Leading Conversations

Cheryl Esposito welcomes John Renesch, a businessman-futurist, and author. He is passionate about business, human consciousness and possible scenarios for the future of humanity. In his latest book Getting to the Better Future: A Matter of Conscious Choosing John defines what he calls a choicepoint for all of us - a time to make a collective choice about whether or not we wish to achieve our full potential as human beings. Change our minds, change the future? Your choice. Join the conversation as we explore the possibilities!

Cheryl Esposito welcomes Angeles Arrien, to Leading Conversations for a second time! Angeles is an anthropologist, educator, award-winning author, consultant, and Founder and President of the Angeles Arrien Foundation for Cross-Cultural Education and Research.Her work bridges cultural anthropology, psychology, and mediation skills. Her award winning books include The Four-Fold Way: Walking the Paths of the Warrior, Teacher, Healer and Visionary; Signs of Life: The Five Universal Shapes and How to Use Them; and The Second Half of Life: Opening the Eight Gates of Wisdom. Leadership is undergoing a cultural revolution. How do expertise and mastery figure in this? During our conversation we explore the practice of leadership, the shift in expectations we have of our leaders around the world, and what it requires of us all. Angeles shares practical wisdom of the ages and challenges us to tap our capacity to lead from within. We can bring meaning to our work and our world.

Cheryl Esposito welcomes Therese Poulsen, Founder and Director, Breath of Hope Foundation, Inc & internationally recognized yoga master and holistic healer. In the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami, Therese realized that her unique background in teaching and holistic healing might give her the means to make a difference in the shattered lives and their distressed communities. She knew that material relief efforts, however vital, would never address the inner devastation caused by the tsunami and the forever-changed world it would leave behind. Her mission became clear: to rebuild shattered hope – to help repair distressed bodies, psyches, souls, and lives – from the inside out. In July 2005, drawing on her leadership skills & her passion for making a difference in the world, Therese established numerous Breath of Hope program sites at schools, orphanages and community centers in Sri Lanka and Indonesia. The results have been phenomenal.

Cheryl Esposito welcomes Wilbert Alix, a contemporary healer and teacher of progressive psychology and neo-shamanic studies. A prominent figure in the emerging science of body-centered psychology, his presentations are accentuated with intellectual depth and unique insight into the relationships between traditional shamanic healing, western science and eastern mysticism. Wilbert Alix is a 7th generation native of New Orleans, born into a culture rich in shamanic tradition, ritual trance, sacred music and ecstatic dance. He is the creator and director of the Common Ground Project, a conflict management program that successfully brings together opposing groups through innovative use of transformational therapy, an education in the principles that govern spiritual integrity and training in creative problem solving techniques. Join the conversation!

Cheryl Esposito welcomes Chip Conley, CEO and founder of Joie de Vivre Hospitality, the second largest boutique hotelier in the world. Chip is author of PEAK: How Great Companies Get Their Mojo From Maslow and The Rebel Rules: Daring To Be Yourself In Business. Known as a leader with a heart, and a self-proclaimed “Abraham Maslow nut” he has applied the theory of Self-Actualization to growing a successful company by helping employees, customers, and –yes– even investors move up that pyramid that Maslow coined as the “hierarchy of needs.” Join the conversation and learn how this rebel CEO dares to make a difference!

Cheryl Esposito welcomes Martin Gray, world-class photographer and anthropologist, specializing in the study of sacred sites. Martin's travels have taken him to 1,000 sacred sites in 80 countries around the world. His journey unfolded in a remarkable compilation of images published in 2007 as Sacred Earth: Places of Peace and Power. Martin says, Many ancient peoples had a reverential relationship with the living earth. If this can be reawakened and encouraged in our own culture, we will be better able to address the crisis of worldwide ecological degradation. Travel with us along Martin's journey to make a difference in the world. Join the conversation!

Cheryl Esposito welcomes Kristin Engvig, founder of the internationally acclaimed Women’s International Networking Global Leadership Forum. She is a social entrepreneur and international consultant with a passion for the critical role women play in shaping the future and elevating leadership. Kristin believes that all people in business need to learn how to do business in a graceful way to create an innovative future that is beneficial for all. Moving into the future and creating a business leadership model that is sustainable, requires leaders who bring energy, vision and vitality to their work, to their organizations. Is there life in your leadership? Check your vitals! Join the conversation as Cheryl and Kristin explore the possibilities!

Cheryl Esposito welcomes Philo Ikonya of Kenya, a human rights activist, social change motivator, ardent poet, writer and lecturer. Philo holds postgraduate degrees in the Arts and consults on gender, governance and media issues. Philo courageously writes about the injustices of Kenya. In her series, Kenya Is Burning, she reflects on her country's struggles with the devastating violence that has claimed so many lives and turned its people against each other. The women of Kenya have always been aware of injustice in our society...we've always known that the deep inequalities in our country would lead to the destruction of this nation. Philo has decided to wear sacks instead of regular clothes to protest the current violence in Kenya. She has helped organize a campaign urging Kenyan women to wear sacks for clothes for as long as we do not have peace in Kenya; as long as we do not have justice and reform. Join us to hear this extraordinary story of courage and vision for a just world.

Cheryl Esposito welcomes David Isaacs, co-creator of The World Café, and President of Clearing Communications an international organizational renewal and communications strategy company. In his work with leaders worldwide, David is a thinking partner in the design of strategic conversations to generate collaborative learning and to engage challenges of unprecedented change and transformation in the workplace.?Co-author (with life-partner Juanita Brown) of The World Café: Shaping Our Futures Through Conversations That Matter, David views business as närings för liv, the Swedish term for business meaning nourishment for life; and says conversation is a core business process. Imagine a world where our businesses actually nourished each individual...and encouraged deep conversation - before action...explore this radical idea with us! Join the conversation!

Cheryl Esposito welcomes Michael Toms CEO and co-founder of New Dimensions Radio and the New Dimensions World Broadcasting Network. For more than a quarter century, Michael has been engaging in dialogue with the world's leading-edge thinkers, social architects, creative artists, scientists and spiritual teachers. Called the Socrates of radio, he is acknowledged by guests and listeners alike as one of the premier interviewers in media today. His legendary dialogues have helped to bring innovative ideas into the mainstream culture. Michael is an accomplished writer, seminar leader, communications, marketing, fundraising consultant and master dialogue coach. One of his most successful books, An Open Life: Joseph Campbell in Conversation with Michael Toms is nationally acclaimed. We turn the table and ask Michael the questions, exploring his journey in making a difference through media, past, present and future. Join the conversation!