Featured Speakers: (click photo to learn more)
![Andrew Harvey Andrew Harvey](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![Joanna Macy Joanna Macy](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![Dr. Shariff Abdullah Dr. Shariff Abdullah](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![Melanie Greenberg Melanie Greenberg](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![Rabbi Michael Lerner PhD Rabbi Michael Lerner PhD](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![Brother Phil Brother Phil](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![Audri Scott Williams Audri Scott Williams](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![James O'Dea James O'Dea](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![Dr. Donna Hicks Dr. Donna Hicks](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![Sharon Salzberg Sharon Salzberg](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![Ajahn Sulak Sivaraksa Ajahn Sulak Sivaraksa](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![Rita Marie Johnson Rita Marie Johnson](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![Deborah Rozman Deborah Rozman](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![Gerald G. Jampolsky & Diane Cirincione Gerald G. Jampolsky & Diane Cirincione](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![George Lakoff George Lakoff](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![Cassandra Vieten, PhD Cassandra Vieten, PhD](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![Nathan Schwartz-Salant, PhD Nathan Schwartz-Salant, PhD](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![Michael Nagler Michael Nagler](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![Azim Khamisa Azim Khamisa](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![Dena Merriam Dena Merriam](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![Emily Hine Emily Hine](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![Teiahsha Bankhead, PhD, LCSW Teiahsha Bankhead, PhD, LCSW](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![Colin Tipping Colin Tipping](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![Sabrina N'Diaye, Ph.D. Sabrina N'Diaye, Ph.D.](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![Mark Gerzon Mark Gerzon](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![David T. Nicol David T. Nicol](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![Roxanne Manning, Ph.D. Roxanne Manning, Ph.D.](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![Cat J. Zavis Cat J. Zavis](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![Stephanie Van Hook Stephanie Van Hook](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![Barbara Gaughen-Muller Barbara Gaughen-Muller](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![Sujith Ravindran Sujith Ravindran](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![Vivian Anderson Castleberry Vivian Anderson Castleberry](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![Rhonda V. Magee, MA, JD Rhonda V. Magee, MA, JD](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![Sean Kelly Sean Kelly](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![Rev. James Lawson Rev. James Lawson](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![Erica Chenoweth Erica Chenoweth](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![Tamara Smiley Hamilton, MA Tamara Smiley Hamilton, MA](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![Jeremy Richman, PhD. Jeremy Richman, PhD.](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![Jeena Cho Jeena Cho](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![Martin & Dorothie Hellman Martin & Dorothie Hellman](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![Al Jubitz Al Jubitz](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![Dara Ghahremani, Ph.D. Dara Ghahremani, Ph.D.](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![Rudy Westervelt Rudy Westervelt](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![Béatrice Pouligny, PhD Béatrice Pouligny, PhD](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
![Elaine M. Whitefeather, D.D. Elaine M. Whitefeather, D.D.](/sites/files/faculty/trans.gif)
With Host:
![](/sites/files/faculty/crop/PhilipHellmich.jpg)
Director of Peace
The Shift Network
![](https://tsnshift.s3.amazonaws.com/pns_images/PositiveSocialChangeSummit2017/PSC_Photo_hands.jpg)
It can be discouraging, even heartbreaking, to hear of tragedies and violence happening in all corners of the world. Witnessing racism, corruption, environmental destruction and human rights abuses in the media — or first-hand — can leave you feeling overwhelmed and confused about what you can do to create real, lasting change.
And it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that there's also a parallel narrative emerging...
This parallel story is an exciting merging of spirituality, neuroscience and peacebuilding with innovative solutions expanding across the globe.
Through these efforts, a new path forward is being revealed... one that embraces the spiritual dimensions, as well as grounded, practical actions that can transform difficult situations locally and globally.
![](https://tsnshift.s3.amazonaws.com/pns_images/PositiveSocialChangeSummit2017/PSC_Photo_MapMeditators.jpg)
YOU have the opportunity to join this rising tide of change agents and deepen your activism through your spiritual practice — and deepen your spiritual practice through your activism! Plus, you can learn how neuroscience is helping peacebuilders and spiritual practitioners understand the mechanics behind true personal and social transformation.
We're proud to offer the 2017 Inspiring Positive Social Change series, where you'll have access to passionate and inspiring leaders in the important fields of spirituality, neuroscience, peacebuilding, compassion and peace education. They provide insights and skills that can be applied to your daily life — in your family, friendships, business partnerships and service in the world.
Inspiring Positive Social Change shines a light on practical, effective and inspiring ways you can BE peace and promote change in your life.
Here’s a peek at what our brilliant speakers are sharing with you:
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Andrew Harvey offers powerful insights into Sacred Activism. |
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Joanna Macy talks about the Great Turning and how you can best participate in this epic transition to a life-sustaining planetary culture. |
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Sharif Abdullah speaks about practical ways to create a society in line with our deepest spiritual values — a global society that includes all people and peoples. |
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Melanie Greenberg shares insights from an innovative initiative called Rewiring the Brain for Peace. |
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Rabbi Michael Lerner sheds light on Spiritual Activism — including key strategies in working for change under the current political administration |
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Chief Phil Lane, Jr. joins Dena Merriam in a conversation about the inner dimensions of climate change — how our spiritual values impact the environment and our collective future. |
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Audri Scott Williams highlights ways to apply Indigenous wisdom to social healing and peacebuilding. |
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James O’Dea discusses Conscious Activism — where mysticism meets activism. |
As you step forward and say “YES!” to this growing movement, you are fulfilling not only your calling, but your highest potential... embodying the soul of peace and peacebuilding.
