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Submit ReviewHave you ever found yourself wanting to speak up about something but you remained silent? Whether it’s because we lack the confidence to speak up, we think our opinion isn’t valuable, or we feel less than others in the room–especially at work–it’s not uncommon for people, especially women, to stay silent rather than speak up and have all eyes on us.
When we’re visible, that means we can be vulnerable. We step into the spotlight and take the chance others won’t like us or what we stand for. But what if the opposite happens? What if our message resonates with others and we can finally find the purpose in life that we’ve been seeking?
Mildred Talabi, this week’s guest on the Brilliantly Resilient podcast, knows how it feels to watch life go by on the sidelines. It wasn’t until a major health crisis caused Mildred to recognize that she was letting opportunities to live life on her terms pass by that she knew she had to to step into the spotlight, speak up, and make an impact.
Today, Mildred is an author and leader of the Visible Women Tribe and also teaches others how to build a brand on LinkedIn by using the platform as a community to build the bonds of personal and professional trust and share their brilliance with the world.
Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we know the power of a supportive tribe, and we also believe in speaking up and owning your brilliance. Each of us has the potential to share that brilliance with others to make the world a better place.
Tune in to this week’s episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast to hear more of Mildred’s wisdom and be sure to listen for the additional bits of brilliance:
There was a gift in my adversity. I knew I had to decide what was really important in my life and how I wanted to live.
Here’s how you can become visible on LikedIn: PACE
Use LInkedIn as a community space and be personal. If you’re going to build a personal brand, you can’t avoid the personal
When you add the personal content, people get to know you. It helps to strengthen the bond and build trust.
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
Kristin and Mary Fran
How much do you enjoy having hard conversations? If you’re like most of us, you’d rather go to the dentist than have a difficult conversation with a loved one–or anyone, for that matter.
Hard conversations are, well, hard. They frequently involve intense and unpleasant emotions, and we only venture into that territory when we’ve exhausted every other means of avoiding the situation.
But Yvonne Caputo, this week’s guest on the Brilliantly Resilient podcast, has experienced the upside of hard conversations–getting to know a loved one better and honoring him towards the end of, and after his life.
Yvonne is the author of Flying with Dad and Dying with Dad, two books that prove the value of asking difficult questions and listening (deeply, as Yvonne says), to the answers. While it wasn’t easy to initiate those conversations, Yvonne found help in utilizing a document titled The Five Wishes, which encourages conversations about end of life care and the needs and wishes of those relying on others for care. After asking the tough emotional questions, Yvonne found that the answers prompted more loving and enlightening conversations with her father about his life.
Having challenging conversations, no matter the topic, is never easy. Yet once we begin asking questions and seeking answers, we often find new information that makes a situation easier to understand and navigate. Part of being resilient is having the courage to move forward even when we don’t really want to.
Tune in to hear more of Yvonne’s wisdom on this week’s episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast and be sure to listen for these additional bits of brilliance:
The more I asked questions, the more he trusted me. And I began to understand my father on a deeper level.
The five wishes was a critical document. It took an advance directive for a parent and brought out all the heart. By asking the questions, I found discovery after discovery about my father.
Knowing what my father wanted, I was able to honor him. By knowing what people want, we can ease their transition for us and them.
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
Kristin and Mary Fran
What would your ideal world look like? Lynn Cummings and her husband, parents of 3 adopted children (all abused) are a mixed race family. For Lynn, a diverse neighborhood full of welcoming people, regardless of race, was the dream. Yet, when people of color began moving into Lynn’s suburban neighborhood years ago, Lynn noticed the sale signs that soon sprouted up on the lawns of her white neighbors. Lynn notes, “I was so happy to see the neighborhood that I wanted to live in and so sad to see others wanted to leave because of that.”
Long a believer in the simple phrase, “Just do your bit,” Lynn and her husband decided to do something about what they saw as an opportunity to create the welcoming environment they wanted for their children and others. They started an organization called “Neighbors Empowering People” to stop white flight in their town. Today, Lynn’s neighbors include multiple ethnicities all engaged in a thriving community.
Being Brilliantly Resilient isn’t hard. All it really takes is action, commitment and passion for your values. When we all simply “Do our bit,” with positive intention and energy, we actually can change the world.
Tune in for more of Lynn’s wisdom on this week’s episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast, and be sure to listen for these additional bits of brilliance:
Part of my motivation was to help create the world I wanted my children to live in.
In order to make change, you have to go to the power structures. We began to work on stable integration.
The building up of the body and the community. That’s really what resilience means.
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
Kristin and Mary Fran
How do you define success? For most of us, the word “success” is tied to professional recognition, money and some level of prestige. But do those things truly bring happiness? And what is the cost of achieving them?
Author Matthew Turner explores those questions in his latest book, Beyond the Pale, in which his protagonist achieves society’s version of success, only to find he never truly wanted it. In this fictional account, Ferdinand fulfills the expectations of what he was told was success, only to discover that success means something entirely different to him personally.
According to Matthew, personal success means different things to different people–one size doesn’t fit all. The way to discover what success means to each of us begins with focusing on the one thing we truly own–our values, and moving forward from there.
Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we believe that defining personal values is the first step to accessing resilience and rising after challenges. When we act based on what is genuinely important to us, we follow our true path and open the door to opportunities that resonate with us–helping us to define our own versions of success, and allowing our brilliance to shine. It’s not always easy to change; as Matthew reminds us, Whenever you have an awakening, it’s almost always easier to roll over and stay asleep, but it is worth it.
Take time to decide what success means to YOU, and jettison the guilt you may feel at abandoning a path that may not lead you to where you really want to be. Tune in to hear more from Matthew on this episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast, and be sure to listen for these additional bits of Brilliance:
Whenever you have an awakening, it’s almost always easier to roll over and stay asleep.
How dare you have the audacity to change your mind? We put a lot of guilt into changing our minds.
We spend too little time focusing on our individual values and principals. If you don’t have values, what do you own? They are your version of doing the right thing.
We spend too little time focusing on our individual values and principals. If you don’t have values, what do you own? They are your version of doing the right thing.
Replace success with meaning and purpose and recognize that success is malleable.
Really successful people define success on their own terms. They deconstruct society’s idea of success and create their own.
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
Kristin and Mary Fran
~ Gabi Drobot
No sleep. Lousy diets. Stress and continuous overwhelm. Feelings of failure. Sounds awful, doesn’t it? Yet, that’s precisely what many of our college students experience every day.
In our idealized vision of college life, we see the independence and fun of college life–the partying, the fun, the self-absorption that comes with the freedom of life away from home and its obligations. Yet, at least half of all college students report feeling exhausted, overwhelmed and unable to keep up.
As Gabi Drobot reports, this lack of self-care is epidemic, and sometimes even glamorized, by the young people experiencing its effects.
A college sophomore and staff writer for the paper at her university, Gabi developed an interest in spotlighting mental health for students after experiencing her own challenges and recognizing the lack of helpful, open conversation around the subject. Gabi has become an advocate for encouraging students not to see ignoring self-care as a badge of honor, but rather to recognize the perils to both present and future when students fail to take physical and mental care of themselves.
Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we know how challenging it can be to carve out time to minister to oneself. Life’s obligations often mean we are last on our own lists. Yet the effects of ignoring our physical and mental health can quickly damage our personal and professional lives, causing cracks in the very foundations we are trying desperately to keep strong.
Remember to take time for self-care–especially by getting enough sleep!--and watch for signs that the young people in your life are struggling. Together we can help prioritize our mental and physical health, allowing us all to live Brilliantly Resilient lives!
Read Gabi’s article on Deglamorizing the Lack of Self-Care in College Students and be sure to listen for these additional bits of Brilliance on this week’s edition of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast!
Fifty percent of college students report daytime sleepiness and 70% report not getting enough sleep.
I felt like I couldn't share my feelings because it wasn’t a “normal” conversation. If we make it an open conversation, how many people could this help?
I chunked off my day. Morning is class, afternoon is work and at night I can do what I want. It helped me put aside my FOMO.
Surrounding yourself with people with common goals and spending time by yourself is so important.
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
Kristin & Mary Fran
It’s not easy to be a young person today. Conflict is the norm, uncertainty is the future, and Covid has wreaked havoc on every aspect of life, particularly affecting young people, for the past three years. The U.S. Surgeon General has warned of a crippling mental health crisis affecting our youth.
Enter Soroptimist International, a volunteer group founded in 1921 with clubs in 121 countries that is dedicated to the advancement of women and girls. Each year, Soroptimist International hosts the Dream It, Be It, conference, where young women of high school age are offered sessions to learn about career options, career skills and planning, time management, resilience strategies, and more.
Nancy Staich, a Soroptimist volunteer, notes that it’s important that young women know it’s okay to reinvent themselves as life changes. Evolution is natural and it’s never too late to take a new path and recreate yourself. Nancy adds that the need for resilience is never ending, and building a supportive tribe is equally essential for a young woman’s current and future success.
We were blessed to be able to share Brilliantly Resilient with this amazing group of young women and provide tips to Reset with Resilience, Rise and Reveal their Brilliance. The quote above was from a young lady who came to us immediately after our presentation to affirm that it’s important to remind our young people of their strengths and continue to provide them with tools and mentors to grow towards success.
We all have a responsibility to equip our youth with the tools and strategies needed for success. Get involved and make a difference. Tune into this episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast to learn more, and be sure to look out for these additional bits of brilliance:
We want girls to think about what they want. What am I really passionate about? What do I care about?
