About Our Team John Castagnini – Owner, acting CEO, CFO At age 17 I went on that quest; The quest to study, understand and share. As a teenager, seemingly out of nowhere I would suddenly arrive at a state of tearful love and inspiration, and out would pour writings that emanated from my heart and soul. Understanding this state of love, this communication, these writings committed me to my life's quest. I made the decision to devote my life to learning. I wanted answers to the following questions: 1.Who are we? 2.Why are we here? 3.How does this universe work? 4.What is a fulfilled life? 5.How do we experience and share love in our heart? I delved deeply into the minds of great people who had already contemplated these questions. It became important to study the works of Plato, Einstein, Kant, Newton, Mozart, Aristotle, Socrates, Jung, Marx, Christ, Buddha, Faraday, Milton, Maxwell, Spinoza, Locke, and Freud, to name a few. In turn I attracted great teachers, who shared priceless wisdom. Most of the deeper questions in life have answers. If we are willing to do the work and sort past our myths, then we come to understand. In college I achieved my B. A in Biology, went to Chiropractic school, and studied with monks from India and with the world’s leading martial arts masters. From there, I studied with world-renowned speaker Dr. John Demartini. I held seminars with John and others, such as Dr. Wayne Dyer. In the process of studying for thousands of hours, I authored several books and found myself sharing at seminars all around the world. Along the way, I assisted in the development of several multi-million dollar companies and became the creator of Inspired Authors, LLC and the Thankgodi community. I have spoken at diverse venues ranging from churches to resorts to financial institutions. In the process I have authored several books and created a music CD and a film. My work reaches millions of people around the world.

David Gulick – Intellectual Property Acquisitions, Project Manager With a Bachelors of Mechanical Engineering and a Concentration in Business from Villanova University, David reluctantly entered into the corporate world as an engineering consultant. It wasn’t long before his creative and social side led him on a much different path. After a long year and a half doing environmental consulting work for a small firm in Pennsylvania, he left the rat race forever. His real education began traveling the globe in search of perfect waves. It continued behind the bar in some of the top nightclubs in NYC where he’s mingled with a who’s who of A-list celebrities, politicians, businessmen, and so on. The uniqueness of that lifestyle allowed him to connect with a number of successful mentors. These mentors helped David further his business and spiritual growth. Prior to Thank God I, David was successful in acquiring a portfolio of 19 real estate investment properties. He shares a message that there is much more to life than being trapped by circumstances. David hopes to help others live an inspired life and create their own wealth. He currently works full time growing the Thank God I brand and is a contributor in the second Thank God I compilation.   Aaron Kleinerman – Intellectual Property Acquisitions Aaron Kleinerman is a speaker, author, spiritual counselor and divine inspiration in the emerging generation of conscious leadership. He earned a bachelors degree from the United States Merchant Marine Academy. While traveling the world as a licensed navigator, Aaron’s adventures included observing diverse cultures and communities all over the globe. While at sea, he found his true gifts in writing and journaling through numerous spiritual awakenings inspired on the high seas. During his very first voyage crossing the Atlantic, Aaron quickly observed, first hand, the enormous nature of the world and the infinite mysticism of the ocean. He began questioning and pondering the bigger meanings of life while discovering answers to the appearance of dysfunction in his own. Aaron’s inner and outer voyages led him to the master’s program in spiritual psychology at the University of Santa Monica, California. You will also find Aaron deeply immersed in transformational leadership classes at the Agape International Spiritual Center. Aaron resides on his 40’ sailboat in Marina Del Rey, CA. His chartering company: Ocean Gratitude facilitates spiritually awakening and meditative cruises and retreats for ocean lovers of all ages. Blessed by the natural synergy of the wind, sea and spirit, the calm ocean energy assists Aaron’s clients and students to have powerful inner and outer (transformations) voyages on board his beautiful sailboat, Passion. His first book of poetry, “Transformation of Soul; A Poetic Guide to Freedom” is full of powerful images and prose that will leave you breathless. Aaron’s amazing story “Thank God I Turned Within” is shared in the second volume of the Thank God I series. Aaron interviews new authors joining the “Thank God I” community and coordinates, with the core TGI team, the growth and duplication of this powerful project worldwide.   Kathy Scherer Katherine Scherer’s story, Thank God my Husband was an Alcoholic: The Power of Gratitude, A Senior Citizen’s Story, is in the first book of the Thank God I series. Together with Eileen Bodoh, she has co-authored Gratitude Works: Open Your Heart to Love and two E-books, the Gratitude Works Journal and the Gratitude Works Prayer Book. They are also contributing authors in 101 Great Ways to Improve Your Health and are featured as gratitude experts on www.selfgrowth.com. They have created and teach a course called, Guidelines for Developing a Tele-seminar on the Thank God I website. Katherine’s diverse background includes: owning and operating a business for over 30 years, facilitating self-empowerment groups, and teaching religious education classes, grades 2 thru 12. She has participated in various trainings including hospice volunteering, parent education, and responding to women in crisis. Her writing appears in publications and websites across the U.S. and Canada.   Loni Maye Orth I currently reside in Milwaukee, WI. I have been married 25 years (this Valentine’s Day) to my husband Jeff. We have two children. Our son Joe is 23 and our daughter Erika is 21. I also have a step-daughter named Tina, who is 32 and a granddaughter named Alyssa who is 10. I had a liver transplant in 2003 and currently have a small Stress Reduction wellness business that I began after my transplant. Prior to my surgery, I had an Interior Design, which is what I studied at Mount Mary College, business for 7 years. I have contributed my story “Thank God I had a Liver Transplant” and have committed to contributing an additional story in a future book. I have also committed to managing TGI 3, which is another compilation of authors/stories. In addition, I am working to re-format the website with the TGI web team. I also work in a number of additional TGI capacities as needed, such as marketing and plan to work to develop the webinar division of TGI.   