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2022 ALL Panels

2022 Day 1 - Thursday - Panels

Presentation with Complimentary Lunch by the Bigelow Institute for Consciousness Studies: Robert Bigelow & Colm Kelleher, PhD (pre-registration required)

Robert Bigelow, Colm Kelleher, PhD

Thu.
11:30 am
-
12:30 pm
MT
Rm 1 - Crystal Ballroom
60
Minutes
In 2020, aerospace entrepreneur Robert T. Bigelow founded the Bigelow Institute for Consciousness Studies (BICS). BICS’s mission includes “to communicate, facilitate, educate and organize scientific research and exploration into the survival of human consciousness (SOHC)” with a particular focus on consciousness surviving permanent bodily death. Following a successful competition in 2021 for essays providing the best evidence for SOHC, BICS is now looking to the future. In this presentation, Robert Bigelow and Colm Kelleher will reveal the details, including application process and important dates, for BICS’s new grants program for 2023, called “The Challenge”, that promises to significantly impact the future of research in the field of SOHC. Audience members attending this panel are invited to a complimentary bag lunch, for which they may make their menu selection on the conference registration form.
Robert Bigelow >> Las Vegas entrepreneur Robert T. Bigelow is the Founder and President of the Bigelow Institute for Consciousness Studies. BICS was founded in 2020 to support research into both the survival of human consciousness after physical death and, based on data from such studies, the nature of the afterlife. In 2021, BICS launched a highly publicized and very successful global essay competition in which $1,800,000 was awarded to twenty-nine (29) winning essays. The essay requirement was to provide the best evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that human consciousness survives bodily death.

Robert Bigelow graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.

Robert Bigelow is an experienced general contractor, designer, developer, financier, buyer and manager of many large real estate projects in the US. Over the course of his career spanning many decades, he has designed and built numerous apartment complexes, including the Budget Suites of America hotel chain that are currently in
three southwestern states.

In 1999, Robert Bigelow founded Bigelow Aerospace, LLC. The purpose of Bigelow Aerospace was to provide general contracting and research and development for the design, development and construction of habitable space structures for private enterprise and government use. Mr. Bigelow personally provided all financial support totaling over $350 Million Dollars. He has successfully launched two subscale spacecraft called Genesis I & II into orbit as well as the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM), which is attached to the Tranquility module of the International Space Station. Moreover, Mr. Bigelow served as the program manager of the B330 spacecraft – Bigelow Aerospace’s main habitation system for LEO and beyond LEO destinations. He also holds 29 patents on aerospace systems and hardware.

Colm Kelleher, PhD >> Since obtaining his PhD in biochemistry from the University of Dublin Trinity College, Colm Kelleher has spent 35 years of his working life in a wide variety of diverse careers. Between 1991-1996, he was an immunology research scientist at the National Jewish Center in Denver Colorado. Between 1996-2004, Kelleher led the National Institute for Discovery Science (NIDS) team on Skinwalker Ranch and multiple other NIDS projects. From 2004-2008, Colm served as laboratory director at San Francisco biotechnology company Prosetta where he led teams of scientists in executing DoD contracts to discover drugs against the Ebola virus, Rift Valley Fever Virus, Junin, Machupo, Marburg and other viruses of interest to DoD. In 2008 Kelleher became deputy administrator of Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies (BAASS) where he led the day-to-day operations in executing the AAWSAP contract with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). From 2012-2020, Kelleher led the Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS) Department at Bigelow Aerospace. where he managed eleven separate projects that cumulatively resulted in the building of life support systems for expandable spacecraft in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Kelleher is the author of Brain Trust (Simon & Schuster) and he co-authored Hunt for the Skinwalker in 2005 with award winning journalist George Knapp.
presenting with ...

Presentation with Complimentary Lunch by the Bigelow Institute for Consciousness Studies: Robert Bigelow & Colm Kelleher, PhD (pre-registration required)

Robert Bigelow, Colm Kelleher, PhD

Thu.
11:30 am
-
12:30 pm
MT
Rm 1 - Crystal Ballroom
60
Minutes
In 2020, aerospace entrepreneur Robert T. Bigelow founded the Bigelow Institute for Consciousness Studies (BICS). BICS’s mission includes “to communicate, facilitate, educate and organize scientific research and exploration into the survival of human consciousness (SOHC)” with a particular focus on consciousness surviving permanent bodily death. Following a successful competition in 2021 for essays providing the best evidence for SOHC, BICS is now looking to the future. In this presentation, Robert Bigelow and Colm Kelleher will reveal the details, including application process and important dates, for BICS’s new grants program for 2023, called “The Challenge”, that promises to significantly impact the future of research in the field of SOHC. Audience members attending this panel are invited to a complimentary bag lunch, for which they may make their menu selection on the conference registration form.
Robert Bigelow >> Las Vegas entrepreneur Robert T. Bigelow is the Founder and President of the Bigelow Institute for Consciousness Studies. BICS was founded in 2020 to support research into both the survival of human consciousness after physical death and, based on data from such studies, the nature of the afterlife. In 2021, BICS launched a highly publicized and very successful global essay competition in which $1,800,000 was awarded to twenty-nine (29) winning essays. The essay requirement was to provide the best evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that human consciousness survives bodily death.

Robert Bigelow graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.

Robert Bigelow is an experienced general contractor, designer, developer, financier, buyer and manager of many large real estate projects in the US. Over the course of his career spanning many decades, he has designed and built numerous apartment complexes, including the Budget Suites of America hotel chain that are currently in
three southwestern states.

In 1999, Robert Bigelow founded Bigelow Aerospace, LLC. The purpose of Bigelow Aerospace was to provide general contracting and research and development for the design, development and construction of habitable space structures for private enterprise and government use. Mr. Bigelow personally provided all financial support totaling over $350 Million Dollars. He has successfully launched two subscale spacecraft called Genesis I & II into orbit as well as the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM), which is attached to the Tranquility module of the International Space Station. Moreover, Mr. Bigelow served as the program manager of the B330 spacecraft – Bigelow Aerospace’s main habitation system for LEO and beyond LEO destinations. He also holds 29 patents on aerospace systems and hardware.

Colm Kelleher, PhD >> Since obtaining his PhD in biochemistry from the University of Dublin Trinity College, Colm Kelleher has spent 35 years of his working life in a wide variety of diverse careers. Between 1991-1996, he was an immunology research scientist at the National Jewish Center in Denver Colorado. Between 1996-2004, Kelleher led the National Institute for Discovery Science (NIDS) team on Skinwalker Ranch and multiple other NIDS projects. From 2004-2008, Colm served as laboratory director at San Francisco biotechnology company Prosetta where he led teams of scientists in executing DoD contracts to discover drugs against the Ebola virus, Rift Valley Fever Virus, Junin, Machupo, Marburg and other viruses of interest to DoD. In 2008 Kelleher became deputy administrator of Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies (BAASS) where he led the day-to-day operations in executing the AAWSAP contract with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). From 2012-2020, Kelleher led the Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS) Department at Bigelow Aerospace. where he managed eleven separate projects that cumulatively resulted in the building of life support systems for expandable spacecraft in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Kelleher is the author of Brain Trust (Simon & Schuster) and he co-authored Hunt for the Skinwalker in 2005 with award winning journalist George Knapp.
presenting with ...

Afterlife Evidence Panel: Results of Bigelow Essay Contest and Future Research Directions

Moderator: Jan Holden, EdD / Robert Mays, BSc / Suzanne Mays, AAS / Jeffrey Mishlove, PhD

Thu.
12:45 pm
-
2:15 pm
MT
Rm 1 - Crystal Ballroom
90
Minutes
In January of 2021, Robert Bigelow, of the Bigelow Institute for Consciousness Studies (BICS), announced a competition for the best essay providing evidence of an afterlife–with a top prize of $500,000. In November of that year, BICS announced the winners: 29 essays whose authors received a total of $1.8 million. In this panel, two contest winners will summarize their essays, one is an Honorable Mention author duo, and the other is the First Prize winner. Panelists will discuss what they consider the best directions for future afterlife research; and panelists will respond to questions and comments from the audience.
Janice Miner Holden, EdD, LPC-S, ACMHP >> After 31 years on the University of North Texas (UNT) Counseling Program faculty, Jan Holden retired in 2019 as Professor Emerita of Counseling. Beginning in 1988 with her doctoral dissertation, her primary research focus has been counseling implications of near-death and related experiences. In this research area she has over 50 refereed journal publications and over 100 national and international presentations and has received numerous awards and honors. Since 2008 she has served as editor-in-chief of the International Association for Near-Death Studies’s scholarly Journal of Near-Death Studies, and she serves currently as that association’s President. Her website is www.janholden.com

Robert Mays, BSc/Susanne Mays, AAS >> Robert and Suzanne Mays have studied NDE phenomena together for over 40 years, although neither has had an NDE. They are particularly interested in veridical perceptions during NDEs and apparent interactions during NDEs between the NDEr and physical reality, as well as the neurological evidence of the interaction of the nonmaterial mind with the brain during ordinary consciousness, especially in language comprehension and in memory formation and recall. Their current areas of focus are on (1) NDErs’ prophetic visions of world events, (2) describing the nature of the transcendent realm as is evident in NDEr accounts, and (3) understanding the nature of consciousness as an individuated mind-entity directly interacting with a physical body and brain, as opposed to a non-localized entity spread out across all of existence, transmitting to and receiving from the physical brain

Jeffrey Mishlove, PhD >> Jeffrey is host and producer of the New Thinking Allowed channel on YouTube. He is author of The Roots of Consciousness, Psi Development Systems, and The PK Man. He is the recipient of the only doctoral diploma in “Parapsychology” ever awarded by an accredited university (University of California, Berkeley, 1980). Between 1986 and 2002 he hosted and co-produced the original Thinking Allowed public television series. He is the Grand Prize winner of the 2021 Bigelow Institute essay competition regarding the best evidence for survival of human consciousness after permanent bodily death



presenting with ...

Afterlife Evidence Panel: Results of Bigelow Essay Contest and Future Research Directions

Moderator: Jan Holden, EdD / Robert Mays, BSc / Suzanne Mays, AAS / Jeffrey Mishlove, PhD

Thu.
12:45 pm
-
2:15 pm
MT
Rm 1 - Crystal Ballroom
90
Minutes
In January of 2021, Robert Bigelow, of the Bigelow Institute for Consciousness Studies (BICS), announced a competition for the best essay providing evidence of an afterlife–with a top prize of $500,000. In November of that year, BICS announced the winners: 29 essays whose authors received a total of $1.8 million. In this panel, two contest winners will summarize their essays, one is an Honorable Mention author duo, and the other is the First Prize winner. Panelists will discuss what they consider the best directions for future afterlife research; and panelists will respond to questions and comments from the audience.
Janice Miner Holden, EdD, LPC-S, ACMHP >> After 31 years on the University of North Texas (UNT) Counseling Program faculty, Jan Holden retired in 2019 as Professor Emerita of Counseling. Beginning in 1988 with her doctoral dissertation, her primary research focus has been counseling implications of near-death and related experiences. In this research area she has over 50 refereed journal publications and over 100 national and international presentations and has received numerous awards and honors. Since 2008 she has served as editor-in-chief of the International Association for Near-Death Studies’s scholarly Journal of Near-Death Studies, and she serves currently as that association’s President. Her website is www.janholden.com

Robert Mays, BSc/Susanne Mays, AAS >> Robert and Suzanne Mays have studied NDE phenomena together for over 40 years, although neither has had an NDE. They are particularly interested in veridical perceptions during NDEs and apparent interactions during NDEs between the NDEr and physical reality, as well as the neurological evidence of the interaction of the nonmaterial mind with the brain during ordinary consciousness, especially in language comprehension and in memory formation and recall. Their current areas of focus are on (1) NDErs’ prophetic visions of world events, (2) describing the nature of the transcendent realm as is evident in NDEr accounts, and (3) understanding the nature of consciousness as an individuated mind-entity directly interacting with a physical body and brain, as opposed to a non-localized entity spread out across all of existence, transmitting to and receiving from the physical brain

Jeffrey Mishlove, PhD >> Jeffrey is host and producer of the New Thinking Allowed channel on YouTube. He is author of The Roots of Consciousness, Psi Development Systems, and The PK Man. He is the recipient of the only doctoral diploma in “Parapsychology” ever awarded by an accredited university (University of California, Berkeley, 1980). Between 1986 and 2002 he hosted and co-produced the original Thinking Allowed public television series. He is the Grand Prize winner of the 2021 Bigelow Institute essay competition regarding the best evidence for survival of human consciousness after permanent bodily death



presenting with ...

