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In this powerful episode of Resiliency Within, host Elaine Miller-Karas is joined by Louise Godbold, Executive Director of ECHO, to explore the critical role of survivor agency in trauma recovery. Together, they discuss why healing must be guided by the survivor's voice, choices, and lived experience—especially within systems that often overlook or override individual needs. Louise shares insights from her work with survivors of high-profile abuse, highlighting the added layers of complexity that come with public disclosure, including media exposure and the risk of retraumatization. The conversation also brings attention to Hague Mothers—women who flee domestic violence across borders to protect their children, only to face legal systems that may return their children without fully considering the context of abuse. In light of recent public conversations—including the courage of Dolores Huerta and her allegations against César Chávez—this episode also reflects on the immense courage it takes for survivors to come forward, particularly when speaking about powerful and widely respected figures. Survivors who have disclosed experiences involving individuals such as Bill Cosby, Jeffrey Epstein, and Harvey Weinstein have helped bring greater awareness to the complexities of trauma, power, and accountability. These disclosures often come with significant personal risk, including public scrutiny, disbelief, and retraumatization. This episode explores the importance of helping survivors create a coherent narrative of their experiences as part of the healing process, and the responsibility of journalists, professionals, and communities to adopt trauma-informed practices that reduce harm and promote resilience. With compassion and clarity, this conversation offers a call to action: to center survivor agency, uphold dignity, and create systems that truly support healing. About Our Guest: Louise Godbold is the Executive Director of ECHO, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing training and educational resources on trauma and resilience for survivors and professionals across multiple sectors. Following her decision to come forward about her own experience with Harvey Weinstein in 2017, Louise became a trusted advocate for survivors of high-profile perpetrators, supporting them as they navigate the complex and often retraumatizing terrain of public disclosure. Her work centers on survivor agency, ethical storytelling, and trauma-informed systems change. Louise has written extensively on trauma and survivorship for publications including Pacific Standard, Slate, Smithsonian Magazine, Vox, and The Wrap. She is widely recognized for her leadership in advancing survivor-centered approaches that honor dignity, choice, and voice in the healing process.

In this episode of Resiliency Within, I am joined by Jenn Turner of the Center for Trauma and Embodiment for a thoughtful and energizing conversation about what it means to be women leaders in the fields of mind-body health and trauma healing. Together, we explore the evolving landscape of therapeutic relationships—moving away from traditional hierarchies toward models of shared power, collaboration, and mutual respect. Jenn brings deep insight into embodied trauma healing, helping us understand how the body holds our lived experiences and how healing must include—not bypass—our physical sensations and inner awareness. We also dive into the role of interoception—the ability to notice and make meaning of sensations inside the body—and how this skill supports emotional regulation, resilience, and a deeper connection to self. Grounded in neurobiology, we discuss how the nervous system shapes our responses to stress, trauma, and healing, reinforcing the idea that our reactions are rooted in biology, not personal weakness. Importantly, this conversation also examines how patriarchal structures have influenced healing modalities—often prioritizing authority, control, and "fixing" over listening, collaboration, and empowerment. As women in leadership, we reflect on how we are helping to reshape these systems into ones that honor voice, agency, and the wisdom of the body. This episode invites listeners to consider a new vision of healing—one that is relational, embodied, and rooted in both science and compassion. Whether you are a practitioner, educator, or someone on your own healing journey, this conversation offers meaningful insights into how we can create more equitable, attuned, and human-centered approaches to well-being. About Our Guest: Jenn has had the honor of working with survivors of trauma for all of her career. Along with working in private practice as a trauma-informed therapist, Jenn is the Executive Director of the Center for Trauma and Embodiment where she works to oversee training and supports the development of body-first interventions for healing from trauma. Jenn also leads trainings in Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) throughout the U.S. and provides consultation to organizations on how to become more trauma-informed at all levels. Jenn co-founded the Center for Trauma and Embodiment in 2018.

