James Hilgendorf is a filmmaker, speaker, poet, and the author of ten non-fiction books. 

Currently, he is traveling to towns and cities all across America, meeting people, giving talks and readings, and holding discussions about the future of America - all under the banner of "Traveling to a New America." You can follow this journey on his Facebook Page.

He is also the creator of America's Dialogue, a series of video productions and discussions on topics of national interest, including Hiroshima and nuclear weapons, healthcare, interviews with youth about the future of America, and others.

He is the producer, along with his brother John, of The Tribute Series, a highly-acclaimed series of videos that are in homes, libraries and schools all across America, several of which have appeared on PBS and international television. Of The Tribute Series, the Seattle Times writes: "The Hilgendorf brothers are unique in the world of travel videos...No one is better at revealing the heart of a place than brothers Jim and John Hilgendorf."

He has been practicing Buddhism for forty-five years with the Soka Gakkai International, a movement for peace, culture and education, which is now the largest Buddhist lay organization in the world, with 12,000,000 members in 192 countries and territories around the globe. 

Comments from Talks:

SOMOS - Society of the Muse of the Southwest, Taos, New Mexico:

"I was deeply moved by your talk.  It resonated on many levels."

"It was inspiring and challenging.  The author is a combination of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Bernie Sanders, Karl Marx, the Buddha, Ralph Nader, and Walt Whitman."

"I enjoyed your presentation, especially your optimism and dedication.  I am inspired to remain optimistic in these changing times."

Napa Valley Arts Association:

"Thank you for your presence and words.  Very inspiring." - Emily Freiman, President

"Thank you for your thoughtful, eloquent presentation."

"Thank you for your presentation at the Art Association.  I especially love your writing!  Very, very strong.  Huge WOW.  Thanks you for your dedication and talent.  Loved your reading from the 'A New Myth for America' book.  Poignant."

Santa Barbara Chapter of IANDS - the International Association for Near-Death Studies, Barbara Bartolome, Founder/Director:

"James Hilgendorf presented a one-hour talk tonight, titled 'Waking Up To Who You Really Are' to an audience of about 100 of our attendees.  During the talk, he presented ideas from his own Buddhist background, as well as ideas and commentary from a wide array of famous peole, including Arnold Toynbee, Joseph Campbell, Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, Leo Tolstoy, Friedrich Nietzsche, Henri Bergson, Kenneth Ring, Daisaku Ikeda, John Wheeler and others, in an attempt to stimulate reflection upon the nature of our lives and our relationship to the universe around us, and to provide insights into the nature of happiness and of llife and death itself.  After the talk, there were many interesting questions from the audience.  I felt his talk gifted us all with deep insights, guidance, and light.  Very simple.  Very beautiful."

Barbara Rockhold, Chair of Personal Theology Speaker Series at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, California:

"James' presentation was full of interesting information and ideas.  He presented ideas from great thinkers of the past, as well as more modern ideas on how our society has come to be where it is now, where it could be headed and what we need to do to get there.  His knowledge about the world's religions and his Buddhist background made for a thought-provoking presentation and generated a number of very interesting questions and comments from our audience."