Welcome everyone! Life is good and I am very happy. The last few years have been such a whirlwind that I had gotten away from traveling with my guitar. However, I have recently become a Taylor Guitar Artist and have two beautiful Taylor guitars that are bringing music back into my life. It has been an honor and a privilege to be able to play these beautiful instruments. Who knows what the future will bring?
Every now and again something really amazing happens to my life. I met a young woman named Joyce, who has a traumatic brain injury, and I have embarked on a journey of helping her find her way back to us. If you have any interest in brain trauma or recovery, I encourage you to join us in this process. Your insights and suggestions are valuable to me. Please visit my blog and check in often!
In November 2009, I had the privilege of giving a presentation in Indianapolis with singer-songwriter Carrie Newcomer. For one special evening, Carrie and I joined our spirits and gave a presentation titled Transformative Stories. The night turned out to be "an event of uncommon depth" and the reports were so positive that Carrie and I have decided to do it again. When and where has not yet been determined--perhaps you can help us with that! This 90-minute presentation makes for an evening of inspirational story, spiritual conversation, and meaningful music. Click here to download a one page description of the Transformative Stories evening of possibilities.
Last October, 2009, I was interviewed on one of Scandinavia's largest and most popular talk shows, Skavlan, on SVT (Swedish Public Television). It was a great experience! Also, my book was released in Sweden on October 7 (published by Bra Bocker with the Swedish title Min Stroke--see Foreign Versions).
My interview with Charlie Rose aired September 4, 2009 on PBS. Please check your local listings for information in your area or go to his website (click on the photo below) and watch the interview online!
Books for a Better Life has awarded My Stroke of Insight with one of their 2009 Book Awards! The ceremony took place February 23, 2009 in New York City, with special awards going to Dr. Mehmet Oz, Dr. Michael Roizen, and Robert Miller. Find out more here.
My Stroke of Insight has become a New York Times Bestseller and is already released in Brazil, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, and the UK (other countries coming soon)! The book is available at your local bookstore or online bookseller, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Penguin Group. It is also now available as a Penguin Audio Book, a large-print edition, and a paperback! Click on the cover image below to learn more!
I was a guest on the Oprah Winfrey Show, interviewed by Oprah herself and also Dr. Mehmet Oz, which aired on Tuesday, October 21, 2008. Also, my four-part interview with Oprah on her Soul Series is available on her website. Click on the picture below or here to watch, listen, or download the interview. We had a great time talking with one another; we laughed, we cried, we even sang for brains together!
What an honor it has been to be chosen as one of TIME Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World for 2008!
This all came about because I was invited to give an 18-minute presentation at the TED conference in Monterey, CA on February 27, 2008. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design - three wide-ranging subject areas that are, collectively, shaping our future. Every year, 1300 of the world's leading thinkers and doers gather together for four days of networking, education and exposure to new ideas. Past speakers and performers have included Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Paul Simon, Richard Branson, Frank Gehry, Philippe Starck, James Watson, Billy Graham, Jane Goodall, Al Gore, and Bono. However, TED is about much more than famous names. It is about passion, laughter, beauty, and ingenuity. It is about ideas capable of changing the world, and I was given 18 minutes to share my personal story and an idea that I believed was worth spreading. That video has now been viewed on the TED website over five million times and has been included as one of the Top 10 TED talks of all time! My experience at TED2008 was both phenomenal and life transforming. Experience it firsthand by visiting www.TED.com.
