Justin Waltz has been Brand President of The Junkluggers since January 2024, bringing over a decade of experience in junk removal and franchise operations with him from his time at 1-800-GOT-JUNK and College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving. At The Junkluggers, he is dedicated to strengthening relationships with franchise owners, expanding the brand’s national footprint, driving technological innovation, and upholding the brand’s commitment to environmental responsibility and community impact. 

Pia Leichter is a creative partner, published author, certified coach, and entrepreneur. Her path has been anything but ordinary: a recovering nomad, she’s reported as a journalist in Sri Lanka, graduated summa cum laude from NYU, and worked as an award-winning creative director for some of the biggest brands in the world. Now, as the founder of Kollektiv Studio, she’s uniquely positioned to co-create wild visions and ventures. 

She recently published Welcome to the Creative Club, a book that challenges everything people thought they knew about creativity. Praised by Google's Global Head of Creative & Innovation as "life-changing" and by iconic fashion designer Betsey Johnson as "a wild ride," this part-memoir, part-guide invites readers to make life their biggest art project and reclaim their creative power.

Dear Friend, 

I am a refugee singer and songwriter born in Iran and raised in the UK and USA. Tomorrow I turn 50. Every single year of my life I have witnessed the region of my birth become more engrossed war/massacres, political and economic destabilization, displacement, and despair. Many of my family members I have never met. Against this backdrop of mass loss and heartbreak, I have dedicated my life to creating and sharing music that can heal and unite. I sing in a variety of languages and seek to serve as a bridge between estranged cultures during a time of deep fracture. I play a variety of ethnic instruments and run a training program for those wanting to present sound therapy. I also wrote a book on the subject, which I use as the basis for my live music events and trainings.  People say that my music speaks to the soul and awakens a depth of inner presence. My music and message is a call to peace and an invitation to move past our differences.   

I got some critical acclaim in 2020, after winning three Global Peace Song Awards. I have a new album coming out soon about my personal journey as a refugee from a Muslim country trying to find his way in a Western world that often rejects the refugee experience. The album is called Unbroken. I teamed up with Grammy Award winner Kipper Eldridge (Sting's Brand New Day-2003) to record this album. The lyrics take listeners on a deep dive into my personal struggles to overcome self-contempt and confusion about my hybrid identity. I have had to face and release the shadows of collective and personal pain that came from my family losing everything and starting from scratch. My story is one of emerging from darkness with a newfound sense of serenity and strength. My songs fit the definition of healing music, the kind which can nourish the spirit. They are crafted with the intention of guiding us back to the essence of being human. I hope my story of self-discovery and healing and my musical art can help anyone who has ever felt like an outcast to transcend their struggles and I would love for you to help me tell my story during this time of fear and widespread conflict in my region of birth. 

 Don’t Ignore the World of the Refugee

 Approximately one in three refugees and asylum seekers experience high rates of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), living with psychological scars and limited access to benefits or hostility from their hosts, whose governments often financed the conflicts that displaced them.  

The life of a refugee is a journey marked by profound psychological and physical hardship often from the experience of forced displacement. For many, the trauma begins with violence, persecution, or fear that precedes that displacement. Then there is the journey  that follows. Imagine what it must take for you to flee the place you have called home for generations. This type of trauma leaves a lasting scar that makes it harder to adjust wherever we land. Safety, stability, and a sense of belonging can often feel out of reach within the family unit itself because of the stressors from displacement.

Having to live with overwhelming anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress was a daily reality I had to grow up with. I struggled to find hope in my life and to come out of the victim mindset. Eventually I had to abandon my parents’ home at 16. Refugees life me often suffer in silence, unable to access mental health support due to cultural distancing, stigma from the new society, and a lack of resources. Extraordinary resilience is also a part of the refugee experience—the strength to keep moving forward no matter what scars we may carry makes refugees some of the bravest people you will ever meet!

Many of us had to navigate a system that often overlooked our humanity and we relied on the generosity of new friends in our adopted countries, who taught us what really matters in life. Thank you to all of you who have ever helped people like myself!

Loss, hardship, and immense courage is what has shaped the lives of many refugees. It is my hope that our institutions and leaders provide the support needed for our world’s refugees to properly heal, not feel isolated, and to empower, and honor the resilience of those who have endured the unimaginable. 

"Behind every refugee statistic is an outsider who is painted often in subhuman or hostile ways. Every person longs for hope, dignity, and a place to call home, where they can feel that they belong."

~Shervin Boloorian

SHERVIN BOLOORIAN (IRAN/UK/USA)

Shervin Boloorian’s authentic musical presence and deep connection with his audience is a rare gift. Known for inducing deep peace and leaving listeners with a lasting sense of tranquility, Shervin's performances are marked by exceptional musical breadth and profound emotional depth. His magnetic singing style, combined with his diverse ethnic roots and broad musical abilities, allow him to create interactive, inclusive spaces that resonate with audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

Shervin's delicate heart-opening vocals stand out most prominently, elevating his material: whether original songs, authentic ancient world music, or culturally diverse healing sounds as forms of “medicine” at his events. 

