September 18 - 20, 2026
FREE to Attend
Donations Welcome
We believe humanity is capable of creating a more caring and sustainable future. The Sound of Care brings together diverse voices, lived experiences, emerging science, and collective wisdom to explore how that future can begin within ourselves, our communities, and the systems that shape our world.
TOGETHER WE EXPLORE
TWO ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
How do we create a world where care leads the way in all sectors of society?
How do I personally express and apply care in my life and work?
WE NEED YOUR VOICE.
That question has brought together a remarkable group of heart-centered thinkers, scientists, educators, physicians, artists, innovators, students, and everyday citizens from many nations, from all generations and all walks of life, who care deeply about the future we are creating together.
LEARN
SHARE
Join Us Today
Those who choose to engage more deeply will help shape the conversation, contribute their voice, and become part of a growing global community working to apply care in every sector of society.
Choose How You'd Like to Participate
BECOME AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT
If you wish to participate, register to join with us on zoom where you can interact with the speakers and participants. Before the event begins, you’ll be invited to join the conversation in our Global Heart Sync online community. There is no fee to join. Here, you will have the opportunity to connect with presenters and fellow changemakers from around the world, explore curated resources, respond to our leading question, and contribute your voice.
WATCH THE LIVESTREAM
You may join the global livestream and explore the conversations, insights, and inspiration shared throughout the symposium.
JOIN CARE IN ACTION
Join participants from around the world for 10.5 hours of inspiring conversations, music, reflection, and collaboration exploring what becomes possible when care leads the way.
There's something you need to know
Meaningful societal transformation requires a transformation in the way we each understand ourselves and the world around us. Participants will leave this experience with a new appreciation for life itself, and for the ways in which we are all connected.
The deepest place to create change is in the mindset or paradigm that gives rise to the system itself.
The Sound of Care event begins from this perspective.
Because lasting change does not begin only with institutions and systems.
It begins with the human consciousness.
What becomes possible when...
We feel more connected to one another
We lead with our hearts
We shift from fear to support and collaboration
Care is not a liability. It is a practical, measurable, participatory force for transformation.
The Community Experience
Those who choose to engage before the symposium begins, may enter our online community where meaningful connection and collaboration takes place
Participants will be invited to reflect on important questions and explore Care First World Magazine – Volume 7, featuring articles from many of our presenters to enrich the conversations ahead.
Some participants may be invited to share their reflections LIVE during the symposium as part of the collective conversation.
Together, we will share wisdom, lived experience, vision, and human possibility.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY EXPERIENCEA Global Event
The Sound of Care is designed to be experiential, relational, and ongoing.
Music, video, guided meditation, and moments of reflection are woven throughout the symposium, creating a spacious experience where ideas can be felt, shared, and meaningfully integrated.
Those who participate more fully can:
Build meaningful relationships with thoughtful, purpose-driven people from around the world
Engage in meaningful conversations across sectors
Share reflections and ideas related to the leading question
Begin building collaborations before the event begins
Participate in an ongoing vibrant community within the Global Heart Sync platform after the symposium concludes
Meet The Presenters
Louis Böhtlingk
Scotland · Founder of Care First World Magazine and the Sound of Care Symposium
In 2023 he started Care First World magazine to share the Care First message and uplifting news to strengthen hearts in these challenging times. Living from our hearts offers a genuinely hopeful perspective towards the future of humanity.
www.magazine.carefirstworld.com
Dr. Mitchell Abrams
Canada · Physician, CCARE Certified Compassion Educator, Co-Founder Global Heart Sync, NexGenHealth Foundation
Dr. Mitch Abrams is a Canadian radiologist, educator, TEDx and keynote speaker, and founder of NexGenHealth Foundation. He is a Certified Educator of Applied Compassion through Stanford University's Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE). He earned his medical degree and radiology specialty at Dalhousie University, completed a fellowship in cross-sectional imaging at the University of Toronto, and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He serves as an Adjunct Clinical Professor at McMaster University's Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine and previously held the role of Chair of Diagnostic Imaging at Cambridge Memorial Hospital.
Following his own experience with open-heart surgery early in his medical career, Dr. Mitch - as he is affectionately called by his students - began to understand that there is far more to healing than our Western medical model supports. He embarked on an interdisciplinary investigation into the scientific foundations of resilience, compassion, psychophysiology, contemplative neuroscience, and the biopsychosocial model of health. For more than a decade, he has translated this work into evidence-informed educational initiatives designed to improve healthcare provider well-being, strengthen patient care, and promote community resilience.
