Resiliency Within
Elaine Miller-Karas will amplify the message of hope, healing and resiliency she has learned from our world community as she has traversed the globe after human made and natural disasters. Hope often springs forth in response to suffering and trauma. Our beliefs and our wellbeing are being challenged during these unprecedented times. The program Resiliency Within is about cultivating individual and community resiliency. Resiliency is the capacity to lean into our strengths with compassion during the most challenging of times and to remember what else is true? about our lived experience. Her guests are inspiring global leaders actively promoting healing and resiliency from a variety of backgrounds. The goal is to spread wellbeing and give individual and community examples to inspire how wellness skills, including ones based upon neuroscience and the biology of the human nervous system, can be integrated into one's life, family and community during challenging times.
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Racism: How To Live Beyond Trauma (Encore)
09/08/2025
Racism: How To Live Beyond Trauma (Encore)
This week on Resiliency Within, we present this encore episode in memory of Dr. Larry Ward. Drs. Larry Ward and Peggy Rowe-Ward will address how we are all as a world community are impacted by Racism and how we can heal from the traumas that arise from Racism. Dr. Ward’s book, America’s Racial Karma published in September 2020 addresses how America can begin to heal. They have been teaching and practicing with Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, a global spiritual leader, poet and peace activist, revered throughout the world for his powerful teachings and bestselling writings on mindfulness and peace. They received the lamp (teacher transmission) from him at Plum Village in 2001. They co-authored Love’s Garden and this book was featured in The Best Buddhist Writing of 2009. Peggy and Larry work with CEOs of Fortune 500 programs to integrate cultural diversity, corporate change and transformation. They will also address the Wisdom School they have created to bring healing to our global community.
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Resiliency 2025: The Power of Connections
08/25/2025
Resiliency 2025: The Power of Connections
Dr. Joy Miller returns to Resiliency Within to share an extraordinary global offering—Resiliency 2025: The Power of Connections. Taking place on September 10, 2025, from 12–4:30 pm EST, this free international event brings together an unprecedented 51 renowned presenters from around the world—our largest gathering yet. Join our host, Elaine Miller-Karas, for a dynamic conversation with Dr. Joy Miller, the creator of the Resiliency Conferences. Dr. Miller will share her perspectives of building resiliency globally and how her guests help people during unprecedented difficult times. Now in its 6th year, Resiliency 2025 celebrates the healing power of connection, with conversations and interactive presentations on: Overcoming adversity Strengthening body, mind, and spirit Enhancing relationships Enriching life with purpose and resilience This year introduces a new format: a dynamic blend of our signature 4-minute power talks and expanded 8-minute in-depth conversations—making the event more interactive and skill-based than ever before. Attendees will also experience special tributes, receive a companion handbook, enjoy free continuing education credits, and have on-demand access for one full month. All speakers generously donate their time and talent, creating a unique opportunity to learn from master clinicians, best-selling authors, influencers, musicians, celebrities, and more. With participants expected from over 70 countries, Resiliency 2025 is a true celebration of global healing and community.
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Crisis Recovery for Kids, Parents, and Teachers
08/18/2025
Crisis Recovery for Kids, Parents, and Teachers
Elaine Miller-Karas, LCSW, the host of Resiliency Within, will interview Inez Tiger, LMFT, who has over 30 years of experience as an educator, school leader, and mental health professional. They will discuss how educational systems worldwide are increasingly confronted with the impact of natural and human-made crises, including wildfires, immigration enforcement, and community violence, including armed conflicts. These events disrupt the stability of children, families, and educators, with profound implications for learning and psychosocial well-being. Elaine developed the Community Resiliency Model (CRM)® and contributed to the Social, Emotional, and Ethical Learning (SEE) of Emory University. Elaine and Inez will discuss how the Community Resiliency Model and its applications can be implemented as a systemic, phased approach to supporting resilience in schools. They will discuss recent empirical findings, pilot projects, and theoretical underpinnings relating to how CRM-aligned self-regulation practices not only stabilize student emotional states but also buffer stress contagion between educators and students. Implementation recommendations will be elaborated upon, emphasizing training adults first (teachers, administration, staff, and parents), followed by age-appropriate applications for children from preschool through high school in programs like the Disaster Relief Management-Community Resiliency Model (DRM-CRM), the Family Resiliency Program-CRM, and programs like SEE Learning. Implications for trauma and resiliency-informed education and systemic recovery will be discussed. _________________________ About Our Guest : Inez Tiger Inez Tiger, LMFT, brings over 30 years of experience as an educator, school leader, and mental health professional. She has served as an elementary and middle school teacher, counselor, principal, and most recently as Director of Wellness at The Pressman Academy. Inez is a certified teacher of the Community Resiliency Model® (CRM), a practitioner of the Trauma Resiliency Model® (TRM), and a longtime facilitator and trainer in the practice of Council. Specializing in self-regulation, trauma healing, and the power of storytelling, Inez recently transitioned from her role as a school-based educator to focus more deeply on healing and wellness. A collector of stories, she finds meaning in listening to the resilience of students, parents, and teachers as they navigate their school journeys. Originally from South Africa, Inez lives in Los Angeles with her partner and their two children. She finds joy in art-making, meaningful collaboration, and long walks with their dog, Chase. One of her guiding mottos comes from Maya Angelou: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
