Brilliantly Resilient
Mary Fran Bontempo & Kristin Smedley
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What's your train wreck? Everyone has one–past, present, or future. Why do some people come through stronger while others never recover?
Hang on for the ride as Kristin and Mary Fran teach you to move beyond crisis to discover your brilliance and resilience. You'll face challenges with strategies to come through brilliant, not broken, for personal and professional fulfillment and success!
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3 days ago
Episode 192: How to Build “Organization Muscle” in Your Business, with Author Kevin Nolan
Building community both in your business and with your customer community is essential. I see community as “common unity.” Everyone in a community has something they care about and we want to be part of that. It’s good for employees and good for customers.
~ Kevin Nolan
By their nature, entrepreneurs often start their businesses alone, taking on many roles as they try to build their companies into sustainable, viable organizations.
But going it alone, without recognizing the need for a community of support–and for building a community of support for employees–can stop an entrepreneur’s dream in its tracks.
Kevin Nolan is the founder of Nolan Painting and Nolan Consulting and author of the new book Organizational Muscle. Started to make money while he was in college, Kevin has built Nolan Painting into the nation’s largest and most successful family-owned residential painting company.
Along the way, he’s learned powerful lessons, many of which dovetail with the Brilliantly Resilient tenets of building both a professional and personal foundation on a clear values system. Kevin’s success begins with the values he believes in as an individual and makes a part of his business, and which his employees share as well. Citing community as a primary value, Kevin makes certain to imbue his office culture and community outreach with a sense of community building, creating employee and customer loyalty in the process.
Be sure to check out Organizational Muscle for dynamic tips and practical strategies for building a business. And listen to Kevin’s episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast for these additional bits of brilliance:
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The way to build Organizational Muscle starts with 3 things: mission, vision, values, repeat.
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If you’re not putting the culture in your company, someone else is.
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You have to work as a team within your business. Human beings work together; make your business a place of collaborative opportunity for everyone.
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Be careful of Hourglass management. That’s when you set yourself up to have to approve each grain of sand as it falls through. The only way to succeed is to get out of the hourglass; get others involved so you aren’t constantly overwhelmed.
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Organization muscle is building a team, working together and building strength and endurance with routines. Routines are grounding.
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
Mary Fran & Kristin
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Nov 21, 2023
Episode 191: How to Tap Into Resilience Through Gratitude with Mary Fran Bontempo & Kristin Smedley!
Gratitude is a tool that connects us to our happiness, success and power.
~ Kristin Smedley & Mary Fran Bontempo
NOTE** This episode was previously aired, but it's fun, has a great message and deserves to be run again! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!
Has it ever occurred to you that gratitude can help you tap into your power? We don't often think of thankfulness as a powerful thing. In fact, some of us feel that being grateful may make us seem weak.
Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we are card-carrying members on the gratitude train. Even in our darkest hours, we were thankful for those slivers of light that held us up and gave us hope, whether they came from friends, family, or the experts who helped guide us through our crises.
Training the mind to focus on blessings instead of lack opens up the spirit, and okay, we're going a little woo-woo here (with Mary Fran's blessing), the universe, to provide opportunities, connections and the strength to move forward instead of stewing in a pot of blech.
Gratitude provides focus, as well as the positive energy necessary to make decisions and take action. This Thanksgiving, remember to be truly grateful for blessings both big and small. Live with an open heart and mind and use gratitude as a tool to live a Brilliantly Resilient life!
Happy Thanksgiving!
XO,
KS & MFB
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Nov 14, 2023
Episode 190: Living an Empowered Life Through "The Pause," with MenoWell Energy Bar Founder, Julie Gordon White
I don’t subscribe to the idea that women, as we get older, we just fall apart. This may sound crazy, but I believe menopause is empowering…after so many years of caring for so many people, this is our time.
~ Julie Gordon White
Have you experienced “the pause?” As women, we are all destined to experience menopause, should we reach the age. If we believe the media, that’s when we go from Snow White to the old crone–shriveled, dried up and useless. But Julie Gordon White knows it doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, with the proper education, nutrition and effort, menopause can be a time of opportunity and growth.
Julie researched the topic and learned that most doctors receive only 1-2 hours of education on menopause, not nearly enough. In fact, Julie learned that menopause is not a life-sentence, it’s actually a single day that defines the end of a woman’s cycle. After realizing that menopause needn’t be an end, Julie founded a company that provides nutritious, energy packed snack bars to help manage symptoms and build a powerful mind and body during menopause. Further, Julie has created a movement where women can talk about a subject that’s been taboo for far too long. With a strategy, menopause symptoms can be managed and women can expect to live powerful productive lives for many years to come.
Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we believe that self-care is essential to living a healthy, productive and happy life, and that age should never dictate how successful we are when sharing our Brilliantly Resilient gifts with the world.
Tune in to hear more of Julie’s wisdom, and order some Menowell Bars today! Be sure to listen for these additional bits of brilliance from Julie:
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We have to educate ourselves as women. We can’t depend on our medical professionals because they don’t always know. Visit menopause.org. and educate yourself. Then it’s about nutrition because what we put in our bodies matters.
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There are 34 plus symptoms surrounding menopause, and 90% of women experience a ten pound weight gain around the middle. It’s visceral fat and dangerous. There is a 70% higher risk of heart disease with visceral fat. Our waist size as women should be 34 inches or less.
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Mindset in menopause must be a practice. We have to tell ourselves that we can be better, healthier and empowered and keep that in our minds until it becomes natural. Our thinking self can create the experience that we want.
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
Mary Fran & Kristin
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Nov 7, 2023
Episode 189: How to Claim Peace and Ditch Shame, with "These Broken Roads" Author, Donna Marie Hayes
Normally, because of how I was raised, I would steer clear of anything that was confrontational because I wanted to keep the peace. But I started to wonder, whose peace was I keeping?
~ Donna Marie Hayes
How many times have you avoided confrontation to “keep the peace?” How many times have you explained away red flags in relationships or situations because you couldn’t or wouldn’t face your own doubts and fears?
After experiencing great loneliness during her childhood, Donna Marie Hayes felt she was on sure footing. After two failed marriages, Donna took eight years being on her own to build a strong personal foundation. But in her mid-50’s, Donna wanted companionship, and found the “love of her life” through an online dating site. For 18 months, her relationship blossomed, until it came crashing down and she discovered she had been scammed, losing all of her money to a man who professed to love her.
On this episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast, Donna talks about how her childhood traumas remained to cause her to deny and deflect obvious red flags because she so wanted her relationship to be what it appeared to be on the surface. And once she realized she had been scammed, she fell into a place of shame, not wanting anyone to know what she felt she had allowed to happen to her.
As we say in Brilliantly Resilient, it was when Donna armed herself with the truth that she was able to transfer her shame to her abuser, find her peace and later, to use her experiences to help other women rebuild their lives after devastating experiences.
To learn more, tune into this episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast, and check out Donna’s appearance on The Tamryn Hall Show as she talks about her book, These Broken Roads: Scammed and Vindicated, One Woman’s Story.
Be sure to listen for these additional bits of Brilliance:
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I thought those eight years of just being by myself prepared me for this, but I got sucked right in, because he was so nice, because I needed that. I needed it to be real, I wanted it to be real. I talked around it (the red flags).
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How are you showing up in life? Are you showing up diminished? Are you showing up with self-limiting beliefs or are some of your childhood traumas showing up in your adult life? We can’t predict what we are going to do; we have to do some self-reflection.
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The common thread was shame. I decided to tell the story so the next woman who Googles his name is going to see what he did. I’m not going to wear your shame. You wear it.
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How can I repurpose my pain? How can I use it to benefit others?
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
Mary Fran & Kristin
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Oct 31, 2023
Episode 188: How to Let Go of Should Be and Make Room for Could Be with Brilliantly Resilient Co-Founder, Mary Fran Bontempo
By making best friends with denial and distraction, I was refusing to see what "could be" going on in my life, which was that my son had been struggling for a very long time with substance abuse issues. I kept holding onto what I thought my life and my son "should be," instead of facing and dealing with the truth.
~ Mary Fran Bontempo
Have you ever known that a crisis was barrelling down on you but you refused to see it? Some truths are just too hard to face, leading us to deny their existence and distract ourselves with just about anything to keep from facing reality.
We're taught from a young age that if we follow "the rules," things will be okay. Do the right thing, and good will follow. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, it doesn't always work out that way. Yet, giving up on that myth is scary, and can open a Pandora's box of life messes that we just don't want to face.
Mary Fran Bontempo, co-founder of Brilliantly Resilient, knows the perils of focusing only on what she thought her life "should be," based on living by the rules. Knowing that her son was having some challenges, Mary Fran denied the severity of what she intuitively felt was wrong, because that wasn't what her life "should be" manifesting. If you follow the rules, things will be okay, right? But by ignoring the truth of what "could be," which was, in fact, that her son had spiraled into serious addiction, Mary Fran almost lost her child.
We cannot navigate challenges if we deny them. It's essential to see truth. Maybe what's happening shouldn't be--terrible things shouldn't happen to good people--but only by acknowledging what could be the truth can we begin to find solutions and make our way back to the light.
Tune in for more of Mary Fran's insights on this episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast, and be sure to get her book, The 15 Minute Master, which tells the story of her son's addiction and how she and her family made their way back to health and healing.
Let's be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
Mary Fran & Kristin
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Oct 24, 2023
Episode 187: How to Own Your Power with Women That Influence Founder Sara Canuso
We live stories and beliefs that we've inherited. It can be so difficult to get rid of the trash in our heads that weighs us down. But the truth is that we are all "Women That Influence," we just have to believe that.
~ Sara Canuso
Do you recognize your power to influence? It's not always easy to see how we can impact those in our lives and the world at large, especially when life's minutiae can so quickly weigh us down. But Sara Canuso knows that every woman has the power to influence; we just have to choose to step out of roles that have been assigned to us and step into our futures.
Sara is one of the "originals" in terms of empowering women, and a leading authority on women in the workplace. The founder of the dynamic group Women That Influence, Sara has been encouraging women to "live their truth" as they choose it to be, rather than living a story they have inherited. As Sara notes, "carrying around a lot of stories and trash in your head is a heavy load," and one we must release in order to fulfill our potential as leaders, whether in our own families and personal lives, or on a different, more public path.
Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we know that it can be a challenge to rise above the everyday; yet each of us has an opportunity, and in fact, an obligation to uncover our personal brilliance and share it with the world
Tune into this episode the Brilliantly Resilient podcast to hear more of Sara's wisdom, and check out Women That Influence to learn more about this empowering group.
Let's be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
Mary Fran & Kristin
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Oct 17, 2023
Episode 186: How to Use Perception to Become Brilliantly Resilient with B.R. Co-Founder Kristin Smedley
The most important foundational pillar of being Brilliantly Resilient for me is perception. It is how you are seeing your challenges. Are you looking at your life the way it "should be," or are you seeing what "could be?"
~Kristin Smedley
How do you see your challenges? No one looks at challenges as a blessing, at least not at first. But many people report feeling as though their challenges changed them in positive ways--once the crisis was navigated.
Brilliantly Resilient co-founder Kristin Smedley recognizes that challenges can leave us stuck in the negative if we don't intentionally seek a way forward. For us here at Brilliantly Resilient, that way forward frequesntly lies in our perception of our problems. We're often stuck in the way we believe our lives should be, frustrated by circumstances that keep us from living the lives we want, or believe we deserve.
Yet, as Kristin tells us, once we let go of what we believe our lives should be and make room for what could be, we begin to uncover not only solutions to problems, but new ways of seeing the world that provide opportunities for growth, success and happiness.
As we reset with resilience, perception is one of the foundational pillars of living a Brilliantly Resilient life. Tune in to this episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast for more of Kristin's wit and wisdom, and be sure to pick up your copy of the book, Brilliantly Resilient, on Amazon! Learn more about Kristin's work at https://kristinsmedley.com/.
Let's be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
Kristin & Mary Fran
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Oct 10, 2023
Episode 185: How to Light Your Spark and Find Your Purpose, with Aleta Norris
Let’s wake up every day and let’s be on fire about a contribution that we’re making to a broader audience.
~ Aleta Norris
What’s your purpose? Yes, it’s a heavy question–one most of us grapple with often. But we can start to find our purpose once we look beyond ourselves.
Aleta Norris, best-selling author of Women Who Spark and Women Who Spark After 50, joins the Brilliantly Resilient podcast to share her wisdom about how to live happy, successful lives when our life journey doesn’t always match the visions of our younger selves.