Dr. Mitch is the creator of the H.E.A.R.T.(TM) Curriculum (Heart Education and Resilience Training) and cofounder of Global Heart Sync(TM) (GlobalHeartSync.org) - an initiative exploring the role of heart coherence in fostering individual well-being and social connection. Through RADD ART(TM) (Radiologist-Developed Autonomic Rewiring Therapy), he also integrates art, music, and science to support sustainable funding for mental health education and resilience research.
Dr. Abrams serves as a Scientific and Curriculum Advisor to Luminara.Institute and supports the global Synchronistory® initiative, collaborating with interdisciplinary leaders across healthcare, education, science, technology, and the nonprofit sector to advance compassionate, evidence-informed approaches to human flourishing. He is honored by the opportunity to help lead the Sound of Care Symposium and support the expansion of a Care First World.
www.GlobalHeartSync.org | www.NexGenHealth.solutions | www.TheCoherenceExperience.com
Thera Van Osch
Netherlands · Feminist Economist
In the past 15 years she worked as an independent researcher, advisor, and trainer for the European Commission (EC), the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), the Council of Europe (CoE), several UN Agencies, bilatoral organisations for international cooperation, Academies and NGOs. In 2023 she received the award of ‘Knight in the Order of Orange Nassau of His Majesty, King Willem Alexander of the Netherlands’ for promoting women’s rights and the improvement of women’s position on the labour market and in society. Currently she is engaged as a feminist economist in the UNDP programme ’EQUANOMICS Global Learning Lab on Gender Equal Economies’.
Maurits Hoenders
Netherlands · Professional intuitive trainer & coach
For the past 15 years he has worked with civil servants and young professionals. Since 2012 he has worked for the Professional Honour Foundation. In 2017 he co-founded De Vuurmakers, a cooperation that provides leadership programs for young civil servants. His goal is to inspire (young) public professionals to connect to their True Selves, find their purpose and do the Work they’re meant to do. Maurits has been part of the Care First Network for many years and is an editor for the Care First Magazine.
Dr. Patricia Klauer
Mexico/USA · Pioneer in Conscious Economics · Data Architect · Founder, Aligned Intelligence
Dr. Klauer cofounded Social Fusion in 2002, an incubator for social entrepreneurs, and has served as both board member and adviser to Impact Hub Global. As a member of the Global Alliance for Social Entrepreneurship, she contributes to their 'Aligned for Impact' data harmonization program and co-authored data governance principles for cross-sector data collaboration. She also co-authored the Attention Economy policy brief with the United Nations Network of Economists (UNEN) and New Economies for Sustainable Development (NESD), and released 'The Universal Principles of the Conscious Attention Economy'.
Patricia lives in a lakeside village in Mexico, where she co-founded FoodBank Lakeside to address regional food poverty through partnerships with local grocers and community volunteers. Her work across all domains is animated by a single aspiration: a future where humanity lives in mutual benefit with all beings and with nature.
Sandra Bohtlingk
Scotland · Spirit Doll Maker. Soul Reader. · Co-Editor for 'Care First World Magazine'
My Spirt Dolls are aimed at show-casing a deeper more personal side of ourselves known to us or, as yet, not known. My Soul Readings are based upon the same field of development. Who are we really. What lies deeper within. And, what are we missing? I have no special titles as such. I believe I avoided them actually and preferred finding out what really makes me tick in the present moment. As co-editor for Care First World Magazine, I enjoy the world of stories. The journey we can experience be it through our own story or that of another’s. Stories are like a big puzzle that is expressing itself through colour, sound imagination feelings growth and so on. With so much to explore in life it is impossible to get bored.
Jody Bresgi
Canada· Co-Founder & Director of Educational Initiatives, Strategic Partnerships & Research,
NexGenHealth Foundation
Working alongside her life and business partner, physician Dr. Mitch Abrams, Jody co-develops programs and initiatives that integrate the science of the brain, heart, and human connection with compassion science, art, music, and mind-body practices. Together they have co-developed the H.E.A.R.T.™ program (Heart Education and Resilience Training), Global Heart Sync™, and RADD ART™ (Radiologist Developed Autonomic Rewiring Therapy). Along with a wonderful global team of Care First leaders, Jody has helped lead the development of The Sound of Care Symposium.
Jody holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Film and Video from York University, an MBA from the Ivey School of Business at Western University, and is a Certified Nutritional Practitioner, graduating as valedictorian from the Institute of Holistic Nutrition. She is also a Certified Clinical Research Coordinator and has managed Phase III and IV clinical trials, bringing a strong foundation in evidence-based healthcare to all of NexGenHealth's initiatives.
