Leslie Davenport works internationally as a climate psychology consultant, engaging the intersection of climate, mental health, education, policy, and social justice. She authored five books including Emotional Resiliency in the Era of Climate Change, and All the Feelings Under the Sun. She is the program and faculty lead for the Climate Psychology Certification at the California Institute of Integral Studies.

Leslie’s presentation is called, “The Ecology of Our Inner Landscapes”. Leslie said this about her presentation: “The Ecology of Our Inner Landscapes will show how imagery and related practices are essential to reawakening dormant capacities needed to birth a new world, particularly as it relates to the climate crisis.”

Cherie Spehar, LISW is a trauma therapist with 30 years

experience working with women and children. For 20 of those years, she has been in private practice, specializing in the Expressive Arts. She is an educator, trainer, and a therapeutic facilitator of sacred healing via groups and workshops, and is founder of an Expressive Arts Healing Center.

The title of her presentation is, “Reclaiming the Witch: Harnessing Archetypal Imagery for Self-Transformation”. Cherie said this about her presentation: “This workshop directly engages with the theme ‘Birthing a New World with Imagery’ by using the transformative power of the witch archetype and symbolic imagery to explore and manifest a renewed sense of self. Participants will engage in a process of inner rebirth, discovering and reclaiming hidden aspects of their identity, thereby birthing a new version of themselves empowered by deeper self-awareness and intuition.”

Dr. Margrit Juette is a German Anthropologist, Deep Imagery Guide, Writer and Musician.

She has spent years in Colombia, doing ethnographic fieldwork related to shamanism among indigenous cultures. About 20 years ago she met and studied with DR. E.S. Gallegos and his method of Personal Totem Pole Process©  and Deep Imagery which since then has been a very important part in her life.

Margrit’s presentation is called, “Using Deep Imagery in Rites of Passage – Individual and Collective (Re)Births”. Margrit had this to say about her presentation: “Like every birth, the birth of a new world is a rite of passage. And each person is a microcosm of this collective rebirth. This workshop initially offers an anthropological view on rites of passage in general and their meaning for us humans. We will then take a look at the method of Deep Imagery Personal Totem Pole Process and how it can support past or current rites of passage in a person's life in an active yet very gentle way.

Leri Smith is a metaphysical minister, Special Education teacher, artist, energy healer, and life coach. She has dedicated her life to helping others overcome mental and physical challenges, guiding them to discover their true potential and create lives filled with joy and creativity. Her approach centers around self-awareness, self-care, and self-love.

The title of her presentation is called, “Phoenix Rising: Birthing Your Transcendent Self”. This is what she had to say about her presentation:

“The session will guide attendees through a process of shedding past identities and embracing divine presence, leveraging the metaphor of the Phoenix to symbolize renewal and transformation. Participants will delve into meditative practices designed to connect them to their core essence as pure awareness, transcending physical and mental self-identifications. The workshop culminates in a visionary exploration where individuals visualize their highest selves across various life areas—health, career, relationships, and spirituality—and identify necessary changes to actualize these visions.

Mary Diggin, Ph.D., is a cultural mythologist, Transformation Life Coach and Deep Imagery Trainer. With over two decades of experience, she integrates myth, culture, and deep imagery to guide individuals on transformative journeys. Mary facilitates workshops internationally often specializing in merging mythology and imagery. Mary’s presentation is titled, “In the Depths of the Celtic Otherworld: Crafting New Realities Through Mythic Imagery”.

This is what Mary had to say about her presentation:

Journeys to the Celtic Otherworld epitomize the birthing of new realities and new worlds through imagery. Otherworld Explorers encounter realms of richness and abundance and return transformed with gifts that facilitate self and cultural renewal, allowing their (re)birth, return, re-emerging into a new existence. This workshop delves into the rich mythologies of the Celtic Otherworld, where journeys to realms of renewal and transformation are central. Celtic lore features diverse Otherworlds accessible to humans, often depicted as paradises abounding with music, feasting, and eternal youth. In tune with the theme of birthing a new world, participants will have the chance to identify what needs (re)birthing and renewal in themselves. . Through guided visualization, participants will embark on an inner journey to retrieve gifts crucial to their current and future needs.