Despite experiencing hardships and challenges, Aleta assures women that life, especially in its second half, can contain joy, opportunity, and purpose, provided we learn to look outside of our own circumstances and recognize that good and bad can co-exist. With a process-oriented and pragmatic system, Aleta guides women towards vitality and fulfillment, urging us all to be “fully used up” by the end of our journeys.
Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we believe that service to others can open the door to discovering one’s purpose and brilliance. Once we tap into our resilience to navigate our challenges and define our values, we not only learn what’s most important to us, but we uncover ways we can contribute to the greater good, giving our lives meaning.
Tune in for more of Aleta’s wisdom and be sure to listen for these additional bits of brilliance:
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When the yucky stuff hasn’t happened yet, we spend time focusing only on ourselves. Those of us who reach that crappy part in our lives are blessed, because that’s the wake-up call.
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Our difficulties are our gift if we decide to make them our gift.
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Look at your life in decades. The 30’s and 40’s are very difficult decades. The messy middle. But it’s not always going to be like that. Accept it for what it is but remember there is so much ahead.
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You can be good enough at something. You don’t have to be great. I’m a good enough mom.
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Think about the things you love without having to turn it into a decision right away.
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
Mary Fran & Kristin
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Oct 3, 2023
Episode 184: How to Hear the Signs of Domestic Violence with Dr. Jennifer Gardella
We are always looking for signs of domestic violence, but we hear them more often than we see them. Domestic violence doesn’t always look like broken bones and bruises. I was living in domestic abuse and I didn’t even know it.
~ Dr. Jennifer Gardella
Do you know anyone who is experiencing domestic abuse? Are you sure?
As Dr. Jennifer Gardella aptly notes, domestic abuse is not always visible. In fact, if we listen, we can “hear” domestic abuse more often than we can see it.
Cutting through all areas of class, education or outward success, many women are experiencing domestic abuse, but because they don’t have the physical bruises to show for it, they themselves don’t always recognize that they are living with domestic violence.
In her new book, Listen for the Whispers of Abuse, Dr. Gardella, herself a victim of domestic abuse, offers signs of abuse including:
* Feeling you are always “walking on eggshells” around your partner.
* Having no control over your money or your personal schedule.
* Not being allowed to make decisions.
* Being told you are “crazy” or being yelled at for somehow not measuring up to your partner’s expectations.
Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we know the importance of a tribe. If you suspect a loved one is experiencing domestic abuse, here are some of Dr. Gardella’s suggestions to lend support to the victim:
* “If you hear any inkling of ‘I need to get out of here’ start to talk to your loved one about safety planning.”
* “Let her know that wherever she is on her journey, you are a safe space and will support her no matter what.”
* “Reach out to other friends and ask ‘Are we all seeing this?’”
* “Drip information whenever you can.”
Be sure to tune into this episode of The Brilliantly Resilient podcast, get Dr. Gardella’s book, and call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 for more information.
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
Kristin & Mary Fran
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Sep 26, 2023
Episode 183: How to Become Client Rich Through Marketing with Tai Goodwin
Some people think of marketing as flash. I was Facebook rich and client poor for 5 years. Stop friending your peers, they aren’t your clients.
~ Tai Goodwin
Are you an entrepreneur? If you own or promote a business, how much time do you spend posting on social media? Better yet, how much time do you spend posting on social media and assume that you are marketing your business?
Tai Goodwin, founder of That Marketing Team, knows about the distinction. As Tai notes, “The internet has made the barrier of entry very low. But people don’t want to do the unsexy research to figure out who their best audience is. There is a skill set that has to be learned to be successful.”
Getting likes on social media makes us feel good. But we can’t just post about our business or work and assume the right people are seeing it. As Tai reminds us, we have to do the hard work of digging deep, homing in on our customer base, articulating who we are, and building relationships with our audience.
Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we understand the value of relationships. Yet, it’s important to focus on building the right relationships, especially in business. And Tai knows a few things about resilience, too, like recognizing that receiving what we ask for takes the resilience to know we have to do the work to get it. (Be sure to listen from minute 33 on for some true Brilliance from Tai!)
Tune in to hear more of Tai’s wisdom on this episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast, and find out more about Tai at www.thatmarketingteam.com.
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
Mary Fran & Kristin
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Sep 19, 2023
Episode 182: How to get up and keep swinging, with John Lee Dumas of Entrepreneurs on Fire!
Getting sucker-punched is part of everyone's journey. Sometimes the most successful people had more worst moments to share with the audience. But it always came back to them being resilient, getting up again, swinging that bat and eventually connecting and hitting that single, double, home run or sometimes grand slam. ~ John Lee Dumas, EOFire
Have you ever envied—just a little—people who are highly successful? Have you ever thought their lives were somehow charmed and problem free? Have you ever thought—that could never be me; I've been knocked down too many times?
John Lee Dumas has interviewed hundreds of hugely successful entrepreneurs, all with one major thing in common—sucker punches. As JLD notes, no one is spared challenges; it's being willing to tap into your resilience and get up to swing again that makes one successful. Coupled with intense focus, a grateful perspective and action with skills and knowledge, JLD believes that if you have a chance to try, you can move…
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Sep 12, 2023
Episode 181: Welcome to a New Season of Brilliantly Resilient with Mary Fran and Kristin!
For several seasons we've been bringing you all of the stories about how if we can do it, you can do it. Then it was with our guests, if they can do it, you can do it. But people were asking okay, "But how? How do you do it?"
~ Kristin Smedley
We're back!! Welcome back to a New Season of Brilliantly Resilient Live! As former teachers and moms, September is our New Year. We get excited about new beginnings and this new season of Brilliantly Resilient is just that.
We're changing it up a bit this season. We'll still be brining you great content and great guests. But we're also going to dig into what caused us to create Brilliantly Resilient in the first place. We both experienced our own traumatic sucker punches and train wrecks, but after meeting one another we realized that our process to navigate our crises was very similar. It's that process--the how we did it, and still do it--that we're going to offer you in a slightly different way.
So this season, you'll be seeing us together…
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Sep 5, 2023
Episode 180: B.R. Summer Reading List Week 10--"Hope is the First Dose," with Dr. Lee Warren
Doubt can go two ways: One direction leads to fear, the other to hope.
~ Dr. Lee Warren: Hope is the First Dose
What does it mean to hope? As children, we hope for a bike for Christmas or a puppy. As we grow, hope may be in the form of a prom date. But as we grow, and life brings its challenges, it becomes harder to hope, sometimes resulting in depression or despair.
Dr. Lee Warren has survived more than most--divorce, war, the loss of a child to an unsolved murder. Any one might crush a spirit. Yet Lee continues to turn to hope in God to find meaning and purpose in life, despite admitting to doubt and questioning, which he notes are part of the human journey.
Lee has continued to inspire us here at Brilliantly Resilient with his encouragement and belief--leading us to continue to hope and move towards a greater purpose. Read more about Hope is the First Dose, below and be sure to tune into Lee's episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast.
To get the full B.R. Summer Reading…
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Aug 29, 2023
Episode 179: B.R. Summer Reading Week 9--How to Find Resilience in "Everyday War" with Dr. Greta Uehling
I went to Ukraine thinking I'd find victims of war and recipients of humanitarian aid. What I found were civilians creatively, consciously engaging in what was going on around them. Every person had their own process as a starting point to resilience.
~ Greta Uehling: 'Everyday War'
Can you imagine life in a war zone? For those of us living in the United States, life in a war zone is something we observe from afar. The images we most often see are devastating, showing civilians huddling in fear near bombed out homes and cities.
Yet, when Dr. Greta Uehling visited Ukraine to better learn how civilians were coping with the war, she discovered resilience and brilliance as people often “made choices based on others’ vulnerability,” discovering also that “relationships became essential to resilience.” Dr. Uehling’s book, Everyday War illustrates how individuals found their worldview shifting as they discovered the importance of relationships, awareness of others’ suffering…
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Aug 22, 2023
Episode 178: B.R. Summer Reading List Week 8! How to Find Grace and Strength in Trauma, with Geralyn Ritter and "Bone by Bone"
Bad things happen. It’s what we do with them. Grace is defined as an undeserved, unmerited gift. I’ve been given a gift.
~ Geralyn Ritter: 'Bone by Bone
Have you ever experienced devastating trauma? We've all had challenges, but thankfully, most of us have never had to deal with crushing, life-altering trauma.
Geralyn Ritter knows what can happen to change life in an instant. In 2015, a terrifying train crash changed Geralyn's life in a moment--forever changing who she was and who she would continue to become.
Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we talk often about life's challenges, but rarely do we encounter someone who so perfectly personifies the Brilliantly Resilient mindset. Geralyn has utilized her experiences to become a force of light and life to all who hear her story. Learn more about Geralyn's best seller, Bone by Bone, below:
Geralyn Ritter: Bone By Bone On May 12, 2015, Amtrak 188 derailed outside of Philadelphia going 106 miles per hour. Geralyn Ritter was thrown…
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Aug 15, 2023
Episode 177: Week 7 of the B.R. Summer Reading List! Rob Kenney Shines as America's Dad with "Dad, How Do I?"
S.E.L.F. Serve others, Eat and exercise, Learn something, Forgive somebody.
~ Rob Kenney: 'Dad, How Do I?'
Everyone has, or had, a dad. But not everyone has been lucky enough to have a great relationship with their father.
Rob Kenney, a.k.a. "Dad, How Do I?" was one of those people. After a challenging childhood, Rob eventually became a father himself, and decided to become a virtual dad to anyone who needed one.
We've interviewed many folks here at Brilliantly Resilient, and we can honestly say that Rob is one of our absolute favorites. With great warmth, authenticity, and a ton of "dad jokes," Rob forges relationships with people he's never met who come to see him as a surrogate father. Read on for more about this wonderful dad and be sure to check out Rob's book and his episode on the Brilliantly Resilient podcast.
Rob Kenney: Dad, How Do I? Rob Kenney’s father left him and his seven siblings when he was fourteen years old, and the youngest had to fend for…
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Aug 8, 2023
Episode 176: Week 6 of the B.R. Reading List--Learn to Love Your Career with Fran Hauser!
Look at your calendar from the last few months and see what put a smile on your face. What about those experiences can you do more of?
~ Fran Hauser: 'Embrace the Work, Love Your Career'
Does your work make you smile? Not everyone grins when they wake up on Monday mornings thinking of work.
Our friend Fran Hauser has a plan to help anyone struggling with work re-evaluate and move forward in the search for meaningful work that satisfies--and yes, makes one smile.
Fran Hauser: Embrace the Work, Love Your Career Embrace the Work, Love Your Career combines accessible advice, time-tested strategies, creative prompts, and thoughtful exercises into one holistic resource.
Each chapter starts with practical advice and includes prompts and exercises to help readers create their own personal career action plans. Through simple, inspiring, and actionable tools, Embrace the Work, Love Your Career teaches women to be empowered to focus on the things that truly matter, set boun…
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Aug 1, 2023
Episode 175: Brilliantly Resilient Reading List Week 5! Creating Silver Linings with Dr. David Fajgenbaum
"Create a silver lining. Do something, build something, create something."
~ Dr. David Fajgenbaum, Chasing My Cure
Dr. David Fajgenbaum: Chasing My Cure David Fajgenbaum, a former Georgetown quarterback, was nicknamed the Beast in medical school, where he was also known for his unmatched mental stamina. But things changed dramatically when he began suffering from a form of Castleman disease, an extremely deadly and rare condition. When he relapsed while on the only drug in development and realized that the medical community was unlikely to make progress in time to save his life, Fajgenbaum turned his desperate hope for a cure into concrete action, testing his own blood samples and looking for clues that could unlock a new treatment. His incredible story demonstrates the potency of hope, and what can happen when the forces of determination, love, family, faith, and serendipity collide. Tune into David's episode of the Brilliantly Resilient Podcast!
Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we…
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Jul 25, 2023
Episode 174: How to Use Personal Trauma to Help Others with Dr. Lise DeGuire and "Flashback Girl:" Week 4 of the Brilliantly Resilient Summer Reading List!
The gift of suffering is that we are here to help other people who are suffering now. ~ Dr. Lise Deguire: Flashback Girl
Few of us get through life without suffering. Yet few have suffered as our friend Lise Deguire, and even fewer have made a life-long committment to help others despite, or perhaps because of, that suffering.
