This week on Resiliency Within, host Elaine Miller-Karas welcomes Jesse Kohler for a timely conversation on the evolving landscape of trauma-informed care. Drawing from his policy experience in Washington, D.C., Jesse offers insights into the evolving political climate and its impact on trauma-informed practices. Together, they will discuss how community mental health leaders can thoughtfully respond to stakeholders who express concerns or objections to trauma-informed approaches. The conversation will also delve into the complexities of navigating emerging “red flag” policies introduced by the new administration. Most importantly, Jesse will offer practical guidance for advocates on engaging local legislators, emphasizing the importance of explaining how traumatic experiences shape the lives of children and adults in our communities. _________________________________

About Our Guest

Jesse Kohler is the founder and president of The Change Campaign, which in this role he also currently serves as the Executive Director on loan to the Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy and Practice.

His career began in Philadelphia nonprofits with direct service work, but shifted toward systems transformation work around the onset of the pandemic.

He now lives and works primarily in DC with the love of his life, but is also in the process of receiving his Master's in Public Administration from the University of Pennsylvania, which takes him back to his family in Philly for monthly visits when he has in person classes.

In college, Jesse established a personal mission to create a sustainable planet and better future for all, which is now the mission of The Change Campaign. 

This show is being rebroadcast because of the importance of recognizing and respecting the LGBTQ+ community during these unprecedented times.  The culture wars, with vitriolic rhetoric and attacks on LGBTQ+ individuals and families, are taking their toll. Sue Borrego and Kelsey Bunker Roberston are mother and daughter.  They share their journey of love, hope, and resilience. This show first aired in 2023, and its message of love and hope is timeless and much needed in today’s world.    Resilience is sometimes the outcome of some of the darkest moments in one’s life. My guests had very different experiences following Sue’s coming out when Kelsey was 9. Sue was occupied by the fear of losing her children and job and moving through the generational shame of her sexuality. Kelsey became a fierce advocate, proud of her parents and much less touched by the shame her mom felt. Sue gave birth to her children, Kelsey and Bryce in the 1980s. When they were toddlers, it became clear to Sue that she was a Lesbian. Nothing about her life and work had space for her truth. She was married to a man and working successfully at a Christian University. She chose to live closeted until she could no longer live so incongruously. Sue needed to find a different job and initiate divorce proceedings. Initially, Sue was not public about her sexual orientation. Ironically, Kelsey’s dad came out several months later.    Together, they lived as a “non-traditional” family in a traditional town. Sue, consumed by the worldview of sexual orientation she grew up with, was terrified of costing her kids a “normal” life and losing the world she had carefully built. As an “emancipated minor” she had carefully constructed a world that she thought would protect her future. Kelsey continued to develop her sense of justice and love. She was a guest on panels, an advocate at school and an educator in her life. Today, Kelsey is a mom of 6, and Bryce is a father of three. Both of their parents are married to their partners and have lives filled with joy and love.

Resiliency Within is dedicated to remembering those affected by suicide.

At a time in our country, where the mental health systems are being dismantled, it is imperative to remember those who are suffering.

We want to bring to light those who work tirelessly to raise awareness and reach out to those suffering silently.

My guests, Dr. Jamie Gamboa and Social Worker Brian Stefan, discuss their work with Spotlight on Suicide.

They discuss the Suicidal Ideation Toolbox, a resource filled with accessible skills for helping professionals and individuals experiencing profound suffering.

They share how people can receive help through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which is a universal entry point throughout the United States and U.S. territories to reach a caring, trained counselor who can help people experiencing mental health, substance use, and suicidal distress. 

Mike Sapp, CEO of the Trauma Resource Institute, joins host Elaine Miller-Karas to continue their conversation about the challenges—and the remarkable acts of generosity—that have emerged within their global community over recent months.

Together, they will reflect on TRI’s international work and conversations they have had with global humanitarian leaders as they respond to the United States’ recent actions in dismantling USAID.

Their conversation will continue to highlight the deeply human stories shared with them by survivors—stories not only of loss and hardship but of resilience, kindness, and hope.

While they do not turn away from the painful realities of our time and what are international community is experiencing at this time.   They will continue to ask the powerful question that lies at the heart of their model: “What else is true?” A reminder that even in the midst of trauma, there are moments of grace, connection, and healing that point the way forward.

Mike Sapp, CEO of the Trauma Resource Institute, joins host Elaine Miller-Karas for a compelling conversation about the challenges—and the remarkable acts of generosity—that have emerged within their global community over recent months.

Together, they will reflect on TRI’s work in response to the devastating Eaton and Palisades fires and the organization’s ongoing support of individuals and communities navigating the impact of shifting U.S. governmental funding for humanitarian initiatives.

Their conversation will highlight the deeply human stories shared with them by survivors—stories not only of loss and hardship but of resilience, kindness, and hope.

From working with teachers and counselors in fire-ravaged schools to supporting front-line staff from Los Angeles County and City Parks and Recreation Departments, Mike and Elaine will illuminate the quiet heroism and collective compassion that continue to inspire their work.

In the spirit of enduring wisdom, they will reflect on the words of Abraham Lincoln:

“Kindness is the only service that will stand the storm of life and not wash out. It will wear well and will be remembered long after the prism of politeness or the complexion of courtesy has faded away.”

While they do not turn away from the painful realities of our time—fires, wars, aggressive acts, and the persistence of community violence—they will gently guide listeners toward a broader view.

They will ask the powerful question that lies at the heart of their model: “What else is true?” A reminder that even in the midst of trauma, there are moments of grace, connection, and healing that point the way forward.

March is Social Work Month. 

This encore episode highlights Drs. Beverly Buckles and Kimberly Freeman. They are leaders in social work internationally.  