We want girls to remember that they’re bringing their entire selves to work. They have to see themselves as whole people.
It’s okay to recreate yourself when you need to recreate yourself. It’s never too late.
We want the girls to build a tribe and talk to people who can help them learn and grow. There are mentors out there who want to help.
Learn more about Soroptimist International of Indian Rock at: www.investindreams.org
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
Mary Fran & Kristin
Don’t operate from a fear mindset, operate from a growth mindset. Look at life from a Brilliantly Resilient lens. ~ Kristin Smedley and Mary Fran Bontempo
Happy birthday to us!!! We can’t believe it, but this week–March 7th–marks the 3rd birthday of Brilliantly Resilient!
When we started Brilliantly Resilient, we planned a “world tour” of speaking on stages, sharing our process to Reset, Rise and Reveal Your Brilliance to the world. We prepared, we created, we dreamed and then, on March 7th, we had our first Brilliantly Resilient live event! It was amazing!! We couldn’t have asked for more and we were so excited for the future of Brilliantly Resilient.
Then, on March 14th, 2020, the entire world shut down. And so did all of our plans.
Given what we preach, you’d think we immediately started to Reset with Resilience. Instead, we cried, we complained, we shook our fists at the heavens…and then we got over ourselves.
We realized that we couldn’t control anything that was happening in the world, but we could control our response. So, we decided to practice what we were preaching and started to look for ways to share Brilliantly Resilient–when we couldn’t leave home.
Fast forward three incredible years, and we have a top-rated podcast, a book, we’ve traveled around the country, both in person and virtually–all to share the Brilliantly Resilient program with thousands of others. As we often say, we are our own best case study, and have implemented each step of the Brilliantly Resilient process over and over again–proving that it works.
We work the Brilliantly Resilient steps every day, and we’ve moved from a fear mindset to a growth mindset. Simply put, that means that instead of crashing and burning with challenges, we acknowledge them, make values-based decisions, check our perspective and see what’s in our control. We can then take imperfect action (we’ve learned that nothing is perfect, and that’s okay) and evolve with what happens next.
Sharing Brilliantly Resilient has been a joyous opportunity, and we’re incredibly grateful for those of you who have learned, laughed and discovered your resilience and brilliance with us. Thank you is not enough, but a heartfelt thanks to you all for your support. We're just getting started!
Tune into this week’s podcast to hear more (from us!), and be sure to listen for these additional bits of brilliance:
When everything is taken away, you get to go back to your basic values, figure out what’s important, and make decisions based on that. You can create a process for managing things.
I look at life through a Brilliantly Resilient lens now, not as a victim or in anger. Now I know how I’m going to show up when a sucker punch comes along.
You can bring your transferable skills to every experience. Figure out what your Brilliant skill set is and bring that to every experience and see what happens. Then find others with complementary skill sets to add to your tribe.
Kids don't look at failure as failure. They look at it as a learning opportunity.
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
Kristin and Mary Fran
Have you ever had something that’s supposed to be good for you end up feeling bad for you? Many of us feel that way about exercise. We know it’s good for us, but it doesn’t always feel that way.
Katie Bramlett, this week’s guest on the Brilliantly Resilient podcast is a fitness guru. But even Katie knew, despite having great success in the fitness industry, that the traditional view of exercise and fitness had become toxic.
Realizing that the key to fitness was more about intentional movement connected to self-care than endless crunches, squats and striving for unattainable physiques, Katie closed down her businesses and started WeShape–intending to build a community focused on a shift away from a number on the scale.
By focusing on movement as a self-care practice and adjustable programs to help all users achieve success, Katie built a company based on shared values and gratitude for what any body is capable of doing.
When we live a values-based life, we often find that our work and personal lives reach out to each other, allowing us to be true to what we believe and to find ways to incorporate those beliefs into our actions.
To hear more from Katie, tune into this episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast and be sure to listen for these additional bits of brilliance:
The idea of fitting in jeans will not be a sustainable reason to keep up with an exercise program. I hated exercise because I was doing it for the wrong reasons. It has to be an act of self-care.
If we focus on a number on the scale, even if we get to that number, it’s fake fulfillment. It’s external fulfillment. We can’t have a belief that our worth comes from a number on a scale.
We have to understand that with 8 billion people in the world, we all can’t have the same body type. Feel gratitude for what your body can do.
I had to fight my own mindset of “I’m not an expert.” I just knew this was so important, so I did it despite the internal and external negativity against making fitness about connecting to the self.
WeShape is based on a meaningful shift away from the number on the scale to movement and connection with self and community. Our program is based on movement we can scale up or down depending on what the user needs.
~ Katie Bramlett
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
Mary Fran & Kristin
Do you remember what you learned in Geometry class? Philosophy? Chemistry? Much of what we learned as students was intended to offer a well-rounded education, gearing us towards college–where we often took classes that were equally forgettable. (A course in James Joyce for English? Mary Fran had a headache for a solid month!)
Carlos Aponte taught in the Philadelphia school system for over ten years. Having lived through childhood trauma, Carlos recognized that many of his students were also struggling with serious challenges, and the educational system was not meeting their needs. Further, the path for students not headed for college often seemed like a dead-end.
Knowing there was a better way, Carlos created the non-profit We Love Philly, a program that allows students to earn high school credits while learning how to practice self-care, engage with their community, create their own personal brand, and apprentice at area businesses.
Carlos recognizes the value in educating the whole student, and knows that encouraging the individual, as well as area businesses and organizations, to engage and support each other allows young people to feel a sense of worth and belonging that carries into adulthood.
Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we believe in building powerful tribes based on complementary skills sets so that everyone brings their best selves to every challenge. And living based on values with an emphasis on self-care helps our young people recognize their own power and worth, helping them to find their place in the world–both big and small.
Tune into this week’s episode to hear more from Carlos and listen for these additional bits of brilliance:
Once your body, mind and soul are aligned, you can do anything.
There is a major disconnect between administration, teachers and students with the diverse learning styles and proficiencies in those groups. The brains are different and learn differently.
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
Mary Fran & Kristin
Emotions are indicators. If we see the red on a battery, we don’t shame our computers. We see it as something we have to take care of for optimal performance. Imagine if we gave these human vessels…that same grace to say my emotions are indicators, not inconveniences. They let us know that if you want me to operate optimally, you need to acknowledge that I feel this….We need to ask ourselves, “What do I need in order to be well?”
~ Shannon Cohen
How often have you warned yourself to control your emotions? Though we are inherently emotional beings, people often see emotions as detrimental–at least to success.
Shannon Cohen, speaker, author and business owner, encourages “using a head+heart approach” to success, productivity and everyday life. She reminds us that emotions are indicators of our overall health–not to be ignored.
Given life’s everyday challenges, and especially the difficulties of the last several years, it’s easy to see how our emotions could get the better of us. Yet, if we recognize our emotions as a tool to determine what we need, both physically and mentally, we can better define what is in our control and come up with an action step–a Brilliantly Resilient strategy for sure.
Tune into this episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast to hear more of Shannon’s wisdom and check out her book, It’s Normal to Shake as You Soar. Be sure to listen for these additional bits of Brilliance:
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
Mary Fran & Kristin
When we’re betrayed, our self-trust is totally shattered. There is a breakdown of body, mind & worldview. We need to regain and relearn our trust in ourselves. Our gut is so much more perceptive than our mind.
~ Dr. Debi Silber
Have you ever been betrayed?
Betrayal sounds like a soap-opera word–too dramatic to apply to everyday life. Yet, almost everyone has experienced betrayal at some point, either as an adult through trauma like divorce, or as a youth, when a best friend suddenly decides you aren’t “cool” enough anymore and moves on without you. Think about a hurt that still hurts, even though it may have happened years ago. That’s betrayal.
Dr. Debi Silber, holistic psychologist and author of Trust Again, knows betrayal firsthand. More importantly, she knows how to guide those traumatized by betrayal through the 5 stages of healing where we again become healthy, whole, and are back on solid ground.
Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we’ve experienced betrayal, and it hurts. It’s also easy to get stuck in betrayal, making it a story that defines us instead of learning and choosing to move on.
Dr. Silber reminds us that rebuilding after betrayal is indeed a choice. As we say in Brilliantly Resilient terms, “Are you just visiting your crisis, or are you going to live there?”
In this episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast, Dr. Silber not only defines betrayal, but walks us through the 5 stages of healing to help us move towards “healing, rebirth, and a new worldview.” (Tune in at the 18:38 minute mark to hear about the 5 stages.)
Tune in for more from Dr. Silber in this episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast, and be sure to listen for these additional Brilliance Bits:
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
MFB & KS
It’s about doing it. It’s not about anything else. It’s not about the goal. Pick a goal that you will never achieve but start putting into place each step and focus on the ladder rungs. One action at a time.
~ Jeremy Grater
“This is the year.”
How many times have you told yourself (especially at the start of a new year), that this would be the year you would…lose weight, get a new job, start your own business, write that book….? The list goes on, as does the number of times we make promises to ourselves and fail.
When we believe something will benefit us, why do we fail continually, making us feel even worse about not achieving those ever-elusive goals?
Jeremy Grater, joining Brilliantly Resilient as one half of the dynamic duo hosting The Fit Mess podcast along with partner Zach Tucker, knows a bit about not achieving goals. Beginning their podcast journey as two guys who talked beer and jokes, Jeremy and Zach soon realized that something was missing, and it began with their health.