Spiritual AND Religious: Bridging Mystical Experiences and Christianity

Moderator: Stephanie Bradbury, BA, MDiv/ Roberta Moore, MBA / Graham Standish, PhD/ Walt Scotson

Thu.
9:15 am
-
10:15 pm
ET
Rm 1 - Crystal Ballroom
60
Minutes
Far too many have been told by Christians that their NDE or other mystical experiences simply can’t be true. Still, many other Christians know they are true because they’ve had their own experiences. We are a group of Christian clergy and leaders who embrace your experiences. Like you, we know that Jesus’ mission was one of love and inclusivity, and that your deep spiritual experiences (we call them STEs) are gateways to a deeper relationship with God. We will be sharing our insights in ways that can bring unity between STEs, NDEs, and Christian spirituality.
Stephanie Bradbury, BA, MDiv >> The Rev. Stephanie Chase Bradbury has been an Episcopal priest for 26 years, counseling many people who’ve had NDEs and STEs. She herself has had a number of Mystical Experiences. Stephanie is drawn to how material reality is intertwined with the transcendent. She feels called to help facilitate the processing of those who have been touched by the extraordinary. She has led NDE retreats, spoken at IANDS gatherings, and been interviewed for podcasts. Stephanie is both grounded in the Christian tradition, while welcoming insight from beyond organized religion. She serves an Episcopal Church in Massachusetts.

Roberta Moore, MBA >> Videographer, writer, and speaker, Roberta Moore is producer of NDEvideo.com specializing in spiritual topics. Having studied near-death experiences since the 1970s, she is a long-time, professional member and former vice-president of The International Association for Near-Death Studies. In partnership with IANDS, she has produced two training videos about NDEs, one for healthcare providers and another for Veterans; both are available at YouTube.com/c/NDEvideo. She is a former professor of English at Florida Southwestern College, where she taught for 20 years.

Rev. Dr. Graham Standish, PhD >> Graham Standish is the executive director of Samaritan Counseling, Guidance, Consulting in Pittsburgh, PA, and has decades of experience as a spiritual director, therapist, pastor, and teacher in the area of spirituality. He has guided many people in becoming more open to God’s presence and flow in everyday life. His PhD is in the area of spiritual formation. Beginning with his reading Raymond Moody’s “Life after Life” as a teen, he has been studying spiritual experiences related to NDEs and those in everyday life. He is the author of 10 books on different areas of spirituality.

Walt Scotson >> Walt has been teaching, instructing, and counseling since he was 15 years old. He retired as a Four Square Pastor after serving for 30 years, and was in the Montana National Guard and Army Reserve as a Senior Chaplain Assistant instructor for 22 years. Walt currently ministers in several healing modalities including Transformation Prayer Ministry, Reiki Level 2, Emotion Codes and is growing in mediumship and spiritual mysticism. He is currently serving as the Volunteer Coordinator for IANDS, assists with IANDS Groups and Events (IG&E), facilitates the Central Montana IANDS Local Group, and is the assistant to the Director of IANDS Local Groups.

presenting with ...

Spiritual AND Religious: Bridging Mystical Experiences and Christianity

Moderator: Stephanie Bradbury, BA, MDiv/ Roberta Moore, MBA / Graham Standish, PhD/ Walt Scotson

Thu.
9:15 am
-
10:15 pm
ET
Rm 1 - Crystal Ballroom
60
Minutes
Far too many have been told by Christians that their NDE or other mystical experiences simply can’t be true. Still, many other Christians know they are true because they’ve had their own experiences. We are a group of Christian clergy and leaders who embrace your experiences. Like you, we know that Jesus’ mission was one of love and inclusivity, and that your deep spiritual experiences (we call them STEs) are gateways to a deeper relationship with God. We will be sharing our insights in ways that can bring unity between STEs, NDEs, and Christian spirituality.
Stephanie Bradbury, BA, MDiv >> The Rev. Stephanie Chase Bradbury has been an Episcopal priest for 26 years, counseling many people who’ve had NDEs and STEs. She herself has had a number of Mystical Experiences. Stephanie is drawn to how material reality is intertwined with the transcendent. She feels called to help facilitate the processing of those who have been touched by the extraordinary. She has led NDE retreats, spoken at IANDS gatherings, and been interviewed for podcasts. Stephanie is both grounded in the Christian tradition, while welcoming insight from beyond organized religion. She serves an Episcopal Church in Massachusetts.

Roberta Moore, MBA >> Videographer, writer, and speaker, Roberta Moore is producer of NDEvideo.com specializing in spiritual topics. Having studied near-death experiences since the 1970s, she is a long-time, professional member and former vice-president of The International Association for Near-Death Studies. In partnership with IANDS, she has produced two training videos about NDEs, one for healthcare providers and another for Veterans; both are available at YouTube.com/c/NDEvideo. She is a former professor of English at Florida Southwestern College, where she taught for 20 years.

Rev. Dr. Graham Standish, PhD >> Graham Standish is the executive director of Samaritan Counseling, Guidance, Consulting in Pittsburgh, PA, and has decades of experience as a spiritual director, therapist, pastor, and teacher in the area of spirituality. He has guided many people in becoming more open to God’s presence and flow in everyday life. His PhD is in the area of spiritual formation. Beginning with his reading Raymond Moody’s “Life after Life” as a teen, he has been studying spiritual experiences related to NDEs and those in everyday life. He is the author of 10 books on different areas of spirituality.

Walt Scotson >> Walt has been teaching, instructing, and counseling since he was 15 years old. He retired as a Four Square Pastor after serving for 30 years, and was in the Montana National Guard and Army Reserve as a Senior Chaplain Assistant instructor for 22 years. Walt currently ministers in several healing modalities including Transformation Prayer Ministry, Reiki Level 2, Emotion Codes and is growing in mediumship and spiritual mysticism. He is currently serving as the Volunteer Coordinator for IANDS, assists with IANDS Groups and Events (IG&E), facilitates the Central Montana IANDS Local Group, and is the assistant to the Director of IANDS Local Groups.

presenting with ...

Anomalous NDEs Panel

Moderator: Angie Wilson-Quayle, PhD / Alex Haley, JD / Glory Schneider, MFA

Thu.
12:15 pm
-
1:15 pm
ET
Rm 4 - Madison
60
Minutes
These panelists have had experiences which are highly unusual, even confounding. The learning that has been transformational for them may be part of a personal history that is not even known or accessible. Demystifying and translating their experiences were necessary components of claiming their meaning— for themselves, and for sharing with others.
Angie Wilson-Quayle, PhD >> Angie has been running the IANDS Local Group near Washington, DC since 2019. Her interest in IANDS grew out of three spiritually transformative experiences she had years ago, which forever changed her life and got her on a spiritual path directed daily towards love, giving back, and a deeper awareness of true self. She is originally from the United Kingdom, and has lived in the United States since 1991 and has two daughters. She began studying psychology in London, then completed her research-based doctoral training in Developmental Psychology in Northern Virginia. After she could no longer ignore the long-time, clamorous call of the Universe to change directions, she recently moved from research to the clinical arena and a new path opened up effortlessly and mysteriously, and things have been falling into place ever since.

Alex Haley, JD >> Alex is a practicing attorney Oklahoma who had one NDE in 2003 and an out-of-body experience in 2022. Her spiritual awakening that generally occurs immediately upon return from an NDE did not occur for her until two years after the event. At that point, she learned from an audiobook by the Dalai Lama she happened to randomly purchase, that her NDE was a typical Buddhist practitioner’s conscious death. She had no previous background or interest in Buddhism before this.

Glory Schneider, MFA >> Glory Schneider is a filmmaker, lifelong traveler, and lover of Earth and it’s curiosities.
presenting with ...

Anomalous NDEs Panel

Moderator: Angie Wilson-Quayle, PhD / Alex Haley, JD / Glory Schneider, MFA

Thu.
12:15 pm
-
1:15 pm
ET
Rm 4 - Madison
60
Minutes
These panelists have had experiences which are highly unusual, even confounding. The learning that has been transformational for them may be part of a personal history that is not even known or accessible. Demystifying and translating their experiences were necessary components of claiming their meaning— for themselves, and for sharing with others.
Angie Wilson-Quayle, PhD >> Angie has been running the IANDS Local Group near Washington, DC since 2019. Her interest in IANDS grew out of three spiritually transformative experiences she had years ago, which forever changed her life and got her on a spiritual path directed daily towards love, giving back, and a deeper awareness of true self. She is originally from the United Kingdom, and has lived in the United States since 1991 and has two daughters. She began studying psychology in London, then completed her research-based doctoral training in Developmental Psychology in Northern Virginia. After she could no longer ignore the long-time, clamorous call of the Universe to change directions, she recently moved from research to the clinical arena and a new path opened up effortlessly and mysteriously, and things have been falling into place ever since.

Alex Haley, JD >> Alex is a practicing attorney Oklahoma who had one NDE in 2003 and an out-of-body experience in 2022. Her spiritual awakening that generally occurs immediately upon return from an NDE did not occur for her until two years after the event. At that point, she learned from an audiobook by the Dalai Lama she happened to randomly purchase, that her NDE was a typical Buddhist practitioner’s conscious death. She had no previous background or interest in Buddhism before this.

Glory Schneider, MFA >> Glory Schneider is a filmmaker, lifelong traveler, and lover of Earth and it’s curiosities.
presenting with ...

Insights from NDE/STE Experiences – Discussion Group

Moderator: Victoria Reynolds / Lisa Arrington / Hillary Hardin / Brianna Lafferty, BS / Shaun Martin, MA / Jayme Tener, MEd / Vicki Werner, BS

Thu.
4:00 pm
-
6:00 pm
ET
Rm 5 - Monroe
120
Minutes
This panel discussion is guaranteed to be an eye-opening and heart expanding experience. Each member of the panel will share an overview of their personal Near Death or Spiritual experience. They will also explain how their experience expanded their consciousness into seeing what is possible for themselves and how it provided insights for living with greater purpose and meaning. Following the presentations there will be audience participation through Q&A.
Victoria Reynolds >> Victoria Reynolds is a spiritual luminary, award winning international speaker, six time author, and broadcaster. Along with moderating this year’s Near-Death / Transformative Spiritual Experiences panel, Victoria will be sharing insights resulting from a profound spiritual experience which then lead to becoming a walk-in, and igniting her role as a luminary.

