JACKIE KASCHEL, Founder and ED of PEACE Ranch, serving horses and humans suffering the effects of abuse, neglect, conflict grief and pain. The ranch serves a broad population with EAGALA Model equine assisted activities and specializes with at risk youth, trauma based issues for children and Veterans and difficult to treat issues like addiction and autism.   […]

JACKIE KASCHEL, Founder and ED of PEACE Ranch, serving horses and humans suffering the effects of abuse, neglect, conflict grief and pain. The ranch serves a broad population with EAGALA Model equine assisted activities and specializes with at risk youth, trauma based issues for children and Veterans and difficult to treat issues like addiction and autism.   Jackie has led the way pioneering experiential equine assisted mental health and educational services in Northern Michigan. She is uniquely suited to this endeavor with her combined personal life story, solid multi-disciplinary experience in counseling and excellent horsemanship skills. Jackie oversees program design, implementation, assessment and provides overall organizational direction.

Here is Jackie's story from the September 2017 event...

Ben Whiting is an award winning Professional Speaker and Corporate Entertainer. He co-founded MagicMouth Theatre, a company that combined Magic and theatre while educating communities in both art forms. As a speaker, actor and entertainer, Ben performs at sales conferences, award banquets, and private events across the country for clients such as American Express, GE, […]

Ben Whiting is an award winning Professional Speaker and Corporate Entertainer. He co-founded MagicMouth Theatre, a company that combined Magic and theatre while educating communities in both art forms. As a speaker, actor and entertainer, Ben performs at sales conferences, award banquets, and private events across the country for clients such as American Express, GE, and Oprah’s HARPO Studios. He is also currently one of Crystal Cruise Lines’ premiere entertainers, which has enabled him to perform his feats of magic and mind reading in countries around the globe. In his spare time he enjoys raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens, brown paper packages tied up with string, whiskey and Bruce Springsteen.

“Real magic isn’t in the deception, but in the connection you create with your audience, both on and off stage."

Here is Ben's story from the May 2017 event...

Jetty Rae is a singer and songwriter originally from Northern Michigan. She has been singing, touring, and recording since 2004. Jetty garnered the attention of JetBlue when she played at the opening of their new Terminal at JFK International Airport. MTV.com featured Jetty on their up-and-coming artist blog, and she has shared the stage with […]

Jetty Rae is a singer and songwriter originally from Northern Michigan. She has been singing, touring, and recording since 2004. Jetty garnered the attention of JetBlue when she played at the opening of their new Terminal at JFK International Airport. MTV.com featured Jetty on their up-and-coming artist blog, and she has shared the stage with Sarah McLachlan and Miranda Lambert at Lilith Fair in Detroit. You can also hear Jetty’s music in a number of TV commercials for brands such as Microsoft, PetCo, Truvia, Nabi Tablets and more.

“My deepest wish is that you would hear your life’s story and struggle in my words and songs–and maybe I can help you feel less alone."

Here is Jetty's story from the May 2017 event…

Julie Green was born in Metro Detroit. After nursing school, she worked on a cardiac unit in an urban hospital as a RN. From there, she volunteered in Kenya for six months at a refugee camp working to empower women affected by HIV. Upon coming home, she moved to Traverse city with her friends and […]

Julie Green was born in Metro Detroit. After nursing school, she worked on a cardiac unit in an urban hospital as a RN. From there, she volunteered in Kenya for six months at a refugee camp working to empower women affected by HIV. Upon coming home, she moved to Traverse city with her friends and found love. Julie worked on organic farms  and with herbal medicine and then began working with Munson Hospice in 2012. She has earned her certificate in end if life doula training and helped to promote Death Cafe in Leelanua county.

“Being present at the bedside of a fellow human being who is facing dying is a sacred experience. I am forever grateful for these moments and am so happy to have found spiritual connection in my vocation as a nurse.”

Here is Julie's story from the May 2017 event...

Chris Hindbaugh has worked in the behavioral health field for over 20 years. He has worked in a variety of hospital based programs, and has also ran a youth crisis center and shelter. In 2009, Hindbaugh moved to Traverse City where he is the current CEO of Addiction Treatment Services, an organization that has completely recreated itself […]

Chris Hindbaugh has worked in the behavioral health field for over 20 years. He has worked in a variety of hospital based programs, and has also ran a youth crisis center and shelter. In 2009, Hindbaugh moved to Traverse City where he is the current CEO of Addiction Treatment Services, an organization that has completely recreated itself while doubling its size, adding innovative programs and winning multiple national awards under Hindbaugh’s leadership. Currently Hindbaugh is working on a number of state and national projects aimed at addressing the opiate epidemic by calling for increased compassion, smarter sanctions and access to more treatment options for those struggling with addiction.

“The great challenge of our time is to maintain genuine, vulnerable human connection and not get lost in the quick-fix nature of social media or a sound-bite mentality to define our complex world.  Without wrestling with the messiness of love, forgiveness, and compassion,  we will fall short of our true potential as an individual and as a community.”  

Here is Chris' story from the May 2017 event...