Deborah M. Pratt: Building a Vision Quest for Humanity

June 3, 2026

By Bessy ADUT

Writer's Note

I recently had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing Deborah M. Pratt for an upcoming episode of Searching for Goodness. From the moment we spoke, I found her to be warm, engaging, and incredibly inspiring.

Our conversation began with Warrior One: A Vision Quest Story and the expansive Vision Quest Universe she has spent decades creating. As we explored her work, I was fascinated by the scope of her imagination, her commitment to storytelling, and her hopeful vision for humanity's future.

You may also enjoy my recently published review of Age of Eve: Return of the Nephilim, where I explore Deborah's thought-provoking story, its themes, and the imaginative world she has created. The novel offers a fascinating glimpse into the larger Vision Quest universe and the ideas that continue to inspire her work today.

Our conversation explored her remarkable career, her passion for storytelling, and her vision for humanity's future. Deborah's episode is currently being edited and will be released soon as part of the Searching for Goodness podcast and YouTube series. I look forward to sharing her insights and extraordinary journey with our audience.

— Bessy Adut, Host, Searching for Goodness

Deborah M. Pratt is an award-winning writer, producer, director, actress, author, and visionary storyteller whose career spans television, film, publishing, and emerging media. Best known as the co-creator, head writer, executive producer, and iconic voice of Ziggy on the television series Quantum Leap, Deborah has spent decades creating stories that inspire imagination, hope, and human connection.

Beyond her remarkable contributions to entertainment, Deborah is also the creator of The Vision Quest Universe, an expansive multimedia franchise encompassing novels, graphic novels, films, games, and television projects. Throughout her career, she has championed creativity, diversity, environmental awareness, and the power of storytelling to unite people across cultures and generations.

In this exclusive interview with Şalom, Deborah shares her journey, current projects, thoughts on humanity, and hopes for the future.

What are your current projects?

I am currently fundraising for Warrior One: A Vision Quest Story, which includes a graphic novel, book, game, feature film, and television series. We are also preparing for the release of The Vision Quest, Book 5.

I also have several books in development, including Age of Eve: Return of the Nephilim Book 1, The Tempting Book 2, and Mirrors: The Dragon Mirror. There is also a television series in development based on the Vision Quest prequel, Atlantia.

Deborah M. Pratt

How did you get started and what led you to where you are today?

I graduated early from college with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Theater. Both have been incredibly helpful in creating characters as an actor and writer, and in staying sane while working in entertainment.

I told my parents I wanted to take a year to explore show business. I had acted in plays throughout high school and usually landed the lead role in productions such as Tea House of the August Moon, Marat/Sade, and Dark of the Moon.

One opportunity led to another. After working in theater and studying dance and voice, I auditioned for The Golddiggers, a television variety show associated with Dean Martin and NBC. After competing against hundreds of talented young women, I earned a contract and found myself performing alongside legendary entertainers including Dean Martin, Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Sammy Davis Jr., and Debbie Reynolds.

Deborah M. Pratt

We toured extensively throughout the United States and internationally, performing in Las Vegas, Reno, Lake Tahoe, Mexico City, and Europe.

After leaving the group, I pursued music, songwriting, and acting before eventually finding my true passion in writing. One of the turning points in my career came when I began pitching my own original ideas and developing stories that reflected the worlds and possibilities I wanted to explore.

My journey eventually led me to writing for television, creating original projects, and becoming one of the creative forces behind Quantum Leap. I served as head writer, executive producer, the voice of Ziggy, and helped shape many of the stories that audiences continue to love today.

Deborah M. Pratt

Has it been a smooth road?

Yes and no. I was fortunate, talented, prepared, and often in the right place at the right time. Most importantly, I always believed in original ideas.

Could you tell us more about your life and career?

I was married for ten years and have two wonderful children who have grown into loving, talented, intelligent, and fascinating people contributing to humanity in very different ways.

I also have three grandchildren, and I cherish every opportunity to spend time with them.

Along the way, I became a surrogate mother to two additional wonderful people who also call me Mom. I am deeply grateful for their love.

My parents have passed away, but I remain very close to my three sisters. I also have lifelong friends, including two dear friends, Cheney and Diane, who have been part of my life since I was ten years old. Their friendship has been one of the great blessings of my life. Many of my friendships from high school, college, and my professional career remain strong today.

Deborah M. Pratt

What does goodness mean to you?

