Notes on Resilience

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered about the workings of the human mind in the face of trauma? Let's join therapist Joy Turner in an illuminating conversation on the complexities of trauma, the unique paths to resilience, the critical role of early intervention, and how traumatic memories differ from non-traumatic ones. We look at the systemic factors at play and the pivotal role institu...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine a world where your challenges are not your undoing, but instead are your superpowers. This is what our guest, Kelly Mendenhall embodies every single day. After becoming suddenly disabled, Kelly endured formidable hardships, including multiple surgeries. Yet, she has adapted and thrived, using these experiences as catalysts for growth. Navigating life with a disability has...

Send us Fan Mail Are you ready to redefine resilience? Psychologist and retired Air Force officer, Dennis Tansley and I discuss resilience, from personal experiences to cross-cultural perspectives. This episode urges us to face, not evade, the discomfort of pain, a crucial element in fostering true resilience. Shift your perspective on trauma healing with Dennis as we talk about system-based resil...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when you face adversity head on and choose to thrive, not merely survive? Our guest today, Steve Gavatorta, an acclaimed coach and author of In Defense of Adversity , shares his insights and reveals how the unpredictability of life—especially in a world grappling with the economic repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic—can be navigated by cultivating resilience. We ex...

Send us Fan Mail Are you ready for a mind-expanding exploration? The guest on today's episode promises to get your neurons firing in brand new ways. We're thrilled to have futurist, behavioral scientist, and author Chris Marshall on the show, guiding us through a fascinating journey into the realm of resilience. Chris delves into the profound impact of emotional fluency and self-compassi...

Send us Fan Mail Listen in on my conversation with Barry Furey, a public safety consultant, trainer, and speaker. We discuss resiliency and the movement toward empathy in the public safety world, the importance of upfront training in public safety about how difficult the job can be, and how to look for the good in the bad. Barry has more than 50 years of experience in public safety, including bein...

Send us Fan Mail Listen in on my conversation with Nōn Wels, founder of the Feely Human Collective and host of the podcast You, Me, Empathy. We discussed how we wish we didn't always have to be resilient, why self-empathy is essential, and discomfort as a teacher (a topic that also came up in my conversation with ' Tine Zekis .) Nōn grew up as a sensitive kid and didn't always feel...

Send us Fan Mail Listen in on my conversation with James Gardner, life coach and survivor of near-death experiences. We discuss how trauma puts us into survival mode, not necessarily a place where we can thrive, Maslow's hierarchy of needs, and how to look at resiliency in terms of knowing where your boundaries are.  James is a life coach who uses his experience of surviving two near-death ex...

Send us Fan Mail Listen in on my conversation with Siddharth Ashvin Shah, a physician, public health scientist, and educator. We discuss the shadow side of resiliency, how resiliency is not a trait but rather a set of skills and competencies we are continuously working on, and resiliency as a bridge that can support us even when we aren't at 100%. We also discuss the concept of trauma as a le...

Send us Fan Mail Listen in on this conversation with 'Tine Zekis, a software engineer, keynote speaker, and champion of diversity, equity, and belonging in the tech industry. We discuss imposter syndrome, personal resiliency versus organizational resiliency, what it will really look like when we reach equity, and what it means to lean into discomfort. 'Tine helps Black women professional...

Send us Fan Mail Listen in on this conversation with Carrie Speranza, an emergency manager, and a key part of the IAEM Stronger Stories initiative. We talk about the importance of the support of our systems and institutions when it comes to resiliency, how to be prepared for an emergency but not live in fear, and the importance of telling our stories in building resilience. Learn how the concept o...

Send us Fan Mail Listen in on this conversation with Jolie Wills,  a leading psychosocial expert in disaster and disruption. We talk about supporting psychosocial recovery after disaster, the triple responsibility of resiliency, and building a culture of caring in your organization. Jolie is the cofounder and CEO-Americas of Hummingly, which provides tools and workshops to help people perform unde...

Send us Fan Mail Listen in on this conversation with Rayna, speaker and training and leadership consultant. We discussed how it is ok not to be ok, why we need to remind ourselves of that fact so often, and the role of setting boundaries in being a resilient person. You can make a change now or later. You have the ability to make life better for yourself and the people around you and the little th...

