More than twenty years ago, friends Alex Lickerman, M.D. and Ash ElDifrawi, Psy.D. asked themselves what they considered to be the most important question they could ask: how can people achieve happiness that endures? After more two decades of research, their book, The Ten Worlds, provides their answer. Mixing science, philosophy, and story-telling, The Ten Worlds represents an entirely new paradigm that explains not only why we've all been thinking about happiness incorrectly, but how to attain a kind of happiness that can withstand anything life throws at us.

Alex Lickerman

Alex Lickerman, M.D.

Alex Lickerman, M.D., is a primary care physician, former assistant professor of medicine, former director of primary care, and former assistant vice president for Student Health and Counseling Services at the University of Chicago. He currently leads a direct primary care practice in Chicago called ImagineMD.

Alex’s first book, The Undefeated Mind: On the Science of Constructing an Indestructible Self, received numerous favorable reviews from many sources, including Publishers Weekly. A noted speaker and media expert, he has been quoted in Crain’s Chicago Business, The Chicago Tribune, Men’s Health, The New York Times, and TIME, and has had articles appear in Psychology Today, Crain’s Chicago Business, USA Today, Slate, The Huffington Post, Counselor Magazine, and Medicine on the Midway. He’s also been a guest on NPR’s On Point. He’s also written a television pilot called Sessions that was optioned by DreamWorks Television, as well as several movie screenplays, including an adaptation of Milton’s Paradise Lost. Alex lives in Chicago with his wife, Rhea, and son, Cruise. Alex comes from the world of Learning.

Ash ELDifrawi

Ash ElDifrawi, Psy.D.

Ash ElDifrawi, Psy.D. has built a reputation as a thought leader in clinical, social, and consumer psychology. He began his career as a clinical psychologist before transitioning into work as a marketing executive for some of the most prestigious and innovative companies in the world. Ash received his bachelor’s degree in biology and master’s degree in social science from the University of Chicago, where he also conducted clinical research in the areas of neurology and bio-psychology. He earned his doctorate in clinical psychology from the Chicago School of Psychology, completed his internship at the world-renowned Family Institute at Northwestern, and then went on to be the inaugural fellow at the Center for Family Health at the University of Chicago. Ash is still a licensed clinical psychologist.

After transitioning to a career in marketing, he has held senior positions at companies including Google, McKinsey, Wrigley, Gogo, and currently Redbox. He’s been featured in The Economist, Forbes, Bloomberg, Fast Money, WSJ, The New York Times, CNBC, Mashable, Crain’s Chicago Business, MarketWatch, and Re/Code. Ash also co-wrote a television pilot called Sessions that was optioned by DreamWorks Television. Ash lives in Hinsdale, Illinois, with his wife, Amy, and two children, Aidan and Allison. Ash comes from the world of Tranquility.