Resiliency Within

This is an encore episode of Resiliency Within. The great spiritual leaders, Desmond Tutu and His Holiness the Dalai Lama wrote about their commitment to compassion and joy and expressed their ideas in their book, The Book of Joy. Desmond Tutu called himself the “prisoner of hope” and his message of hope and joy will live on. Many people in our world have expressed being tired and feeling a sense of hopelessness about the world condition. Desmond Tutu faced great hardship in his life, yet he was hopeful about the world condition, and he would say, “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” Reena Patel, LCSW discusses with Elaine Miller-Karas, the meaning of joy and how we can be lifted from suffering and hopelessness to embrace the spring of joy within each one of us. They discuss the eight pillars of joy: perspective, acceptance, humor, forgiveness, gratitude, compassion, and generosity. Listeners will be asked to explore how they can nurture their joy to live life with greater meaning and restore hope.

What causes schizophrenia? Is it a genetic glitch or are environmental factors at play? A combination of the two? Whatever the reason, what medication and course of action will give the patient the best chance at a normal life? Of all the mental illnesses, schizophrenia eludes us the most. Despite the strides scientists have made in neurological research and doctors have made in psychiatric treatment, schizophrenia remains misunderstood, almost complacently mythologized. Without a reason for the illness, patients feel even more alienated than they already do, families are left hopeless, and doctors struggle to provide effective care. After an almost forty-year medical career dedicated to caring for those affected by schizophrenia, Dr. Steven Lesk became determined to find the answer to its existence. In Footprints of Schizophrenia, he presents a groundbreaking theory that weaves evolutionary evidence with neurological findings. His conclusions promise to forever change the lives of the mentally ill by generating much-needed cultural dialogue about this stigmatized illness, and ultimately by provoking new psychiatric and pharmacological research. Dr. Lesk's "primitive organization theory" has its basis in human evolution—from Neanderthals to Homo sapiens—and the specific changes to our brains after the emergence of language. We've existed in human-like form for six million years, but we've only had language for 50,000; as Dr. Lesk explains, within the vast span of evolutionary time that's hardly any time at all. He posits that the twenty million people in the world who have schizophrenia don't suppress the hormone dopamine, which is affected by language, in the way evolution has trained us, so their brains don't process language well, leaving them to function as if they're in a hallucinatory, delusional dream state. In addition to focusing treatment efforts for schizophrenia, Dr. Lesk's theory could affect what we can do to help people with other dopamine-related illnesses like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's chorea, Tourette's, ADD, and more. Calling on such diverse fields as anthropology, language theory, neurochemistry, evolution, and even the second law of thermodynamics, Footprints of Schizophrenia offers hope to those with schizophrenia whose dopamine doesn't flow in our new, adaptive way. It will usher in a new era of psychiatric understanding—one that the field and the public desperately need.

This show is a story of hope, resilience, and love. Resilience is sometimes the outcome of some of the darkest moments in one’s life. My guests, a mother, Sue Borrego and her daughter, Kelsey Bunker Robertson, 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 very 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 a father of three. Both of their parents are married to their partners and have lives filled with joy and love. There are many LGBTQ+ parents who wonder about the impact of their lives on their families and LGBTQ+ young adults who wonder about their futures. The culture wars, with vitriolic rhetoric and attacks on LGBTQ+ individuals, are taking their toll. They will share their journey of love, hope and resilience.

In Crusade to Heal America, Judy Pearson shares the never-before-told story of Mary Lasker, a woman who was savvy, steely, and deliberate, with the goal of eliminating human suffering. While scientists looked at disease as a problem to be solved, Lasker saw it as a beast to be slain. Her first step was creating, with her husband Albert, the Lasker Foundation, which bestows annual awards for medical research. Next, they reimagined—and renamed—the American Cancer Society, greatly increasing the donations. But when Lasker learned that 40% of WWII volunteers had been rejected for health reasons, she asked the question no one else had: Why wasn't the federal government funding medical research? Proclaiming herself a "catalytic agent," she led a ceaseless, behind-the-scenes crusade to improve the health of Americans. Lasker's crusade transformed the National Institute of Health from a single, poorly funded entity to the greatest medical research facility on the planet. And while she counted legislators, medical experts, celebrities, and presidents as allies, she was not without naysayers and enemies who wanted to see her fail. When her beloved Albert died of cancer, Lasker doubled down on her crusade, insisting that a cure for the disease was within reach with more research money. Her crusade ultimately resulted in an extraordinary $1.3 billion for cancer research ($9.6 billion today), turning the nearly always fatal disease into one that was survivable.