His third studio album, "I Hear You, Mother Earth", released in 2020 in response to Covid-19, won three Global Peace Song Awards. His prior album, One With The Beloved, a music for peace collection of Rumi wisdom and Sufi-inspired songs, was endorsed by worldwide bestselling Rumi translator and poet, Coleman Barks.

Dedicating his life to music’s power to heal, Shervin launched Bali's first live healing music program at the famous yoga barn in Ubud in 2012. He has since served tens of thousands of guests in 14 countries worldwide. Aside from being a celebrated vocalist and award winning natural music artist, Shervin certified as a sound practitioner from 2011-2018, and trained in Urban Shamanism in 2007. He is now recognized as an accomplished sound healing teacher-trainer. He published his first book, "The Three Zones of Sound" in 2022 and is author of numerous articles on his method.

Website - Shervinboloorian.com

Instagram- ShervinBoloorian

Spotify - Shervin Boloorian

Facebook - Shervinartist

YouTube - Soundhealingbali and Shervin Boloorian

TikTok - Shervin Boloorian

Download - Bandcamp

"I create music that brings listeners home to natural and peaceful sensations. No matter what you're going through, music can be there as a guide and a friend. It helped me with making sense of my darkest struggles. What I present to the world in turn says “you don’t have to feel alone in facing your hardship.”

~Shervin Boloorian

SHERVIN BOLOORIAN (EXTENDED BIO)

UNBROKEN: UNITING THROUGH MUSIC IN A FRACTURED WORLD

In a time when the world feels more divided than ever, Shervin’s forthcoming album, “Unbroken,” like his prior material, offers a powerful and necessary antidote. Shervin’s music has always transcended cultural divides and personal boundaries, and his new material weaves together Western influences and his Iranian refugee story into a deeply moving narrative of love, loss, and self-acceptance. Through his latest release, Shervin gets personal and vulnerable, exploring the daily complexities of alienation and life as an outsider. Ever since being forced to leave his country of birth, he grappled with identity while staying true to his lifelong dream of a harmonious life—for others and for the self. Look out for this new release in 2025.

A CROSS-CULTURAL BRIDGE

Shervin’s passion for healing music and his dedication to bringing communities together through music were behind his launch of Bali’s first sound healing program at the famous Yoga Barn holistic campus in 2012. Having collaborated musically with Sufi initiates, Bali spiritual leaders, a Tibetan Lama and Native American wisdom keepers, his events invite authentic cultural understanding and appreciation as well as a rich live music experience. His album, One with the Beloved, a music for peace project involving several guest musicians and producers from around the world, was endorsed by best-selling translator of Rumi, Coleman Barks, for aiming to heal the wounds between Western cultures and Islam through music. His live music night events in Bali appeal to all audiences, remaining most popular at Yoga Barn, with regular sold out events (close to 80 guests on average).

AWARD-WINNING MUSIC

Shervin’s talent and versatility as an award-winning multi-instrumental musician, and world class vocalist make each program he offers exceptional in quality. Because of his own diverse roots, and interactive group space-holding skills, Shervin can touch audiences of all ages, persuasions and backgrounds. When he applies his musical skills, caring presence and ability to read and respond to the individual energies within a group, the energy at his events alternates between euphoria and inner stillness.

INSPIRING RECORDING ARTIST

Shervin sings and composes in a variety of different languages. His vocals carry a timeless and boundary-less quality and have been described by best-selling author and spiritualist, Margot Anand, as “angelic! A unique blend of the gentle, soft and seductive.” Lines of separation between musical genres are blurred when listening to Shervin’s recordings. His albums often contain hybrid styles not attempted before such as his groundbreaking Gospel version of Depeche Mode's "Enjoy the Silence"; Western Jazz with Middle Eastern and New Age musical flavors; and Sufi Zikr in Arabic in a West African style. His highly acclaimed 2020 album conveyed the experience of sound medicine into a meticulous and high quality studio format through “I Hear You, Mother Earth.” Shervin recorded every instrument or sang on every track, earning three Global Peace Song Awards and launching his unmistakable brand of ancient and globally inspired healing music to notoriety.

