Award winning filmmaker, director and writer Andrea Buchanan draws out the unique, yet universal, stories of thirty dynamic women in her first book, Note to Self. Celebrities such as Grammy Award winning rock star Sheryl Crow and Emmy Award winning

actress Camryn Manheim join stuntwoman Stacy Courtney, football player Katie Hnida, seventy- year old HIV positive grandmother Beverly London, and alcoholic turned interventionist Candy Finnigan to reflect on their unforgettable stories of redemption.

Their stories illuminate the truth that life rarely works out exactly as we plan. Rejection by a cherished friend, the onset of an unexpected illness, struggle with body image and self-perception these experiences may challenge us, but our triumphs come to define us. These unstoppable women emerged stronger, wiser, and more successful from the often painful and humbling turning points in their lives.

At the podium, Andrea brings their stories to life, as well as shares her own tales of finding significance from adversity. Audiences find comfort, joy, tears, and laughter in the wisdom, insight, and empathy gleaned from these incredible, every day tales. In addition, Andrea writes a weekly blog and has appeared in dozens of media outlets sharing insight and advice on how women can overcome tough times to ultimately triumph.

As a filmmaker, Andrea is best known for her work on the critically acclaimed series, Vh-1 Behind The Music. She has produced and directed documentaries for various television networks which have taken her all over the world filming black bears, flying over active volcanoes and profiling some of the country’s most prolific artists and well known political leaders. In 2004, with four friends, she made a documentary about the March for Women’s Lives (the largest march in the country’s history) and was forever ignited into the world of political activism. In 2006, in conjunction with Glamour Reel Moments she wrote and co-directed a short film with Jennifer Aniston, entitled “Room 10” starring Robin Wright-Penn and Kris Kristofferson.

She is currently working on her second book, with Simon and Schuster and has several other projects in development. She is an active board member of The Joyful Heart Foundation and resides in Los Angeles with her husband, Jason and their two dogs.

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