Lisa Arrington >> Lisa Arrington is an intuitive polymath, author, and SEO professional. She studies life’s universal connections and embedded meanings. Lisa will share the lessons she’s learned from her postpartum near-death experience and spiritual journey after the death and rebirth of her twin flame.

Hillary Hardin >> CEO and Founder of Whose Heart Mourns Me Foundation and Founder of HARE by Hillary. Hillary designs shoes for various health and wellness causes, alongside promoting awareness for various causes. Hardin writes Christian fiction based on true, along with writing gospel and jazz gospel music. She also ministers and conducts a Christian faith based television show that streams live on Favor Network and Preach The Word Network. She also is a mother of three amazing children. Hannah, Meghan, and Reaghan.

Brianna Lafferty, BS >> As an award-winning author that suffered through most of her life with a rare, chronic illness as well as paranormal experiences that led to her near-death experience in 2017, Brianna Lafferty will share how she has been called to hack this life, help others, and start her own Death Doula business.

Shaun Martin, MA >> Shaun Martin, is a healthcare worker, graduate student, recording artist, and STEr. He will share his unique story of visionary experience and insight into the significance of STEs in modern day mental health and how they can be used to discover deeper meaning and fulfillment in our lives.

Jayme Tener, MEd >> In the Summer of 2018 during a series of celestial events, she had a spiritually transformative experience that radically changed her perception. She will be sharing about how her initiation into a complete change in perception that resulted in her understanding that the miraculous was actual reality and everything else was an illusion.

Vicki Werner, BS >> Vicki Werner experienced her NDE in 2012 and endured years of healing. She delved deep into the cause of dis-ease. Having a profound level of compassion with self-discovery in the healing process, she views trauma as a catalyst to expand consciousness and engage in self-love. Vicki is the author of The Secret to Healing and Recovery.
presenting with ...
Brianna

Insights from NDE/STE Experiences – Discussion Group

Moderator: Victoria Reynolds / Lisa Arrington / Hillary Hardin / Brianna Lafferty, BS / Shaun Martin, MA / Jayme Tener, MEd / Vicki Werner, BS

Thu.
4:00 pm
-
6:00 pm
ET
Rm 5 - Monroe
120
Minutes
This panel discussion is guaranteed to be an eye-opening and heart expanding experience. Each member of the panel will share an overview of their personal Near Death or Spiritual experience. They will also explain how their experience expanded their consciousness into seeing what is possible for themselves and how it provided insights for living with greater purpose and meaning. Following the presentations there will be audience participation through Q&A.
Victoria Reynolds >> Victoria Reynolds is a spiritual luminary, award winning international speaker, six time author, and broadcaster. Along with moderating this year’s Near-Death / Transformative Spiritual Experiences panel, Victoria will be sharing insights resulting from a profound spiritual experience which then lead to becoming a walk-in, and igniting her role as a luminary.

Lisa Arrington >> Lisa Arrington is an intuitive polymath, author, and SEO professional. She studies life’s universal connections and embedded meanings. Lisa will share the lessons she’s learned from her postpartum near-death experience and spiritual journey after the death and rebirth of her twin flame.

Hillary Hardin >> CEO and Founder of Whose Heart Mourns Me Foundation and Founder of HARE by Hillary. Hillary designs shoes for various health and wellness causes, alongside promoting awareness for various causes. Hardin writes Christian fiction based on true, along with writing gospel and jazz gospel music. She also ministers and conducts a Christian faith based television show that streams live on Favor Network and Preach The Word Network. She also is a mother of three amazing children. Hannah, Meghan, and Reaghan.

Brianna Lafferty, BS >> As an award-winning author that suffered through most of her life with a rare, chronic illness as well as paranormal experiences that led to her near-death experience in 2017, Brianna Lafferty will share how she has been called to hack this life, help others, and start her own Death Doula business.

Shaun Martin, MA >> Shaun Martin, is a healthcare worker, graduate student, recording artist, and STEr. He will share his unique story of visionary experience and insight into the significance of STEs in modern day mental health and how they can be used to discover deeper meaning and fulfillment in our lives.

Jayme Tener, MEd >> In the Summer of 2018 during a series of celestial events, she had a spiritually transformative experience that radically changed her perception. She will be sharing about how her initiation into a complete change in perception that resulted in her understanding that the miraculous was actual reality and everything else was an illusion.

Vicki Werner, BS >> Vicki Werner experienced her NDE in 2012 and endured years of healing. She delved deep into the cause of dis-ease. Having a profound level of compassion with self-discovery in the healing process, she views trauma as a catalyst to expand consciousness and engage in self-love. Vicki is the author of The Secret to Healing and Recovery.
presenting with ...
Brianna

2022 Day 2 - Friday - Panels

Amazing Gifts from STEs and NDEs

Moderator: Neal Grossman, PhD / Deborah Conner, MA / Christina Rawls, PhD

Fri.
2:00 pm
-
3:00 pm
MT
Rm 2 - Washington
60
Minutes
Two panelists, Deborah Conner, MA, and Christina Rawls, PhD, were gifted with after -effects from an NDE/OBE experience, STE experiences, and lifelong connection with psi phenomena and the Other Side.
Deborah’s experiences have finally culminated in her new practice of coaching clients with living their lives with Luminosity – – getting their “Glow On” and integrating their anomalous experiences with compassion and love for others.
Christina’s resulted in Orb photography, the study of mental evidential, trance, and physical mediumship – -providing readings from the Other Side and ongoing gifts of validation of the afterlife, which may ultimately help others. Love is the answer –
– for both panelists who have indeed experienced “amazing” gifts.
Neal Grossman, PhD, >> Since retiring a few years ago after over 40 years on faculty at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Neal Grossman, PhD, associate professor emeritus of philosophy, no longer has anything to profess but has published 2 books this last decade: “Conversations with Socrates and Plato: How A Post-Materialist Social Order Can Solve the Challenges of Modern Life and Insure Our Survival” and “The Spirit of Spinoza: Healing the Mind”, a readable presentation of Spinoza’s remarkable system of spiritual psychotherapy

Deborah Conner, MA >> Deborah Conner is an integrative coach, reiki practitioner and an STE, OBE experiencer. The most profound occurrence involved an OBE following the NDE of her Grandmother in 1977. Deborah has followed NDE literature and science since that time. Undergrad degrees in Communication, and Kinesiology led Deborah to supplement her studies in later years with a Masters Degree in Philanthropy and Development. Deborah has served as Executive Director and Director of Development in the environmental, mental health, social and educational sectors. She has also served on various non-profit Boards

Christina Rawls, PhD >> Christina Rawls has been an intuitive her entire life. Having enjoyed teaching philosophy but ultimately leaving professional academia in 2021, Dr. Rawls began her mediumship practice Orb Magic and published her first spirit photography book “The Technological Age & the Orb Phenomenon” in 2021

presenting with ...

Amazing Gifts from STEs and NDEs

Moderator: Neal Grossman, PhD / Deborah Conner, MA / Christina Rawls, PhD

Fri.
2:00 pm
-
3:00 pm
MT
Rm 2 - Washington
60
Minutes
Two panelists, Deborah Conner, MA, and Christina Rawls, PhD, were gifted with after -effects from an NDE/OBE experience, STE experiences, and lifelong connection with psi phenomena and the Other Side.
Deborah’s experiences have finally culminated in her new practice of coaching clients with living their lives with Luminosity – – getting their “Glow On” and integrating their anomalous experiences with compassion and love for others.
Christina’s resulted in Orb photography, the study of mental evidential, trance, and physical mediumship – -providing readings from the Other Side and ongoing gifts of validation of the afterlife, which may ultimately help others. Love is the answer –
– for both panelists who have indeed experienced “amazing” gifts.
Neal Grossman, PhD, >> Since retiring a few years ago after over 40 years on faculty at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Neal Grossman, PhD, associate professor emeritus of philosophy, no longer has anything to profess but has published 2 books this last decade: “Conversations with Socrates and Plato: How A Post-Materialist Social Order Can Solve the Challenges of Modern Life and Insure Our Survival” and “The Spirit of Spinoza: Healing the Mind”, a readable presentation of Spinoza’s remarkable system of spiritual psychotherapy

Deborah Conner, MA >> Deborah Conner is an integrative coach, reiki practitioner and an STE, OBE experiencer. The most profound occurrence involved an OBE following the NDE of her Grandmother in 1977. Deborah has followed NDE literature and science since that time. Undergrad degrees in Communication, and Kinesiology led Deborah to supplement her studies in later years with a Masters Degree in Philanthropy and Development. Deborah has served as Executive Director and Director of Development in the environmental, mental health, social and educational sectors. She has also served on various non-profit Boards

Christina Rawls, PhD >> Christina Rawls has been an intuitive her entire life. Having enjoyed teaching philosophy but ultimately leaving professional academia in 2021, Dr. Rawls began her mediumship practice Orb Magic and published her first spirit photography book “The Technological Age & the Orb Phenomenon” in 2021

presenting with ...
Debbie James NDE

NDEs: What Young People Need to Know

Moderator: Debbie James, MSN, RN, CCRN-K / Vincent de Vice / Diane Corcoran, Col.(ret.) PhD / Judith Mandalise / Laura Varela, PhD

Fri.
4:30 pm
-
6:00 pm
MT
Rm 1 - Crystal Ballroom
90
Minutes
This Panel will highlight students studying NDEs. First, a Student nurse will interview a senior Military Nurse and how she became inspired by a patient who had an NDE. Secondly, a Ph.D. student will gain needed insight from a Near-Death Experiencer
Debbie James, MSN, RN, CCRN-K >>Debbie James has worked in the Adult Critical Care arena for the last 44 years as a clinical nurse, nurse manager, nurse educator, and Clinical Nurse Specialist. She is a certified bereavement facilitator and formed two support groups in San Antonio: one for near-death experiencers (NDErs) and for organ donor families. After completing her master’s thesis on NDEs and Disclosure, she served on the Board of the International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS). In 2009, Debbie co-authored and edited the first compilation of research on near-death experiences, Handbook of Near-Death Experiences: Thirty Years of Investigation. She has delivered numerous presentations regarding NDEs and spiritually transformative experiences (STEs) to small group sessions/classes as well as international conferences audiences

Vincent de Vice >> I am a senior nursing student in the process of completing my B.S.N. degree with an interest in homecare and hospice specialties. I have been reading NDE literature since high school and this interest has led me to IANDS. I deeply aspire to the multitude of research on NDE’s and have had the tremendous opportunity to collaborate with the IANDS community. Thanks to Deborah James and many other speakers and IANDS researchers, I have been graced with connecting with so many amazing people from a variety of disciplines from all over the world. I share my knowledge of NDE’s with many people and in mostly all of those encounters they yield a sincere enthusiastic interest. It would be an honor and a privilege to participate in a panel moderated by Deborah James along with some fellow students who have themselves happily engaged with NDE accounts and research

Dr. Diane Corcoran >> Diane Corcoran obtained her PhD in Nursing from the University of TX at Austin in 1981. At that time, she was also serving as an Officer in the U. S. Army – with a career that lasted 25 years. She heard her first NDE account from a young soldier. In 1981 a new organization was incorporated and is now known as the International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS). Diane has served on the Board of Directors numerous times, and this includes many years as President. She helped facilitate research conducted on the reality of events that we now know as Near-Death Experiences (NDEs). Diane now has her own consulting firm and that young soldier in Vietnam — he had told Diane about his NDE before there was a name for these types of experiences.