Both were determined not to just talk about fitness, but to achieve it, and as Jeremy tells it, that required two things: curiosity and action. And as far as goals, Jeremy has some interesting advice–set impossible goals and focus on one ladder rung at a time.
Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we know that goals can be helpful–and exhausting. Breaking them down into micro-actions that we eventually won’t resist is a brilliant way to make progress. Tune in to hear more from Jeremy and be sure to listen for these additional bits of Brilliance
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
Kristin & Mary Fran
“I really think that none of us has to be as scared of ourselves as we are. We don’t have to be worried that we’re going to turn into monsters.”
~ Ashleigh Renard
Are you married or in a long-term relationship? Have you ever thought about what life would be like if you weren’t in that relationship?
If we’re honest, most of us have had moments where we fantasize about being free of obligations–and sometimes, that even means a marriage. But rather than examine why we’re feeling that way, we shame ourselves into acting like everything is okay, even when it isn’t.
Ashleigh Renard, this week’s guest on the Brilliantly Resilient podcast, notes that feeling like something is missing doesn’t make us awful people. In fact, we’re obligated to pause and consider what we want, what’s working and what isn’t–for everyone’s sake. When we’re honest, we can fix things, not just so they’re better, but great.
Through her book Swing and her Keeping It Hot viral video series, Ashleigh offers tips and strategies about how to stay connected, renegotiate marriage and most importantly, keep monogamy hot! (Whhaaattt???!!!)
Hilarious and heartfelt, Ashleigh is full of wit and wisdom and urges us to ditch the martyr-mom (twin sister of the supermom), and pay attention to ourselves. (She took her first step to personally do so by promising to heed her body and go to the bathroom when she needed to. Any other women out there holding it until you’re ready to burst because someone needs something from you? Raise your hands, ladies!)
Hear more from Ashleigh on this week’s episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast and be sure to listen for these additional bits of Brilliance:
Ashleigh Renard (https://ashleighrenard.com/)
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
Kristin and Mary Fran
There’s a perception about what nurses do and there’s what nurses actually do. Nursing needs to start talking about itself. Every healthcare consumer should understand what nurses do. Visibility is key.
~Donald Bucher
Do you feel safe and respected while doing your job? Most of us would say, “Of course.” While we might not have the perfect working environment, we don’t go to work with the expectation that we might be abused verbally or physically on any given day.
Not so with nurses. One study noted that almost 90% of nurses reported experiencing some type of abuse at work–mostly at the hands of patients or their families.
It was only a few short years ago that we greeted health care workers with applause, celebration and gratitude. Yet, even then, the politicization of Covid left many nurses on the receiving end of anger and frustration, and nurses still bear the brunt of patient dissatisfaction and fear today.
Donald Bucher, a registered Nurse Practitioner and this week’s guest on the Brilliantly Resilient podcast, is an advocate for those in the nursing profession. Upbeat, positive and empathetic, Don still recognizes the need for the public to know just how hard nurses really work, and he wants the nursing community to speak up both to educate others and protect themselves.
Respect for others, as well as ourselves, is at the core of a civilized society. Everyone has the right to expect civility, especially while doing a life-saving job. Here at Brilliantly Resilient, respect is a core principle in how we treat each other, regardless of any differences we may encounter.
Tune in to this week’s episode to hear more from Don and be sure to listen for these additional bits of Brilliance:
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
Kristin and Mary Fran
Have you ever made a mistake? One that changed your life, and not for the better? We all make mistakes, but usually, we do so without ill intent. Mistakes, by their nature, aren't intentional. We don't mean to screw up.
That's why Jeffrey Abramowitz, this week's guest on the Brilliantly Resilient podcast, makes a distinction. Having spent five years in prison for a financial crime, Jeffrey notes that he made a choice that led to consequences. Consequences that changed his life forever.
Jeffrey learned much while serving his sentence, and it brought him to his true purpose, to advocate for justice and education for those reentering society after incarceration. Jeffrey learned that two things are essential to successfully rebuild a life--responsibility and education. Once Jeffrey accepted his responsibility for his own actions, he dedicated himself to a life helping others, teaching inmates while serving his sentence and advocating for education to prepare inmates to re-enter society and build a life. Jeffrey encourages others to look forward and gives them the skills to do just that.
By acknowledging our responsibility for our choices, we empower ourselves to move forward. Tune in to hear more about Jeffrey's mission and listen for these additional bits of brilliance:
"I don't think any of us should spend time looking in the rear-view mirror. We can learn lessons, but we need to look forward."
"It took me to really lose everything before I learned the lessons I needed to learn. But then I could define what the next chapter of my life could be."
"We have to bring humanity back into our system, but the self-responsibility piece is the first thing you have to accept. I opened a door and I needed to accept everything that happened after that."
"It's simple if you take just one little step. Turn the chair around." (Listen for this super-cool story!)
~ Jeffrey Abramowitz (abramowitz.com/">https://www.jeffrey-abramowitz.com/)
Let's be Brilliantly resilient together!
KS & MFB
Your home is a tool. If your home is cluttered, it’s not working for you. De-cluttering is not about being perfect. It’s about making your house work for you as an asset to make room for happiness.
~ Tracy McCubbin
We’re just a few days into 2023, and if you’re like us here at Brilliantly Resilient, your brain is already racing with goals and to-do’s for the coming year. Like most people, we’re raring to go and looking forward to crushing it in the New Year.
But first, it’s time to put away all of the lovely holiday decor that bejeweled our homes for the last five or six weeks. Funny, though, how those things that sparkled a short while ago now make rooms seem tired, dusty, and cluttered.
Our friend Tracy McCubbin is the perfect person to help us begin 2023 by decluttering our homes and mindsets with some fundamental ideas and actions aimed at making our surroundings work for us, not against us. As Tracy advises, when we think of our homes as a tool meant to help us, it allows us to more clearly see what’s working and what isn’t–and what can be loaded into the donate or discard pile.
So much that we hold on to no longer serves us. When we make room for more in our lives by decluttering, the space becomes mental as well as physical, and change becomes exponential.
Tune into this week’s episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast to hear more of Tracy’s wisdom and be sure to check out her new book, Make Space for Happiness: How to Stop Attracting Clutter and Start Magnetizing the Life You Want .
Listen for these additional bits of Brilliance from Tracy in the episode:
I saw the choke-hold that people’s stuff can have on them. Don’t become a museum to the past.
The more clutter you have, the more your cortisol goes up. Clutter is a constant to-do list. And the more decisions your brain makes, the more tired it gets.
If you couple the source of your happiness to your stuff and it goes away, where are you?
Start with your “why.” Why are you decluttering? Keep your why positive. And start with the easy things. Things you can declutter in 5 minutes.
~Tracy McCubbin
Wishing you all good things in 2023. Let's be Brilliantly Resilient together!
Just a few more days to go before we welcome in the New Year! Who's ready to see 2022 hit the road?? The last few years certainly haven't been easy. And there's a great temptation to feel little enthusiasm for what's to come. BUT, throwing yourself a big, 'ol pity party doesn't provide much satisfaction--at least not long term.
So here it is, our most listened to episode from 2022, and it features our friend, Keith Baldwin. If there were ever an example of how to live a Brilliantly Resilient life in the midst of a giant pile of poo, Keith provides it. And although Keith loves a good party, his best advice involves putting the breaks on one. Read on to hear more from Keith and listen to how he managed a major sucker punch BRILLIANTLY!!!
Thanks to Keith and all of our Brilliantly Resilient guests for sharing their wisdom, humor and humanity with us in 2022. We are beyond grateful. And thanks to all of you who listen to learn how to live a Brilliantly Resilient life--we're still learning right along with all of you! Happy New Year to all and here's to a fabulous 2023!!!
Limit your Pity Party. I threw a hell of a Pity Party, but those emotions don’t help you with solutions or move you forward.~ Keith Baldwin
Have you ever thrown yourself a Pity Party? Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we were experts at it. When life hits you with a sucker punch, it seems like you’re entitled to feel sorry for yourself. And you are–to a point. But you can’t live in that place of pain. Acknowledge it, feel it, and then get the heck out of there!
This week’s guest, Keith Baldwin decided to make 2020 a year of firsts and wrote a book (A Leap Year of Firsts) about his experiences. But what started out as fun and games quickly turned serious when the pandemic produced some unwanted firsts–as when Keith had to lay off his entire workforce.
After realizing that feeling sorry for himself wasn’t helping him or his staff, Keith got to work, finding a unique solution to his problem and hiring all 45 workers back within hours of laying them off.
Remember, sometimes life just sucks. The question is, are you just visiting that place of yuck or are you going to live there? Tune in to this week’s episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast to hear more about Keith Baldwin and his Leap Year of Firsts!
XO,
KS & MFB
As we approach the end of 2022, we wanted to bring you another favorite episode with our viewers from this past year. Our dear friend, Diane Berberian, left us this year, but she also left behind many lessons and the endless light of her hard-won wisdom. Tune in again to hear more from this Brilliant woman.
Every day, just be enough.~ Diane Berberian
It is with a mixture of both sadness and joy that we bring you this week’s episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast. Our dear friend, Diane Berberian, passed away peacefully last week after a long battle with cancer.
To say that Diane was a bright light is an understatement, but she never saw herself that way. In her mind, she was always “just Diane,” although she inspired so many with her grit and grace. A true Northeast Philly girl (we’re a tough lot!) Diane fought, but never looked like she was fighting, her wide, bright smile always at the ready.
