Brilliantly Resilient

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 and the usefulness of transferable skills in navigating life in a war zone with resilience. Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we've often said that the roots of resilience and brilliance can often be found in service to others. The week's reader's pick illustrated that in a beautiful and poignant way, even amid a war-torn country.  Read on for more on Everyday War and be sure to tun into Dr. Uehling's episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast. To get the full Brilliantly Resilient Summer Reading list, click here. Let's be Brilliantly Resilient together! Greta Uehling: Everyday War  In Ukraine, landscapes filled with death and destruction prompted attentiveness to human vulnerabilities and the cultivation of everyday, interpersonal peace. What goes through the mind of a mother who must send her child to school across a minefield or the men who belong to groups of volunteer body collectors? In Ukraine, such questions have been part of the daily calculus of life. Greta Uehling engages with the lives of ordinary people living in and around the armed conflict over Donbas that began in 2014 and shows how conventional understandings of war are incomplete. Everyday War considers where peace can be cultivated at an everyday level. Tune into Dr. Uehling's episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast! XO, Kristin and Mary Fran

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 from the train and sustained catastrophic injuries to her chest, her abdomen, and her pelvis. After enduring weeks in the ICU, dozens of surgeries over the following years, unremitting pain, PTSD, depression, and opioid dependence, Geralyn was faced with a daunting question: beyond mere survival after trauma, where is the path back to joy? Bone by Bone shares her powerful story of resilience with humor, grace, and no-holds-barred honesty. Bone by Bone addresses the long-lasting impact of sudden trauma and extends hope--from the perspective of someone who has been there and back. Tune into Geralyn's episode of the Brilliantly Resilient Podcast! Be sure to pick up a copy of Bone by Bone and click here to get the full Brilliantly Resilient Summer 2023 Reading List! Let's be Brilliantly Resilient together! XO, Mary Fran & Kristin

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 themselves. He wished that he had someone who could teach him the basics—how to tie a tie, jump-start a car, unclog a drain, use tools properly—as well as succeed in life. Now a father himself, Rob decided that he would help people out by providing how-to tips as well as advice—and even throw in some bad dad jokes. He started a YouTube channel for anyone looking for fatherly advice, gaining millions of views for his how-to and inspirational videos. In this book, Rob shares his story of overcoming a difficult childhood with the strength of faith and family and offers inspiration and hope as well as providing 50 practical DYI instructions. Tune into Rob's episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast! Get the entire Brilliantly Resilient Summer Reading List here! Let's be Brilliantly Resilient together! XO, Kristin & Mary Fran

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 boundaries and, ultimately, realize their full potential. Tune into Fran's episode of the Brilliantly Resilient Podcast! Check out Fran's newest book and get ready to smile as you learn to love your career! Let's be Brilliantly Resilient together! XO, Kristin & Mary Fran

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're big believers in not only using transferrable skills to bring your Brilliance to new situations, we're also believers in action–and in knowing that "No" might just mean we need to find another way. (It doesn't happen overnight, but it can happen, if you're willing to "turn hope into action" – more advice from David.) Throughout his journey, David has amassed great wisdom–plus, he's funny and kind. In fact, it was really hard to decide which of his Brilliance Bits to highlight on this episode since everything David offered was a gem that perfectly reflects our Brilliantly Resilient mission. Tune into this episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast to be moved, inspired and learn more about how to create your own silver linings–even when times are tough. Let's be Brilliantly Resilient together! XO, KS & MFB  

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 ...

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't forget to get our Summer Reading List for all of the exceptional books by our Brilliantly Resilient podcast guests! Here's the link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/mKHezKP  Here's to a Brilliantly Resilient Summer! XO, Kristin & Mary Fran    

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!

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 life. Candid and compelling, Game Changer is as much a captivating memoir as it is a blueprint to personal and professional success." Tune into Rob's episode of the Brilliantly Resilient Podcast! C

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 an effective and eye-opening new approach to building confidence and presence for professionals. In the book, the author walks you through―and helps you leap over―the 9 most common obstacles that stand in the way of building authentic confidence. She offers digestible actions, behaviors, and exercises you can use to change the way you think and the way you present yourself to others. A hands-on playbook for professionals at all stages looking for effective confidence-building advice that goes beyond "fake it 'til you make it," Quick Confidence is a fun and rewarding journey to a renewed self-image and enhanced well-being.

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 Resilient podcast episode featuring each brilliant guest! We're super excited about this year's addition (Can you tell by how many exclamation points we've used???!!!!!) and we know you will be, too. Be sure to visit the Brilliantly Resilient podcast each week for more inspiration and enjoy a summer of spectacular reading! Let's be Brilliantly Resilient together!! XO, Kristin & Mary Fran