Karina Mackenzie (Senior Director, Programming, Wanderlust) is proud to have curated mindful programming for Wanderlust events and media since 2010, and is even prouder to be the mum to two kids, who are my unequivocal bosses every day!  As an imperfect parent but committed to the path of mindful parenting, Karina works with some of the most renowned teachers and speakers in the realm of mindfulness, consciousness, and making a difference in the world. There is arguably no more tangible way to make a difference in the world than the way you raise the next generation, thus Karina started a side channel called Chop Wood Carry Baby, as a space to explore how the seeker changes the ways in which they pursue spirituality after baby arrives. The name is derived from the old adage that someone went to the Buddha and asked what’s after enlightenment. The purported answer was “Before enlightenment, chop wood carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood carry water.” The same could be said of parenting, the wood must be chopped and the baby needs attention, so your meditation can wait. Or can it?

In her exploits in imperfect parenting on Chop Wood Cary Baby, Karina explores the tenets of simplicity, sustainability, and spirituality. Karina also volunteers in her local community as a Moms Demand Action local group lead, and prior to that served on the board of Yoga Foster for four years, supporting their mission to make wellness elementary in public schools across America.​

​​Dr. Nina Kaiser (she/her) is a California-licensed psychologist (CA PSY 22555), founder of Practice San Francisco, a Bay Area mental health and wellness center for families, and mom to two boys (ages four and seven).

Dr. Kaiser has over 15 years of experience in working with children, teens, and parents around evidence-based behavioral, cognitive-behavioral, and mindfulness-based strategies to help kids, teens, and parents effectively cope with stress, worry, and big emotions.  After having her own children, she developed a particular interest in supporting parents (especially mothers!) in navigating the stresses and challenges of parenthood.  She works with parents individually and in small groups, and also provides groups, workshops, and talks for parents in community, corporate, and school-based settings.

Nina obtained both her master’s and doctorate in clinical psychology from Purdue University (Indiana) before completing her clinical internship and post-doctoral training from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Nina has received additional training from the Beck Institute, Yale University’s Supportive Parenting for Anxious Children (SPACE) program, Mindful Schools, the Spirit Rock-affiliated Marin Mindfulness Institute, Little Flower Yoga for Kids, Dr. Amy Saltzman/Still Quiet Place, and Next Generation Yoga.

​​Michael Danzansky is the creator of the Parenting Teens in Uncertain Times Summit and co-author of the Transformational Parenting Training. He is a trained Somatic Coach through the Strozzi Institute, a Certified Mindfulness Instructor, and has advanced training in Family Constellations therapy,completed intensive

study of indigenous wisdom practices with Malidoma Some and has taught yogic philosophy and movement for over 12 years. His passion is to support our rising generations by helping help parents and families transcend “stuck” patterns of behavior to create more ease, love and connection.

Parenting coach Patricia (Trish) Wilkinson is coauthor of Amazon bestseller and Readers’ Choice winner Brain Stages: How to Raise Smart, Confident Kids and Have Fun Doing It. Having taught preschool through middle school over 23 years, most of her effective behavioral techniques with students developed from study and trial and error, all while raising two children with challenges–both of whom are now well-adjusted, successful adults.

Kim Freeman, mother of two, says, “Trish has been a wonderful, patient, and kind coach. Our 11-year-old son Eli now has a better sense of self and is learning to navigate the challenges of ADHD.” For free resources and information about how to transform your household into a healthy, peaceful home while raising balanced, happy kids, visit TheBrainStages.com.

​Ned Johnson is president and “tutor-geek” of PrepMatters, an educational company providing academic tutoring, educational planning, and standardized test preparation. With Dr. William Stixrud, he is co-author of The Self-Driven Child: The Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives and What Do You Say? How To Talk With Kids To Build Motivation, Stress Tolerance, and a Happy Home as well as host of the The Self-Driven Child podcast.