A Resilience Project: Recent Episodes
Cindy Thompson
A Resilience Project is a podcast inspired by the complex, raw, and sometimes messy experience of what it means to be human. It is impossible to navigate this world without adversity. Through our guests' stories we will discover key elements that can move us from surviving to thriving. Together we can build a story of resilience.
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What a ride! In this final episode of A Resilience Project, we celebrate the incredible journey of the past 3 ½ years. The stories of remarkable resilience, overcoming, healing and discovering one’s strength. As individuals around the world held space for these stories and found comfort in realizing they too can bounce back even stronger than before.
Join us for this episode as we meet the incredible - team some of whom have supported this vision from the beginning and those who joined along the way. Discover the resilience practices and unexpected benefits these volunteers have gained in being part of A Resilience Project Podcast.
Expect heartfelt gratitude, shared wisdom, and yes, a few tears, as we honor the lives we have impacted in the vulnerability of storytelling and story catching.
Thank you for being part of this unforgettable journey.
With Lots Of Love Cindy
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Have you ever wondered what courage, strength, or fortitude you might have if faced with a life-changing adversity?
This week’s guest, Sarah de Lagarde, faced such a challenge in 2022 when an accident on the London Underground that resulted in her becoming a double amputee. Sharing the intimate thoughts and emotions she experienced during the hardest moments of her life, Sarah provides a candid lens into the resilience practices she relied on to bounce back and heal.
Sarah’s journey is nothing short of inspirational. Utilizing advanced prosthetic technology, including an AI-powered bionic arm, she manages her day-to-day activities and professional commitments with determination and strength.
As the Global Head of Corporate Affairs at Janus Henderson, she continues to lead with resilience and positivity. As a mother and wife, she balances her heart work with the professional and advocacy responsibilities that remain important to her, exemplifying the power of human spirit and adaptability.
Join us as we explore Sarah de Lagarde’s incredible journey of resilience and what helped her to turn a life-altering event into a source of strength and hope. This episode is a testament to the possibilities in overcoming personal and professional challenges, while learning to live without fear.
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Can Life's Greatest Adversities Become Our Strongest Triumphs?
In this episode, we delve into the incredible story of J.R. Martinez, a true testament to turning life's greatest adversities into powerful and inspiring narratives. J.R. Martinez, a former U.S. Army soldier, will not forget the harrowing roadside bomb explosion that left him with severe burns on 34% of his body. Enduring 34 months of recovery and 33 surgeries, J.R.'s journey of healing forged an unbreakable spirit and a renewed sense of purpose.
Without a clear path forward, J.R. would be challenged to make peace with his new identity and what this would mean for the future. Yet, since this life changing event, J.R. has been on a trajectory previously unimagined. From the battlefields of Iraq to winning ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" and acting on "All My Children," J.R. embodies optimism, resilience and what it means to live fully.
In his memoir, "Full of Heart: My Story of Survival, Strength, and Spirit," J.R. gives us a glimpse into what he has realized when you lean in, listen and learn. Join us as we explore J.R. Martinez's extraordinary life lessons, the power of vulnerability and the value of hope.
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What does it take to transform life's most challenging seasons into a story of hope and inspiration?
In this episode, we delve into the extraordinary journey of Patricia Morgan, author of "Love Her as She Is." Patricia's story is a testament to the unpredictable, heartwarming, and often heartbreaking journey of motherhood. When Patricia and her husband adopted their daughter Kelly at 6, they embarked on a journey of profound love, unique challenges and endless fears. After years of facing the peaks and valleys together things became more clear when Kelly was diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
As a mother, coach, clinical counsellor and author, Patricia is no stranger to adversity. Both a student and teacher of life, Patricia shares her inspiration for writing this book for Kelly, what Kelly taught her and what feeds the limitless love and strength that resides within us.
Patricia identifies some of the adversities that informed her resilience journey and lets us in on her "secret sauce" for maintaining such extraordinary energy and drive. Currently battling cancer, Patricia’s spirit remains unshaken and her light shines bright.
Website: https://www.solutionsforresilience.com
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“You're not focused enough unless you're mourning some of the things you're saying no to."
When Cindy first read these poignant words from James Clear, it felt like they were written just for her.
For 30 years, Cindy has helped folks grow, heal, and reach for their potential as a clinical counsellor, executive coach and host of A Resilience Project. Yet counsellors and coaches are humans, too—and we ALL can easily overextend ourselves (even with the activities we love most).
In this special episode, Cindy shares what she has discovered in gauging her capacity and stewarding her energy while preventing burn out.
Joined by retired fire chief, fellow podcaster and executive coach, Arjuna George, the tables have turned as Arjuna interviews Cindy for this insightful and rich conversation.
Check out Arjuna’s podcast, Beneath the Helmet, and his website: silverarrowco.com.
Have you ever stopped to consider the emotional toll on those who are committed to the unique lifestyle of farming and the agriculture industry?
In this episode we are digging deep into the roots of mental health challenges in the field of agriculture and the families impacted by this lifestyle. Our guest, Lewellyn Melnyk, plants seeds of insight as she shares her journey from journalism to cultivating resilience as a farmer. As the author of "Rooted: How I stay small town strong when life gets hard," Lewellyn bravely reveals her walk with depression and the risk factors common to those in the farming community.
We uncover alarming statistics from the Mental Health Commission of Canada, revealing the fertile ground for depression, anxiety, and even suicide among farmers. Lewellyn uncovers several factors contributing to these challenges while sowing seeds of hope and resilience.
Join us for a harvest of wisdom as we cultivate a deeper understanding of mental health in agriculture that will ring true for many. Adversity is universal, and yet we can grow a greater understanding of the strength and challenges in this vital but often overlooked industry.
Website: www.lewellynmelnyk.com
In this episode, we delve into the extraordinary life of Janet Applefield, whose journey through adversity began during the invasion of Poland in 1939. Separated from her parents at the age of 7 during the upheaval of the Holocaust, Janet endured years of uncertainty and danger, learning the necessity of silence to protect her cultural identity.
Generously giving us a glimpse into her memoir, "Becoming Janet: Finding Myself in the Holocaust” and no longer content to remain silent, you will learn of the lifelong journey back to herself, and the resilience practices she came to rely on. Her journey is a testament to the power of having a voice, honouring your family heritage, and standing up for what you believe in.
Now residing in Massachusetts, Janet reflects on her career as a clinical social worker, emphasizing the importance of learning from one another despite our cultural differences. Join us for this inspiring conversation as we delve into Janet Applefield's tale of perseverance, strength, and enduring human spirit.
Website: http://www.janetapplefield.com/
Ever since she was two years old, Debra Atlas felt like she was living behind a mask.
It wasn’t until later in life that she was treated for depression – a diagnosis that has brought her tremendous insight, empathy, and strength.
As an environmental journalist, author, professional speaker, blogger and workshop leader, Debra is widely celebrated as a thought leader, driven by her desire to inspire and empower her readers and clients.
An expert communicator, she was also a radio personality with a weekly feature that ran for almost two years.
You can get your hands (or ears) on her inspiring book and audiobook, You Aren’t Depression’s Victim, which chronicles Debra’s life-long journey with depression. Every page offers life-changing perspectives and practical strategies to motivate people to find ways to take back their lives.
Learn more here: https://debraatlas.com/
In this episode, we delve into the transformative power of embracing life fully, even amidst challenges. Our guest, Jocelyn Dettloff, shares her remarkable journey from adventurous escapades to unexpected setbacks and the resilience that emerged.
Jocelyn, author of "It Rained in the Desert," exemplifies living without regret by following her passions and trusting that inner voice that whispers “keep moving”. From daring escapades in Namibia, Africa, to overcoming unforeseen challenges, Jocelyn's story is a testament to the resilience that resides within us all.
Sometimes our greatest adversities become the plot twist that sends us on a different kind of adventure. Once a place of healing, Jocelyn’s relationship with Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital transitioned into a career in fundraising and a passionate advocate for others.
Get ready to feel empowered and forever changed by this enlightening conversation.
Website: www.jocelyndettloff.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/itrainedinthedesert
In this compelling episode of A Resilience Project podcast, Cindy Thompson engages in a rich conversation with her daughter, Breanna Thompson, a counselor, and Claire Miller, a youth pastor and social worker both serving as missionaries in Nairobi, Kenya. This episode delves into their experiences of living and working in a foreign culture, offering profound insights and wisdom.
Breanna's journey, starting as a teacher at an international school seven years ago, and now completing her master's degree in counseling psychology, is a testament to adaptability and personal growth. The discussion, touches on the challenges faced by missionary workers who uproot themselves to serve in unfamiliar and sometimes perilous locations.
The conversation highlights key themes such as mindset, community, effective communication, and the importance of finding normalcy in new environments. Breanna and Claire offer powerful resilience practices applicable not only to missionary work but also in navigating cross cultural experiences, relationships, and everyday challenges.
In a world of inevitable adversity, this podcast emphasizes that resilience is not just a trait but a practiced art. Tune in to gain valuable perspectives on cultural adaptation, personal growth, and the resilience needed to thrive in any environment.
Brace yourself for a powerful narrative that explores pivotal moments in the life of author Brandi Cox. On the heels of her newly released memoir "In Better Hands," Brandi reflects on her formative years shaped by sorrow, growth, and overcoming.
As her remarkable story unfolds, Brandi recalls one pivotal, traumatic day that could have altered the course of her life – if she had let it. As Brandi courageously discusses sensitive topics like depression and suicide, it serves as a beacon of hope, encouraging listeners to prioritize their mental well-being and seek support.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone who has faced adversity and is ready to chart a new course. Immerse yourself in Brandi's story, and take a moment to reflect on your own journey and the choices that reflect your hopes rather than your fears.
Website: https://www.brandicoxauthor.com
Book: https://www.amazon.ca
In his late twenties, Justin’s life changed when he was hit by a car on his newly purchased Vespa—while on the way to buy a helmet.
Initially, as Justin recovered from his coma, he was unable to talk and had limited mobility. Yet Justin has learned to live with the internal scars and physical manifestations of a traumatic brain injury, refusing to let it stand in the way of his success.
Today, Justin works as a neuroplastician, behavioural science professor, TEDx speaker, author, and faculty at several academic institutes.
His book, Brain Reboot: A Change of Mind Will Change Your Brain, explains how to work with your brain to live a healthier, happier, and more productive life—both personally and professionally.
In this podcast episode, Justin shares his remarkable journey and helps us understand the neuroscience of resilience.
Website: https://www.professorkennedy.com/
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Brain-Reboot-Change-Mind-Will/dp/172418489X
NPN Hub: https://www.npnhub.com/
As a child, Bayley Russell would sit with her grandfather as he told her about Mt. Everest—its marvel and majesty, its terrifying danger, its haunting call to adventure-seeking climbers.
Years ago, Bayley was finally able to see Nepal for herself on a mission trip. She fell in love with the people, culture, and breathtaking landscape, which sparked a dream of hiking to the base camp of Mt. Everest one day.
With extensive preparation and research, Bayley and her husband, Corey, planned their tenth wedding anniversary around climbing the “three passes” of Mt. Everest—though neither of them could anticipate what was to come.
Join us for this thrilling episode, where Bayley unpacks one of her most significant challenges and reconciles the complicated emotions of her misadventure, including what she and Corey discovered along the way—personally and as a couple.
In this poignant episode of A Resilience Project, Cindy Thompson welcomes Debbie McCulloch, a retired pharmacist and host of the podcast "Older & Bolder." Drawing from personal tragedy, Debbie discusses the traumatic loss of her youngest sister to homicide, an unsolved case that continues to haunt her family.
Delving into the lasting impact of traumatic loss on co-victims and shedding light on the emotional toll they face, Debbie shares the unique perspective of those left to grieve. Adding to the complicated grief of losing her sister, Debbie reflects on the subsequent loss of several members of her immediate family and becoming a widow last year.