They will share their international work, demonstrating the impact that social works make worldwide.

The Loma Linda University (LLU) International Behavior Health Trauma Team (IBHTT) operated by the LLU School of Behavioral Health (SBH) has been providing international trauma preparatory training and psychological first aid disaster response since 1995.

Dr. Bev Buckles and Dr. Kimberly Freeman share their international work as members of the IBHTT.

Dr. Buckles is the founder and lead for the IBHTT and first required the team supporting services in the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, to complete initial training in the Community Resiliency Model (CRM).

Dr. Freeman, a member of the team and a specialist in child development, has been one of the key members of the IBHTT. 

Dr. Buckles and Dr. Freeman, both social workers, discuss the impact social workers can make in response to disasters. 

Since 2010, the IBHTT has used CRM in over 90 international services and trainings around the world, which have included serving as members of TRI’s global response as needed. 

Beginning in 2012, the IBHTT began collaborative research with TRI to continue evaluating CRM's effectiveness.

Under the leadership of Dr. Susanne Montgomery, Associate Dean for Research, a robust CRM research agenda continues to expand to support global outreach and healthcare applications.

Dr. Ravi Chandra returns to Resiliency Within to share his reflections and wisdom about amplifying compassion during the current sociopolitical climate.

He will share his thoughts about the importance of compassion.

Dr. Chandra's inspired words reflect what is essential for all of us to remember at this time in our history.

"The voices of all individuals and communities are profoundly important for the future because our survival and growth as a nation and world depend on empathy and compassion." 

His wise words are relevant today:

"When we see each other, when we see our own vulnerability and create connections out of the disconnections of our past, we can transform our predicament into possibility." 

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Ravi Chandra, M.D. is a psychiatrist and writer in San Francisco, and a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association.

“Facebuddha: Transcendence in the Age of Social Networks” is his full-length nonfiction debut, and is the winner of the 2017 Nautilus Silver Book Award for Religion/Spirituality of Eastern Thought.

He is the recipient of the 2025 Kun-Po Soo Award for Achievement in Asian American Psychiatry by the American Psychiatric Association and APA Foundation. 

Learn more about Dr. Ravi:

www.RaviChandraMD.com 

Dr. Ravi's Linktree and signup for his monthly newsletter.

 

Natalia Rudsynska, formerly Natalia Valevska, is the International Partnership Director of EdCamp Ukraine.  Natalia was married in 2024.

Our host, Elaine Miller-Karas, has been providing support to Ukrainian teachers, children and community members since before Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

This is a time to honor our Ukrainian friends and colleagues and stand with them.

During this encore show, Natalia shares her insights from living in her beloved country, Ukraine, during the Russian invasion of February 2022.

She will discuss her experiences and work with EdCamp Ukraine, an association of over 40,000 teachers, including her association with the Trauma Resource Institute.

She will describe how, out of her despair over the war, she began helping with the resiliency support meetings co-sponsored by EdCamp Ukraine and the Trauma Resource Institute.

She expresses her passion for helping her country now and her vision of creating support for her people in the future when the war ends.

She is dedicated to the children of Ukraine and how to support their teachers, parents, and community through SEE Learning. 

In a time of deep division, uncertainty, and crisis, Finding Light in the Darkness will explore how we can maintain our well-being, integrity, and hope.

Hosted by Elaine Miller-Karas, an internationally recognized trauma expert and resiliency advocate, she will illuminate practical strategies for navigating today’s complex social and political landscape.

Elaine hopes this episode will provide a beacon of light—insights on staying grounded, fostering compassion, and building resilience in the face of adversity.

Elaine is dedicated to empowering listeners to cultivate inner strength and create ripples of change for themselves, their families and their communities.

Join Resiliency Within as Elaine uncovers pathways to healing, unity, and action—because light can be found even in the darkest times.

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About Elaine

Elaine Miller-Karas, LCSW, is a social worker, trauma therapist, author, lecturer, consultant, VoiceAmerica  podcast host, Psychology Today blogger, and social entrepreneur.

She has been called an "ambassador of hope" in the fields of trauma therapy and community resiliency.

As a co-founder of the Trauma Resource Institute, Elaine serves as the Director of Innovation.  She has led the development of the Trauma and Community Resiliency Models, which have left an indelible global footprint, impacting over 75 countries.

Her book, "Building Resiliency to Trauma: The Trauma and Community Resiliency Model, Second Edition (2023)," has been recognized by the United Nations and Taylor and Francis.  She is a regular contributor to Psychology Today.

She has presented internationally at Oxford University's Skoll World Forum, the United Nations, Resiliency 2024, Medscape, Psychotherapy Networker, the Global Fund, the Carter Center, and the Centers for Disease Control.

Elaine believes in a world where every person is treated with dignity and our differences are acknowledged and respected.

Dr. Ilene Naomi Rusk has a trauma-informed science-based approach to brain health and optimal longevity. She’s developed a user-friendly way of using a functional medicine approach to help prevent Alzheimer’s and improve cognitive health.

Dr. Rusk focuses mainly on helping her patients build stress resilience, and she focuses on numerous lifestyle pillars of brain health. These lifestyle pillars, like sleep, diet, and movement, and how we engage with them, can directly affect how we think and feel.

Learning to tend to our nervous system, healing traumas, and building emotional and behavioral regulation can help expand our capacity to deal with the challenges and hardships we inevitably face.

She combines many trauma healing modalities, such as ancestral archaeology, brainspotting, and somatic techniques, into her biological and spiritual model.

Feeling greater emotional resilience can help us connect with experiences of greater freedom and joy and improve the health of our relationships regardless of our circumstances.

Being a mother has greatly informed her service work as an international humanitarian worker and community health educator.