Resilience in Dark Times

Happy May Day! In an era of escalating state violence and authoritarianism, how can a community actually fight back and win? This episode of Resilience in Dark Times features a riveting conversation with Kieran Knutson , a veteran labor organizer who was at the heart of the historic resistance to the ruthless ICE and CBP actions in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Knutson details how ordinary neighbors trans...

I used to struggle with a deep sense of overwhelm whenever I thought about the state of our planet, often finding it easier to just not think about it. However, my conversation about Eco-Psychology with Dennis Kiley shifted my perspective by framing our current situation not just as an environmental disaster, but as a “crisis of consciousness” rooted in a “story of separation.” If you’re strugglin...

I’ve come to realize that resilience isn’t some rare character trait; Resilience is a daily practice . Many of us are stuck in a vicious cycle of stress and anxiety , listening to endless advice without ever feeling like we can take that first step. In this episode, I’m lowering the bar to meet you exactly where you are, offering strategies that are easy enough to start right from the comfort of y...

It’s hard to watch the news these days without becoming angry. In our society, anger is seen as a negative, as something that needs to be overcome, or soothed away. Yes, anger can be a destructive force and can cause damage. But is there a healthy form of anger ? Can anger be the fuel for personal and societal transformation ? "Anger and outrage seem to come with awareness of what's going on to ou...

What do you do when the future you imagined for yourself and your family is suddenly taken away? Whether it is from the nightmare of an authoritarian crackdown in your community or the devastation of a climate-fueled ecological catastrophe, such rapid change can be disorienting and lead to panic or psychological shutdown. I’m psychotherapist and activist Michael Glavin, and I want to offer you a d...

How are you holding up? The past few weeks have been rouch. I’ve stepped away to process my feelings. I was in no place to do a episode on resilience. But I’ve sorted through my feelings and I’m here to share my thoughts and reflections with you. I hope this episode helps with the events of the past three weeks. In this episode, I explore the necessity of resilience and courage in the face of poli...

Does Stranger Things Hold the Secret to Real-World Resilience? Don’t worry, No Spoilers ! In this special episode, we unpack the surprising resilience lessons hidden within the cultural phenomenon of Stranger Things . The show is more than just 80s nostalgia and sci-fi horror; it’s a modern myth that provides a powerful blueprint for facing adversity. This deep dive explores how the structure of t...

When the days are short and the nights are long and cold, where do you turn for wisdom? This episode of Resilience in Dark Times we look beyond modern self-help videos and journey back to the ancient world. I share with you three powerful solstice myths, from Inuit, Celtic, and Norse traditions. These three stories talk directly to us about times of disruption, darkness, and loss. Each story provi...

This is not a crisis. In a world that feels like it’s lurching from one emergency to the next, that statement might sound absurd. But what if the very framework of “crisis” is the source of our exhaustion and burnout? In this episode of Resilience in Dark Times , we dismantle the crisis mentality and introduce a more empowering, sustainable framework for navigating today’s challenges. Join us to d...

The Productivity Trap If you feel overworked, stressed, and permanently exhausted—caught in a cycle of trying to do more with less time and even less energy—you are not alone. In our society, the pressure to constantly be more productive, to run faster, and to cram more into every waking moment often backfires, leading to burnout and a feeling of always falling behind. This “death spiral” leaves y...

The Double-Edged Sword of Hope Is hope the force that fuels our resilience, or is it a dangerous illusion that leads to inaction and despair? This powerful, paradoxical emotion can be the crucial ingredient for survival, yet it can also trap us in a cycle of disappointment. It is a true double-edged sword, capable of sustaining us through the darkest of trials or increasing our suffering. How do w...

Intro: How do we get the time and the space that we need to connect with our deep, inner sources of resilience? Is it possible that the most exhausting parts of modern life come not from life itself, but from the simulations we mistake for life? What happens when we deliberately step out of the digital noise and let our minds reconnect with the world that actually exists? Topic to be discussed: In...

Introduction: The Call of the Cosmos Have you ever had an experience of feeling at one with the universe? A moment so profound that your sense of individuality melts away, replaced by a deep, timeless connection to the earth, the cosmos, and every living thing? This feeling of awe is more than a fleeting sensation—it is a wellspring of spiritual sustenance. In this episode of Resilience in Dark Ti...

Intro: Love conquers fear, and this is why it is an act of resilience. Loves helps us be less afraid when regimes try to use fear to divide us. So, why is courage the core of love, and vice versa? How can you incorporate more love-centered practices into your daily life? Topic to be discussed: In this podcast episode, Michael Glavin talks about love, the heart-centered resilience. Summary: * Ego-c...

Intro: What if the part of you that says “I” is only a fraction of who you really are? How can you access the vast, unseen realm of your unconscious mind? What happens when you start listening to the quiet power beneath the surface? Topic to be discussed: In this podcast episode, Michael Glavin explains how you are more than you know and how to access the power of your unconscious mind. Summary: *...

Intro: What if the world’s darkest moments are also its greatest invitations to act? What if this historical moment means that you matter, that your actions matter? And what if heroism isn’t about grand gestures, but small, consistent action? Topic to be discussed: In this podcast episode, Michael Glavin discusses how now is a time for heroes and building a better world. Summary: * Why now is the...

Intro: “This can’t be happening!” “He can’t do that!” “This weather is all wrong.” Are you stuck in thoughts like these? As long as you are, you are wasting precious time and energy. That is why acceptance is key to resilience. But how do you get unstuck? How can we practice acceptance? Topic to be discussed: In this podcast episode, Michael Glavin discusses acceptance as the key to resilience. Su...

Intro: Have you ever talked directly to your fear and anxiety before? Is there something important that your fear is trying to tell you? How can we engage with our fears to unearth the real wisdom beneath the emotions, and transform it into action? Topic to be discussed: In this podcast episode, Michael Glavin discusses transforming fear from anxiety to action. Summary: The two different reactions...

Intro: What do we do when the truth itself is toxic? What do we do when reality is, in fact, tough to handle? How do we cope with the truth and still find a way forward? Topic to be discussed: In this podcast episode, Michael Glavin discusses “When Truth is Toxic” using stories, metaphores, and myths of The Moth, The Ostrich, and The Gorgon.” Summary: * The moth: the drive to know, even when it’s...

Intro: Are you spending way too much time reading about negative news? Is it causing you to feel anxious, loose sleep, feel dread, and despair? Before you can build up your resilience, you need to stop frying your nervous system. In this episode, we’ll share the secret to stop doomscrolling once and for all. Topic to be discussed: In this podcast episode, Michael Glavin discusses how your nervous...

Intro: What if the whole way you think about resilience is wrong? Could the way you are approaching resilience be holding you back from truly embodying and experiencing its benefits? What can we learn about resilience from old stories, like the Brothers Grimm? Topic to be discussed: In this podcast episode, Michael Glavin discusses 3 common misconceptions about resilience and what you can do to ki...

In Loving Memory of Joanna Macy (1929-2025) Intro: How can you reconnect with your inner ember of resilience when life feels overwhelming? What can we do to get unstuck from worry or stress? Can you connect with the helpers around you, and how can their presence encourage your own resilience? Topic to be discussed: In this podcast episode, Michael Glavin speaks about how to reignite your ember of...

Have you been feeling overwhelmed by political upheaval and environmental crises? This podcast is for everyone who refuses to normalize injustice. Together, we’ll transform anxiety into action and build the emotional resilience that we’ll need to keep fighting the good fight! Topic to be discussed: Welcome to The Resilience in Dark Times Podcast! I’m your host, Michael Glavin, and we’re glad you’r...