In this episode of Finding Wisdom, I explore post-traumatic growth with physician and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Daryl "Daxx" McClendon.

Daxx shares an extraordinary journey that includes surviving a violent hate crime, facing cancer that led to the loss of an eye, enduring a traumatic brain injury and years of memory loss, and ultimately becoming a physician dedicated to listening deeply and serving others.

Together, we explore resilience, faith, healing, the wisdom shared across spiritual traditions, and what it means to grow through adversity without losing yourself in the process.

One of the most surprising moments comes when I ask Dax who he has become after all these experiences. His answer:

"Older."

Rather than seeing trauma as something that fundamentally changed him, Dax reflects on how it deepened values that were already there: perseverance, service, compassion, and a belief in the dignity of every human being.

In this episode:

• What post-traumatic growth really looks like
• Common wisdom across religious and philosophical traditions
• How adversity shaped Daxx's approach to medicine
• Why "the only choice that matters is the next one"
• His simple but powerful message: Don't stop

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Disclaimer

This podcast is provided for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. It is not psychotherapy, psychological treatment, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and does not establish a psychologist-patient, therapist-client, or other professional relationship.

The content is general in nature and should not be relied upon as a substitute for individualized professional advice. If you have concerns about your mental or physical health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

If you are experiencing a crisis or emergency, contact emergency services or appropriate crisis resources immediately.

The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not reflect those of their employers or affiliated organizations.

Alcoholics Anonymous is often seen as a recovery program, but it's also built on profound philosophical and spiritual ideas.

In this episode of Finding Wisdom, I sit down with "Dave," a longtime member of AA, to explore the philosophy, psychology, and spiritual principles behind the 12-Step Program. Together we discuss addiction recovery, sobriety, forgiveness, acceptance, personal responsibility, and the power of human connection.

The conversation examines the surprising influences behind Alcoholics Anonymous, including Carl Jung, Christianity, Stoicism, Buddhism, and other wisdom traditions. Dave shares his personal recovery story and explains how honesty, service, self-examination, and spiritual growth became the foundation of lasting sobriety.Whether you're considering AA, supporting a loved one with alcohol use disorder, or simply interested in the deeper wisdom behind personal transformation, this episode offers powerful insights into recovery and the human experience.

📖 Featured Resource

➡️ Alcoholics Anonymous https://www.aa.org/

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Disclaimer

This podcast is provided for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. It is not psychotherapy, psychological treatment, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and does not establish a psychologist-patient, therapist-client, or other professional relationship.

The content is general in nature and should not be relied upon as a substitute for individualized professional advice. If you have concerns about your mental or physical health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

If you are experiencing a crisis or emergency, contact emergency services or appropriate crisis resources immediately.

The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not reflect those of their employers or affiliated organizations.

In this episode of Finding Wisdom, I talk with Dr. David Dickman, a neuroscientist whose groundbreaking research helped uncover how animals use the Earth's magnetic field to navigate. After decades studying navigation in the natural world, David found himself asking a different question: How do we navigate our own lives?

Together, we explore the surprising connections between mindfulness, addiction recovery, Taoism, Buddhism, and life at sea.

David shares how recovery transformed his understanding of himself, why mindfulness became such an important part of his journey, and what living aboard a sailboat has taught him about presence, uncertainty, and trust.

If you're interested in mindfulness, psychology, personalgrowth, spirituality, neuroscience, or simply learning how to navigate life's challenges with greater clarity and purpose, I think you'll find a lot to reflect on in this conversation.

Resources & Links

📖 Featured Resource

➡️https://sailinggalini.com/

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Disclaimer

This podcast is provided for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. It is not psychotherapy, psychological treatment, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and does not establish a psychologist-patient, therapist-client, or other professional relationship.

The content is general in nature and should not be relied upon as a substitute for individualized professional advice. If you have concerns about your mental or physical health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

If you are experiencing a crisis or emergency, contact emergency services or appropriate crisis resources immediately.

The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not reflect those of their employers or affiliated organizations.

What If the Path to Wisdom Begins with Admitting You Don't Know?

In this episode, I sit down with Zen Master Soeng Hyang(Barbara Rhodes), guiding teacher of the International Kwan Um School of Zen and author of Composting Our Karma: Turning Confusion into Lessons for Awakening Our Innate Wisdom, to explore the transformative power of beginner’smind, called don't-know mind in the Kwan Um school, a core Zen practice that helps us move beyond fear, assumptions, and the need to have all the answers.

Together, we discuss don’t know mind, karma, no-self, mantras, mother's/father's mind, meditation practice, and how learning to stay present with uncertainty can open the door to greater clarity, compassion, and authentic connection. Bobby shares stories from her own Zen journey and explains how practices like don't-know mind and Tonglen can help us navigate suffering, difficult relationships, personal growth, and an increasingly divided world.

Drawing on Zen Buddhist teachings, contemplative psychology, and reflections on modern social and political division, we explore how letting go of rigid identities and fixed beliefs can help us discover our deeper nature. Along the way, we examine the common threads connecting Zen Buddhismand Christianity, including love and compassion, and consider why these shared values may be the key to healing ourselves and our communities.