Flashback Girl At the age of four, Dr. Lise Deguire suffered third-degree burns on 65% of her body as the result of both maternal and corporate negligence. Against the odds, she lived through the trauma, beginning decades of treatment as a burn survivor. Dr. Deguire recounts her childhood with two narcissistic parents and their futile struggles to find happiness. She tells the tragic story of her family, which includes artistic genius, stark neglect, and four suicides. Most importantly, she explains her long but ultimately triumphant path towards love, health, and life satisfaction. Tune into Dr. Deguire's episode of the Brilliantly Resilient Podcast, and don…
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Jul 18, 2023
Episode 173: Find your "Why" with Keith Baldwin and "A Leap Year of Firsts"--Week 3 of the Brilliantly Resilient Summer Reading List!
Week 3 of the Brilliantly Resilient Summer Reading List! Life not turning out exactly as you planned? Read about how to limit your "pity party" and find renewed purpose, energy and perspective from our friend Keith Baldwin in A Leap Year of Firsts!
Limit your Pity Party. I threw a hell of a Pity Party, but those emotions don’t help you with solutions or move you forward.
~ Keith Baldwin, 'A Leap Year of Firsts'
A Leap Year of Firsts When Keith Baldwin started his innocent and fun quest of "firsts" onJanuary 1st, 2020, it ended up turning into a year like no other. Rida along as Keith takes you on a journey where we experienced a pandemic like 1918, unemployment and depression like the Great One in 1929, civil unrest like the 1960's, and an election that brought back images of our Civil War. Although it was a year with "firsts," it also was a year when the author discovered his "WHY." Tune into Keith's episode of the Brilliantly Resilient Podcast!
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Jul 11, 2023
Episode 172: Pictionary Creator Rob Angel and "Game Changer"--Week 2 of Brilliantly Resilient Summer Reading!
Week 2 of Brilliantly Resilient Reading! Read more about Game Changer by Pictionary creator Rob Angel!
I had to break things down into smaller pieces. I couldn’t handle the entire thing at once; my mind doesn’t work that way.
~ Rob Angel, Creator of Pictionary and Author of ‘Game Changer’
Who hasn't played Pictionary as a kid--or as an adult?! It's a classic, and we've got our Brilliantly Resilient friend, Rob Angel, the creator of Pictionary, here to talk about his book, Game Changer! Game Changer tells the story of how Rob and his college friends created the world's most popular game, and Rob drops more than a few Brilliance Bits in this interview. You won't want to miss it!
Rob Angel: Game Changer "In Game Changer, Rob shares the remarkable inside story of taking Pictionary from simple idea to iconic global brand by breaking rules and breaking records, never giving up or giving in, and working harder when most would walk away all while having the time of his li…
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Jul 2, 2023
Episode 171: Week One of Our Summer Reading List! Featuring Selena Rezvani and Quick Confidence!
Our Summer Reading list is here!! First up, our friend and mentor to women, Selena Rezvani, with her new book, Quick Confidence! Read on for more….
Experiment with dog-code and initiate a warm hello. When we start with warmth, it’s like a door that we open. Be curious, ask questions, be empathetic. Start with warmth and focus on your competence later.
~ Selena Rezvani
How confident are you? It may depend upon circumstances or your environment in a particular moment, but all of us have suffered a crisis of confidence at one time or another.
Here comes best-selling author and Brilliantly Resilient friend, Selena Rezvani with tons of do-able, practical and simple tips and tricks to help everyone to feel more confident no matter what the situation. Here’s more on Selena’s new book!
Selena Rezvani: Quick Confidence In Quick Confidence: Be Authentic, Create Connections and Make Bold Bets On Yourself, best-selling author and renowned leadership speaker Selena Rezvani delivers a…
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Jun 27, 2023
Episode 170: Get Ready to be Brilliantly Resilient This Summer with Our Summer Reading List!!
GET OUR SUMMER READING LIST!!!
If you’re like us, you’re gonna need some resilience reminders and some super strategies from some of our most favorite guests all summer long. You’ll get the book selections and the podcast episodes.
~ Kristin & Mary Fran
It’s SUMMER!!! We love summer here at Brilliantly Resilient, especially because it means Beach Reads!! And have we got a list for you!
From some old favorites (Pictionary creator Rob Angel’s story in Game Changer and Rob Kenney’s Dad How Do I?) to some inspiring new best-sellers like Selena Rezvani’s Quick Confidence and Geralyn Ritter’s Bone By Bone, we’re bringing you some amazing stories by some of our favorite Brilliantly Resilient authors, podcast guests, and yep, they’re our buddies!
Starting the first week of July, 2023, you can visit www.brilliantlyresilient.net to get a download of our 2023 Summer Reading List! The list provides not only great reads and book titles, but a link to the Brilliantly Resilie…
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Jun 20, 2023
Episode 169: How to Build a Bridge Between the Sighted and Unsighted Worlds Through Art, with Blind Artist, Clarke Reynolds
I try and bridge the world between the visual and tactile worlds. You must touch the artwork. It’s a way to physically engage with the art. My artwork allows you to chat with it, chat with strangers next to it, and have a conversation.
~ Clarke Reynolds
We humans love to talk. It’s our primary means of communication, and one specific to us as living beings. Yet so many of our conversations in this world are fraught with anger, mistrust and frustration.
Clarke Reynolds wants to change that. As a blind artist, Clarke is intent on changing people’s perception of blindness through his artwork–and sparking conversation.
Despite a challenging childhood, health issues and deteriorating eyesight, Clarke was determined to follow his dreams. With his sketchbook as his role model and his “shrink,” Clarke worked hard, evolving with his circumstances and using his art to tactically communicate with both the sighted and unsighted worlds. By creating a bridge through his work, Clarke…
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Jun 13, 2023
Episode 168: Why Every Company Should Have an ERG (Employee Resource Group) with Margaret Guerrette and Reliance Matrix.
The goal is to provide support for the workforce. The pandemic really forced this to the forefront from a mental health and employee retention standpoint. We were taking care of everything and everyone and there was no way to hide that anymore. You can sustain a healthy work/life balance and we shouldn't have to hide that.
~ Margaret Guerrette, Reliance Matrix Co-Chair of the Women's Employee Resource Group (ERG)
Have you ever felt the need to put on your "happy hat" at work to convince colleagues and bosses that you've got everything under control, despite being overwhelmed and utterly stressed out? Did you ever hear the term "work/life balance" and want to scream--just a little?
Prior to the pandemic, work/life balance was touted as something workers could achieve just by talking about it–and it was on them to make it happen. Support for employees from within the corporate structure to help them achieve that balance was rare, as workers hesitated to share their challenges while…
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Jun 6, 2023
Episode 167: How Persistence Gave Voice to the Silent, with Judy Chinitz
If I don’t ask, I have a zero percent chance of getting what I want or need. I had to keep trying. Through persistence you can solve problems.
~ Judy Chinitz
Have you ever tried to get a point across to someone but couldn’t find the right words? Most of us occasionally struggle to find the right words to communicate our thoughts.
But what if you couldn’t communicate at all? What if you were trapped in a body incapable of speaking or sharing your thoughts? Worse, what if everyone around you believed you were profoundly mentally handicapped and incapable of even having intelligent thoughts let alone sharing them?
Judy Chintiz spent 25 years of her son’s life thinking exactly that, only to find after empowering her son with a unique method of communication that Alex had an even higher IQ than normal and was really very intelligent–he just couldn’t tell her.
Judy’s remarkable journey with her son, Alex, reminds us that persistence is key to any success, even if it seems…
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May 30, 2023
Episode 166; How to Wake Up Your Inner Rebel to Live the LIfe You Want, with Shereen Thor!
Long story short, I was a disgruntled cubicle monkey who followed the rules believing they would make me happy. Spoiler alert: They did not.
~ Shereen Thor
Did you have a life plan? Most of us did. We thought if we chose an “acceptable” career path, did the “right” things and followed all of the rules, life would be grand. Except it doesn’t always work out that way.
For many of us, “acceptable” career paths and life choices don’t make us happy, usually because the roads are rigid and don't allow us to stretch to be who we really are. Yet, making a decision (and then sticking with it) to deviate from the “right” path can seem impossible, especially when we believe we will be disappointing those who see success differently.
Shereen Thor, former cubicle monkey, standup comic and entrepreneur, discovered first-hand that making choices to fulfill someone else’s idea of success rarely ends well. As she began to feel she was abandoning her own life, Shereen tuned int…
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May 23, 2023
Episode 165: How to Build a Future and a Business Using Your Transferable Skills, with Paige Leigh DeAngelo
When dance was taken away during Covid, I had to say, ‘Who am i?” I realized dance was external, so I had to dig deep and realize what I loved about dance and see how I could put those things into myself and put them into other things. I’ve transferred those skills over and do one thing at a time. Ask yourself ‘What am I made of? What else do I have?”
~ Paige Leigh DeAngelo
Did you lose anything during Covid? All of us lost something or someone, and some losses were far more painful than others.
But even seemingly minor losses had profound effects, causing us to question our identities, our past decisions and our futures.
A dancer since early childhood, Paige DeAngelo lost that part of her identity when she was unable to dance on stage during Covid. Initially grieving that loss, Paige eventually looked inward to determine what skills she had learned during her dance career that she could transfer to other passions.
In 2021, after recalling the copious amount of makeup us…
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May 16, 2023
Episode 164: How to Master Menopause with Modern Midlife Founder Catherine Grace O'Connell!
We have to change the idea of menopause as a four-letter word. Who do you trust? Where would you go for care? Take care of your mental state. Do whatever it is that makes you feel good. For me it’s meditation, being in nature, exercise. Eat well. Be mindful; be aware. Talk to your doctor. Find the resources that are right for you.
~ Catherine Grace O’Connell
The “M” word. If you’re a woman, menopause looms in your life as something to dread–the end of vitality and usefulness. At least, that’s the way it used to be.
Catherine Grace O’Connell, the founder of Forever Fierce: MIdlife Matters and Modlife Media, knows the power of women in midlife. A self-described “Ageism Positivist, Catherine sums up midlife for women like this: “Women at Midlife & Beyond are the Perfect Storm. We are the first demographic in history to have health and vitality, wisdom and life experience, and a pocketbook to match. We are a fierce creative force balanced by compassion and empathy.…
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May 9, 2023
Episode 163: How to Learn Resilience from Civilians in a Country at War, with Dr. Greta Uehling
I went to Ukraine thinking I'd find victims of war and recipients of humanitarian aide. What I found were civilians creatively, consciously engaging in what was going on around them.
~ Dr. Greta Uehling
Can you imagine life in a war zone? The residents of Ukraine have lived amidst devastating war and crisis for years, first with the invasion of the Crimean Peninsula and now with Russia’s further invasion starting in 2022.
For those of us living in the United States, life in a war zone is something we observe from afar. The images we most often see are devastating, showing civilians huddling in fear near bombed out homes and cities.
Yet, when Dr. Greta Uehling visited Ukraine to better learn how civilians were coping with the war, she discovered resilience and brilliance as people often “made choices based on others’ vulnerability,” discovering also that “relationships became essential to resilience.” Dr. Uehling’s book, Everyday War illustrates how individuals found…
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May 2, 2023
Episode 162: How to Keep Negativity From Determining Outcomes, with Superstar L.A. Williams!
Don’t pre-plan a negative experience for yourself. Stop yourself within 17 seconds to keep a negative thought seed from germinating. Stop the negative thoughts and don’t attract that negative vibration.
~ L.A. Williams
How often do you look towards an upcoming event, goal, work or personal situation, and think, “This isn’t going to go the way I want?"
Most of us are guilty of sometimes assuming the worst of a situation even before it happens. Whether it’s a form of self-protection, preparing for what we believe is certain disappointment, or planning a next step after failure, we focus on the potential negative outcome far more than we allow ourselves to consider the positive.
Blind for the last 35 years and now a highly successful businessman, L.A. Williams has experienced negativity, and knows that allowing a negative mindset to take root will only bring on more of the same. Once we plant an idea or outcome in our minds, the brain begins to work on that scenario, helping…
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Apr 25, 2023
Episode 161: How to Manage Stress, Anxiety and Isolation in the Business World with Executives’ Global Network founder Nick Jonsson
We need to slow down our conversations and not just say, “I’m fine,” when people ask how we are feeling.
~ Nick Jonsson
How often do you respond, “I’m fine” when someone asks how you are feeling? It’s almost automatic–partly because it’s a standard greeting, but also because many of us believe that sharing our feelings, especially if we don’t feel like rainbows and sunshine, is a sign of weakness.