Judith Mandalise >> is a multiple NDEr. She is a licensed professional counselor in private practice with children, adolescents and adults in individual and group settings. She is a former volunteer instructor with the American Red Cross as a ship nurse. Judith is experienced in pediatrics, intensive care and medical/surgical units, and a Specialist in Trauma Care. She is a patient advocate with Swedish Medical Center, Denver, CO

Laura Varela >> Laura Varela recently defended her dissertation for her Ph.D. in higher education from the University of the Incarnate Word in June 2022. Her research focused on nursing students’ knowledge of and attitudes towards NDEs. She has experience in research, student services, and teaching within higher education. Currently, she works in government contract administration
presenting with ...

NDEs: What Young People Need to Know

Debbie James NDE

Moderator: Debbie James, MSN, RN, CCRN-K / Vincent de Vice / Diane Corcoran, Col.(ret.) PhD / Judith Mandalise / Laura Varela, PhD

Fri.
4:30 pm
-
6:00 pm
MT
Rm 1 - Crystal Ballroom
90
Minutes
This Panel will highlight students studying NDEs. First, a Student nurse will interview a senior Military Nurse and how she became inspired by a patient who had an NDE. Secondly, a Ph.D. student will gain needed insight from a Near-Death Experiencer
Debbie James, MSN, RN, CCRN-K >>Debbie James has worked in the Adult Critical Care arena for the last 44 years as a clinical nurse, nurse manager, nurse educator, and Clinical Nurse Specialist. She is a certified bereavement facilitator and formed two support groups in San Antonio: one for near-death experiencers (NDErs) and for organ donor families. After completing her master’s thesis on NDEs and Disclosure, she served on the Board of the International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS). In 2009, Debbie co-authored and edited the first compilation of research on near-death experiences, Handbook of Near-Death Experiences: Thirty Years of Investigation. She has delivered numerous presentations regarding NDEs and spiritually transformative experiences (STEs) to small group sessions/classes as well as international conferences audiences

Vincent de Vice >> I am a senior nursing student in the process of completing my B.S.N. degree with an interest in homecare and hospice specialties. I have been reading NDE literature since high school and this interest has led me to IANDS. I deeply aspire to the multitude of research on NDE’s and have had the tremendous opportunity to collaborate with the IANDS community. Thanks to Deborah James and many other speakers and IANDS researchers, I have been graced with connecting with so many amazing people from a variety of disciplines from all over the world. I share my knowledge of NDE’s with many people and in mostly all of those encounters they yield a sincere enthusiastic interest. It would be an honor and a privilege to participate in a panel moderated by Deborah James along with some fellow students who have themselves happily engaged with NDE accounts and research

Dr. Diane Corcoran >> Diane Corcoran obtained her PhD in Nursing from the University of TX at Austin in 1981. At that time, she was also serving as an Officer in the U. S. Army – with a career that lasted 25 years. She heard her first NDE account from a young soldier. In 1981 a new organization was incorporated and is now known as the International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS). Diane has served on the Board of Directors numerous times, and this includes many years as President. She helped facilitate research conducted on the reality of events that we now know as Near-Death Experiences (NDEs). Diane now has her own consulting firm and that young soldier in Vietnam — he had told Diane about his NDE before there was a name for these types of experiences.

Judith Mandalise >> is a multiple NDEr. She is a licensed professional counselor in private practice with children, adolescents and adults in individual and group settings. She is a former volunteer instructor with the American Red Cross as a ship nurse. Judith is experienced in pediatrics, intensive care and medical/surgical units, and a Specialist in Trauma Care. She is a patient advocate with Swedish Medical Center, Denver, CO

Laura Varela >> Laura Varela recently defended her dissertation for her Ph.D. in higher education from the University of the Incarnate Word in June 2022. Her research focused on nursing students’ knowledge of and attitudes towards NDEs. She has experience in research, student services, and teaching within higher education. Currently, she works in government contract administration
presenting with ...

Love to the Millionth Power

Michelle Clare, Patricia Grabow, MEd, Betty Guadagno, CRPA

Fri.
4:30 pm
-
6:00 pm
MT
Rm 2 - Washington
90
Minutes
Join Betty Guadagno, Patricia Grabow, and Michelle Clare as they discuss the multiple ways that Spirit is connected to you. From a Kundalini awakening to multiple NDEs, you will see that Love is all around us, supporting us and helping us on this human journey.
Michelle Clare >> Michelle Clare is a Certified Medium, Angel Intuitive, Spiritual Coach, Energetic Healer, Intuitive Life Coach and 3-time Near Death Experience (NDE) survivor. She receives messages from loved ones who have crossed over, as well as Angels and Life Guides. In a span of 11 years, she had 3 near-death experiences, the first was in April 2000, the second was in May 2006 and a monumental life-changing event in which Michelle suffered a traumatic brain injury on November 1, 2011. Shortly after this life-altering event, she started receiving information for other people from their loved ones who had transitioned. All 3 NDEs were a reminder of the unconditional love and connection that surpasses our earthly life

Patricia Grabow, MEd >> Patricia Grabow died in an auto accident in London, England. Following her death and return she began a series of books including the story of her death and life afterwards in he book, Love to the Millionth Power; A woman’s Journey from Death, to Love, to the Immortal Now. The most important book to date, Patricia believes is her books on Climate Change: The Healing, outlined on her web page by the same name. The book has been described by the Dali Lama as a “wonderful” book and shows the oneness of all life and what is actually happening as all life is healing itself. She will discuss this very important topic and the depth of understanding that exists for all to experience

Betty Guadagno, CRPA >> Betty Guadagno went from a drug addicted, sex worker, and self-described radical atheist to a devout believer in long-term recovery, working as a recovery coach, and manifesting a life beyond her wildest dreams. She will take you through her awakening journey where she was shown her pre-birth planning, her divine mission, and the interconnectedness of all things
presenting with ...

Love to the Millionth Power

Michelle Clare, Patricia Grabow, MEd, Betty Guadagno, CRPA

Fri.
4:30 pm
-
6:00 pm
MT
Rm 2 - Washington
90
Minutes
Join Betty Guadagno, Patricia Grabow, and Michelle Clare as they discuss the multiple ways that Spirit is connected to you. From a Kundalini awakening to multiple NDEs, you will see that Love is all around us, supporting us and helping us on this human journey.
Michelle Clare >> Michelle Clare is a Certified Medium, Angel Intuitive, Spiritual Coach, Energetic Healer, Intuitive Life Coach and 3-time Near Death Experience (NDE) survivor. She receives messages from loved ones who have crossed over, as well as Angels and Life Guides. In a span of 11 years, she had 3 near-death experiences, the first was in April 2000, the second was in May 2006 and a monumental life-changing event in which Michelle suffered a traumatic brain injury on November 1, 2011. Shortly after this life-altering event, she started receiving information for other people from their loved ones who had transitioned. All 3 NDEs were a reminder of the unconditional love and connection that surpasses our earthly life

Patricia Grabow, MEd >> Patricia Grabow died in an auto accident in London, England. Following her death and return she began a series of books including the story of her death and life afterwards in he book, Love to the Millionth Power; A woman’s Journey from Death, to Love, to the Immortal Now. The most important book to date, Patricia believes is her books on Climate Change: The Healing, outlined on her web page by the same name. The book has been described by the Dali Lama as a “wonderful” book and shows the oneness of all life and what is actually happening as all life is healing itself. She will discuss this very important topic and the depth of understanding that exists for all to experience

Betty Guadagno, CRPA >> Betty Guadagno went from a drug addicted, sex worker, and self-described radical atheist to a devout believer in long-term recovery, working as a recovery coach, and manifesting a life beyond her wildest dreams. She will take you through her awakening journey where she was shown her pre-birth planning, her divine mission, and the interconnectedness of all things
presenting with ...

Registered Nurse Experiencers Advocating for the Support of the NDE and STE Patients

Moderator: Julie Hedenborg, MSNA / Jean Keegan Daly, RN, AHNA / Susanne Seymoure, BSN

Fri.
4:30 pm
-
6:00 pm
MT
Rm 3 - Wilson
90
Minutes
Three Registered Nurse experiencers share their personal and patient reports of near-death experiences, spiritually transformative experiences, out-of-body experiences, and inspirational messages about the afterlife, heaven, Jesus, angels and the love of God. Julie Hedenborg will Moderate the Q and A in-person at the Conference. They will discuss medical staff’s responses to patient reports of NDEs and STEs; including witnessing how patients were treated after sharing their events with fellow healthcare workers. Whenever the nurse experiencers actively listened and validated patient’s experiences, it helped them process, integrate and normalize their life-altering events. Such supportive measures help foster increased patient care and comfort. Supporting patient’s needs in every department of care has a positive impact on their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being, hastening their recovery or peaceful transition.
Julie Hedenborg, MSNA >> Professionally, Julie loved serving as a nurse. She worked two years in a Cardiovascular ICU, then pursued her Master of Science Degree and enjoyed a 16 year career as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. In 2009, she was recognized by the Mecklenburg Times as a Healthcare Hero. She has witnessed supernatural events with her patients, and in 2015 she experienced her own STE. In 2018 she launched the Everyday Miracles Podcast, reaching over 50 countries. The countless supernatural testimonies she receives in her podcast inbox (many people have never shared) have led her to have great compassion for experiencers

Jean Keegan Daly, RN, AHNA >> Jean Keegan Daly, a Holistic RN and former Hospice nurse is a Holistic Therapist, Counselor, and Educator specializing in a body, mind, spirit approach to health, wellness, and transitional phases of life including the dying process. Jean’s self-published book, “Reflections of a Seasoned Soul” details the story of her own profound NDE and some of her many lifelong STEs. In her book Jean also describes the transformational interactions she had with three of her most memorable hospice patients, two of whom appeared to her in their afterlife communications. A 57-year veteran RN, Jean has witnessed the NDEs and STEs of many patients as well as reactions of medical professionals and family members who disbelieved and invalidated the patients’ experiences. Their behaviors toward the patients were primarily due to their own bias and/or ignorance of this very real and important event in the patients’ own vivid encounters. Jean strongly advocates education to promote needed attitude changes and support for patients

Susanne Seymoure, BSN >> Susanne Seymoure was surprised when guided to become an RN after having a profound childhood NDE. Later she had 2 adult NDE’s. Susanne worked in CCU, Dept. Of Health and Nursing, Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injury, Nursing Education. A career span of 25 years. Having had a childhood NDE, she learned to integrate science and NDE insights to help others. She was able to assist many patients with their experiences. Author of her book “My Secrets Of Heaven” discussed on radio, TV, and in magazines in an effort to shine more Light

presenting with ...