Whether you're interested in meditation, spirituality,personal growth, psychology, or the wisdom traditions that unite us, this conversation offers practical insights and contemplative tools for cultivating greater presence, resilience, compassion, and wisdom in everyday life.

Resources & Links

📖 Featured Resource

Composting Our Karma: Turning Confusion into Lessons forAwakening Our Innate Wisdom by Barbara Rhodes

➡️Purchase: Kwan Um School of Zen Official Site or Amazon

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Disclaimer

This podcast is provided for informational, educational, andentertainment purposes only. It is not psychotherapy, psychological treatment,medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and does not establish a psychologist-patient, therapist-client, or other professional relationship.

The content is general in nature and should not be reliedupon as a substitute for individualized professional advice. If you have concerns about your mental or physical health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

If you are experiencing a crisis or emergency, contactemergency services or appropriate crisis resources immediately.

The views expressed are those of the speakers and do notreflect those of their employers or affiliated organizations.

Why are so many people lonely, and what can we do about it?

In this episode of Finding Wisdom, I talk with psychologist and researcher Dr. Sugandha Gupta-Louis to explore the science of belonging, community, and authentic connection. Drawing from interdependence theory, health psychology, world wisdom traditions, and personal experience, we discuss why loneliness has become such a widespread challenge, how relationships shape our identity, and why vulnerability may be one of the most important skills for building meaningful connections.

Together we explore:

• What loneliness really is and why it affects both mental and physical health
• The difference between belonging and simply fitting in
• How community influences wellbeing, resilience, and healing
• Why authenticity requires vulnerability
• Individualism vs. collectivism and finding balance between the two
• How to build deeper relationships through small everyday interactions
• Signs of a healthy community and how to navigate conflict and disagreement
• Practical ways to create connection when you're feeling lonely

Whether you're navigating a major life transition, building a new community, or simply wondering how to feel more connected in today's world, this conversation offers thoughtful insights and practical wisdom for cultivating a more meaningful life.

Special thanks to Rio the Parrot for his occasional guest appearances in the background while Sugandha was pet-sitting him. While we can't officially credit him as a co-host, we can confidently say he had strong opinions and wasn't shy about sharing them.

Resources & Links

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Disclaimer

This podcast is provided for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. It is not psychotherapy, psychological treatment, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and does not establish a psychologist-patient, therapist-client, or other professional relationship.

The content is general in nature and should not be relied upon as a substitute for individualized professional advice. If you have concerns about your mental or physical health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

If you are experiencing a crisis or emergency, contact emergency services or appropriate crisis resources immediately.

The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not reflect those of their employers or affiliated organizations.

What Can the Appalachian Trail Teach Us About Resilience, Personal Growth, and Community?

In this episode, I sit down with John Desilets to discuss the story behind his book, Appalachian Fail: What I Learned from My Failed Thru-Hike, and the unexpected life lessons he gained on the Appalachian Trail. Together, we discuss developing a growth mindset, embracing the "smiles before miles" philosophy, perseverance, community, and recognizing when a different path forward may be the greatest success of all.

Drawing on the psychology of savoring and learning from failure, Zen Buddhist principles, and philosophical ideas like Albert Camus's The Myth of Sisyphus, we explore how to find meaning in struggle, embracing setbacks, and redefining success through personal growth and self-discovery. Along the way, we share practical insights and actionable strategies that listeners can apply in their own lives to build resilience, cultivate a growth mindset, and navigate challenges with greater purpose and perspective.

Resources & Links

📖 Featured Resource

Appalachian Fail: What I Learned from My Failed Thru-Hike by John Desilets

➡️ Purchase on Amazon

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Disclaimer

This podcast is provided for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. It is not psychotherapy, psychological treatment, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and does not establish a psychologist-patient, therapist-client, or other professional relationship.

The content is general in nature and should not be relied upon as a substitute for individualized professional advice. If you have concerns about your mental or physical health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

If you are experiencing a crisis or emergency, contact emergency services or appropriate crisis resources immediately.

The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not reflect those of their employers or affiliated organizations.

Finding Wisdom is a Society & Culture podcast hosted by clinical health psychologist Amanda S. Phillips. Through thoughtful conversations with researchers, philosophers, spiritual teachers, clinicians, and people with extraordinary life experiences, the podcast explores life's biggest questions: How do we navigate adversity? How do we find meaning and purpose? And who do we want to become?

Drawing from wisdom traditions, philosophy, psychology, science, culture, and lived experience, Finding Wisdom uncovers the ideas and insights that connect us across generations and backgrounds. Each episode offers a deeper understanding of the human experience, exploring themes of resilience, identity, wellbeing, relationships, personal growth, and what it means to live a meaningful life.

For listeners interested in wisdom, culture, philosophy, spirituality, and authentic conversations about being human, Finding Wisdom is an invitation to explore timeless questions and discover the insights that unite us all.