About Me
Lanya Elsa, PhD
Author • Speaker • Researcher
Curiosity. Connection. Wonder.
I'm Lanya Elsa—Lane to most people—an author, speaker, and researcher who has spent much of my life asking questions about what it means to be human. I'm fascinated by the ways we understand ourselves and one another, the stories that shape us, and the experiences that invite us to see the world differently.
My work has taken many forms, but curiosity has always been at its heart.
MY PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY
Special Education & Advocacy
For much of my adult life, my world revolved around motherhood, disability, education, and advocacy. Raising two sons with deafblindness changed the trajectory of my life, leading me into special education, family advocacy, and eventually a PhD in Special Education. I've worked as a university professor, researcher, consultant, and national advocate, helping families find their voices and encouraging professionals and policymakers to listen more deeply.
That work remains an important part of who I am. It taught me the power of stories, the importance of asking better questions, and how much we can learn when we're willing to challenge our assumptions.
A Common Thread
But my life, like most lives, has never fit neatly into a single category.
Over the years, my curiosity has increasingly turned inward, toward questions of identity, belonging, love, healing, and what it means to become fully ourselves. My own experiences with change, relationships, loss, reinvention, and personal growth have shaped both my writing and the way I see the world.
“We don't have to divide ourselves into acceptable pieces to belong.”
PUBLISHED WORKS
Books that help you feel seen, heal, and connect
Each of my three memoirs offers honest stories and practical insight to help you understand yourself, strengthen your relationships, and bridge the divides that keep us apart. Find the one that speaks to where you are today.
Silence and Light
Find calm in the quiet moments. A gentle guide to listening deeply, embracing stillness, and discovering clarity within.
Becoming the Woman I Needed
Reclaim your voice and worth. An empowering journey to self-compassion, confidence, and the healing you deserve.
Beyond the Divide
Build bridges, not walls. Real stories and tools for meaningful conversations across differences.
A Little More About Me
WASHINGTON • WIFE BERGEN • 4 DOGS • 2 CATS • 6 KIDS
I live in Washington state with my wife, Bergen, and our four dogs and two cats. Together, we have a blended family of six kids, and being a mom and stepmom is an important part of my life. I can't believe we are soon to be empty nesters!
I love traveling, being out in nature, building LEGO sets and puzzles, getting lost in a good nonfiction book, and spending time with animals—especially horses.
More than anything, I love being curious. About people, places, ideas, and the mysteries of life. I'm happiest when I'm exploring, learning, wondering, and discovering.