Through the lens of her podcast, Older and Bolder, Debbie explores the experiences of women over 50 who embody fearlessness, fabulosity, and resilience. Debbie's uplifting conversation offers hope for those grappling with grief, emphasizing the strength in recognizing and celebrating the good in the world. Join Debbie as she guides us through a conversation filled with courage, resilience, and the beauty of embracing the later years with grace.
Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/older-bolder/id1674808395
Have you noticed how easy it is to focus on the adversities or inconveniences in your day? If you are someone who feels like the world is against you, or that nothing ever seems to go your way you are not alone.
In a world saturated with negative news and overwhelming events, it is easy to succumb to a mindset that constantly anticipates risks and dangers. Join Cindy Thompson as she delves into the “What is Going Well” practice, inspired by Dr. Martin Seligman’s positive psychology. In addition to a strong Gratitude practice, it’s a conscious effort to override our inherent bias toward negativity. Learn about confirmation bias and how our focus determines our reality.
Cindy shares personal stories and practical examples, from overcoming physical setbacks to finding unexpected blessings in challenging situations. Mindset can be the key to unlocking joy, peace and wellbeing at any age.
Just as a sculptor reveals the hidden image within the wood or stone, Cindy empowers you to uncover What is Going well even in the darkest days.
Get ready to unleash your inner sculptor!
Website: Thompson Leadership Coaching
Why is finding our purpose in life so important to our wellbeing?
If we are not clear on what fulfills us, we might find ourselves wandering through life feeling empty and unmotivated. Once we click into our purpose and meaning, we discover what truly fills our cup.
In this episode, Cindy Thompson, host of A Resilience Project is the guest of Peter McCully on the PQB Beat podcast.
Drawing on her own life lessons and professional insights, Cindy delves into the heart and soul of “A Resilience Project”. What began with a spark in 2020 ignited her desire to create a space where people from all walks of life can find solace, inspiration, and practical tools to navigate life’s obstacles.
Through captivating anecdotes and heartfelt conversations, Cindy reveals the power of sharing stories, creating connections, and embracing the strength within us. You will hear the backstory to how the podcast was started, and a meaningful journey that will inspire you to embrace your own resilience, overcome obstacles and thrive in the face of adversity
Can you recall the last time you had a long stretch of challenges, back-to-back with no end in sight? When this happens, do you find yourself wondering” why me?” It is natural to feel like this season will never end, and it is especially difficult to recognize the opportunities hidden within the adversity.
The good news? When life is confronting you with challenges, and testing the outer edges of your strengths, you have a choice. Will you live in fear or embrace what is serving you right now?
In this episode as we invite you on a journey through the extraordinary life of artist Carla Flegel as she reveals the transformative power of resilience. Discover how a near-death experience changed her lens on living and why she is no longer afraid of dying. When faced with a series of unfortunate events, Carla reminds us that resilience is not a passive skill but an active choice.
A living testament to the steadfast possibilities of human spirit, I think you will agree that Carla’s energy has an element of buoyancy and an attitude that is contagious.
Website: MySketchyFriends.com
How can you live with resilience and well-being in a world filled with stress, fear, and endless demands?
Dr. Susan Biali Haas is here to show us it’s possible to break the cycle of overwhelm and exhaustion using simple, science-based shifts that restore joy, health, and meaning to your work and life.
An award-winning medical doctor, Dr. Susan is internationally recognized for her expertise in mental health, stress management, burnout prevention, and resilience.
In addition to 20 years of clinical experience in general practice, Dr. Susan also coaches a broad range of clients—from senior executives to physicians and other health professionals to take control of their mental and physical well-being.
Dr. Susan’s popular Psychology Today blog has over 10 million views, and she has been featured in media such as The Today Show, Forbes, BBC World Service, Oprah.com, and others.
Her latest bestselling book, The Resilient Life: Manage Stress, Prevent Burnout, and Strengthen Your Mental and Physical Health, was released in October 2022.
Website: https://susanbiali.com/
If you reflect on some of the major adversities in life, who are the people who picked you up and encouraged you to carry on? Whether it is friends, family or significant other, having someone walk you through is critical for bouncing back. But what if it isn’t easy to connect with others?
Amid the early challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Kierstead family, like many others, were simply trying to navigate these uncertain times. Little did they know that they were about to face a profound and life-altering tragedy that would test the very essence of their resilience.
Just a month into the pandemic in the province of Nova Scotia, Canada a lone man began a series of shootings and setting fires that would take the life of several community members. On that fateful day the Kiersteads lost a very special family member, leaving them to pick up the pieces associate with complex trauma, grief and loss, at a time when communities were isolating.
In this inspiring episode we meet the remarkable mother-daughter duo, Jenny and Sophia Kierstead. Jenny, a somatic therapist, author, and leader in yoga and mindfulness, stands as a beacon of strength and wisdom. Alongside her is Sophia, a high school student and Co-CEO of Girl on Fire Empowerment, whose courage and resilience shine as brightly as her mother.
Together, they offer profound insights into recovering from trauma, the power of self-care, and the resilience practices that have guided them through the darkest of days.
Facebook: https://facebook.com/@JennyKierstead Instagram: https://instagram.com/@SparkMotherDaughter
Website: http://girlonfire.ca/ Podcast: Spark – a Mother-Daughter Journey - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/spark-a-mother-daughter-journey/id1608577232
Do you have a first aid kit tucked away in your car or home? Have you ever purchased insurance of some kind? Or created a plan in case of an emergency?
For many of us, we don’t think twice about preparing for disasters. But how often do we think about building our own personal resilience plan to weather times of uncertainty, chaos, or distress?
Exploring the idea of a resilience plan is often on the mind of Dr. Marie-Helene Pelletier, a bilingual and award-winning workplace mental health expert, psychologist, advisor and speaker.
Marie-Helene’s brilliant work meets at the junction of psychology and business. As one of only a handful of work psychologists holding both a PhD and MBA, Marie-Helene blends the two by translating psychological research into practical strategies to help professionals, business leaders, and their teams build organizational resilience, boost their performance, and thrive.
You won’t want to miss this episode for a fascinating conversation about how we can respond when our wellbeing’s “low fuel” light blinks on—and how we can prevent it from coming on in the first place.
We’ll dive into ways we can nourish the alarm system in our brains to move away from catastrophic thinking, get unstuck from the negative stories we live within, and reframe thoughts and situations more calmly, realistically, and healthfully.
Learn more about Marie-Helene here.
Does it feel like an increased number of people around you are experiencing burnout? Since the start of the pandemic, burnout levels have been increasing across all levels of organizations. At the end of 2022, the data showed that 33% of Canadians reported feeling burned out, while that number doubled among workers in healthcare.
Why is this happening? What is burnout and how do we recognize it? More importantly, what do we do about it?
Julia Somody, psychologist, and leadership coach has been diving into the impact burnout can have on individuals and as a result, organizational well-being. Sharing a fresh perspective on work/life integration, Julia brings a wealth of experience, insights, and strategies for sustainable well-being.
Whether you are recovering from burnout or creating an intentional practice to avoid hitting that wall, this episode is informative and enlightening.
Website: juliasomody.com
When you have a really challenging day at work, what helps you through? What if that really hard day turns into several hard days in a row or even months? What would motivate you stay committed to the job and show up fully?
In 2020 while the world was reeling from the pandemic, COVID-19 was also sweeping through Vancouver Island, targeting some of the most vulnerable individuals. As the Chief motivator and Executive director at Eden Gardens long-term care home, Erin Beaudoin could not have anticipated the extent to which this may impact her role, but she understood the mission. Responsible for 130 residents and 250 staff, Erin knew she needed to lead her team well and protect those in her care.
Whether supporting isolated elders’, burned-out staff or responding to ever-changing information, quitting was not in Erin’s vocabulary.
With wisdom that comes with time and healing, Erin can now reflect on her burnout, the growth and the strengths realized.
This is a story of radical resilience, and a reminder we can survive hard days!
A diagnosis can change everything. For Taryn Nergaard, hers was the missing piece to her lifelong story of struggle and resilience.
After being diagnosed with ADHD and autism later in life, Taryn felt like she could finally stop wearing the masks she’d always hidden behind and begin a new journey toward authenticity, self-compassion, and peace.
Driven by a deep passion for helping people thrive, Taryn is now a certified trauma-informed personal development and soul care coach for neurodivergent women, supporting them in rediscovering their needs, desires, and goals for their well-being.
A wife and mother of four, Taryn also enjoys a good cup of coffee or chai, reading, watching TV, and diving into one of her special interests. The best place to connect with her is on Instagram: @tarynnergaard.
https://www.tarynnergaard.com/
As a high achiever, Joanne Greene would suggest she spent most of her life needing to be in control. Finding value in productivity, and perfection over vulnerability, she preferred to be in the driver’s seat. It wasn’t until Joanne was in a fluke accident, sustaining severe injuries that she discovered her true power.
Joanne never bought the adage “little girls should be seen and not heard.” She's used her voice on San Francisco radio and television, to explore the issues of our time with playful irreverence, candor, and compassion. With many decades of seasoning, in her memoir “By Accident” Joanne shares what she's learned from navigating family and career and moving through pain and loss.
No longer subscribing to unrealistic expectations, Joanne invites you to join her as a student of letting go and leaning into the unknown.
Website: www.joanne-greene.com
Podcast: Podcast: www.spreaker.com
How can we re-calibrate our connection with others? What role do relationships play in our well-being—and our resilience?
Dr. Jody Carrington’s reverence for connection is deeply embedded in her work as a psychologist, best-selling author, and public speaker.
In her book, Feeling Seen: Reconnecting in a Disconnected World, Dr. Jody suggests we’ve never been as disconnected as we are now. But when we create connection, we re-discover joy.
Dr. Jody has a strong affinity for helping teams and organizations overcome their most complex, human-centred problems.
Her glowing energy and incomparable ability to connect with audiences result in compelling keynotes, life-changing workshops, and inspiring podcast episodes like this one!
Website: https://www.drjodycarrington.com/
Can you recall a time when you witnessed the remarkable achievements and success of someone and considered them to be fortunate, blessed, or lucky?
If we want to find the true essence of one's success, we might take a closer look at the habits, discipline and fortitude that were the pillars of resilience.
Colleen Jones has a list of successes, notoriety, and awards. Whether she is known as a TV personality and first female sports reporter with CBC Halifax, her role as the skip of two women's world championship curling teams, or her recent appointment to the Order of Canada, Colleen knows what it takes to lean into the challenges and trust the process.
Known early in her career for her bold and sometimes unconventional moments on the ice, Women's curling was rapidly evolving, as was Colleen.
So, in 2010 when Colleen went toe to toe with life-threatening bacterial meningitis, she relied on the strength, courage, and confidence she had come to trust as a professional athlete.
Join us for this insightful and meaningful conversation with a Canadian legend as she shares how the game of curling taught her about life and resilience.
Book: Throwing Rocks at Houses – My Life In and Out of Curling
As a two-time melanoma cancer survivor, Lorie knows the challenges of navigating the choppy waters of life all too well.
After her experience with cancer and recovery, Lorie set sail on a new voyage and became a certified mindfulness and meditation teacher, helping her clients build resilience through their own storms.
Speaking with us from her sailboat on the coast of Florida, Lorie is also host of the podcast “Sailing Through Life,” which is anchored in the stories of inspiring people who found hope on the other side of adversity.
Podcast: sailingthroughlifepodcast.com
Many of us understand that being involved with sports has several benefits, but how does it grow our Resilience?
Ask anyone who played or continues to be involved with sports, and they will likely tell you some of their best connections and long-time friendships originated from playing on a team. Aside from growing our community, learning to play a sport offers countless opportunities to grow our Resilience.