As individuals committed to humanitarian work, DisasterReady is dedicated to upholding the core values of compassion for humanity. Their mission revolves around the vital aspects of preserving lives, alleviating suffering, and safeguarding the inherent dignity of all individuals affected by crises without any form of discrimination. This commitment extends not only to those we aid but also to ensuring the safety and well-being of our own dedicated workforce and volunteers. However, witnessing these principles being consistently violated in the current climate is disheartening. In these tumultuous times, marked by profound upheavals, intricate crises, and substantial transformations in both our personal and professional lives, the daily breach of these principles is a matter of grave concern. It underscores the absolute necessity of prioritizing our mental well-being and extending support to our teams and colleagues in the same regard – an unequivocal imperative. In light of these challenges, we have at our disposal a multitude of tools, models, experts, and methodologies. In the upcoming discussion, Elaine will engage with Em to explore how at DisasterReady.org, they harness the power of educational technology and collaborate with seasoned experts to offer complimentary training resources. These resources are designed to equip aid workers worldwide with essential coping mechanisms and skills to fortify their resilience. By doing so, these workers can better prepare themselves to function effectively in highly demanding and stressful environments, allowing them to maintain their well-being and continue their mission of service.

Elaine Miller-Karas, LCSW, will discuss the second edition of her book, Building Resiliency to Trauma, with Dr. Michael Sapp, the CEO of the Trauma Resource Institute. During and after a traumatic experience, survivors experience a cascade of physical, emotional, cognitive, behavioral, relational, and spiritual responses that can make them feel unbalanced and threatened. The second edition of Building Resilience to Trauma explains common responses from a biological perspective, reframing the human experience from one of shame and pathology to one of hope and biology. Using two evidence-informed models of intervention that are trauma-informed and resiliency-informed—the Community Resiliency Model (CRM) and the Trauma Resiliency Model (TRM)—chapters distill complex neuroscience into understandable concepts and lay out a path for fostering short- and long-term healing.

CRM develops natural leaders who share wellness skills throughout communities as primary prevention, and TRM focuses on training mental health professionals to reprocess traumatic experiences. Studies have demonstrated that the models’ use leads to significant reductions in depression and anxiety, and both models also increase well-being. The models restore balance after traumatic experiences and can be used as tools to cultivate well-being across cultures and abilities throughout the lifespan.

Allan Sussman, M.D. will share his new book, Saving the Art of Medicine (2023) on Resiliency Within. Many doctors have become despondent, working within a commodified system that pushes for speed and efficiency and profit over patient care. Early in his endocrinology career, Allen Sussman, MD, clinical assistant professor at the University of Washington counted himself among them. When an injury kept him from playing piano, he explored new outlets and was drawn to study meditation and the principles of Buddhism. He will share how these practices boosted his resilience and helped him to overcome the hurdles of a broken healthcare system. Saving the Art of Medicine chronicles Dr. Sussman's journey from "bookish to mindful to heartfelt." At the beginning of his meditation practice, his intention was to teach his patients to meditate. He soon realized that meditation benefited his patients through his inner transformation. He became more present, listened more deeply, and collaborated with his patients in their care. As a result, their health outcomes improved—and so did his satisfaction as a clinician. Hoping his peers would find similar salvation and provide more meaningful medical care, Dr. Sussman led a healthcare meditation sangha for 15 years, comprising diverse members of the medical community.