Registered Nurse Experiencers Advocating for the Support of the NDE and STE Patients

Moderator: Julie Hedenborg, MSNA / Jean Keegan Daly, RN, AHNA / Susanne Seymoure, BSN

Fri.
4:30 pm
-
6:00 pm
MT
Rm 3 - Wilson
90
Minutes
Three Registered Nurse experiencers share their personal and patient reports of near-death experiences, spiritually transformative experiences, out-of-body experiences, and inspirational messages about the afterlife, heaven, Jesus, angels and the love of God. Julie Hedenborg will Moderate the Q and A in-person at the Conference. They will discuss medical staff’s responses to patient reports of NDEs and STEs; including witnessing how patients were treated after sharing their events with fellow healthcare workers. Whenever the nurse experiencers actively listened and validated patient’s experiences, it helped them process, integrate and normalize their life-altering events. Such supportive measures help foster increased patient care and comfort. Supporting patient’s needs in every department of care has a positive impact on their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being, hastening their recovery or peaceful transition.
Julie Hedenborg, MSNA >> Professionally, Julie loved serving as a nurse. She worked two years in a Cardiovascular ICU, then pursued her Master of Science Degree and enjoyed a 16 year career as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. In 2009, she was recognized by the Mecklenburg Times as a Healthcare Hero. She has witnessed supernatural events with her patients, and in 2015 she experienced her own STE. In 2018 she launched the Everyday Miracles Podcast, reaching over 50 countries. The countless supernatural testimonies she receives in her podcast inbox (many people have never shared) have led her to have great compassion for experiencers

Jean Keegan Daly, RN, AHNA >> Jean Keegan Daly, a Holistic RN and former Hospice nurse is a Holistic Therapist, Counselor, and Educator specializing in a body, mind, spirit approach to health, wellness, and transitional phases of life including the dying process. Jean’s self-published book, “Reflections of a Seasoned Soul” details the story of her own profound NDE and some of her many lifelong STEs. In her book Jean also describes the transformational interactions she had with three of her most memorable hospice patients, two of whom appeared to her in their afterlife communications. A 57-year veteran RN, Jean has witnessed the NDEs and STEs of many patients as well as reactions of medical professionals and family members who disbelieved and invalidated the patients’ experiences. Their behaviors toward the patients were primarily due to their own bias and/or ignorance of this very real and important event in the patients’ own vivid encounters. Jean strongly advocates education to promote needed attitude changes and support for patients

Susanne Seymoure, BSN >> Susanne Seymoure was surprised when guided to become an RN after having a profound childhood NDE. Later she had 2 adult NDE’s. Susanne worked in CCU, Dept. Of Health and Nursing, Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injury, Nursing Education. A career span of 25 years. Having had a childhood NDE, she learned to integrate science and NDE insights to help others. She was able to assist many patients with their experiences. Author of her book “My Secrets Of Heaven” discussed on radio, TV, and in magazines in an effort to shine more Light

presenting with ...

Revealing the Path: Transmuting Challenges Across All Time Through Gentleness and Love

Moderator: Kimberly Braun, MA, CSP / Sharon Milliman / Emilie Spear, BS, CIA, CISA, CRISC

Fri.
4:00 pm
-
5:00 pm
ET
Rm 3 - Wilson
60
Minutes
During this time of unprecedented challenge and uncertainty there are doors that already exist leading to realms of liberation and love. Join 4 NDE’ers as they draw upon the transformative insights of their experiences to provide for you: keys of understanding and direction that will unlock these doors, foundational evidence that the answers are within you as part of your essential nature, insight into the connectedness of all time and why this matters, and capacity to move forward through all circumstances empowered with clarity and inspiration.
Kimberly Braun, MA, CSP >> Kimberly has been devoted to meditation from the age of 5, with over ten of her years spent as a monastic nun. She is a retreat and workshop facilitator, TEDx speaker, meditation coach, and former meditation faculty at the renowned Omega Institute. She has produced three CDs and a book, Love Calls, Insights of a former Carmelite Nun, about her time as a nun. Communication through words has always been a shining way for Kimberly to be an instrument of inspiration and transformation. She identifies her personal call and mission to inspire others to live from the power and wisdom of Source within them.

Emily Spear, BS, CIA, CISA, CRISC >> Emilie is a successful businesswoman who has had a deep and lifelong spiritual practice. A few days after the birth of her twin daughters, unforeseen medical complications resulted in a life-changing near-death experience. Her vivid account of an eternal, graceful and all-encompassing love is filled with insights on how to cultivate a Heavenly experience within the day-to-day world of humanity. In the midst of this life-changing event, Emilie made a promise to share her experience of Divine Love in order to help others on their own journeys of inner healing and awakening.

Sharon Milliman >> Sharon is a four-time near-death experiencer. She is a published author, speaker, and licensed ordained minister. Sharon has presented as a guest speaker at a number of spiritually oriented groups, including IANDS groups, various churches, hospitals and hospice groups. Sharon was featured in an NDE documentary film by filmmaker and producer James Bonato in 2022. She was featured on the Dr. Oz Show in 2019, and the National Geographic channel in 2016. Sharon’s books include A Song In The Wind, A Near-Death Experience, The Whispers In The Wind, A Poetic Journey Of The Soul, and A Rose From Heaven.
presenting with ...

Revealing the Path: Transmuting Challenges Across All Time Through Gentleness and Love

Moderator: Kimberly Braun, MA, CSP / Sharon Milliman / Emilie Spear, BS, CIA, CISA, CRISC

Fri.
4:00 pm
-
5:00 pm
ET
Rm 3 - Wilson
60
Minutes
During this time of unprecedented challenge and uncertainty there are doors that already exist leading to realms of liberation and love. Join 4 NDE’ers as they draw upon the transformative insights of their experiences to provide for you: keys of understanding and direction that will unlock these doors, foundational evidence that the answers are within you as part of your essential nature, insight into the connectedness of all time and why this matters, and capacity to move forward through all circumstances empowered with clarity and inspiration.
Kimberly Braun, MA, CSP >> Kimberly has been devoted to meditation from the age of 5, with over ten of her years spent as a monastic nun. She is a retreat and workshop facilitator, TEDx speaker, meditation coach, and former meditation faculty at the renowned Omega Institute. She has produced three CDs and a book, Love Calls, Insights of a former Carmelite Nun, about her time as a nun. Communication through words has always been a shining way for Kimberly to be an instrument of inspiration and transformation. She identifies her personal call and mission to inspire others to live from the power and wisdom of Source within them.

Emily Spear, BS, CIA, CISA, CRISC >> Emilie is a successful businesswoman who has had a deep and lifelong spiritual practice. A few days after the birth of her twin daughters, unforeseen medical complications resulted in a life-changing near-death experience. Her vivid account of an eternal, graceful and all-encompassing love is filled with insights on how to cultivate a Heavenly experience within the day-to-day world of humanity. In the midst of this life-changing event, Emilie made a promise to share her experience of Divine Love in order to help others on their own journeys of inner healing and awakening.

Sharon Milliman >> Sharon is a four-time near-death experiencer. She is a published author, speaker, and licensed ordained minister. Sharon has presented as a guest speaker at a number of spiritually oriented groups, including IANDS groups, various churches, hospitals and hospice groups. Sharon was featured in an NDE documentary film by filmmaker and producer James Bonato in 2022. She was featured on the Dr. Oz Show in 2019, and the National Geographic channel in 2016. Sharon’s books include A Song In The Wind, A Near-Death Experience, The Whispers In The Wind, A Poetic Journey Of The Soul, and A Rose From Heaven.
presenting with ...

Life Between Life Reviews Enhance Love of Self and Love for Others

Co-presenters: Jim Fisher, MBA and Jen Catlin, MS

Fri.
9:15 am
-
10:15 am
ET
Rm 4 - Madison
60
Minutes
Learn what a life between life review (LBL) is and how hypnosis can be used to access guidance on one’s life purpose. Jim and Jen will discuss LBL reviews and how the information obtained can lead to greater love for oneself and for others. Through their own and others’ experiences, they will provide real-life examples showing how people benefited from their LBLs and inspired them toward loving action. You may be inspired to seek your own LBL to better appreciate the importance of the spiritual planning that went into your current incarnation, and gain insight into the behaviors of challenging people in your life.
Jim Fisher, MBA >> Jim is a retired CPA with a BS in Psychology and an MBA in Accounting. He served as the Treasurer of IANDS in 2019. Jim began exploring the breadth of reality 20 years ago when he met a near-death experiencer. Her story prompted a search for knowledge and experience that would expand his understanding of our collective spiritual nature. Several years ago Jim borrowed a concept from a friend and began a meetup group called Consciousness Café in North Carolina. The purpose of the group was to share experiences and broaden member awareness of their spiritual underpinnings. Jim’s efforts include multiple trips to the Monroe Institute, participation in Rhine Center programs, a two week healing retreat in the Peruvian jungle and trips to Togo, Africa exposing him to Togolese traditional spiritual practices.

Jen Catlin, MS >> Jen has an MS in Psychology and is a certified transpersonal, spiritual hypnotherapist, and hypnotherapy training instructor. She has had an NDE. She serves on the Education Committee for the Newton Institute. Jen has completed the Duke Integrated Mindfulness Training for Professionals.
presenting with ...

Life Between Life Reviews Enhance Love of Self and Love for Others

Co-presenters: Jim Fisher, MBA and Jen Catlin, MS

Fri.
9:15 am
-
10:15 am
ET
Rm 4 - Madison
60
Minutes
Learn what a life between life review (LBL) is and how hypnosis can be used to access guidance on one’s life purpose. Jim and Jen will discuss LBL reviews and how the information obtained can lead to greater love for oneself and for others. Through their own and others’ experiences, they will provide real-life examples showing how people benefited from their LBLs and inspired them toward loving action. You may be inspired to seek your own LBL to better appreciate the importance of the spiritual planning that went into your current incarnation, and gain insight into the behaviors of challenging people in your life.
Jim Fisher, MBA >> Jim is a retired CPA with a BS in Psychology and an MBA in Accounting. He served as the Treasurer of IANDS in 2019. Jim began exploring the breadth of reality 20 years ago when he met a near-death experiencer. Her story prompted a search for knowledge and experience that would expand his understanding of our collective spiritual nature. Several years ago Jim borrowed a concept from a friend and began a meetup group called Consciousness Café in North Carolina. The purpose of the group was to share experiences and broaden member awareness of their spiritual underpinnings. Jim’s efforts include multiple trips to the Monroe Institute, participation in Rhine Center programs, a two week healing retreat in the Peruvian jungle and trips to Togo, Africa exposing him to Togolese traditional spiritual practices.

Jen Catlin, MS >> Jen has an MS in Psychology and is a certified transpersonal, spiritual hypnotherapist, and hypnotherapy training instructor. She has had an NDE. She serves on the Education Committee for the Newton Institute. Jen has completed the Duke Integrated Mindfulness Training for Professionals.
presenting with ...

End of Life Experiences: Evidence for Terminal Lucidity in Children and Adults

Moderator: Marjorie Woollacott, PhD / Bruce Greyson, MD / Karalee Kothe, MA / Natasha Tassell-Matamua PhD

Fri.
4:00 pm
-
5:00 pm
ET
Rm 2 - Washington
60
Minutes
Terminal Lucidity is a phenomenon in which there are unexplained increases in mental clarity, verbal communication and/or physical capability in the days and hours prior to the death, in persons who are often mentally impaired or comatose. This panel will explore its history, the research that is ongoing in the area, new data from research in a pediatric population and descriptions of terminal lucidity in animals, and the significance of these results for care by family and the medical community at the end of life.
Marjorie Woollacott, PhD >> Marjorie Woollacott, PhD, is emeritus Professor and prior chair of the Dept. of Human Physiology, and member of the Institute of Neuroscience, at the University of Oregon. She taught courses in neuroscience as well as complementary medicine and meditation. She is President of the Academy for the Advancement of Post-Materialist Sciences, Research Director, IANDS, and Co-director of the Galileo Commission. Her current research interests are in meditation, spiritual awakening, end-of-life experiences and after-death-communication. She has published more than 200 scientific articles and written or co-edited nine books

Bruce Greyson, MD >> Dr. Greyson is the Chester Carlson Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences at the University of Virginia. He co-founded the International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS), and for 27 years edited the Journal of Near-Death Studies, the only scholarly journal dedicated to near-death research. Through his research, he has discovered common and universal themes in near-death experiences that go beyond neurophysiological or cultural interpretations, as well as patterns of consistent aftereffects on individuals’ attitudes, beliefs, values, and personalities. He was a co-editor of The Handbook of Near-Death Experiences: Thirty Years of Investigation. His most recent book, After: A Doctor Explores What Near-Death Experiences Reveal about Life and Beyond, is his first trade book bringing his scientific research to a popular audience.