WORLD CLASS SOUND THERAPIST

Shervin’s depth of knowledge and experience set him apart as a respected authority on natural music. He has appeared as an expert on several podcasts, is author of the book, “the Three Zones of Sound,” (2022) and has published numerous articles on the subject of non-digital sound therapy. Collecting his vast expertise and depth of knowledge, Shervin designed and created the ‘Three Zones" system that he teaches to future sound workers throughout the world in his praised training program. He draws from his Iranian and Indigenous lineages into all his programs- incorporating world music, authentic medicine songs, and Sufi chants in Persian and Arabic, among other styles. Shervin trained and certified with sound healing pioneer and world authority, Fabien Maman, and is a graduate of Maman’s renowned Tama-Do Academy of Sound, Color and Movement,

Julie Ryan’s journey proves that intuitive and healing abilities aren’t just gifts — they’re skills anyone can learn. A successful inventor and serial entrepreneur, Julie mastered the art of medical intuition, spirit communication, and energy healing more than 25 years ago, blending business acumen with extraordinary spiritual insight. Today, she’s known as a “buffet of psychicness™,” able to scan the human body, detect illnesses, facilitate energetic healings, access past lives, and communicate with spirits — both living and deceased — all from a distance. Julie turns her intuitive abilities on and off at will, practicing only with permission and maintaining strict confidentiality out of deep ethical respect. In addition to her intuitive work, Julie’s 35-year business career includes founding nine companies across five industries and inventing globally distributed surgical devices. She’s also the host of the hit podcast, Ask Julie Ryan, streamed in over 100 countries, where she scans callers live each week and shares insights that bridge the practical and the mystical. Above all, Julie is a wife, mother, grandmother, and friend — proof that it’s possible to live fully grounded in both the spiritual and the real world.

Emma has developed the innovative “Vitality & Longevity Care Protocol,” a comprehensive five-step holistic approach that helps patients maintain independence and improve their quality of life while potentially slowing disease progression. Her work transforms not only the lives of those with Parkinson’s but also the families who support them. 

Emma is a Registered Nurse with more that three decades of experience, a published author, speaker, minister, Christian women mentor, a hands on nurse entrepreneur and CEO of Gentle Shepherd Care; and elder care company specializes in chronic symptoms/disease management with the goal of providing services so that older adults can thrive, grow old with dignity, and live out loud on their own terms wherever they choose to call home. 

Two Scottish Researchers, Jim MacGregor and John O’Dowd are about to set the historical world on fire with their extensive research in a new book, Two World Wars and Hitler: Who Was Responsible?, which takes a deep dive into the murky waters of global politics, exposing the intricate web of money, foreign agents, and geopolitical schemes that shaped the events of the 20th century. This book challenges the accepted narratives surrounding the causes of the two world wars and Adolf Hitler’s rise to power, peeling back layers of propaganda to uncover hidden truths about the clandestine dealings of financial elites to the machinations of intelligence operatives. These forces continue to influence the violent outbreaks witnessed today. The authors argue that these conflicts are not inevitable, but fueled by powerful individuals and institutions that actively manipulate nations by prioritizing profit and dominance over the welfare of humanity. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a student of geopolitics, or simply curious about the forces that shape our world, this book is an invitation to question what you thought you knew. It is a compelling read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the power structures that continue to influence our world today.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS/available for interview

Jim Macgregor is a retired general practitioner from Scotland with a background in academic research and a lifelong passion for historical truth-telling. His clinical training has given him a methodical, root-cause approach to diagnosing historical events.

John O'Dowd is an academic and educator with a PhD and MBA, whose teaching and research career emphasizes critical thinking, systems theory, and historical revisionism. His interdisciplinary background provides a unique lens through which to challenge received narratives.

This book beckons us to step out of the shadows in our own hearts and move into the sunlight of love, kindness, and compassion. -Krishna Das: world-renowned GRAMMY Awards(R)-nominated musician, Kirtan singer, spiritual teacher, and author of Chants of a Lifetime: Searching for a Heart of Gold

Drawing on his own experience as well as from others' direct personal accounts, Forrest shows us the myriad of ways in which our shared experience during that time has helped us to navigate difficult periods in our lives through finding greater meaning, understanding and purpose.

Forrest Rivers, a renowned inspirational speaker, brings a deep and transformative understanding of spirituality, mindfulness, and the healing power of nature to his speaking engagements. With a unique blend of wisdom and passion, Forrest’s talks inspire audiences to reconnect with themselves and the world around them, fostering a sense of inner peace and purpose. 

There are travel blogs. And there are book blogs. There are even history blogs. But no one has brought all of that together into one—until now!

For people who love history, historic novels and travel to historic destinations, The Historic Traveler is the first place they can call home. This blog alongside its associated membership community and alliance Historic Traveler International gives history lovers and readers a vast resource, information, and entertainment.

The Historic Traveler is the latest endeavor from pioneer, Jackie Lapin, initially one of the world’s first women sportswriters with such publications as the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times and Detroit Free Press, and then founder of one of America’s largest and most prestigious sports and cable TV PR firms. Her more recent companies refocused on helping personal growth authors secure podcast and radio shows, and, most recently, speaking engagements. In each field, she created ventures that were entirely innovative and acknowledged for their leadership. 