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Youth Healing Youth: Youth Ambassador Program
08/11/2025
Youth Healing Youth: Youth Ambassador Program
Elaine Miller-Karas, host of Resiliency Within, welcomes back Kevin McLeod, Director of Business & Community Development at the Trauma Resource Institute (TRI), for a powerful conversation about teens, healing, and hope. In this episode, Kevin addresses the Trauma Resource Institute’s inspiring work bringing the Youth Ambassador Program (YAP) to teens in Georgia’s Juvenile Justice System—and how this innovative program can be brought to schools, teen centers, and community clubs everywhere. YAP has recently been applied to the Disaster Relief Mobilization-Community Resiliency Model Program. YAP empowers teens with simple, science-based wellness skills from the Community Resiliency Model (CRM)—tools that help calm the nervous system and restore well-being after stress or trauma. Through hands-on, experiential training, youth become CRM Teen Ambassadors (CRM-TAs) and learn six easy-to-use skills they can apply for self-care and peer support. What’s more, these young leaders go on to share the skills with their friends and classmates through short, engaging “share-backs” that bring the skills to life in everyday settings—from classrooms to living rooms. YAP is more than a program—it’s a movement to build resilience, foster connection, and inspire hope—one teen at a time.
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Helping Survivors: Support & Lessons Learned from the Campfire Survivors
08/04/2025
Helping Survivors: Support & Lessons Learned from the Campfire Survivors
Erin Kennedy and Scott Dinits are deeply embedded in the communities affected by the wildfires in Northern California. With the recent firestorms on Maui and Southern California, learning how to support children and adults is essential. They were direct responders after the 2018 Campfire that devastated Butte County Communities and the town of Paradise, California. As Boys and Girls Club employees, they share what is essential to help children and adults heal. Both Erin and Scott are trained in the Community Resiliency Model (CRM)® and will share how this model and other interventions helped their community as part of their care of their community. This broadcast was first aired after the firestorm on Maui. They address what was not helpful in the recovering process even though it was extended with good intentions. They discuss the challenges, the hope, and healing as they continue to journey through the aftermath of this tragedy and destruction. This dialogue can provide further information and support for those responding to disasters.
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Compassion without Borders: The Trauma Resource Institute
07/28/2025
Compassion without Borders: The Trauma Resource Institute
Elaine Miller-Karas, the host of Resiliency Within, welcomes back Dr. Michael Sapp, the Executive Director of the Trauma Resource Institute. Dr. Sapp and Elaine will acknowledge the profound challenges many people in our worldwide community have been navigating during 2025. The weight of witnessing so much uncertainty, fear, and suffering can feel overwhelming, especially for those who have dedicated their lives to serving and protecting vulnerable individuals and families. The need for healing is urgent — not someday, but right now. Taking time to care for our hearts, bodies, and minds is a necessity if we are to continue the vital work of healing with compassion and sustainability. They will highlight their recent trip to the United Kingdom and the work they are doing internationally to promote the healing of our planet. They will share the compassion, dedication, and resilience they are honored to witness every day. Skills that nourish our mind and body will be shared to help those who are suffering.
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Helping Survivors of Natural Disasters: Lessons From Hurricane Florence
07/14/2025
Helping Survivors of Natural Disasters: Lessons From Hurricane Florence
Helping Survivors of Natural Disasters: Lessons From Hurricane Florence In the wake of the recent flood in Texas, our hearts are heavy with sorrow for all who have suffered unimaginable losses. To those grieving the death of children, family members, friends, and neighbors, we extend our deepest condolences. As the full magnitude of this tragedy continues to unfold, we are reminded of the profound challenges ahead. Extreme weather events are closely tied to a range of adverse mental health outcomes. Common mental health conditions that arise in the wake of such disasters include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, suicide, and substance abuse disorders (Cianconi et al., 2020). While emergency mental health workers and first responders provide initial support, the lasting impacts on the mental health of a disaster-stricken community often persist for weeks, months, or even years. Mental health systems can face severe strain as the demand for services frequently exceeds local capacity, compounding the challenges survivors must overcome. Bo Dean and Jvanete Skiba of Wilmington, North Carolina, join Michael Sapp, CEO of the Trauma Resource Institute, and Elaine Miller-Karas, host of Resiliency Within, to discuss valuable lessons learned to enhance the well-being of survivors from Hurricane Florence and other disasters. Their reflections and the interventions they have adopted offer crucial insights for the people of Kerr County, Texas.