In this episode of Resiliency Within, our host, Elaine Miller-Karas, will interview Bo Dean about his reflections of how the first 2,000 days of life—from pregnancy through early childhood—lay the foundation for resilience across the lifespan. Together, we discuss how these early experiences shape the developing brain, nervous system, and sense of self. Our conversation explores how love and stress can coexist within families, and how unspoken trauma can quietly influence a child's development. Drawing from neuroscience and research on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), we examine how early environments shape long-term health and well-being—and, importantly, how resilience can still be cultivated. The hopeful message is clear: resilience is not something a child builds alone. Even one stable, caring relationship can change the trajectory of a life. Bo and Elaine will explore how families, educators, faith leaders, and communities can create supportive environments that foster healing and help children truly thrive. Join us for this meaningful and insightful conversation on shaping resilience from the very beginning. ______________ About Our Guest L.S. "Bo" Dean Jr. is a Senior HR Analyst for Learning & Development at New Hanover County Government and a certified Community Resiliency Model® Teacher/Educator through the Trauma Resource Institute. He designs and delivers Learning and Development for approximately 2,000 public employees across 30 departments — always through a trauma-informed, nervous-system-aware lens. Learn more:  https://bodean.substack.com/  

After disaster strikes, recovery is often measured in dollars—insurance claims, rebuilding costs, financial losses.But what about the human side of recovery? In this episode, Elaine Miller-Karas sits down with Joy Chen, Executive Director of the Every Fire Survivor's Network, to explore how thousands of Los Angeles fire survivors are navigating not only financial hardship, but also the emotional toll of loss and displacement. Through a growing community of over 10,000 survivors and allies, Joy and her network have helped unlock more than $100 million in delayed insurance payouts. Yet what's equally transformative is what happens when survivors come together—moving from isolation to connection, from overwhelm to empowerment. Together, we explore how people directly impacted by disaster are stepping into leadership, advocating for change, and reshaping the systems meant to support them. This is a conversation about more than rebuilding homes. It's about restoring agency, dignity, and hope—and discovering the strength that emerges when communities rise together.   About Our Guest: Joy Chen is the Executive Director of the Eaton Fire Survivor's Network, the largest survivor-led recovery community in the nation, representing over 10,000 fire survivors and allies across Los Angeles. Through her leadership, the network has helped unlock more than $100 million in delayed insurance payouts and built a recovery hub recognized by the Los Angeles Times as a lifeline for thousands. A former Deputy Mayor of Los Angeles, Joy led economic and workforce development initiatives focused on expanding opportunity in historically underserved communities. She has also worked globally in executive leadership at Heidrick & Struggles, advising Fortune 500 CEOs, and trained thousands through the Multicultural Leadership Institute. An internationally recognized author and thought leader, Joy's work has reached millions, challenging traditional narratives of success and empowering individuals—especially women—to lead with agency and purpose. Today, she is a leading voice in disaster recovery and insurance accountability, working to transform broken systems so families can rebuild their homes—and their lives—with dignity and hope.

In times of global upheaval and community suffering, many of us feel shaken—mentally, emotionally, and physically. The brutality and uncertainty we witness can disrupt our sense of well-being, leaving us confused, anxious, or overwhelmed. Yet even in the midst of collective stress, it is possible to cultivate inner harmony. Inner harmony is the quiet meeting place of our thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations. It is a living balance that emerges when we understand the rhythms of our nervous system and gently guide it back toward regulation and well-being. On this episode of Resiliency Within, host Elaine Miller-Karas shares heartfelt reflections and practical, biologically based insights drawn from the Community Resiliency Model. She explores how we can restore balance, strengthen our resilience circuits, and reconnect with a sense of embodied well-being—even when the world around us feels unsteady.  Join us for a thoughtful and empowering conversation on how to nurture inner harmony during stressful times.

Crisis Recovery for Kids, Parents, and Teachers   Children worldwide are living during very difficult times within the United States and globally. Current policies are impacting our schools - our children, teachers, and school staff.    Inez Tiger and Elaine Miller-Karas will discuss how educational systems worldwide are increasingly confronted with the impact of natural and human-made crises - war, genocide, wildfires, ICE raids, and community violence.   These events disrupt the stability of whole communities with profound implications to children and those who care for them. Join our host, Elaine Miller-Karas, and Educator Inez Tiger for this encore show on implementing the Community Resiliency Model in a systematic, phased approach to support resilience for children, educators, and school staff. _______________ About Our Guest: 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."