Being vulnerable and admitting to feeling lonely, stressed, anxious or depressed is particularly taboo if you’re an executive in today’s business world. We expect our leaders to be strong, even if that means they must ignore their humanity and the negative feelings that sometimes come with it. The problem is that refusing to acknowledge or manage those feelings only compounds the problem, weakening the ability to lead and live effectively and happily.
Nick Jonsson knows first-hand the perils of suppressing negative feelings. After moving to a foreign country, leavi…
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Apr 18, 2023
Episode 160: How to be Seen, Heard and Remembered, with Mildred Talabi
Be seen, heard and remembered. I had a whole period of my life where I was afraid to use my voice. I was afraid to be visible. I could have done so much more if I hadn’t been afraid to be visible. Start being visible.
~ Mildred Talabi
Have you ever found yourself wanting to speak up about something but you remained silent? Whether it’s because we lack the confidence to speak up, we think our opinion isn’t valuable, or we feel less than others in the room–especially at work–it’s not uncommon for people, especially women, to stay silent rather than speak up and have all eyes on us.
When we’re visible, that means we can be vulnerable. We step into the spotlight and take the chance others won’t like us or what we stand for. But what if the opposite happens? What if our message resonates with others and we can finally find the purpose in life that we’ve been seeking?
Mildred Talabi, this week’s guest on the Brilliantly Resilient podcast, knows how it feels to watch l…
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Apr 11, 2023
Episode 159: How to Have “Tough Conversations for Easier Endings,” with Yvonne Caputo
Having the hard conversations with a loved one and then sharing what we’ve learned can be a gift to others who love that person but can’t have those conversations. The Five Wishes helped me start those conversations.
~ Yvonne Caputo
How much do you enjoy having hard conversations? If you’re like most of us, you’d rather go to the dentist than have a difficult conversation with a loved one–or anyone, for that matter.
Hard conversations are, well, hard. They frequently involve intense and unpleasant emotions, and we only venture into that territory when we’ve exhausted every other means of avoiding the situation.
But Yvonne Caputo, this week’s guest on the Brilliantly Resilient podcast, has experienced the upside of hard conversations–getting to know a loved one better and honoring him towards the end of, and after his life.
Yvonne is the author of Flying with Dad and Dying with Dad, two books that prove the value of asking difficult questions and listening (deeply,…
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Apr 4, 2023
Episode 158: How to "Do Your Bit" to Make the World Better with Lynn Cummings
Nobody told us we couldn’t change the world, so we thought we could.
~ Lynn Cummings
What would your ideal world look like? Lynn Cummings and her husband, parents of 3 adopted children (all abused) are a mixed race family. For Lynn, a diverse neighborhood full of welcoming people, regardless of race, was the dream. Yet, when people of color began moving into Lynn’s suburban neighborhood years ago, Lynn noticed the sale signs that soon sprouted up on the lawns of her white neighbors. Lynn notes, “I was so happy to see the neighborhood that I wanted to live in and so sad to see others wanted to leave because of that.”
Long a believer in the simple phrase, “Just do your bit,” Lynn and her husband decided to do something about what they saw as an opportunity to create the welcoming environment they wanted for their children and others. They started an organization called
“Neighbors Empowering People” to stop white flight in their town. Today, Lynn’s neighbors include…
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Mar 28, 2023
Episode 157: How to Define YOUR Success, with Matthew Turner
If you’re only subscribing to someone else’s version of success, it’s not going to make you happy because it’s not your version; you never really wanted it. We have to take time on the front end to figure out what that success means to us.
~ Matthew Turner
How do you define success? For most of us, the word “success” is tied to professional recognition, money and some level of prestige. But do those things truly bring happiness? And what is the cost of achieving them?
Author Matthew Turner explores those questions in his latest book, Beyond the Pale, in which his protagonist achieves society’s version of success, only to find he never truly wanted it. In this fictional account, Ferdinand fulfills the expectations of what he was told was success, only to discover that success means something entirely different to him personally.
According to Matthew, personal success means different things to different people–one size doesn’t fit all. The way to discover what succe…
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Mar 21, 2023
Episode 156: How to De-Glamorize the Lack of Self-Care in College Students, with Gabi Drobot
You have to trust yourself. If I didn’t trust myself when everything went wrong, I wouldn’t be where I am. Even if you trust yourself though, you also have to have someone else trust you. It’s okay to not be okay. It’s okay to feel what you feel. Keep talking and someone will eventually listen.
~ Gabi Drobot
No sleep. Lousy diets. Stress and continuous overwhelm. Feelings of failure. Sounds awful, doesn’t it? Yet, that’s precisely what many of our college students experience every day.
In our idealized vision of college life, we see the independence and fun of college life–the partying, the fun, the self-absorption that comes with the freedom of life away from home and its obligations. Yet, at least half of all college students report feeling exhausted, overwhelmed and unable to keep up.
As Gabi Drobot reports, this lack of self-care is epidemic, and sometimes even glamorized, by the young people experiencing its effects.
A college sophomore and staff writer for the…
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Mar 14, 2023
Episode 155: How to Help Girls "Dream It and Be It" with Soroptimist International of Indian Rock
I just wanted to say that I really needed to hear this today. I’m going through something and I really needed to hear that I can do it. Thank you.
~ Attendee from Soroptimist “Dream It, Be It” Conference for Girls
It’s not easy to be a young person today. Conflict is the norm, uncertainty is the future, and Covid has wreaked havoc on every aspect of life, particularly affecting young people, for the past three years. The U.S. Surgeon General has warned of a crippling mental health crisis affecting our youth.
Enter Soroptimist International, a volunteer group founded in 1921 with clubs in 121 countries that is dedicated to the advancement of women and girls. Each year, Soroptimist International hosts the Dream It, Be It, conference, where young women of high school age are offered sessions to learn about career options, career skills and planning, time management, resilience strategies, and more.
Nancy Staich, a Soroptimist volunteer, notes that it’s important that young w…
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Mar 7, 2023
Episode 154: Happy 3rd Birthday, Brilliantly Resilient!
Don’t operate from a fear mindset, operate from a growth mindset. Look at life from a Brilliantly Resilient lens.
~ Kristin Smedley and Mary Fran Bontempo
Happy birthday to us!!! We can’t believe it, but this week–March 7th–marks the 3rd birthday of Brilliantly Resilient!
When we started Brilliantly Resilient, we planned a “world tour” of speaking on stages, sharing our process to Reset, Rise and Reveal Your Brilliance to the world. We prepared, we created, we dreamed and then, on March 7th, we had our first Brilliantly Resilient live event! It was amazing!! We couldn’t have asked for more and we were so excited for the future of Brilliantly Resilient.
Then, on March 14th, 2020, the entire world shut down. And so did all of our plans.
Given what we preach, you’d think we immediately started to Reset with Resilience. Instead, we cried, we complained, we shook our fists at the heavens…and then we got over ourselves.
We realized that we couldn’t control anything…
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Feb 28, 2023
Episode 153: How to Build a Values-Based Business, with WeShape's Katie Bramlett
I had a very successful fitness business, but I had to get away from the toxic expectations of the fitness industry. I couldn’t sell six pack ab products anymore. I had to shut it down.
~ Katie Bramlett
Have you ever had something that’s supposed to be good for you end up feeling bad for you? Many of us feel that way about exercise. We know it’s good for us, but it doesn’t always feel that way.
Katie Bramlett, this week’s guest on the Brilliantly Resilient podcast is a fitness guru. But even Katie knew, despite having great success in the fitness industry, that the traditional view of exercise and fitness had become toxic.
Realizing that the key to fitness was more about intentional movement connected to self-care than endless crunches, squats and striving for unattainable physiques, Katie closed down her businesses and started WeShape–intending to build a community focused on a shift away from a number on the scale.
By focusing on movement as a self-care practice and…
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Feb 21, 2023
Episode 152: How to Create Alternative Learning Pathways for Students with Carlos Aponte and "We Love Philly!"
Alternative pathways to learning and education are really the key to educating today’s students. So, how are we interconnected to businesses? How are we connected to the community? Everyone has that buy-in. How can we get businesses and the community and non-profits involved?
~Carlos Aponte
Do you remember what you learned in Geometry class? Philosophy? Chemistry? Much of what we learned as students was intended to offer a well-rounded education, gearing us towards college–where we often took classes that were equally forgettable. (A course in James Joyce for English? Mary Fran had a headache for a solid month!)
Carlos Aponte taught in the Philadelphia school system for over ten years. Having lived through childhood trauma, Carlos recognized that many of his students were also struggling with serious challenges, and the educational system was not meeting their needs. Further, the path for students not headed for college often seemed like a dead-end.
Knowing there was a better w…
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Feb 14, 2023
Episode 151: How to Listen to Your Emotional Indicators, with Shannon Cohen
Emotions are indicators. If we see the red on a battery, we don’t shame our computers. We see it as something we have to take care of for optimal performance. Imagine if we gave these human vessels…that same grace to say my emotions are indicators, not inconveniences. They let us know that if you want me to operate optimally, you need to acknowledge that I feel this….We need to ask ourselves, “What do I need in order to be well?”
~ Shannon Cohen
How often have you warned yourself to control your emotions? Though we are inherently emotional beings, people often see emotions as detrimental–at least to success.
Shannon Cohen, speaker, author and business owner, encourages “using a head+heart approach” to success, productivity and everyday life. She reminds us that emotions are indicators of our overall health–not to be ignored.
Given life’s everyday challenges, and especially the difficulties of the last several years, it’s easy to see how our emotions could ge…
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Feb 7, 2023
Episode 150: How to Heal From Betrayal with Dr. Debi Silber
When we’re betrayed, our self-trust is totally shattered. There is a breakdown of body, mind & worldview. We need to regain and relearn our trust in ourselves. Our gut is so much more perceptive than our mind.
~ Dr. Debi Silber
Have you ever been betrayed?
Betrayal sounds like a soap-opera word–too dramatic to apply to everyday life. Yet, almost everyone has experienced betrayal at some point, either as an adult through trauma like divorce, or as a youth, when a best friend suddenly decides you aren’t “cool” enough anymore and moves on without you. Think about a hurt that still hurts, even though it may have happened years ago. That’s betrayal.
Dr. Debi Silber, holistic psychologist and author of Trust Again, knows betrayal firsthand. More importantly, she knows how to guide those traumatized by betrayal through the 5 stages of healing where we again become healthy, whole, and are back on solid ground.
Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we’ve experienced betrayal, and i…
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Jan 31, 2023
Episode 149: How to Make Change By Setting Impossible Goals, with Jeremy Grater of The Fit Mess Podcast
It’s about doing it. It’s not about anything else. It’s not about the goal. Pick a goal that you will never achieve but start putting into place each step and focus on the ladder rungs. One action at a time.
~ Jeremy Grater
“This is the year.”
How many times have you told yourself (especially at the start of a new year), that this would be the year you would…lose weight, get a new job, start your own business, write that book….? The list goes on, as does the number of times we make promises to ourselves and fail.
When we believe something will benefit us, why do we fail continually, making us feel even worse about not achieving those ever-elusive goals?
Jeremy Grater, joining Brilliantly Resilient as one half of the dynamic duo hosting The Fit Mess podcast along with partner Zach Tucker, knows a bit about not achieving goals. Beginning their podcast journey as two guys who talked beer and jokes, Jeremy and Zach soon realized that something was missing, and it began w…
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Jan 24, 2023
Episode 148: How to Keep Monogamy Hot, with “Swing” Author Ashleigh Renard
“I really think that none of us has to be as scared of ourselves as we are. We don’t have to be worried that we’re going to turn into monsters.”
~ Ashleigh Renard
Are you married or in a long-term relationship? Have you ever thought about what life would be like if you weren’t in that relationship?
If we’re honest, most of us have had moments where we fantasize about being free of obligations–and sometimes, that even means a marriage. But rather than examine why we’re feeling that way, we shame ourselves into acting like everything is okay, even when it isn’t.
Ashleigh Renard, this week’s guest on the Brilliantly Resilient podcast, notes that feeling like something is missing doesn’t make us awful people. In fact, we’re obligated to pause and consider what we want, what’s working and what isn’t–for everyone’s sake. When we’re honest, we can fix things, not just so they’re better, but great.
Through her book Swing and her Keeping It Hot viral vid…
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Jan 17, 2023
Episode 147: How to Support Our Health Care Workers, with State Board of Nursing and PCNP Member Donald Bucher!
There’s a perception about what nurses do and there’s what nurses actually do. Nursing needs to start talking about itself. Every healthcare consumer should understand what nurses do. Visibility is key.