When we spoke to Diane two years ago, she dropped too many Brilliance Bits to count, but her advice to “Every day, just be enough.” was brilliantly simple and striking. Do your best, help others, and just be enough.
Tune into this episode to hear more of Diane’s simple, beautiful brilliance. Here are a few more quotes to listen for:
Sit still and think. People don’t take the time to sit still.Find those people you belong to. There may be different people at different times.
Beginners need to know that you get more than one chance if you fail.
If I don’t ask, the answer will always be “No.”
~ Diane Berberian
We love you, Diane. Thank you for sharing your light with us all.
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together.
XO,
KS & MFB
We've got a few holiday treats in store for you here at Brilliantly Resilient! We've decided to share some of this year's top episodes as we head into 2023. Here's our first fave! Stay tuned for more in the next few weeks!
The holiday season is all about family, whether related or chosen. Yet, not everyone has family to surround them with love. Enter one of our favorite folks--Rob Kenney, of "Dad, How Do I?" fame. Rob's warmth and advice fills a void for many, and we couldn't think of a better way to honor the season than to share our friend Rob and his brilliance once again. Here's more about Rob below....
S.E.L.F. Serve others, Eat and exercise, Learn something, Forgive somebody. ~ Rob Kenney, a.k.a. Dad, How Do I?Rob Kenney is America's Dad. A kind, fun-loving guy, Rob has sky rocketed to rockstar status - all because he gives some good Dad-ly advice and tells a few goofy Dad jokes.
Yet, Rob is really about reaching out to those who are missing their dads--and the support and love dads can provide. With a genuine, simple approach, Rob not only teaches viewers how to do "Dad" stuff, he dispenses wisdom about how to live a good life.
Tune in to hear Rob's story about creating the "Dad How Do I?" videos and how Rob's values infuse his work. Get Rob's book on Amazon here: Dad, How Do I? Join the Brilliantly Resilient Facebook Community for daily motivation to move forward through life's sucker punches! www.Facebook.com/groups/brilliantlyresilient!
Let's be Brilliantly Resilient together, and Happy Holidays!
XO,
KS & MFB
When you have a heart to give and a heart to serve, you can get lost in the mission. That’s why we have to take that pause. Serve your purpose but don’t lose yourself. And remember, we’re not called to serve everybody.
~ April Ervin
Do you love to help people? Most of us do. When we help others, it makes us feel good, as though we’re somehow making the world better. That’s not a bad thing, except when our helping depletes us to the point where we feel anxious, stressed and overwhelmed.
April Ervin knows how it feels to be depleted. At 35, her doctor warned April that she was on a path toward illness and health problems if she didn’t take a pause and reassess her life and priorities. That’s when April decided to become a Chief Peace Officer, intentionally stopping her mad race to achieve and taking the time to rest, reflect and finally recalibrate her choices and life.
That focused approach allowed April to not only decrease her stress and overwhelm, but to actually be more effective in all areas of her life. Living our best lives as well as serving others must be goals that work together for us and those we care about. By making intentional decisions and understanding that we cannot serve everyone, we empower ourselves to deliver our best to others and ourselves.
Tune in for more of April’s tips and wisdom on this week’s episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast.
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
KS & MFB
I was driven towards chaos, turn-arounds, new-ideas, startups. I discovered that I like the burning buildings. You can lead through disruption, but it’s important not to make fear-based decisions.
~ Antonia Hock
How many of us are drawn to chaos? We’ve all had more than a taste of it over the past several years, and most of us couldn’t wait to get back to “normal.” Yet if we’re honest, that state of chaos encouraged many of us to be creative, find our brilliance and rebuild our lives in ways that were new.
While we’d never say we enjoyed the chaos, our friend Antonia Hock looks at chaos with a unique perspective, seeing the opportunity dramatic change can offer to remake and rebuild things we often content ourselves with because they’ve always been that way.
A world-renowned business coach, Antonia believes that great challenges offers great opportunity, and encourages her clients to value people, building “exceptional customer experiences and a world-class employee culture.”
Antonia also recognizes that we must constantly challenge ourselves in order to grow, and took up rock climbing to engage herself physically and mentally, helping to add clarity and focus to all areas of her life.
How can you put aside fear to lead through chaos and disruption? Tune in to hear more of Antonia’s wisdom on this week’s episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast.
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
KS & MFB
Those of us who live in the Philadelphia area remember with great clarity the early evening of May 12, 2015, when an Amtrak train bound for New York from Washington, D.C. derailed in Philadelphia, killing 8 and injuring over 200 people.
Geralyn Ritter, our guest today on the Brilliantly Resilient podcast, was on that train, and was one of the 11 people critically injured whose lives would be forever changed. Taken unconscious to a nearby hospital, Geralyn was without identification and was unable to contact her husband and children, who searched desperately for her all night.
Geralyn speaks of her experience, how she survived her trauma (doctors said her survival was nothing short of miraculous) and how she has dedicated herself to helping others heal from devastating challenges by sharing her story, especially through her book, Bone by Bone. With a determined, resilient spirit, Geralyn offers lessons to navigate crisis and even find the true purpose within them.
Tune in to this week’s episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast to hear more of Geralyn’s truly inspiring story.
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
KS & MFB
We don’t celebrate failing. We should fail proudly and share our failures. Just show up imperfectly.
~ Renee Bauer
How many times have you failed in your life? Beginning with childhood (babies fall around 17 times an hour learning to walk!) the answer is probably zillions–so, a lot.
As children, we innately recognize that failure is a part of learning. And as we absorb the lessons of each failure, we come that much closer to success. It’s only as we begin to know shame and embarrassment that failure becomes FAILURE!!! and we neglect to recognize its value.
The other downside of our relationship with failure is that it makes us afraid to try. Our friend Renee Bauer knows “failure” in what many think of as the traditional meaning of the word. She’s also chosen to take intentional action to not only learn from her failures, but use them to propel her forward both personally and professionally. Twice divorced and now happily married in a blended family, Renee built a legal practice serving individuals who couldn’t imagine a happily ever after by encouraging a mindset change along with imperfect action and courage with hard decisions. She also inspires women around the world with her She Who Wins Summit.
Tune in to hear more of Renee’s wisdom on this week’s edition of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast and start on the path towards your happily even after.
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
KS & MFB
In the last three years, how many times have you heard the term “self-care?” Probably almost as often as you’ve heard about “resilience.” But what do they mean? If we try to define either word, we rarely agree on a singular definition. As to how to integrate either, or both, into our lives, well, that makes room for even more opinions and suggestions, but few concrete strategies.
Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we’re all about specific tools to help you tap into your inherent resilience (learn more at www.brilliantlyresilient.net), as is our friend Peg Sadie, founder of the Resilient Mom Academy, and an expert on helping mothers create calm and intentional lives.
Peg advises that in order to practice meaningful self-care, we need to intentionally take note of what is and is not working in six major areas of our lives. Being unbalanced in any one, or more likely several, can lead to anxiety, overwhelm, and parenting that is not only less than ideal, but passes on those challenges to our children.
By recognizing what is lacking, we can “reverse engineer” the problem, finding solutions to fix what’s broken or let go of it altogether. Self-care is not about bubble baths (not that there’s anything wrong with that!), but rather, allowing ourselves the time and focus to pay attention to ourselves.
Tune in to hear more of Peg’s wisdom on this episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast.
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
KS & MFB
Understand what the situation needs and bring the tigers. There’s too much emphasis placed on being the lone wolf.
~ Steven Rudolph
We Americans love our independence. It’s kind of our thing, going all the way back to our founding as a country. There’s something about individual success that’s empowering. Saying “I did it–all by myself!” makes us feel strong.
It can also make us feel lonely. And contrary to what we may think, taking on challenges as a “lone wolf,” in the words of our friend Steven Rudolph, doesn’t always give us the best results.
Steven Rudolph believes in tigers. Not only the big cats, but the tigers we all have inside of us. Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we see our tigers as our Brilliance. And Brilliance is meant to be shared.
As Steven reminds us, when we bring our tigers, or Brilliance, and encourage others to do the same, we discover better solutions to challenges and build better teams, as everyone brings their best selves to each situation.
Our tigers are our strengths, and combined with the strengths of others–our tribe–we are more productive, successful and stronger. We’re all just better.
Tune in for more of Steven’s Brilliance on this episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast.
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
KS & MFB
The Surgeon General has pointed to a loneliness epidemic. Losing your support group is the equivalent of smoking 15 cigarettes a day. We have to invest in our relationships.
~ Julie Schechter
How many Facebook friends do you have? How about Instagram followers? What’s your count of LinkedIn connections? Isn’t it amazing to have so many friends?
If you’re on social media, odds are you have thousands of “friends.” But how many of those are people whom you really know, and who know you? Even with so many connections, we can still feel isolated and alone. Our real relationships often get lost in the shuffle as we forget birthdays, anniversaries, or even making a phone call (???!!!) to let someone know we’re thinking of them.
Julie Schechter reminds us that our relationships are the most important parts of our lives, impacting both our mental and physical health. The former ballet dancer and lawyer wants to help us reconnect with those we care about through her company Small Packages. Julie began her values-based business after realizing that she herself was missing out on her relationships, and admitting that she needed a way to let those she cared about know she was thinking of them. By building a business with intention (97% of Julie’s products come from small suppliers), Julie encourages people to send small gift packages (pre-packaged or personally chosen) to loved ones as a tangible reminder that we care–especially appreciated in our electronic world.
Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we know the value of a tribe. Be sure to nurture your relationships, both personal and professional, and show appreciation for the “real” people in your life.
Tune in to learn more about Julie here, and be sure to learn more on this week’s podcast!
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
KS & MFB
“It’s important to make sure the teen perspective on mental health is understood. Having kids speak about it is really relevant. By hearing teenagers speak, it makes you feel represented….Hearing other teen voices comforted me and provided a safe space.”
~ Matt Suescun and Faiza Ashar from On Our Minds
Do you remember what it felt like to be a teenager? As we get older, it’s easy to romanticize our teen years. We were young, we had our whole lives ahead of us, and life was easy.
But was it really? If we’re honest, most of us will admit that our teenage years were TOUGH. Full of teen angst yes, but also crowded with worry about our place in the world, where life would take us, and what kind of world would await us when it was time to take on the role of an adult.
Today’s teens have no less on their plates. In fact, given the last several years of global challenges, they likely have more. That’s why we at Brilliantly Resilient were so thrilled to hear from Matt Suescun and Faiza Ashar, the season 2 hosts of PBS’s On Our Minds.
On Our MInds deals with the mental health issues facing young people today. The show provides an opportunity for teens to share their concerns, worries, and yes, fears about a subject many are afraid to speak about publicly.
With so much noise in the world, it’s essential to LISTEN to our young people. They are wise, thoughtful and unfortunately, struggling. Thanks to PBS for giving them a voice; let’s hear what they have to say. Tune in to hear more from the amazing young people on this episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast. Thanks Matt and Faiza–we love you!!
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
KS & MFB
Does it align with the message we’re trying to deliver? People don’t know what their brands are anymore.You see brands struggling to be something else. We need to do what we do and do it better and stop trying to be something else, and people will find you. Do you.
~ Jen Cook, GM of WUCF TV & FM Orlando
Do you have a brand? Believe it or not, you do. Everyone does. A brand is just another word to describe what you stand for. Here at Brilliantly Resilient, the word brand represents values–the things that really matter to us and show who we are and want to be.
Jen Cook is the director of a public media station in Orlando. As Jen tells it, Orlando is a tough news town, unfortunately the site of many challenging events. After one such event, Jen found herself besieged with questions from parents about how to talk to children regarding the frightening situation. Jen recalls saying “Why are you asking me?” in return. Parents responded with “You’re PBS. You know how to talk to kids.”
It was a lightbulb moment for Jen. As director of a PBS station, Jen realized that the public’s association with PBS and children afforded the station to craft a unique program to introduce children to community workers, and Meet the Helpers was born.
By acting on the PBS values system or brand, Jen was able to deliver a brilliant response to a need in her community. When we live based on our personal and professional values, the best of us rises to the surface, inspiring us to utilize our resilience to rise and offer our brilliance to the world.
Tune in to hear more from our friend Jen on this week’s episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast.
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
KS & MFB
You can’t blame yourself. You can’t blame others. You just have to give yourself grace and move forward. Grace is a beautiful word.
~ Amy Combs
This week brings a special episode of Brilliantly Resilient. September is suicide awareness month, and during that time, we were honored to meet Amy Combs, who lost her brother to suicide. Amy shares her challenging story with us and after telling of her loss, goes on to offer hope to others affected.
Amy speaks of giving yourself grace–something we should all do when dealing with trauma. And she notes, “It’s been a process, because it’s difficult. It’s an everyday thing.”
Great loss often saddles us with blame. What could I have done to prevent this from happening? Yet, it’s essential to recognize that others’ decisions are out of our control. The best we can do is support others when we can, support ourselves, and offer grace as we walk together on our human journey.
Thank you, Amy, for sharing your story. We are most grateful for your time and your wisdom. Tune in to hear more from Amy on this week’s episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast.
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together.
XO,
KS & MFB
You cannot live your best life until you allow yourself to be happy. You must give yourself permission and make the choice to be happy. Otherwise, you’re just pushing a broom through the room of your life.
~ David Brinkley
Do you remember the Tim McGraw song, Live Like You Were Dying? David Brinkley knows exactly how that feels. At age 49, David received a cancer diagnosis, giving him only 18 months to live. As David tells us, “Every perspective that you have in life changes when somebody tells you there’s a clock and that clock is running out.”
But rather than turn to anger, David recognized the freedom in letting go of the “To-do” list he kept, as we all do, and turned to celebrating every moment he had, which also required him to be thoughtful about the people he surrounded himself with and the choices he made every moment.
How often do you tell yourself you’ll get to something you’ve been wanting to do after you check everything off your daily list? And how often do you ever get to the bottom of that list and give yourself a reward?
Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we’ve learned, as David has, that every day holds joy, and a reward, if we choose to be happy. But, as David reminds us, we must give ourselves permission to make that choice.
We’re delighted to report that David is still enjoying life five years after his initial diagnosis, and the wisdom he shares in this episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast is something we should all incorporate into our daily outlook. Tune in to hear more, and put that broom back in the closet!
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
KS & MFB
I made a vow to myself that I was going to be my best ‘Yes.” I believed in myself wholeheartedly.
~ Whitney Reynolds
How many times have you heard the word “No?” When we’re young, we hear ‘No” often from our caregivers as a way to keep us safe. But as we grow, we begin to hear “No” when we’re being stopped for different reasons.
A project we believe in, something we have our hearts set on to do or obtain, a promotion at a job, so many things can lead us to a ``No,” despite how much we work towards or desire a certain outcome.
Whitney Reynolds has heard “No” a lot. But she realized that the only way to achieve her goals and dreams was to be her own best “Yes.” Whitney learned how to “connect the dots” in her life to determine her purpose and create true change in the world. As Whitney tells us, she still heard “No” more times than she could count, but by believing in herself and her mission, she found the energy and strength to keep moving and evolving, eventually creating The Whitney Reynolds Show to inspire others to overcome challenges.
“No” doesn’t have to be the end of the road for a dream or goal. Here at Brilliantly Resilient, the pandemic served up more “No’s” than we could count. Yet, the path to achievement and success is rarely a straight line. When we’re willing to change course and connect the dots, as Whitney says, we can move forward and find our own mission, Brilliance, and Resilience. Tune in to hear more of Whitney’s wisdom on this episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast.
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
KS & MFB
What people trust you on is essential. We trust that what Public Media puts out there will be beneficial, trustworthy and real.
~ Kristin Smedley and Mary Fran Bontempo
How much do you trust what the world is saying to you? In a world of fake news (often driven by people promoting falsehoods), disrespect and fear as a driving force, it’s almost impossible to know whom to trust.
But the folks behind public media–think Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers, RoadTrip Nation and more–know the value of trust, and deliver it consistently through their programming and educational offerings.
This week’s show offers a recap of some upcoming episodes with a few of the Brilliant people working in public media. Honored to speak at the NETA (National Educational Telecommunications Association) Conference, we met amazing individuals in public media who shared their own professional and personal journeys, and their Resilience and Brilliance when navigating and growing through challenges.
Their commitment to values, service and steady evolution and improvement underscores points to the reason we trust public media. Stay tuned for these upcoming, Brilliant episodes!
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
KS & MFB
Let go of what should be to make room for what could be.
~ Kristin Smedley and Mary Fran Bontempo
Where would we be without our goals and plans? For many of us, it’s essential to have plans, even to begin a day. Without them, we can feel adrift, unsure of where we’re headed or what we’re doing.
But how many times do your plans actually work out? Sometimes, when we tie ourselves to what we want and expect, especially if we’ve worked hard to get it, we’re crushed when things don’t work out. Occasionally, we get so stuck on our idea of what “should” be, given all of our planning and work, that we keep after a goal or plan that’s not coming to fruition–even if it means running into an imaginary brick wall again and again.
Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we know what it feels like to refuse to let go of what we think “should” be. In Kristin’s mind, her children should not have been blind, and she was unable to see a future in which they lives successful, happy lives.In Mary Fran’s case, her son should not have been an addict, and she refused to accept a reality that was directly in front of her until it was almost too late.
Once we both learned to release what we thought our lives “should” look like, we were able to see the possibilities of what could be. Kristin was able to equip her sons with the tools to build bright futures, and Mary Fran was able to see her son’s illness and get him treatment.
Life evolves. And although plans and goals serve a purpose, it’s essential to recognize that there are opportunities for growth and joy, even if we don’t get what we think we “should.”
Tune into this week’s episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast to learn more as we launch a new season of amazing guests! Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
Kristin & Mary Fran
Every day, just be enough.
~ Diane Berberian
It is with a mixture of both sadness and joy that we bring you this week’s episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast. Our dear friend, Diane Berberian, passed away peacefully last week after a long battle with cancer.
To say that Diane was a bright light is an understatement, but she never saw herself that way. In her mind, she was always “just Diane,” although she inspired so many with her grit and grace. A true Northeast Philly girl (we’re a tough lot!) Diane fought, but never looked like she was fighting, her wide, bright smile always at the ready.
When we spoke to Diane two years ago, she dropped too many Brilliance Bits to count, but her advice to “Every day, just be enough.” was brilliantly simple and striking. Do your best, help others, and just be enough.
Tune into this episode to hear more of Diane’s simple, beautiful brilliance. Here are a few more quotes to listen for:
Sit still and think. People don’t take the time to sit still.