On this episode of Resiliency Within, Elaine Miller-Karas welcomes Bev Weise, MBA, ACC—leadership coach, social entrepreneur, and co-founder of Refugee Jumpstart Coaching. Bev shares the inspiring story behind the organization she co-founded in 2021 with Syrian refugee Hussein Alzribi to help educated and highly skilled refugees rebuild their professional lives. Refugee Jumpstart Coaching connects refugees around the world with a global network of pro bono leadership, wellness, and career coaches, as well as job search, entrepreneurship, and industry mentors. Their innovative work empowering displaced professionals earned the organization the International Coaching Federation's Global Social Impact Award in 2024. That same year, Refugee Jumpstart Coaching became a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in California, expanding its ability to support refugees seeking opportunity, dignity, and meaningful work. Bev brings more than 35 years of experience in corporate and nonprofit leadership development. She is an ICF-certified Leadership Coach and the founder of Leadership Talent Solutions, a consulting firm dedicated to helping organizations identify, develop, and retain leadership talent. Her career has included roles such as Executive Director of Interlaw Ltd., an international association of law firms, and Corporate Director of Executive Planning and Development at Northrop Grumman Corporation. A turning point in Bev's life came in 2016 when she volunteered in a refugee camp in Chios, Greece. The experience deeply moved her and inspired her commitment to helping refugees recognize their strengths and rebuild their futures. In this heartfelt conversation, Bev shares how compassion, leadership, and global collaboration can help transform adversity into opportunity—reminding us that resilience often grows when people are given the chance to rediscover their gifts and purpose.

Resiliency Within welcomes back Dr. Phillip Allen.  Dr. Allen is a theologian and ethicist whose research and writings include the intersections of social structure, race, culture, and theology and ethics of justice. He has authored two books: Open Wounds: A Story of Racial Tragedy, Trauma, and Redemption and The Prophetic Lens: The Camera and Black Moral Agency From MLK to Darnella Frazier. He is an affiliate assistant professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, where he completed his PhD in Theology. He is also a poet and documentary filmmaker. Dr. Allen founded the nonprofit Racial Solidarity Project based in Pasadena, CA. As a former Division 1 college basketball player at North Carolina A&T State University, he has enjoyed opportunities as a guest chaplain for college and pro sports teams.   Dr. Allen will talk about the nonprofit he started, the Racial Solidarity Project and his book, the Prophetic Lens. The Prophetic Lens takes an important look at the use of the video camera as an indispensable prophetic tool for the security of Black lives and greater possibility for racial justice. He will share how the camera can be a catalyst for cultural change, using Walter Brueggemann's Prophetic Imagination as a framework for understanding the concept of "prophetic." Chronicling the use of the camera, particularly in film from J.D. Griffiths' Birth of a Nation to Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing, Allen's historical approach reveals how effective this technology has been in achieving the goals of its respective storytellers. Dr. Allen's work is an example of the importance of chronicling the richness of black history.

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.

In this encore episode, 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.