~Donald Bucher
Do you feel safe and respected while doing your job? Most of us would say, “Of course.” While we might not have the perfect working environment, we don’t go to work with the expectation that we might be abused verbally or physically on any given day.
Not so with nurses. One study noted that almost 90% of nurses reported experiencing some type of abuse at work–mostly at the hands of patients or their families.
It was only a few short years ago that we greeted health care workers with applause, celebration and gratitude. Yet, even then, the politicization of Covid left many nurses on the receiving end of anger and frustration, and nurses still bear the brunt of patient dissatisfaction and fear today.
Donald Bucher, a registered Nurse Practitioner and this w…
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Jan 10, 2023
Episode 146: How to Look Forward and Rebuild Life After Incarceration with Jeffrey Abamowitz
I needed to understand why this happened to me and think about what was next. Life is all about what you do on the second climb
~ Jeffrey Abramowitz
Have you ever made a mistake? One that changed your life, and not for the better? We all make mistakes, but usually, we do so without ill intent. Mistakes, by their nature, aren't intentional. We don't mean to screw up.
That's why Jeffrey Abramowitz, this week's guest on the Brilliantly Resilient podcast, makes a distinction. Having spent five years in prison for a financial crime, Jeffrey notes that he made a choice that led to consequences. Consequences that changed his life forever.
Jeffrey learned much while serving his sentence, and it brought him to his true purpose, to advocate for justice and education for those reentering society after incarceration. Jeffrey learned that two things are essential to successfully rebuild a life--responsibility and education. Once Jeffrey accepted his responsibility for his own actions, he dedic…
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Jan 2, 2023
Episode 145: How to De-Clutter and Make Space for Happiness, with Tracy McCubbin
Your home is a tool. If your home is cluttered, it’s not working for you. De-cluttering is not about being perfect. It’s about making your house work for you as an asset to make room for happiness.
~ Tracy McCubbin
We’re just a few days into 2023, and if you’re like us here at Brilliantly Resilient, your brain is already racing with goals and to-do’s for the coming year. Like most people, we’re raring to go and looking forward to crushing it in the New Year.
But first, it’s time to put away all of the lovely holiday decor that bejeweled our homes for the last five or six weeks. Funny, though, how those things that sparkled a short while ago now make rooms seem tired, dusty, and cluttered.
Our friend Tracy McCubbin is the perfect person to help us begin 2023 by decluttering our homes and mindsets with some fundamental ideas and actions aimed at making our surroundings work for us, not against us. As Tracy advises, when we think of our homes as a tool meant to help us,…
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Dec 29, 2022
Episode 144: How to Look Forward to the New Year with Enthusiasm, Hope, and no Pity Party--with Keith Baldwin!!
Just a few more days to go before we welcome in the New Year! Who's ready to see 2022 hit the road?? The last few years certainly haven't been easy. And there's a great temptation to feel little enthusiasm for what's to come. BUT, throwing yourself a big, 'ol pity party doesn't provide much satisfaction--at least not long term.
So here it is, our most listened to episode from 2022, and it features our friend, Keith Baldwin. If there were ever an example of how to live a Brilliantly Resilient life in the midst of a giant pile of poo, Keith provides it. And although Keith loves a good party, his best advice involves putting the breaks on one. Read on to hear more from Keith and listen to how he managed a major sucker punch BRILLIANTLY!!!
Thanks to Keith and all of our Brilliantly Resilient guests for sharing their wisdom, humor and humanity with us in 2022. We are beyond grateful. And thanks to all of you who listen to learn how to live a Brilliantly Resilient life--we're still learnin…
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Dec 26, 2022
Episode 143: Lessons in How to Live, with Diane Berberian--A top episode from 2022!
As we approach the end of 2022, we wanted to bring you another favorite episode with our viewers from this past year. Our dear friend, Diane Berberian, left us this year, but she also left behind many lessons and the endless light of her hard-won wisdom. Tune in again to hear more from this Brilliant woman. Every day, just be enough.
~ Diane Berberian
It is with a mixture of both sadness and joy that we bring you this week’s episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast. Our dear friend, Diane Berberian, passed away peacefully last week after a long battle with cancer.
To say that Diane was a bright light is an understatement, but she never saw herself that way. In her mind, she was always “just Diane,” although she inspired so many with her grit and grace. A true Northeast Philly girl (we’re a tough lot!) Diane fought, but never looked like she was fighting, her wide, bright smile always at the ready.
When we spoke to Diane two years ago, she dropped too many Brilliance Bi…
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Dec 19, 2022
Episode 142: Celebrating the Season with America's Dad, Rob Kenney--One of the Year's Top Episodes!
We've got a few holiday treats in store for you here at Brilliantly Resilient! We've decided to share some of this year's top episodes as we head into 2023. Here's our first fave! Stay tuned for more in the next few weeks!
The holiday season is all about family, whether related or chosen. Yet, not everyone has family to surround them with love. Enter one of our favorite folks--Rob Kenney, of "Dad, How Do I?" fame. Rob's warmth and advice fills a void for many, and we couldn't think of a better way to honor the season than to share our friend Rob and his brilliance once again. Here's more about Rob below.... S.E.L.F. Serve others, Eat and exercise, Learn something, Forgive somebody. ~ Rob Kenney, a.k.a. Dad, How Do I?
Rob Kenney is America's Dad. A kind, fun-loving guy, Rob has sky rocketed to rockstar status - all because he gives some good Dad-ly advice and tells a few goofy Dad jokes.
Yet, Rob is really about reaching out to those who are missing their dads--and the support and lo…
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Dec 12, 2022
Episode 141 : How to Become a Chief Peace Officer with April Ervin
When you have a heart to give and a heart to serve, you can get lost in the mission. That’s why we have to take that pause. Serve your purpose but don’t lose yourself. And remember, we’re not called to serve everybody.
~ April Ervin
Do you love to help people? Most of us do. When we help others, it makes us feel good, as though we’re somehow making the world better. That’s not a bad thing, except when our helping depletes us to the point where we feel anxious, stressed and overwhelmed.
April Ervin knows how it feels to be depleted. At 35, her doctor warned April that she was on a path toward illness and health problems if she didn’t take a pause and reassess her life and priorities. That’s when April decided to become a Chief Peace Officer, intentionally stopping her mad race to achieve and taking the time to rest, reflect and finally recalibrate her choices and life.
That focused approach allowed April to not only decrease her stress and overwhelm, but to actually be…
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Dec 5, 2022
Episode 140: How to Lead Through Chaos, with Antonia Hock!
I was driven towards chaos, turn-arounds, new-ideas, startups. I discovered that I like the burning buildings. You can lead through disruption, but it’s important not to make fear-based decisions.
~ Antonia Hock
How many of us are drawn to chaos? We’ve all had more than a taste of it over the past several years, and most of us couldn’t wait to get back to “normal.” Yet if we’re honest, that state of chaos encouraged many of us to be creative, find our brilliance and rebuild our lives in ways that were new.
While we’d never say we enjoyed the chaos, our friend Antonia Hock looks at chaos with a unique perspective, seeing the opportunity dramatic change can offer to remake and rebuild things we often content ourselves with because they’ve always been that way.
A world-renowned business coach, Antonia believes that great challenges offers great opportunity, and encourages her clients to value people, building “exceptional customer experiences and a world-class employ…
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Nov 29, 2022
Episode 139: How to Heal from Trauma "Bone by Bone," with Geralyn Ritter
Bad things happen. It’s what we do with them. Grace is defined as an undeserved, unmerited gift. I’ve been given a gift.
~ Geralyn Ritter
Those of us who live in the Philadelphia area remember with great clarity the early evening of May 12, 2015, when an Amtrak train bound for New York from Washington, D.C. derailed in Philadelphia, killing 8 and injuring over 200 people.
Geralyn Ritter, our guest today on the Brilliantly Resilient podcast, was on that train, and was one of the 11 people critically injured whose lives would be forever changed. Taken unconscious to a nearby hospital, Geralyn was without identification and was unable to contact her husband and children, who searched desperately for her all night.
Geralyn speaks of her experience, how she survived her trauma (doctors said her survival was nothing short of miraculous) and how she has dedicated herself to helping others heal from devastating challenges by sharing her story, especially through her book, Bone by Bone.…
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Nov 21, 2022
Episode 138: How to Build Your Happy EVEN AFTER, with Renee Bauer
We don’t celebrate failing. We should fail proudly and share our failures. Just show up imperfectly.
~ Renee Bauer
How many times have you failed in your life? Beginning with childhood (babies fall around 17 times an hour learning to walk!) the answer is probably zillions–so, a lot.
As children, we innately recognize that failure is a part of learning. And as we absorb the lessons of each failure, we come that much closer to success. It’s only as we begin to know shame and embarrassment that failure becomes FAILURE!!! and we neglect to recognize its value.
The other downside of our relationship with failure is that it makes us afraid to try. Our friend Renee Bauer knows “failure” in what many think of as the traditional meaning of the word. She’s also chosen to take intentional action to not only learn from her failures, but use them to propel her forward both personally and professionally. Twice divorced and now happily married in a blended family, Renee built a legal…
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Nov 14, 2022
Episode 137: How to Give Yourself a Self-Care and Energy Audit, with Pag Sadie
Self care is not about bubble baths. A self-care and energy audit encourages us to look at six essential areas of our lives to see what is feeding us and what isn’t working. Where are we in terms of relationships, emotionally, psychologically, environmentally, spiritually, and career-wise?
~ Peg Sadie
In the last three years, how many times have you heard the term “self-care?” Probably almost as often as you’ve heard about “resilience.” But what do they mean? If we try to define either word, we rarely agree on a singular definition. As to how to integrate either, or both, into our lives, well, that makes room for even more opinions and suggestions, but few concrete strategies.
Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we’re all about specific tools to help you tap into your inherent resilience (learn more at www.brilliantlyresilient.net), as is our friend Peg Sadie, founder of the Resilient Mom Academy, and an expert on helping mothers create calm and intentional lives.
Peg advi…
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Nov 8, 2022
Episode 136: How to Feed Your Tigers, with Steven Rudolph
Understand what the situation needs and bring the tigers. There’s too much emphasis placed on being the lone wolf.
~ Steven Rudolph
We Americans love our independence. It’s kind of our thing, going all the way back to our founding as a country. There’s something about individual success that’s empowering. Saying “I did it–all by myself!” makes us feel strong.
It can also make us feel lonely. And contrary to what we may think, taking on challenges as a “lone wolf,” in the words of our friend Steven Rudolph, doesn’t always give us the best results.
Steven Rudolph believes in tigers. Not only the big cats, but the tigers we all have inside of us. Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we see our tigers as our Brilliance. And Brilliance is meant to be shared.
As Steven reminds us, when we bring our tigers, or Brilliance, and encourage others to do the same, we discover better solutions to challenges and build better teams, as everyone brings their best selves to each situa…
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Oct 31, 2022
Episode 135: How to Avoid the Loneliness Epidemic with Small Packages' Julie Schechter
The Surgeon General has pointed to a loneliness epidemic. Losing your support group is the equivalent of smoking 15 cigarettes a day. We have to invest in our relationships.
~ Julie Schechter
How many Facebook friends do you have? How about Instagram followers? What’s your count of LinkedIn connections? Isn’t it amazing to have so many friends?
If you’re on social media, odds are you have thousands of “friends.” But how many of those are people whom you really know, and who know you? Even with so many connections, we can still feel isolated and alone. Our real relationships often get lost in the shuffle as we forget birthdays, anniversaries, or even making a phone call (???!!!) to let someone know we’re thinking of them.
Julie Schechter reminds us that our relationships are the most important parts of our lives, impacting both our mental and physical health. The former ballet dancer and lawyer wants to help us reconnect with those we care about through her company Small…
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Oct 24, 2022
Episode 134: How to LISTEN to Teens About Mental Health, with PBS's On Our Minds
“It’s important to make sure the teen perspective on mental health is understood. Having kids speak about it is really relevant. By hearing teenagers speak, it makes you feel represented….Hearing other teen voices comforted me and provided a safe space.”
~ Matt Suescun and Faiza Ashar from On Our Minds
Do you remember what it felt like to be a teenager? As we get older, it’s easy to romanticize our teen years. We were young, we had our whole lives ahead of us, and life was easy.
But was it really? If we’re honest, most of us will admit that our teenage years were TOUGH. Full of teen angst yes, but also crowded with worry about our place in the world, where life would take us, and what kind of world would await us when it was time to take on the role of an adult.
