Polly Howells, LCSW, grew up in the woods west of Boston, Massachusetts and on the shore of southern Maine. She has been a psychotherapist for fifty years. From 1997 to 2007 she studied embodied healing work with Jungian analyst Marion Woodman and her colleagues. She took a life-changing trip to the Ecuadorian rainforest in the summer of 2007, becoming acutely aware of the precarious situation facing human life on earth. She mostly closed her therapy practice in 2009 to focus on micro- and macro- strategies to heal the earth-human relationship. In addition to Radical Joy for Hard Times, she also sits on the board of the Marion Woodman Foundation.

Atherton “Atty” Phleger is a law student at the University of New Mexico, where he specializes in climate adaptation law. Previously, Atty served as the programs director for Climate Advocates Voces Unidas (CAVU), a non-profit based in Santa Fe, and the New Mexico Tribal Liaison for the South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center. Atty also serves as the vice-chair of Flower Hill Institute, an organization that works with Indigenous communities across the United States to enhance sovereignty and develop governmental capacity. Atherton graduated as Valedictorian of the English department at the University of Colorado, where he won awards in Western American Writing, Poetry, and Creative Nonfiction. is a law student at the University of New Mexico, where he specializes in climate adaptation law. Previously, Atty served as the programs director for Climate Advocates Voces Unidas (CAVU), a non-profit based in Santa Fe, and the New Mexico Tribal Liaison for the South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center. Atty also serves as the vice-chair of Flower Hill Institute, an organization that works with Indigenous communities across the United States to enhance sovereignty and develop governmental capacity. Atherton graduated as Valedictorian of the English department at the University of Colorado, where he won awards in Western American Writing, Poetry, and Creative Nonfiction.

Christopher Quiseng, founder of Thriving Sun Nature-Based Practice, is an ecopsychologist, archeologist, wilderness rite of passage guide, youth mentor and wellness educator on the Island of Hawai’i. He holds a Master’s degree in Ecopsychology and is a certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. Christopher’s deep appreciation for wisdom traditions that acknowledge nature as an integral part of our human identity continues to inspire his work as a wellness practitioner. In addition to his work with Thriving Sun, Christopher is also an avid surfer, permaculture design practitioner, and a father to his now 7-year- old sun.

Sasha is a master herbalist, nature educator, energy healer, and Avatar Master. She runs the Golden Light Center a place in the Missouri Ozarks where people come to learn skills for living in greater harmony with themselves, other people and nature.

Janet is the founder and guide for mad4life Adventures in South Africa. She takes people on journeys into the wilderness, mainly in the world famous Mfolozi Game Reserve. These journeys provide the time and the space for a deep, life changing connection.

Lizabeth Kashinsky is passionate about protecting Hawaii’s rare and endangered plants and animals and has worked in the field of conservation in the Hawaiian Islands for over 20 years. She spent several months living and working in the remote Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, now Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument and a World Heritage Site. Inspired by her full immersion into nature and solitude there, she obtained a M.A. in Ecopsychology at Naropa University in 2012. In addition to her day job working for a program tasked with recovering endangered Hawaiian monk seals, she teaches yoga, leads nature based retreats and workshops, and facilitates The Work That Reconnects (WTR). She is a level I Purpose Guide and works with groups and individuals to restore connections to self, nature, and other. In addition to serving as a board member for Radical Joy for Hard Times, she serves on the board of Kure Atoll Conservancy, a 501c3 non-profit foundation dedicated to supporting habitat restoration and wildlife management programs at Kure Atoll in the Northwestern Hawaiian Archipelago, one of her favorite places on Earth.

Jess is an Earth advocate, naturalist and nature guide in Central Florida. She is passionate to connect her community with the natural beauty of Florida’s rare ecosystems through reflective nature walks and planting native gardens. Jess guides with the heart and invites others to listen to their intuition and feel their connection with the Earth, themselves and each other. She practices Earth exchanges and water blessing ceremonies at home and while traveling.