Facing the Moment: Insights Action for Times of Crisis

For many military veterans, the war does not end when they come home. The survival instincts, suppressed pain, and invisible wounds of combat follow them into civilian life, reshaping relationships, identity, and hope. In this powerful conversation, we speak with Beau Laviolette, LCSW and former U.S. Marine, about what it truly takes to heal after combat. Drawing on Internal Family Systems therapy...

Over the past year, the Facing the Moment podcast has engaged in actionable conversations about leading through crisis with integrity. This video brings together a curation of segments that listeners found most impactful, challenging, and inspiring In this video, you will explore: The Power of Moral Courage: Why we must stand for universal values without shaming others, following the examples of l...

In this video, we dive into the "inner physics" of the human mind using Internal Family Systems (IFS). In this episode, you’ll learn: The Internal Family: Why our minds are broken into parts with different ages and experiences. The Role of Parts: How anxious parts or inner critics often have good intentions to protect us from deep wounds, even if their behaviors are problematic. The Powe...

In this video, you will hear from diverse voices on the key role of connection in everything from climate psychology to local community safety Key topics covered in this compilation: The Power of Community: How local initiatives like community gardens and networks in North America are creating "mind-blowing" mental health support Healing the Fabric of Connection: Addressing the fear, pol...

Facing the Moment: A One-Year Anniversary Special Compilation Over the past year and across 16 episodes, Facing the Moment has engaged with deep-thinking guests to find actionable ways to lead with fortitude and hope. In this special video compilation, we revisit the most impactful segments that challenged perspectives and inspired action. In this video, you’ll hear insights on: The Root of Violen...

In this episode of "Facing the Moment," we dive into the complex terrain of conflict, exploring its roots, impact, and transformative potential. Host Toufic Hakim, PhD, engages in a conversation with Chady Rahme, PhD, a professor of philosophy and psychology, IFS-trained psychotherapist, and expert in conflict mediation. Together, they discuss the nature of conflict, the role of fear, id...

In this episode of  Facing The Moment , we explore the complex landscape of grief and emotional resilience with Ty Cutner, an IFS (Internal Family Systems) trained coach and founder of Well-Dressed Academy. Moving beyond the traditional definition of loss, the conversation examines how to navigate the "unshakeable sadness" of losing loved ones, relationships, and even visions for the fut...

How does a community hold together when faced with sudden, extreme external pressure? In this episode of Facing the Moment, host Toufic Hakim, PhD, explores the human dimension of crisis with Jody Nelson, EdD, LMFT, a veteran family therapist and senior advisor to Change, Inc.. Together, they discuss through a humanistic lens the "Metro Surge" in Minneapolis and St. Paul, where the arriv...

Suicide is a devastating reality that touches millions, yet it often remains shrouded in silence and stigma. Today, the crisis is more pressing than ever: nearly 50,000 individuals died by suicide in the U.S. in 2023, and it has become the second leading cause of death for younger Americans. In this episode of Facing the Moment, host Toufic Hakim speaks with Bill Geis, PhD, a clinician with over 4...

Schools have long been places of learning, possibility, and growth. Today, however, many are strained by rising stress, emotional overload, and an urgent need for deeper connection. In this episode of Facing the Moment , host Toufic Hakim speaks with Joanna Curry-Sartori, a clinician-educator whose work brings mindfulness, presence, and compassion-based tools into classrooms across the country.  T...

In this episode of Facing the Moment, Toufic Hakim speaks with Dilara Ally, a clinician-researcher who works at the intersection of mental health, about the emotional, societal, and psychological stakes of artificial intelligence. Drawing on her work in trauma recovery, digital mental health, and natural language processing, Dilara explores how AI is reshaping human connection, influencing well-be...

In this episode of Facing the Moment , host Toufic Hakim engages Natalie Thomas, PhD—philosopher, psychotherapist, and environmental ethicist—in a candid exploration of the climate crisis. Moving beyond the polarized political debates, the conversation examines the crisis’s tangible impacts on ecosystems, human communities, and mental health. Natalie unpacks the science behind global warming, the...

Anger is everywhere—in our homes, on our roads, and acrossthe news cycle—but how well do we really understand it? In this powerful and timely episode, IFS-trained therapist Ted Riskin joins Toufic Hakim to challenge conventional thinking about anger. Rather than suppress or fear it, what if we learned to listen to it—and even welcome it? From the internal tensions of personal triggers to thecollec...

In this deeply personal and universally resonant conversation, educator and organizational healing consultant Mona Sullivanreflects on her journey of navigating family estrangement shaped by cultural expectations, religious beliefs, and rigid traditions. Raised in a Muslim Egyptian household in the U.S., Mona shares how her search for belonging led her through painful seasons of shame, conditional...

In this powerful and timely episode of Facing The Moment, we explore the silent epidemic of loneliness—a condition that affects people of all ages and cuts across cultures, relationships, and social structures. Sarah Oswald, Executive Director of the Relational Life Foundation, joins us for an intimate and illuminating conversation on the roots, manifestations, and healing paths for loneliness. To...

In this deeply moving episode of Facing the Moment ,We explore what it means to live, work, and nurture hope in the midst of war. Ukrainian psychologist and university educator Anastasiia Shyroka shares her firsthand experience since the 2022 invasion—from the shock of the first days to leading humanitarian efforts, teaching students under siege, and guiding communities through trauma. She reflect...

In today’s deeply reflective episode, we explore the emotional and ideological battleground often referred to as the “culture wars.”Host and Foundation Executive Toufic Hakim, PhD, and guest Guthrie Sayan, PhD—scholar, coach, and founder of the Institute of Healing and Awakening—delve into the psychological and spiritual dynamics fueling the tensions across society. Drawing from the Spiral Dynamic...

In this powerful and timely episode, we welcome Fatima Finney, LMHC—therapist, educator, and thought leader—for a deep and courageous conversation about the rising tide of othering and systemic oppression in today’s world. Together, they explore the ways individuals and groups are reduced to stereotypes, stripped of nuance, and often dehumanized in the name of ideology, fear, or false superiority....

In a world increasingly marked by polarization, rigidity, and division, is it still possible to have meaningful dialogue across difference? Join us for a deeply human conversation with community organizer, therapist, and founder of the Center for Grounded Action, Jen Wilford, MSW. We explore why our capacity for dialogue is fracturing—and how to repair it. From technology’s role in our disconnecti...

Around the world, youth are confronting unprecedented uncertainty—facing political division, climate anxiety, economic despair, and a deepening crisis of belonging. But amidst this turbulence, many are also carving bold, hopeful paths forward. In this moving conversation, we speak with Fadi Petro, a U.S.-born Palestinian-Jordanian youth advocate and practitioner, about how young people are navigat...

In this deeply reflective episode, Dr. Aizaiah Yong, a theologian, educator, and trauma scholar, shares his wisdom about the nature of individual and collective trauma, and pathways to healing and renewal. He emphasizes that trauma is relational—its effects ripple beyond individuals to families and communities. Healing, therefore, must also be collective and relational, involving support systems,...