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Joan Arent is a presenter, illustrator and author who works to motivate people to succeed through lighthearted living and play.

She has written, illustrated and published a humor self-help book, I’ve Never Made a Mistake ... Once I Thought I Did, But I Was Wrong, and four children's books, Bye, Bye Booger Bug: The Art of Nose Picking; Peek-A-Boo Who?; Slumps, Bumps and Triumphs; and Bedtime is for the Birds. She is currently working on a humorous and poignant mystery novel, Hellbent, which features a main character with Down Syndrome.  

In educational and entertaining presentations around the world, Joan teaches "whimsical, proactive problem-solving skills you can play with." Since 1985, she has shared her signature philosophy with audiences ranging from multinational corporations, nonprofits, educational institutions and International leaders at the World Economic Forum to entrepreneurs and full-time parents. Putting a humorous twist on experiences from her own life, she "eliminates the daily slog of the age-old self improvement antidotes." She encourages others to empower themselves with humor and teaches that with creative thinking, perseverance and passion, everyone can succeed, no matter the hurdles.  

She holds a master's degree in special education, therapeutic play and adaptive physical education and is certified as a clarity life coach.   

Her own experiences have helped to shape her and her sense of humor, including living in Switzerland, Belgium, England and Bolivia, running two businesses, raising a family, losing a child, living with chronic pain and caring for her sister with Down Syndrome and Alzheimer's disease, as well as her mother with Alzheimer’s.

Joan hopes to undergo plastic surgery to be transformed into a Erma Bombeck look-alike who thinks and writes like Erma as well. Stay tuned.