But what many did not know during her prestigious career is that Jackie traveled globally for business and pleasure, always accompanied by her cameras, seeking to absorb the rich history of each location. In The Historic Traveler blog, she shares her passion twice weekly with highlights from the more than 500 localities she has visited and photographed, along with book recommendations for historic novels, mysteries, histories and biographies that illuminate what it would have been like to have lived there.

“I have been photographing fascinating cities, villages and historic landmarks for decades and it’s time to share my knowledge, photos and my favorite books with people like me, who can’t get enough of imagining what these places must have been like in their prime,” says Jackie. “But I also wanted to provide a place where history, travel and historic novel lovers can gather with like-minded people and get more resources to feed their passion --and make their historic travel easier.”

Therefore, Jackie has also launched Historic Traveler International, a $19.97 monthly membership community and alliance that goes deeper! Enthusiasts joining Historic 

Traveler International can take advantage of these one-of-a-kind benefits:   

•           The stunning quarterly digital magazine The Historic Traveler with a treasure of information in every issue, divided into separate sections on historic localities and the people of history – and on books. Read, dream or plan! 

•           The world’s most comprehensive directory of historic novels, mysteries and history books by country or region.

•           The world’s first directory of historic hotels, inns and B&Bs internationally and in the U.S.

•           The world’s first directory of historic TV dramas and where you can find them on broadcast or streaming.

•           A full array of travel discounts—some available nowhere else!

•           A book club dedicated to history buffs!

•           A book swap for history enthusiasts.

•           A monthly community meeting with other historic travel enthusiasts and a community chat room. Here they’ll also see announcements for exclusive specials, free gifts, deals etc.! 

•           A matching resource for people who are looking for traveling companions. 

•           Interviews with leading experts and authors.

•           Specialty books of themed photo collections.

•           A gallery of gorgeous photos of historic places and cities for viewing, purchase or posters.

•           Ongoing news about travel opportunities to historic places

•           A shop featuring luggage tags, passport wallets, totes, duffel bags and clothing featuring the unique creative Historic Traveler logo

•           ….and More!

Once again, Jackie Lapin is breaking new ground with The Historic Traveler and Historic Traveler International. She is happy to chat about all aspects of historic travel, historic novels and mysteries, her personal experiences, or the joy of finally following her own passion after years of serving others in business. (Note: At this point with 7,500 books in the directory, she can arguably be considered one of the foremost authorities on historic reading!)

If you would like to interview Jackie Lapin, please send an email with the name of the show, your contact information, a proposed date and time, and the calling/zoom details.

Jackie Lapin has been a life-long traveler, seeking to experience history through the world’s cities, villages, castles, landmarks, nature and books. A Southern California native, she first began a deep exploration of the history of her state and the people who shaped it, ignited by a trip to the California missions in third grade. As a college student, she created her own field trips to explore the historic land and cityscapes of California.

As an adult, she began to travel for work and pleasure, accompanied by her cameras (always more than one!) to document for herself—and somewhere in the recesses of her mind—so she could share the pictures and stories with others. And when she couldn’t travel, she read historic novels, historical chronicles and biographies so she would better understand what she was seeing. It was her escape and her education.

Photography gave her a sense of artistry and expression, in contrast to the practical dedication to her professional life.

Jackie marked out an illustrious career as a serial pioneer, initially as one of the world’s first women sportswriters, writing for the Detroit Free Press, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post and Associated Press—breaking press box barriers. She then built and ran over the course of 20 years.one of the two largest sports/special events/cable TV public relations firms in America with a world class client list. Her next move was to write two internationally bestselling personal growth books, one of which was awarded Best Spiritual Book of the Year at the International New Age Trade Show. Finding herself drawn to the leaders who were committed to making the world a better place, she rebranded her agency Conscious Media Relations and began helping them market their books and messages through the media. Ultimately, the company became a leader in podcast/radio tours for experts, offering them to 9000 podcasts and radio shows. She then created and sold SpeakerTunity, a company providing speaking, podcast and summit leads monthly to speakers seeking venues. 

After years in the trenches serving others, Jackie determined the time was right to focus on her own passion, sharing the stories, photos and the books that make history so fascinating to her. Hence, the creation of her blog, The Historic Traveler, and her membership alliance, Historic Traveler International — dedicated to informing, uniting and supporting other history and historic book lovers.

“The world is my history classroom,” she says, “and I am always excited to learn!” 

Jackie is sharing the content and images from her visits to more than 500 cities, villages, castles, landmarks and more. Her slide archive includes nearly 20,000 images. Jackie’s personal library counts 600 books—including many she sources from used bookstores on day-long treasure hunts. Her work is showcased in both the blog and The Historic Traveler quarterly magazine available to members. You can track her newest travels on the blog at www.thehistorictraveler.com

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