Authors

Candace Klein is an educator, speaker, facilitator, and longtime leader in consensual non-monogamy, consent education, and relationship design. For more than a decade she has been an active member of sex-positive and polyamorous communities, facilitating workshops, mentoring newcomers, and helping individuals and couples navigate the complex realities of ethical non-monogamy with greater compassion, clarity, and integrity. Professionally, Candace has spent her career leading organizations and developing people, bringing the same thoughtful systems approach to relationships that she has applied to executive leadership. Her work bridges psychology, communication, attachment theory, consent, and lived experience, translating complex relational concepts into practical tools that readers can immediately apply. She is the creator of Polyagony, a three-book framework exploring the progression from foundational self-awareness, to lived experience, to the inevitable challenges of sustaining healthy open relationships over time. Candace identifies as bisexual, queer, and polyamorous, and believes that healthy relationships are built less on finding the “right” structure than on cultivating emotional honesty, accountability, and the courage to keep learning. She lives with her husband, family, and an ever-growing chosen family of friends, partners, and community members, where she continues to write, teach, host gatherings, and occasionally learn life’s biggest lessons the hard way.

Cooper Hayes Simmons has explored many religious traditions from the inside, especially the meditative traditions within Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity. He has been influenced profoundly by the San Francisco Beat poets who were bringing forth the wisdom of these ancient traditions in new ways.

Now Is Love resonates with the love poems of all of these traditions and more, love’s permeating invitation in the air, in the breeze for any and all of us to enjoy.

His paintings spring from that same well of wisdom:

“I identify completely with the paint…

I go in with the brush and out with the color.”

Erin Crowley was born in Maine. Erin moved from Coastal Maine to Cincinnati, Ohio where she studied Advertising and Public Relations at Xavier University, a Jesuit-Catholic university. It was here where her passion ignited within the studies of Theology and spirituality. Erin found interest in yogic studies when she stumbled in the woods one day and was led by a new friend to the doors of VITALITY Cincinnati and became certified to teach yoga and meditation in 2015. VITALITY in later years catalyzed the existence of many poems included here and assisted by publishing this very book. Erin worked in digital media and taught yoga in the community of Cincinnati for several years before moving to Asheville, North Carolina in 2019.

Evan R. Underbrink is a poet, author, and academic in the field of theological aesthetics. Evan holds a life-long love for the poetry of Dante Alighieri, as well as influences from T.S. Eliot, Gerard Manley Hopkins, Stephen Dunn, Charles Bukowski, and the music of Van Morrison. He currently lives in Berkeley, California.

Gustavo León Zenteno is a Father, Husband, Conscious Business Coach, Advisor, Mentor, former Senior Vice President of Human Resources at P&G, Philanthropist, Writer and Co-Founder of 524ever with his wife Marisela. Working and living with his family in multiple countries has given him the opportunity to experience firsthand the joy and positive impact of personal and professional growth of others through coaching and learning to deliver results that matter and making a difference in people’s lives.

Jack Kennevan visited with prisoners at the Hamilton County Justice Center (Ohio) nearly every week for over a decade. After retiring from an inspiring career as a high school teacher, coach, and principal, he volunteered as a chaplain through Transforming Jail Ministries.

Jack wrote 290 letters, one a week to men and women with whom he met and anyone who requested his letters.

Prisoners then had something upon which to reflect back in their cell after talking with Jack at a simple table with two chairs. Conversations with Prisoners is a selection of about 40 of those letters.

Jack’s letters and conversations offer windows into jail/prison-life in the United States and the importance for us as citizens to imagine new possibilities for our world inspired by a love and deep respect Jack shares with all he encounters, all he calls brothers and sisters.

“Keep an open mind, walk in their shoes, be nonjudgmental,” Jack counsels. These letters Jack has written invite us all into the conversation, into such love.

Kenneth R. Overberg, S.J., was born and raised in the west side of Cincinnati, Ohio. After grade school at St. Aloysius Gonzaga parish, he attended and graduated from St. Xavier High School. He then entered the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), completed undergraduate studies, was ordained, and later earned a Ph.D. at the University of Southern California. This led to many years of teaching theology at Xavier University in Cincinnati. He has published several books and articles, often focusing on social ethics, including Conscience in Conflict: How to Make Moral Choices and The Mystery of God and Suffering: Lament, Trust, and Awe. His publications received numerous awards, especially from the Catholic Press Association and the Cincinnati Editors Association. After retiring from the classroom, he is now sacramental minister for the Franciscan Sisters of Oldenburg, IN (the community who taught him in grade school). This is where the search to understand and to share God’s word continues.

Krista Powers is a powerful catalyst and committed contributor to the communal conversation about grief. As the Executive Director of Giving Voice Foundation, she dedicates her work to building essential connections and providing support for those impacted by dementia. Drawing on three decades of service across healthcare, nonprofit, education, and business sectors, Krista is a dynamic author, speaker, and coach. A two-time cancer-thriver, she passionately shines a light on the inherent power of every human in both professional and personal settings. She is overjoyed to be creating a family with her partner, Patrick, and two creative and kind kids in Covington, Kentucky.

Kyle Powers is a children’s book author and Assistant Principal in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with a passion for helping every child discover the joy of reading. He believes that every child deserves books they can connect with and opportunities to dream big.
Through both education and storytelling, Kyle strives to create books that help children feel seen, inspired, and confident while encouraging them to embrace new experiences and believe in themselves.

When he’s not at school or writing his next story, Kyle enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, and searching for the best local food spots. He hopes each of his books reminds young readers that they are capable, valued, and ready for whatever adventure comes next.

Katie Brobst is a children’s book illustrator, fabric, designer, and art educator in Chattanooga, TN. As a former preschool teacher, these children’s books hold a special place in her heart for all the kids who will feel inspired by the stories and the images.

