Zen Benefiel — Transformational Facilitator, Author & Founder of Planetary Citizens
Zen Benefiel is a transformational facilitator, author, podcast host, and social entrepreneur dedicated to helping individuals and organizations align inner awareness with purposeful action. With over four decades of experience across business, education, coaching, and community development, Zen’s work focuses on bridging the inner and outer worlds to foster coherence, collaboration, and planetary stewardship.
He is the founder of Planetary Citizens, a 509(a)(2) public charity focused on advancing global harmony through the Co-Creation Wheel framework and multi-sector collaboration. As the host of the widely viewed podcast One World in a New World – Apocalyptic Chats, Zen engages pioneers, thought leaders, and cultural creatives in exploring the transformational shifts shaping human consciousness and society. The podcast now exceeds 1.9 million total views.
Zen Benefiel is also the author of more than 40 books, writing under both his name and the “Zendor” pen name. His works include ZERO to ONE: Making Our Way Toward a Planetary Civilization, Stubbing My T.O.E. on Purpose, Planetary Citizens: Awakening the Heart of Humanity, The GOD Participle, and numerous books on consciousness, leadership, and human potential.
Early Life & Background
Zen’s journey began with unique formative experiences that shaped his life’s mission. An orphan and adoptee who underwent a profound inner awakening at age 18, he received what he describes as “marching orders” to explore consciousness, human harmony, and planetary purpose. This early experience guided his lifelong quest to understand the deeper structure of reality and humanity’s role within it.
He later earned an MBA and a Master’s in Organizational Management, blending spiritual insight with practical systems thinking. His career spans aerospace production control, construction partnering, organizational development, community collaboration, and extensive work in coaching and facilitation.
Zen Benefiel Professional Work
Zen is known for integrating mindfulness, systems thinking, and collaborative leadership across multiple industries. His consulting and facilitation work includes:
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Transformational Coaching for individuals seeking clarity, alignment, and purposeful action
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Partnering Facilitation for construction, engineering, and civic organizations
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Strategic Development for nonprofits and mission-driven initiatives
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Storytelling and Media Production through PlanckMedia.com
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Educational Program Design including business plan curriculum development and holistic learning models
He helps clients move from uncertainty to coherence, from fragmentation to alignment, and from vision to embodied action.
Planetary Citizens
As founder of Planetary Citizens, Zen leads an organization dedicated to catalyzing a more conscious, cooperative human civilization. The initiative builds upon the work of visionary Donald Keys and integrates Spiral Dynamics, multidimensional awareness, and the 12-sector Co-Creation Wheel.
Planetary Citizens serves as a Living Portal for Collective Action, offering tools, education, and community engagement for global citizens committed to stewardship of people and planet.
One World in a New World Podcast
Zen’s podcast, One World in a New World, features transformative conversations with global pioneers across science, mysticism, business, activism, psychology, and culture. Known for its depth, sincerity, and multidimensional inquiry, the show bridges inner development with outer change.
Guests share pivotal experiences that shaped their worldviews, weaving together wisdom traditions, modern insights, and personal transformation. The series has cultivated a vibrant audience and is recognized as a leading sense-making platform.
Zen Benefiel Books & Publications
Zen is an extensively published author whose works explore consciousness, leadership, purpose, and human evolution. Key titles include:
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ZERO to ONE: Making Our Way Toward a Planetary Civilization
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Planetary Citizens: Awakening the Heart of Humanity
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Stubbing My T.O.E. on Purpose (series)
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The GOD Participle
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The Unconventional Conventionalist
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Navigating Holistic Growth: The Servant Leader’s Guide
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One World – Uniting Voices anthology series
His books are available on Amazon, and many support the Planetary Citizens nonprofit as educational materials.
Zen Benefiel Mission & Philosophy
Zen’s mission is to awaken the heart of humanity and help individuals reconnect with their authentic purpose. He invites people and organizations to cultivate coherence—within themselves, with each other, and with the planet. His work reflects the belief that:
“When we remember who we truly are, we naturally create a world that reflects our highest collective potential.”
He advocates for inner work as the foundation for effective outer change and emphasizes the need for relational intelligence, conscious leadership, and collaborative systems to build a thriving planetary civilization.
Zen Benefiel Media & Public Presence
Zen maintains an active presence across multiple platforms:
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YouTube – Host of One World in a New World
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Amazon Author – 40+ published titles
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LinkedIn – Thought leadership and community engagement
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Planetary Citizens – Nonprofit initiatives and education
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Be The Dream – Coaching, facilitation, programs
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PlanckMedia – Digital storytelling and media production
- Interviews – Perspectives shared
He is featured in interviews, podcasts, articles, and digital platforms exploring consciousness, social innovation, and planetary transformation.
Contact
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Website: https://BeTheDream.com
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Planetary Citizens: https://PlanetaryCitizens.net
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zenbenefiel/
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Email: Available upon request or contact form
