2024
Speakers
SPREAD HOPE
END THE STIGMA
CONNECTION
Speakers
Speakers
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Brian Cuban is an attorney, author, and mental health awareness and recovery advocate. He is the author of the best-selling memoir The Addicted Lawyer, Tales of The Bar, and Booze Blow & Redemption. His new novel, The Body Brokers, will take on the fentanyl epidemic and is set for release in December 2024.
He has spoken at law firms, conferences, non-profit events, colleges and universities across the United States and in Canada. He also writes extensively on these subjects. His columns have appeared on CNN.com, Foxnews.com, The Huffington Post, The New York Times, and in online and print newspapers around the world.
Brian Cuban
Attorney & Author
Kathy Curtis
"Healing Through Writing"
Kathy Curtis is an author and creative coach who has spent over 30 years designing writing programs to address the emotions of grief, illness, and many other life challenges. Her writing programs have been offered through hospitals, corporations, nonprofit organizations, and international online publishers.
Kathy discovered the healing power of writing for herself when she was a teenager going through a difficult situation. Since then she has spent her life studying how and why it is that writing has the power to change your life. She has never met a group that didn’t benefit from writing, no matter what their situation or challenge.
In addition to her programs, Kathy has written several books for herself and on behalf of others. Her own memoir, "Invisible Ink,” is written in letters to and from her mother after her death from cancer. She turned the letter-writing she did to soothe her soul into a program that has helped people all over the world do the same.
A well-known mind/body healer once said, “The soul always knows what to do to heal itself. The challenge is to silence the mind.” And in Kathy’s experience, that is what writing does.
Emcees
Ryan Marsden
Ryan Marsden currently serves as the Executive Director for the Recovery Café Fort Wayne and is the President of Rise Recovery, a local men’s residential treatment provider.
Ryan is a native of Fort Wayne and is a person in long term recovery from Opiate Use Disorder and a survivor of childhood sexual trauma/abuse.
In addition, Ryan is certified as a Recovery Coach and Addictions Consultant and has received training in Medically Assisted Treatment, Peer Supervision, and Mental Health First Aid, and is a trainer for peers in the state of Indiana.
Aisha Diss
Aisha Diss has been married for 12 years and enjoys spending time with her husband, children and granddaughters. She also enjoys music, collecting, and scary movies.
Aisha holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Services with a minor in Psychology. Aisha is a person in long-term recovery from opioid use disorder and justice involvement. With her lived experience, Aisha obtained certifications as a level II Addiction Peer Recovery Coach with mental health and forensic support enhancements, in addition to holding certifications as a level II Alcohol & Drug Addiction Consultant, and as a Supervisor of Peer Recovery. Aisha was recently recognized as the 2023 Peer Recovery Coach of the Year
Aisha founded the nonprofit organization, project.ME, that offers low-barrier peer recovery coaching and harm reduction support in Northeast Indiana. She uses her passion to support others and her knowledge that recovery is possible to extend her mission to the community.
"Who's Your Tribe?"
Garrett, CEO and Co-Founder of SafeHaven Freedom Ministries, is peer recovery coach and an Army veteran with lived experience in addiction, PTSD, TBI, mental health struggles, and physical disability. He also has personally lost a teenage son to the fentanyl epidemic. He now fights for the marginalized, specifically focusing on teens and veterans, to help them overcome their struggles, and come alongside them to help them find freedom and faith restored.
Garrett Disinger
Live Music by Two Eight Band
Two Eight Band" is an Indianapolis based group of musicians and friends who use their music and concerts to empower recovery efforts and faith movements around the world. The band’s line up has changed over the years, ever since Eric and Jillian first started Two Eight in 2005, but their mission remains the same.