Building Resilience

Sometimes, the pain we feel isn't just a symptom of physical injury but a complex interplay between our body and mind.  This connection, often overlooked, can hold the key to understanding chronic pain and even unlock new ways of relieving it. The pain is real—but its physical traces are not always present. In this episode of Building Resilience, I delve into the intriguing concept of neuropl...

Pain is more than just a signal; it's a complex experience that intertwines with our nervous system in ways we're only beginning to understand. In this episode of Building Resilience, I take you through the intricate relationship between chronic pain and the nervous system. Drawing from my certification in pain reprocessing therapy, I delve into the concept of neuroplastic pain---where our brains...

Sometimes, it's the most straightforward activities that hold the most profound benefits for our mental, physical, and emotional well-being. And often it only requires a few simple steps—in this case, literally! On this episode of Building Resilience, we dive into the multifaceted world of walking. Walking isn't just a physical exercise; it's a gateway to improved mental health, creativity, and de...

Stepparenting, especially as a stepmom, can often feel like a league of its own. It's a unique challenge that's a mixture of love, complexity, and sometimes, a feeling of invisibility. Sometimes, you feel like you're giving your all in a blended family, yet you’re still not quite fitting in. On this special episode of Building Resilience, we delve deep into the world of stepparenting. I share pers...

Navigating the complexities of the corporate world can be overwhelming, especially when trying to balance personal goals and professional demands. To help us with this, joining us on Building Resilience is Lindsay Lyman, a seasoned coach and former Amazonian with over 20 years of corporate experience. Lindsay's journey from an "insecure overachiever" to a "confident leader" is a testament to her r...

Have you ever paused mid-sentence, grappling to find that perfect word that seems to have just slipped your mind? It's actually a pretty common experience due to age, injury, tiredness, and more. Regardless of why it’s happening though, it can really leave you frustrated. Fortunately, there may be something we can do about it. On this episode of Building Resilience, I delve into the art of word fi...

The fresh start of a New Year often brings reflection and setting intentions. Whether you're setting official New Year's resolutions or not, it's a good time to self-reflect. One good place to start could be to re-evaluate our perceptions of the things around us--- because our mindset is such a big part of how we experience life, it can change everything. In today's episode of Building Resilience,...

Life's journey is much like laying down train tracks, without always knowing when or how the train will ever use them. It's about building with faith, hope, and resilience, even when the path seems uncertain. On this quick episode of Building Resilience, I reflect on the past year and the process of laying down my own tracks. I delve into the importance of setting goals, both realistic and stretch...

Life throws challenges at us, often making us question our own resilience and strength. But what if I told you that feeling overwhelmed or stressed doesn't mean you're broken? It's a natural part of being human. On this episode of Building Resilience, we dive into the heart of what it means to be 'not broken' even in the face of adversity. I share personal anecdotes and insights from my interactio...

Do you ever feel a deep sense of loneliness during the festive season? It's a common experience, yet sometimes that can get lost amidst the others feeling nothing but holiday cheer. On this episode of Building Resilience, we tackle the often unspoken issue of loneliness during the holidays. We delve into the various causes of holiday loneliness, whether it's due to physical absence or an emotional...

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...