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Children's Mental Health: School Programs & Funding
07/07/2025
Children's Mental Health: School Programs & Funding
As the current administration takes away funding for school-based mental health interventions, now is the time to amplify the good works done by school districts around the country, including Cleveland County Schools in North Carolina. In this encore episode, Ryan Etheridge will describe how his school district prepared the staff and teachers for helping children during the transition from home to school after COVID-19 school closures.
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Finding Light In The Darkness
06/09/2025
Finding Light In The Darkness
In a time of deep division, uncertainty, and crisis, Finding Light in the Darkness will explore how we can maintain our well-being, integrity, and hope. Hosted by Elaine Miller-Karas, an internationally recognized trauma expert and resiliency advocate, she will illuminate practical strategies for navigating today’s complex social and political landscape. Elaine hopes this episode will provide a beacon of light—insights on staying grounded, fostering compassion, and building resilience in the face of adversity. Elaine is dedicated to empowering listeners to cultivate inner strength and create ripples of change for themselves, their families and their communities. Join Resiliency Within as Elaine uncovers pathways to healing, unity, and action—because light can be found even in the darkest times. *This encore episode was first broadcast February 4, 2025. ___________________________________ About Elaine Elaine Miller-Karas, LCSW, is a social worker, trauma therapist, author, lecturer, consultant, VoiceAmerica podcast host, Psychology Today blogger, and social entrepreneur. She has been called an "ambassador of hope" in the fields of trauma therapy and community resiliency. As a co-founder of the Trauma Resource Institute, Elaine serves as the Director of Innovation. She has led the development of the Trauma and Community Resiliency Models, which have left an indelible global footprint, impacting over 75 countries. Her book, "Building Resiliency to Trauma: The Trauma and Community Resiliency Model, Second Edition (2023)," has been recognized by the United Nations and Taylor and Francis. She is a regular contributor to Psychology Today. She has presented internationally at Oxford University's Skoll World Forum, the United Nations, Resiliency 2024, Medscape, Psychotherapy Networker, the Global Fund, the Carter Center, and the Centers for Disease Control. Elaine believes in a world where every person is treated with dignity and our differences are acknowledged and respected.
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Healing without Borders: The Trauma Resource Institute
06/02/2025
Healing without Borders: The Trauma Resource Institute
Resiliency Within’s host, Elaine Miller-Karas, co-founded the Trauma Resource Institute (TRI). She resigned as Executive Director in 2020 when she welcomed Dr. Michael Sapp as the CEO of TRI. They will discuss the international organization's past, present, and future. The Trauma Resource Institute (TRI) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that cultivates trauma-informed and resiliency-focused individuals and communities worldwide. TRI is known internationally for its innovative perspectives promoting individual and community well-being. Two types of training, the Trauma Resiliency Model (TRM)® and the Community Resiliency Model (CRM)® have been developed by Elaine Miller-Karas. Both models are biologically based and teach wellness skills, cultivating well-being in mind, body, and spirit. While TRM is oriented toward mental health professionals, CRM focuses on public health and has been taught to professionals and natural leaders of communities. TRI has brought its healing modalities to more than 70 countries. Dr. Sapp and Elaine have traveled to many places worldwide, including China, the Philippines, Germany, Turkey, Northern Ireland, India, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Nepal. TRI has built meaningful collaborations with diverse organizations such as the Center for Contemplative Science at Emory University, EdCamp Ukraine, Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Fighting Back Santa Maria, and the Christopher Wolf Crusade. Dr. Sapp and Elaine will elaborate upon TRI’s values and its mission. TRI’s mission is: To take people from despair to hope through simple skills-based interventions based on cutting-edge research about the brain. To expand access to biologically based treatments by training frontline service providers, community leaders, and clinicians to build local capacity in diverse communities nationally and internationally. TRI’s values include: Every individual, child, and adult has a natural-born ability to cultivate well-being and can learn an array of self-help skills. When a traumatic event has resulted in symptoms, individuals are entitled to treatment that is gentle, effective, and culturally sensitive. Education and intervention about the common reactions to traumatic experiences must be available to diverse populations and cultures. Treatment of individuals suffering from traumatic stress reactions must be accessible and affordable to all members of society. __________________________ About Dr. Michael Sapp Michael Sapp serves as the Executive Director of the Trauma Resource Institute (TRI), where he has been actively involved since 2010, initially as Senior Faculty for both TRM and CRM. His educational background includes an M.A. in General Psychology and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, both earned at The New School in New York, NY. Dr. Sapp is deeply committed to disseminating TRI's innovative healing approaches to a global audience. In 2016, he assumed the role of Associate Executive Director, and his exceptional leadership skills led to his appointment as CEO in 2020. A notable aspect of Dr. Sapp's work lies in his keen interest in neuroscientific approaches to trauma healing. This interest culminated in his co-authorship of the chapter "The Nervous System, Memory, and Trauma" in Ms. Miller-Karas' book, Building Resilience to Trauma: The Trauma and Community Resiliency Models, first published in 2015 and subsequently in its second edition in 2023. In collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund, Dr. Sapp played a crucial role in establishing a CRM Teacher Training program for Angola in 2023. This program aims to educate 180 Young Adult Social Mobilizers (YASM), impacting up to 6,000 Angolan Youth His humanitarian work was further shaped by experiences in Istanbul, Turkey, supporting Syrian refugees and assisting survivors of the "troubles" in Northern Ireland. He was instrumental in launching TRI's training programs in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
