Building Resilience

Have you ever wondered how to stay balanced and stress-free during the holiday frenzy? The season's joy is often mingled with the chaos of festivities, making it a real challenge to maintain our inner calm. On this episode of Building Resilience, I focus on how we can prepare our brain (and entire nervous system) for the holidays, sharing invaluable tips for navigating the holiday season without s...

Life sure has a way of  pushing  us  to  our  limits at times. Those moments can really show us the true extent of how resilient we are. The truth is, it’s  not  just  about  bouncing  back; it's  about  growing, so we can learn to  fully  embrace life's  experiences. In this episode of Building Resilience, I'll be guiding...

Listening is an art, a bridge for understanding, and the foundation for effective communication. It also comes in more than one form, and may not always look like "listening" as we commonly talk about it. On this episode of Building Resilience, we're taking a journey through different listening styles, and on the way you'll discover how each one holds the power to transform our interactions, deepe...

Imagine, you’re at a party talking to someone new, only to realize you’ve just been nodding along to the conversation, and only picking up every other word. You have been "pretend listening". We all could improve the skill of listening. We could all learn how to "actively listen". Have you ever stopped to consider how much of your day is spent listening? In episode 152 of "Building Resilience," we...

I’m sure that at one point or another, you’ve looked in the metaphorical mirror and wondered how past traumas in your life might be influencing your behaviors and choices without you even realizing it. The problem is, it’s hard to have the knowledge or vocabulary to navigate those deep waters effectively.  That's where becoming “trauma-informed” comes in. It’s a mindset shift that can really...

Have you ever looked around your home and felt drowned in clutter, only to shove those feelings aside, unsure of where to begin? I think we've all been there. The emotional weight of clutter is real, and it can’t be understated what a clean, organized space can do for our mental health.  Enter Sarah Mueller, the genius behind The Decluttering Club . She champions a way to declutter that's bot...

“Move on." "Get over it." "Rub some dirt in it." Sometimes the world around us can make us feel like delving into our emotions is forbidden territory. The secret: that's exactly where we need to let ourselves go in order to move on. In this episode of Building Resilience, I open up a conversation about the importance of not just feeling, but understanding and processing our emotions. I've touched...

Ever found yourself in a situation where you just can't recall someone's name, even though you've met them multiple times? Trust me, it's not just you. So, what's the secret to really locking in those names? With my background as a speech language pathologist, I know a thing or two about the intricacies of how our minds capture and recall names. So, to help you get better at names, in this episode...

I know people that are truly kind to everybody that they meet. They never speak a word of ill against someone else, with one exception: themselves. I wish they could see that self-love isn’t just a buzzword or a trendy concept—it’s a completely vital piece to building a happy life. To talk about the transformative role self-love can have in our lives, I had the pleasure of chatting with Marci Owen...

Our health is vital to every other aspect of our life—from our mood to the things we’re able to accomplish. While some things about our health are outside of our control, there are a few “low-hanging fruits” that can have huge ripple effects on the way you feel physically, mentally, and emotionally. Recently, I attended a lecture by Dr. Andrew Huberman, which was super exciting for me as a big fan...

**Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions about suicide.** When someone loses someone they love to something as tragic as suicide, it can be hard to know what to say. We want to support them in any way we can, but sometimes, even though we mean the best….we just freeze up. In this very honest episode, I’m joined once again by my brave guest (and daughter-in-law), Rachael Clement Fiore—w...

**Trigger Warning: This episode contains mentions of suicide.** Have you ever found yourself unsure of how to approach the serious and stigmatized topic of suicide? You're not alone. So many of us want to talk about this issue with someone we care about, but sometimes can’t find the words. In this vital episode of Building Resilience, we are peeling back the layers on suicide awareness, facilitati...

The state of your nervous system could be the key you’ve been looking for to a flourishing marriage! This week on the Building Resilience Podcast, we venture deeper into the realms of nervous system resilience and its profound impact on marriages and romantic relationships. We debunk the myth of 'completing each other' and advocate for the beautiful union of two whole individuals creating somethin...

