Book 101 Review

Christopher Benek
Pastor & AI Thought Leader | Exploring AI, Ethics, and the Future of Humanity.
Rev. Dr. Christopher J. Benek is a pastor, AI thought leader, and global expert at the intersection of Christianity and emerging technology. As CEO of CoCreators and pastor of First Miami Presbyterian Church, he works with global leaders, organizations, and faith communities navigating the rapid rise of artificial intelligence and its real-world impact. On podcasts, Chris brings a rare perspective that bridges technology, ethics, and human meaning. Drawing from his work and his book, The Church Leader’s Guide to AI, he helps audiences explore questions like: How is AI reshaping what it means to be human? What happens when intelligence outpaces wisdom? And how should leaders respond in a time of rapid technological change? Chris is a clear, engaging communicator who makes complex ideas accessible and relevant across industries. His conversations are thoughtful, grounded, and forward-looking—equipping technologists, business leaders, and communities not just to understand AI, but to be formed by practices that cultivate wisdom and enable them to lead wisely in a rapidly changing world.

Nita Sweeney
Bestselling author, mindfulness coach, mental health advocate, ultramarathoner, and dog mom.
Nita Sweeney is a serial memoirist who writes about thriving while managing often serious mental illness. She is the award-winning wellness author of the running and mental health memoir, Depression Hates a Moving Target: How Running with My Dog Brought Me Back from the Brink and co-creator of the writing journal, You Should Be Writing: A Journal of Inspiration & Instruction to Keep Your Pen Moving. Make Every Move a Meditation, Nita's third book, was featured in the Wall Street Journal. A Daily Dose of Now: 365 Mindfulness Meditation Practices for Living in the Moment, a thirty-year project, launched in fall 2023, and her most recent book, Memorial: The Year My Dad and I Stopped Keeping Score, launched in June 2026. A mindfulness coach, certified meditation leader and mindfulness teacher, mental health advocate, ultramarathoner, retired attorney, and former assistant to writing practice originator Natalie Goldberg, Nita founded the groups Mind, Mood, and Movement to support well-being through meditation, exercise, and writing practice, and The Writer’s Mind, to share using writing practice to produce publishable work. For twenty years, Nita published the central Ohio writing resource, Write Now Columbus. She lives in central Ohio with her husband, Ed, and their yellow Labrador retriever, Scarlet. Download your free copy of Nita’s eBook Three Tools for a Happier, Healthier Mind or the infographic, Meditation Myths on her website.

Jason Ciofalo
Jason Ciofalo aka Jason Zuk is an attorney, intuitive psychic medium, award-winning podcaster, and host of The Social Psychic Radio Show. Blending a legal mind with a deeply spiritual perspective, Jason brings a unique voice to conversations about intuition, consciousness, healing, justice, life after death, UFOs, personal transformation, and the unseen dimensions of human experience. Jason’s intuitive awakening began on August 12, 2004, the night his grandfather passed away. While on a work trip in Wisconsin, Jason witnessed orbs of light in his hotel room and felt an overwhelming wave of unconditional love that he recognized as his grandfather’s spirit. That experience opened the door to a profound spiritual journey that he kept private for more than a decade before beginning to offer intuitive readings in 2017. In 2018, Jason launched The Social Psychic Radio Show, creating a platform where spirituality, social consciousness, personal growth, and paradigm: shifting conversations intersect. His show has explored topics including mediumship, synchronicity, meditation, forgiveness, near-death experiences, cancer intuition, UFOs, environmental justice, social justice reform, and the power of healing through storytelling. As a podcast guest, Jason offers a compelling blend of personal experience, professional insight, and spiritual wisdom. He can speak about predicting his Stage One Kidney Cancer six months before diagnosis, surviving and transforming after major health challenges, losing and maintaining a 50-pound weight loss, experiencing a near-death event under anesthesia, building an award-winning podcast, and learning to trust intuitive guidance while maintaining grounded discernment. Jason is especially passionate about helping audiences understand that transformation is possible when we are willing to leave our comfort zones. His message is one of courage, healing, resilience, forgiveness, and expanding consciousness. In May 2022, The Social Psychic Radio Show was honored by The Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts as a Communicator Award Winner in two categories: Individual Episodes: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Individual Episodes: Religion & Spirituality.

Valerie Willis
Award-Winning Author of Dark Fantasy, Mythology, and Monster Romance.
I’m Valerie Willis, an award-winning dark fantasy and paranormal romance author, publishing professional, and frequent workshop host who helps audiences explore the space where storytelling, mythology, monsters, and modern book marketing meet. I write across multiple pen names and bring a rare mix of creative and industry experience to every conversation—from building unforgettable fantasy worlds and adapting folklore into fiction to understanding what makes books marketable, visually strong, and reader-facing. On the publishing side, I’ve designed hundreds of book interiors and covers, co-founded 4 Horsemen Publications, and spoken on topics ranging from book design and branding to direct sales and genre trends. On the creative side, my work is rooted in mythology, dark history, folklore, and the kinds of monsters readers never quite forget. Podcast audiences tend to connect with me because I can speak both to readers who love fantasy, paranormal, and monster romance, and to writers who want practical insight on craft, packaging, branding, and building books that resonate. Whether the conversation is about myth-inspired storytelling, weird and marketable book ideas, indie publishing, direct sales, or why monsters remain such powerful mirrors for human emotion, I aim to make every episode useful, entertaining, and memorable.

Matt Newnham
“Children’s author of the Space Ranger Fred series, inspiring young minds to explore science, imagination, and adventure.”
Matt Newnham is a children’s author, motivational speaker, and creative educator best known for the Space Ranger Fred series, a collection of STEM-inspired adventures that make science fun and accessible for young readers. Drawing on his background in communication and innovation, Matt combines storytelling with real-world learning to inspire curiosity and imagination. His books have been featured in classrooms around the world, praised for sparking interest in science and problem-solving through laughter and adventure. Matt speaks with warmth and authenticity about creativity, resilience, and the power of storytelling to shape young minds. He’s also a passionate advocate for literacy and lifelong learning, with an energetic style that makes him a memorable, uplifting podcast guest.