Karalee Kothe, MA >> Karalee Kothe, MA, received degrees in Psychology and Global and Multicultural Studies from Montana State University working in the Stress, Adversity, Resilience and Health Lab, exploring different responses to acute anxiety between emotion regulation and mindfulness coping strategies. She earned her MA in Psychology at the Spirituality Mind Body Institute at Columbia University, aiding with research in NDEs. She is currently a PhD Clinical Health Psychology student at CU Denver, interested in exploring how clinical health populations can live meaningfully unhindered by fear of death, understanding the lessons that death and dying teach us about living, and connecting to our shared sense of mortality as our greatest common ground.

Natasha Tassell-Matamua, PhD >> Natasha is an Associate Professor and co-Director of the Centre for Indigenous Psychologies in the School of Psychology at Massey University, Aotearoa New Zealand. Her teaching is in the area of Indigenous psychologies, and in particular the utilization of Indigenous knowledges to effect meaningful change across a range of contexts. Her research typically focusses on the interplay between spirituality, well-being and the wider ecosystem. Natasha has also spent the last 14 years researching the phenomenology, after-effects and cultural specificity of near-death experiences and other exceptional experiences of consciousness, and has published extensively in the area as well as providing numerous presentations both nationally and internationally.
presenting with ...

End of Life Experiences: Evidence for Terminal Lucidity in Children and Adults

Moderator: Marjorie Woollacott, PhD / Bruce Greyson, MD / Karalee Kothe, MA / Natasha Tassell-Matamua PhD

Fri.
4:00 pm
-
5:00 pm
ET
Rm 2 - Washington
60
Minutes
Terminal Lucidity is a phenomenon in which there are unexplained increases in mental clarity, verbal communication and/or physical capability in the days and hours prior to the death, in persons who are often mentally impaired or comatose. This panel will explore its history, the research that is ongoing in the area, new data from research in a pediatric population and descriptions of terminal lucidity in animals, and the significance of these results for care by family and the medical community at the end of life.
Marjorie Woollacott, PhD >> Marjorie Woollacott, PhD, is emeritus Professor and prior chair of the Dept. of Human Physiology, and member of the Institute of Neuroscience, at the University of Oregon. She taught courses in neuroscience as well as complementary medicine and meditation. She is President of the Academy for the Advancement of Post-Materialist Sciences, Research Director, IANDS, and Co-director of the Galileo Commission. Her current research interests are in meditation, spiritual awakening, end-of-life experiences and after-death-communication. She has published more than 200 scientific articles and written or co-edited nine books

Bruce Greyson, MD >> Dr. Greyson is the Chester Carlson Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences at the University of Virginia. He co-founded the International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS), and for 27 years edited the Journal of Near-Death Studies, the only scholarly journal dedicated to near-death research. Through his research, he has discovered common and universal themes in near-death experiences that go beyond neurophysiological or cultural interpretations, as well as patterns of consistent aftereffects on individuals’ attitudes, beliefs, values, and personalities. He was a co-editor of The Handbook of Near-Death Experiences: Thirty Years of Investigation. His most recent book, After: A Doctor Explores What Near-Death Experiences Reveal about Life and Beyond, is his first trade book bringing his scientific research to a popular audience.

Karalee Kothe, MA >> Karalee Kothe, MA, received degrees in Psychology and Global and Multicultural Studies from Montana State University working in the Stress, Adversity, Resilience and Health Lab, exploring different responses to acute anxiety between emotion regulation and mindfulness coping strategies. She earned her MA in Psychology at the Spirituality Mind Body Institute at Columbia University, aiding with research in NDEs. She is currently a PhD Clinical Health Psychology student at CU Denver, interested in exploring how clinical health populations can live meaningfully unhindered by fear of death, understanding the lessons that death and dying teach us about living, and connecting to our shared sense of mortality as our greatest common ground.

Natasha Tassell-Matamua, PhD >> Natasha is an Associate Professor and co-Director of the Centre for Indigenous Psychologies in the School of Psychology at Massey University, Aotearoa New Zealand. Her teaching is in the area of Indigenous psychologies, and in particular the utilization of Indigenous knowledges to effect meaningful change across a range of contexts. Her research typically focusses on the interplay between spirituality, well-being and the wider ecosystem. Natasha has also spent the last 14 years researching the phenomenology, after-effects and cultural specificity of near-death experiences and other exceptional experiences of consciousness, and has published extensively in the area as well as providing numerous presentations both nationally and internationally.
presenting with ...

A 12-Step NDE Integration Process: In Service to Experiencers and Their Loved Ones

Moderator: Bethany Silver, PhD / Diana (DiFranco) Marquez Lyons, LCSW, LISW, ACISTE ACMHP / Jim Bruton

Fri.
12:15 pm
-
1:15 pm
ET
Rm 2 - Washington
60
Minutes
Near-Death Experiences are uniquely personal and life changing. Until they find community among their own, Experiencers may feel rejected, isolated, confused and afraid to reach out for support. Learn how to facilitate a 12-Step NDE Integration support group that offers experiencers a path to community, validation, support and acceptance.
Bethany Silver, PhD >> has been an educator for 25+ years. She began her teaching career as a psychology instructor at Manchester Community College. At UConn’s Neag School of Education she served as the Director of the Professional Development Academy and Assistant Professor of Educational Technology. Dr. Silver has taught courses in research methods, evaluation, assessment, and learning. She has engaged her research skills with neurology patients at Hartford Hospital and public school districts in Connecticut. Bethany has been interested in NDEs since her graduate work at UConn exposed her to the work of Dr. Kenneth Ring, returning to study NDEs after recent losses of family members and friends. She co-facilitates the CT IANDS NDE Support Group with Tina Angeli and Jack Lardis, beginning in May 2020.

Diana (DiFranco) Marquez Lyons, LCSW, LISW, ACISTE ACMHP >> is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who specializes in supporting Near-Death Experiencers and their families. Ms. Marquez Lyons has had her own psychotherapy practice since 2010. A spiritual seeker most of her life, in 2010 Diana had a shared death experience when her mom passed. She was the founder and leader of the CT Shoreline IANDS for seven years and has also had a kundalini awakening. Diana has spent the majority of her adult life studying Spiritually Transformative Experiences, as well as Near-Death Experiences and the aftereffects. Diana earned her ACISTE Certified Mental Health provider certification from The American Center for the Integration of Spiritual Experiences (ACISTE). She was invited to present at the ACISTE conference in 2013. Diana also presented at the 2015 IANDS conference, and in 2021 with Jim Bruton, and in 2022 with Bethany Silver and Jim Bruton.

Jim Bruton >> Jim Bruton has been a world traveler and adventurer for much of his life- his adventures ranging from living in Africa as wildlife filmmaker for National Geographic to serving as a war journalist for NBC News. Using only a backpack, providing news coverage as a war journalist for NBC News in Iraq, and Lecturing in Telemedicine at Yale University School of Medicine. But when his experimental aircraft crashed in Oct. 2016, he had an adventure that topped them all. Transported to the In Between, his NDE there was not a typical passive one but required him to do something- to change his future and see how all things are interconnected. Jim has documented all of this in his books, “The In Between, A Trip of a Lifetime” (2020), and “The Practice in Between: The Art of Letting Go”(2021).
presenting with ...

A 12-Step NDE Integration Process: In Service to Experiencers and Their Loved Ones

Moderator: Bethany Silver, PhD / Diana (DiFranco) Marquez Lyons, LCSW, LISW, ACISTE ACMHP / Jim Bruton

Fri.
12:15 pm
-
1:15 pm
ET
Rm 2 - Washington
60
Minutes
Near-Death Experiences are uniquely personal and life changing. Until they find community among their own, Experiencers may feel rejected, isolated, confused and afraid to reach out for support. Learn how to facilitate a 12-Step NDE Integration support group that offers experiencers a path to community, validation, support and acceptance.
Bethany Silver, PhD >> has been an educator for 25+ years. She began her teaching career as a psychology instructor at Manchester Community College. At UConn’s Neag School of Education she served as the Director of the Professional Development Academy and Assistant Professor of Educational Technology. Dr. Silver has taught courses in research methods, evaluation, assessment, and learning. She has engaged her research skills with neurology patients at Hartford Hospital and public school districts in Connecticut. Bethany has been interested in NDEs since her graduate work at UConn exposed her to the work of Dr. Kenneth Ring, returning to study NDEs after recent losses of family members and friends. She co-facilitates the CT IANDS NDE Support Group with Tina Angeli and Jack Lardis, beginning in May 2020.

Diana (DiFranco) Marquez Lyons, LCSW, LISW, ACISTE ACMHP >> is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who specializes in supporting Near-Death Experiencers and their families. Ms. Marquez Lyons has had her own psychotherapy practice since 2010. A spiritual seeker most of her life, in 2010 Diana had a shared death experience when her mom passed. She was the founder and leader of the CT Shoreline IANDS for seven years and has also had a kundalini awakening. Diana has spent the majority of her adult life studying Spiritually Transformative Experiences, as well as Near-Death Experiences and the aftereffects. Diana earned her ACISTE Certified Mental Health provider certification from The American Center for the Integration of Spiritual Experiences (ACISTE). She was invited to present at the ACISTE conference in 2013. Diana also presented at the 2015 IANDS conference, and in 2021 with Jim Bruton, and in 2022 with Bethany Silver and Jim Bruton.

Jim Bruton >> Jim Bruton has been a world traveler and adventurer for much of his life- his adventures ranging from living in Africa as wildlife filmmaker for National Geographic to serving as a war journalist for NBC News. Using only a backpack, providing news coverage as a war journalist for NBC News in Iraq, and Lecturing in Telemedicine at Yale University School of Medicine. But when his experimental aircraft crashed in Oct. 2016, he had an adventure that topped them all. Transported to the In Between, his NDE there was not a typical passive one but required him to do something- to change his future and see how all things are interconnected. Jim has documented all of this in his books, “The In Between, A Trip of a Lifetime” (2020), and “The Practice in Between: The Art of Letting Go”(2021).
presenting with ...

Back to the Beyond, Exploring Near-Death Experiences Through Hypnosis

Moderators: Adam Dince, MBA and Betty Guadagno

Fri.
1:30 pm
-
2:30 pm
ET
Rm 5 - Monroe
60
Minutes
Hypnotherapist, Adam Dince, will speak about how hypnosis can allow you to revisit the dimensions and realms you journeyed to during the out-of-body experience portion of your NDE. And be prepared to have your mind blown by Betty Guagdano’s hypnotic journey back to the Beyond. Adam and Betty will also be facilitating a Q&A session after the presentation. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about how hypnotherapy can help near-death experiencers reconnect with the place most call home.
Adam Dince, MBA >> Adam is the author of “Back to the Beyond: Exploring Near-Death Experiences Through Hypnosis.” He specializes in past life regression, life between lives regression (LBL), and hypnotic regression techniques that heal traumas, limiting beliefs, and other challenging life experiences. In addition to hypnotherapy, he is also a Sacred Medicine Man, Reiki Master Teacher, author, and the founder of & healer at Sacred Stairways Hypnotherapy & Healing located in Stillwater, Minnesota.

