Becoming Wildly Resilient

Listen as host Jackie Carroll, health coach with the University of Kentucky Health and Wellness Program, guides you through a "farm-to-table" meditation.

In this practice, we explore the deep connection between the land, the hands that grow our food, and the nourishment that sustains our bodies. 

Whether you are looking to ground yourself at the start of your day or find a moment of peace before a meal, this guided journey invites you to visualize the cycle of nourishment that connects us all.

What’s Included in This Practice:

• A Grounding Start: A gentle guided arrival into the present moment, focusing on breath and releasing physical tension.
• Field Visualization: A journey into a quiet sunrise field to feel the calming support of the earth and the vitality of growing plants.
• The Gratitude Loop: Reflections on the journey food takes from farm to table—honoring the sun, soil, rain, and farmers.
• An Intention of Nourishment: A space to form a gentle promise to honor your body by choosing food that truly sustains you.

Reflection: What is one tiny step you could take to support a local farmer or choose fresh, seasonal food this week?

What if the secret to better health and a stronger community was as simple as a jar of local honey?

In this episode of Becoming Wildly Resilient, health coach Amy Rodquist-Kodet explores the "quiet resilience" found in our food systems.

Following a conversation with Kristi Durbin from the UK Organic Farming Unit, Amy dives into the research behind nutrient density, the economic impact of supporting local farmers, and the emotional connection we build when we know where our food comes from.

Whether you have a sprawling backyard or a single pot on a balcony, this episode offers three practical, low-pressure ways to bring your food a little closer to home.

Key Takeaways:

• The Freshness Factor: Research suggests some produce loses 15–70% of its nutrients within a week of harvest. Local food reaches your plate faster and more nutrient-dense.
• The 16-Cent Reality: Out of every dollar spent on industrial food, farmers typically receive only 16 cents. Buying local keeps more of those dollars in your immediate community.
• Equity in Access: Acknowledging that local food isn't always accessible to everyone, and highlighting programs like Double Dollars for SNAP and sliding-scale CSAs that aim to bridge the gap.
• Nature Connection: Environmental psychology shows that eating seasonally and gardening (even on a small scale) reduces stress and improves well-being.

3 simple ways to start today:

1. The "One Local Swap" Rule: Pick one staple item (like honey, eggs, or bread) and commit to finding a local version.
2. Follow the Seasons: Align your grocery list with what’s growing nearby—strawberries in early summer, squash in the fall.
3. Grow Your Own (Even a Little): You don’t need a Pinterest-perfect garden. A container of cherry tomatoes or peas is enough to create a meaningful connection to your food—especially for kids!

This Week’s Invitation: What is one small way you could bring food a little closer to home this month?

In this episode, guest host Tammy Akin and Kristi Durbin from the UK Organic Farming Unit explore how eating local food boosts personal health, mindfulness and community well‑being.

They discuss what “local” truly means, why freshness matters for nutrition, how local food strengthens local economies, programs that improve affordability and simple ways to start—from farmers markets to CSAs to U‑pick farms.

Takeaway: Even one small choice to buy local can support your health and the community that feeds you.

Brought to you by UK HR Health & Wellness.

Listen as Jackie Carroll, health coach with University of Kentucky Health and Wellness invites listeners to explore how acts of volunteering can replenish our energy, reveal our purpose and strengthen our sense of belonging within our communities.

In this Becoming Wildly Resilient practice episode, Amy Rodquist-Kodet, health coach with UK Health and Wellness as she explores how volunteering strengthens well‑being through the themes of giving, growing and connecting.  

She highlights that volunteering is not only an act of generosity but also a neurologically regulating practice that boosts purpose and resilience.

Backed by research, Amy explains how even small acts of service can lower stress, increase life satisfaction and deepen our sense of belonging. 

Discover how volunteering does far more than support good causes—it strengthens your well‑being. In this inspiring episode, we explore the powerful ways that giving back helps us feel better, grow personally and connect more deeply with others.

Through practical insights and uplifting reflections, you’ll learn how small acts of service can:

• Boost emotional and mental health
• Build confidence, skills and a renewed sense of purpose
• Create meaningful social connections and a sense of belonging
• Reduce stress and burnout by shifting focus to purpose
• Fuel healthier, more connected communities

Whether you volunteer regularly or are just curious how helping others might help you, this episode shows how service is a simple, accessible pathway to feeling more grounded, motivated and connected.

If you’re looking for a meaningful spark in your daily routine—or a reminder that your actions matter—this conversation is for you.

Listen in, get inspired and take one small step to give, grow and connect.

Listen as Jackie Carroll, health coach with University of Kentucky HR Health and Wellness invites listeners to slow down and create a sense of calm around financial stress in this guided meditation.

The practice encourages compassion, clarity, and steadiness—supporting a more open, resilient approach to financial wellness.

In this Becoming Wildly Resilient practice episode, Amy Rodquist-Kodet explores how financial stress affects relationships and offers a simple tool—the Money Check-In—to help navigate tense money conversations with more understanding and less reactivity.

Amy explains that financial strain often triggers the nervous system, making people feel threatened. For many, this leads to a sense of urgency and a desire to make quick decisions just to end the discomfort.

Listen as host Sebastian Calmes, Wellness Specialist with UK HR Health and Wellness, speaks with Jennifer Godbey, Assistant Professor and therapist in UK Psychiatry as they explore the powerful connection between financial wellness and healthy relationships. Learn why money conversations matter, how financial stress impacts emotional well-being, and practical strategies for building trust and shared goals around finances. This discussion offers tools to foster clarity, communication, and confidence in managing money together.

Listen as Jackie Carroll, health coach with UK HR Health and Wellness, guides listeners through a calming winter meditation designed to support emotional well‑being during the darker months. Through gentle reflection, you’ll explore what nourishes your energy when sunlight is scarce and how small joys can bring warmth into the season.