Maria Baltazzi, PhD, MFA

Happiness Explorer, Author, Producer, Speaker, Sojourn to Happiness

About This Expert

Maria Baltazzi empowers individuals to discover what truly makes them happier through her eight critically acclaimed Happiness Essentials. Drawing from familiar movies, world events, and her extensive experience in the entertainment industry, Maria combines practical advice with a unique approach that integrates camera phone photography, journaling prompts, and her Take a Shot at Happiness app. These tools offer invaluable guidance to those seeking to enrich their lives and track their progress on their happiness and wholebeing journey (mind, body, and spirit).

Maria’s debut book, Take a Shot at Happiness: How to Write, Direct & Produce the Life You Want, has garnered numerous prestigious accolades. It won the Wellbeing category at both the NYC Big Book Award and the National Indie Excellence Awards, where it was also a finalist in Personal Growth. The book received the Nautilus Book Silver Award for Creativity & Innovation, which honors works promoting spiritual growth, conscious living, and high-level awareness. Additionally, it was recognized as a Runner-Up in the How-To category at the Paris Book Festival. Maria’s book also earned an honorable mention from the Hollywood Book Festival, traditionally focused on screen-adaptable works, and was named “Best Personal Development Book for the Year 2024” by Best Holistic Life magazine, with over 1.5 million subscribers.

She has shared her insights on CBS’s The Talk, KTLA’s Sunday Morning News, and numerous podcasts and stages. Additionally, Maria consults on scripts and writes a monthly wellbeing blog for creatives on Stage 32, an entertainment industry writer’s platform with over a million subscribers.

The U.S. Review of Books praises Maria’s “dynamic treatise,” noting:
“Baltazzi’s recollections—her early frustrations, her aspirations, her impressive career trajectory, and her life-changing discoveries—are deftly interwoven into this dynamic treatise…[Her] foray into the world of words and wisdom will doubtless find a large base of grateful followers whose efforts will be rewarded with the promise of new, exhilarating life directions.”

As an accomplished television producer and original contributor to CBS’s hit show Survivor, Maria’s journey spans all seven continents. She has walked over 9,000 miles for charity, summited Kilimanjaro twice, and trekked to Everest Base Camp, reflecting her commitment to creating a positive global impact. Today, she leads transformational travel experiences through her Sojourn Explorers company, where participants embark on life-changing journeys that integrate her wholebeing teachings.

Maria’s Ph.D. in Conscious-Centered Living and MFA in film uniquely equip her to guide others on their own journeys toward greater happiness and personal fulfillment. She distills her experiences and expertise into practical, transformative steps, empowering learners to apply her proven Happiness Essentials to their everyday lives. Whether you seek to build soft skills, deepen personal growth, or embark on a holistic wholebeing journey, Maria will inspire and equip you with the tools needed to thrive in both your career and life.