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Mental Health: A Public Health Emergency
05/26/2025
Mental Health: A Public Health Emergency
May is Mental Health Awareness Month because it was first established in 1949 by Mental Health America to raise awareness about mental health and well-being. The month aims to educate the public, reduce stigma, promote open conversations, and celebrate recovery from mental illness. At a time when major cutbacks are being made by the current administration, it is essential that we focus on providing mental healthcare for our citizens and continue to support programs providing care to the most vulnerable members of society. Dr. Michael Sapp will discuss the importance of looking at mental health as a public health emergency with our host, Elaine Miller-Karas, a world-reknown trauma therapist. The impact of traumatic experiences on individual and community health is widespread. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2021), “Traumatic events and loss are common in people’s lives.” There is a need to quickly establish programs that provide timely psychological counseling and intervention to alleviate anxiety and improve general mental health. Health and community care systems led by a cadre of psychologists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, chaplains, social workers, marriage and family therapists, nurses, peer counselors and physicians have brought the community resiliency model concepts and skills into medical clinics, community mental health and resiliency programs, shelters for the unhoused, and hospitals. Dr. Sapp will discuss how models like the Community Resiliency need to be scaled to meet the public health emergency of mental health conditions faced by children, teens and adults.
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Protecting our Teens from Gun Violence
05/19/2025
Protecting our Teens from Gun Violence
Essential funds are being cut for important programs helping youth. Where common sense laws are lacking to protect children, violence prevention professionals and credible messengers are working on the frontlines to mediate conflict, interrupt violence, and restore peace. Jordan R. Murphy, PhD, RN, is a nurse scientist who specializes in behavioral health and trauma and resiliency-informed care. In this encore episode, Dr. Murphy will share her work in Gun Violence Prevention, supporting professionals and survivors. Gun violence is a major public health and social justice issue, and yet it is preventable. For the last three years, gun violence was the #1 cause of death for children and adolescents 1-17 years of age, surpassing motor vehicle accidents and cancer. A greater understanding of the issues involved and the development of innovative programs are critical to the well-being of our Nation.
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HOPE: Mental Health in Poor & Traumatized Communities
05/12/2025
HOPE: Mental Health in Poor & Traumatized Communities
During these challenging times as mental health funding is being cut in many parts of the world, hearing again from Chris Underhill in this encore show. Chris has been a champion for mental health globally. Chris Underhill MBE works as a mentor and is a social entrepreneur in the field of quality of life, and mental health in the community. Elaine Miller-Karas first met Chris in Oxford, England at the Skoll World Forum where she was struck by his depth of understanding of the suffering of individuals with mental health challenges. He also shared an abundance of hope of how to bring innovations to meet the challenges of those who suffer in developing countries. Chris Underhill draws on his lived experience as a child and his many years hands-on in the field to discuss resiliency and trauma in very poor communities in developing countries and at home. During his career, Chris has created several organizations in mental health, wellbeing and resilience, bringing hope to thousands. This has included Thrive, Action on Disability and Development, Basic Needs, Cities Rise and the Elders Council of Social Entrepreneurs. “Hope” is his topic on this episode of Resiliency Within. There is an important inspiring parallel between Chris’ early struggles as a child, his own growth, and the growth of his mission in the support of many traumatized people around the world. Chris Underhill will share his humble journey and his wisdom with our listeners.
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The Legacy of Civil Rights Leaders, Medgar and Myrlie Evers
05/05/2025
The Legacy of Civil Rights Leaders, Medgar and Myrlie Evers
During these challenging times, it is imperative to raise up the true history of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. In this encore show, Reena Evers-Everette, their committed and passionate daughter, shares how the vision of her father and mother continues through the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Institute in Jackson, Mississippi. She shares her personal experience of suffering and resiliency. She details living the institute's mission: cultivating positive social change and intergenerational civic engagement through research on social equity and justice worldwide.
