Becoming Wildly Resilient

Listen as new host Amy Rodquist-Kodet, a health coach with UK HR Health and Wellness, leads you through a process for identifying, narrowing and integrating your values. You can download the worksheet and follow along with the transcript in the episode show notes. Each month, Amy will explain a new practice you can try to build your resilience and thrive more.

Willie Edward Taylor Carver Jr., an academic advisor with UK Gatton College of Business and Economics, joined the “Becoming Wildly Resilient” podcast in July 2023 to talk about putting values into action.

Listen as Willie shares his story and what he’s learned about resilience along the way. He talks about his experiences as a gay Appalachian, the 2022 Kentucky Teacher of the Year and connecting with folks near and far as an advocate. Willie also shares tips for being a better ally and reads a poem from his new book “Gay Poems for Red States,” published in June 2023 by The University Press of Kentucky.

Host Jakob Hester also shares a big announcement and previews what is to come for the show.

You can find the episode show notes here.

Dr. Connie Jennings, medical director of UKHC Integrative Medicine and Health, joined the “Becoming Wildly Resilient” podcast in April 2023 for a nurturing conversation about nature.

Listen as Dr. Jennings shares an abundance of joy and passion for, and knowledge of, our world outside. Throughout the episode, you’ll learn how nature can dramatically improve our physical and mental health. Dr. Jennings explains why we should seek moments of awe in nature. You’ll also hear ways nature can teach us about resilience and some of Dr. Jennings’ and host Jakob Hester’s favorite nature spaces on the UK campus. Dr. Jennings also leads us through a short guided imagery nature meditation toward the end.

You can find the episode show notes here.

Dr. Dan Stone, a Professor of Accountancy in the UK Gatton College of Business and Economics, joined “Becoming Wildly Resilient” in April 2023 to talk about mindfulness, money and the intersection of the two.

Listen as Dan shares his “wealth” of knowledge from his personal life and professional work as a professor, researcher and mindfulness teacher. You’ll hear Dan explain what mindfulness is and how it gets us back in touch with what it meant to be human 250,000 years ago. He provides ways you can incorporate mindfulness practices into your daily life and how they can benefit your financial wellness. Toward the end, Dan also shares advice as someone nearing the end of their career and leads us through a 2-minute loving-kindness meditation.

You can view the episode show notes here.

Dr. Alex Elswick, an Assistant Extension Professor with the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, joined “Becoming Wildly Resilient” in March 2023 to talk about addiction, recovery and our shared humanity. Alex is also a co-founder of Voices of Hope, a Lexington-based non-profit supporting people who use or have used drugs or alcohol and are seeking better health.

Listen as Alex shares a wealth of knowledge from his lived experience and professional work. Some of what you’ll learn includes: what substance use disorder and recovery look like; what people commonly misunderstand about addiction and recovery, and how we can contribute to the shifting narrative; a holistic approach to recovery, including the power of social connection; and ways we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for those affected by addiction and recovery. You’ll also hear about Alex’s story from addiction to recovery and what he’s learned about resilience along the way.

You can find the episode show notes here.

Rhonda Henry and Eric Wilkinson, mental health therapists with University of Kentucky Human Resources, returned to “Becoming Wildly Resilient” in February to chat about creativity. Listen as they explain: the four types of creativity; how creativity benefits our personal and professional lives; why we sometimes lose sight of our creative capacity; and how we can cultivate more creativity throughout our days. You’ll also hear them discuss creative writing and receive two starter prompts for exploring writing as a creative practice.

You can find the episode show notes here.

Jason Brooks, Executive Director for Institutional Engagement with the UK Office of Institutional Diversity, and Dr. DeShana Collett, PA-C, a professor with UK College of Health Sciences and University Senate Chair, joined “Becoming Wildly Resilient” this month. Listen as they discuss the vital topic of diversity, equity and inclusion, particularly how they drive belonging and connect to well-being in the workplace. Some of what you’ll learn includes: what diversity, equity, and inclusion are, and why they are essential to workplace cultures; what barriers stand in the way of DEI work; and how we can use both top-down and bottom-up approaches to create more diverse, equitable and inclusive environments where everyone can thrive. You’ll also hear everyone enter a brave space as they get a little vulnerable, sharing lessons learned from times when they became mindful of biases, privileges or honest mistakes.

You can view the show notes here.

The holidays and new year bring joy and celebration but can also be a little hectic, stressful or bittersweet. During this time, it’s common to forget to take care of ourselves. So, this month’s episode is a little different. Listen as some of the work-life and well-being experts with University of Kentucky HR Health and Wellness share how they have been practicing self-care lately. You’ll also be guided through a short 5-minute self-compassion meditation by health coach Jackie Carroll at the end of the episode. 

You can find the show notes here.

Lindsey Mullis and Morgan Turner, program director and program education assistant for the Kentucky Inclusive Health Collaborative at the UK Human Development Institute, joined host Jakob Hester this month to talk about the intersection of well-being and disability. In addition to the knowledge they bring from their professional roles, Lindsey is a parent of a child experiencing disability, and Morgan experiences both cognitive and physical disabilities. You’ll hear their stories and learn: what disability is and how to talk about it; what people often get wrong about disability and why those assumptions can be problematic; and how we can help create more inclusive environments and become better allies for disability.

You can find the episode show notes here.

Alissa C. Briggs, PhD, an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and licensed psychologist with UK HealthCare Adolescent Medicine, joined host Jakob Hester this month to talk about resilience and mental health in children and teens. You'll learn about: what it means for children to be resilient; the protective factors and skills that enhance children’s resilience; current mental health trends in school-age children; and how to support resilience and mental health as a parent or caregiver. Alissa also shares tips for coping as a parent or caregiver and touches on topics like growth mindset, the effects of social media use and proper self-care for adolescents.

You can view the episode show notes here.