In this episode, we delve into the extraordinary life of Janet Applefield, whose journey through adversity began during the invasion of Poland in 1939. Separated from her parents at the age of 7 during the upheaval of the Holocaust, Janet endured years of uncertainty and danger, learning the necessity of silence to protect her cultural identity.

Generously giving us a glimpse into her memoir, "Becoming Janet: Finding Myself in the Holocaust” and no longer content to remain silent, you will learn of the lifelong journey back to herself, and the resilience practices she came to rely on. Her journey is a testament to the power of having a voice, honouring your family heritage, and standing up for what you believe in.

Ever since she was two years old, Debra Atlas felt like she was living behind a mask.

It wasn’t until later in life that she was treated for depression – a diagnosis that has brought her tremendous insight, empathy, and strength.

As an environmental journalist, author, professional speaker, blogger and workshop leader, Debra is widely celebrated as a thought leader, driven by her desire to inspire and empower her readers and clients.

In this episode, we delve into the transformative power of embracing life fully, even amidst challenges. Our guest, Jocelyn Dettloff, shares her remarkable journey from adventurous escapades to unexpected setbacks and the resilience that emerged.

Jocelyn, author of "It Rained in the Desert," exemplifies living without regret by following her passions and trusting that inner voice that whispers “keep moving”. From daring adventures in Namibia, Africa, to overcoming unforeseen challenges, Jocelyn's story is a testament to the resilience that resides within us all.

In this compelling episode of A Resilience Project podcast, Cindy Thompson engages in a rich conversation with her daughter, Breanna Thompson, a counselor, and Claire Miller, a youth pastor and social worker both serving as missionaries in Nairobi, Kenya. This episode delves into their experiences of living and working in a foreign culture, offering profound insights and wisdom.

Brace yourself for a powerful narrative that explores pivotal moments in the life of author Brandi Cox. On the heels of her newly released memoir "In Better Hands," Brandi reflects on her formative years shaped by sorrow, growth, and overcoming.

In his late twenties, Justin’s life changed when he was hit by a car on his newly purchased Vespa—while on the way to buy a helmet.

Initially, as Justin recovered from his coma, he was unable to talk and had limited mobility. Yet Justin has learned to live with the internal scars and physical manifestations of a traumatic brain injury, refusing to let it stand in the way of his success.

As a child, Bayley Russell would sit with her grandfather as he told her about Mt. Everest—its marvel and majesty, its terrifying danger, its haunting call to adventure-seeking climbers.

Years ago, Bayley was finally able to see Nepal for herself on a mission trip. She fell in love with the people, culture, and breathtaking landscape, which sparked a dream of hiking to the base camp of Mt. Everest one day.

In this poignant episode of A Resilience Project, Cindy Thompson welcomes Debbie McCulloch, a retired pharmacist and host of the podcast "Older & Bolder." Drawing from personal tragedy, Debbie discusses the traumatic loss of her youngest sister to homicide, an unsolved case that continues to haunt her family.

Have you noticed how easy it is to focus on the adversities or inconveniences in your day? If you are someone who feels like the world is against you, or that nothing ever seems to go your way you are not alone.

In a world saturated with negative news and overwhelming events, it is easy to succumb to a mindset that constantly anticipates risks and dangers. Join Cindy Thompson as she delves into the “What is Going Well” practice, inspired by Dr. Martin Seligman’s positive psychology. In addition to a strong Gratitude practice, it’s a conscious effort to override our inherent bias toward negativity. Learn about confirmation bias and how our focus determines our reality.

Why is finding our purpose in life so important to our wellbeing?

If we are not clear on what fulfills us, we might find ourselves wandering through life feeling empty and unmotivated. Once we click into our purpose and meaning, we discover what truly fills our cup.

In this episode, Cindy Thompson, host of A Resilience Project is the guest of Peter McCully on the PQB Beat podcast.

Can you recall the last time you had a long stretch of challenges, back-to-back with no end in sight? When this happens, do you find yourself wondering” why me?” It is natural to feel like this season will never end, and it is especially difficult to recognize the opportunities hidden within the adversity.

How can you live with resilience and well-being in a world filled with stress, fear, and endless demands?

Dr. Susan Biali Haas is here to show us it’s possible to break the cycle of overwhelm and exhaustion using simple, science-based shifts that restore joy, health, and meaning to your work and life.

If you reflect on some of the major adversities in life, who are the people who picked you up and encouraged you to carry on? Whether it is friends, family or significant other, having someone walk you through is critical for bouncing back. But what if it isn’t easy to connect with others?

Do you have a first aid kit tucked away in your car or home? Have you ever purchased insurance of some kind? Or created a plan in case of an emergency?

For many of us, we don’t think twice about preparing for disasters. But how often do we think about building our own personal resilience plan to weather times of uncertainty, chaos, or distress?

Exploring the idea of a resilience plan is often on the mind of Dr. Marie-Helene Pelletier, a bilingual and award-winning workplace mental health expert, psychologist, advisor and speaker.

Does it feel like an increased number of people around you are experiencing burnout? Since the start of the pandemic, burnout levels have been increasing across all levels of organizations. At the end of 2022, the data showed that 33% of Canadians reported feeling burned out, while that number doubled among workers in healthcare.

Why is this happening? What is burnout and how do we recognize it? More importantly, what do we do about it?

When you have a really challenging day at work, what helps you through? What if that really hard day turns into several hard days in a row or even months? What would motivate you stay committed to the job and show up fully?

In 2020 while the world was reeling from the pandemic, COVID-19 was also sweeping through Vancouver Island, targeting some of the most vulnerable individuals. As the Chief motivator and Executive director at Eden Gardens long-term care home, Erin Beaudoin could not have anticipated the extent to which this may impact her role, but she understood the mission. Responsible for 130 residents and 250 staff, Erin knew she needed to lead her team well and protect those in her care.

A diagnosis can change everything. For Taryn Nergaard, hers was the missing piece to her lifelong story of struggle and resilience.

After being diagnosed with ADHD and autism later in life, Taryn felt like she could finally stop wearing the masks she’d always hidden behind and begin a new journey toward authenticity, self-compassion, and peace.

As a high achiever, Joanne Greene would suggest she spent most of her life needing to be in control. Finding value in productivity, and perfection over vulnerability, she preferred to be in the driver’s seat. It wasn’t until Joanne was in a fluke accident, sustaining severe injuries that she discovered her true power.

How can we re-calibrate our connection with others? What role do relationships play in our well-being—and our resilience?

Dr. Jody Carrington’s reverence for connection is deeply embedded in her work as a psychologist, best-selling author, and public speaker.

In her book, Feeling Seen: Reconnecting in a Disconnected World, Dr. Jody suggests we’ve never been as disconnected as we are now. But when we create connection, we re-discover joy.

Can you recall a time when you witnessed the remarkable achievements and success of someone and considered them to be fortunate, blessed, or lucky?

If we want to find the true essence of one's success, we might take a closer look at the habits, discipline and fortitude that were the pillars of resilience.

Colleen Jones has a list of successes, notoriety, and awards. Whether she is known as a TV personality and first female sports reporter with CBC Halifax, her role as the skip of two women's world championship curling teams, or her recent appointment to the Order of Canada, Colleen knows what it takes to lean into the challenges and trust the process.