In this episode of Resiliency Within, Elaine Miller-Karas sits down with Edith Boyle, LCSW—President & CEO of LifeBridge Community Services—for a meaningful conversation about the power of balancing the narrative and why the stories we tell about our communities shape their future. Bridgeport, Connecticut is often described through statistics of hardship—high poverty rates, community violence, limited access to mental health care, and chronic school absenteeism. These realities are significant and deserve attention. But when a place is defined only by its struggles, something vital is lost. Research calls this deficit framing or spatial stigma—a lens that can lower expectations, reinforce bias, and quietly erode hope, dignity, and well-being. So the question becomes: What else is true? Bridgeport is also home to deep cultural pride, resilient families, committed faith and neighborhood leaders, strong nonprofit partnerships, and generations of community strength. Edith shares how LifeBridge embraces both truths—acknowledging adversity while actively cultivating possibility. Through trauma-informed school and community mental health services, integrated pediatric behavioral health, community resiliency training, and arts-based healing initiatives, LifeBridge helps individuals and neighborhoods expand their narrative beyond survival toward empowerment. This conversation explores how a balanced narrative doesn't deny pain—it widens the lens. It reduces shame, restores dignity, supports nervous system regulation, and strengthens resilience not just in individuals, but across entire communities. Join us for an inspiring dialogue about reframing stories, reclaiming identity, and rediscovering what is possible.   About Our Guest: Edith Boyle, LCSW President & CEO, LifeBridge Community Services Edith Boyle, LCSW is President & CEO of LifeBridge Community Services in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and a licensed clinical social worker committed to advancing healing and resilience in communities impacted by stress and adversity. A first-generation college graduate, she holds an MSW from Western NewMexico University and a BA in Psychology from Arizona State University. Since 2022, Edith has led LifeBridge's expansion of accessible, trauma-informed outpatient mental health care for children, adults, and families—integrating talk therapy and clinical art therapy to support both mind and body. She also champions practical, neuroscience-informed resiliency skills in everyday settings through Community Resiliency Model (CRM) trainings for frontline professionals and community members, helping people feel calmer, more focused, and more connected during challenging times. Edith is advancing community-based models that bring care closer to where families live and learn, including embedding clinicians in schools and pediatric practices across Fairfield County. Under her leadership, LifeBridge joined the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, strengthening the organization's capacity to serve children and families impacted by trauma. She also founded Connecticut's first Trauma-Informed Community of Practice (TI-CoP), convening cross-sector providers to deepen shared learning and strengthen trauma-responsive care throughout the region.

In this conversation, Maryam Zar reflects on resilience as an act of continuity—how individuals and communities carry memory, identity, and care forward after profound disruption. Drawing from her leadership in post-wildfire recovery and her partnership in Art for Healing and the Legacy Family project among other initiatives, Maryam explores how healing is supported when survivors are seen as keepers of story, connection, and meaning. She shares insights on the emotional toll of displacement, the importance of community-led recovery models, and the role of creative and practical structures in helping people feel grounded. The discussion highlights how resilience is often quiet and relational—rooted in showing up, creating safe spaces, and allowing grief and hope to exist side by side. Maryam offers a perspective on recovery that is focused on rebuilding structures and recovering community with a focus on meeting people where they are - even as that evolves. __________________ About Our Guest: Maryam Zar is a longtime community leader, civic convener, and recovery advocate based in Pacific Palisades. She is a founder of the Palisades Recovery Coalition and plays a central role in guiding community-centered recovery efforts following wildfire-related displacement and loss. Her work focuses on restoring not only physical infrastructure, but also trust, continuity, and belonging—particularly for families navigating prolonged disruption. Maryam's leadership emphasizes collaboration across residents, local institutions, mental health practitioners, designers, and policymakers, with a strong belief that recovery is both a logistical and emotional process. Through initiatives such as the Legacy Family project, Community Recovery Labs, and healing-centered convenings, she has helped create spaces where grief, resilience, and forward momentum can coexist. Her approach is grounded, inclusive, and informed by lived experience, with a commitment to ensuring that recovery efforts honor memory while supporting long-term well-being.

Dr. Rebecca Shasanmi Ellis joins Resiliency Within to explore how we can mobilize models of care that strengthen resilience, promote health equity, and advance Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision of The Beloved Community across the life span. Drawing on her expertise as a community mental health nurse and a Community Resiliency Model (CRM)® Teacher, Dr. Ellis brings a grounded, systems-level perspective on how social and structural determinants of health shape individual and community well-being. She has taught nurses and other clinical, public health, and social service providers how to manage their own psychological stress while sharing practical resiliency skills that support more equitable, patient-centered care in both facility-based and community settings. Her wisdom is informed by nearly two decades of work in health systems readiness for maternal and child health—globally and domestically—including her current work with communities in Washington, DC. Notably, in 2014, Dr. Ellis served as project manager for a $9 million USD World Health Organization initiative in Nigeria, addressing critical frontline reproductive health workforce shortages during the Ebola crisis. In this conversation, she reflects on lessons learned from global and local contexts, and how resilience-informed, community-centered approaches can foster healing, hope, and connection in times of both crisis and renewal. ________________ About Our Guest: Rebecca Shasanmi Ellis, PhD, MS, MPH, BSN, RN is an Assistant Professor at Georgetown University's Berkley School of Nursing. Her long-term research agenda focuses on the intersections of health workforce and health systems development, mental health, and structural determinants of health, with the goal of reducing health disparities in underserved and resource-limited communities globally. With more than 20 years of experience as a field-trained health professional, Dr. Ellis brings deep expertise in program management, implementation science, and interprofessional education across research, clinical practice, health system strengthening, and policy. This multidisciplinary background uniquely positions her to design, lead, and evaluate complex, collaborative programs that bridge nursing, public health, and global health practice. Dr. Ellis currently serves as Chair of the Public Health Nursing (PHN) Section of the American Public Health Association(APHA) and is a member of the Council of Public Health Nursing Organizations. Prior to joining Georgetown, she was an instructor at Emory University beginning in 2018. She also provided direct patient care as a registered nurse in mental health and women's health settings at SisterLove, Inc.—the first Black women–led HIV organization in the U.S. South—and at Our House Health (formerly CAPN Clinics), delivering care within homeless shelters in Atlanta, Georgia. Since 2014, Dr. Ellis has also served as a research collaborating consultant with the Center for Patient Safety at the University of Sao Paulo College of Nursing in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, contributing to international efforts to advance patient safety, workforce development, and equitable health systems.

