November 10, 7:30 p.m. – Gene Stone discusses The Secrets of People Who Never Get Sick– He will be joined by special guest Dan Beuttner, author of The Blue Zones and Thrive: Finding Happiness the Blue Zones Way. Gene Stone is a bestselling health-savvy journalist who’s investigated virtually every form of regimen, diagnostic test, therapy and fad. His new book The Secrets of People Who Never Get Sick is a fascinating and original book of science. In it, Stone tells the stories of 25 people who each possess a different secret of excellent health – and shows how we can all use these insights to change our lives for the better. From probiotics to veganism to a daily dose of garlic, from yoga to cold showers, it’s an invaluable list: 25 secrets to health, and how to make each work for you. Gene Stone is a writer, journalist and former Peace Corps volunteer. He’s written and/or ghostwritten more than 30 books, most recently the national bestseller The Engine 2 Diet, with Rip Esselstyn; his articles and columns have appeared in New York, Playboy, Esquire, Vogue, Elle and GQ. He lives in New York City.
November 21, 4 p.m. – Michael Fischman discusses Stumbling Into Infinity: An Ordinary Man in the Sphere of Enlightenment– Stumbling Into Infinity is the intimate and sometimes startling account of Michael Fischman’s spiritual journey and the encounter that changed his life forever. His story opens on a flight to India, as he reflects on the unusual chain of events that led him from a challenging childhood to his unexpected role as friend and helper to a renowned humanitarian and spiritual leader. Fischman’s fascinating and personal memoir takes us into the compassionate and mysterious world of an enlightened seer. It is a compelling narrative that blends remarkable experiences with an inner struggle and search for meaning. Fischman is a leader in the field of personal development. He is a founding member and current president of the U.S. Art of Living Foundation, a global non-profit educational and humanitarian organization, and is also the CEO of the APEX course, the corporate training division of the International Association for Human Values, an NGO founded by spiritual leader and humanitarian Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. “Michael Fischman’s journey,” Deepak Chopra says, “reveals how fears and negative emotions can be transformed into love, compassion and higher consciousness when a student has an authentic relationship with a wise teacher.”
November 22, 7:30 p.m. – Dan Buettner discusses his new book Thrive: Finding Happiness the Blue Zones Way – In Thrive: Finding Happiness the Blue Zones Way (National Geographic Books), New York Times bestselling author and explorer Dan Buettner reports on the surprising findings from his five-year global study on the keys to personal happiness. In addition to sharing his extraordinary accounts of the happiest people on the planet, Buettner examines how their unique lifestyles correlate to their extraordinary well-being. Finally – and most importantly – Buettner details how to incorporate these powerful characteristics into our daily routine so that we, too, can thrive. The National Geographic Society sent Buettner on assignment to the Jutland Peninsula in Denmark; the Mexican state of Nuevo Leon; the town of San Luis Obispo in California; and the island of Singapore, a region known for its draconian justice system. To unravel the complicated mystery of how each of these four geographic pockets, and specifically their culture, geography, government policies and behavior of their thriving citizens, stack the deck in favor of happiness, Buettner began his research plumbing the most comprehensive databases – tens of millions of data points collected over the past 70 years and representing 95 percent of the world’s population – to determine which factors most directly impact happiness. Buettner’s National Geographic cover story on longevity, “The Secrets of Living Longer,” was one of the top-selling issues in history and a made him a finalist for a national magazine award. His 2008 book, The Blue Zones, hit the New York Times bestseller list.
November 30, 7:30 p.m. – Michael Nordskog and Aaron W. Hautala discuss The Opposite of Cold: The Northwoods Finnish Sauna Tradition – Beginning with the origins of Finnish sauna and arrival of the practice to North America, and continuing all the way to contemporary design, The Opposite of Cold is an exquisite commemoration of the history, culture, and practice of Finnish sauna in the north woods. With stunning photographs of unique and historic saunas of the region – including the oldest sauna in North America, incredible surviving saunas from immigrant farmsteads, and the gorgeous contemporary saunas from noted architects – Michael Nordskog and Aaron W. Hautala unveil the importance and beauty of sauna culture in modern Midwestern life. Richly illuminated by Hautala’s photographs of distinctive saunas from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ontario and Finland, The Opposite of Cold is for people who grew up with Wednesday and Saturday evening saunas (or watched their steaming neighbors running toward the lake) and for those who dream of one day having their own. Through this book we see why Finnish sauna tradition is vital and enduring, from the warmest summer evenings to the coldest winter nights. Michael Nordskog grew up in the heart of North American sauna country. He works as an attorney, writer and editor, and he lives with his wife and three children in Viroqua, WI. Aaron W. Hautala is the creative director and owner of RedHouseMedia in Brainerd, MN. He has helped launch a variety of magazines and was the founding art director at Lake Country Journal. His photographs have appeared widely throughout Minnesota.