Jody is passionate about translating emerging science into practical experiences that help individuals and communities cultivate greater well-being, resilience, and compassionate action. Jody serves as an advisor to Luminara.Institute and supports the global Synchronistory® initiative, collaborating with teams across academia, healthcare, education, and the nonprofit sector.
www.GlobalHeartSync.org | www.NexGenHealth.solutions | www.TheCoherenceExperience.com
Gabriella Kapfer
Portugal · Educator · Musician · Instrument maker · workshop facilitator · co-founder of Resounding Earth and Care First World
www.resoundingearth.com
Heather Cowen
Portugal · Educator, Musician, Workshop facilitator & host, Co-Founder of Resounding Earth
Tess Cacciatore
USA · Award-Winning filmmaker and Creator of Yumi’s Universe - a children’s IP to promote kindness · CEO/Founder Global Women’s Empowerment Network
Tess is a Member of WIM (Women in Management) Global Committee, as well as a past recipient of the Filmmaking & Storytelling Award in 2023. WIM is headquartered in Sri Lanka and is a global network of women in business.
Her 2023 film *The Rescue* won 23 film festivals worldwide, including the Cannes World Film Festival Social Justice Award and Best Female Director, Whistleblower Film Festival (DC), City of Angels Film Festival (LA), Berlin, Toronto, iFest Film Festival (LA) and more. Tess is passionate about the protection of women and children and has dedicated her creative skills to raise awareness about sex/human trafficking, domestic violence, mental health, and more.
Tess has spoken at the United Nations (Geneva & New York) and appeared on major national TV, like: The Today Show, Dr. Phil and numerous local and international TV shows, radio shows, and podcasts. Along with her original talk show GWEN TALKS on i-Heart Radio. She has also received the Communicator Award of Distinction for Social Awareness in Filmmaking. She was previously recognized at the United Nations (Geneva) for the Fete d' Geneva for Edu-tainment 2001,the Mobile Excellence Award (2012) for the GWEN Alert safety app, Congress & State Assembly awards in states New York & California.
Tess is a keynote speaker and panelist at the United Nations (New York and Geneva) SXSW, Digital Hollywood and others. Tess is an award-winning songwriter and she has been a multiple nominee at the Hollywood Music in Media Awards and is a 2024 Hollywood Independent Music Awards nominee for Best Original Song, "Gotta Do The Right Thing." “Chasing the Sun” won Best Children’s Song” for Hollywood Independent Music Award for Yumi’s Universe.
She is a media-credited journalist at the United Nations and also a WIM Global Leadership Committee member and Top50 Global Award Winner.
Tess has spent 25+ years advocating for human rights across five continents, using film and technology to drive change.
Wynn Waggoner
Producer · Editor · Co-Founder of Yumi's Universe LLC
In 2024 Wynn and Douglas were introduced to Yumi’s Universe by, Tess Cacciatore, their friend and the creator of Yumi. Shortly thereafter, they experience a watershed moment while on a trip to Japan for World Peace Week. Yumi’s Universe, focuses on children’s Peace education. The theme takes Yumi with her best friend Jay, along with her four animal friends around the globe in their Mystical Magical Orb-ship sharing kindness with other cultures. The international group they were with excitedly embraced their goal for children everywhere to experience peace education. The overwhelming response was, “oh my, this is just what we’ve been waiting for...Yumi is the perfect Global Ambassador for Children’s Peace and Kindness education”; the timing is perfect! That moment showed Wynn and Douglas the level of international interest and the need they would begin to address. Yumi’s Universe, LLC was created and the growth of Yumi and her peace and kindness travels began.
Wynn resides in the clear mountain air just west of Boulder, Colorado, with her husband Douglas.
Douglas Waggoner
USA· Producer · Editor · co-founder of Yumi's Universe LLC
Douglas is also the creator of the Birdscape™. These artistically designed nesting boxes and bird feeders were created to give back to the birds their natural environment, compete with the protection they seek. Each is created as an arrangement of natural elements to accommodate the needs and characteristics of specific birds. He explains them as “returning to the birds what is fundamentally theirs: a natural environment where they can successfully nurture, protect and raise their family.” People see them as art with an everchanging window into nature. As unique art pieces, each is signed and numbered and accompanied by a “Certificate of Authenticity” Waggoner’s work has been featured in over a dozen publications including Garden Center Magazine and the cover of Garden Décor Magazine.
In 2024 Wynn and Douglas were introduced to Yumi’s Universe by, Tess Cacciatore, their friend and the creator of Yumi - an animated character. Shortly thereafter, they experience a watershed moment while on a trip to Japan for World Peace Week. Yumi’s Universe, focuses on children’s Peace education. The theme takes Yumi with her best friend Jay, along with her four animal friends around the globe in their Mystical Magical Orb-ship sharing kindness with other cultures. The international group they were with excitedly embraced their goal for children everywhere to experience peace education. The overwhelming response was, “oh my, this is just what we’ve been waiting for…Yumi is the perfect Global Ambassador for Children’s Peace and Kindness education”; the timing is perfect! That moment showed Wynn and Douglas the level of international interest and the need they would begin to address. Yumi’s Universe, LLC was created and the growth of Yumi and her peace and kindness travels began.
