2026 Canadian New Thought Conference
Resilience in Times of Uncertainty
Presenters
Tod Maffin
Tod Maffin has emerged as one of Canada’s most distinctive voices on the Canadian identity. A former national CBC Radio host, Tod has built a loyal following through sharp weekly essays and viral videos that unpack what it means to be Canadian—warts, pride, contradictions and all.
Known for cutting through the noise with clarity, wit, and honesty, Tod doesn’t just inform audiences—he challenges them to think critically, laugh thoughtfully, and reconsider the stories we tell ourselves about who we are as a country.
Monique Gray Smith
Monique Gray Smith is an award-winning, bestselling author. Her books cover a broad spectrum of ages, topics and emotions. Woven into all of Monique’s writing, speaking engagements and online courses is the teaching that Love is Medicine. Monique’s book Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults, received the Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Award for 2022. Originally written by Robin Wall Kimmerer and the adaptation includes illustrations by Nicole Neidhardt. Monique’s novel, Tilly and the Crazy Eights was longlisted for Canada Reads 2021. Her children’s book, Dreaming Alongside (April 2025), gives readers permission to daydream and think of what magic their lives have the potential to hold. Sharing the Light: Stories and Reflections (January 2026), was an instant national bestseller. Monique’s book, Kookums First Drum was released in April 2026 and her newest, My Grateful Heart will be released in March 2027.
Monique is trained as a Psychiatric Nurse and has worked in various capacities in community and as a consultant since 1990. Her focus has been weaving history, resilience and trauma informed training for educators, social workers, librarians and early childhood teams. Monique is Cree and Scottish and has been sober and involved in her healing journey for over 34 years. She is well known for her storytelling, spirit of generosity and focus on resilience.
Amy Bishop
Amy Bishop’s voice is a combination of smooth pavement and rough gravel, with the ability to charm listeners with her sweet tones; yet stun audiences with the ability to hit any high note.
Hailing from Calgary, Amy began her music career around campfires, at block parties, and in church choir. Knowing a career in music is no guarantee, Amy decided to practice other trades, but her passion for music prevailed, leading her to collaborations with Moby and opening for April Wine, Farmer’s Daughter, and Chris Cummings. Amy has an instinctive ability to craft stories into song and deliver them with sincerity and passion, all qualities that make her an undeniable Canadian talent.
Amy “wowed” Canada with her appearance on CTV “The Launch” in 2018. This opened up industry doors as she was quickly signed by both a booking agency and management company. In March 2019 Amy performed at the prestigious Canadian Screen Awards in Toronto.
Patricia Campbell
Dr. Pat Campbell has been the Spiritual Director of the Calgary Centre for Spiritual Living since 2013. Prior to that, she served as senior minister of the Temecula Valley Center for Spiritual Living in Southern California for close to 15 years. When she is asked why she moved from California to Canada, her response is, “Why not? Our teaching is about change…and it was time for a change.”
She completed seven years of study in Religious Science, became a licensed minister of Centers for Spiritual Living in 1998, ordained in 2001, and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Religious Science in 2010. Additional education includes a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Broadcasting from California State University, Long Beach and an Associate of Arts Degree in Vocal Music from Miracosta College.
Dr. Pat is known for her humour, story-telling, and simple way of presenting spiritual truths. She often uses experiences from her own life to teach Principle. Her book “Giving God a Good Time,” is a fun, fresh approach to the idea that we are all Spirit in expression. As such, it is our responsibility to “show God a good time,” by means of our lives. It is available in the Soul Shop at the centre and on Amazon and Kindle.
Thomas DeSchutter
Rev. Thomas DeSchutter came to Unity the long way around — raised Catholic, walked away in his late teens, and spent the better part of three and a half decades quietly seeking what he didn't know was missing. At 53, an encounter with A Course in Miracles brought him back — not to religion, but to something more honest than what he'd left.
He now serves as Sr. Minister of Unity Vancouver Island, leading three communities across Nanaimo, Victoria, and Comox Valley. He is also a member of the Unity Canada board of directors.
His teaching is grounded, direct, and built for people who have seen enough of life to need more than inspiration — people who want something that actually holds. He draws on Unity and New Thought metaphysics, the 12 Powers, and the work of Eric Butterworth, with a particular commitment to honest inner work over easy answers.
Rev. Thomas believes the path back to wholeness doesn't require you to have it figured out. It just requires you to stay present to what's actually here.