Betty Guadagno >> Betty Guadagno had a spiritually transformative experience in March of 2019. Betty underwent a 180-degree transformation from drug addict, sex worker, and radical atheist to a devout believer, in long term recovery, and working as a recovery coach. During her integration process, she felt an incredible pull towards establishing spiritual community in her life. She has been connected to the IANDS community since December of 2020. Betty began her involvement with IANDS as an attendee of our sharing groups. She quickly got involved with service to the community by volunteering as a facilitator and moderator. Betty then moved into the role of Webinar Coordinator for IANDS Groups and Events.
presenting with ...

Back to the Beyond, Exploring Near-Death Experiences Through Hypnosis

Moderators: Adam Dince, MBA and Betty Guadagno

Fri.
1:30 pm
-
2:30 pm
ET
Rm 5 - Monroe
60
Minutes
Hypnotherapist, Adam Dince, will speak about how hypnosis can allow you to revisit the dimensions and realms you journeyed to during the out-of-body experience portion of your NDE. And be prepared to have your mind blown by Betty Guagdano’s hypnotic journey back to the Beyond. Adam and Betty will also be facilitating a Q&A session after the presentation. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about how hypnotherapy can help near-death experiencers reconnect with the place most call home.
Adam Dince, MBA >> Adam is the author of “Back to the Beyond: Exploring Near-Death Experiences Through Hypnosis.” He specializes in past life regression, life between lives regression (LBL), and hypnotic regression techniques that heal traumas, limiting beliefs, and other challenging life experiences. In addition to hypnotherapy, he is also a Sacred Medicine Man, Reiki Master Teacher, author, and the founder of & healer at Sacred Stairways Hypnotherapy & Healing located in Stillwater, Minnesota.

Betty Guadagno >> Betty Guadagno had a spiritually transformative experience in March of 2019. Betty underwent a 180-degree transformation from drug addict, sex worker, and radical atheist to a devout believer, in long term recovery, and working as a recovery coach. During her integration process, she felt an incredible pull towards establishing spiritual community in her life. She has been connected to the IANDS community since December of 2020. Betty began her involvement with IANDS as an attendee of our sharing groups. She quickly got involved with service to the community by volunteering as a facilitator and moderator. Betty then moved into the role of Webinar Coordinator for IANDS Groups and Events.
presenting with ...

2022 Day 3 - Saturday - Panels

Panel: Loving Assistance for the Experiencer: How to Help (Bring your Own Lunch)

Moderator: Lynn Johnson, PhD: Jim Bruton / Chris Kito / Bethany Silver / Diana Marquez Lyons DiFranco, LCSW, ACMHP ( pre-recorded)

Sat.
10:15 am
-
11:45 am
MT
Rm 2 - Washington
90
Minutes
NDErs have life changing insights that can make them feel isolated and fearful of sharing with others. This presentation illustrates the process of creating a support group
Lynn Johnson, PhD >> Lynn Johnson received a PhD in clinical/counseling psychology in 1976 and has been a practicing psychologist since that time. In 1991 he and two friends created the Utah NDE support group that became a component of IANDS

Jim Bruton >> Jim Bruton has been a world traveler and adventure for much of his life- his adventures ranging from living in Africa as wildlife filmmaker for National Geographic to serving as a war journalist for NBC News. Using only a backpack, providing news coverage as a war journalist for NBC News in Iraq, and Lecturing in Telemedicine at Yale University School of Medicine. But when his experimental aircraft crashed in Oct. 2016, he had an adventure that topped them all. Transported to the In Between, his NDE there was not a typical passive one but required him to do something- to change his future and see how all things are interconnected. Jim has documented all of this in his book, “The In Between, A Trip of a Lifetime”

Chris Kito >> At the age of 24, Chris Kito went into anaphylactic shock from a food allergy, and it led him into a life changing Near-Death Experience, in 2012. He will be discussing the events leading up to the NDE, the NDE experience, the NDE event’s aftereffects upon him, and how he has been integrating the experience into his life, both personally and professionally. Chris will also discuss the opportunities and challenges of this life-altering event and how it affects individuals entering adulthood

Bethany Silver >> Bethany B. Silver, Ph.D. has been an educator for 20+ years. She began her teaching career as a psychology instructor at Manchester Community College. At UConn’s Neag School of Education she served as the Director of the Professional Development Academy and Assistant Professor of Educational Technology. Dr. Silver has taught courses in research methods, evaluation, assessment, and learning. She has engaged her research skills with neurology patients at Hartford Hospital, the Capitol Region Education Council, Bloomfield Public Schools, and currently serves as the Chief Performance Officer for the Hartford Public Schools. Bethany has published and presented at conferences nationally and internationally, in the areas of predictive modeling, instructional data teaming, and creating visionary data environments. She is named on a U.S. patent for an assessment reporting system. Mrs. Silver has always been interested in NDEs. Her work in post-NDE-Integration has been inspired and informed by Jim Bruton and Susan Redwine. She extends gratitude to her colleagues Tina Angeli, Jack Lardis, Sue Maisano, and other members of the Farmington, CT NDE Support Group, which she joined in 2020
presenting with ...

Panel: Loving Assistance for the Experiencer: How to Help (Bring your Own Lunch)

Moderator: Lynn Johnson, PhD: Jim Bruton / Chris Kito / Bethany Silver / Diana Marquez Lyons DiFranco, LCSW, ACMHP ( pre-recorded)

Sat.
10:15 am
-
11:45 am
MT
Rm 2 - Washington
90
Minutes
NDErs have life changing insights that can make them feel isolated and fearful of sharing with others. This presentation illustrates the process of creating a support group
Lynn Johnson, PhD >> Lynn Johnson received a PhD in clinical/counseling psychology in 1976 and has been a practicing psychologist since that time. In 1991 he and two friends created the Utah NDE support group that became a component of IANDS

Jim Bruton >> Jim Bruton has been a world traveler and adventure for much of his life- his adventures ranging from living in Africa as wildlife filmmaker for National Geographic to serving as a war journalist for NBC News. Using only a backpack, providing news coverage as a war journalist for NBC News in Iraq, and Lecturing in Telemedicine at Yale University School of Medicine. But when his experimental aircraft crashed in Oct. 2016, he had an adventure that topped them all. Transported to the In Between, his NDE there was not a typical passive one but required him to do something- to change his future and see how all things are interconnected. Jim has documented all of this in his book, “The In Between, A Trip of a Lifetime”

Chris Kito >> At the age of 24, Chris Kito went into anaphylactic shock from a food allergy, and it led him into a life changing Near-Death Experience, in 2012. He will be discussing the events leading up to the NDE, the NDE experience, the NDE event’s aftereffects upon him, and how he has been integrating the experience into his life, both personally and professionally. Chris will also discuss the opportunities and challenges of this life-altering event and how it affects individuals entering adulthood

Bethany Silver >> Bethany B. Silver, Ph.D. has been an educator for 20+ years. She began her teaching career as a psychology instructor at Manchester Community College. At UConn’s Neag School of Education she served as the Director of the Professional Development Academy and Assistant Professor of Educational Technology. Dr. Silver has taught courses in research methods, evaluation, assessment, and learning. She has engaged her research skills with neurology patients at Hartford Hospital, the Capitol Region Education Council, Bloomfield Public Schools, and currently serves as the Chief Performance Officer for the Hartford Public Schools. Bethany has published and presented at conferences nationally and internationally, in the areas of predictive modeling, instructional data teaming, and creating visionary data environments. She is named on a U.S. patent for an assessment reporting system. Mrs. Silver has always been interested in NDEs. Her work in post-NDE-Integration has been inspired and informed by Jim Bruton and Susan Redwine. She extends gratitude to her colleagues Tina Angeli, Jack Lardis, Sue Maisano, and other members of the Farmington, CT NDE Support Group, which she joined in 2020
presenting with ...
Debbie James NDE

Voices of COVID: Near-Death Experiencers

COVID & NDE panel: Debbie James, MSN, RN, CCRN-K / Jeff Fusco, AS / Randy Schiefer, MSFS / Travis Shreeve

Sat.
12:45 pm
-
2:15 pm
MT
Rm 1 - Crystal Ballroom
90
Minutes
Jeff Fusco’s Covid-19 journey began on March 24, 2020 when he was hospitalized after crashing in the ER. Over the next few months, he was moved to 4 different hospitals and with only 2 hours to live, was rushed by helicopter to the Cleveland Clinic. Doctors said Jeff was the worst case of Covid-19 they have ever witnessed. In his last hours, Jeff had a OBE shared experience with his parents giving him permission to leave and his wife telling him to fight if he wanted to live. Jeff’s father pointed for Jeff to look over his shoulder and there stood Christ. Then Jeff found himself sitting on God’s lap discussing whether he should return to earth or remain with Him. Jeff looked over God’s shoulder and saw what he thought were the gates of heaven. Recalling his wife’s words to fight if he wanted to live, Jeff found himself back in his body. What happened next was a Miracle of God, a test of his faith with an evil presence and how prayer helped him miraculously recover from Covid-19!
Debbie James, MSN, RN, CCRN-K >> Debbie James has worked in the Adult Critical Care arena for the last 44 years as a clinical nurse, nurse manager, nurse educator, and Clinical Nurse Specialist. She is a certified bereavement facilitator and formed two support groups in San Antonio: one for near-death experiencers (NDErs) and for organ donor families. After completing her master’s thesis on NDEs and Disclosure, she served on the Board of the International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS). In 2009, Debbie co-authored and edited the first compilation of research on near-death experiences, Handbook of Near-Death Experiences: Thirty Years of Investigation. She has delivered numerous presentations regarding NDEs and spiritually transformative experiences (STEs) to small group sessions/classes as well as international conferences audiences

Jeff Fusco, AS, >> Jeff is married to his wife Theresa of 35 years. They have 2 children and currently live in Canfield, Ohio. He attained his Associates degree in Computer Science/Programming at the ATES Technical Institute. He began his career at GBS Corp, i-Tech Solutions Group as a Customer Service Representative focused on software for the construction industry, eventually learning to implement and support a core set of Standard Financial Software applications designed for general business management. Following his bout with Covid-19, Jeff decided to in September 2020, ending his 35+ year career as the Executive Vice-President for the GBS Corp, i-Tech Solutions Group headquartered in Youngstown, Ohio

Randy Schiefer, MSFS >> Randy holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology and a Master of Forensics Science Degree. He spent 20 years in the United States Air Force as a Security Policeman and as a Special Agent in the Office of Special Investigations. He retired in 1992. From the Air Force Randy started teaching at the collegiate level, entering as an adjunct instructor and working his way to Department Chair and finally as the college campus Director. He retired (again) in 2014 and moved to Florida in 2015. Randy married his high school sweetheart in 1972. They have three marvelous daughters, two grandchildren, and a third due in August

Travis Shreeve, CPA >> I’m a CPA in my early 40s. I’ve lost 2 children to a Genetic condition. Whitney at 16 months and Vincent at 8 years. My wife and I have been married for 18 years with what feels like 3 different families. My experience made the family feel as one
presenting with ...