Find those people you belong to. There may be different people at different times.
Beginners need to know that you get more than one chance if you fail.
If I don’t ask, the answer will always be “No.”
~ Diane Berberian
We love you, Diane. Thank you for sharing your light with us all.
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together.
XO,
KS & MFB
The messages about who I was supposed to be got in the way of what I needed to say. ~ Selena Rezvani
Did you grow up thinking you were "supposed" to be something, act a certain way, live your life according to a vision that wasn't necessarily your own? Many of us did. But it's never too late to own who you are and stand up for who you want to be.
As we near the end of summer, we want to empower you to "pushback" against an idea of you that doesn't match who you really are. And our friend, Selena Rezvani is just the one to help.
Selena Rezvani knows what it takes to be leader--and sometimes it takes standing up and saying exactly what it is you want. As Selena tells it, women need to step up and ASK for what they want, bring their best self to the table and advocate--for themselves. A women's leadership expert, speaker and author of Pushback: How Smart Women Ask--and Stand Up For--What they Want, Selena knows the power of bringing your authentic self to the table, and owning it!
Tune in as we reshare this Brilliant interview and let's begin fall as who we really are. Learn more about Selena at https://www.selenarezvani.com/.
Let's be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
KS & MFB
During our summer of focus on mental health and imperfect action, we wanted to share again our interview with Jessica Cox, the first armless pilot in aviation history. As Jessica shares her Resilient mindset, (Jessica gives new meaning to the word "Resilient!") note how she continues to remind us to respect ourselves as well as others. Tune in for more from the Brilliant Jessica Cox!
If we carry ourselves with confidence and love, it allows others to respond to us in the same way. ~ Jessica Cox
Okay, Brilliantly Resilient listeners, today there will be no complaining--about anything! Today's guest, Jessica Cox, was born without arms--and she's a pilot!!! As in, she flies planes! Jessica has had to overcome incredible odds to live on her own terms, creating a successful, hopeful and inspirational life to share with others. We are so grateful for her spirit, leadership and attitude. Jessica proves that all things are possible through hard work, committment and love. Tune in to hear our Brilliantly Resilient friend, and visit her at https://www.jessicacox.com/.
Let's be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
KS & MFB
The gift of suffering is that we are here to help other people who are suffering now.
~ Dr. Lise Deguire
How would you cope knowing your mother ran from you to save her own life instead of saving you?
Our childhood experiences can traumatize us terribly, keeping us stuck in unhealthy behaviors and patterns throughout our lives. But it doesn't have to be that way.
As a child of four, Lise Deguire was horribly burned in a fire and left by her mother as her mother ran to save herself. Today, Lise shares her Brilliance as a compassionate psychologist who is the epitome of Resilience.
Lise's book, Flashback Girl: Lessons on Resilience from a Burn Survivor, detaills her experiences and how she overcame her trauma to become a kind, forgiving adult who teaches others to live healthy lives.
As we continue our focus on mental health this summer, we couldn't end the season without again bringing you our friend, Lise. Few people have inspired us more.
Be sure to check out Flashback Girl and tune into this week's episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast.
Let's be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO
KS & MFB
I still make mistakes that I learn from, and if you don’t admit that, you’re lying. ~ Jennifer Lynn Robinson
This summer has been all about mental health and action here at Brilliantly Resilient. This week, we're going to celebrate one of the most courageous, smartest, chicest women we know--our friend Jennifer Lynn Robinson, a.k.a. Mrs. Classic Universe 2022-2023!!! Wooooooo!!!!
Jennifer Lynn Robinson had an amazing career, bright future--life looked limitless. Until a devastating accident took it all away. But Jennifer fought her way back with fierce determination, unafraid to make mistakes to grow and learn. An example to us all in Resilience, Jennifer has led FemCity Philadelphia, is the founder of Purposeful Networking, is now teaching at Penn, and has just won the Mrs. Classic Universe crown!!! Brilliance found and shared after tragedy.
We're proud to call Jennifer friend and are beyond excited about her glitzy, glam crown--shouldn't every woman be photographed in a tiara? Tune in as we bring back one of our favorite episodes, and congratulations, Jennifer; we're so proud of you!
Let's be Brilliantly Resilient together!!
XO,
KS & MFB
Since this summer is all about mental health and taking imperfect action, we wanted to again share one of our favorite guests--Rob Kenney of "Dad, How Do I Fame." Rob's prescription for healthy living (below) says it all!
S.E.L.F. Serve others, Eat and exercise, Learn something, Forgive somebody. ~ Rob Kenney, a.k.a. Dad, How Do I?
Rob Kenney is America's Dad. A kind, fun-loving guy, Rob has sky rocketed to rockstar status - all because he gives some good Dad-ly advice and tells a few goofy Dad jokes.
Yet, Rob is really about reaching out to those who are missing their dads--and the support and love dads can provide. With a genuine, simple approach, Rob not only teaches viewers how to do "Dad" stuff, he dispenses wisdom about how to live a good life.
Tune in to hear Rob's story about creating the "Dad How Do I?" videos and how Rob's values infuse his work. Get Rob's book on Amazon here: Dad, How Do I? Join the Brilliantly Resilient Facebook Community for daily motivation to move forward through life's sucker punches! www.Facebook.com/groups/brilliantlyresilient!
Let's be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
KS & MFB
Summertime, and the livin' is easy! We're taking a few weeks off, here at Brilliantly Resilient, so we've decided to bring back some of our favorite episodes, focusing on mental health and action. This week, our buddy Keith Baldwin talks about moving out of his own pity party and taking on messy, imperfect action. Brilliant! Enjoy, and thank you, Keith!
Limit your Pity Party. I threw a hell of a Pity Party, but those emotions don’t help you with solutions or move you forward.
~ Keith Baldwin
Have you ever thrown yourself a Pity Party? Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we were experts at it. When life hits you with a sucker punch, it seems like you’re entitled to feel sorry for yourself. And you are–to a point. But you can’t live in that place of pain. Acknowledge it, feel it, and then get the heck out of there!
This week’s guest, Keith Baldwin decided to make 2020 a year of firsts and wrote a book (A Leap Year of Firsts) about his experiences. But what started out as fun and games quickly turned serious when the pandemic produced some unwanted firsts–as when Keith had to lay off his entire workforce.
After realizing that feeling sorry for himself wasn’t helping him or his staff, Keith got to work, finding a unique solution to his problem and hiring all 45 workers back within hours of laying them off.
Remember, sometimes life just sucks. The question is, are you just visiting that place of yuck or are you going to live there? Tune in to this week’s episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast to hear more about Keith Baldwin and his Leap Year of Firsts!
XO,
KS & MFB
It’s important to give ourselves that space for self care and a lot of people think they don’t deserve it.
~ Lesley Logan
How many people and things do you put before yourself in your life? Family, friends, work, even picking up the dry cleaning top our To Do lists before we even think about ourselves. The result is that we’re often exhausted, frustrated, and maybe a little (or a lot!) cranky.
Lesley Logan stumbled onto the importance of making time for herself by accident when she took a Pilates class at the invitation of a friend. That one class proved transformational, showing Lesley the benefits of intentional self-care and movement. As Lesley reminds us, movement keeps the brain young and healthy–the basis for a happy, successful life.
Taking time for self care may mean we leave some things undone; that’s okay, too. By making a healthy body and mind a priority, Lesley realized that finishing can be optional, and it’s okay to change your mind. What a relief!!
As summer begins, be sure to take the time for self care. Move your body (take a Pilates class!) make your brain happy, and put yourself at the top of your To Do list!
For more of Lesley’s Brilliance, tune into this week’s episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast.
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
KS & MFB
There are two kinds of pain–one that goes on and on and on, and the kind where there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Go towards the light.
~ Candace Plattor
Challenge and crisis are never easy. But they do come with choice. While we can’t always change our circumstances, we can change our responses to our challenges. The choice to change our response can break the cycle of pain and allow us to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Candace Plattor, this week’s guest on the Brilliantly Resilient podcast, knows about the pain that can be created when we choose to repeat the same patterns of behavior again and again, enabling a pain that goes on and on. As an addiction therapist, Candace knows that oftentimes, the pain we live in remains because we choose to live without changing anything, and as Candace reminds us, “if nothing changes, nothing changes.”
Yet, when we choose to address our challenges and change our responses to them, we can open a spot of light at the end of our dark tunnels, making that pain finite, or at least more manageable.
How are you addressing the challenges in your life? Are you repeating the same actions in response over and over? Can you change your responses and alter your circumstances? To hear more of Candace’s wisdom, tune into this week’s episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast.
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
KS & MFB
The God lens is always going to be a more compassionate, but a less certain lens. It’s going to take away the absolute convictions with which we are looking at many things and open us up to the possibility that we are mistaken.
~ Christine Eberle
Geez, we hate being wrong. It happens–rarely–but we really, really hate it when it does. Yet, it happens to us all, probably more often than we’d like.
Much of the angst we experience when we’re wrong comes from our insecure egos. If we’ve examined something, done our due diligence and run it up our personal flagpole, we should be right, shouldn’t we? In fact, our egos demand that we are. But what about the other folks who have done the same thing and come to a different conclusion than ours? Their egos are shouting just as loudly that they are the ones on the right path.
Author Christine Eberle, this week’s guest on the Brilliantly Resilient podcast, notes that it’s our perception–the lens through which we are looking at things–that keeps us stuck and frustrated. When we pull back and look at life through the God lens instead of our own, we may find uncertainty, but we also find room for possibility.
