Peace & Purpose Newsletter

Dear Friends,

We are living through a time of profound uncertainty and accelerated change. Artificial intelligence is reshaping the future before our eyes, while political polarization, economic divisions, and rising violence leave many feeling anxious and disconnected.


And yet, beneath the turbulence, I continue to believe that a deeper divine order is unfolding. Even amidst disruption, humanity is being invited into a higher level of consciousness rooted in empathy, forgiveness, and love.


This month, I am deeply reminded of this truth through the work of someone whose message deeply echoes my own life's journey. My friend Mark Gober—author and fellow Board Member at the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS)—recently introduced me to entrepreneur, visionary, and author Brett Hurt. Honored to serve as Vice Chair of the IONS Board (noetic.org), an organization dedicated to exploring the intersection of consciousness, science, and human potential, I found Brett’s perspective to be incredibly timely and courageous.


His upcoming book, Love Conquers Fear: AI, Humanity, and the Age of Abundance for All, offers something many of us are deeply longing for today: hope.


At a time when fear is amplified daily, Brett reminds us that love must become the organizing principle for the future we are birthing together. His message aligns perfectly with the work so many of us have dedicated our lives to -- peacebuilding, restorative justice, empathy, compassion, forgiveness, and shifting global consciousness.



I am honored to share an exclusive preview of his book with you below.


In peace and unity,


Azim Khamisa



Quick Links:


FREE UPCOMING ONLINE WORKSHOP - JOIN HERE 4/20


Support Peace through Forgiveness


TED Talk: What Comes After Tragedy? Forgiveness


Book Azim to Speak


Purchase Books

 
 
 
 

QUOTE OF THE MONTH


“The eastern mindset is more collective, while the western mindset is more individual. It is the blend of both that will form the basis for humanity’s collective success. We are all one—both spiritually and planetarily—and we need to learn from each other as opposed to being programmed to fear each other. If you approach someone with fear, how much are you going to learn from them?”


-Brett Alexander Hurt

MONTHLY MUSING

Book Preview: Love Conquers Fear by Brett Hurt

Arriving June 23, 2026, in honor of the solstice, Brett Hurt’s third book features an Afterword by our mutual friend, Mark Gober. Below is an exploration of the book's core themes.


Love Conquers Fear is a cross-disciplinary exploration of spirituality, consciousness, technology, and commerce. Arriving at a moment when the questions it asks have become impossible to avoid, the book offers less a rigid roadmap for the future than a satellite view of the terrain we must navigate. It presents a unique set of revelations to help readers take their place in a planetary transformation toward what Brett calls the Age of Abundance for All.


The Anatomy of Fear vs. The Antidote of Abundance


The book opens with a historical and anatomical examination of fear. Hurt argues that fear is not a moral failure; it is the emotional signature of scarcity—the nervous system's rational response to an ancient world in which there was genuinely not enough.


At the center of that response is the amygdala. While essential when predators lurked in the grass, it is catastrophic in a modern world engineered to hijack our attention. The amygdala cannot distinguish between a lion and a hostile political advertisement. Left unchecked, fear becomes a feedback loop amplified by media and leaders whose fundamental currency is fear itself.


The antidote to this diagnosis is abundance—a post-fear reality already within reach that points toward an end to hunger, privation, and a lack of purpose.


The "Superfecta" and the Bend in the River


Between these two poles, Brett examines the technologies shaping our near future. Led by artificial intelligence, robotics, quantum computing, and brain-computer interfaces, he describes a convergence he calls the Superfecta. This exponential acceleration represents a "bend in the river of humanity"—a moment so consequential that everything before and after it will be understood as entirely different chapters of the human story.


Coupled with our growing ability to harness the Sun's infinite energy, this technological shift has the potential to make electricity, and everything it enables, virtually free—transforming even the most resource-deprived places on Earth.


A Deeply Personal Journey


The book is also vulnerable and deeply personal. Brett shares his own journey—from learning to program at age seven on an Atari computer with his mother, to founding six companies, including the unicorn Bazaarvoice and data.world (acquired by ServiceNow in 2025).


He writes with equal candor about his experiences with psychedelics, through which he encountered what he describes as direct contact with a divine consciousness of unconditional love. Synthesizing insights from quantum physics to profound texts like Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning and Michael Pollan’s How to Change Your Mind, Brett illustrates an ancient truth: consciousness is not a byproduct of neurons firing, but a primary force in the cosmos.


Facing the Risks with Radical Love


Despite its optimism, the book is not naïve. Brett takes the civilizational dangers we face seriously—from nuclear risk to the concentration of AI power in the hands of a few. He warns that without a shift in human consciousness, the Superfecta could lead to a "feudalism of the intelligence age."


Therefore, a heart shift is a practical imperative. The core metatheme of the book is love in the ancient Greek sense of agape: selfless, transformative, and chosen. It is love as Hannah Arendt framed it (amor mundi—a fearless embrace of our shared existence), as Martin Luther King Jr. carried it into the Civil Rights Movement, and as Gandhi understood it: the force that would one day overrule the love of power.


Choosing the Future


The book concludes with seven concrete models for social, economic, and political organizations, proving that this future is not a utopian abstraction, but an option waiting to be chosen.

