Becoming Wildly Resilient

Kim Releford, LCSW, a mental health therapist with HR Health and Wellness, joins host Jakob Hester to discuss two of the most common mental health conditions: anxiety and depression. In this episode, you'll learn about: the relationship between anxiety and depression; the signs and symptoms of each and how we can recognize them in ourselves; how the stigma is lessening but still persists; and when to seek professional help and what you can expect when you do. Kim also shares tips for managing anxiety or depression, plus how we can support mental health in the workplace, regardless of whether or not you are experiencing a mental health condition.

You can find the episode show notes here.

Vanessa Oliver, a registered dietitian nutritionist with UK HR Health and Wellness, returns to the podcast to talk about diet culture. As a certified Intuitive Eating counselor, Vanessa shares this framework contributes to our resilience. Listen as she and host Jakob Hester discuss: what diet culture is and why it is problematic for our overall well-being; how diet culture has disguised itself as wellness culture; what it means to have an anti-diet mindset; and ways we can overcome and dismantle diet culture when we're on an anti-diet path.

You can view the episode show notes here.

Dr. John Nash, an associate professor of Educational Leadership Studies in the UK College of Education and director of the Laboratory on Design Thinking (dLab), joins host Jakob Hester to talk about taking a human-centered approach to fostering belonging and de-risking innovation in the workplace. You'll learn about: our need to experience belongingness; what human-centered design is and how it can help bolster belonging; and how we can ask better questions to discover and meet others' unmet needs. They also touch on related topics and terms, including drive theory, recognition, strengths, authenticity, curiosity, listening, and motivational interviewing.

You can view the show notes here.

In this episode, host Jakob Hester is joined by Dr. Erin Hester, an assistant professor in the College of Communication and Information who also happens to be his wife. They close out the second year of the podcast with a conversation on empathy and compassion. Listen as they discuss: the definitions and differences between the two; benefits of each, both in and out of the workplace; and ways we can get better at experiencing empathy and expressing compassion.

You can view the show notes here.

Amy Rodquist-Kodet returns to chat about flow for the final conversation in a three-part series on (re)discovering our spark and seeking more true fun. In this episode, she and host Jakob Hester discuss the benefits and subjective nature of flow, what inhibits flow, and some tools and tips for finding your flow at work, at home or with others. They also wrap up the conversation on true fun with ideas for how you can start feeling more alive again.

You can find the episode show notes here. 

Drs. Anthony Limperos and Scott Soltis join host Jakob Hester to chat about connection for the second conversation in a three-part series on (re)discovering our spark by seeking more true fun. In this episode, you’ll learn: what it means to feel and be connected; why connections matter; how modes of connection have changed in recent years; and how we can cultivate more connections in and out of the workplace. They also share some personal examples of true fun and connection, plus discover multiple similarities in their personal and research interests.

You can find the episode show notes here.

Ann Bassoni, a mental health therapist with HR Work-Life, returns to kick off the first of a three-part series on (re)discovering our spark by seeking more true fun. In this episode, Ann and host Jakob Hester chat about playfulness, one of the three core elements of true fun. You’ll learn: what true fun is and is not; why focusing on true fun is a way forward for us; how playfulness and laughter are good for our minds, bodies and relationships; and how humor helps make the workplace feel more human. They also share some personal examples of true fun and playfulness, as well as ways you can begin incorporating more true fun and playfulness into your days.

You can find the episode show notes here.

On this episode, Audrey Bachman, a Training Specialist Senior with HR Training and Development, chats with host Jakob Hester about emotional intelligence (EQ). You’ll learn about the fundamental skills and benefits of EQ, how EQ shows up in our personal and professional lives, and how we can develop our EQs individually and collectively. Audrey and Jakob also share personal examples of lessons they’ve learned through their EQ journeys.

You can view the show notes for this episode here.

Dr. Natalie Jones, an Extension Specialist for Family Health, joins host Jakob Hester on this episode to share what she has learned about physical, mental and emotional resilience through her experiences as an endurance athlete. Among her long list of athletic accomplishments are the completion of three Ironman races and a recent coast-to-coast cycling trip. Listen as Natalie shares how she got started, what keeps her going, and how she’s adapted to the challenges she has faced over the years. You’ll also hear advice for finding joy and success in whatever goals you’re pursuing in 2022 and beyond.

You can view the episode show notes here.

Dr. Kate Leger, Assistant Professor of Psychology from UK College of Arts and Sciences, joins host Jakob Hester to close out 2021. In this episode, you’ll hear them discuss how we experience and respond to daily stress, why we’re hardwired to cling to negative events, and ways we can cope with both by using principles of positive psychology. They also dive into the specific benefits of practicing gratitude and how you can cultivate more of it.

You can find the episode show notes here.