As a soccer player, Adam Lang had learned to work hard, celebrate the wins, and bounce back from losses. Whether playing club soccer as a youth, joining the national team, or playing college soccer, Adam was honing his Resilience while doing what he loved. Adam met Daniel Phelps when he crossed the border from Canada to play for the University of Washington. Friendships like this are rare.
On December 13, 2015, a week after attending Adam's wedding as best man, Daniel, 27 years old, passed away from sudden cardiac arrest.
In this conversation, Adam takes us through losing his best friend and how this loss led him to find his purpose. Today, as the founder of the Daniel Phelps Foundation, Adam has learned a lot about sudden cardiac arrest and why the first five minutes are critical to saving a life. Join us for this remarkable story of friendship, community and finding your purpose.
Website: Daniel Phelps Foundation
Website: Nick Of Time
Welcoming a child into the world is a monumental moment in a parent’s life. But for Nikki Holekamp and her husband, amidst the joy and celebration of her son’s birth, it was also a time of heartache, confusion, and fear.
Their son Asher was born with Distal Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a rare genetic condition. One in a million people will have this diagnosis. At less than two years, and limited mobility in his lower body some specialists suggest Asher may never walk. Months of searching for a proper diagnosis and the right medical services left Nikki stressed, frustrated, exhausted. Knowing the importance of early intervention, they were in a race against time.
What helped hold Nikki steady during such a turbulent time?
Join us for this episode as Nikki shares her reasons for finding joy in the everyday moments and cultivating hope, even in the uncertainty. Discover the power of persistence, the value of community, and the strength of self-care.
Nikki’s story is a reminder that even in the darkest moments, each of us has the courage and tenacity within us to find the light at the end of the tunnel.
Go Fund Me Page: gofundme.com
CBC Interview: cbc.ca
Masterclass: aresilienceproject.com
Have you noticed that sometimes the very thing that lights us up can become the very thing that can burn us out?
After a long career as a first responder in his hometown community of Salt Spring Island, Arjuna George was on a silent yet destructive path to burnout. In this inspiring podcast episode, a retired firefighter and author, he shares his journey toward healing from chronic stress, moral injury, and trauma. Drawing on the extensive inventory of self-care strategies in his book “Burt Around the Edges”, Arjuna is a trauma informed resilience coach who is on fire for helping others lead healthier and happier lives.
Arjuna (A.J.) shares what it took to heal from years of ignoring the slow burn and the risks to his health while doing what he loved. This episode is not just for first responders but anyone facing signs of stress and burnout. Arjuna suggests not waiting for divorce or addictions to sabotage one’s future.
This podcast is a must-listen if you want to develop resilience, find balance, and live a more fulfilling life. Take a cue from Arjuna George's journey towards healing as he shares the steps needed to bounce back stronger than before. Join Cindy Thompson and Arjuna George for this insightful conversation on personal well-being and designing the life you were meant to live.
Website: www.silverarrowco.com/ Masterclass: aresilienceproject.com/masterclass
What does it take to heal a broken body and a broken heart at the same time?
Raycine Spence has learned first-hand that life as we know it can fall apart and become unrecognizable. Life can push us to the point where we feel we might break. When we feel broken, what does it take to put things back together? Sometimes this is where we discover our strengths and identify who is there to support us.
Facing the loss of her teenage daughter while overcoming her own severe physical injuries Raycine could not have imagined additional life changes were right around the corner.
In this remarkable conversation we are unpacking why connection is important, trusting our instincts and looking to our values as a guide. Raycine gives us a peak into some of the darkest moments and where she found inspiration to move forward.
Join us as we look at the reality of those life-changing moments, and what it takes to put the pieces together again, knowing the picture will never be the same.
Rising Resilience Masterclass
Butterfly T-Shirts
When Rob Volpe was bullied in school, he wielded a powerful weapon in return: empathy.
He didn’t know it at the time, but that was the early beginning of a lifetime–and eventually, a career—in pursuit of bringing more empathy and compassion into our relationships to enrich our world.
Rob, an astute observer of life, thought leader, and master storyteller, is the author of Tell Me More About That. The book draws on his years conducting thousands of in-home interviews with everyday people to illustrate the “5 Steps to Empathy”―the actions you can take to build a strong and reflexive empathy muscle.
As a brand strategist and CEO of Ignite 360, Rob also leads a team of insights, strategy, and creative professionals serving the world’s leading brands across a range of industries.
Website: 5stepstoempathy.com
Have you noticed that some people seem to have an inner strength and determination for getting through tough times? Do you ever wonder how they came to be that way?
We know that early adversity in our development such as divorce, addictions, mental health concerns or loss, all have an impact on how we navigate this thing called life. Yet what is it that helps one person thrive despite challenges while others might crumble in similar circumstances? Is it genetics? Is it temperament?
Leesa Vreugde is one of those people who has a fortitude and strength that radiates from her very being. Providing a glimpse into her family story, the complexities and the special people who imprinted their teachings in her heart, Leesa reminds us that our birth family is not always where we find home.
If you believe your family story is somewhat untraditional, messy, and complicated, you are not alone. Join us for this conversation because…We all have a tribal story.
Website: morningowlcoaching.com
Imagine surviving the murder of your 5 friends and facing addiction head-on, only to realize these hardships were preparing you for an even greater adversity.
My guest Tim Ringgold is a TEDx speaker, author, and owner of Sonic Divinity Music therapy. Having studied the healing elements of music in preterm and childbirth experiences, pain management and addictions, Tim’s passion for music turned out to be one of the greatest gifts he could give his child.
Tim understands the gifts and the complexities of parenting a child with a severe disability, what it means to find hope, lose hope and feel helpless. Pulling out his secret weapon that is proven to reduce stress, diminish the experience of pain, and help cultivate resilience, Tim found a way to connect with his daughter Bella preterm, during childbirth and in her final days.
Tim would suggest, “when we have a human experience with music, we realize we are not alone”. Join us for this episode to discover how Tim and his wife walked through this season of their lives and the resilience practices that helped them heal after loss.
Website: www.timringgold.com
Have you noticed that others recognize and value your gifts more than you do? What if it was possible to tame that negative gremlin that sabotages your well-being? What story might evolve and replace the old beliefs that are no longer serving you?
Carrie Scollon knows all too well what that inner critic can sound like, and the ways it has undermined her confidence for years.
In this episode Carrie is sharing her perspective on realizing your gifts, finding your purpose, and recognizing your value. Find out what she has been working in her life to help her rise up, thrive and recover from adversity.
As the host of the FoundHer TV series on Winwinwomen, Carrie is on a mission to support others in creating the life they desire. If you feel as though you are not enough or have a negative story you carry like an overstuffed backpack, this episode is for you! Offering several resilience practices that have become her secret weapon to manage stress, tame the gremlin and thrive, Carrie is sure to inspire!
Website: https://www.foundher.today/
Can one decision change everything? It did for Corliss.
After her career and marriage fell apart, Corliss took one step that changed the course of her life for good.
In this episode, Corliss tells her inspiring story of what it took to pull herself out of one of the most discouraging seasons in her life. She shares tangible ways we can flex and strengthen our resilience muscles, so we can bounce back more effectively when our lives are upended.
Helping equip people with the tools to create lasting change is now her life’s work. Today, Corliss is an inspirational speaker, a certified Success Principles Coach, Dare to Lead trainer, podcast host of Conversations With Corliss, best-selling author of Lead Your Life; How to Live With Purpose, Passion and Confidence, and the Founder and CEO of Corliss Co. Consulting Inc. Through her company, Corliss helps women break through the barriers that hold them back from leading all aspects of their lives.
Website: https://www.corliss.ca/
LEAD Conference Canada 2023: https://www.corliss.ca/lead2023
How many of you make new year’s resolutions? If you do, how successful are you at keeping that commitment to yourself?
According to statistics 9-12% of people keep their new year’s resolutions, while one out of four people will quit their new year’s resolution before the end of January. If you believe you are one of those statistics, you are not alone.
This week we are diving into why change can feel hard, what might prevent you from sticking to your goal, and the resilience practices that support you in creating the change you desire.
As you dive into a new year with a renewed sense of optimism and hope, it is a great time to set goals. In this episode Cindy Thompson, executive coach and host of A Resilience Project, shares 4 key ingredients that will help you realize your goals and create a system for sustainable change.
Whether you are setting a short-term goal or one that you have dreamed about for years, the time is right to explore habits and beliefs that are holding you back.
What have you done lately that completely terrified you? When you get out of your comfort zone how vulnerable do you feel?
As we celebrate our two-year anniversary, I reflect on the most vulnerable thing I have done in years (maybe ever). In doing so, we are bringing back episode 01 with New York Times Best-Selling author Bob Goff. Stepping out of my comfort zone for this very first podcast recording AND with someone I admire, you are bearing witness to my courage. With eighty episodes under my belt, I continue to grow into this experience.
In this first episode from December 2020, we are talking about cleaning house, letting go of patterns or beliefs that no longer serve us, and adding in elements that lead us to a life that is fully engaged. Bob Goff inspires us to move from “me” to “we” and builds a bridge between community and personal resilience.
If anyone can spread joy, love, and hope for the holidays, it is Bob Goff.
Website: https://www.bobgoff.com/
What is one strategy that is sure to cultivate Resilience?
Highlighting one of the most valuable practices that is proven to sustain, encourage and lift human spirits this episode dials inro the magic that happens when people help people.
Wrapping up our series of three episodes with a big bow, Jody Luke, Executive Director of “Love Does” is sharing so many powerful ways they have been changing lives around the world.
Founded in 2002 by best-selling author Bob Goff, Love Does is a non-profit organization that fights for human rights, cares for the vulnerable and provides education to those in conflict zones. Reaching out to humans in need, the staff and volunteers are creating community, decreasing isolation while spreading hope, joy, and love. The bonus? When we do something kind for others, we also grow our own personal resilience.
Listen in as Jody shines a light on the difference we can make using the gifts we have.
Celebrating our two-year anniversary since launching the podcast we are donating 100% of the proceeds from our t-shirt fundraiser to Love Does. Check out our fundraiser here https://www.bonfire.com/store/a-resilience-project-podcast---fundraiser/
Website: https://lovedoes.org/
For the second of our three-part series, we are learning from James Belt, author of “Hope Realized”. Drawing on his insights and involvement with NICA-Works, a non-profit organization based out of Nicaragua, James believes a world free of poverty is possible – when we reimagine the powerful force of hope and what it can do.
Poverty isn’t just a lack of resources. Often, even after resources are available, poverty lingers. Why is that?
In this interview James unpacks the power of hopelessness, the ways in which it can hold people captive and prevent them from moving forward. Sharing some of the real-life stories, and transformational steps people have taken to re-author their life and circumstances, this conversation is sure to inspire.
James invites us to challenge pre-conceived ideas and put a face to poverty. After all, there is no us and them! We can all become “hope-bringers”
Website: Jameshbelt.comNicaWorks! http://nica.works/
Despite our background, upbringing, or life circumstances as humans we have a tendency to believe a story about ourselves that can either nourish us and encourage growth, or it can prevent us from developing the gifts and values already within us.
My guests Keturah and Sef DeChristopher are on assignment to support as many individuals as possible in authoring a new story. Steam Cathedral, located in Columbus Ohio is a mission-driven community of mentors, apprentices and students who collectively facilitate interactive projects, programs and workshops all while cultivating a new story. At the same time as an old car is being rebuilt and given a second chance, there is a human who is on a journey to being revived and restored on a much more personal level.
This episode is full of transformational moments and stories from the community they serve and recommended resilience practices they have learned to trust.
Website: https://www.steamcathedral.com/
As a teenager, Kayla Douthitt was doing the best she could to fit in. Although this is a natural developmental need, Kayla was also managing anxiety and perfectionism. This created the ideal conditions for one of the most difficult mental health conditions to move in and take over her life.