"If fear is the emotional signature of scarcity, then love is the emotional signature of abundance."

At a moment when our inherited frameworks are failing, Love Conquers Fear offers a beautiful new archetype for organizing our lives, institutions, and world. To learn more, I strongly recommend preordering your copy. Visit loveconquersfear.org.


In Peace and Purpose,

Azim Khamisa

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

QUESTION OF THE MONTH:


Who is Brett Alexander Hurt?


Meet Brett Hurt—an Austin-based visionary, prolific entrepreneur, author, and devoted family man married to Debra for 29 years, with two children, Rachel and Yuzu. Driven by a lifelong passion for technology that began when his mother taught him to program at just seven years old, Brett has spent his career building companies that shape the future.


Today, Brett serves as the CEO of Love Conquers Fear, where he focuses his energy on helping humanity achieve an "Age of Abundance for All." His inspiring podcast of the same name launched in the fall of 2025.


A Legacy of Innovation


An alumnus of UT Austin (MIS) and The Wharton School (MBA), Brett's entrepreneurial track record is legendary:



  • data.world: As CEO and co-founder, he raised over $150 million, scaling it into a global powerhouse before its recent acquisition by ServiceNow for their enterprise AI platform.
  • Bazaarvoice: He co-founded and led the company as CEO through a unicorn IPO, a follow-on offering, and two acquisitions.
  • Coremetrics: His early venture as co-founder and CEO, which was later acquired by IBM for $300 million.
  • Hurt Family Investments (HFI): Alongside Debra, Brett co-owns HFI, managing a robust portfolio that includes 150 startups, 50 VC funds, and numerous philanthropic endeavors.




Author & Thought Leader


Brett is the author of three impactful books:


  1. The Entrepreneur’s Essentials: Available on Amazon or free at TheEntrepreneursEssentials.com
  2. The Lattice: A captivating science-fiction novella on Amazon detailing a positive vision of human evolution from 2030 to 2085.
  3. Love Conquers Fear: Humanity, AI, and the Age of Abundance for All: His highly anticipated third book, published by Do More Good®, which arrives this month on June 23, 2026, in honor of the solstice.


Acclaimed Leadership


A Henry Crown Fellow and Braddock Scholar at the Aspen Institute, Brett's visionary work has earned him top accolades, including:


  • Tulane University Distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year (2026)
  • Silicon Hills News "Batshit Crazy" Entrepreneur of the Year in Austin (2025)
  • Goldman Sachs One of the Most Exceptional Entrepreneurs (2022)
  • Austin Business Journal Best CEO Legacy Award (2017)


 

Media Section

Recent Podcasts, Videos & Links



TED Talk Link - Over 1 Million Views


The Power of Forgiveness


Peace is Possible Through Forgiveness



Leadership and the Power of Having a Spiritual Foundation


A Journey Through Forgiveness — A Message for Parents

Watch the Full Interview Here



Azim's Son Lost His Life Over a Pizza


Sharing his story of forgiveness, compassion, and social leadership has caught the hearts of hundreds of thousands of people globally in this recent production through Goalcast. Please watch and share.



Restorative Justice International was so pleased to have Azim Khamisa on this international podcast interview.



BOOK Azim to Speak at Your Event





 
 


Events & Announcements:




Recent News: Azim Khamisa recognized with FECK Award



The Forgiveness Effect

Presented by Peace Thru Forgiveness Featuring Azim Khamisa & Melaina Spitzer

*New Episode: Mining for gems:

Listen on Apple & Spotify



New Interview Podcast Drop:

The Choose Love Podcast



San Diego Union Tribune Article:

Sharing their story of murder, redemption, and forgiveness with youth across the country



Capitol Report Recent Interview

Azim's Feature at Minute 15



Azim's Meditations can be found:


Preamble

Forgiveness Meditation

Life Mission


Book Azim to Speak


Keynote Topic: Leadership



Leadership is about taking responsibility and being accountable for the internal profitability and growth of one’s company or organization and also about developing individual team members to positively impact and get engaged in the community in which they reside. Azim’s journey and talks have inspired millions to find meaning and purpose in their lives as well as improve the reputation and competitive advantage of their place of work.


Keynote Topic: Forgiveness


Through workshops, keynote speeches, and consulting, Azim carries the message that peace can be restored, no matter what has gone before. His simple 3-step process of forgiveness and his 3-step process of redemption (self-forgiveness) untangle the mystery behind atonement and set people free to enjoy a life full of richness and meaning. In the end, audiences are inspired by a life-changing story of redemption, forgiveness, and personal power through purpose-driven action.


Read the Full Bio Here.


Books


Azim's new book is available now! Azim's 25 years of experience have led him to the world of Leadership in an effort to help shape the future for the greater good. Order your copy today on this website, through these links, or on Amazon.


If you are interested in interviews and other resources, please visit AzimKhamisa.com for all the links.


Also Available by Azim Khamisa:



Azim's Famous Book Trilogy


Azim Khamisa combines his award-winning book From Murder to Forgiveness with his second book, From Forgiveness to Fulfillment, and the third in a trilogy: From Fulfillment to Peace.


 
ANK Enterprises, INC. | Website
LinkedIn Share This Email
 
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram  Linkedin