Mitch Horowitz is popular voice on esoteric ideas and writer-in-residence at the New York Public Library, lecturer-in-residence at the Philosophical Research Society in Los Angeles and a PEN Award-winning author.

R Scott Okamoto is is a writer and musician from Los Angeles who deconstructed his faith while an English professor at Azusa Pacific University. He is host of the “Chapel Probation” podcast.

Nomi M. Stolzenberg holds the Nathan and Lilly Shapell Chair in Law at the USC Gould School of Law. Her research spans a range of interdisciplinary interests, including law and religion, cultural pluralism, law and liberalism, and law and literature. She helped establish the USC Center for Law, History and Culture.

James W. Pennebaker is a professor in the department of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. He wrote Opening Up: The Healing Power of Expressing Emotions and Writing to Heal: A Guided Journal for Recovering From Trauma and Emotional Upheaval.

Patricia A. Turner is a professor of world arts, culture and African American studies at UCLA. She wrote the book I Heard It Through the Grapevine: Rumor in African-American Culture.

The Rev. Layton E. Williams is a Presbyterian pastor, writer and poet. She is the author of Holy Disunity: How What Separates Us Can Save Us. The Rev. Williams is also a communications specialist for Next Church, the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s effort to update and transform ministry work to better suit the 21st century.

Jason White is a musician, producer and vocal director who, along with rapper Kanye West, leads “Sunday Service” events in Los Angeles and across the country. Contact White through the form on his website.

Krista Tippett is the founder and CEO of the On Being Project, as well as the host of the podcasts “On Being” and “Becoming Wise.” Her podcast interviews often explore new or unexpected expressions of faith and spirituality.

Julian Sambrano is an intuitive healer and artist in Los Angeles. He runs Mostly Angels LA, a New Age shop offering crystals, sage and readings.