After 10 years of battling low self-esteem, limiting her food intake, and cycling through the turbulent nature of an eating disorder, Kayla understands the long road to recovery. It is when her body said “NO” and panic attacks sent out warning signs that Kayla realized she needed help.
Sometimes the unhealthiest coping skills can feel like a familiar friend. One that is seductive and makes all kinds of promises. “You will be more popular; or “You will make the team”.
Seven years into recovery, and now a mother, podcast host and life coach, Kayla is on fire for helping others. With a renewed zest for life, Kayla shares her insights and the resilience strategies she has come to rely on.
Website: www.wisdomnwellnessky.com
Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/whats-eating-you/id1571312051
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WisdomNWellness/?ref=bookmarks
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-douthitt-611522119/
When are you faced with one of our greatest challenges in your life what helps you to press on?
On May 3, 2016 Curtis Robinson, a primary care firefighter, could not have imagined what was in store for his community. Over the course of several days, a wildland fire would burn out of control, leading to the largest wildfire evacuation in Alberta’s history. As 88,000 people abandoned their homes in the community of Fort MacMurray, Curtis and the firefighters from surrounding areas would have been overwhelmed by the task at hand.
With a great deal of modesty, Curtis’ commitment to his community is palpable. When he wasn’t fighting the fires, he found a way to go over and above the call of duty. Heroes come in many forms. and although it may not be visible, these catastrophic events can leave a person changed forever.
It is how we respond to these adversities that can make or break us!
Speaking to the grief, trauma and the changes he has made in his life since the fire, Curtis suggests no matter how hard things get, there is always a path forward.
Over the last two years of living through a pandemic our focus has often been on what we could not do. What if we flipped this lens and made it a point to celebrate what we can do?
Born with Cerebral Palsy, Peta Hooke doesn’t know what it is like to walk or run, but don’t let her disability fool you! With a twinkle in her eye and a healthy sense of humour, Peta has a magical way of turning obstacles into opportunities. Not knowing anything different than the life she was given; Peta has found a powerful way to make meaning in what she can do.
As a Disability Advocate, and podcast host, Peta might just be one of the most positive people you will meet. Whether it is her propensity toward people, fashion or travel, Peta would suggest she is living her best life.
Website: https://www.icantstandpodcast.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petahooke/
Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-i-cant-stand-podcast/id1544184497
What does one do when they get a second chance at life? Would you live your life any differently?
May 12 of 2015 seemed like a typical day as passengers were travelling on Amtrak 188 Northeast Regional train from Washington, DC bound for New York City. Many would have been commuting for work just as they had done many times before.
No one could have anticipated there would be a mass train derailment killing 8 people and injuring 200 others. My guest Geralyn Ritter author of “Bone by Bone – A memoir of Trauma and Healing” knows first-hand what it is like to have a second chance at life.
As a passenger in the first car of the Amtrak train that fateful day Geralyn reflects on the moments leading up to the derailment, the extensive injuries she suffered as a result of being thrown from the train, and her long arduous journey toward healing. With several surgeries under her belt, and a renewed sense of appreciation for life, she is sharing what is important to her now, the resilience practices that served her, and why she is on a mission to help others.
Website: https://www.geralynritter.com/book
We often say that life can change in the blink of an eye. I wonder what it would it be like to know our lives could be at risk when we leave for work each day?
With only a few years under her belt as a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Laurie White had been taught to expect the unexpected. Despite extensive training preparing her for adversity on the job, Laurie could not have anticipated what was in store on that fateful night.
Looking back on her initial responses to being shot in the line of duty, and the recovery process associated with her injuries, Laurie understands what it means to be resilient. Whether it was accepting her leg amputation, learning to walk with a prosthesis or recertifying to return to the line of duty, there isn’t a manual on how to bounce back from this kind of hardship. Taking a realistic lens on important topics such as post traumatic stress, depression, suicide ideation, and other challenges faced by first responders every day, Laurie reminds us of the human behind the uniform.
Book: https://www.amazon.ca/10-33-Officer-Down-Steps-Back/dp/1039115748
Have you ever struggled with the idea that you should be strong for someone else? Have you been surprised to find out you are able toc handle more than you ever imagined?
Marc Miller understands these feelings well. His life took a drastic turn at the age of 15 when his older brother suddenly died in a motorcycle accident. His family soon wrestled with addiction, depression, sickness, and more while coping with the loss. Marc leads us into a conversation about grieving, understanding what your story means, and being gentle with yourself. Growing up in South Africa has also taught him key lessons such as leaning into the responsibility we have for one another.
Marc shows us a path through adversity into perseverance and onto further strength and resilience.
Website: https://muchmorecoaching.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-miller-862973173
Sit down with our host Cindy as she shares her birthday reflections.
Why do we struggle with aging? How can we feel more resilient as we move through all the beautiful milestones of life? Sit down with our host Cindy Thompson as she reflects on some of these questions herself. Giving us a glimpse into what she has been wrestling with and some of the discoveries she has been making along the way.
Packed with insights from her journey so far, she invites the listener to consider the value of investing our time, rather than “spending” our time, how our values can be our guide, and the importance of having cheerleaders along the way.
This episode will inspire you to celebrate exactly where you are, how far you have come, and the many ways in which you can adjust your course to create beautiful stories for the future.
Website: thompsonleadershipcoaching.com
T-Shirt Fundraiser for Ukraine: https://www.bonfire.com/store/a-resilience-project-podcast---fundraiser/
We love to be inspired by stories of those who dare to dream. Kelly Rae Roberts shows how each of us can listen to those heart whispers, get curious, and give ourselves the freedom to pursue a passion. Once a social worker, she united her gift of encouragement with delight in art to do just that and now lives life as a full-time artist, author, and Possibilitarian.
Kelly Rae joyfully shares how her art helped bring her healing and encouragement, and continues to do so for herself and others. Working through burnout, setting boundaries, and finding balance, she invites us to nurture practices that help us grow to trust one’s self and desires. She offers us a spark of inspiration to begin this passion-seeking work today.
Website: https://www.kellyraeroberts.com/
How many people would say that receiving a diagnosis of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma opened a “space for something new to happen”? Ame-Lia Tamburrini knew she was ready for a change. Would she have made these changes if it were not for her cancer journey?
Once treatment is completed and life is supposed to get back to ‘normal’, one is expected to pick up the pieces and rebuild your life. Yet nothing is the same. Taking us on a journey beyond the physical implications of cancer, and what it means to piece your life together following treatment, Ame-Lia suggests it is a like a Tsunami had ravaged her life.
She is honouring the grief and loss associated with a Cancer diagnosis, while also speaking to the opportunity cancer provided for transformation to occur. Through her season of deep work Ame-Lia discovered a new lens from which she now views herself, her practices and life itself. The invitation is to identify the many ways in which we “check out” of our lives, and to find the gifts associated with remaining “checked-in”.
Website: https://www.humconsulting.ca/podcast
As a parent does it feel like you have been through one of the longest, most unpredictable storms of your life?
On any given day parenting can invite some of the most complex, messy, and beautiful moments of our lives. When you are tired and doing your best to steer the ship of family life, it can be comforting to know you are not alone.
In this episode we are throwing you a lifeline to guide you back to shore. Dr. Caroline Buzanko, Psychologist, mother, and podcast host is joining us to share some of her professional and personal experiences on how to raise happy, confident and resilient kids. Join us to find out why it is important for our kids to experience challenges and failure, some of the signs of stress to watch for and when to reach out for help.
Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com
Podcasts: “Parents of the Year”
“ Overpowering Emotions
When Carmel became a single parent with a one-year-old son, it was as if her world came crashing down. Figuring out what to do next felt daunting—impossible, even.
What she didn’t know then is how much her divorce would catalyze growth and shape a beautiful new future. And as she gradually rebuilt her life, taking one small action at a time, Carmel’s true purpose emerged.
Today, Carmel is a life coach with Speak Now Life Coaching, supporting single parents to lead their families with ease and grace. Yet the wisdom she shares in this podcast episode is for everyone, regardless of marital status, reminding us how life-changing it can be to look inward, ask for help, let go, and love ourselves.
Website: https://speaknowcoaching.com
Surviving sexual assault, attempted suicide, financial loss, and a failed arranged marriage is one thing. Actively processing all that pain is another.
Poonam Bhuchar is the first to admit the healing journey isn’t always easy. But for her, it’s been revolutionary in reclaiming her power and living a fully connected life filled with joy, even in the wake of trauma.
In this episode, Poonam reminds us that when we don’t process our pain, it becomes intergenerational pain. With grace and a message of hope, Poonam walks us through the SAFE method, a model she developed to help us face our emotional turmoil, regain control over our lives, and free ourselves from judgement.
Website: https://emotionallysafe.com/about/
Taking a deep breath. Naming your feelings. Reframing failure as feedback. As simple as these practices may sound, look out! They might just change your life.
In this episode, Dr. Kelly Kent and Hayden Lee offer us transformative, neuroscience-backed tools to manage our emotions, hack our brains, and build our resilience.
As the co-founders of Master Mind Institute, Dr. Kelly and Hayden seek to elevate human potential by merging brain science with professional coaching. Find out more about their online course, “Information for Transformation.”
Dr. Kelly is a neuroscientist who brings her passion for brain science into all aspects of her work—as a school board member, corporate creativity consultant, business owner, and speaker. Hayden is a Master Certified Executive Life and Leadership Coach helping executives, leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals spark growth in their personal and professional lives.
Website: https://mastermindinstitute.com
Growing up in small town on Vancouver Island, all Melanie wanted to do was play soccer. She had the skill, the passion, the tenacity. There was only one problem—she wasn’t allowed to play on the boys’ soccer team.
By the age of 10, Melanie became an advocate for equal opportunity in soccer. She fought hard to play the sport she loved—and won.
After years of honing her skills, she was invited to play on the national women’s soccer team. But on her way to her first game, Melanie was involved in a major car accident, preventing her from pursuing her dream.
In this episode, Cindy and Melanie explore what it’s like to spend your life working toward something that vanishes in a moment. Melanie’s message is one of hope: that even when life takes a sudden turn, there’s always a way through.
Early on in his psychology career, Dr. Raphael Rose learned that over 90% of people who experience trauma don’t develop Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. This discovery prompted a lifelong curiosity: what can be learned from these trauma survivors?
Today, Dr. Rose continues his journey as a clinical psychologist and researcher based in Los Angeles, specializing in anxiety, mood disorders, and stress resilience training.
His sprawling career spans from training psychology students at UCLA to evaluating a stress management program for flight controllers at NASA to helping athletes achieve peak performance by building resilience skills.
In this episode, we’ll hear of the lessons Dr. Rose learned from his father, a Holocaust survivor, and gain valuable insights into the resilience practices we can integrate into our daily lives.
Website: www.drraphaelrose.com
Nobody wants to live in fear. But for Rosie, it was the only way she knew how to survive after enduring the hardest year of her life.
First came her cancer diagnosis. Then, her mom’s dementia worsened to the point that Rosie needed to immediately transition her into an assisted living facility. And just as life seemed like it would start to settle, Rosie’s healthy 58-year-old brother was suddenly killed in an accident.
For a time, anxiety kept Rosie from living the fullness of life—until she realized she didn’t want to spend her life merely getting through. By establishing small, daily resiliency practices, Rosie discovered it was possible to not just survive in the wake of hardship, but to thrive.
In her book, Find Your Joy and Run With It, Rosie captures these practices with wisdom and humour, inspiring her audience to find healing and wholeness.
Website: http://rosiemankes.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lifecoachrosie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifecoach_rosie/
As a child, the odds of doing something extraordinary with his life weren’t in Kenneth’s favour.
Born out of wedlock, Kenneth grew up without a father in an impoverished, segregated southern US community. As a child from a single-parent household, he was immediately type casted as “at-risk” once he started school.
