Life & Work with Dawn Airhart Witte of La Canada

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dawn Airhart Witte.

Hi Dawn Airhart, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
What set everything in motion for me—my writing, my speaking, my humanitarian work, and ultimately The Secrets of Being—was motherhood and a deep desire to live with intention. Becoming a mother sharpened my awareness of what truly matters, not just for my daughters, but for the kind of world I wanted them to inherit. I began reflecting on the values I hoped would guide them long after I was no longer there to offer reminders: to always choose to BE; love, kind, genuine, inspired, strong, grateful, and happy.

Those reflections first took form in my book Be…, but the work was never meant to live solely on the page. It was an expression of a way of being—one rooted in compassion, connection, and conscious living. As I shared those ideas through speaking engagements and conversations with others, I realized how deeply people were yearning for the same reminders: that they matter, that they are not broken, and that their lives have meaning.

A pivotal turning point came during my travels to Africa. Spending time with children and communities in Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and Sierra Leone expanded my understanding of service and interconnectedness. Despite facing challenges I had never known, the joy, resilience, and sense of community I witnessed were profound. That experience shifted my work from personal expression to collective purpose. It led to the creation of The Little Book of Be… for children, as well as the founding of the Desire to Inspire Foundation—focused on supporting education, resources, and dignity within underserved communities.

From there, everything became interconnected. The Secrets of Being emerged as a platform to hold space for meaningful conversations—through books, podcasts, workshops, and speaking—centered on universal truths, inner growth, and our shared humanity. Whether I am speaking on a stage, recording a podcast, writing a children’s book, or supporting humanitarian initiatives, the intention is the same: to help people remember who they are, to feel seen and valued, and to live in a way that brings more kindness, hope, and connection into the world.

My work is not about one role or one medium—it is about living the message. Love is not just what I teach; it is the thread that connects everything I do.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it has not been a smooth road—and I don’t believe meaningful paths ever are. One of my greatest struggles was learning to trust my own voice and believe that what I had to share truly mattered. For a long time, I equated worth with credentials, titles, or external validation, and I questioned whether my perspective was “enough” without following a conventional path.

There were moments of deep self-doubt, moments when stepping forward felt uncomfortable and even frightening. Choosing authenticity meant accepting that not everyone would agree with me or understand my work—and that required letting go of the need for approval. That was not easy. It took time to realize that disagreement does not diminish purpose.

Another challenge was allowing my work to evolve. What began as writing for my daughters grew into speaking, humanitarian work, and building platforms like The Secrets of Being and the Desire to Inspire Foundation. Growth required courage—trusting that I didn’t need to have everything figured out before taking the next step. Each expansion asked me to stretch beyond what felt familiar and safe.

What carried me through was a shift in perspective: understanding that calling is its own credential. Once I stopped waiting for permission and started leading from service and love, the path became clearer. The struggles didn’t disappear, but they became meaningful. They shaped my voice, deepened my compassion, and ultimately strengthened my ability to serve others in a more authentic and impactful way.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My work spans authorship, speaking, podcasting, and humanitarian service, all woven together through The Secrets of Being and the Desire to Inspire Foundation. I create spaces—through books, conversations, and community—where people feel seen, valued, and encouraged to live with authenticity, compassion, and purpose. I specialize in helping people reconnect with their inner wisdom, move through life’s challenges with grace, and recognize their inherent worth, even in moments when they feel lost, broken, or disconnected.

I am perhaps best known for translating universal truths into simple, accessible messages. Whether I’m writing a children’s book, hosting a podcast conversation, or speaking on a stage, my focus is the same: love as a way of being, not just an emotion. My work draws from lived experience, deep listening, and a belief in our shared humanity rather than from dogma, hierarchy, or division.

What I am most proud of is not a title or an achievement, but impact. I am proud of the moments when someone tells me they felt less alone after reading one of my books, when a child feels seen for the first time, or when a community is supported through the work of the foundation. I am proud that my work bridges personal growth with service—helping individuals grow inwardly while also uplifting others in tangible ways.

What sets me apart is that I do not separate purpose from practice. I live the message I share. My work is not about fixing people or telling them who to be—it is about walking alongside them as they remember their own strength, goodness, and capacity to love. Everything I create flows from the same place: a belief that when we lead with love, compassion, and authenticity, we don’t just change our own lives—we contribute to healing the world.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
The quality that has been most essential to my success is my capacity to love unconditionally.

That love shapes how I show up in the world—how I listen, how I create, how I serve, and how I lead. It allows me to meet people where they are without judgment, to see beyond circumstances or labels, and to recognize the inherent worth in every soul. When people feel genuinely seen and valued, healing and transformation naturally begin.

Unconditional love has also given me resilience. It has carried me through disappointment, uncertainty, and moments of deep vulnerability, allowing me to respond with compassion rather than fear or bitterness. It reminds me that success is not measured by accolades or numbers, but by the depth of connection, service, and positive impact we leave behind.

At its core, this capacity to love has guided every book I’ve written, every conversation I’ve hosted, every humanitarian effort I’ve supported, and every space I’ve created through The Secrets of Being. Love is not only the foundation of my work—it is the compass that continues to guide me forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thesecretsofbeing.com and www.desiretoinspirefoundation.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesecretsofbeingpodcast/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dawn.witte1/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-airhart-witte-19910920
• Twitter: @DesireToInspir7
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thesecretsofbeing