Mark Nepo in Conversation with Joel Fotinos — A Talk & Book Signing for The Language of the Soul: How the Words You Choose Shape the Life You Live

Poet and spiritual teacher Mark Nepo’s new book The Language of the Soul: How the Words You Choose Shape the Life You Live explores the power to awaken, connect, and heal by uncovering the original meanings of words to help us remember and inhabit what it means to be fully alive. Mark will be in person this evening for a talk and book signing.

Words have always been more than tools for communication—they are vessels of meaning, portals to the sacred, and medicine for the soul. In his new book, Mark explores the deep, often forgotten roots of 228 words from 31 languages and traditions, revealing their original, undiluted power to bring us alive. 

The book invites us to walk along a timeless river of understanding, where ancient expressions are reawakened and everyday language is imbued with depth and resonance that can help us live now. For words, when opened with care and wonder, can carry us back to ourselves—and forward into the world with greater compassion, clarity, and grace.

“For more than half a century, I have been a seeker, a pilgrim, a wanderer, committed to discovering and practicing the art of being human. Over the years, I have lost and found my way countless times. Like a prospector, I have sifted the dirt on the path, surprised to find pure gold in a word here and there that might help us live. … I will offer the nuggets of gold found along the way. I hope one or more of these deep expressions will serve as a comfort and source of strength, and offer you a sense of home in the days ahead.” — Mark Nepo

Note: $35 ticket price for this event include’s a copy of Nepo’s book The Language of the Soul.

“Mark Nepo is a Great Soul. His resonant heart—his frank and astonishing voice—befriend us mightily on this mysterious trail.“
—Naomi Shihab Nye, author of You and Yours, 19 Varieties of Gazelle: Poems of the Middle East, and Red Suitcase

“Mark Nepo is one of the finest spiritual guides of our time.“
—Parker J. Palmer, author of A Hidden Wholeness and The Courage to Teach 

“Mark Nepo joins a long tradition of truth-seeking, wild-hearted poets—Rumi, Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, Mary Oliver—and deserves a place in the center of the circle with them.” 
—Elizabeth Lesser, Cofounder, Omega Institute, author of Broken Open: How Difficult Times Can Help Us Grow

“Nepo is a consummate storyteller with a rare gift for making the invisible visible.“
—Publishers Weekly

“Mark Nepo is a master teacher, a benevolent soul, and his style of weaving story with poetry, with myth and modern life is transformative.“
—Laurie Wagner, creator of 27 Powers

Mark Nepo is a poet, philosopher and healing arts teacher whose books have sold over one million copies. He has moved and inspired readers and seekers from all over the world with his New York Times bestseller The Book of Awakening. Mark was part of Oprah Winfrey’s The Life You Want Tour and has appeared several times with Oprah on her “Super Soul Sunday” program, and he has also been interviewed on “Good Morning America.” Beloved as a poet, teacher, and storyteller, Mark has been called “one of the finest spiritual guides of our time,” “a consummate storyteller” and “an eloquent spiritual teacher.” As a bestselling author, he has published 27 books and recorded 19 audio projects. His latest book is The Language of the Soul: How the Words You Choose Shape the Life You Live. marknepo.com

Joel Fotinos is the founder, Vice-President, and Editorial Director of St. Martin’s Essentials, the successful lifestyle imprint of the St. Martin’s Publishing Group. publisher, author, speaker and minister. Prior to that, Joel was a Vice-President and Publisher of the TarcherPerigee imprint at Penguin Random House for 21 years, where he published many bestsellers. He also worked at the San Francisco office of HarperCollins, and was the Religions & Philosophy buyer at the famed Tattered Cover Bookstore in Denver, CO. An ordained minister with the Centers for Spiritual Living, Fotinos speaks and gives on-going classes at the Center for Spiritual Living North Jersey. He was given Science of Mind magazine’s first “Spiritual Hero of the Year” award.He lives in New Jersey with his family, and works in New York City. joelfotinos.com