Patricia Zogar
Patricia Zogar has been nurse, wife, mother, teacher, medical transcriber, runaway, drunk, administrative assistant, bookkeeper, property manager, realtor, event planner and minister. Embracing it all, she says, “Every moment of every day has been preparing me for now.”
Since 1979 she has been on a spiritual journey of study and teaching. She served for several years as Minister at the Positive Living Centre of Victoria, was ordained by International Association of Churches of Truth in 2001 and was subsequently licensed as a Religious Science Practitioner and Minister serving Centres for Spiritual Living in Winnipeg and Kamloops.
She led Unity of Nanaimo from 2016 before assisting in the birth of Unity Vancouver Island in 2021 and returned to her hometown in December 2025 to serve Unity Vancouver Island in Victoria.
Lesia Kohut
Rev. Dr. Lesia Kohut is a Soul Excavator at heart, devoted to unearthing the beauty, harmony, and Love that is the essence of all...even in life’s messiest moments. Guided by her Why, “Empowering the conscious awakening of humanity so that together, we can cultivate a global community founded in Love, “ transformation is Rev. Lesia’s way of being.
A former pastry chef and self-professed grammar hound, Rev. Lesia is a New Thought minister with a doctorate in consciousness studies, a 9D Transformational Breathwork Facilitator, and an award-winning author. Her book Soul Excavation: An Exploration and Discovery of Self Through Fear, Failure & Quantum Physics reflects her gift for turning challenge into opportunity, trauma into expansion.
When not tuning into new potentials, you’ll find Rev. Lesia challenging herself at the gym, baking gluten-free treats, enjoying live jazz, or doing what can only be called sacred research—sifting through a good Apple TV or Netflix binge for New Thought nuggets and gems (because apparently even streaming has something to teach us)...while deeply appreciating her husband Glenn, daughter Mylana, her cats Mercury and Yuzu, and her ever-expanding Fluevog shoe collection.
Cheryl Fraser
Cheryl Fraser, Ph.D. has been studying Buddha Dharma for 25 years and teaches in the Namgyal lineage tradition. She is experienced in both the Tibetan Vajrayana and the Theravada Vipassana traditions. Her root teachers are the Venerable Namgyal Rinpoche and Lama Mark Webber.
She also studies with Phillip Moffit, a teacher at Spirit Rock Meditation Center. She has completed several three- and four-month silent meditation retreats and the two-year Spirit Rock Dedicated Practitioners Program. She studies the Abhidamma, Tantra, and Mahamudra.
As the resident teacher for Island Dharma, she provides meditation instruction, Dharma Talks, and leads retreats on Vancouver Island and beyond. Get on the Island Dharma email list and learn more Here https://islanddharma.ca/
Cheryl is a registered clinical psychologist in private practice specializing in couple’s therapy. She runs a worldwide online couples’ program – Become Passion – and is sought after keynote speaker for people like Tony Robbins and Jack Canfield of Chicken Soup for the Soul. She writes the “Love and Relationships” column for Mindful Magazine. You can learn more about her couple’s program here https://drcherylfraser.com/
In her writing and teaching, she draws from both Western psychology and Buddhist philosophy, applying complex Dharma teachings to real life — with humour and heart.
In 2019, Cheryl published her first book, Buddha’s Bedroom: The Mindful Loving Path to Sexual Passion & Lifelong Intimacy. She is a podcast host of Sex, Love & Elephants and write for magazines.
She invites all of us to explore the question: “How can I be happy for no reason?”
Karin Willmer
Rev. Karin Willmer believes resilience is a unique combination of listening and courageous authenticity — an internal experience, and one most often created through community. We cannot do this alone, or in a vacuum. A former CBC Radio journalist turned executive coach and interim ministry leader, Karin learned early that people find their strength in being truly heard — first as she gathered the stories of communities across the country, and now as she guides leaders and congregations through the kind of change that asks them to lean on one another.
As founder of BetterTogether Leadership, she works at the intersection of conscious leadership and organizational resilience, helping boards and communities turn that kind of listening into action — guiding them through deep transition with both clarity and heart. She has served as a transitional minister for communities in flux, holds an executive coaching credential from Royal Roads University, and is a licensed minister with Centers for Spiritual Living.
Karin brings a broadcaster's ear for story and a minister's trust in what holds us together, offering a Sunday morning reflection on resilience as something we hold both within and between us.
Matthew Kocel
For more than three decades, Matthew Kocel has explored music as a pathway to remembrance of our true nature, our relationship with the Earth, and the underlying unity of existence.