Lori Dawn Now residing in Southern California, Lori Dawn is an author, a Certified Thank God I… Gratitude Coach, and a leader of women’s groups. A strong advocate for the healing tools of the Thank God I… System, she is the creator of the Thank God I’m Naked Tele-Seminar. Besides being a hairdresser of eighteen years, Lori Dawn is an Image Identity Consultant. Lori has two beautiful daughters, two fabulous grandchildren, and is now married to the love of her life. Her commitment is to help people learn to connect with and be comfortable in their own body, mind and soul. Lori’s mission is to brighten lives, inspire beauty, and encourage all people to live life with passion. Besides visiting the Thank God I… Online Community (www.thankgodi.com), you can find out more about Lori Dawn’s workshops and Gratitude Coaching.   Stan Grindstaff Wildomar, CA TGI… e-mail address: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Chief Editor Book stories for publication TGI…™ written materials Co-Head Seminar/Workshop Division w/ Lori Dawn Author “Thank God Mom Escaped Life Support” for Compilation 2 TGI…™ Certified Gratitude Coach Holding an MFA in Theatre—specializing in Directing—Stan is now a full-time middle school Drama Teacher. He has been a staff member of the Oregon Shakespearean Festival and the American Conservatory Theatre. He is an actor, co-founder of the Murrieta Repertory Theatre, and an Inland Theatre League Judge. A former member of the National Speakers Association, Stan created and traveled internationally presenting his innovative, experiential seminar/ workshop: Professional Self-Presentation. His unique approach dramatically helps people learn to handle the energy dynamics of live presentation. Any fear changes to a sphere of influence and moments of magic as ‘butterflies’ fly in formation! Stan also edits professionally and is a published author. In the school system he is Highly Qualified to teach English at all grade levels. As a Gratitude Coach, he helps students and adults learn to cope and succeed, finding balance through gratitude for all things.   Carmine Parella Lynbrook, NY TGI...tm - e-mail address: Heads the TGI...tm Merchandising Division - product selection, price points and distribution. Focuses the TGI...tm New York Times best seller Campaign, coordinating Authors,Media exposure, and organization of book stores. Finds Sponsorship for TGI...tm Book signings and prospects for future TGI...tm events. (TGI...tm affiliate link Loni will do when fixed (link to profile...Loni will do At one time I held a residential real estate license with Century 21. Later I started working for Bear Sterns as a clerk on the trading floor, and then spent the last 11 years as a commodity trader - trading funds for other people for the last seven years. I was voted most Inspirational Speaker at the prestigious Dale Carnegie Institute.   Michael Fitzpatrick Born and grew up in washington state. Second oldest of 8 kids, no brothers. Told myself i would work in the restaurant business and meet a millionaire and have him/her teach me then how to become one. A “die hard” entrepreneur for many years with many more failures than successes, on the brink of financial ruin i met someone who showed me a marketing plan where i put everything i had into creating 7 figure results-and i did in less than two and half years. This is where i met the founder of TGI. it only took nine months before poor investment decisions had me without a home or income for my beautiful wife and 2 wonderful daughters again. Second time around i had a prayer answered with another business helping folks get debt relief similar to bankruptcy. this business was like none other and helped many folks. we were a multi-million dollar a year operation that put results on many family’s tables. due to the nature of this creative plan it ended with a lawsuit form a large bank and ended our “run” after 6 years. we dissolved almost 2 billion dollars of debt for our members. living in the panhandle of north idaho i enjoyed a year off with my very close family. we live in the mountains and have both a lake and ski resort within walking distance. the founder of TGI have kept in contact for the last 11 years and he called me to be part his vision to share the wonderful literary and transformational opportunities to the world through Thank God I......i am very grateful to be here!   Jeff Sohler is an Internet Marketer, with several years of commercial Software Development and Project Management experience. After years of programming Windows, Oracle and Unix based telephony systems, he shifted his focus towards eCommerce on the Internet in 2001 and hasn’t looked back. He understands the rapidly evolving internet market and the multitude of opportunities unfolding on a daily basis. Establishing efficient and effective Internet presense for businesses and indeviduals has become a primary emphasis of his daily life. Helping people realize their potential through Personal and Spiritual Growth, and find peace through gratitude and present moment awareness, are some of his passions. He can be reached through This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   Lorraine Garnett Lorraine Garnett is an internet professional and Emmy Award-nominated TV writer with experience and expertise as an advertising copywriter, graphic designer, webmaster, web marketing strategist, and Certified Search Engine Optimization Specialist. Lorraine has worked as an in-house Senior Copywriter, first at Macmillan Publishing, then at BMG Video and Music Clubs. Lorraine’s interest in the internet began in the mid 1990’s when she produced a local NYC TV series in which she interviewed early pioneers of what was to become the world of internet commerce. She catapulted the knowledge gained from this experience into a subsequent project, which was creating and managing the global web presence of Brain Gym International, a foundation that disseminates whole brain integration and enhancement techniques, with outposts in over 80 countries. Simultaneously, Lorraine started working for Internet Conferences, LTD. Under the banner of her own company, Lorraine has been producing multi-media and graphics for the Internet Dating Industry, Online Social Networking Industry, and Internet Gaming Industry trade shows.   Varant Majarian At only 35 years old, Varant has successfully operated his own home based business since he was 21. He is semi-retired, and has committed to helping others find their path to financial freedom. Varant hopes his story in the second compilation, Thank God I'm an Entrepreneur, will help encourage others to wake the sleeping entrepreneur inside of them and create the financial abundance they dream of. Varant currently works on aligning the Thank God I brand with charities.