2018 Speakers 

Please check back, as we are adding more speaker bios and titles!

 

Don DeSeranno
Don is first and foremost a Husband and a Father. He and his wife Corissa are both “stay-at-home” unschooling parents of their four kids. They are almost always all together, and they travel the world more than they are at home. Don is an entrepreneur and an investor. He manages his financial planning company that he started in 1999 and his other businesses and investments from home or wherever his family travels. Don and his family are able to do what they choose, being together and traveling the world, because of their financial freedom.

 

Ed Forteau
Ed had successful corporate careers in engineering and sales and marketing management with two Fortune 500 Companies. He left the corporate world to pursue his passion of being a consultant and advisor to business owners and entrepreneurs. Along the way, he’s delved more deeply into his areas of interest and now helps people find ways to healthier living through his radio show, Power Up Your Health, and web properties, including The World’s Greatest Food Fight.

 

Lillie Forteau
Lillie, always unschooled, is a writer, entrepreneur, graphic designer, and artist. She is passionate about social justice and equal rights, and is a history buff. Lillie is a musician (voice, ukelele, and guitar) and cosplayer, leading workshops in this field. Pop Culture is where she’s at – ask about her fandoms! She’s been to every single UWG.

 

Get Pop Cultured
What is this thing called pop culture? It’s all around you! How did it evolve so fast throughout history, what does it mean, and why it is never a waste of time and money.

Creative Writing Workshop for Beginners
Do you love to write fanfiction or fiction – or do you want to? Learning the craft of writing takes a lot of time, energy, and perseverance. In this talk and workshop, you’ll learn genres, terminology, point of view (and what you’re most comfortable writing), general writing guidelines, writing tips and tricks, ways to publish online, and how to gain an audience (and fans!). Please bring paper, a pen or pencil, and creativity. We’ll practice positive feedback for those who want to share their work.

 

Julie Bond Genovese
Julie is an inspirational speaker, creative soul coach, workshop leader, artist, unschooling mom and best-selling author of her award-winning memoir, Nothing Short of Joy, endorsed by Dr. Wayne Dyer, Dr. Christiane Northrup & Dr. Bernie Siegel. Julie has been featured on TV, online & radio including ABC, NBC, FOX, Oprah radio, Barcroft TV, Huffington Post, Maria Shriver, FinerMinds and Tut.com. Being born a dwarf, with degenerative arthritis, was not the poison Julie originally believed – it became the cure. After desperate years of humiliation, self-rejection & operations (including two brain surgeries,) Julie realized that the biggest thing standing in her way was her B.S. (Belief System.) Julie mentors spirit-led folks on how to bless the BS, view challenges as sacred choices made by the soul, build soul-blissipline, dive deep while lightening up, and energize ginormous joy.

Aligning with the Soul’s Joy: Unschooling Ourselves from the BS (Belief Systems)
More than any outer adversity, losses or challenges, our inner BS is the biggest block standing in the way of an awesome and fulfilling lifetime. By consciously questioning our beliefs, we open up to greater possibilities and empowerment. Carl Jung said, “The greatest burden a child must bear is the unlived life of the parents.” The clearer we are on our own path, the more loving we can be as parents. The more devoted we feel to our own passions and soul-blissipline, the brighter example we become for our family and their unique dreams. No matter what difficulties come our way, an open heart and mind align us with our best selves. Join us for an interactive discussion on how to shift our daily focus toward greater peace, presence and inspiration!

Harmonizing Our Relationships (with Partners or Kids) using The Work of Byron Katie
“The teacher you need is the person you’re living with.” ~Byron Katie. A conscious relationship (with ourselves, partners, kids or friends) is one of the most powerful tools for personal joy and spiritual growth. By recognizing when we project our painful thoughts & feelings about ourselves, onto those closest to us, we can begin to free ourselves from conflict. Relationships act as an insightful mirror of the denied aspects within ourselves. What we judge or ignore within ourselves, we’ll notice crawling all over others. By honoring our truth and “Loving What Is,” we can use any adversity as a catalyst for growth and compassion. These wake-up calls from the soul teach us how to champion our true selves while learning to live peacefully with our families. As we change our inner perspective, the healing and peace ripples outward. Join us in an interactive workshop and discussion on how to shift anger, overwhelm and judgment into mindfulness, freedom and love.