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America: Shaped By Immigrants
04/28/2025
America: Shaped By Immigrants
We must not forget that the greatness of America has been shaped by the immigrants who have come for that hopeful opportunity of a better future. People have immigrated to the United States from many places around the globe. They have often escaped the horrors of war and oppression to come to a country hoping for a future where their families could thrive in a Democratic Republic. The host of Resiliency Within will share aspects of her first-generation view with her colleague, Martha Parra, LCSW, who came to the United States as a child with her family. The identities of Latinas and Latinos are shaped by geography, heritage, race, and gender. Latinas and Latinos embrace their heritage and contribute to the culture of the United States. Martha’s family came to California from Mexico, and Elaine’s mother and grandmother came from El Salvador. They will share how their families taught them compassion, courage, strength, service, and hard work. They will share the values they learned from their families and how their rich heritage has inspired their personal and professional journeys as community leaders. Elaine and Martha will also share their families’ challenges as they immigrate to a new country. Martha will discuss traditional healing practices learned from her father and how he inspired her work as a social worker. They also share the challenges of racism and colonialism that immigrants face. Martha will share two programs initiated by the Reagan administration that gave her and her family a pathway to legal residency. The Community Resiliency Model and the Trauma Resiliency Model and how they have been accessible to the Latino community. Martha pioneered the first Community Resiliency Model Teacher Training in Spanish in the pilot study through California’s Mental Health Services Act and the County of San Bernardino. Martha will share her work as an Immigration Evaluations Evaluator and her work with Asylum, Hardship, the Violence Against Women Act, and victims of human trafficking.
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The Status of Trauma-Informed Care
04/21/2025
The Status of Trauma-Informed Care
This week on Resiliency Within, host Elaine Miller-Karas welcomes Jesse Kohler for a timely conversation on the evolving landscape of trauma-informed care. Drawing from his policy experience in Washington, D.C., Jesse offers insights into the evolving political climate and its impact on trauma-informed practices. Together, they will discuss how community mental health leaders can thoughtfully respond to stakeholders who express concerns or objections to trauma-informed approaches. The conversation will also delve into the complexities of navigating emerging “red flag” policies introduced by the new administration. Most importantly, Jesse will offer practical guidance for advocates on engaging local legislators, emphasizing the importance of explaining how traumatic experiences shape the lives of children and adults in our communities. _________________________________ About Our Guest Jesse Kohler is the founder and president of The Change Campaign, which in this role he also currently serves as the Executive Director on loan to the Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy and Practice. His career began in Philadelphia nonprofits with direct service work, but shifted toward systems transformation work around the onset of the pandemic. He now lives and works primarily in DC with the love of his life, but is also in the process of receiving his Master's in Public Administration from the University of Pennsylvania, which takes him back to his family in Philly for monthly visits when he has in person classes. In college, Jesse established a personal mission to create a sustainable planet and better future for all, which is now the mission of The Change Campaign.
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Love Wins! A Lesbian Mother and Her Fierce Advocate Daughter
04/14/2025
Love Wins! A Lesbian Mother and Her Fierce Advocate Daughter
This show is being rebroadcast because of the importance of recognizing and respecting the LGBTQ+ community during these unprecedented times. The culture wars, with vitriolic rhetoric and attacks on LGBTQ+ individuals and families, are taking their toll. Sue Borrego and Kelsey Bunker Roberston are mother and daughter. They share their journey of love, hope, and resilience. This show first aired in 2023, and its message of love and hope is timeless and much needed in today’s world. Resilience is sometimes the outcome of some of the darkest moments in one’s life. My guests had very different experiences following Sue’s coming out when Kelsey was 9. Sue was occupied by the fear of losing her children and job and moving through the generational shame of her sexuality. Kelsey became a fierce advocate, proud of her parents and much less touched by the shame her mom felt. Sue gave birth to her children, Kelsey and Bryce in the 1980s. When they were toddlers, it became clear to Sue that she was a Lesbian. Nothing about her life and work had space for her truth. She was married to a man and working successfully at a Christian University. She chose to live closeted until she could no longer live so incongruously. Sue needed to find a different job and initiate divorce proceedings. Initially, Sue was not public about her sexual orientation. Ironically, Kelsey’s dad came out several months later. Together, they lived as a “non-traditional” family in a traditional town. Sue, consumed by the worldview of sexual orientation she grew up with, was terrified of costing her kids a “normal” life and losing the world she had carefully built. As an “emancipated minor” she had carefully constructed a world that she thought would protect her future. Kelsey continued to develop her sense of justice and love. She was a guest on panels, an advocate at school and an educator in her life. Today, Kelsey is a mom of 6, and Bryce is a father of three. Both of their parents are married to their partners and have lives filled with joy and love.
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Suicide Prevention
04/07/2025
Suicide Prevention
Resiliency Within is dedicated to remembering those affected by suicide. At a time in our country, where the mental health systems are being dismantled, it is imperative to remember those who are suffering. We want to bring to light those who work tirelessly to raise awareness and reach out to those suffering silently. My guests, Dr. Jamie Gamboa and Social Worker Brian Stefan, discuss their work with Spotlight on Suicide. They discuss the Suicidal Ideation Toolbox, a resource filled with accessible skills for helping professionals and individuals experiencing profound suffering. They share how people can receive help through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which is a universal entry point throughout the United States and U.S. territories to reach a caring, trained counselor who can help people experiencing mental health, substance use, and suicidal distress.
