Betty J. Kovacs, PhD received her doctorate from the University of California, Irvine, in Comparative Literature and Theory of Symbolic/Mythic Language. She taught Mythology and Fairy Tales as literary structures that reveal the organizing principles of human development, as well as Comparative Literature and Writing. She served many years as Chair and Program Chair on the Board of Directors of the Jung Society of Claremont in California and sits on the Academic Advisory Board of Forever Family Foundation. Among her numerous other publications, She is the author of Merchants of Light: The Consciousness That Is Changing the World and The Miracle of Death: There Is Nothing But Life.
Living One is a free monthly webinar series. Since 2018, Living One has asked the question: “We know what wrong looks like, but what does right look like? Most importantly, how do we get from “wrong” to “right”? When there is so much to change and heal, where do we begin to make positive, deep transformative change - not only as individuals but as a collective whole.
Hosted by Olivia Crossman, Living One hears from individuals who are dedicating their lives to revitalize the planet and transform human society. Join us for another year of rich conversations to learn how, individually and in community, we can make the necessary, concrete timely steps towards a “right” world – a world of peace and wellbeing for all Earth Beings. Upcoming and past webinars are listed below.
Upcoming
Tiant Mitchell is a Psychology Department Peer Assistant in a State Prison in Western Pennsylvania where he teaches cognitive behavior therapy-based classes and Suicide Prevention. He is the author of several book and associated programs including Felons-R-Fathers2: Parenting Outreach Program and Fatherhood Training System. The Correctional Solutions Institute, and Freedom Consultation Group, LLC. which he developed while in prison to train other incarcerated fathers how to be exceptional fathers from prison.
Pennsylvania Consortium for Higher Education in Prisons (PA CHEP) Presentation
Introducing our new co-host, Isabella Clarke!
This series explores the ethics of attention –why it matters when we unhook our minds and attention from human privilege and ground in the perspectives of Animals, Plants, Ecosystems, Rivers, Seas, Forests. Seven incisive thinkers discuss ways to pay deep and loving attention to Animals and Plants. Through various approaches – empathy, shared embodiment, animism and holism – they offer thoughtful and practical guidance on how the well-being and self-determination of our fellow earth-beings can be supported and revitalized.
February 7th, 2025: Isabella Clarke, The Kerulos Center for Nonviolence
February 14th, 2025: Silvia Caprioglio Panizza, University of Pardubice
February 21st, 2025: Eva Meijer, University of Amsterdam
February 28th, 2025: Ralph Acampora, Hofstra University
March 14th, 2025: Skye Mandozay, Plant Medicine facilitator for The Work That Reconnects and Experiential Deep Ecology
March 21st, 2025: Erik Jampa Andersson, Environmental Historian and Tibetan Medicine Practitioner)
March 28th, 2025: Freya Mathews, La Trobe University
Meet our hosts!
2024 What's Ours To Do?
This season, Living One asks our guests “What is ours to do?”.
Since 2018, Living One has asked the question: “We know what wrong looks like, but what does right look like? Most importantly, how do we get from wrong to right? When there is so much to change and heal, where do we begin? What’s the first step? What is the path each of us can undertake to make positive, deep, transformative change, not only as individuals, but as a collective whole? Let’s talk about it!
This year, Living One hosts and hears from individuals who have forged a range of unique and inspiring paths to help transform and heal Earth, Animals, and human society. Join us for another year of rich conversations to learn how, individually and in community, we can make the necessary, concrete, timely steps towards a “right” world – a world of peace and wellness for all Earth Beings.
David Michelson is one of the chief petitioners for Initiative Petition 28 (IP28), a proposed ballot measure for the Oregon 2026 election that would ask voters if they are ready to end the slaughter, hunting, and experimentation of animals statewide. Inspired by prior social movements, David believes that bringing the question of animal liberation to the ballot will help stimulate a radical transformation in how we collectively view the animals currently exempt from the same legal protections granted to our companions. David began working on building the foundations for this campaign in 2020, after recognizing the untapped potential of ballot initiatives to accelerate the animal rights movement. David’s activism is informed by his practice of Nonviolent Communication and participation in the Plum Village community of engaged Buddhism.
2024 Plant Voices: Guides to Understanding Nonviolent Living
This year, in collaboration with The Plant Initiative, we start off with a special series, Plant Voices: Guides to Understanding Nonviolent Living.
Through the month of May, we hear five speakers reflect on: What Plants can teach us about nonviolent living; how Plant sentience affects and informs Plant-based living; and ways to model and maintain Nature nonviolence as Plant-based consumers.