Chris Sullivan is a deep thinker, writer, photographer, humanitarian, a truth-seeker, a steward to the planet, and an absolute treasure. He’s a former business analyst with degrees in philosophy, history, and Education. And, he became a brand-new grandfather this year.

In this first of a two-part talk, we talk about the process of gaining awareness of our reactions to various stimuli, especially those that take us out of our comfort zone. It is about dealing with life’s challenges, integrating experiences, and finding meaning, strength and perseverance from hardships. In many ways, this talk is just about LIFE. It’s endless progression of troughs and peak, and the realization that nothing is final.

Life is an immersive ride that’s meant to be experienced fully in all of its variations. It is hard, but it somehow, manages to be wonderful at the same time or redeem itself, shortly thereafter. It’s a teacher and sometimes, even an angel… never more apparent than when its students talk about, share and explore our situations and find the common and relatable threads among it all. We are not alone in our experiences. 

*Trigger warning: abuse, chemical dependence, depression, suicide

SHOW NOTES:

The Inventions of Galileo Galilei | Thought Co.: https://www.thoughtco.com/inventions-of-galileo-galilei-1991872

Indiana Jones - Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) - Sword Fight | El Toro | YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQKrmDLvijo

Lizzo Official Website: https://www.lizzomusic.com/

BOOKS WE TALKED ABOUT-

The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, by Thomas S. Kuhn | Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Structure-Scientific-Revolutions-Thomas-Kuhn/dp/0226458083

Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time, by Dava Sobel | Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Longitude-Genius-Greatest-Scientific-Problem/dp/080271529X

Thirty Rooms to Hide In: Insanity, Addiction, and Rock 'n Roll In the Shadow of The Mayo Clinic, by Luke Longstreet Sullivan | Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Thirty-Rooms-Hide-Insanity-Addiction/dp/0816679711

The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression, by Andrew Solomon | Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Noonday-Demon-Atlas-Depression/dp/1501123882

RESOURCES-

SAMHSA National Helpline | US Dept. of Health & Human Services: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

SAMHSA Resources for Families Coping with Mental and Substance Use Disorders | US Dept. of Health & Human Services: https://www.samhsa.gov/families