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An International Vista: The Grace of Humanitarian Leaders
03/31/2025
An International Vista: The Grace of Humanitarian Leaders
Mike Sapp, CEO of the Trauma Resource Institute, joins host Elaine Miller-Karas to continue their conversation about the challenges—and the remarkable acts of generosity—that have emerged within their global community over recent months. Together, they will reflect on TRI’s international work and conversations they have had with global humanitarian leaders as they respond to the United States’ recent actions in dismantling USAID. Their conversation will continue to highlight the deeply human stories shared with them by survivors—stories not only of loss and hardship but of resilience, kindness, and hope. While they do not turn away from the painful realities of our time and what are international community is experiencing at this time. They will continue to ask the powerful question that lies at the heart of their model: “What else is true?” A reminder that even in the midst of trauma, there are moments of grace, connection, and healing that point the way forward.
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Acts of Kindness During Times of Despair
03/24/2025
Acts of Kindness During Times of Despair
Mike Sapp, CEO of the Trauma Resource Institute, joins host Elaine Miller-Karas for a compelling conversation about the challenges—and the remarkable acts of generosity—that have emerged within their global community over recent months. Together, they will reflect on TRI’s work in response to the devastating Eaton and Palisades fires and the organization’s ongoing support of individuals and communities navigating the impact of shifting U.S. governmental funding for humanitarian initiatives. Their conversation will highlight the deeply human stories shared with them by survivors—stories not only of loss and hardship but of resilience, kindness, and hope. From working with teachers and counselors in fire-ravaged schools to supporting front-line staff from Los Angeles County and City Parks and Recreation Departments, Mike and Elaine will illuminate the quiet heroism and collective compassion that continue to inspire their work. In the spirit of enduring wisdom, they will reflect on the words of Abraham Lincoln: “Kindness is the only service that will stand the storm of life and not wash out. It will wear well and will be remembered long after the prism of politeness or the complexion of courtesy has faded away.” While they do not turn away from the painful realities of our time—fires, wars, aggressive acts, and the persistence of community violence—they will gently guide listeners toward a broader view. They will ask the powerful question that lies at the heart of their model: “What else is true?” A reminder that even in the midst of trauma, there are moments of grace, connection, and healing that point the way forward.
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Honoring International Social Workers
03/17/2025
Honoring International Social Workers
March is Social Work Month. This encore episode highlights Drs. Beverly Buckles and Kimberly Freeman. They are leaders in social work internationally. They will share their international work, demonstrating the impact that social works make worldwide. The Loma Linda University (LLU) International Behavior Health Trauma Team (IBHTT) operated by the LLU School of Behavioral Health (SBH) has been providing international trauma preparatory training and psychological first aid disaster response since 1995. Dr. Bev Buckles and Dr. Kimberly Freeman share their international work as members of the IBHTT. Dr. Buckles is the founder and lead for the IBHTT and first required the team supporting services in the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, to complete initial training in the Community Resiliency Model (CRM). Dr. Freeman, a member of the team and a specialist in child development, has been one of the key members of the IBHTT. Dr. Buckles and Dr. Freeman, both social workers, discuss the impact social workers can make in response to disasters. Since 2010, the IBHTT has used CRM in over 90 international services and trainings around the world, which have included serving as members of TRI’s global response as needed. Beginning in 2012, the IBHTT began collaborative research with TRI to continue evaluating CRM's effectiveness. Under the leadership of Dr. Susanne Montgomery, Associate Dean for Research, a robust CRM research agenda continues to expand to support global outreach and healthcare applications.
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Nurturing Compassion & Relatedness During Sociopolitical Upheaval
03/10/2025
Nurturing Compassion & Relatedness During Sociopolitical Upheaval
Dr. Ravi Chandra returns to Resiliency Within to share his reflections and wisdom about amplifying compassion during the current sociopolitical climate. He will share his thoughts about the importance of compassion. Dr. Chandra's inspired words reflect what is essential for all of us to remember at this time in our history. "The voices of all individuals and communities are profoundly important for the future because our survival and growth as a nation and world depend on empathy and compassion." His wise words are relevant today: "When we see each other, when we see our own vulnerability and create connections out of the disconnections of our past, we can transform our predicament into possibility." _______________ Ravi Chandra, M.D. is a psychiatrist and writer in San Francisco, and a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. “Facebuddha: Transcendence in the Age of Social Networks” is his full-length nonfiction debut, and is the winner of the 2017 Nautilus Silver Book Award for Religion/Spirituality of Eastern Thought. He is the recipient of the 2025 Kun-Po Soo Award for Achievement in Asian American Psychiatry by the American Psychiatric Association and APA Foundation. Learn more about Dr. Ravi: Dr. Ravi's for his monthly newsletter.
