Speakers

Meet our esteemed speakers making an impact with recovery.

Our lineup of speakers includes leading experts and inspirational figures in the field of addiction.

Bob Ferguson

Founder and Director
Jaywalker Lodge

Bob Ferguson is the founder of Jaywalker Lodge, a distinguished treatment facility dedicated to supporting individuals in their journey to recovery. After his own battle with addiction and alcoholism, Bob found hope and lasting sobriety through the Jellinek extended care program, part of the Hazelden Foundation in Minnesota. Drawing on his transformative experience with the program’s intensive focus on the First Step of the 12 Steps, Bob established Jaywalker Lodge in March 2005.

Under his leadership, Jaywalker Lodge has built a reputation for its unwavering integrity, authenticity, and highest standards of care. Bob’s mission is to ensure that every graduate has a personalized understanding of the 12 Steps and a meaningful connection with the recovery community. His commitment to honesty, hard work, and tangible positive change has made Jaywalker Lodge a beacon of hope for those seeking a new path in life.

Bob’s dedication to helping addicts and alcoholics, combined with his personal journey, brings a powerful and compassionate voice to the recovery community.

Brandon Turner first gained fame as a youth prodigy skateboarder. Known in the skateboarding community as “Lil B,” Turner was a prominent member of Chad Muska’s Shorty’s group. He emerged during a time of lavish excess in skateboarding, where alcohol and drugs were prevalent.

Turner’s career faced challenges due to injuries and addiction.

However, he transformed his life in the late 2010s by achieving sobriety. His remarkable journey of recovery not only led him back to skateboarding but also to a new calling. He began mentoring others in addiction recovery programs, using his own experiences to inspire and guide them.

Turner’s dedication to helping others overcome addiction has been widely recognized. The New York Times lauded his comeback as “an impressive late-career renaissance.” Today, Brandon Turner continues to make a significant impact as the CEO of West Side Recovery, where he leads efforts to support individuals in their journey to sobriety and wellness.

Brandon Turner

PRO SKATEBOARDER & CEO
WEST SIDE RECOVERY

Brendan Berry

MA, MT-BC, LCAT, &
GRAMMY WINNER

Brendan Berry is an accomplished composer and producer, music therapist, and mental health and addiction specialist. Born and raised in Washington, DC, he is also proudly in long-term recovery. Brendan currently is based out of Los Angeles, California, after residing in Brooklyn, NY for over a decade.

His professional career in music began as a performer, playing bass at a young age, with the distinguished District of Columbia, Blue’s Alley Youth Jazz Orchestra and a basement dwelling punk rock band. Brendan went on to receive his Bachelor of Music from the SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music in Studio Composition.

Early in his collegiate career he began writing film scores for documentary short films. Since then, he has written scores for three theatrically released feature films, the award-winning The Anonymous People, Generation Found, and Tipping the Pain Scale. Brendan has also written music for commercials, dance companies, documentaries, and TV shows.

Brendan has always been passionate about music, sound, and helping people. He began his own journey of recovery from addiction in 2006, and has since used his personal experience to support countless others around the world to find their own path in recovery. Because of his fervor for music and service, Brendan pursued and received his Master’s degree from New York University in Music Therapy in 2014. While he continued to compose and produce music and sound work, he also began serving as a full-time music therapist in the mental health and addiction field. His background as a mental health and addiction specialist has spanned a wide range, from providing services in inpatient behavioral health programs to facilitating access to mental health and addiction treatment for individuals in the music and entertainment industry.

In every project, whether it’s a piece of music or a client session, Brendan brings an equal level of commitment and care, driven by his passion for music and therapy, to guide the process.

Todd Zalkins, CADC-l is a highly sought after Interventionist; Treatment Consultant; Addiction Specialist; and Public Speaker. He’s also an author and award-winning filmmaker.

