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Janell welcomes Aundi Kolber, a Licensed Professional Counselor and author, to explore how the flow of strength helps us move beyond trauma to true flourishing. Aundi reminds us "that seeing resurrection is no small thing."

• Aundi explains the "window of tolerance" – the optimal zone where we can feel emotions without being overwhelmed.
• Trauma can narrow our window of tolerance, making us feel unsafe even when we're secure.
• The "flow of strength" moves us from situational survival responses to integrated strength that combines fierceness with tenderness.
• Our nervous systems need "metabolization" to process difficult experiences into long-term memory rather than fragmented triggers.
• Practical grounding techniques help orient us to present safety when we feel activated by past trauma.
• Practicing simple awareness techniques, such as "I am aware of the light coming through my room," helps regulate our nervous system.
• True strength is "the capacity to meet life's challenges," not suppressing emotions or white-knuckling through difficulty.
• "We work FROM love, not FOR love" – our value doesn't come from how well we heal.
• Self-compassion practices might need to start with small steps if safety feels threatening after prolonged trauma.

Explore more through Aundi's books "Try Softer," "Strong Like Water," and "Take What You Need: Soft Words for Hard Days." Order them here.

Watch Aundi as she describes what it means "to try softer." Aundi on YouTube.

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