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Reflections of Courage and Resiliency in Ukraine
03/03/2025
Reflections of Courage and Resiliency in Ukraine
Natalia Rudsynska, formerly Natalia Valevska, is the International Partnership Director of EdCamp Ukraine. Natalia was married in 2024. Our host, Elaine Miller-Karas, has been providing support to Ukrainian teachers, children and community members since before Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. This is a time to honor our Ukrainian friends and colleagues and stand with them. During this encore show, Natalia shares her insights from living in her beloved country, Ukraine, during the Russian invasion of February 2022. She will discuss her experiences and work with EdCamp Ukraine, an association of over 40,000 teachers, including her association with the Trauma Resource Institute. She will describe how, out of her despair over the war, she began helping with the resiliency support meetings co-sponsored by EdCamp Ukraine and the Trauma Resource Institute. She expresses her passion for helping her country now and her vision of creating support for her people in the future when the war ends. She is dedicated to the children of Ukraine and how to support their teachers, parents, and community through SEE Learning.
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Finding Light in the Darkness
02/24/2025
Finding Light in the Darkness
In a time of deep division, uncertainty, and crisis, Finding Light in the Darkness will explore how we can maintain our well-being, integrity, and hope. Hosted by Elaine Miller-Karas, an internationally recognized trauma expert and resiliency advocate, she will illuminate practical strategies for navigating today’s complex social and political landscape. Elaine hopes this episode will provide a beacon of light—insights on staying grounded, fostering compassion, and building resilience in the face of adversity. Elaine is dedicated to empowering listeners to cultivate inner strength and create ripples of change for themselves, their families and their communities. Join Resiliency Within as Elaine uncovers pathways to healing, unity, and action—because light can be found even in the darkest times. ___________________________________ About Elaine Elaine Miller-Karas, LCSW, is a social worker, trauma therapist, author, lecturer, consultant, VoiceAmerica podcast host, Psychology Today blogger, and social entrepreneur. She has been called an "ambassador of hope" in the fields of trauma therapy and community resiliency. As a co-founder of the Trauma Resource Institute, Elaine serves as the Director of Innovation. She has led the development of the Trauma and Community Resiliency Models, which have left an indelible global footprint, impacting over 75 countries. Her book, "Building Resiliency to Trauma: The Trauma and Community Resiliency Model, Second Edition (2023)," has been recognized by the United Nations and Taylor and Francis. She is a regular contributor to Psychology Today. She has presented internationally at Oxford University's Skoll World Forum, the United Nations, Resiliency 2024, Medscape, Psychotherapy Networker, the Global Fund, the Carter Center, and the Centers for Disease Control. Elaine believes in a world where every person is treated with dignity and our differences are acknowledged and respected.
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Healing Trauma and Building Stress Resilience
02/17/2025
Healing Trauma and Building Stress Resilience
Dr. Ilene Naomi Rusk has a trauma-informed science-based approach to brain health and optimal longevity. She’s developed a user-friendly way of using a functional medicine approach to help prevent Alzheimer’s and improve cognitive health. Dr. Rusk focuses mainly on helping her patients build stress resilience, and she focuses on numerous lifestyle pillars of brain health. These lifestyle pillars, like sleep, diet, and movement, and how we engage with them, can directly affect how we think and feel. Learning to tend to our nervous system, healing traumas, and building emotional and behavioral regulation can help expand our capacity to deal with the challenges and hardships we inevitably face. She combines many trauma healing modalities, such as ancestral archaeology, brainspotting, and somatic techniques, into her biological and spiritual model. Feeling greater emotional resilience can help us connect with experiences of greater freedom and joy and improve the health of our relationships regardless of our circumstances. Being a mother has greatly informed her service work as an international humanitarian worker and community health educator.
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Helping Survivors: Support & Lessons Learned from the Campfire Survivors
02/10/2025
Helping Survivors: Support & Lessons Learned from the Campfire Survivors
Erin Kennedy and Scott Dinits are deeply embedded in the communities affected by the wildfires in Northern California. With the recent firestorms on Maui and Southern California, learning how to support children and adults is essential. They were direct responders after the 2018 Campfire that devastated Butte County Communities and the town of Paradise, California. As Boys and Girls Club employees, they share what is essential to help children and adults heal. Both Erin and Scott are trained in the Community Resiliency Model (CRM)® and will share how this model and other interventions helped their community as part of their care of their community. This broadcast was first aired after the firestorm on Maui. They address what was not helpful in the recovering process even though it was extended with good intentions. They discuss the challenges, the hope, and healing as they continue to journey through the aftermath of this tragedy and destruction. This dialogue can provide further information and support for those responding to disasters.