His gripping memoir, “Dying for Triplicate” has sold more than 75,000 copies worldwide and details Todd’s harrowing 17-year addiction to prescription painkillers. It takes the reader through his hellish experience in detox and into his first 18 months of recovery. The book, which continues to receive critical acclaim, has inspired thousands of sufferers worldwide to seek treatment.

In 2017, Todd brought his story to the big screen by releasing the award-winning documentary “The Long Way Back: The Story of Todd “Z-Man” Zalkins,” a story of redemption and recovery. The film casts a long overdue spotlight on the unspoken stigma of prescription painkiller addiction and gives hope to those struggling with any substance use disorder. The film won the award for “BEST DOCUMENTARY” at the prestigious Phoenix Film Festival and the “AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD” at the Reel Recovery Festival.

Todd "Z-Man" Zalkins

THE LONG WAY BACK FILM
& INTERVENTIONS

Event Talent & Entertainment

Crystal Cao

Sound bath practitioner
LMU’s Yoga Studies
UCLA’s Healing Arts and Sciences

Crystal is a multifaceted artist, yoga teacher, and sound practitioner native to Los Angeles, CA. She holds certifications with LMU’s Yoga Studies program and UCLA’s Healing Arts and Sciences. She has studied sound healing with international sound healer and kundalini instructor, Ana Netanel and many other indigenous teachers and guides along her healing journey.

Crystal carries on an intimate connection to the medicine and spiritual practices of her Vietnamese and Mexican roots. Most recognized for her wondrous wellness events and sensational locations, she beautifully bridges science and energy work into each experience with a focus on nervous system regulation, brainwave entrainment, and manifesting with the power of vibration; but overall, FUN! Crystal offers private, group, and corporate meditation experiences to wherever she is called. With a heart of devotion to the healing arts, every intention is from a place of integrity and conscious transformation.

I have taught mindfulness at rehabs and outpatient facilities all around LA and have provided sound bath meditations with the LAFD.

Heidi Lawden is a DJ, producer and occasional vocalist. She hosts the monthly radio show ‘Magic Roundabout’ on LA’s Dublab.com.

Heidi Lawden arrived in London’s queer club & rave scene in the 90’s and has lived and breathed the world of dance music ever since. Now based in LA, she DJs at the U.S finest clubs, undergrounds and festivals. Notably an informal residency at NYC House of Yes, and factory93 festivals and club nights. Heidi’s style cannot be pigeonholed, she fluidly combines House, Techno and synth-laden Disco oddities to create a world of her own, Heidi has gained the respect and admiration of her peers through her knowledge, style, and infectious excitement and love for the global dance music community. Although having long since honed the subtle skill of the warm-up, Heidi excels with lengthy sets that truck through into the morning a recent solo set clocked an incredible 8 hrs.. A true crossover DJ traversing gay and straight parties, she invariably promotes and seeks to elevate fellow female gender fluid and next gen artists through both her bookings and radio show.

She shy’s away from filmed sets and DJ mixes preferring the intimacy and inspiration of a real time experience. Minimal live recordings have featured on Apple Music, Feel My Bicep, the latter citing her mix among the site’s more popular. During the day, Heidi collaborates on worldwide events for DJ Harvey who has cited her as his muse, she is somewhat media-shy and prefers to let her music and parties do the talking. Her few releases include Dancefloor Dreams as Heidi Hoven & Next to You as Locussolus, a track she also sings on. Heidi’s calendar is full with N and S America dates but 024 will see her widen her international touring schedule to include dates at Love Internatinal, Panorama Bar, Wildwood festival, Fort Life, Pikes Ibiza, Horsemeat Disco, and Glitterbox.

Heidi Lawden

DJ, Producer and occasional vocalist

Larissa Kibort

Yoga Instructor
RTY200

Looking to enhance your relaxation? Enjoy a complimentary beachside yoga session included with your admission. Experience the tranquility of practicing yoga on the shore, accompanied by the soothing sounds of the ocean and a refreshing sea breeze. Our experienced instructors will guide you through the session, helping you find balance and peace.

Bio Coming Soon.