Empatico's mission is to empower school-aged students all around the globe to form meaningful connections that foster a more empathetic world. Empathy is a critical skill that allows us to feel what others feel (emotional empathy), understand what others think and feel (cognitive empathy), and take action on those feelings and understandings (behavioral empathy). In our interconnected world, empathy is a key personal and professional skill, and its development has the following benefits for individuals and society: A more empathetic society, including more tolerance, more acts of kindness, and an expanded sense of community and connection Positive impact on mental, physical, and emotional health Improved personal relationships or friendships (especially across differences) Conflict resolution or reduction and positive intergroup relations Decreased prejudice, bias, and violence Improved workplace environments and professional relationships Better leaders and problem solvers Empatico's product is centered around an Empathy Framework containing nine skills that promote students' healthy growth and development across three empathy domains (emotional, cognitive, and behavioral) and levels of interaction (intrapersonal, interpersonal, and intergroup). This Framework is rooted in research from the fields of education, psychology, sociology, conflict resolution, and communication. Empatico's research-based activities and programs create opportunities for students to learn about and practice these nine empathy-related skills individually, with in-class peers, and with partner classrooms around the globe. These skills are: mindfulness, self-awareness, self-care, emotion recognition, perspective taking, kindness, diplomacy, inclusivity, and collaboration. 1 in 5 children under age 17 in the U.S. have had a diagnosed mental or developmental health disorder, and anxiety and depression among youth have increased by nearly 50% in recent years. Empatico's Daily Practices, such as mindful breathing exercises, can lower students' anxiety and improve their emotion regulation, building their confidence and capacity for interaction with others. A large and increasing percentage of students feel persistently sad or hopeless, and a 2021 study showed that more than half of U.S. high school students do not feel connected to their peers. Empatico's Classroom Activities build empathetic norms, nurture a sense of purpose, and encourage open dialogue to empower students to feel heard and be seen differently by their peers. Global conflict and violence are on the rise, and 1 in 5 U.S. students report being bullied. Empatico's Virtual Exchanges and similar experiences that connect groups of youth across differences have been shown to reduce stereotyping and conflict and increase cooperation. To bring its mission to life, Empatico works closely with educators around the world who are committed to building a more empathetic world together.

Rev. Lesley Carroll serves as the Prison Ombudsman for Northern Ireland (NI), dedicating her life to the pursuit of peace and reconciliation. To her, this mission is a lifelong calling. Her efforts extend beyond the borders of Northern Ireland, as she has been instrumental in fostering dialogues for peace and reconciliation in regions such as Rwanda, Nigeria, Kosovo, and Croatia. In these challenging times for our global community, Rev. Carroll will generously share her insights and the valuable lessons she has acquired on her remarkable journey, which can offer guidance and inspiration for us all about how to bring peace and reconciliation to our communities worldwide. Inspired by her experiences, Rev. Carroll introduced the Community Resiliency Model to Northern Ireland. This initiative has led to the establishment of a group of Community Resiliency Model Teachers who are actively disseminating the healing skills of CRM throughout the NI community.

Bo Dean, an engaged member of the New Hanover County community in North Carolina, has actively pioneered the integration of biological models such as the Community Resiliency Model. As a certified Community Resiliency Model Teacher, he has played a pivotal role in introducing these models to his community. Bo Dean will candidly recount his deeply personal journey with cancer and how he effectively harnessed his diverse skillset throughout his diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing recovery, including the use of the Community Resiliency Model. His experience has fostered a profound sense of self-compassion, which has proven invaluable in his daily work within New Hanover County. Here, he routinely confronts various crises and encounters individuals during their most vulnerable moments, allowing him to connect and support them through these challenging circumstances. This represents a remarkable level of commitment to charting a positive path forward. In the midst of Bo Dean's personal journey, our world has grappled with the COVID pandemic, political turbulence, and now faces multiple global disruptions, including war and other crises that impact not only individuals within our own communities but also challenge our ability to remain present and responsive. Bo Dean will share how he has maintained awareness of these truths and how he contributes positively to these complex situations. Bo Dean believes our compassion can extend to our capacity to generate opportunities for positive outcomes, even in the face of such adversity.