A native of northern Minnesota, the artist currently makes his home in the mountains west of Boulder, Colorado with his wife Wynn, where he has created some of the finest pieces of natural sculptured art available today.
Our Programme
Friday · September 18, 2026
Building a Caring Economy · The Caring Human Being · A Care First Economy
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM BST (UK)
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM EDT (NYC/Toronto)
8:00 AM – 10:00 AM PDT (LA/Vancouver)
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM CEST (Central Europe)
View Updated Presenter Schedule
Saturday · September 19, 2026
Care for Ourselves · Care for the Earth · Care for Each Other · Participant Contributions · Breakout Conversations
4:00 PM – 9:00 PM BST (UK)
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM EDT (NYC/Toronto)
8:00 AM – 1:00 PM PDT (LA/Vancouver)
5:00 PM – 10:00 PM CEST (Central Europe)
View Updated Presenter Schedule
Sunday · September 20, 2026
Elegant Simplicity · Animation Surprise! · Experiencing Our Hearts · Completion & Ongoing Community Vision
4:00 PM – 7:30 PM BST (UK)
11:00 AM – 2:30 PM EDT (NYC/Toronto)
8:00 AM – 11:30 PM PDT (LA/Vancouver)
5:00 PM – 8:30 PM CEST (Central Europe)
View Updated Presenter Schedule
How This All Began
"On December 30th, 2025, I received an email from Riane Eisler with the words: ‘Care has been the subject of my books and articles for a long time.’ Riane shared her concern about the worldwide devaluation of care. As I crossed into 2026, I had a deep sense that this would become a year devoted to the theme of care — and that we would gather people together from around the world to explore what becomes possible when care truly leads the way.”
— Louis Bohtlingk
On 19 March 2026, Riane Eisler was inducted into the California Hall of Fame in recognition of four decades of work on the care economy, gender equity, early childhood investment, and long-term human wellbeing. It was hosted by California’s governor Gavin Newson.
The Sound of Care emerged from a growing vision to help bring the conversation of care into the mainstream — not only as an ideal, but as a practical foundation for the future of humanity. It is intended not just as a one-time symposium, but as an impactful conversation and community that continues to grow over time.
GlobalHeartSync.org
Global Heart Sync is a global initiative of the nonprofit NexGenHealth Foundation, created to help people recognize the global heartbeat—humanity's innate capacity to connect, synchronize, and create positive change within ourselves, with one another, and throughout the world.
The platform gamifies wellness practices to help cultivate deeper connection, and a more caring world through the science of the heart.
Global Heart Sync is also the home of the Care First Community
A growing network of leaders, educators, healthcare professionals, artists, innovators, entrepreneurs, students, and everyday citizens who believe a more caring world is possible. Together, we explore new ideas, share practical solutions, and reimagine the systems that shape our lives through the lens of care
We envision this community becoming the foundation of a global Care First Movement—one that inspires individuals and organizations to place the wellbeing of people and the planet at the heart of decision-making. By cultivating greater coherence within ourselves and deeper collaboration with one another, we believe meaningful and lasting change becomes possible.
As part of this vision, Care First World Magazine, accessible through the Global Heart Sync ecosystem, serves as an ongoing source of inspiration, bringing together many of the world's leading voices exploring how care can become a guiding principle across healthcare, education, economics, business, governance, and beyond.
Human beings are deeply interconnected.
As more people cultivate coherence within themselves, they influence others. This ultimately lays the foundation for the systems we build together. Global Heart Sync exists to accelerate that transformation by making heart-centred practices engaging, measurable, and accessible to anyone, anywhere.
Through simple practices, live global events, and engaging community experiences, participants build resilience, emotional wellbeing, clarity, and deeper human connection—turning personal growth into something shared, meaningful, and easy to sustain.
As the platform grows, partnerships with organizations and philanthropic supporters will help expand resilience education, advance research, and bring evidence-based wellbeing programs to youth and underserved communities.
The Global Heart Sync Vision
A world where science-backed heart-centred practices become part of everyday life to support human flourishing and connection.
Whether you are beginning your own journey or looking to help lead meaningful change in your community, we invite you to visit Global Heart Sync and join our community in creating a future where care is not simply an ideal, but a way of living and leading.
This is larger than just an event...
The Sound of Care is the beginning of a growing global movement and collaborative ecosystem dedicated to helping place care at the center of how humanity lives, leads, relates, and creates the future together.
If this invitation resonates with you, we welcome you to engage with us.
Together, we can help cultivate the conditions for a more connected, compassionate, coherent, Care First World.
Join Us!