But despite the obstacles, Kenneth was determined to make his mother proud.
At 17, he joined the US navy, which sparked a thriving, 21-year career in international espionage and military service. And just as his travels allowed him to discover the wonders of the world, it was also a journey of exploring the vastness within himself.
Kenneth’s book, Illegitimate Sun, is the culmination of all he’s learned in his career as a navy cryptologist and–perhaps most importantly–from the wisdom of his mother, who was raised during the Jim Crow era. His story of intergenerational resilience is ultimately one of hope–and a reminder that “no one can beat you at being you.”
Website: https://illegitimate-sun.com
When Christina graduated from college with high honours, she had even higher hopes about her future. Equipped with multiple degrees, Christina set out to launch a promising career in New York City—and then everything fell apart.
After spending the first six months out of college unemployed, Christina’s hope started running out. By 23, she was burned out and disillusioned by how different the “real world” was from the one she imagined.
Tired of chasing the image of who she thought she was supposed to be, Christina began leaning into what truly brought her joy. She discovered how being authentic, giving herself grace, and asking for help cultivated her resilience—especially as she became a new parent.
Now a certified coach, Christina is helping other women find their own voice and live boldly through her leadership and coaching business, Hear Her Roar.
Website: https://hearherroar.net
Sometimes, our lives change gradually. At other times, they can take a 180 within seconds.
For Jessie, that life-altering moment came in the form of a car accident, which resulted in a Traumatic Brain Injury. This is something she has now lived with for nearly a decade.
Learning to navigate life with an invisible and often misunderstood injury is far from easy. Yet Jessie is grateful she discovered a resilience practice in the form of mindfulness to help her get through.
“Without mindfulness, we’re lost in thought. We’re worried about the future, or we’re regretting the past,” explains Jessie. By engaging with our world mindfully, we can experience the “goodness of the gathered mind” today and help build our resilience for when we may need it tomorrow.
In this episode, you’ll hear about some of the invaluable gifts this practice has given Jessie, how she was able to put her practice to the test amid a storm of further adversity, and why she is so passionate about teaching it to others. Having trained as a qualified mindfulness teacher through the Center for Mindfulness at the University of California, San Diego Jessie continues to build on her personal mindfulness practice as a critical ingredient in her resilience skill set.
Website: http://mindfulconcussion.ca
Insight Timer Meditation App: https://insig.ht/HhGKIZbHRmb
“My deep exploration of forgiveness began in a prison centre with me on one side of the glass and my husband at the time, Jason, on the other.”
After the traumatizing public experience of her first husband’s conviction as a sex offender, Shannon thought she’d never feel joy or be whole again. In the years that followed, she learned that forgiveness isn’t always a one-time event—it is also an on-going process.
Today, 16 years after her life completely shattered, Shannon now works as a registered social worker, therapist, and advocate to support clients in achieving post-traumatic growth. Currently, she helps provide life-saving trauma therapy to dozens of survivors of accused serial rapist and sex trafficker, Peter Nygard.
This hope-filled conversation with Shannon reveals the powerful connection between resilience and forgiveness, reminding us of the hope, peace, and freedom waiting for us on the other side.
Website: www.shannonmoroney.com
Connect with Shannon on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn
Read Shannon's story and others' at The Forgiveness Project
Listen to her interview on CBC Radio's The Current
Listen to her documentary In Harm's Way
By the time Sara was six, she had lived through war, a revolution, and an uprooting from her life in Iran to move to the other side of the world with her family.
Naturally, it wasn’t easy to transition from a collectivist culture to a more individualistic one in Canada. And, as a first-generation immigrant and the eldest child, Sara also had to grow up quickly, helping her parents navigate the systems and intricacies of starting over in a new country.
Yet it was through her family’s struggles as newcomers that Sara grew her resilience, learned to integrate the best parts of two cultures, and became the perceptive person she is today.
Sara now resides in Coquitlam, British Columbia, where she works as a clinical mental health clinician at the Chilliwack Youth Health Centre. She is passionate about destigmatizing mental health (particularly in immigrant households), transforming trauma, and identifying intergenerational resilience.
What are the key ingredients of your wellness recipe for the season ahead?
In this special holiday episode, Cindy inspires us to reflect on ways to manage expectations and make the season not only bright, but healthy and sustainable, too.
Her insights into connecting with joy, coping with change, and finding peace offer a helpful roadmap for stewarding your energy throughout the holidays and into 2022.
Joining her in this episode is the President of Cindy’s fan club: Robert, her husband of 30 years. Alongside offering cheerleading support, Robert is also our systems manager and one of the technological masterminds behind each episode.
With their team spread across Canada and the wisdom of their guests, Cindy and Robert are thrilled to celebrate one year of building resilience among humans, one conversation at a time.
While overseas on a business trip, Greg Scollon received some shocking news: that he no longer had a job at Shaw Communications, the company he’d helped build and grow for 17 years.
Following one of the biggest blindsides of his career, Greg began the journey of spent working through the messy stages associated with the loss of a career he loved, but also a sense of identity and purpose. A process that is anything but easy.
Fortunately, Greg was at the right place at the right time to learn about a concept that changed his life: re-invention.
In this inspiring conversation, Greg and Cindy explore how resilience sometimes looks like grappling with your identity, getting comfortable with discomfort, and letting go so you can rebuild your future while evolving into the person you were meant to be.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gscollon/
Each of us were born with immeasurable potential, capable of authoring the magical story of our lives.
At some point, though, our dreaming is inevitably interrupted by our own self-limiting beliefs, which distract us from living the lives we imagined for ourselves. Worst of all, we betray ourselves by believing these intrusive thoughts. We begin to feel inferior, inadequate, and insignificant.
Best-selling author and philosopher Rob White knows first-hand how harmful our inner critic can be. Yet he also knows the magic of reconnecting with our unstoppable nature by interrogating our negative thoughts, allowing ourselves to fail forward, and reclaiming the power of who we truly are. Giving us a glimpse into his latest book “The Maestro Monologue”, Rob opens the door to a new dialogue that can change your life.
If you’re struggling with negative thought patterns, you’ll be inspired by Rob’s message of how forgiving, trusting, and loving yourself is the foundation for breaking free and reaching for your dreams.
www.robwhitemedia.com
https://twitter.com/RobWhiteMedia
https://www.facebook.com/robwhite.author
https://www.instagram.com/robwhitemedia/
“One Breath at a Time.”
When a dear friend shared this nugget of wisdom with Heather, she was preparing for one of the most frightening experiences of her life: giving birth to her son while compromised by COVID-19.
As one of the first maternal COVID-19 cases in her city, Heather’s childbirth was nothing like she expected. Knowing that her husband Scott could not be in the delivery room with her, she had to walk into the hospital alone. Adding an additional layer to this complex scenario, Heather’s health challenges contributed to complicated, intimidating, anxiety-riddled labour.
In this episode, Heather shares how she relied on her resilience, faith, and courage to weather one of the darkest storms of her life—while also leading to one of the most beautiful outcomes. Today, she and Scott celebrate being the parents of a healthy and happy one-year-old boy, named Jasper.
As we all continue to endure the uncertainty of the pandemic, along with our own unique struggles, Heather’s story reminds us how powerful it is to choose hope in difficult times, and that we can get through anything, one breath at a time.
Warning: Some of the content in this episode may be too descriptive for young children.
When Paul went to work on his son’s sixteenth birthday, he didn’t expect his life to change forever. But it did.
That day, a terrifying accident at his workplace left him with multiple injuries, failing organs, long-term pain and disabilities.
After narrowly escaping this near-death experience, Paul devoted the next decade to finding ways to improve his wellbeing—even just by a fraction. He began cultivating resilience practices such as positive affirmations, mindfulness, meditation, and developing a growth mindset.
Little did Paul know he was embarking on a revolutionary journey that would completely change his life.
Today, Paul is a motivational speaker who has shared his stories internationally on TV, radio, the TEDx stage, and in his book. He’s a living example of how incremental change over time can lead to transformational outcomes.
As he shares in this podcast episode, you are invited to “Change your mindset, change your story, change your life.”
Web Page: http://www.inspiredinfluencers.com
Even the most insightful and self-aware people sometimes struggle to let go of coping mechanisms that keep us stuck.
This was the reality for Amy Guerrero, whose untreated trauma and loss as a child led her down a painful path of addiction and other self-sabotaging behaviours.
Breaking this cycle required Amy to practice something revolutionary: becoming her own advocate. For Amy, this meant learning to find her voice, ask for what she needed, and be clear on her boundaries.
After years of investing in her recovery, Amy now works as a life coach to help others on their own healing journey. Both in this podcast episode and through her program, Thrive in Recovery, Amy teaches us how finding our own sense of agency can make all the difference in overcoming the obstacles that get in the way of living fully.
Website: www.amyguerrero.com
The very essence of resilience is in one’s ability to bend, bounce back and respond to adversity with a sense of hope. As humans, we have an amazing capacity to overcome challenges and stretch ourselves. In this episode we are highlighting a beautiful example of what is possible when we set a goal, have the tenacity to see it through and courage to face obstacles en route.
Libby Elliott is a third -year social work student at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops and a wildland firefighter in the summer. Libby speaks to the many challenges she had to overcome to achieve this job, and the unexpected turn of events that rocked her to her core.
On June 30, 2021, just 6 weeks into her summer job, and stationed out of Lytton, BC LIbby was living her dream. Lytton, like many BC communities across BC that summer were experiencing record breaking heat waves and draught. While fighting a forest fire just a short distance away, Libby and her crew received word that the whole town of Lytton had burned to the ground.
At 20 years of age, Libby walks us through her personal experience of this trauma, the complexities of grief and the mindset that helped her navigate one of the most traumatic events in her life.
Were you taught to not show your real self? To hide how you really feel?
As a psychologist, Anna knew there was another way beyond the self-protective stoicism that was normalized while growing up in Ukraine, a former USSR country.
In this complex political environment, Anna became a pioneer in mental health practice in Ukraine. She began shifting the conversation about vulnerability and destigmatizing the universal human need to express our emotions—all against the backdrop of war and conflict.
Anna not only teaches us the power of embracing the fullness and messiness of life. She models it, too.
Courageously, Anna has weathered the storms of divorce, financial strain, while raising a daughter with epilepsy as a single parent. These life experiences provided the opportunity for Anna to connect to a happier stronger version of herself. In discovering a life of compassion, joy and service Anna has subsequently developed a powerful resilience practice that is sustainable and fulfilling.
Give Joy Fundraiser: https://www.itlgetfund.com/campaign/12/help-us-to-sustain-the-charity-project-for-vulnarable-kids-and-their-families
Having been on a personal journey of transformation my guest David Richman, author of Cycle of Lives, has a natural curiosity for life and humanity.
In writing his book, David had the privilege of capturing the insights and experiences of 15 individuals, all sharing their personal story related to cancer. In doing so, David has created a 360-degree lens for understanding more about the emotional needs associated with these types of illnesses. With a wide range of experiences, types of cancer, levels of severity and a range of emotional responses, these stories offer a roadmap on how to willingly create space for and be a support to others. What might surprise you, is that it isn’t really a book about cancer. You could replace the diagnosis of cancer with any number of adversities and challenges experienced by humans and the formula will work.
It is inevitable that we will each have an opportunity to create change, overcome adversity and discover more about ourselves in the process. In this episode we unpack what inspired David to write this most recent book and what he learned about himself as he travelled over 5000 miles on his bicycle to meet with each person. Sharing his resiliency practice and the discoveries he has realized on this journey, this conversation with David reminds us of the generosity, resilience and kindness of humanity.
Website: david-richman.com
Facebook: facebook.com/cycleoflives
The growing pains of becoming an adult can be daunting. Now imagine doing so while living with a rare, chronic health condition.