Our speakers also share how this path — one of change for the greater good — is a profound spiritual journey, pushing the limits of our human potential and redefining what’s possible.
Do your little bit of good where you are;
it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.
— Desmond Tutu
With Inspiring Positive Social Change, you'll discover invaluable techniques in stress reduction, overcoming fear and self-doubt, developing self-esteem, cultivating compassion and forgiveness, communication skills, community peacebuilding, conscious activism and living from a place of inner resilience and Oneness.
We curated an exclusive collection of speakers and sessions for the curriculum in this series... with a 2-day kickoff, followed by weekly releases covering a variety of essential peacebuilding tools:
The 2-Day Kick-Off
Programming all day with peacebuilders from many perspectives
And our weekly topics were...
Mindfulness & Compassion
Featuring interviews with Emily Hine, Sharon Salzberg, Rhonda V. Magee & Jeena Cho
Peaceful and Compassionate Communication
Featuring interviews with Roxy Manning, Deborah Rozman & Rita Marie Johnson
Forgiveness
Featuring interviews with Azim Khamisa, Gerald G. Jampolsky, Diane Cirincione & Colin Tipping
Bridging Divides in Relationships, Communities & Politics
Featuring interviews with Mark Gerzon, Shariff Abdullah, Martin Hellman & Dorothie Hellman
Rewiring the Brain for Peace
Featuring interviews with Dara Ghahremani, Jeremy Richman, Sabrina N'Diaye & Donna Hicks
Nonviolence: Lessons from Gandhi and King, Where Do We Stand Today
Featuring interviews with Michael Nagler, Stephanie Van Hook, Erica Chenoweth & Rev. James Lawson
Inner Dimensions of Climate Change: Right Relationship with the Earth and All Communities Life
Featuring interviews with Dena Merriam & Chief Phil Lane, Jr.
Subtle Activism: The Power of Prayer and Meditation for Personal and Social Transformation
Featuring interviews with David Nicol, Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee, Joanna Macy & Sean Kelly
During this unparalleled event, you’ll discover:
- New mindsets for breakthrough innovations for achieving our highest human potential
- Powerful insights into Sacred and Conscious Activism
- Emerging neuroscience research behind conflict and peacebuilding — how humans are wired for fight-flight-freeze and also compassion, cooperation and altruism
- How to rewire your brain for peace
- How to move from being overwhelmed by global events, to taking practical, positive action right where you are right now
- Practical skills for building resilience and preventing burnout in peacebuilding work
- How to shift your worldview to be more inclusive, open and positive
- Practices for transforming anger into positive action and promoting peace in your family, schools and communities
- Practical skills for communicating more compassionately and peacefully, even when you're upset
- The innovative science and practices of peace education
- Ways to be part of a growing global movement of peace education
Plus you’ll discover how you can bring the soul of peace to your home, school, place of worship — and our global family.
How you show up in the world now has more importance than ever. The world needs YOU!
Sign up for Inspiring Positive Social Change to receive the wisdom, guidance and practical skills to become a more loving, kind and effective ambassador for change.
Co-Sponsors
![The Global Coherence Initiative is a science-based, co-creative project to unite people in heart-focused care and intention, to facilitate the shift in global consciousness from instability and discord to balance, cooperation and enduring peace.
The Global Coherence Initiative is a science-based, co-creative project to unite people in heart-focused care and intention, to facilitate the shift in global consciousness from instability and discord to balance, cooperation and enduring peace.](/sites/files/partners/Global_Coherence_Initiative_080610.jpg)
![The Center For Sacred Studies is dedicated to sustaining ways of life based on collaboration and reciprocity with the Earth and all Her beings.
The Center For Sacred Studies is dedicated to sustaining ways of life based on collaboration and reciprocity with the Earth and all Her beings.](/sites/files/partners/Center_for_Sacred_Studies__0.jpg)
![The Source of Synergy Foundation creates opportunities for Synergy that spirals out, creating, expanding & deepening connectivity and synergistic engagement. The Source of Synergy Foundation creates opportunities for Synergy that spirals out, creating, expanding & deepening connectivity and synergistic engagement.](/sites/files/partners/Evolutionary_Leaders_020612.jpg)
![Wake Up Laughing is Swami Beyondananda's om page, designed to awaken an evolutionary upwising and leave us laughing till the sacred cows come home.
Wake Up Laughing is Swami Beyondananda's om page, designed to awaken an evolutionary upwising and leave us laughing till the sacred cows come home.](/sites/files/partners/Wake_Up_Laughing_030308.jpg)
![The Shift Movie: The 'movie made by a movement' chronicles a massive worldwide phenomenon in progress, offering seeds of great hope for the future. Millions of individuals, organizations and corporations around the world are waking up and embracing a new outlook with an emphasis on their responsibility to contribute positively to our collective future.
The Shift Movie: The 'movie made by a movement' chronicles a massive worldwide phenomenon in progress, offering seeds of great hope for the future. Millions of individuals, organizations and corporations around the world are waking up and embracing a new outlook with an emphasis on their responsibility to contribute positively to our collective future.](/sites/files/partners/The_Shift_Movie_240611.jpg)
![The America Meditating Radio Show, hosted by Sister Jenna provides listeners with inspiring ways to combat challenges that we encounter along the journey of life.
The America Meditating Radio Show, hosted by Sister Jenna provides listeners with inspiring ways to combat challenges that we encounter along the journey of life.](/sites/files/partners/AM Logo Good One2.jpg)