January

Step into the fascinating world of global New Year traditions—from eating grapes at midnight in Spain to smashing plates in Denmark. These rituals reveal what different cultures hope for in the year ahead: luck, love, health, and prosperity. We explore different belief systems and end with the power of intention.

#2 Love Around the World

Monthly presentations to explore culture, places, and stories — a full calendar of enriching programs that connect participants to the wider world and to each other. Although presentations are listed in specific months to go along with a monthly theme - the presentations can be scheduled anytime of year.

A Year of Awakening

#1 New Year's Superstitions Around the World

February

Step into the fascinating world of global New Year traditions—from eating grapes at midnight in Spain to smashing plates in Denmark. These rituals reveal what different cultures hope for in the year ahead: luck, love, health, and prosperity. We explore different belief systems and end with the power of intention.

February

#3 Speed Dating NOT—Speed Friending YES

Step into the fascinating world of global New Year traditions—from eating grapes at midnight in Spain to smashing plates in Denmark. These rituals reveal what different cultures hope for in the year ahead: luck, love, health, and prosperity. We explore different belief systems and end with the power of intention.

March

Ireland is known for its rich storytelling tradition, where folklore, humor, and history intertwine. Explore classic Irish tales, the origins behind them, and the deeper meanings they carry. This program highlights how storytelling connects generations, preserves culture, and reminds us that our own stories are just as important to share.

Women's History Month

#4 The Irish Art of Storytelling

March

This presentation explores South Korea's 4B Movement, where young women are choosing to say no to marriage, dating, childbirth, and sex. Formed out of frustration with societal pressures, patriarchy, and gender-based violence, the movement highlights the ways women are prioritizing autonomy, independence, and safety. Learn how this cultural shift is reshaping relationships, family life, and even demographic trends in modern South Korea.

April

#6 Easter Around The World

From egg rolling at the White House to elaborate processions in Spain and fireworks in Greece, Easter is celebrated in remarkably different ways across the globe. This session explores how cultures interpret themes of renewal, hope, and rebirth—inviting participants to reflect on their own traditions and what "new beginnings" mean at any stage of life.

#5 History in the Making for Women in South Korea

May

Let’s explore how motherhood has transformed from the 1960s to today—from cloth diapers to self-feeding baby bottles. We will look at new gadgets including a special edition stroller that retails for $5,000 to determine if today’s gadgets make mom’s life easier or the contrary.

#7 The Evolution of Motherhood

May

The first person to win Nobel Prizes in two different sciences, who also raised two daughters as a widowed, working parent, modeling resilience, curiosity, and determination. Marie Curie (1867–1934) was a pioneering physicist and chemist. Her work on radioactivity, including the discovery of polonium and radium, revolutionized science.

June

#9 The Evolution of
Fatherhood

This session explores how the role of fatherhood has evolved—from provider to nurturer—and how different generations and cultures define it. It also examines how these shifting expectations impact identity, relationships, and the way men show up for their families today.

#8 An Amazing Mother, Marie Curie

July

Independence looks different across cultures—from quinceañeras in Latin America to gap years in Europe and solo journeys in other parts of the world. This program explores what it truly means to "come of age" and how independence is defined, celebrated, and experienced globally.

#10 Independence
Around the World

August

Explore the intriguing world of psychics, intuition, and the unexplained. Learn about real cases where law enforcement consulted psychics, including government-funded programs that explored extrasensory perception. Whether skeptical or curious, this session opens the door to fascinating conversation about what we know—and what we don't.

September

#12 The Evolution of Work & Unconventional Success

Work has long shaped identity, purpose, and daily life—but what "work" looks like has changed dramatically. From lifelong careers with one company to today's selfmade millionaires who create videos from their car. This session explores how work culture has evolved across generations and dives into the most surprising and unconventional jobs.

National Psychic Day (August 3rd)

#11 Psychics: Fact, Fiction, and Fascination

Labor Day

October

This program normalizes conversations about death and beyond. Watch short videos from a hospice nurse explaining what happens during the natural process of dying. Then hear from individuals who have had near-death experiences, sharing what it was like to face death and return to life. Together, these perspectives open the door to deeper understanding, meaningful reflection, and conversations.

#13 Death & Beyond

October

This presentation examines dramatically different traditions surrounding death such as India's public cremations through sacred fire or Ghana's vibrant fantasy coffins shaped like Mercedes-Benzes. These practices reveal fundamental differences in how cultures view the body after death.

October

#15 Ghost Stories &
Haunted America

Exploring famous haunted locations and the stories behind them, sparking imagination and lively discussion about the unexplained. Whether you're a skeptic, a believer, or somewhere in between, this is a space to explore the mysterious with an open mind and good company.

