In a world increasingly interconnected through digital means yet paradoxically marked by loneliness and division, the inception of this summit stems from a pressing question:
What will it take to mend our fragmented hearts and rebuild the fabric of our society?
At the heart of our era’s challenge lies the crucial task of rediscovering our path back to one another, embracing our vulnerabilities, joys, and sorrows, and fostering relationships and communities where every individual is seen, heard, valued, and feels a sense of belonging.
It is by honoring our fundamental human instinct—the deep-seated yearning for real connection—that we can rekindle our collective humanity. Let us come together, in this Summit, to celebrate the boundless potential of the human spirit.
In this gathering, we will be introduced to a wealth of original insights, foundational ideas, and practical tools so we can honor your truest selves, forge connections that are deeply rooted in authenticity, and contribute our unique gifts to the world.
It is an invitation to step into our collective power, heal, and transform our world, one heart, one connection at a time.
True Self
In the quiet spaces of our hearts lies the essence of who we are—untouched by the world’s expectations, free to soar in the boundlessness of our true nature.
Your true self is not a destination but a journey—a perpetual unfolding of your deepest truths, desires, and dreams, inviting you to live more fully in every moment.
Brave Connections
Let us dare to connect deeply and vulnerably, to embrace one another’s true selves, without masks or pretenses, celebrating the strength and struggles in our shared humanity.
In the act of making brave connections, we find the courage to be seen, transforming not just our lives but the world around us.
A Love-Led World
Imagine a world led by love, where every action, big or small, heals divides and sows seeds of peace.
It starts with the courage to open our hearts, to listen deeply, and to act with kindness, making a love-led world not just a dream but a reachable reality.
Our Extraordinary Speakers
This is our full lineup of trailblazing speakers. Each one is not just a luminary in their field but an embodiment of this summit’s spirit—sharing not only their profound professional insights but also the gems of vulnerable personal wisdom. Each interview unfolds as a deeply meaningful interaction, marked by moments of raw emotion.
In every dialogue, there is an undercurrent of something transcendent, leaving an indelible mark on both speaker and listener. These moments transcend the ordinary, reminding us of the power of genuine connection and the unforgettable impact it can have on our lives and our understanding of the world.
Prepare to be inspired, moved, and transformed as they share their unique journeys and the powerful truths that guide them.
Dr. Mavis Tsai,
Your Host of the Confluence of Hearts Global Summit
Elevate Humanity:
Embody Awareness, Courage and Love in Turbulent Times
Dr. Julie Gottman & Dr. John Gottman
Fight Right:
How Successful Couples Turn Conflict Into Connection
Dr. Pepper Schwartz
The Love Checklist:
The Only Diagnostic You’ll Need for Deciding Who to Date or Commit To
Dr. Steven C. Hayes
Love Isn't Everything, It's the Only Thing
Mansi Jasuja
Warrior of the Heart:
Being in an Era of Complexity and Chaos
Dr. Thomas Moore
Living a Soulful Life in a World in Danger of Losing Its Soul
Luis Gallardo
Why Happytalism Matters For the Continued Existence of the Human Race
Dr. Laura Brown
How Can We Keep Our Hearts Open in Times of Grief, Pain, and Terror?
Alan Seale
Transformational Presence:
A Compass for Our Times
Simone Heng
Human Connection in the Era of a Loneliness Epidemic
Nobantu Mpotulo
I Am Because We Are:
Principles of the African Philosophy of Ubuntu
Dr. Robert Styles
Conscious Cultural Evolution
Robin Landsong
Courageous Hearts:
The Transformative Power of Love in Times of War
Manuela O’Connell
Embracing Intimacy:
Weaving Together Life and Spirit
Dr. Mohammad Najafi
The Heart's Compass:
Navigating Modern Life with Rumi's Ancient Wisdom
Vibha
The Essence of Gratitude:
Elevating Personal and Organizational Well-Being
Susan Partnow
Healing Divides, Mending Hearts:
The Deep Impact of Compassionate Listening
Dr. Edith Shiro
The Unexpected Gift of Trauma
Dr. Sanjana Das
Paths to Dignity:
The Impact of Intersectional Feminism on Trafficked and Migrant Women's Lives
Dr. Anne Uemura
Embracing the Self:
The Pathway Home to Love
Paul Merriman
Balancing Hope and Reason:
The Lifetime Path to Successful Investing
Dr. Alise Cortez
Becoming Irreplaceable:
How to Embed Meaning and Purpose Into Your Life Like No One Else Can
Ben Spaloss
Amusing Ourselves to Death:
An Ethnography from a TikTok Influencer
Karam Hassan
Bridging Cultures, Creating Futures:
The Journey of a Refugee Changemaker
Jessica J. Lockhart
Humanology:
Rehumanizing Humanity?
Confluence of Hearts:
A Global Summit on True Self, Brave Connections, and a Love-Led World
April 22 – 26, 2024
Meet Your Host,
Dr. Mavis Tsai
Dr. Mavis Tsai, a clinical psychologist and senior research scientist at the University of Washington’s Center for Science of Social Connection, co-created Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP) alongside her late spouse, Robert Kohlenberg, PhD, ABPP. This innovative approach leverages the power of authentic therapeutic relationships to transform lives. A co-author of five books on FAP, Mavis’s work transcends language barriers, reaching a global audience and earning her the Washington State Psychological Association’s Distinguished Psychologist Award.
As the founder of the nonprofit organization, Awareness, Courage & Love (ACL) Global Project, she leads a movement to combat the global crisis of loneliness by fostering deep interpersonal connections worldwide. Her mission is deeply personal, rooted in her family’s history of enduring war in China and her own experiences of social exclusion as an Asian in predominantly white settings. Her work, including a compelling TEDx talk on Creating Extraordinary Interactions, has been marked by a quest to stand up for those who feel marginalized and excluded. As we stand at the cusp of planetary survival, her mission is to dare to be powerful and visible in using her gifts as a servant leader for the greater good of humanity. She is dedicated to mirroring for others their best selves as she helps them heal, awaken spiritually, and honor their callings.
She’s proud to be named by New Harbinger Publications as one of “13 Badass Psychologists… Who Happen to be Women”, and literally kicks ass as an advanced practitioner of the martial art of Kajukenbo. She loves to climb; the highest peak she has summited is Mt. Kalapathar (over 18,500 feet or 5600 meters) in Nepal. Her endeavors, both personally and professionally, reflect her unwavering commitment to elevate the human spirit, and to embody the principles of Awareness, Courage and Love in every action and interaction. She would love for you to be a fellow traveler with her on this journey.