Since 2020, Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) has adjusted to the new realities that come with COVID-19 by creating its free illuminate Speaker Series, series which addresses aspects of the pandemic and offers help on how to navigate through the challenges it presents.
One way HSB transitioned to serve the past two years is by providing resources to the community during the pandemic via the virtual series.
Next month’s speaker is Amanda Kloots who, along with her infant child, lost her actor husband early on to the pandemic. Because of their high-profile status, they had to manage her grief in the public eye.
Kloots will present Maintaining Positivity Through Life’s Challenges, 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 20. The event is free, but registration is required.
In her talk, Kloots will share the story of losing her husband unexpectedly to COVID-19. She will reflect on this overwhelming loss, love, hope and need for a community. Through her honesty, audiences come to see that even the most challenging times can be survived with hope and positivity.
Kloots is a television host, bestselling author, Broadway actress, award-winning fitness entrepreneur, and most recently a finalist on the 30th Season of “Dancing with the Stars.” She can currently be seen as a co-host of “The Talk,” CBS’ Daytime Emmy Award-winning talk show
In the summer of 2021, Kloots released her memoir, the New York Times bestseller “Live Your Life: My Story of Loving and Losing Nick Cordero” that was co-authored with her sister Anna Kloots.
“We are extremely grateful Amanda will be joining us next month. It takes strength for someone to be able to lose someone and be able to share it with a greater audience,” said David Selberg, CEO of Hospice of Santa Barbara. “We look forward to her sharing her personal experience of loss and hope you do, too.”
The illuminate series continues through 2022 with Kelly McGonigal, Jack Cornfield and Trudy Goodman, and Kristin Neff. Additional speakers will be announced in the coming months. Hospice of Santa Barbara thanks Natalie Orfalea Foundation and Lou Buglioli for sponsoring this event.
Past speakers include Roshi Joan Halifax, Frank Ostaseski, Katy Butler, Sharon Salzberg, Dr. BJ Miller, Dr. Sunita Puri, Jenée Johnson, Daniel Goleman, Nora McInerny, and Pico Iyer.
To find out more, and register for the event, visit http://www.hospiceofsb.org/hsbseries. For more about Hospice of Santa Barbara, including volunteer opportunities, call 805-563-8820 or visit www.hospiceofsantabarbara.org.