Ever since her first brain surgery at only seven years old, Camille Thoms has navigated life with neurofibromatosis (type 2)—a condition where benign tumours grow on her nervous system.
Now a recent college grad, Camille is devoting her life to helping others while continuing to build her own resilience practice. With grace and humour, Camille shows us what it looks like to be your own best friend and to reframe the challenges of life in a joyful, self-compassionate, and intentional way.
Whether you find yourself laughing, crying, or doing a bit a both, this powerful conversation with Camille is bound to stick with you long after it’s over.
Website: https://www.soleilshines.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camisoleil_21/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/camille.thoms
Alyshia Van Kannel knew two things for sure, she wanted to be a teacher, and she wanted to teach internationally. It is because of this dream that she was willing to move to Nicaragua, Central America. Some of us might ignore that little voice inside of us while others race wholeheartedly toward that passion.
Little did Alyshia know she would face personal and emotional obstacles, cultural and ethical adversities and on top of that, political unrest. What does one do when even the Canadian Embassy has left the country?
Even though we follow that path we seem predestined to pursue, does not guarantee it will be easy or without challenges. Unpacking her lifechanging experiences, surprising insights and rich learnings, Alyshia’s story will speak to those who are willing to dream, set goals and get uncomfortable.
http://vankannel.weebly.com/
Blog: https://alyshiavankannel.wordpress.com/
After their 22-year-old son beat cancer, Shelley and her husband, Academy Award-winning director Chris Buck (“Frozen” and “Frozen 2”), breathed a sigh of relief. And then tragically, their son, Ryder, died when he was hit by a car only a few months later.
With vulnerability and courage, Shelley chose to follow her grief to the unfamiliar places and deep insights it revealed to her.
Along her healing journey, Shelley was inspired to write about Ryder’s larger-than-life spirit and the legacy he left behind. Written with the help of Shelley’s lifelong friend, Kathy Curtis, “Leave Your Light On” is a beautifully tragic and truly inspirational reminder to cherish each day of our lives.
What possibilities might you unleash with a shift in mindset? How do you stay the course while pursuing your goals? Why is it important to let go of comparison?
Welcome aboard the latest episode! Sail away with Cindy as she shares insights and life lessons learned at sea, combined with 30+ years of supporting clients as they navigate their own journeys.
You’ll learn more about the possibilities that can emerge when approaching life with open hands, a flexible mindset, and the courage to move out of your comfort zone. By the end of the episode, you’ll walk away with new tools and strategies for facing the rough seas of life and finding a safe harbour.
In this episode Frank King, celebrated mental health comedian, provides us with an insightful and “Frank” (pardon the pun) approach to Mental Health. The truth is that depression and other mental health concerns are having a significant impact on people of all walks of life. It does not discriminate between race, culture or socioeconomic status. It has been there among friends, family members and co-workers before the pandemic, and will certainly be there as we recover from a pandemic.
Bringing a unique and humorous perspective on men’s mental health, Frank inspires us to look at the obstacles associated with depression and other mental illnesses. Recognizing the importance of having discussions like these, we are shining a light on patterns that lead to isolation, how to respectfully have a conversation with someone who may be battling depression, and how we can all play a role in preventing suicide. As a comedian and advocate for mental wellness, Frank has discovered his purpose and meaning through conversations like this.
As co-author of the book titled Guts, Grit, Grind – Mental Health Mechanics, we are covering topics such as toxic masculinity, suicide and the value of having a “pit crew”. Drawing on his humour and personal experience of living with Chronic suicide ideation, Frank has a way of highlighting the challenges while also providing a road map for resilience. If you or a loved one are struggling with depression, I hope you will find this episode to be a strong addition to your resilience manual.
http://www.TheMentalHealthComedian.com
http://www.facebook.com/thementalhealthcomedian
http://www.instagram.com/mentalhealthcomedian
http://www.twitter.com/theMHcomedian
https://www.youtube.com/thementalhealthcomedian
It is often through our challenges that we discover our strengths. After a suicide attempt as a teenager, Hailima Yates wanted to stop feeling numb, sad, and angry at the world. When life’s challenges anchored her down, emotional distress kidnapped her spirit. She needed to rediscover her power. To change her life, Hailima faced the sources that birthed her fears, shattered her self-esteem, and created her self-sabotaging behavior.
When we are struggling with depression, we are consumed by the seductive lies that lead to despair and hopelessness. The lens by which we are viewing our world can also have an impact on how we view ourselves. Depression, insecurities, and adversities can shackle you from living your truth, recognizing your resiliency, and moving forward.
Part memoir and part self-help guide, Hailima’s book titled “Dissolving The Anchor” illustrates a journey from self-critical thoughts and suicidal ideation to an elevated mindset. As in the words of Hailima, “Heal my wounds and let my fading scares be the stories of my triumphs…” Listen in for Hailima’s inspiring message on releasing the heavy links of the anchor holding you back from happiness.
www.hiyates.com
https://www.facebook.com/hiyates
https://www.instagram.com/hiyates/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/hailima-yates/
Over the past 15 years, Dr. Jody Carrington has assessed, treated, educated and empowered some of our most vulnerable and precious souls on the planet. As a child psychologist Jody rarely treats kids. She believes the answer lies in the big people who hold them. This is especially the case when kids have experienced trauma, as this is when they need the adults in their life the most.
Before Jody started her own practice and speaking across the country, she worked at the Alberta Children’s Hospital on the inpatient and day treatment units where she held families with some of the difficult stories. They taught her the most important lesson: we are wired to do hard things. We can handle those hard things so much easier when we remember this: we are wired for connection.
This all started when Jody received her Bachelor of Arts with Distinction from the University of Alberta. She completed a year-long internship with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police during that time and worked alongside families struggling with chronic illness at the Ronald McDonald House. She received her Master’s degree in Psychology at the University of Regina and completed her PhD there as well, before completing her residency in Nova Scotia.
In this episode Dr. Jody Carrington speaks to parents, caregivers and teachers sharing ideas on how to move from burnout to recovery while working our way toward adjustment and grief. With so many changes, losses and unknowns, we as humans need time to honour all that has happened to us during the pandemic. Jody suggests increased mental health concerns could be on the radar for the next few years. Bringing her witty, genuine and candid approach to the conversation, Jody validates what is real, relatable and affirming to many.
http://www.drjodycarrington.com/
https://twitter.com/DrJCarrington
https://www.facebook.com/drjodycarrington/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jody-carrington/
https://www.instagram.com/drjodycarrington/
How many of you can think of one or two key people in your life that have had a dynamic impact on you? Was it a coach, a teacher or a family member? In this episode we are highlighting some key elements to growing resilience, focusing on positive relationships, developing community, and the value of finding your purpose and meaning in life.
Steve Anderson is one of those teachers who has the energy of the “ever ready bunny”, the charisma of a trailblazer, and a natural tendency to be a change agent. Perceiving life as an invitation, he hopes you too will embrace each day as an opportunity to help yourself by helping others.
With over 29 years as a teacher, Steve suggests he has “rocked the worlds” of his high school students in his applied Psychology program. He is the Executive Director of “The Wanted Children Foundation” – a child rescue project in Nigeria founded by his eldest daughter Courtney. Participating in many instrumental community roles, Steve also created a peer support/Human Services program in Chilliwack. Why? Because he believes in building healthy relationships at both individual and community levels. When you grow resilience in children and young adults, it provides an effective form of prevention against life addiction, cycles of abuse, crime, suicide and the fallout of trauma.
It is not surprising that Steve wishes there was more than 24 hours in a day.
This episode should come with a warning: CAUTION: This guest’s energy and passion is likely to be contagious.
Website: https://www.thewantedchildrenfoundation.org/
At the age of 21, Jess Van Zeil felt invincible. From Bungee Jumping to SCUBA diving in South Africa, Jess was fulfilling her dreams as a true adventurer, a student and passionate sportswoman.
In the midst of her dreams unfolding, Jess was informed she had Conjunctival Ocular Melanoma: a very rare and aggressive form of cancer. Despite returning to Australia, home to some of the best melanoma experts in the world, the cancer was relentless.
She was given a choice, they either had to remove her eye, or the alternative would be death within 5 years.
Defying the odds, Jess emerged having discovered the powerful principles that not only guided her through her fear, loneliness and anger, but revolutionised her mindset to become powerfully positive and ridiculously resilient.
With her sassy blend of honesty and humour, Jess reveals what it takes to thrive in the face of adversity. I am grateful to have a conversation with Jess to discover how she has navigated life on her terms – and with the most dazzling collection of eye patches.
Website: http://jessvanzeil.com/eye-won-book/
In April of 2020, just a month into the Pandemic, the province of Nova Scotia experienced one of the most traumatic and devastating events in its history. A single gunman Gabriel committed multiple shootings over two days, killing 22 people and set fires at 16 locations.
In this episode Karen Dean shares her experience of losing one of her closest friends in the shooting, and what inspired her write a book titled: “We are Unbreakable: Raw, Real Stories of Resilience”. Collecting authentic and inspiring stories by 22 women from Nova Scotia, Karen provided a forum for these individuals to share their personal reflections from an unprecedented year.
With a message of hope for healing, Karen reminds us that the people of Nova Scotia are resilient people, with a natural inclination to come together as a community. Speaking on her resiliency practice that was further developed following an abusive marriage and past trauma, Karen suggests that we need to speak from the scar, and not from the open wound.
We are dedicating this episode to those who lost their lives in this devastating mass shooting, and the families who continue to pick up the pieces on their healing journey. Our thoughts are with you and want you to know you are not alone.
Website: https://weareunbreakable.ca/
https://www.facebook.com/karendeanspeaks
https://twitter.com/karendeanspeaks
https://www.instagram.com/karendeanspeaks
Naomi Mwaura is someone who is not content to be a bystander, but willing to spearhead an initiative for change. As the Founder of Flone Initiative, Naomi and her team are working to a create a safe and professional public transport industry in Kenya. Growing up in a family of matatu owner/operators Naomi has the courage to take chances, the wisdom to ask the community what they need, and a passion for making a difference.
Living out the definition of a change maker, Naomi and the Flone initiative are taking on sexual harassment in public transportation, providing safe employment opportunities for women, educational opportunities for sexual health and creating programs for a healthy professional transportation system.
Naomi was among the lead organizers of #MyDressMyChoice campaign that saw thousands of women protest gender-based violence in the Kenyan public transport.In Partnership with UNHabitat, Naomi has co-authored a guidebook titled “Street for Walking and Cycling: Designing for comfort, safety and accessibility in African cities”. Tapping into her passion, she has been involved in several transport projects in Egypt, Nigeria, Uganda and Tanzania and has been a speaker on the TED Global Stage, BBC, & Aljazeera to name a few.
Tackling resilience from the perspective of societal norms and advocating for protection of the vulnerable population within third world countries, Naomi will inspire you to stand up and applaud the important work they are doing as a non-profit organization.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FloneInitiative
Twitter: https://www.instagram.com/flone_initiative/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flone_initiative/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flone-initiative
In November 2019, Kerri Cryderman unexpectedly lost her sister, who was her best friend and roommate. What started out as a routine evening ended in her sister’s unexplained death in their family home. Less than three months after returning to work, COVID-19 escalated, it was suggested that Kerri work from home - the very place where her sister passed away. As an executive leader in healthcare, she needed to be a pillar of strength while trying to heal personally. Kerri has been spending the last year and a half navigating her grief, completing a certificate in Executive Coaching at Royal Roads, and immersing herself in supporting the pandemic response for her portfolio.
Kerri resides in Saskatchewan and lives out her values as health care professional in Support Services and a leader in her faith community with The Salvation Army. She loves connecting with her family and friends, playing music and sports. She is passionate about helping others and living each day to the fullest.
