Author and psychotherapist Richard Carlson was born on May 16, 1961 and grew up in Piedmont, California. He received his undergraduate degree from Pepperdine University, his Ph.D. in psychology from Sierra University, and an honorary law degree from Pepperdine University. Before becoming a full-time author, he was a psychotherapist in private practice. His wrote 30 books that deal with psychological and spiritual health, including the Don't Sweat the Small Stuff series. He was a supporter of the National Center for Family Literacy. He died of cardiac arrest on December 13, 2006.