MySpace. Podcasts. Ebooks. Webisodes. Blogs. For most adults, these contemporary communication vehicles elicit little more than a puzzled scratch of the head. But, ask the average young person between the ages of 12 and 24 and they totally get it. Just like they totally get Josh Shipp. This modern, self-help guru can be found dispensing his own brand of wit and wisdom in cyberspace, in books, at conferences, and to packed audiences of appreciative students in high school auditoriums across the country.

Spend just a few minutes on one of his websites www.HeyJosh.tv and you will get it, too. Josh offers up a healthy dose of what he calls "advice with an attitude." He counsels teenagers on everything they care about such as dating, peer pressure, career choices and more. It's all done in a youth-friendly, humorous tone that is more hilarious survival guide than preachy sermon. Thousands of young people tune in to hear Josh's entertaining yet important messages that boost self-esteem and promote a positive outlook on life.

Josh certainly knows a thing or two about survival. Abandoned and abused as a child, he was able to triumph over the tragedy. He attributes his personal growth to the support of a great foster family, dynamic teachers and enriching school programs that opened his eyes to his true potential. After serving as State DECA President and on the School-to-Work student advisory committee, Josh decided to commit his life to helping others achieve their goals. He says:

"I've found that sometimes the very thing that has hurt you the most, is the very thing you can use to help others. You can't change the past -- so why not focus on building an incredible future?"

Although Josh is still in his 20s, you wouldn't know it from his resume. He's written books, shared the stage with Bill Cosby, and hosted a reality TV show. Among his current projects is an advice column for CosmoGirl! Magazine and a network television pilot. Josh recently became an avid runner and completed his first marathon in 2007 with the help of his mentor and friend, Kirk Flatow.  For the past eight years, this San Francisco Bay area resident has toured the world as a successful motivational speaker sharing his inspirational words with more than one million people. Rest assured that most of them left the room with a broad smile on their face and hope in their heart.