Speaking on aspects of her healing journey and what she calls a season of winter, Kerri’s story will encourage you to consider how you might create memories today! Find out how Disney movies, road trips and a very special dog play a role in Kerri’s resilience practice.
Joining us for this episode is Dr. Taryn Marie Stejskal, considered to be the #1 international expert on resilience. It is Dr. Stejskal’s mission to positively impact the lives of 1 billion people through the concepts of resilience by 2030. Leveraging over a decade and a half of original research on resilience, Dr. Stejskal reveals her empirically based framework, The Five Practices of Particularly Resilient People.
Recognized as a leading global authority on resilience, wellbeing, and mental health by the Washington Speaker’s Bureau (WSB) and the Founder and Chief Resilience Officer (CRO) of Resilience Leadership Institute (RLI). Dr. Stejskalbelieves that resilience is the key to individual and organizational actualization and acceleration across the globe.
Speaking on her experience of living with dyslexia and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Dr. Taryn invites you to consider whether your past experiences have become an obstacle to moving forward. Also tapping into her research and professional experience, Dr. Stejskal will bring a renewed energy and fresh perspective to your resilience practice.
Website: https://www.resilience-leadership.com/our-story
Having lived with debilitating anxiety for a number of years, Joe Bakhmoutski did not anticipate he would also have to face testicular cancer. Joe admits his cancer experience led him through the lowest depths of misery and pain to eventually forge a closer bond with his family.
Author of “Simplify Cancer” & “Finding Hope in Times of Uncertainty”, Joe has made it his mission in life to help others facing their cancer journey. Creating a network of resources and support, Joe assists survivors in navigating their worries and stress, moving them to take back some control of their lives.
Sharing a number of his pivotal learnings and resilience practices, Joe’s contagious energy and positive outlook inspire a sense of Hope through adversity.
Website: https://simplifycancer.com
Book: Finding Hope in Times of Uncertainty: A Guide to Thriving in the Challenging World of Today
https://amzn.to/2JwxaIB
Instagram: @simplifyguy
Rephar Salamba lives in Nairobi, Kenya and is a mother to her 16 year old son.
Sharing her experience of leaving an abusive marriage, and the key elements that have enabled her to find herself once again, Rephar has a story of strength, determination and resilience.
Remembering one of the lowest and most desperate times in her life, Rephar candidly reveals how despairing her thoughts had become. Bringing a message of hope and transformation, Rephar reveals what she has discovered about herself as a mother, and how she came to find purpose as a social advocate for others.
With a passion for creating crafts from scrap and new material Rephar intricately designs each piece of jewelry. A beautiful metaphor for the growth and the beauty Rephar has found within herself.
In addition to her creative adventures, Rephar also works with individuals and groups to find long term solutions for those in poverty, HIV/AIDS positive, or single parents raising their children in the slum areas of Kenya. Most recently working with a group of women who call themselves “Smart Mothers” of Korogocho slums, Rephar is tapping into her own experience to teach women basic life and business skills. With a greater understanding of her strengths and the gifts she has to offer, Rephar is now living out her life’s purpose.
Lisa Strogal is a Master Certified Coach, CEO and founding principal of Shadow Light Consulting Inc. With a long list of accomplishments, certifications, and corporate experience, Lisa has developed programs for leadership development, and coaching curriculums leveraged in community, organization, team and individual transformations.
Shining a light on some of the significant life events, choices and discoveries that have led her to her resiliency practice today, Lisa inspires us to consider whether we are living in alignment with our life’s purpose.
Website: www.shadowlightconsulting.ca
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Shadow-Light-Consulting-Inc-596553453839185/
Kaleb Dahlgren is a #1 Bestselling Author with his recent memoir Crossroads - sharing his story of tragedy and resilience as a Humboldt Bronco. After losing 16 members of his Broncos family and surviving the tragic crash, he continued to give back and help the community of Humboldt heal.
Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of four, Kaleb was told by his hockey coaches and scouts that he would never succeed in hockey. Instead of defeat, Kaleb used the negativity as motivation. He worked relentlessly and played the highest level of hockey each year of his young career.
Inspired by his own personal challenges, Kaleb created an organization called “Dahlgren’s Diabeauties” – a program that uses hockey to shed light on Type 1 Diabetes and provide support for children living with this disease. Kaleb received the Canadian Volunteer Award for Emerging Leader of the Prairies in 2018 due to his relentless community work. Graduating from York University with a Commerce Degree and being named the Most Outstanding Male Graduate for Varsity Athletics, Kaleb is forging his next path as a Chiropractic student and Keynote Speaker!
Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/Crossroads-Kaleb-Dahlgren/dp/144346287X
In this episode Cindy Thompson is speaking with Kim Wilkinson, a mother and a Grief Recovery Specialist. Losing her 22 yr old son Tristan to a drug Overdose in November 2019, Kim would suggest it is through this journey that she discovered healing, recovery and transformation.
With a passion for learning, Kim shares her experience with personal and family Mental Health challenges, PTSD, Addictions and Trauma. Suggesting it was Tristan’s purpose to help her find HER Purpose, Kim is now working with others in their passage from SUFFERING to EMPOWERMENT.
Kim's approach with her clients is one of compassion, non-judgement and patience. She has discovered first-hand how specific tools and techniques bring healing and recovery as well as abundance and success in all areas of life.
This episode is dedicated to Tristan and those parents who are grieving the loss a child to drug overdose.
Website: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/grms/kim-wilkinson
Karen Alcantara is a support worker in the anti-violence sector, supporting women and gender diverse individuals who are healing from various life experiences. She has worked in the housing sector in the Downtown East Side, is currently employed at WAVAW (Women Against Violence Against Women) Rape Crisis Centre in Vancouver and is part of an advisory committee for the UN Women’s initiative to create safer cities.
Karen would say she has been drawn to this work as a daughter of an immigrant woman from the Dominican Republic as well as an ancestral family of strength and pain through the experience of poverty. Growing up in Canada, Karen’s older brother was a Black man in North America which she believes led the two of them down the path of gang life.
Reflecting on her experience living a very dangerous lifestyle as a teen and young adult, Karen believes it is her personal story that has provided her the compassion and understanding of those she now supports.
In this episode Cindy Thompson is speaking with Shannon Bergstrom about her long-standing pattern of perfectionism, people pleasing and other idealistic expectations that did not serve her well. Responding intuitively as a pre-teen following the death of her younger sister, Shannon found a way to keep the peace and internalize her feelings.
A proud educator, wife and mother, Shannon experienced two significant episodes of burnout before connecting the dots between childhood trauma and the complicated manifestation of stress in her body. Find out what she has discovered by listening to her body, and the role boundaries have played in her resilience practice!
To those of you who have been seeking approval from external validation, this episode is for you!
In this episode I have the privilege of speaking with Katie Bergman a writer and social justice advocate who is very curious about the interplay between inner wellbeing and social change.
Katie has devoted the last 10 years of her career to the non-profit sector, specializing in human trafficking interventions. She has worked with teams around the world, contributing to projects such as preventing labour exploitation among migrant workers in rural Cambodia, supporting a home for survivors of human trafficking in the US, and protecting at-risk girls from abuse in Bulgaria.
A few years into her non-profit career, Katie began to recognize how individual, systemic, and societal factors can adversely impact the mental health and wellbeing of people in helping roles. After her own experience of trauma and burnout at the frontlines, Katie published her first book, When Justice Just Is, to open up a conversation about how caring for the world requires us to care for ourselves.
Website: https://www.whenjusticejustis.com/
In this episode, we are hearing from Santiago Dominguez, a 24-year-old young man diagnosed with high functioning Autism. Santiago provides a window into the significant learning curve associated with his school experiences, complex peer relationships, and a desperate desire to feel understood. Find out why every day felt like a war, and the healing process associated with re-learning his value.
Santiago Dominguez is a real estate photographer, high school tutor, a student of history at VIU, and a youth coordinator at Maranatha church in Nanaimo, BC. Through his work in youth ministry and tutoring, Santiago is dedicated to working with teenagers who are experiencing similar challenges as he has had in the past.
Highlighting the gifts as well as the challenges of his journey, Santiago will warm your heart as he narrates his story of resilience.
In this episode we are honouring the story of intergenerational trauma as well as one of intergenerational resilience. Henry McKay is a father and fourth year Social Work student at the University of Manitoba.
Speaking from his experience with childhood trauma, abuse, poverty, oppression, drug dealing, and street gang involvement, Henry shares critical elements that helped him transition from a life of alcoholism and violence into a one of healing, hope and purpose.
Currently working as an Action Therapist with at-risk youth in the child welfare system, Henry’s mission is to help prevent or reduce the harm of substance use and gang involvement while also introducing Indigenous ceremony to youth.
Reflecting on her journey through healing, Carys Cragg shares her experience of meeting the man who murdered her father. Carys' first book, titled “Dead Reckoning: How I Came to Meet the Man Who Murdered My Father”, tells the story of her correspondence and meeting with the incarcerated man who murdered her father when she was 11 years old. It was a Globe & Mail Best 100 Book of 2017, finalist for the 2018 Hubert Evans BC Book Prize, and finalist for the 2018 Governor General's Literary Award. Carys is faculty and coordinator in the Child & Youth Care degree program at Douglas College and is currently completing her Doctor of Education in educational leadership.
Dedicating this episode to her father, Carys addresses complex trauma, loss and the gifts that can be discovered when we face our fears.
Website: caryscragg.wordpress.com
Book: https://www.amazon.ca/Dead-Reckoning-Came-Murdered-Father/dp/1551526972
In this episode Jim Pearce is sitting down with us to reflect on pivotal events in his life. It isn’t possible to arrive at 70 years of age and not have some interesting stories or life experiences to draw on.
Find out how a workplace accident at 17 years of age, informed Jim on how to navigate his current battle with Leukemia, and his secret to maintaining a positive attitude.
Website: https://stikritelabel.ca/
Lynnsay Scollon is joining us for a vulnerable and authentic reflection on her journey as a first-year student at the University of Victoria. Discover how a number of seemingly benign circumstances can add up to create the perfect storm, and what Lynnsay discovered about herself in the process.
Shining a light on mental illness and the very seductive way it can undermine one’s confidence, Lynnsay gives voice to an experience not uncommon to students. With a desire to help others who may be hitting a similar wall, Lynnsay reminds us of what is possible, and that we are not alone on this journey.
Now a third-year psychology student at University of Victoria, Lynnsay brings the wisdom, insight and fresh perspective that is often found in someone striving to practice her resilience every day.
Lynnsay's Blog https://lynnsayann.com/2020/01/15/vulnerability-and-honesty/
University of Victoria https://www.uvic.ca
In this episode, Karen Huebert-Sanchez and Ricky Sanchez talk about finding meaning and purpose while serving the community of Thailand and the valuable lessons they have learned about resilience as they create loving homes for children living with HIV/AIDS.
Karen knew from the time she was 8 years old that she would one day start an orphanage. Over the past 20 years Ricky and Karen have been on a mission to create a safe home for children in Thailand who are born with HIV/Aids and orphaned at a young age. They also speak to the long-term benefit of partnering with college athletes to play sports and teach clinics among impoverished communities in Thailand and SE Asia.
Discover what they have learned about themselves while leaning into a very meaningful mission, how they celebrate the successes and navigate the adversities of doing their life’s work overseas. You will be swept up by their energy and enthusiasm for the people of Thailand, and the commitment they have made to building programs for those in need.
https://multiply.net/global-worker/ricky-karen-sanchez
https://multiply.net/project/abundant-life-home
https://www.facebook.com/AbundantLifeHomeChonburi
https://www.facebook.com/ricky.sanchez.90813/
In this episode we are talking with Dr. Kirk Austin about his new book titled Buoyancy: Building Resilient Kids. With a wealth of experience working with complex trauma in children & youth, Dr. Austin dives into why it is important for our kids to understand their emotions, the physical responses related to stress and strategies for growing their resilience.