His work bridges ancient vocal traditions, contemplative practice, and immersive sonic experience. It's a rare blend of concert, ceremony, and deep meditation. Through resonant throat singing, overtone harmonics, and acoustic instrumentation, his music brings profound states of connection, expanded awareness, and grounded presence.
Matthew's recordings and live performances continue to touch audiences worldwide, and his music is featured in the meditations and international retreats of Dr. Joe Dispenza.
Whether shared in intimate ceremonial spaces or on international stages, Matthew’s mission remains unchanged:
"My purpose is simple:
To help us remember who we are."
Harold Rosen
Harold Rosen is a community interfaith educator, social justice activist, researcher and author living in Ladysmith. He contributes to Baha'i community building, public teaching, interfaith cooperation, restorative justice and refugee assistance. He has three master's degrees in education, religion and philosophy, and is the author of "Founders of Faith" (2010), "Eye to the Ages" (2024) and "Justice: Divine Gift and Human Capacity" (2026).
Meg Fyfe Watkins
Meg has been teaching yoga since 2012, and practicing for over 20 years. She received her 200-hr certification in Hatha & Vinyasa, followed soon by Pre- and Postnatal Yoga and Restorative Yoga training, in Toronto before moving back to her beloved west coast.
Meg is trained in trauma-sensitive and accessible yoga, and her passion is finding ways to help every single person feel comfortable and safe attending a community yoga practice. Meg is currently training towards her RYT-500 and is the Founder and Director of Kind Society Yoga Collective.
Mackenzie Sillem
Mackenzie Sillem is a mother, partner, friend, daughter, cancer survivor and educator. She worked for 20 years teaching Intercultural Communication at the undergraduate and graduate level at several BC and Alberta post secondary institutions. Then in 2020 she was diagnosed with cancer and treatment led to the development of an invisible disability.
Over the past 6 years Mackenzie has been exploring her new identities with a mixture of acceptance, grief, compassion and bewilderment. She has since found a way to combine her academic backgrounds of environmental studies and adult education along with lived experiences and love for nature through Shinrin Yoku or Forest Bathing.
Derek Hinchliffe
Derek Hinchliffe is a licensed spiritual practitioner with Centers for Spiritual Living and co-Spiritual Director of Centre for Spiritual Living Nanaimo, serving alongside his partner, Amanda Pope. After a full and rewarding career as a journalist and television broadcaster, Derek brings his skills as a storyteller, communicator, and compassionate listener to his work in spiritual community.
Derek has a genuine passion for helping people and believes that meaningful connection and practical support can make a difference in people’s lives. This commitment to service extends beyond his spiritual work, including his part-time work helping people prepare their tax returns.
Outside of his work, Derek enjoys golfing, exploring, and taking adventures around Vancouver Island with Amanda. He brings curiosity, humour, and a love of people to everything he does.
Tamara Rossander
Rev. Tamara Rossander is a licensed Minister with Centers for Spiritual Living and the Spiritual Director of Centre for Spiritual Living White Rock.
Tamara found her spiritual home in 2012, walking into CSL White Rock and knowing instantly she belonged. She served on the Board of Trustees, trained as a Spiritual Practitioner, and eventually answered the call to ministry, completing her studies through the Holmes Institute and CSL Kelowna.
Today, Tamara feels deeply honoured to live her calling to serve humanity through the teaching and practice of Science of Mind. In her ministry, she supports others on their awakened path by creating space for Divine Love, encouraging each person to awaken their hearts, expand their lives, and discover their own capacity to transform the world.
Her mission is to help people remember the truth of who they are. Her personal mantra, "I am love expressed in the world," reflects the heart of her ministry, and the heart of her ministry is this: so is everyone else.
Outside of ministry, Tamara can be found on the road, on the pickleball court, or spending time with her family.
Amanda Pope
Amanda Pope is an ordained minister with Centers for Spiritual Living and co-Spiritual Director of CSL Nanaimo alongside her partner, Derek Hinchliffe. She is also an educator and advocate, bringing more than 15 years of experience supporting inclusion, accessibility, and meaningful participation in post-secondary education.
Amanda currently holds two roles at North Island College: Lead Instructor in the Education Assistant/Community Support Worker Certificate program and Department Chair in Accessible Learning Services.
Across her work in ministry, education, and accessibility, Amanda is passionate about creating experiences that inspire and empower people to live compassionately, connect authentically, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
She holds a Master of Adult Education from St. Francis Xavier University. Amanda and Derek are proud parents of three adult children, who are now out creating meaningful lives of their own. In her spare time, she loves adventure, exploring Vancouver Island, and taking in the beauty of the place she calls home.