#14 Death Around the World

November

Gratitude is more than a seasonal practice—it's a powerful mindset that can improve emotional well-being, relationships, and overall outlook on life. This session explores the science and psychology behind gratitude, along with cultural traditions of giving thanks from around the world.

December

#17 Christmas Around
The World

While Christmas is widely celebrated, traditions vary greatly across cultures—from festive markets in Germany to candlelit processions in Latin America to roller skating to church in Venezuela. This program explores the diversity of these traditions while highlighting the common themes of connection, generosity, and joy.

#16 The Power of Gratitude & Thankfulness

Wellness & Self-Care

An educational wellness program exploring the relationship between inflammation, nutrition, and chronic pain. Participants gain foundational knowledge of anti-inflammatory and low-carbohydrate principles, practical meal strategies, and sustainable lifestyle adjustments to support overall health.

#19 Sacred Space, Sacred Time

Participants will learn how to create intentional time and space for restoration. Practices include meditation, EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques), and breathing methods designed to reduce stress. The benefits of journaling will also be explored and how to combine everything into a meaningful part of daily practice.

#20 Designing Your Life with Purpose,
Love, and Peace

A forward-looking program focused on intentional aging. Participants reflect on identity, relationships, contribution, and meaning while developing a personalized roadmap for living their later years intentionally with connection, and purpose.

#18 Eating Your Way Out of Pain: Anti-Inflammatory & Low-Carb Choices

Please note: For this program, Paula will send a Word document that will need to be printed out for each participant. Paula will distribute during program.

Explore the complex and controversial legacy of Joan Crawford—an iconic Hollywood star whose image was dramatically reshaped by her daughter's memoir, Mommie Dearest. While celebrated publicly for her glamour and success, private accounts revealed a very different and deeply troubling experience of motherhood marked by control, fear, and emotional volatility. Through this story, we examine the contrast between public persona and private reality, the lasting impact of parenting on children, and the difficult conversations around truth, perception, and legacy within families.

#22 Judy Garland
Beyond the Spotlight

#21 Joan Crawford
Mommie Dearest

#23 Prince Harry
Spare

This presentation is based on Prince Harry's book, Spare. Prince Harry reveals his deeply personal story of growing up in the public eye while struggling with identity, loss, and expectation. Through Prince Harry's journey, we examine themes of grief, family dynamics, and the courage it takes to break away from roles that no longer serve us. It's an honest, thought-provoking conversation about what it means to choose your own path.

#24 Ryan O'Neal
A Paper Life

This presentation is based on Tatum O'Neal's memoir A Paper Life, in which she recounts her turbulent childhood as the youngest Oscar winner in history and her relationship with her abusive father, actor Ryan O'Neal. Her story reveals the dark reality behind Hollywood glamour—a life marked by physical violence, neglect, and early exposure to drugs despite her professional success.

A series of presentations exploring the contrast between public persona and private reality — examining the lives of iconic figures through memoirs, biographies, and personal accounts.

FAME:
Beyond the Spotlight

This presentation explores the life of Judy Garland through the book Beyond the Spotlight—revealing the pressures, control, and personal struggles she faced behind her iconic image. From her early rise to fame to the realities of studio influence and addiction, we uncover the human story behind "America's sweetheart." It's a powerful look at resilience, identity, and the cost of fame. The book Beyond the Spotlight: Reflections on Judy Garland was written by Lawrence Schulman, a music producer, critic, and longtime Garland scholar whose work reframes her legacy beyond the usual entertainer narrative.

An applied emotional intelligence workshop designed to strengthen self-awareness, self-regulation and empathy to improve relationships especially with adult children. Participants learn practical strategies to enhance communication, navigate conflict, and lead with authenticity to deepen, improve, and enjoy relationships.

#27 It's Never Too Late To Improve Your Relationships

A dynamic, interactive workshop examining how emotional intelligence bridges generational, political, and cultural divides. Participants explore how empathy, curiosity, and intentional communication strengthen friendships, communities, workplaces, and families in an increasingly polarized world.

#26 What the World Needs Now Is EQ!

Think you have a bad memory? Think again! In this fun and interactive program, participants will learn simple but powerful memory techniques used by memory champions. In just 60 minutes, participants will learn how to remember the eight continents, the first ten U.S. presidents in order and the names of new people by using creative visualization and association techniques.

#25 Memory Magic

Memory & EQ Programs

It's My Honor to Share

It’s my passion to bring meaningful, engaging ideas to life. For over three decades, I’ve sparked curiosity, ignited conversation, and created spaces where people feel safe to contemplate, question, and share.

Every topic I present is one I care deeply about—and that passion shows. I don’t just deliver content; I connect and create an experience.

Sharing space with your participants is an honor and a privilege.

Paula Banno
Leadership Facilitator | Former Executive Director & Lifestyle Director, Senior Living

📞 630.946.7777 cell
📧 PaulaAscends@gmail.com