Author Bios

Tomáš Halík is a Czech Catholic priest, philosopher, and theologian known for his profound reflections on faith, doubt, and the spiritual search in the modern world.

Justin O. Schmidt is an American entomologist renowned for developing the Schmidt Sting Pain Index, a scientific ranking of insect sting pain.

Ocean Vuong is a Vietnamese-American poet and novelist celebrated for his lyrical explorations of identity, war, and queer experience.

Kate Schatz is an American author and activist whose writing celebrates feminist icons and champions social justice for young readers.

Briona Nic Dhiarmada is an Irish scholar and documentary filmmaker specializing in the Irish language, cultural history, and the 1916 Easter Rising.

Peter Tieryas is an American author and technical artist known for his blend of alternate history, science fiction, and Japanese pop culture influences.

Madeleine Thien is a Canadian novelist and short story writer whose work explores memory, history, and the Chinese diaspora experience across generations.

Stacy McAnulty is an American children’s book author known for her STEM-focused picture books and middle-grade novels that inspire young readers with science, humor, and heart.

Katherine Ludwig is a researcher and co-author specializing in organizational learning and human performance, collaborating with Edward D. Hess on the landmark business book Humility Is the New Smart.

Joanne Cacciatore is a grief advocate, author, and professor at Arizona State University who founded the MISS Foundation to support families experiencing traumatic loss.