The chronic illness of a child does not arrive gently. It comes like an asteroid—sudden and life-altering. In this episode, I am honored to be joined by Kelly Cervantes, author of The Luckiest, and her husband Miguel Cervantes, the acclaimed Broadway star of Hamilton, as they share their extraordinary journey through unimaginable loss—and enduring love. Kelly and Miguel open their hearts as they reflect on the life and death of their daughter, Adelaide, who lived with epilepsy and a rare neurodegenerative brain condition. As Adelaide's terminal diagnosis unfolded, Kelly was a full-time caregiver and advocate for her daughter and mother to her older son, Jackson, while Miguel balanced the demands of the stage with the journey of Adelaide's illness unfolding at home. Together, they protected the bond at the center of their family. This episode is about bearing witness, honoring love, and learning how two people can grieve differently yet still reach for one another while caring for their two children with very different needs. This episode is for anyone who has loved deeply, lost profoundly, and wondered whether connection is still possible after everything has changed. A powerful testament to resilience, devotion, and the courage it takes to keep choosing love—amidst the asteroids. _____________________________ About Our Guests: MIGUEL CERVANTES recently wrapped up his time playing Alexander Hamilton in the Broadway and Chicago productions after almost eight years and 2013 performances. Other Broadway credits include IF/THEN, AMERICAN IDIOT, and 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE. A few of his TV credits include LAW & ORDER SVU, PERSON OF INTEREST, MADAME SECRETARY, and THE BLACKLIST. Miguel grew up in Dallas, TX, and received a BFA in Musical Theater from Emerson College. His favorite roles have been "Daddy" to Jackson, Anessa, Adelaide, and husband to superhero wife Kelly. ... KELLY CERVANTES is an award-winning writer, speaker, and advocate best known for her blog Inchstones and her USA Today bestselling book, Normal Broken: The Grief Companion for When It's Time to Heal But You're Not Sure You Want To. She has been published in the Chicago Tribune, Cosmopolitan, and Fortune as well as featured by MSNBC, New York Times, and CNN. She sits on the boards of CURE Epilepsy and The Undiagnosed Diseases Network Foundation and hosts CURE Epilepsy's podcast, Seizing Life. Born and raised in the Midwest, Kelly now resides in Maplewood, New Jersey, with her family. Her latest book, The Luckiest: A Memoir of Love, Loss, Motherhood, and the Pursuit of Self, was published in November by Ben Bella Books. 

After moving from a conservative Midwestern suburb to New York City to pursue an acting career, Kelly Cervantes never could have imagined what life had in store for her—or how much she would fundamentally change along the way.  Now, in her memoir The Luckiest, Kelly shares the experiences that shaped who she is today—the pain of unrealized dreams, navigating her husband Miguel's Broadway spotlight, fighting for their child's life, finding purpose after loss, and rebuilding her life and marriage. Throughout her wildly unpredictable journey, she has reflected on the role luck has played in her life, both good and bad. "Are we lucky if we escape life with soft skin and minimal layers," she asks. "Or are we lucky to have the battle scars that show a life of survival and meaning?"