It may not feel like it at the time, but sometimes being wrong is the best thing that can happen to us, especially if it allows us to consider other actions and other outcomes.
Christine’s new book, Finding God Abiding, offers thoughtful meditative lessons designed to open our awareness to God’s presence in our lives, as well as to help us recognize the wonder of possibility. Tune into this week’s episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast to learn about Christine’s four movements of life as she shares her Brilliance.
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO
KS & MFB
There was always a component of courage, but not the absence of fear.
~ Dr. Robyn Graham
Have you ever felt anxious? Hands up, everyone! No one escapes anxiety. But why does it cripple some of us while others seem to escape its grasp?
This week’s guest on the Brilliantly Resilient podcast, Dr. Robyn Graham, confesses that she’s experienced anxiety since she can remember, and it’s held her back on more than one occasion. Yet, by realizing that she had a choice about letting anxiety run her life, Robyn found the courage to navigate her fears and, while not overcoming anxiety entirely, learned to manage it.
We can move forward with a choice, and it’s essential to choose action even if there is fear. Fear is a natural response to the unknown, but it isn’t an excuse for staying stuck. Make an intentional choice to lead with courage and tell anxiety to step back. Each time you choose action for your good, the anxiety voice inside gets a little quieter. Pretty soon, you’ll recognize anxious feelings, but they won’t keep you from living your Brilliance.
For more of Robyn’s Brilliance, tune into this week’s episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast, and check out Robyn’s new book, You, Me and Anxiety.
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
Kristin and Mary Fran
Look at your calendar from the last few months and see what put a smile on your face. What about those experiences can you do more of?
~ Fran Hauser
Finding our Brilliance. It’s not always easy. Our Brilliance and the things that light us up don’t always jump out and say, “Here I am! This is what you’re supposed to be doing!”
But our friend, Fran Hauser, author, angel investor and the queen of kindness in the workplace, offers a simple strategy to determine where our Brilliance may lie and how we can get more of it in our lives.
By looking back through our calendars and intentionally evaluating our experiences we can get a sense of what makes us happy, as well as where we shine. Too often, we treat life as a list of things we have to “get done,” checking things off and then filing them away, rarely to be thought of as anything other than finished. But when we take the time to look at our experiences and what about them fueled–or didn’t–us, we can get a sense of where we should be putting our efforts to get the most our ot life–and out of ourselves.
Brilliance is within us all; sometimes we just need a little help finding it.
Fran offers more of her Brilliance in her new book, Embrace the Work, Love Your Career, a workbook that guides you through realizing career goals with “clarity, intention and confidence.” Brilliant!!! Tune in to hear more from Fran on resilient.onpodium.com/">this week’s episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast.
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
Kristin and Mary Fran
Everything is situational. We constantly have values competing, all of the time. That’s where you make the hardest decisions. What is at your core?
~ Ken Meeker
Decisions, decisions. Wouldn’t it be great if they were all easy? Many are. For example, what would you choose, a paid vacation, or an extra 40 hours at work with no compensation? (Choose the vacation!)
But what about those decisions that have you considering the “on the other hand” option over and over and over again?
Ken Meeker knows that it’s essential to make decisions based on our values. But sometimes, our values compete with each other, depending on the situation. What if the scenario above offered you a vacation or a month’s salary for a week’s work? Hmmmm…not quite as easy a decision.
That’s why it’s so important to know your core values–what are your non-negotiables? If your non-negotiables are met, it’s easier to make a decision based on what you want in any situation. As Ken rightly points out, values are not intrinsically good or bad; it’s where each has its place on our personal values scale.
Tune in to hear more from Ken Meeker on this week’s episode of The Brilliantly Resilient podcast, and find him at www.vitalitycareercoaching.com.
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
Kristin & Mary Fran
When you’re by yourself and having a meltdown, it takes a few moments to realize no one is coming to rescue you, to get you up. That’s when you have to make a choice. No one controls my happiness, my destiny, my goals, and my dreams but me. It is no one else’s choice. It is my choice. ~ Cheryl Ecton
Have you ever found yourself in a position where you thought, “I can’t do this. I’ll never be able to get out of this mess alone.”? It’s not unusual to want someone to come in and make all of the ugly go away. Yet, as our Brilliantly Resilient guest, Cheryl Ecton, founder of Elite Building Services, reminds us, it’s only when we realize that no one is coming to save us and we are responsible for our own happiness that we can make the choice to move forward.
That doesn’t mean we get to wave a magic wand and make our troubles disappear. But making the decision to just visit challenges instead of living in them and committing to accepting responsibility for our own destiny can set us on the path of empowerment. We may not be able to control our circumstances, but we can control our choices.
Sometimes that means choosing to take a step back to address another priority. Sometimes it means accepting that okay is good enough. Even if the end isn’t what we wanted, we still have choices. And Cheryl reminds us in her new book, Choices Change Everything.
What choices can you make today to move forward? How can you begin to own your happiness and destiny? Tune in to hear more from Cheryl Ecton on resilient.onpodium.com/">this week’s episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast. Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
KS & MFB
We have 60,000 to 70,000 thoughts each day. Ninety percent of those are the thoughts that we had yesterday. We are constantly living in the past.
~ Stanley Dietrich
How often do you find yourself on the hamster wheel of chasing the same thoughts over and over in your mind? When something is challenging or concerning us, it may feel like the same thoughts never leave–we dwell on them day after day, often with little or no resolution.
This week’s guest on the Brilliantly Resilient podcast is Stanley Dietrich, of 360 Life Without Limits. Stanley knows how it feels to be stuck in the revolving door or our past–so much so that our present may pass us by. That’s why Stanley teaches others to focus on the present, with simple exercises to stay attentive to life now–not yesterday.
Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we know how easy it is to run through a mental replay reel. It takes focus and effort to redirect our minds towards new opportunities instead of past mistakes. In that way, as Stanley reminds us, “We create a future instead of fixing the past.”
Tune in to hear more of Stanley’s calming wisdom on resilient.onpodium.com/">this week’s episode of The Brilliantly Resilient podcast. Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
KS & MFB
Victim is an identity.
Mindset is what you think.
What you think is what you speak.
What you speak is what you act.
What you act becomes your reality.
~ Michael Unbroken
Life is not for the faint of heart. And many of us have experienced trauma–some more profound than others.Yet, trauma does not have to define us, or be the overriding factor in our lives. Our Brilliantly Resilient guest this week, Michael Unbroken, teaches trauma survivors how to move beyond trauma and its devastating impact to become the heroes of their own stories.
Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we say that uncovering your Resilience and discovering your Brilliance starts with a decision: Are you just visiting your challenge, or are you going to live there? It’s a mindset intention that will begin to point your brain forward, instead of reliving and fearing that the past will become your present.
Michael Unbroken echoes that sentiment by highlighting the importance of mindset coupled with action to Rise and thrive after trauma. Mental and physical health are possible after trauma. For more of Michael’s wisdom and strategies, tune into this episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast and become the hero you are!
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
KS & MFB
I learned so much from the people in my life. I wanted to share that and to remind others to cherish and honor those who raised and influenced them.
~ Jane Jenkins Herlong
Every life is touched by so many others. But how often do we think back and acknowledge the lessons–whether good or bad–that we learn from those who have come into our lives?Our Brilliantly Resilient guest this week, Jane Jenkins Herlong, knows the power of the women and men who raised her and taught her life lessons, whether family or friend. In her new book, Sweet Tea Secrets from the Deep Fried South, Jane shares hilarious, heartfelt stories about those who shaped her life, teaching her lessons along the way, even if they didn’t realize it.
Jane wrote the book not only to share her own story, but to remind us to cherish those in our lives who influence us, and to remember their stories and lessons. Those who have touched us have helped to make us who we are. We’re reminded to learn, laugh, and love–hard.
Tune into this week’s episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast to hear more from our funny friend, Jane. And order your copy of Jane’s new book today on Amazon!
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
Kristin & Mary Fran
What are my transferable skills? I’m a big believer in using all of the skills I’ve gathered along the way.
~ Gail Robertson
Have you ever spent time doing something and thought, “Well, that was pointless”?
We tend to put value on things that are only immediately useful, discarding those that don’t prove their worth right away.
Yet, have you ever been in a situation where those skills–the ones you thought were pointless–have come back to serve you? Most of us have.
This week’s guest, Gail Robertson, is a big believer in using transferable skills–one of the pillars of living a Brilliantly Resilient life. Gail sees having an eclectic past as an asset, believing that all of our experiences can serve us if we recognize their potential value.
To be truly Brilliantly Resilient, we must be aware of ways to utilize our transferable skills. Everything we experience can teach us, and we never know when something that seemed to have no value might be exactly what we need in the present moment.
Tune in to resilient.onpodium.com/">this week’s episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast to hear more of Gail’s wisdom.
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
KS & MFB
P.S. To get a 1-minute Brilliance Bit in your mailbox weekly, visit brilliantlyresilient.net and sign up on our home page!
We have different play needs at different times of life. We never outgrow the need to play.
~ Jill Asher, Magical Bridge Foundation
Have you ever passed by a playground and simply listened to the shouts of joy from children playing? Better yet, do you remember the joy you felt as you ran, jumped, and played as a child?