Goodness is recognizing our shared humanity and treating others with compassion, respect, and kindness. It is understanding that we are all connected and that our actions have the power to uplift or harm others. Goodness begins with empathy and grows through service, generosity, and love.

Who are you outside of your professional life?

I love writing. It is both my relaxation and my escape.

Family comes before everything else. "Family first" has always been my motto.

I am a member of the Writers Guild of America and previously served on its Board of Directors. I am also a member of the Directors Guild of America, including both the Women's Steering Committee and the African American Steering Committee. I belong to SAG-AFTRA, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and serve on the Advisory Board of Women in Media.

Throughout my career, I have mentored many women and men pursuing careers in writing, directing, and producing.

Deborah Pratt Interview - Warrior One

Are you interested in environmental issues?

Very much so.

I am concerned about our water, the plastics contaminating our soil and air, and the quality of the food we consume. It is disturbing that many chemical and oil companies have knowingly contributed to environmental damage for so many years.

I closely follow researchers and innovators who are developing solutions to help restore and protect our environment. I strongly support recycling and reducing our dependence on plastics, particularly in clothing and furniture production.

I am especially interested in sustainable alternatives such as bamboo and other environmentally friendly materials that can help preserve our planet.

Do you think the world is not a good place right now?

I think the world is a wonderful place.

It is filled with beauty, culture, history, remarkable people, and extraordinary creatures that deserve to thrive in the paradise this planet was meant to be.

What concerns me is greed and the desire to possess rather than share. We need more equality, equity, and compassion.

Earth is a jewel in the universe, and it deserves all the love and care we can give it.

Vision Quest

If you could make the world a better place, how would you do it?

First, I would love for everyone to read The Vision Quest.

More importantly, I would work to unify humanity. I would encourage greater understanding between religions and cultures while fostering a collective consciousness built on compassion and cooperation.

Without greed, hatred, war, bigotry, and violence, humanity could achieve extraordinary things. The society I envision is similar to the world portrayed in The Vision Quest: a near utopian civilization built on equity and opportunity for all.

I would remind people that if you have two eyes, two ears, two arms, two legs, and one head, you are human. The only race on this planet is the human race.

Deborah Pratt Interview - Warrior One

How can all of us help make the world a better place?

We can begin by choosing unity over division and cooperation over greed.

A small number of people often accumulate disproportionate power and wealth at the expense of others. By promoting fairness, empathy, and shared responsibility, we can create a more balanced and compassionate world.

Deborah Pratt Interview - Warrior One

How can science and spirituality coexist?

Science and spirituality already coexist. They simply use different languages to describe many of the same mysteries.

As humanity evolves and gains a deeper understanding of itself, I believe science, spirituality, human potential, and what some call magic will increasingly intersect.

This vision is central to The Vision Quest and Warrior One: A Vision Quest Story. The Age of Light that I describe is a future where humanity reaches a higher level of awareness and enlightenment.

If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would you go and why?

I have traveled throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America.

I have not yet visited Australia, New Zealand, or the North and South Poles, and I would love to experience all of them.

Ultimately, I would like to wander the Earth and see as much of this incredible planet as possible. Earth is a miracle, and we are fortunate to be part of it.

Deborah Pratt Interview - Warrior One

Where can readers learn more about your work?

Readers interested in learning more about Deborah M. Pratt, The Vision Quest Universe, and Warrior One, can visit the following websites and social media channels:

Official websites

Deborah M. Pratt social media accounts

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deborahmpratt/

X (formerly Twitter): @DM_Pratt, https://mobile.twitter.com/vq_visionquest

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-pratt-9b527a13/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deborah.m.prattt

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6F5DkBwceE17SPUNyWkLoA

Warrior One Social Media

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WarriorOneWorld/featured

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@warrioroneworld

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/warrioroneworld/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WarriorOneWorld/

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@warrioroneworld

Deborah also publishes articles and blog posts through LinkedIn and VGM Publishing, where readers can learn more about her projects, creative process, and vision for humanity's future.

For readers interested in exploring her literary work, be sure to check out my recently published Şalom review of Age of Eve: Return of the Nephilim. You can also watch for her upcoming appearance on Searching for Goodness, where we dive deeper into her extraordinary career, creative philosophy, and hopes for the future.

About the Interviewer

Bessy Adut is a filmmaker, writer, and the creator and host of Searching for Goodness, a podcast and documentary series dedicated to highlighting inspiring people and organizations making a positive difference in the world. Her interview with Deborah M. Pratt will be featured in an upcoming episode currently in post-production.