Building on the acronym BREATHE, Dr Austin unpacks 7 key elements for Human Buoyancy. If you are a parent, caregiver, teacher of grandparent, this conversation is for you.
Dr. Austin's Book - Buoyancy: Building Resilient Kids - https://www.amazon.ca/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B08CSZZ8BZ?ref_=dbs_p_ebk_r00_abau_000000
In this episode, Rob de Toni and Heather Emmerzael talk about making big courageous shifts in career and life. Despite having very successful careers, Rob as a litigation lawyer and Heather as a Registered Nurse found they were in full burn-out. With a great reminder that even though we have realized a dream or career, it is ok to re-evaluate whether it is making you happy.
Rob & Heather, friends and colleagues are here to unpack what was missing for them in their careers and what motivated them to make a radical shift closer to who they were meant to be.
Website: http://www.cynosurecoaching.com/
Pam Botterill is an Indigenous woman from the Wei Wai Kum First Nation in Campbell River BC, who was adopted at the age of 9 months and was raised by a non-Indigenous family in Powell River, BC. Pam describes her experience of adoption as a good-news story.
With an interesting connection between the Celtic music, she was raised with, and the drumming of her indigenous roots, Pam identifies a common denominator between the two. Recounting what it was like to meet her biological mother and some of her siblings for the first time, Pam underscores the value of community and belonging through adoption, and in her battle with cancer.
Wei Wai Kum First Nation: https://weiwaikum.ca
Vancouver Island University: https://www.viu.ca
In this episode Angel Pearl Talemwa is speaking with us from Magoggo, a remote village in Uganda. Angel is the founder and has been the team leader of DEWI Stronger Communities for the past 3 years. Growing up in a polygamist family and one of 12 children, Angel talks of the poverty, as well as the social and geographic challenges to receiving an education in the remote villages of Uganda. Losing both parents at an early age, Angel speaks of her amazing journey to become a social worker and what inspired her to support vulnerable children, youth and women.
With boots on the ground and the heart of a warrior, Angel uncovers what can happen when we believe all humans desire to be better and the transformation that can occur for a sustainable community.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/angel-pearl-talemwa-606749a3
https://www.facebook.com/talemwaap
https://www.facebook.com/dewistrongercommunities19/
https://www.givingway.com/organization/dewi-stronger-communities
In this episode I reflect on some of the pivotal moments of growth and resilience in the course of my life and career. As with 20/20 vision, looking through the rear-view mirror these learnings become much clearer. Sharing some of the vulnerable, beautiful and courageous experiences that have stood out for me, I can now honour that each of these challenges have contributed to who I am today.
Offering strategies for shifting our lens from one of negativity to that of curiosity and possibility, the invitation is to see some of these ideas may be worth experimenting with.
https://www.facebook.com/AResilienceProject/
https://www.instagram.com/aresilienceproject/
http://linkedin.com/in/cindy-thompson-7bb14743
With a wealth of expertise in cultivating resilience among humans, Dr. Doug Walker Registered Psychologist and Chief Programs Director of Mercy Family Center in St. Louis shares his experience of surviving Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and how this prompted him to develop Project Fleur-de-lis, New Orleans largest school-based Mental Health program devoted to students struggling emotionally and academically.
Listen in to discover the evidence-informed skills for cultivating resilience and learn what Dr. Walker really wants to know when he asks “How’s Your 5?”
https://twitter.com/douglaswwalker?lang=en
https://www.facebook.com/HowsYour5/
https://www.mercy.net/content/dam/mercy/en/pdf/hows-your-5-brochure.pdf
Alicia Nicholson is the author of The Resilient Mommy Blog, a space where she speaks to the resiliency of being a mommy. Sharing her story of loss after a miscarriage and a second child at 23 weeks, Alicia is no stranger to grief. With an insight that only lived experience can teach us, Alicia is now committed to providing resources and support to women who have experienced loss in motherhood.
Celebrating the Blessing of a beautiful little girl in 2020 Alicia sees herself as being on an entirely new journey of resiliency as a mom and inviting others with her along the way.
https://www.theresilientmommy.com/
Karen Peters, Registered Clinical Counsellor talks about the decision she and her husband Chris made to grow their family through adoption. With a very special conversation on what it can mean to adopt interracially, Karen shines a light on their eye-opening and heart wrenching opportunity to learn and actively dismantle their white privilege as parents while celebrating and instilling black culture and identity in their beautiful girls. Learn of the additional gifts this couple discovered in maintaining an open adoption and encouraging a relationship with the birth families of both daughters.
Facebook: Karen Peters, RCC
Instagram: @karenpeters_rcc
Podcast link: https://www.my.thrive-life.ca/parenting-in-the-trenches
In this episode we are talking with Marj Busse, Master Certified Coach. Growing up in a military family Marj shares the timeless wisdom she learned from her father as a little girl, what inspired her to pursue leadership coaching and the insights she discovered about herself in the process.
Website: https://www.essentialimpact.com/
Podcast: https://essentialimpact.com/podcast/page/2/
Jeannette Ambrose, Registered Psychologist and family therapist speaks about surviving the loss of her mother to suicide and how this early trauma transported her into a long career of helping others through traumatic grief and loss. This episode will discuss the nature of sudden traumatic loss and some of the considerations in navigating this very challenging journey.
Website: http://www.restoringconnections.ca/
Frank & Linda Seitz have been married for 52 years and would suggest that together they make one person. With a long career as a psychiatric nursing attendant, Frank had a common interest with Linda as she also worked at the Brandon Health Centre as a Psychiatric nurse.
Perhaps it was their natural propensity toward helping others that prepared them for the many health challenges they would eventually face together. This beautiful couple share their secret weapon for staying in the game and how Mrs. MaGoo’s Storybook became a vehicle for healing.
Dr. Erica Harris shares how Leukemia took her on a significant detour from the highway in life she had been on, and how a terminal illness propelled her on to the path she was supposed to be on. Prior to 2012 Dr. Harris was happily married with two little boys, with a successful career as a Chiropractor and Kinesiologist.
Receiving the results of routine lab work Dr. Harris was blindsided when she learned she had a very aggressive version of acute myeloid leukaemia. Within two months of her diagnoses, Dr. Harris was told she had two-month terminal prognoses and denied all further medical treatment aside from palliative care.
Dr. Harris will tell you she is a well versed and highly seasoned survivor. As the Founder of Risetoday.com she serves as a TedX international speaker, a motivational coach, #1 Best Selling Author and Host of the Rise Today Inspirational podcast.
Dr. Erica believes in opening up the conversation about hardship, equipping others with the tools to stay the course, and to thrive like never before.
Dr. Erica Harris Website https://www.risetoday.com
In this episode Serena Klaver a professional planning consultant, talks about a program she and her co-facilitator have been delivering to Universities on Vancouver Island over this past year. My True Resiliency workshop offers students a tool kit for building resiliency, tapping into habits and skills for understanding their emotional needs, while developing healthy habits and skills as an antidote to stress.
With the wisdom of her own lived experiences, Serena also speaks from the heart on what she has learned about herself on her journey through loss.
Serena Klaver Website https://www.serenaklaver.com
In this episode you will meet Cyprine Omollo, program Manager of Clean Start Kenya. Clean Start is an organization that helps women and girls transition back into society after being in prison or juvenile detention.
Cyprine shares her story of having being imprisoned herself for being unable to pay her debts and sheds light on the desperate plight of women, girls and children she met behind bars. It was after serving time at the remand section of Langata Women’s Maximum Security for six months, that Cyprine was a recipient of the newly founded Clean Start program herself. Today Cyprine and the Clean Start team not only help to empower women & girls while imprisoned, but also coaching them in their transition back into the community, to find jobs, housing and the skills necessary to support themselves in a healthy and sustainable way.
Since being released from prison in 2014, Cyprine has received training at Resurgo Trust London in Coaching for Leadership and has was selected for the Global Change Leaders Program at St. Xavier University in Canada 2020.
If you would like to learn more about the Clean Start program, please check out their website: cleanstartkenya.org
With over 30 years in a field where listening becomes a sacred gift of time and presence, starting a podcast feels like a natural extension of what I love most – listening to stories.
With a desire to reach beyond the microphone, this podcast sheds a little light on my life, my experiences and key events that helped to shape who I am today.
Given that we all have had to adjust our expectations for Christmas this year, I also wanted to share a few ideas that may promote a sense of resilience for you personally. Whether you are able to be with a loved one, roommate or friend, know that you are not alone. We are all here, and connected through our human experiences and sending you love.
If you are wondering where the WONDER is, these two young women are sure to inspire you! Whether you believe Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year, or if you are someone who sees it as “just another day”, this episode highlights a number of creative initiatives that are having a big impact in Chilliwack, BC and around the world.
If you are wondering how to bring back the WONDER, perhaps this conversation will create a new vision. I encourage you to think outside of the box, to shift your lens and re-define what it means to be GIVING at Christmas and throughout the year.
Southside Church Website https://www.southsidelife.com/bright
In this episode we are talking with Dr. Rob Lees about some of challenges many veteran’s experience within their military service and following their tour of duty. In his work as a Registered Psychologist, Dr. Lees suggests we are often happiest when we find meaning and a true purpose in life.
With a number of creative initiatives between the school district and Child & Youth mental health in Chilliwack, B.C, Dr Lees also gives us a peek into the unique programs they have created to foster mentorship and leadership among youth. When we help others, the psychological benefits and positive changes in our brain chemistry become protective factors in building resilience.
Covering a lot of ground in this interview, Dr. Lees sheds light on numerous opportunities for cultivating connection.
In the early 1960’s, over 13,000 babies around the world were born with deformities as a direct result of Thalidomide – a drug prescribed to relieve morning sickness. Alvin Law was one of them. Thalidomide was the cause of Alvin being born without arms.
At five days old, Alvin was placed in foster care with Bert & Hilda Law. Hilda’s intuition told her that lurking inside this baby was…hope. Through the Laws’ faith, dedication and infinite belief, Alvin learned to use his feet for hands.
During his teen years Alvin discovered his musical ability and joined the school band, playing trombone, drums and piano. Within a short time, he became an award-winning musician and graduated from high school with honours.
Alvin’s adoptive parents raised him to not just survive, but to exceed expectations. And that’s the message Alvin ultimately brings to the discussion – to look beyond what you think is possible, and dream big.
https://alvinlaw.com
At a time when there is a great deal of focus on our current challenges, there can be a great deal benefit in shifting from “why me” to “what can I do”?
NY Times Bestseller and Encourager to Millions, Bob calls himself a "recovering lawyer". After practicing law for 25 years, then becoming the Hon. Consul to Uganda, he gave up his law firm to pursue writing and speaking full time. As the author of books like “Love Does” and “Everybody Always”, there's nothing ordinary about Bob's dynamic approach to life and he's here to pass on some of the magic.
With a sense of whimsy and playfulness, Bob reminds us in this episode that we can make a difference in the lives of others just by doing one small act of kindness. What creative act could you do for someone else today?
https://www.bobgoff.com
A Resilience Project is a podcast inspired by the true resiliency of humans. There is no play-book that tells us how to deal with adversity, and yet each one of us has a story of resilience. Typically we are flying by the seat of our pants and figuring it out as we go.
It is in sharing our experiences with one another, and learning from those who have gone before us that we discover hope even in the most challenging moments.
Within each podcast we will bare witness to personal stories, discover what these guests have learned about themselves and powerful insights they are willing to share. You will also meet compassionate individuals who have recognized a need in their community or on a global level and are reaching out to make a difference.
When we listen to one another’s story, we no longer feel alone. Join us each week as we discuss very real human stories that are messy, amazing and inspiring just like yours. Remember, we are stronger together.