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The Mental Health Effects of Climate Change: Advocacy and Healing
02/03/2025
The Mental Health Effects of Climate Change: Advocacy and Healing
Since this show was first aired, climate events have become more frequent. Dr. Lise Van Susteren, a recognized authority in climate change's physiological and psychological impacts, enlightens us about her advocacy efforts. She helps us understand these incidents' cumulative effects on children and adults. Dr. Van Susteren delves into the concept of Adverse Childhood Experiences in the context of climate change, elucidating pathways for the recovery and healing of individuals. Moreover, she will share her perspectives on how we can all contribute to preventive solutions, fostering the betterment of our communities. Climate events are happening more frequently throughout the globe. Children and adults witness climate-related occurrences with greater frequency. These include hurricanes, floods, extreme weather and devastating firestorms in many parts of the United States and the world. The aftermath of these events has taken a toll on the physical and mental health of children and adults. Dr. Susteren's wisdom and experience help us all learn how to become more involved in advocacy and healing.
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“Building Resilient Communities in the State of Oregon”
01/27/2025
“Building Resilient Communities in the State of Oregon”
Shannon Biteng of the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) is the Trauma Informed Organization Manager. She will share the development and implementation of the ODHS Trauma Aware Program. The program supports over 12,000 human services professionals dedicated to assisting 1.5 million Oregonians in accessing essential resources and enhancing their overall well-being. She will share how the Trauma Aware initiatives foster resilience, promote well-being, and strive to empower individuals affected by trauma and toxic stress. The Trauma Aware Program actively contributes to ODHS's mission of becoming a Trauma-Informed Organization by fostering supportive interactions at both individual and systemic levels, focusing on equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Their approach integrates evidence-based practices with the insights gleaned from the experiences of their workforce and the communities they serve. She will discuss an array of programs, which includes Trauma-Informed Practice, Resilience, Healing and Empowerment, Trauma Response Services, Employee well-being, Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Postvention, and the Community Resiliency Model (CRM) program.
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Systemic Trauma and Collective Healing (Encore)
01/20/2025
Systemic Trauma and Collective Healing (Encore)
Resiliency Within welcomes back John Kania and Laura Calderon de la Barca. Join this conversation with the Collective Change Lab team who are at the leading edge of shifting how organizations, movements, and collective system change efforts are evolving towards more healing-centered ways of working. John Kania is the Founder and Executive Director of Collective Change Lab. Laura Calderon de la Barca is a psychotherapist specializing in individual, intergenerational, and collective trauma, as well as a collective healing researcher. The conversation will include thoughts on how, in the years since the massive disruption and unrest triggered by the pandemic, there is greater openness and receptivity to thinking about trauma more expansively than ever before. Engaging with trauma is increasingly vital as polarization worsens and challenges escalate into a poly-crisis - thankfully, a deeper conversation is taking root on how to mainstream trauma healing.
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The Prophetic Lens and the Racial Solidarity Project (Encore)
01/13/2025
The Prophetic Lens and the Racial Solidarity Project (Encore)
Dr. Phil Allen, Jr. returns to Resiliency Within to discuss his journey since the release of his documentary and his first book, Open Wounds: A Story of Racial Tragedy, Trauma and Redemption. In this encore episode, he will explore the themes of his second book, The Prophetic Lens: The Camera and Black Moral Agency, from Martin Luther King to Darnella Frazier, which examines the role of the camera in the fight for racial justice. Allen highlights both the prophetic potential of the camera and the context of Blackness as a liminal existence amid a context dominated by whiteness. He states, “Martin Luther King used news cameras to expose anti-Black violence by white mobs in the 1950s and 60s. Darnella Frazier used her phone to record and post the murder of George Floyd by Derek Chauvin in May 2020. These are just two of many people who have captured images of injustice for the world to see. The Prophetic Lens delves into the camera's role as an indispensable prophetic tool for the security of Black lives and the pursuit of racial justice.” Using Walter Brueggemann's Prophetic Imagination as a framework, Allen demonstrates how the camera can be a catalyst for cultural change. He chronicles the use of the camera in film, from J.D. Griffiths' Birth of a Nation to Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing, revealing how this technology has effectively achieved the goals of its respective storytellers. Dr. Phil Allen, Jr. will also share the work of the nonprofit organization he founded, the Racial Solidarity Project. This organization aims to promote anti-racist, pro-community activism, and racial solidarity through its four pillars of sustainable activism: justice and equity advocacy, education, wellness, and intentional community-building. The Racial Solidarity Project believes that justice work requires solidarity, and solidarity invites healing. They emphasize the term “solidarity” because it reflects God’s work and is the central witness of God’s relationship with humanity. ______________________________________ 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Dr. Phil Allen, Jr. is an ethicist and theologian who integrates Black perspectives on theology and ethics of justice, understanding and healing racial trauma, and fostering racial solidarity. He is an author, speaker, poet, documentary film producer, and the founder and Executive Director of the Racial Solidarity Project (RSP) based in Pasadena, CA.
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