Send us Fan Mail Listen in on my conversation with Terry Fossum, leadership expert, coach, speaker, author, and adventurer. We discussed how to overcome fears and doubts, find strength in others when you can't find it in yourself, the power of mindset, and the value of giving people grace and love. He also share with us the importance of focusing on the solution, not the problem--there is alw...

Send us Fan Mail Listen in on my conversation with Kim Guevara, an emergency management and development professional, and founder and CEO of Mozaik Solutions. We discussed emergency management and emergency manager stress, the importance of planning before an emergency to be ready to deal with it when it happens, and the need for policy to help achieve these goals . In a disaster, people don'...

Send us Fan Mail Listen in on my conversation with Dan Griffin, an author, thought leader, and expert on men’s relationships and masculinity. We discussed the complex reality of male trauma, how to help men heal, and what it really means when we talk about toxic masculinity. We had a fabulous conversation and I really appreciate Dan's perspective on the topic of trauma and on feminism.    Dan...

Send us Fan Mail Listen in on my conversation with Garth Smelser, co-founder and manager of  Mindful NOAA and co-founder of Mindful FED. We discussed resiliency in the workplace, the power of community, and mindfulness--your life is right now, in this moment. Since the start of the pandemic, Garth helped build Mindful NOAA as a means of bringing the personally and organizationally transformative p...

Send us Fan Mail Listen in on my conversation with Matthew Lostaglia, a speaker, and podcast host. We discussed resilience and preventative resiliency, the value of meaningful and  transparent communications within an organization, and work-life harmony. Matthew's purpose is to assist businesses to reduce burnout and optimize resources invested in attracting and retaining talent. Thanks to hi...

Send us Fan Mail Listen in on my conversation with Laura Olinger, a scientist, fitness and wellness teacher, and a certified Gems of Excellence teacher. We discussed neuroscience and energy fields, resiliency, and being one's authentic self within an organization. Laura lives where science and mysticism meet and combines her loves of moving, music, science, and humor into all Vintage Moves pr...

Send us Fan Mail April 15, 2023 is the ten-year anniversary of an event that changed Michael Chase's life. He is a survivor of the Boston Marathon bombing. He and I were a few hundred feet apart that afternoon and we met for the first time two months ago. Listen in as he talks about what he has learned over the past decade about resilience, the willingness to ask for help, and how to prioriti...

Send us Fan Mail Listen in on my conversation with Xu Simon, coach, consultant, and speaker.  Among the topics we discuss: building capacity, the way that resiliency is context-dependent, science as a global good, and how the external environment can either support a person's growth or add microtraumas and problems. Xu helps technical talent and executive leadership resonate together in high-...

Send us Fan Mail Listen in on my conversation with David Barber, an emergency manager at MIT and chair of IAEM's USA mental health and wellness caucus. We discussed compassion, empathy,  mindfulness, and the role of organizations in supporting resiliency. David and I met several years ago at an emergency management conference and became instant friends because we both think about and work tow...

Send us Fan Mail Listen in on my conversation with LeRoy Thompson, a DEI and resiliency consultant and pastor. Among the topics we discuss are self-regulation, the hidden cost of stress on productivity, handling trauma, and resiliency as the new version of stress management. LeRoy and I had a thought-provoking conversation and we also discussed how "hurt people hurt people." To hear more...

Send us Fan Mail Listen in on my conversation with Sarah Marikos, executive director of ACE Resource Network. Among the topics we discussed: ACEs, PACEs, how our systems can best support people whether they have been traumatized or not, and why we need storytellers. The mission of the ACE Resource Network is to build awareness of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and to help people and communit...

Send us Fan Mail Listen in on my conversation with Jacob Kendall, a social worker, speaker, and coach. We discuss resiliency from both personal and population-level perspectives, and how to walk alongside someone who is dealing with something difficult. Jacob has a unique perspective as someone who has had two open-heart surgeries and has worked as a social worker. You can find Jacob on LinkedIn o...