conversing with the mystical worlds. As a ballet dancer and choreographer recognized by Robert Joffery, she performed throughout the country and founded the dance ensemble, “Celebrations to the Sacred.” At sixteen, her mother diagnosed with terminal breast cancer, Deirdre discovered the healing power of light, enabling her mother to live thirteen years longer than expected. As the founder of Radiance Healing and Meditation, Deirdre has guided people worldwide, teaching them to harness their own inner wisdom and healing potential. She is currently writing her story of life as a modern day mystic. To learn more, visit: DeirdreHade.com.

KEVIN HANCOCK is the President of Hancock Lumber Company. Established in 1848, Hancock Lumber operates ten retail stores and three sawmills that are led by 475 employees. The company also grows trees on 12,000 acres of timberland in Southern Maine. Hancock Lumber is a multi-year recipient of the ‘Best Places to Work in Maine’ award. The company is also a past recipient of the Maine Family Business of the Year Award, the Governor’s Award for Business Excellence, and the MITC ‘Exporter of the Year’ award. Kevin is a past chairman of the National Lumber and Building Materials Dealers Association, as well as the Bridgton Academy Board of Trustees. Kevin is a recipient of the Ed Muskie ‘Access to Justice’ Award, the Habitat For Humanity ‘Spirit of Humanity’ Award, the Boy Scouts of America ‘Distinguished Citizen’ Award, and Timber Processing Magazine’s ‘Man of the Year’ Award. Kevin also spent 20 years coaching middle school basketball for the Lake Region school district. Kevin is a graduate of Lake R

 Will Schneider is a full-time writer living in the wine country of Sonoma County, north of San Francisco. Formerly working in business development, Schneider spent years as the Licensing Director for the world-renown artist, Laurel Burch, as well as a National Sales Manager in the wine industry and high-tech arena. An adventurer at heart, and naturally drawn to the ‘edge’ of things, his current passion is kayaking along the wild Pacific coast. Will has equally experienced a calling to explore and push the boundaries of his inner world, and has spent decades deeply immersed in the study of various metaphysical traditions. Thirty-five years of deep training from a variety of exceptional spiritual teachings has allowed him to develop a wide-ranging platform of knowledge and understanding regarding the human inner landscape and our potential range of consciousness. Learn more about Will Schneider at the book’s website, www.LucifersGame.com. 

Karma Ambassador Darlene Tipton, aka. “Karma Dar,” is co-creator with her husband of AmazingKarma.com, a website and mobile app designed to help people reward acts of kindness, courtesy, and honesty, and expose acts of unkindness, discourtesy, and dishonesty. A child abuse survivor, breast cancer victor and five-time Jeopardy Champion, Darlene has a long career in radio, television and film that includes working as a Hollywood studio executive and now as award-winning independent producer. Learn more at AmazingKarma.com. Karma Ambassador Ken Tipton, aka. “Karma Ken,” is co-creator with his wife Darlene Tipton of AmazingKarma.com, a website and mobile app designed to help people reward acts of kindness, courtesy, and honesty, and expose acts of unkindness, discourtesy, and dishonesty. A serial entrepreneur, Ken is a writer/actor/producer/director and subject of the award-winning film “HEART of the BEHOLDER,” which was based on his family’s true story. Learn more at AmazingKarma.com.

Mary Wingo was born in the United States where she earned a Ph.D. in human stress research from The University of North Texas. in 2014, She emigrated to Ecuador, a tiny country in South America. Living in a new and very different society opened her eyes to the unsustainable social, economic, and political costs preventable stress causes in the modern world. Dr. Wingo's aim is to clearly explain to the public the biological mechanisms behind the stress response, as well as its staggering costs to society.

I.J. Rosen was born in Brooklyn in the 1950s. Destined to live the life of the artist he moved to lower Manhattan in the late seventies and began showing ingalleries and performing in underground clubs in Soho and Tribeca. After leaving the art world, the author pursued his quest for spiritual knowledge. From shamanic initiations in Peru with a traditional medicine man, to receiving a Masters degree in art therapy – Rosen delved deeper into his own psyche. Pushing the envelope he introduced his own form of guided imagery and self-expression into psychiatric hospitals with populations ranging from children to the criminally insane. On the other side, he developed and taught Whole Self Management programs to Executives, and Executive Coaches in the U.S. and Australia. I.J. Rosen is the co-author to the book Inner Security and Infinite Wealth (Select Books 2003) and the critically acclaimed book The Flip (Hampton Roads 2006). As a publisher and the founder of DreamSculpt Media, Inc. Rosen has produced dozens of

 Juston has also made an effort to step outside of his comfort zone by taking voice and dialect classes with USC's Kathleen Dunn-Muzingo, who has coached for various television series including "The Last Ship," "How to Get Away with Murder," as well as recognizable films such as Marvel's "The Avengers."   Additionally, Juston was cast in a New Works play at the university. USC's New Works festival gives MFA writers and actors a chance to work with reputable directors throughout the rehearsal and performance process.  USC brought in Actor/Director Edward Padilla to direct MFA writer Rebin Zangana's "The Vending Machine," a coming-of-age story where eight characters are brought together by a vending machine.  Juston was cast to play Elroy, a father figure who hopes and dreams for his son's success and happiness – something that Elroy has not, nor will ever obtain.   Juston is known for his role as Dale Grayden in By the Book (2012), as well as his lead and supporting roles in Padlock(2014), and Beyond the C

Dr. Joe Martin is an award-winning international speaker, author, educator, and expert “man builder.” He's authored or co-authored nine books, including Are You the Man: 201 Lessons I Wish My Dad Would Have Taught Me, The Real Man Spiritual' Leader Blueprint, and Gifts & Handkerchiefs: A Lesson in Servant Leadership. Joe has spoken for more than 750 businesses, organizations, churches, colleges & universities, and K-12 schools/districts, and he was voted & National Speaker of the Year by the Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities. He’s also the host of “Real Men Connect,” the top-rated podcast on iTunes for Christian Men. To find out more about his remarkable story of redemption, visit him on the web at www.RealMenConnect.com, email: realmenconnect@gmail.com,or call: 423.763.7675

Co-founder of the Fan Boy Film Festival and TotallyPopCulture.com, entrepreneur Michael Kanik  has been interested in the film and comic book world since he was a young child. He has been hooked to everything pop culture ever since he was read the Spider-Man Clone Saga as bed-time stories.  In 2014 he teamed up with Marvel to bring a TotallyPopCulture.com Amazing Spider-Man exclusive variant as a New York Comic Con exclusive. His vision for the Fan Boy Film Festival is for the site to become a hub for everything pop culture. He intends on creating an online global community for filmmakers and artists to share their work with fans as well as their peers.