Currently teaching art and design as a college professor, Katie continues to bring creative inspiration to every classroom she finds herself in. For every student that walks through the door, they are taught not just the importance of the arts, but also how the arts can impact our lives at any age.

With the unending support of her husband, Jaelan, Katie is excited to continue illustrating and is currently working on her 10th illustrated book. She also stays busy creating fabric lines designed specifically for children. Find more of her work at www.kateandcostudio.com.

Matthew Klooster is a published scholar, researcher, and college educator in the biological sciences and moonlights as an oil painter. Through the artistic styles of realism & abstract realism, he aims to authentically portray natural forms, while honoring the spiritual essence of his subjects. He carries a great reverence for all of life and enjoys sharing his art with those who seek a contemplative tool and pathway towards healing. He attributes much of his success to his family whose creative insights have always made his paintings better. His art is collected internationally and available to view and purchase on his website at Kloosterart.com.

Mike Eck:

Our daughter and her family live up north, a 14 hour plus car ride away. We visit in person three or four times per year. More often, when we get to dream with them – which became the inspiration for this reading and coloring book for all ages. Can we all dream together? Can we dream big, just like Martin Luther King Jr. did not so long ago? A dream where children play together, where youth learn together, where adults work together, where grandparents remember together, where we help make our world a better place for all. We give thanks for Brian Shircliff and his vision for VITALITY Cincinnati. With this book we honor VITALITY friends Penny, Carol and Mary.

Claire Long:

This book is a tribute to love transcending distance as dear ones are always in our hearts and our dreams. Our shared experiences are memories that we carry with us to relive and cherish; keeping our connections strong. Poems are like tapestries weaving words and phrases to create a picture that is bigger and more beautiful than the individual strands. There are feelings behind each word that is chosen as it is brought to life by the words around it. Iam honored to share my drawings that I created for Mike’s poem. Thank you, Mike Eck and Brian Shircliff, for this fun opportunity. I hope that you will enjoy adding colors to this book and make it your own. As you create your art, remember all those in your life who love you though they seem far away. Know that you are always in their thoughts and in their dreams.

Richard Bollman, S.J., is a Jesuit priest living in Columbière, Michigan. He worked in Cincinnati in retreat and spiritual ministry, and assisted with worship at Bellarmine Chapel where he was once pastor. Ordained in 1969, he served also at the University of San Francisco through 1979, and as Director of the Jesuit Renewal Center in Milford until 1991.

Ron Stegman began his teaching career in Cincinnati Public Schools at Gamble Junior High School, where he taught English, Latin, and Drama. After taking a year off, he returned to teaching at St. Xavier High School, where he would spend the rest of his career. Ron taught Relationships, Morality, and Social Justice, in addition to heading up the school’s Mission Collection, which gathered millions of dollars for mission projects in India, Nepal, Mexico, Peru, and other countries. Ron also took students on mission trips to Mexico and the Rio Grande Valley. Teaching was a joy to Ron, and after retirement he continued to work with the school by creating and organizing Christian Life Communities, where faculty and staff shared their lives and prayed together in small groups. Ron always wanted to learn more about the struggles of people in developing countries. He and his wife Michele traveled to many countries, including a two-month trip to India and Nepal, and a trip across Central America. Ron and Michele have been married for over 50 years and have two adult daughters, Kira and Shana. Ron has a Master of Divinity from St. Paul Seminary and a Master of Guidance and Counseling from Xavier University. His previous books include Family Memories and Families.

Sean K. Long is an artist, musician, partner and father from Cincinnati, Ohio.
He loves spending time with his family and friends, and enjoys pursuing art in any/every medium – from painting and drawing to music, poetry and singing. Sean’s art is heavily influenced by his family and personal experiences. He uses art as a way to express himself and connect with others.
Sean’s work is known for its positive energy, unique perspective and honest portrayal of life. Whether he’s painting a portrait, composing a song or writing a poem, his goal is always to create something that will make people feel good. His work is a reflection of his own happiness, and he hopes that it will bring joy to those who see it.

Adventures of Hope Team: Shannon M. Petree, True J. Knowles, & Jessi Journey

Have you ever felt like you didn’t belong? Like you didn’t fit in? That all of a sudden life picks you up and puts you in a new situation all over again?

That was us…three creatives brought together by a tenacious pug named Hope.

In our book, Adventures of Hope, Hopi experiences all life’s adventures while guided by friends they meet along the way; discovering who they are and what gifts they bring.

This story opens our hearts to the importance of belonging and unlocks the ability to step into the unknown.

A journey of one inspires HOPE for all.

We are grateful to these friends who have gathered to create these books:

A New Setting of Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises (2015)

Dan Price, Tamilla Cordeiro, Brian Geeding, Maureen Sullivan-Mahoney, Bridget Rice, Mike Eck, Carol T. Yeazell, Shelia Barnes, Theresa Popelar, Richard Bollman SJ, Bailey Dixon, Melanie Moon, Jalisa Holifield, Elizabeth J. Winters Waite, Brian J. Shircliff

Front cover image “Ignatius Portrait” by Holly Schapker from Adsum: Contemporary Paintings on Ignatian Spirituality (2010)

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yoga is THE ALL (2019)

Helen Buswinka, Penny Costilla, Mike Eck, Kristen Iker, Crystal Judge, Leann Kane, Nikki Leonard, Tina Nelson, Aprilann Pandora, Logan Probst, CJ Pierce, Amanda Sanders, Liz Smith, Tonia Smith, Jean Marie Stross, Val Vogel, Patricia Williams, Linsay Wilson, Carol T. Yeazell, Brian J. Shircliff