Today’s teens have no less on their plates. In fact, given the last several years of global challenges, they likely have more. That’s why we at Brilliantly Resilient were so thrilled to hear from Matt Suescu…
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Oct 18, 2022
Episode 133: How to Serve a Community in Crisis, with Jen Cook
Does it align with the message we’re trying to deliver? People don’t know what their brands are anymore.You see brands struggling to be something else. We need to do what we do and do it better and stop trying to be something else, and people will find you. Do you.
~ Jen Cook, GM of WUCF TV & FM Orlando
Do you have a brand? Believe it or not, you do. Everyone does. A brand is just another word to describe what you stand for. Here at Brilliantly Resilient, the word brand represents values–the things that really matter to us and show who we are and want to be.
Jen Cook is the director of a public media station in Orlando. As Jen tells it, Orlando is a tough news town, unfortunately the site of many challenging events. After one such event, Jen found herself besieged with questions from parents about how to talk to children regarding the frightening situation. Jen recalls saying “Why are you asking me?” in return. Parents responded with “You’re PBS. You know how to talk t…
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Oct 11, 2022
Episode 132: How to Give Yourself Grace Amid the Trauma of Family Suicide
You can’t blame yourself. You can’t blame others. You just have to give yourself grace and move forward. Grace is a beautiful word.
~ Amy Combs
This week brings a special episode of Brilliantly Resilient. September is suicide awareness month, and during that time, we were honored to meet Amy Combs, who lost her brother to suicide. Amy shares her challenging story with us and after telling of her loss, goes on to offer hope to others affected.
Amy speaks of giving yourself grace–something we should all do when dealing with trauma. And she notes, “It’s been a process, because it’s difficult. It’s an everyday thing.”
Great loss often saddles us with blame. What could I have done to prevent this from happening? Yet, it’s essential to recognize that others’ decisions are out of our control. The best we can do is support others when we can, support ourselves, and offer grace as we walk together on our human journey.
Thank you, Amy, for sharing your story. We are most…
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Oct 4, 2022
Episode 131: How to Live When You're Told You're Dying, with David Brinkley
You cannot live your best life until you allow yourself to be happy. You must give yourself permission and make the choice to be happy. Otherwise, you’re just pushing a broom through the room of your life.
~ David Brinkley
Do you remember the Tim McGraw song, Live Like You Were Dying? David Brinkley knows exactly how that feels. At age 49, David received a cancer diagnosis, giving him only 18 months to live. As David tells us, “Every perspective that you have in life changes when somebody tells you there’s a clock and that clock is running out.”
But rather than turn to anger, David recognized the freedom in letting go of the “To-do” list he kept, as we all do, and turned to celebrating every moment he had, which also required him to be thoughtful about the people he surrounded himself with and the choices he made every moment.
How often do you tell yourself you’ll get to something you’ve been wanting to do after you check everything off your daily list? And how ofte…
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Sep 27, 2022
Episode 130: How to be Your Own Best "Yes!" with Whitney Reynolds
I made a vow to myself that I was going to be my best ‘Yes.” I believed in myself wholeheartedly.
~ Whitney Reynolds
How many times have you heard the word “No?” When we’re young, we hear ‘No” often from our caregivers as a way to keep us safe. But as we grow, we begin to hear “No” when we’re being stopped for different reasons.
A project we believe in, something we have our hearts set on to do or obtain, a promotion at a job, so many things can lead us to a ``No,” despite how much we work towards or desire a certain outcome.
Whitney Reynolds has heard “No” a lot. But she realized that the only way to achieve her goals and dreams was to be her own best “Yes.” Whitney learned how to “connect the dots” in her life to determine her purpose and create true change in the world. As Whitney tells us, she still heard “No” more times than she could count, but by believing in herself and her mission, she found the energy and strength to keep moving and e…
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Sep 22, 2022
Episode 129: Building Trust and Community with Public Media, Big Bird, and Clifford the Big Red Dog!
What people trust you on is essential. We trust that what Public Media puts out there will be beneficial, trustworthy and real.
~ Kristin Smedley and Mary Fran Bontempo
How much do you trust what the world is saying to you? In a world of fake news (often driven by people promoting falsehoods), disrespect and fear as a driving force, it’s almost impossible to know whom to trust.
But the folks behind public media–think Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers, RoadTrip Nation and more–know the value of trust, and deliver it consistently through their programming and educational offerings.
This week’s show offers a recap of some upcoming episodes with a few of the Brilliant people working in public media. Honored to speak at the NETA (National Educational Telecommunications Association) Conference, we met amazing individuals in public media who shared their own professional and personal journeys, and their Resilience and Brilliance when navigating and growing through challenges.
Their commi…
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Sep 11, 2022
Episode 128: How to Let Go of the Should Be and Make Room What Could Be!
Let go of what should be to make room for what could be.
~ Kristin Smedley and Mary Fran Bontempo
Where would we be without our goals and plans? For many of us, it’s essential to have plans, even to begin a day. Without them, we can feel adrift, unsure of where we’re headed or what we’re doing.
But how many times do your plans actually work out? Sometimes, when we tie ourselves to what we want and expect, especially if we’ve worked hard to get it, we’re crushed when things don’t work out. Occasionally, we get so stuck on our idea of what “should” be, given all of our planning and work, that we keep after a goal or plan that’s not coming to fruition–even if it means running into an imaginary brick wall again and again.
Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we know what it feels like to refuse to let go of what we think “should” be. In Kristin’s mind, her children should not have been blind, and she was unable to see a future in which they lives successful, happy l…
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Sep 5, 2022
Episode 127: How to Live, with Diane Berberian
Every day, just be enough.
~ Diane Berberian
It is with a mixture of both sadness and joy that we bring you this week’s episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast. Our dear friend, Diane Berberian, passed away peacefully last week after a long battle with cancer.
To say that Diane was a bright light is an understatement, but she never saw herself that way. In her mind, she was always “just Diane,” although she inspired so many with her grit and grace. A true Northeast Philly girl (we’re a tough lot!) Diane fought, but never looked like she was fighting, her wide, bright smile always at the ready.
When we spoke to Diane two years ago, she dropped too many Brilliance Bits to count, but her advice to “Every day, just be enough.” was brilliantly simple and striking. Do your best, help others, and just be enough.
Tune into this episode to hear more of Diane’s simple, beautiful brilliance. Here are a few more quotes to listen for:
Sit still and think. People don’t tak…
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Aug 29, 2022
Episode 126: How to "Pushback" for what you want with Selena Rezvani
The messages about who I was supposed to be got in the way of what I needed to say. ~ Selena Rezvani
Did you grow up thinking you were "supposed" to be something, act a certain way, live your life according to a vision that wasn't necessarily your own? Many of us did. But it's never too late to own who you are and stand up for who you want to be.
As we near the end of summer, we want to empower you to "pushback" against an idea of you that doesn't match who you really are. And our friend, Selena Rezvani is just the one to help.
Selena Rezvani knows what it takes to be leader--and sometimes it takes standing up and saying exactly what it is you want. As Selena tells it, women need to step up and ASK for what they want, bring their best self to the table and advocate--for themselves. A women's leadership expert, speaker and author of Pushback: How Smart Women Ask--and Stand Up For--What they Want, Selena knows the power of bringing your authentic self to the table, and owning it!
Tun…
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Aug 22, 2022
Episode 125: Jessica Cox (the First Armless Pilot in Aviation History) Shows the True Meaning of Resilience!
During our summer of focus on mental health and imperfect action, we wanted to share again our interview with Jessica Cox, the first armless pilot in aviation history. As Jessica shares her Resilient mindset, (Jessica gives new meaning to the word "Resilient!") note how she continues to remind us to respect ourselves as well as others. Tune in for more from the Brilliant Jessica Cox!
If we carry ourselves with confidence and love, it allows others to respond to us in the same way. ~ Jessica Cox
Okay, Brilliantly Resilient listeners, today there will be no complaining--about anything! Today's guest, Jessica Cox, was born without arms--and she's a pilot!!! As in, she flies planes! Jessica has had to overcome incredible odds to live on her own terms, creating a successful, hopeful and inspirational life to share with others. We are so grateful for her spirit, leadership and attitude. Jessica proves that all things are possible through hard work, committment and love. Tune in to hear our…
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Aug 15, 2022
Episode 124: How to Forgive Childhood Trauma with Dr. Lise Deguire, Author of Flashback Girl
The gift of suffering is that we are here to help other people who are suffering now.
~ Dr. Lise Deguire
How would you cope knowing your mother ran from you to save her own life instead of saving you?
Our childhood experiences can traumatize us terribly, keeping us stuck in unhealthy behaviors and patterns throughout our lives. But it doesn't have to be that way.
As a child of four, Lise Deguire was horribly burned in a fire and left by her mother as her mother ran to save herself. Today, Lise shares her Brilliance as a compassionate psychologist who is the epitome of Resilience.
Lise's book, Flashback Girl: Lessons on Resilience from a Burn Survivor, detaills her experiences and how she overcame her trauma to become a kind, forgiving adult who teaches others to live healthy lives.
As we continue our focus on mental health this summer, we couldn't end the season without again bringing you our friend, Lise. Few people have inspired us more.
Be sure to check out Flashback Girl a…
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Aug 9, 2022
Episode 123: How to Learn From Failure and Tragedy, with Jennifer Lynn Robinson
I still make mistakes that I learn from, and if you don’t admit that, you’re lying.
~ Jennifer Lynn Robinson
This summer has been all about mental health and action here at Brilliantly Resilient. This week, we're going to celebrate one of the most courageous, smartest, chicest women we know--our friend
Jennifer Lynn Robinson, a.k.a. Mrs. Classic Universe 2022-2023!!! Wooooooo!!!!
Jennifer Lynn Robinson had an amazing career, bright future--life looked limitless. Until a devastating accident took it all away. But Jennifer fought her way back with fierce determination,
unafraid to make mistakes to grow and learn. An example to us all in Resilience, Jennifer has led FemCity Philadelphia, is the founder of Purposeful Networking, is now teaching at Penn, and has just
won the Mrs. Classic Universe crown!!! Brilliance found and shared after tragedy.
We're proud to call Jennifer friend and are beyond excited about her glitzy, glam crown--shouldn't every woman be photographed in a…
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Jul 26, 2022
Episode 064: How the "Dad How Do I" Guy Rob Kenney Helps Millions to be Brilliantly Resilient
Since this summer is all about mental health and taking imperfect action, we wanted to again share one of our favorite guests--Rob Kenney of "Dad, How Do I Fame." Rob's prescription for healthy living (below) says it all!
S.E.L.F. Serve others, Eat and exercise, Learn something, Forgive somebody. ~ Rob Kenney, a.k.a. Dad, How Do I?
Rob Kenney is America's Dad. A kind, fun-loving guy, Rob has sky rocketed to rockstar status - all because he gives some good Dad-ly advice and tells a few goofy Dad jokes.
Yet, Rob is really about reaching out to those who are missing their dads--and the support and love dads can provide. With a genuine, simple approach, Rob not only teaches viewers how to do "Dad" stuff, he dispenses wisdom about how to live a good life.
Tune in to hear Rob's story about creating the "Dad How Do I?" videos and how Rob's values infuse his work. Get Rob's book on Amazon here: Dad, How Do I? Join the Brilliantly Resilient Facebook Community for daily motivation to move f…
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Jul 20, 2022
Episode 097: How to Move from Pity Party to Productivity with Keith Baldwin
Summertime, and the livin' is easy! We're taking a few weeks off, here at Brilliantly Resilient, so we've decided to bring back some of our favorite episodes, focusing on mental health and action. This week, our buddy Keith Baldwin talks about moving out of his own pity party and taking on messy, imperfect action. Brilliant! Enjoy, and thank you, Keith!
Limit your Pity Party. I threw a hell of a Pity Party, but those emotions don’t help you with solutions or move you forward.
~ Keith Baldwin
Have you ever thrown yourself a Pity Party? Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we were experts at it. When life hits you with a sucker punch, it seems like you’re entitled to feel sorry for yourself. And you are–to a point. But you can’t live in that place of pain. Acknowledge it, feel it, and then get the heck out of there!
This week’s guest, Keith Baldwin decided to make 2020 a year of firsts and wrote a book (A Leap Year of Firsts) about his experiences. But what started out as fun and…
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Jun 28, 2022
Episode 120: How to Be It Til You See It with Lesley Logan
It’s important to give ourselves that space for self care and a lot of people think they don’t deserve it.
