Daneen Akers is a writer, filmmaker, and parent who believes deeply in the power of stories. She is currently writing an illustrated children’s book, “Holy Troublemakers & Unconventional Saints”, which features 50 original portraits and profiles of people of diverse faiths who worked for love and justice, even when that rocked the religious boat.

As she read with her children, Daneen realized that most of the faith-based books she’d read as a child were not compatible with the type of faith she has now as an adult. She knew she needed better faith stories that help us transcend fears, connect with each other, engage in justice, and model an expansive and fully inclusive view of any Divine. She knows she isn’t alone in that hope. There is a growing movement of parents, teachers, pastors, and others looking to do better with the stories we tell our children (and ourselves).