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Author Details

Author Details

Themes of my life include a philanthropic nature, a love of the outdoors, an enjoyment of emerging technologies, and an innate advocacy for the arts.

I am a "multipotentialite" - which is to say I have had many callings. I am a big picture thinker grounded in pragmatism. My pursuits tend to be interdisciplinary and draw on both hemispheres of the brain (i.e. convergent and divergent thinking, linear and creative qualities). Growing up around an extraordinary array of people fostered my exploratory and paradoxical nature.

From 2004 to present, a professional background developed in Multimedia Consulting & Productions that has included graphic design, art archiving, documentary film productions (especially videography and video editing), web design, and more. This niche has provided me with opportunities to develop networks and business skills.

Personal life experiences along the way led me to grapple with big questions regarding mental health and addiction. This propelled me to identify root causes of dis-ease and seek problem-solving techniques from various perspectives. In my mid-20s, I realized at the core of all my passions is the desire to develop an understanding of humanity and social behavior (which was the concentration of my Bachelor's in General Studies Degree). This degree empowered me to study within and across fields such as anthropology, philosophy, education, psycholinguistics (a field comprised of psychology, linguistics, and neuroscience), media arts, computer science, and related areas.  All my academic and professional endeavors have been infused with a desire to be of service to human causes and to facilitate healing.

Now age 29, I am in the process of finishing my Master's degree in Social Work (MSW). This blog was created to support my independent study research, which is intended to allow for informal reflections, sharing of findings on the journey, and setting me up for future endeavors. Feedback, comments, and questions are welcomed and appreciated.

Tana Jay "TJ" von Isser
Written June 2017

 "That love is all there is, is all we know of love" 
- Emily Dickinson



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Reflections & Excerpts

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