Have you ever felt like a ship lost in a stormy sea? In this episode, I reflect on the powerful metaphor of lighthouses and how they resonate deeply with our life's journey. Lighthouses aren't just historical landmarks; they serve as warning signs and guiding lights. In this episode, I explore personal stories of our family visits to the Outer Banks and my son Zach's poignant quote on light. Join...

Following last week's episode featuring the first half of my conversation on The Concussion Coach podcast, we continue the conversation in part 2.. Hosted by neurological Occupational Therapist and certified life coach Bethany Lewis, we dive into the importance of the nervous system, techniques for calming and relaxation, and the significance of self-compassion and tracking progress during recover...

In this special episode of Building Resilience, you’re going to hear Part 1 of my conversation with Bethany Lewis that was on her podcast The Concussion Coach . Bethany is a neurological Occupational Therapist and a certified life coach. We delve into the world of concussions, trauma, and nervous system resilience. From understanding the roles of Team Hyper and Team Hypo, to diving into the five c...

Whether it's an episode of "This is Us" or a commercial with a sad-looking dog, one thing's for certain—I'm a crier. Tears have a language of their own—a way to communicate with our body and the nervous system. In this episode of Building Resilience, we're diving deep into understanding the emotion behind our tears and the science that accompanies them. From the essential basal tears that keep our...

Ever question how your nervous system impacts your role as a parent? The resilience of our nervous system, its ability to contract and expand, significantly influences our parenting journey. From the womb to young adulthood, the dance of connection between caregiver and child lays the foundation for regulation and resilience. In this enriching episode, we delve into the pivotal role of co-regulati...

Have you ever been struck by the sheer wonder of a sunrise or the overwhelming beauty of a piece of art? That's 'awe' at work. In today's episode of Building Resilience, I dive deep into this powerful emotion. We discuss its simplicity, the numerous benefits it offers, and how it can help lead us to a more joyful, fulfilling, and purposeful life. From the Northern Lights to architectural wonders,...

No life is going to be perfect—but the kicker? We wouldn’t want a perfect life even if we could get it! In today's episode, we dive deep into life's 50-50 mix of good and bad times, illustrating it with two poignant real-life tales: a European trip gone awry and a client's emotional journey with a loved one's health. We’ll talk about the work of positive psychology pioneer Martin Seligman, psychot...

How many times have we overlooked the beauty in our lives because we were simply viewing it through the wrong lens? In this episode, I share my husband Rob's and my quest to witness the breathtaking Northern Lights in Norway, and the parallel quest my son undertook at the same time—and the unexpected lessons we all learned about perspective, patience, and faith. Just like our quest for the Norther...

Believe it or not, your nervous system could be the secret sauce to your success as an entrepreneur. In this episode, we dive into understanding and befriending our nervous system—specifically how it impacts our journey in entrepreneurship. We uncover how it responds to safety and danger cues, as well as the uncertainty that’s the daily life of an entrepreneur. Learning to control these responses,...

Forgetting a name. Losing your keys. It can be super frustrating, and we’ve all been there. If you’ve ever wished you could do something to improve your memory, this episode is for you. In this episode of Building Resilience, we dive deep into the world of memory improvement. We’ll go over neuroplasticity (a recurring topic on this podcast), and I’ll introduce you to an easy-to-remember framework...

Have you ever wondered what it takes to not only maintain a marriage, but to make it flourish? My husband, Rob, and I may not be the experts, but we’re certainly experienced!  As we recently celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary, we thought it would be the perfect opportunity to share 15 key insights that have kept our relationship strong, joyful, and resilient over the years. Drawing from...

Ever found yourself lost in someone else's pain, unsure where their feelings end and yours begin?  In this episode, we unpack the differences between empathy and compassion, exploring how these two vital aspects of human connection can sometimes blur. And more importantly, how you can show someone that love and human connection without getting pulled into the “pit” yourself. Listen up and you...