Voices of COVID: Near-Death Experiencers

Debbie James NDE

COVID & NDE panel: Debbie James, MSN, RN, CCRN-K / Jeff Fusco, AS / Randy Schiefer, MSFS / Travis Shreeve

Sat.
12:45 pm
-
2:15 pm
MT
Rm 1 - Crystal Ballroom
90
Minutes
Jeff Fusco’s Covid-19 journey began on March 24, 2020 when he was hospitalized after crashing in the ER. Over the next few months, he was moved to 4 different hospitals and with only 2 hours to live, was rushed by helicopter to the Cleveland Clinic. Doctors said Jeff was the worst case of Covid-19 they have ever witnessed. In his last hours, Jeff had a OBE shared experience with his parents giving him permission to leave and his wife telling him to fight if he wanted to live. Jeff’s father pointed for Jeff to look over his shoulder and there stood Christ. Then Jeff found himself sitting on God’s lap discussing whether he should return to earth or remain with Him. Jeff looked over God’s shoulder and saw what he thought were the gates of heaven. Recalling his wife’s words to fight if he wanted to live, Jeff found himself back in his body. What happened next was a Miracle of God, a test of his faith with an evil presence and how prayer helped him miraculously recover from Covid-19!
Debbie James, MSN, RN, CCRN-K >> Debbie James has worked in the Adult Critical Care arena for the last 44 years as a clinical nurse, nurse manager, nurse educator, and Clinical Nurse Specialist. She is a certified bereavement facilitator and formed two support groups in San Antonio: one for near-death experiencers (NDErs) and for organ donor families. After completing her master’s thesis on NDEs and Disclosure, she served on the Board of the International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS). In 2009, Debbie co-authored and edited the first compilation of research on near-death experiences, Handbook of Near-Death Experiences: Thirty Years of Investigation. She has delivered numerous presentations regarding NDEs and spiritually transformative experiences (STEs) to small group sessions/classes as well as international conferences audiences

Jeff Fusco, AS, >> Jeff is married to his wife Theresa of 35 years. They have 2 children and currently live in Canfield, Ohio. He attained his Associates degree in Computer Science/Programming at the ATES Technical Institute. He began his career at GBS Corp, i-Tech Solutions Group as a Customer Service Representative focused on software for the construction industry, eventually learning to implement and support a core set of Standard Financial Software applications designed for general business management. Following his bout with Covid-19, Jeff decided to in September 2020, ending his 35+ year career as the Executive Vice-President for the GBS Corp, i-Tech Solutions Group headquartered in Youngstown, Ohio

Randy Schiefer, MSFS >> Randy holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology and a Master of Forensics Science Degree. He spent 20 years in the United States Air Force as a Security Policeman and as a Special Agent in the Office of Special Investigations. He retired in 1992. From the Air Force Randy started teaching at the collegiate level, entering as an adjunct instructor and working his way to Department Chair and finally as the college campus Director. He retired (again) in 2014 and moved to Florida in 2015. Randy married his high school sweetheart in 1972. They have three marvelous daughters, two grandchildren, and a third due in August

Travis Shreeve, CPA >> I’m a CPA in my early 40s. I’ve lost 2 children to a Genetic condition. Whitney at 16 months and Vincent at 8 years. My wife and I have been married for 18 years with what feels like 3 different families. My experience made the family feel as one
presenting with ...

Portals to Transformation: Abuse and Trauma Before an NDE

Moderator: Chris Batts / Alma Blazquez, EdD / Betty Guadagno, CRPA

Sat.
3:45 pm
-
4:45 pm
MT
Rm 3 - Wilson
60
Minutes
Each of these panelists had suffered harrowing experiences in their lives, which will be the context for the great contrast and miraculous outcomes of their NDEs. We will see with them, as they illustrate for us their discoveries, awakenings, and healings. Bearing witness to these particular journeys to transformation connects us to the profound power and beauty that each lifetime can bring.
Chris Batts >> Chris Batts is an author and motivational speaker and has been featured by Johns Hopkins University Press. Chris had a near death experience that happened after a suicide attempt. In his book “Boom- The Life and Times of a Suicide Near Death Experiencer”, he goes in detail about his life, what led up to his suicide attempt and how his life has changed after. He was taken to the spiritual realm and experienced telepathic thoughts from God. He also met many angels including two who were familiar and is still in contact with to date. Chris’s strongest mission is to deter people from suicide. Many people who go through dark times and depression don’t realize how much they are loved

Alma Blazquez >> My educational background includes a BS in early childhood development, desiring to learn how the human developed in utero. I continued with a MA in Specialized education due to the passion I gained for infants born with developmental and physical differences. I then researched and completed a dissertation on nine social sciences and how they affect the teenager who has not been able to feel loved. After my 2012 NDE, I have become an international specialized education mediator, assisting those of all ages with gaining greater brain plasticity using brain exercises: yoga, breath work and Ayurveda: Body, Mind and Soul Attunement (Thomas Hubl), Inner Relational Focusing (Gene Gendlin, Ann W. Cornell)

Betty Guadagno >> Betty went from a drug addicted, sex worker, and self-described radical atheist to a devout believer in long-term recovery, working as a recovery coach, and manifesting a life beyond her wildest dreams. She will take you through her awakening journey where she was shown her pre-birth planning, her divine mission, and the interconnectedness of all things
presenting with ...

Portals to Transformation: Abuse and Trauma Before an NDE

Moderator: Chris Batts / Alma Blazquez, EdD / Betty Guadagno, CRPA

Sat.
3:45 pm
-
4:45 pm
MT
Rm 3 - Wilson
60
Minutes
Each of these panelists had suffered harrowing experiences in their lives, which will be the context for the great contrast and miraculous outcomes of their NDEs. We will see with them, as they illustrate for us their discoveries, awakenings, and healings. Bearing witness to these particular journeys to transformation connects us to the profound power and beauty that each lifetime can bring.
Chris Batts >> Chris Batts is an author and motivational speaker and has been featured by Johns Hopkins University Press. Chris had a near death experience that happened after a suicide attempt. In his book “Boom- The Life and Times of a Suicide Near Death Experiencer”, he goes in detail about his life, what led up to his suicide attempt and how his life has changed after. He was taken to the spiritual realm and experienced telepathic thoughts from God. He also met many angels including two who were familiar and is still in contact with to date. Chris’s strongest mission is to deter people from suicide. Many people who go through dark times and depression don’t realize how much they are loved

Alma Blazquez >> My educational background includes a BS in early childhood development, desiring to learn how the human developed in utero. I continued with a MA in Specialized education due to the passion I gained for infants born with developmental and physical differences. I then researched and completed a dissertation on nine social sciences and how they affect the teenager who has not been able to feel loved. After my 2012 NDE, I have become an international specialized education mediator, assisting those of all ages with gaining greater brain plasticity using brain exercises: yoga, breath work and Ayurveda: Body, Mind and Soul Attunement (Thomas Hubl), Inner Relational Focusing (Gene Gendlin, Ann W. Cornell)

Betty Guadagno >> Betty went from a drug addicted, sex worker, and self-described radical atheist to a devout believer in long-term recovery, working as a recovery coach, and manifesting a life beyond her wildest dreams. She will take you through her awakening journey where she was shown her pre-birth planning, her divine mission, and the interconnectedness of all things
presenting with ...

Journey's to Awareness: NDEs as Transformations to Love

Moderator: Greg Pacini / David Oakford / James Owen / Nadine Telishewsky

Sat.
12:45 pm
-
2:15 pm
MT
Rm 3 - Wilson
90
Minutes
The journey to awareness that may follow an NDE often leads to a profound sense of expanded love and may express itself in many ways: lifestyle changes, books or music written; even theories developed explaining answers to some of life’s biggest questions. However, the path to those expressions of love is not always smooth. This panel will explore both aspects of the Journeys To Awareness.
Greg Pacini >> By day, Greg is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Group Psychotherapist with over 40 years experience. His book, Journey Beyond Hardship, has the endorsement of both Anita Moorjani and Larry Dossey, MD. Also, by day, Greg’s a musician, creating four CD’s, garnering airplay, and opening for Joan Borysenko. However, recently, on the heels of participation in IANDS and Tricia Barkers’ 2021 summits, Greg realized that he didn’t almost die at birth. He did. And a profound experience while a Benedictine novitiate was actually a remembrance of the NDE that came with his young death. Greg now sees that his music captures much of what has stayed with him from that NDE, and is most evident in songs of his CD, One Soul. Greg will perform songs from that CD, share more about the now-connected pieces of his life, and also sing the title track from his first CD To Soul. Interestingly, Greg spoke at the IANDS Annual Group Leader Retreat in the late 90’s)

David Oakford’s NDE was in 1979. Since then, David has worked in a few factories, served in the USN, and attended business school and earned 4-year degree in accounting. He was a stay-at-home father for his growing family as well. He’s worked as a Software Analyst and was laid off in the Great Recession. Currently, David is disabled and works part time as a Janitor at his city’s spooky old movie theater. David lives with his family in Metro Detroit

James Owen >> Jim Owen has a 50+ year career in real estate marketing and as an auctioneer. Starting his career in his home state of West Virginia he later lived for 30+ years in North Texas where he experienced his NDE. Jim has traveled internationally as an auctioneer selling high-value assets After many life-changing events he’s settled down in Tampa Florida with his fiancé, a lady he nearly married 48 years prior, and with a dramatic story of how his NDE brought them back together

Nadine Telishewsky >> Nadine has a BA in Psychology and worked with the homeless population for a decade. She’s currently an Energy Practitioner and Spiritual Coach, and writing a book about her NDE, astral travels, and angelic communications
HTTP://www.lovelightenergyhealing.ca
presenting with ...

Journey's to Awareness: NDEs as Transformations to Love

Moderator: Greg Pacini / David Oakford / James Owen / Nadine Telishewsky

Sat.
12:45 pm
-
2:15 pm
MT
Rm 3 - Wilson
90
Minutes
The journey to awareness that may follow an NDE often leads to a profound sense of expanded love and may express itself in many ways: lifestyle changes, books or music written; even theories developed explaining answers to some of life’s biggest questions. However, the path to those expressions of love is not always smooth. This panel will explore both aspects of the Journeys To Awareness.
Greg Pacini >> By day, Greg is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Group Psychotherapist with over 40 years experience. His book, Journey Beyond Hardship, has the endorsement of both Anita Moorjani and Larry Dossey, MD. Also, by day, Greg’s a musician, creating four CD’s, garnering airplay, and opening for Joan Borysenko. However, recently, on the heels of participation in IANDS and Tricia Barkers’ 2021 summits, Greg realized that he didn’t almost die at birth. He did. And a profound experience while a Benedictine novitiate was actually a remembrance of the NDE that came with his young death. Greg now sees that his music captures much of what has stayed with him from that NDE, and is most evident in songs of his CD, One Soul. Greg will perform songs from that CD, share more about the now-connected pieces of his life, and also sing the title track from his first CD To Soul. Interestingly, Greg spoke at the IANDS Annual Group Leader Retreat in the late 90’s)

David Oakford’s NDE was in 1979. Since then, David has worked in a few factories, served in the USN, and attended business school and earned 4-year degree in accounting. He was a stay-at-home father for his growing family as well. He’s worked as a Software Analyst and was laid off in the Great Recession. Currently, David is disabled and works part time as a Janitor at his city’s spooky old movie theater. David lives with his family in Metro Detroit

James Owen >> Jim Owen has a 50+ year career in real estate marketing and as an auctioneer. Starting his career in his home state of West Virginia he later lived for 30+ years in North Texas where he experienced his NDE. Jim has traveled internationally as an auctioneer selling high-value assets After many life-changing events he’s settled down in Tampa Florida with his fiancé, a lady he nearly married 48 years prior, and with a dramatic story of how his NDE brought them back together

Nadine Telishewsky >> Nadine has a BA in Psychology and worked with the homeless population for a decade. She’s currently an Energy Practitioner and Spiritual Coach, and writing a book about her NDE, astral travels, and angelic communications
HTTP://www.lovelightenergyhealing.ca
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