~ Lesley Logan
How many people and things do you put before yourself in your life? Family, friends, work, even picking up the dry cleaning top our To Do lists before we even think about ourselves. The result is that we’re often exhausted, frustrated, and maybe a little (or a lot!) cranky.
Lesley Logan stumbled onto the importance of making time for herself by accident when she took a Pilates class at the invitation of a friend. That one class proved transformational, showing Lesley the benefits of intentional self-care and movement. As Lesley reminds us, movement keeps the brain young and healthy–the basis for a happy, successful life.
Taking time for self care may mean we leave some things undone; that’s okay, too. By making a healthy body and mind a priority, Lesley realized that finishing can be optional, and it’s okay to change your mind. What a relief!!
As su…
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Jun 20, 2022
Episode 119: How to Set Boundaries to Heal the Pain of Addiction
There are two kinds of pain–one that goes on and on and on, and the kind where there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Go towards the light.
~ Candace Plattor
Challenge and crisis are never easy. But they do come with choice. While we can’t always change our circumstances, we can change our responses to our challenges. The choice to change our response can break the cycle of pain and allow us to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Candace Plattor, this week’s guest on the Brilliantly Resilient podcast, knows about the pain that can be created when we choose to repeat the same patterns of behavior again and again, enabling a pain that goes on and on. As an addiction therapist, Candace knows that oftentimes, the pain we live in remains because we choose to live without changing anything, and as Candace reminds us, “if nothing changes, nothing changes.”
Yet, when we choose to address our challenges and change our responses to them, we can open a spot of light at the e…
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Jun 13, 2022
Episode 118: How to Find God in Abiding Through the Movements of our Lives, with Christine Eberle
The God lens is always going to be a more compassionate, but a less certain lens. It’s going to take away the absolute convictions with which we are looking at many things and open us up to the possibility that we are mistaken.
~ Christine Eberle
Geez, we hate being wrong. It happens–rarely–but we really, really hate it when it does. Yet, it happens to us all, probably more often than we’d like.
Much of the angst we experience when we’re wrong comes from our insecure egos. If we’ve examined something, done our due diligence and run it up our personal flagpole, we should be right, shouldn’t we? In fact, our egos demand that we are. But what about the other folks who have done the same thing and come to a different conclusion than ours? Their egos are shouting just as loudly that they are the ones on the right path.
Author Christine Eberle, this week’s guest on the Brilliantly Resilient podcast, notes that it’s our perception–the lens through which we are looking…
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Jun 7, 2022
Episode 117: How to Navigate Life-long Anxiety, with Dr. Robyn Graham
There was always a component of courage, but not the absence of fear.
~ Dr. Robyn Graham
Have you ever felt anxious? Hands up, everyone! No one escapes anxiety. But why does it cripple some of us while others seem to escape its grasp?
This week’s guest on the Brilliantly Resilient podcast, Dr. Robyn Graham, confesses that she’s experienced anxiety since she can remember, and it’s held her back on more than one occasion. Yet, by realizing that she had a choice about letting anxiety run her life, Robyn found the courage to navigate her fears and, while not overcoming anxiety entirely, learned to manage it.
We can move forward with a choice, and it’s essential to choose action even if there is fear. Fear is a natural response to the unknown, but it isn’t an excuse for staying stuck. Make an intentional choice to lead with courage and tell anxiety to step back. Each time you choose action for your good, the anxiety voice inside gets a little quieter. Pretty soon, you’ll rec…
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May 30, 2022
Episode 116: How to Embrace Your Work and Love Your Career, with Fran Hauser
Look at your calendar from the last few months and see what put a smile on your face. What about those experiences can you do more of?
~ Fran Hauser
Finding our Brilliance. It’s not always easy. Our Brilliance and the things that light us up don’t always jump out and say, “Here I am! This is what you’re supposed to be doing!”
But our friend, Fran Hauser, author, angel investor and the queen of kindness in the workplace, offers a simple strategy to determine where our Brilliance may lie and how we can get more of it in our lives.
By looking back through our calendars and intentionally evaluating our experiences we can get a sense of what makes us happy, as well as where we shine. Too often, we treat life as a list of things we have to “get done,” checking things off and then filing them away, rarely to be thought of as anything other than finished. But when we take the time to look at our experiences and what about them fueled–or didn’t–us, we can get a sense of…
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May 23, 2022
Episode 115: How to Be Sure Your Values are Connected with Your Goals to Succeed, with Ken Meeker
Everything is situational. We constantly have values competing, all of the time. That’s where you make the hardest decisions. What is at your core?
~ Ken Meeker
Decisions, decisions. Wouldn’t it be great if they were all easy? Many are. For example, what would you choose, a paid vacation, or an extra 40 hours at work with no compensation? (Choose the vacation!)
But what about those decisions that have you considering the “on the other hand” option over and over and over again?
Ken Meeker knows that it’s essential to make decisions based on our values. But sometimes, our values compete with each other, depending on the situation. What if the scenario above offered you a vacation or a month’s salary for a week’s work? Hmmmm…not quite as easy a decision.
That’s why it’s so important to know your core values–what are your non-negotiables? If your non-negotiables are met, it’s easier to make a decision based on what you want in any situation. As Ken rightly poin…
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May 16, 2022
Episode 114: How to Make Your Choices Change Everything, with Cheryl Ecton
When you’re by yourself and having a meltdown, it takes a few moments to realize no one is coming to rescue you, to get you up. That’s when you have to make a choice. No one controls my happiness, my destiny, my goals, and my dreams but me. It is no one else’s choice. It is my choice. ~ Cheryl Ecton
Have you ever found yourself in a position where you thought, “I can’t do this. I’ll never be able to get out of this mess alone.”? It’s not unusual to want someone to come in and make all of the ugly go away. Yet, as our Brilliantly Resilient guest, Cheryl Ecton, founder of Elite Building Services, reminds us, it’s only when we realize that no one is coming to save us and we are responsible for our own happiness that we can make the choice to move forward.
That doesn’t mean we get to wave a magic wand and make our troubles disappear. But making the decision to just visit challenges instead of living in them and committing to accepting responsibility for our own destin…
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May 9, 2022
Episode 113: How to Change Your Belief System to Rise and Thrive, with Stanley Dietrich
We have 60,000 to 70,000 thoughts each day. Ninety percent of those are the thoughts that we had yesterday. We are constantly living in the past.
~ Stanley Dietrich
How often do you find yourself on the hamster wheel of chasing the same thoughts over and over in your mind? When something is challenging or concerning us, it may feel like the same thoughts never leave–we dwell on them day after day, often with little or no resolution.
This week’s guest on the Brilliantly Resilient podcast is Stanley Dietrich, of 360 Life Without Limits. Stanley knows how it feels to be stuck in the revolving door or our past–so much so that our present may pass us by. That’s why Stanley teaches others to focus on the present, with simple exercises to stay attentive to life now–not yesterday.
Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we know how easy it is to run through a mental replay reel. It takes focus and effort to redirect our minds towards new opportunities instead of past mistakes. In that wa…
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May 2, 2022
Episode 112: How to Overcome Trauma and Be Your Own Hero, with Michael Unbroken
Victim is an identity.
Mindset is what you think.
What you think is what you speak.
What you speak is what you act.
What you act becomes your reality.
~ Michael Unbroken Life is not for the faint of heart. And many of us have experienced trauma–some more profound than others.
Yet, trauma does not have to define us, or be the overriding factor in our lives. Our Brilliantly Resilient guest this week, Michael Unbroken, teaches trauma survivors how to move beyond trauma and its devastating impact to become the heroes of their own stories.
Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we say that uncovering your Resilience and discovering your Brilliance starts with a decision: Are you just visiting your challenge, or are you going to live there? It’s a mindset intention that will begin to point your brain forward, instead of reliving and fearing that the past will become your present.
Michael Unbroken echoes that sentiment by highlighting the importance of mindset coupled with action to Rise…
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Apr 24, 2022
Episode 111: Reminders to Learn, Laugh and Love, with Jane Jenkins Herlong!
I learned so much from the people in my life. I wanted to share that and to remind others to cherish and honor those who raised and influenced them.
~ Jane Jenkins Herlong Every life is touched by so many others. But how often do we think back and acknowledge the lessons–whether good or bad–that we learn from those who have come into our lives?
Our Brilliantly Resilient guest this week, Jane Jenkins Herlong, knows the power of the women and men who raised her and taught her life lessons, whether family or friend. In her new book, Sweet Tea Secrets from the Deep Fried South, Jane shares hilarious, heartfelt stories about those who shaped her life, teaching her lessons along the way, even if they didn’t realize it.
Jane wrote the book not only to share her own story, but to remind us to cherish those in our lives who influence us, and to remember their stories and lessons. Those who have touched us have helped to make us who we are. We’re reminded to learn, laugh, and love–h…
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Apr 18, 2022
Episode 110: How to Use Your Transferable Skills, with Gail Robertson, a.k.a. GailNow!
What are my transferable skills? I’m a big believer in using all of the skills I’ve gathered along the way.
~ Gail Robertson
Have you ever spent time doing something and thought, “Well, that was pointless”?
We tend to put value on things that are only immediately useful, discarding those that don’t prove their worth right away.
Yet, have you ever been in a situation where those skills–the ones you thought were pointless–have come back to serve you? Most of us have.
This week’s guest, Gail Robertson, is a big believer in using transferable skills–one of the pillars of living a Brilliantly Resilient life. Gail sees having an eclectic past as an asset, believing that all of our experiences can serve us if we recognize their potential value.
To be truly Brilliantly Resilient, we must be aware of ways to utilize our transferable skills. Everything we experience can teach us, and we never know when something that seemed to have no value might be exactly what we need i…
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Apr 11, 2022
Episode 109: Magical Bridge Playgrounds Build Inclusivity with Jill Asher
We have different play needs at different times of life. We never outgrow the need to play.
~ Jill Asher, Magical Bridge Foundation
Have you ever passed by a playground and simply listened to the shouts of joy from children playing? Better yet, do you remember the joy you felt as you ran, jumped, and played as a child?
The world is a serious place–one that can make play seem frivolous and unnecessary in the midst of so much crisis. But our guest this week, Jill Asher of the Magical Bridge Foundation, reminds us that we never outgrow the need to play. And everyone, regardless of ability or age, should be given the opportunity to experience play.
Magical Bridge builds playgrounds that are accessible to everyone of any age or ability, ensuring that everyone can play in a community setting, strengthening bonds between all members in a safe, joyful environment.
We all have challenges, many of which need almost constant attention. But remember to save some attention for yourself and…
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Apr 4, 2022
Episode 108: Finding the Resilience to Show Up, with Maria Johnson, a.k.a. Girl Gone Blind
It is about finding that Resilience and strength to say, “Okay, I’m gonna show up another day. I’m just gonna show up another day." And then the next day and the next day. ~ Maria Johnson, a.k.a. Girl Gone Blind
How often in a crisis do you think to yourself, “I just can’t do this anymore”?
When a challenge hits us with a sucker punch, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and defeated. Crisis changes life in an instant, taking away, sometimes permanently, what we knew or believed to be true. Being exhausted and wanting to give up is a common response.
That’s why it’s important to break down our challenges in manageable chunks. It may be impossible to imagine living permanently in the current state of upheaval, so don’t try. Instead, just show up, if not for a day, for the next 15 minutes.
This week’s guest, Maria Johnson, a.k.a. Girl Gone Blind, lost her sight at age 50, changing her whole life. And while Maria admits to sitting “in the hallway of denial for a long…
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Mar 28, 2022
Episode 107: How to Turn Your Inner Critic into a Coach
The critic is the voice of fear; the coach is the voice of love. Talk to yourself like you want yourself to win.
~ Kristin & Mary Fran
Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we can really be mean. To ourselves, that is.
It’s hard to imagine, but statistics show that we talk to ourselves thousands of times a day, and it’s often 80% negative. And not only does that negative thinking apply to our circumstances (the person paying by check in the express checkout lane–Grrrrrr!!!),it also affects the way we speak to ourselves.
How often have you berated yourself for failing at something, making a mistake, or just forgetting to pick up the dry cleaning? If you’re like most of us, you do it frequently, and you’re none too nice to yourself in the process.
That inner critic is the voice of fear–reminding us that we’ll never be good enough, at even small things, let alone the big ones. But if we can turn that fear into love, our inner critic can become our coach.
The next time you fin…
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Mar 21, 2022
Episode 106: Choosing Leadership with a Brilliantly Resilient Mindset
We’re our own best case study. We’ve had to dig in, find our resilience, find the Brilliance within that challenge and then create some really cool stuff. We lived the Brilliantly Resilient process.
~ Kristin & Mary Fran
Did you ever hear the expression “Do what I say, not what I do?” Well, here at Brilliantly Resilient, we don’t believe in telling anyone to do anything unless we’ve tried it ourselves.
That’s why, every time we offer a Brilliance Bit or some strategy to help you live with a Brilliantly Resilient mindset, you can rest assured that we’ve done it ourselves. Over, and over and over again.
You see, as much as it would be great if you could just learn how to be Brilliantly Resilient one time and then always be Brilliantly Resilient, it doesn’t work that way. (We know; we weren’t happy about it, either.) You must return to the Brilliantly Resilient process of Reset, Rise and Reveal your Brilliance again and again, because life isn’t a straight line.…
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Mar 14, 2022
Episode 105: How to Fail Your Way to Success with Beate Chelette
Being Resilient and Rising are about failing your way to success.
~ Beate Chelette
Failure. The word alone can feel like an anvil on your head. But it wasn’t always that way.
No one remembers learning to walk, but talk about failing spectacularly. Babies fall an average of 17 times an hour while learning to walk! When they do, they don’t cry, they don’t blame the rest of the world because they can’t do it, they simply get up, over and over again, until they walk.
As children, we realize that failure is simply a part of learning. The shame comes later, when as adults, we see failure as, well, FAILURE.
But this week’s guest, the Brilliant Beate Chelette, knows that failure is simply a part of the pathway to success. Without it, we don’t learn, we don’t grow, and we don’t achieve all that we’re capable of.
A first generation immigrant who found herself $135,000 in debt as a single mother, Beate eventually created a business that she sold to Bill Gates in a multi-mi…
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Mar 7, 2022
Episode 104: How to Let Go of Resentment and Take Imperfect Action with Kate Erickson
Take imperfect action.
~ Kate Erickson: EOFire
How many times have you refrained from taking action on a problem because of the what-ifs?
The thought process goes like this: Well, I can do xyz, but what if (insert new problem) happens? Then what do I do? I just don’t know how to proceed…. Before you know it, you’re paralyzed and you’ve talked yourself out of doing anything.
This week’s guest, Kate Erickson of EOFire, knows how it feels to be stuck and frustrated. Often, Kate felt like her life was moving in a one-step forward, two-steps back progression–or regression. But once Kate learned to let go of the emotion accompanying her situations and take imperfect action, she began looking for the opportunities in challenges and released herself from expecting a perfect outcome.
Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we know that nothing is perfect–neither our plans nor their intended outcomes. Waiting for perfection is the best way to ensure failure. So, “take imperfect actio…
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Feb 28, 2022
Episode 103: How to Control Your Triggers, with Eric Edmeades
However much anger you have will affect your future outcome. Conversely, the more love and faith, the better the future. ~ Eric Edmeades
Have you been angry lately? Yikes. Perhaps a better question would be, who hasn’t been angry lately?
These days, the world is a pretty angry place. Everyone has an opinion, everyone’s opinion is right (???), people feel they deserve whatever they want, and if they don’t get it, they take it–or get really angry and spew venom all over the dang place in frustration.
But this week’s guest, Wildfit Founder Eric Edmeades, reminds us that we have control over our anger, as we create our own triggers along with the meaning we give to events. When we assess life events with anger and anxiety, we condition ourselves to expect more of the same. But more important, the same goes for an outlook full of love and faith–expect more of that.
Given the choice--and it is a choice--who wouldn’t want more of that love and faith stuff? We can all have it…
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Feb 21, 2022
Episode 102: How to Create Silver Linings with Dr. David Fajgenbaum
Create a silver lining—Do something, build something, create something.
~ Dr. David Fajgenbaum Have you ever heard the expression: Find the silver lining? It’s about looking for something positive in a lousy situation. That sounds great, but what if things appear so bleak that you can’t find a silver lining? What then? To hear Dr. David Fajgenbaum’s story, it’s easy to see why it was nearly impossible to find a silver lining. Diagnosed with Castleman’s Disease as a young medical student, David almost died five times before hearing doctors say there was nothing more they could do for him. That’s when David went to work–creating his own silver lining. He found a cure for his own disease by using his knowledge in new ways and repurposing a treatment for another disease as one that proved effective for his own. (Be sure to read about David’s journey in his best-selling book Chasing My Cure.)
Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we’re big believers in not only using transfer…
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Feb 14, 2022
Episode 101: How to Own Your Brilliance, with the Brilliant Chris Ducker!
It’s about discovering and remaining in your zone of genius as much as possible. Discover it and own it. Lean into the brilliance that you have and do it unapologetically. ~ Chris Ducker
Have you ever had someone compliment your Brilliance and instead of responding “Yes!! Thank you; I am Brilliant!”, you muttered something like, “Well, it was no big deal; I didn’t do much.”? Come on, you know you have.
We have a tendency to downplay our gifts and Brilliance, when we should be shouting it from the rooftops! We’ve been given our Brilliance for a reason, and it is our obligation to share it. It’s a gift to the world, but we have to share it–whenever we possibly can!
We knew from the first moment we met Chris Ducker that he was speaking our language. A wildly successful entrepreneur, coach, author, speaker, etc., etc., Chris is also one of the kindest, most generous and encouraging folks we’ve ever met. Oh, and did we say he’s BRILLIANT?
Chris knows the value of k…
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Feb 7, 2022
Episode 100: Finding Hope After Despair with Naval Veteran Taylor Grieger and Stephen O’Shea from Hell or High Seas
I didn’t know how to live anymore. ~ Taylor Grieger
You chase everything you can in this world because you’re alive in it.
~ Taylor Grieger
Hope and despair. While most of us have experienced great sadness or heartache, fortunately, not everyone experiences despair. But we all know hope, which can lift us from the depths, if we can only find it.
This episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast marks our 100th show, and we couldn’t think of a better way to offer hope and share Brilliance and Resilience than to bring you Taylor Grieger and Stephen O’Shea.
A veteran U.S. Navy rescue swimmer, Taylor Grieger found himself unable to adjust to civilian life after his term of service. After his gun didn’t fire when Taylor tried to take his own life, he knew he had to find out why he was still alive and draw attention to the terrible toll PTSD takes on veterans.
Taylor recruited his high school swim team friend, writer Stephen O’Shea, to embark on a treacherous sailing journe…
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Jan 31, 2022
Episode 099: How to “Be Tougher” Than Your Sucker Punches with Melanie Bradshaw
**Some audio in this episode is less than perfect, but the content is AWESOME!!**
Growth is found in the valleys; it’s not found on the mountains. But being on the mountain allows us to see the beauty so when we have to go back to the valley, we can handle it.
~ Melanie Bradshaw
Have you ever experienced a sucker punch and thought, Why me? Melanie Bradshaw did. In fact, in 2021, our Brilliantly Resilient guest this week was treating Covid patients in the E.R. where she worked, lost her father to Covid, got Covid herself, was in a major car accident, and was diagnosed with breast cancer, undergoing major surgery twice to treat the disease.
If anyone had the right to ask, “Why me?” it was Melanie. But when the thought struck, she quickly turned it to “Why not me?” recognizing that she could be defeated or be tougher than the hits. She chose tough, knowing that we learn in the valleys so we can continue to strive for the view from the mountain top and appreciate all of its b…
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Jan 24, 2022
Episode 098: How to Change the World (and Get Kids Reading!) Through Kindness with Kind Cotton
If you really want to be kind, you need to be grounded in action and rooted in justice. ~ Kaitlin Johnstone, Founder of Kind Cotton
How often have you heard the word “kindness” lately? There’s no doubt that encouraging kindness makes for a gentler, more humane world. But as this week’s guest reminds us, without action and a sense of justice, kindness can devolve into mere pleasantries–when it can be so much more.
As a kindergarten teacher, Kaitlin Johnstone realized that many of her students had only the books in her classroom to expose them to the wonders of reading and literacy. She was determined to do something to get books into the hands of kids, promoting kindness along the way. Joining forces with her husband, Kevin, who has a background in apparel, the couple created Kind Cotton, selling clothing with positive messaging and using profits to purchase books for kids and classrooms, culminating in over 40,000 books delivered to date.
And while literacy is the goal, pr…
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Jan 9, 2022
Episode 096: How to Let Go of Grief and Anger with Cherie Morris
When things are going off the rails, that’s when the enrichment occurs. The cracks show up and the light comes in. ~ Cherie Morris
How do you feel when you lose control? If you’re like us, you don’t like it. At all. (Like, we really hate it.) But here at Brilliantly Resilient, we’re recovering control freaks because our sucker punches taught us that often, control is a myth.
This week’s guest, Certified Divorce Coach Cherie Morris, reminds us that while a crisis can cause grief and anger, the cracks it creates can allow light to shine through–if we can let go.
Whether you’re going through a divorce or just struggling with disappointment and COVID fatigue (when is this thing going to end already???!!!!) Cherie tells us that our negative emotions are often caused when we can’t let go of things that aren’t working anymore.
Letting go of things that no longer serve or work for you is freeing, even if temporarily painful. When we let go, we allow ourselves to look towa…
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Jan 3, 2022
Episode 095: How to Push Through to a New You with Jacob Kenneally
When we started, it sucked. But once I started noticing small little things shifting, I did not want to go back.
~ Jacob Kenneally
How many New Year’s resolutions have you made over the years? And how many resolutions have you stuck with for more than a month?
If you’re like most of us (and admit it, you are), you decide you’re going to do something every New Year that’s going to change your life for the better. You start with energy and swear this year will be different, only to ditch the whole thing and beat yourself up–AGAIN.
This week’s guest, our friend, website guru and re-made man, Jacob Kenneally, actually stuck with his resolution to change his mindset and his life, reinventing himself and becoming the inspirational, positive, faith-filled guy he is today.
The key? Jacob knew that early on, the effort it would take to remake his life would, well, suck. He knew it, he acknowledged it, and he decided, especially once he saw small changes happening, that he was w…
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Dec 20, 2021
Episode 094: Choosing Controllables and Action During the Holidays
How can I say what I want to in unconditional love instead of trying to be in control?
~ Kristin Smedley
How do you control things when nothing seems to be in your control?
As we move into holiday week (or has it been a year? Feels like it….) the To-Do List only seems to get longer. But what really needs to be done? And what can you actually accomplish without losing your mind? (Hint–controlling your adult kids is not an option!)
This is the time to take a look at the controllables and come up with ONE action step at a time and find a place to start. Consider doing a time block for the week–even if it’s not your usual routine–and set times to knock items off your list. It’s often easier to set aside a chunk of time and work on one thing than to bounce around from chore to chore with nothing done well.
And don’t forget–most times, the one putting the pressure on you is you! Remember to enjoy this season. Give yourself the gift of controlling what you can and let go…
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Dec 13, 2021
Episode 093: How to Flip the Script on a "Liability" with Andrea Bitner.
Attitude can “flip the script” and turn a liability into an asset.
~ Andrea Bitner
When is a liability not a liability? When we recognize that labeling something as a liability doesn’t make it so.
This week’s guest, Andrea Bitner has witnessed first-hand how an “attitude adjustment” can turn a liability into an asset with the many students she’s instructed in learning English. While society, and the students themselves, can initially view their lack of language skills as a problem, Andrea helps her students recognize their innate resilience and strength as they take on life in a different country. Her new book, Take Me Home, profiles several of her students by highlighting the power each possesses and comes to see on their own.
What are your “liabilities?” Can you look deeper and see what power lives in each? Ditch the labels and see yourself as you really are–empowered, strong, and resilient--and learn more on this episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast!…
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Dec 6, 2021
Episode 092: How Sharing Grief Equals Half a Sorrow with Dennis Gillan
How are you, really? ~ Dennis Gillan
How often do you say or hear the sentence, “How are you?” We say it and are asked it so much that it barely registers, eliciting an automatic “I’m good” or “Fine.” But are you really? And when you ask someone else how they are, do you really listen?
Dennis Gillan knows the importance of real conversation and real listening. After suffering the loss of two brothers to suicide, Dennis knew that he had to try and make conversation– especially around mental health–meaningful.
Grief is a part of life, and when we recognize its impact and let it do its work, we come away stronger, kinder and more compassionate. When we share our struggles with those who care, our burden is lighter.
Tune in to hear more from Dennis about his Half a Sorrow foundation, based on the Swedish proverb that “A shared joy is a double joy; a shared sorrow is half a sorrow.” It’s time to end the stigma of mental health issues with real conversation. Liste…
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