The world is a serious place–one that can make play seem frivolous and unnecessary in the midst of so much crisis. But our guest this week, Jill Asher of the Magical Bridge Foundation, reminds us that we never outgrow the need to play. And everyone, regardless of ability or age, should be given the opportunity to experience play.
Magical Bridge builds playgrounds that are accessible to everyone of any age or ability, ensuring that everyone can play in a community setting, strengthening bonds between all members in a safe, joyful environment.
We all have challenges, many of which need almost constant attention. But remember to save some attention for yourself and to direct that attention to playing. Feed your soul, feed your body, feed your mind. Just play.
Tune into this week's episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast to hear more from Jill about Magical Bridge. Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together.
XO,
KS & MFB
It is about finding that Resilience and strength to say, “Okay, I’m gonna show up another day. I’m just gonna show up another day." And then the next day and the next day. ~ Maria Johnson, a.k.a. Girl Gone Blind
How often in a crisis do you think to yourself, “I just can’t do this anymore”?
When a challenge hits us with a sucker punch, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and defeated. Crisis changes life in an instant, taking away, sometimes permanently, what we knew or believed to be true. Being exhausted and wanting to give up is a common response.
That’s why it’s important to break down our challenges in manageable chunks. It may be impossible to imagine living permanently in the current state of upheaval, so don’t try. Instead, just show up, if not for a day, for the next 15 minutes.
This week’s guest, Maria Johnson, a.k.a. Girl Gone Blind, lost her sight at age 50, changing her whole life. And while Maria admits to sitting “in the hallway of denial for a long time,” she eventually realized that she didn’t have to tackle blindness all at once. She just had to show up, one day at a time. And if a day is too much, follow Mary Fran’s advice and live life as a 15 Minute Master–take it 15 minutes at a time.
Tune into this week’s episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast to hear more from the Brilliant Maria Johnson. Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
KS & MFB
The critic is the voice of fear; the coach is the voice of love. Talk to yourself like you want yourself to win.
~ Kristin & Mary Fran
Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we can really be mean. To ourselves, that is.
It’s hard to imagine, but statistics show that we talk to ourselves thousands of times a day, and it’s often 80% negative. And not only does that negative thinking apply to our circumstances (the person paying by check in the express checkout lane–Grrrrrr!!!),it also affects the way we speak to ourselves.
How often have you berated yourself for failing at something, making a mistake, or just forgetting to pick up the dry cleaning? If you’re like most of us, you do it frequently, and you’re none too nice to yourself in the process.
That inner critic is the voice of fear–reminding us that we’ll never be good enough, at even small things, let alone the big ones. But if we can turn that fear into love, our inner critic can become our coach.
The next time you find your inner critic giving you a mental bashing, think about how you would talk to your child or your best friend. Then take that loving, nurturing, assuring voice and use it on yourself–turning your inner critic into your supportive coach.
When we tune into our inner coach, we set ourselves, and our brains, up to create winning strategies. We build our own confidence and set out on a path of successful action. Quiet the critic and let the coach take over the game.
For more with us, tune into resilient.onpodium.com/episode/episode-107-how-to-turn-your-inner-critic-into-a-coahc-072">this week’s episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast. Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
KS & MFB
We’re our own best case study. We’ve had to dig in, find our resilience, find the Brilliance within that challenge and then create some really cool stuff. We lived the Brilliantly Resilient process.
~ Kristin & Mary Fran
Did you ever hear the expression “Do what I say, not what I do?” Well, here at Brilliantly Resilient, we don’t believe in telling anyone to do anything unless we’ve tried it ourselves.
That’s why, every time we offer a Brilliance Bit or some strategy to help you live with a Brilliantly Resilient mindset, you can rest assured that we’ve done it ourselves. Over, and over and over again.
You see, as much as it would be great if you could just learn how to be Brilliantly Resilient one time and then always be Brilliantly Resilient, it doesn’t work that way. (We know; we weren’t happy about it, either.) You must return to the Brilliantly Resilient process of Reset, Rise and Reveal your Brilliance again and again, because life isn’t a straight line.
Yet, that’s the beauty of being Brilliantly Resilient. Once you learn the process, it does get easier. Each time life throws you a curve ball, you can immediately return to the process and find your way back–uncovering your Resilience and sharing your Brilliant self with the world once again.
We’re blessed this week to share Brilliantly Resilient with two awesome conferences–the Gulf-South Summit, and AHRA Climb–both highlighting leadership. As we happily jump into spring, let’s embrace being leaders for ourselves and those in our tribe and be Brilliantly Resilient together!
Happy Spring!!
XO,
KS & MFB
Being Resilient and Rising are about failing your way to success.
~ Beate Chelette
Failure. The word alone can feel like an anvil on your head. But it wasn’t always that way.
No one remembers learning to walk, but talk about failing spectacularly. Babies fall an average of 17 times an hour while learning to walk! When they do, they don’t cry, they don’t blame the rest of the world because they can’t do it, they simply get up, over and over again, until they walk.
As children, we realize that failure is simply a part of learning. The shame comes later, when as adults, we see failure as, well, FAILURE.
But this week’s guest, the Brilliant Beate Chelette, knows that failure is simply a part of the pathway to success. Without it, we don’t learn, we don’t grow, and we don’t achieve all that we’re capable of.
A first generation immigrant who found herself $135,000 in debt as a single mother, Beate eventually created a business that she sold to Bill Gates in a multi-million dollar deal. And failure, coupled with resilience and rising, were part of the journey.
Tune into this week’s episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast to hear more of Beate’s wisdom. Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
KS & MFB
Take imperfect action.
~ Kate Erickson: EOFire
How many times have you refrained from taking action on a problem because of the what-ifs?
The thought process goes like this: Well, I can do xyz, but what if (insert new problem) happens? Then what do I do? I just don’t know how to proceed…. Before you know it, you’re paralyzed and you’ve talked yourself out of doing anything.
This week’s guest, Kate Erickson of EOFire, knows how it feels to be stuck and frustrated. Often, Kate felt like her life was moving in a one-step forward, two-steps back progression–or regression. But once Kate learned to let go of the emotion accompanying her situations and take imperfect action, she began looking for the opportunities in challenges and released herself from expecting a perfect outcome.
Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we know that nothing is perfect–neither our plans nor their intended outcomes. Waiting for perfection is the best way to ensure failure. So, “take imperfect action” is excellent advice, and one of our favorite mantras, to keep things moving and evolving towards progress and success–even if it’s not the progress you envisioned.
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, tune into this episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast to hear more of the brilliant Kate Erickson’s practical, simple strategies for success. Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
KS & MFB
However much anger you have will affect your future outcome. Conversely, the more love and faith, the better the future. ~ Eric Edmeades
Have you been angry lately? Yikes. Perhaps a better question would be, who hasn’t been angry lately?
These days, the world is a pretty angry place. Everyone has an opinion, everyone’s opinion is right (???), people feel they deserve whatever they want, and if they don’t get it, they take it–or get really angry and spew venom all over the dang place in frustration.
But this week’s guest, Wildfit Founder Eric Edmeades, reminds us that we have control over our anger, as we create our own triggers along with the meaning we give to events. When we assess life events with anger and anxiety, we condition ourselves to expect more of the same. But more important, the same goes for an outlook full of love and faith–expect more of that.
Given the choice--and it is a choice--who wouldn’t want more of that love and faith stuff? We can all have it; we just have to choose.
Tune into this week’s episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast and learn how to control your triggers–to build a life full of love, faith and success!
Let’s be Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO,
KS & MFB
Create a silver lining—Do something, build something, create something.
~ Dr. David Fajgenbaum
Have you ever heard the expression: Find the silver lining? It’s about looking for something positive in a lousy situation. That sounds great, but what if things appear so bleak that you can’t find a silver lining? What then? To hear Dr. David Fajgenbaum’s story, it’s easy to see why it was nearly impossible to find a silver lining. Diagnosed with Castleman’s Disease as a young medical student, David almost died five times before hearing doctors say there was nothing more they could do for him. That’s when David went to work–creating his own silver lining. He found a cure for his own disease by using his knowledge in new ways and repurposing a treatment for another disease as one that proved effective for his own. (Be sure to read about David’s journey in his best-selling book Chasing My Cure.)Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we’re big believers in not only using 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. (And 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 today 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
It’s about discovering and remaining in your zone of genius as much as possible. Discover it and own it. Lean into the brilliance that you have and do it unapologetically. ~ Chris Ducker
Have you ever had someone compliment your Brilliance and instead of responding “Yes!! Thank you; I am Brilliant!”, you muttered something like, “Well, it was no big deal; I didn’t do much.”? Come on, you know you have.
We have a tendency to downplay our gifts and Brilliance, when we should be shouting it from the rooftops! We’ve been given our Brilliance for a reason, and it is our obligation to share it. It’s a gift to the world, but we have to share it–whenever we possibly can!
We knew from the first moment we met Chris Ducker that he was speaking our language. A wildly successful entrepreneur, coach, author, speaker, etc., etc., Chris is also one of the kindest, most generous and encouraging folks we’ve ever met. Oh, and did we say he’s BRILLIANT?
Chris knows the value of knowing what you know and owning it, as well as knowing what you don’t know and bringing others into your tribe who can share their Brilliance with you. Recognizing and owning your Brilliance and building a tribe that complements what you bring to the game ensures not only your success, but the success of others–all boats rise.
Everyone can be Brilliantly Resilient; in fact, you ARE. Make sure you own it. And share it with the rest of us–WE NEED YOU!
Be sure to tune in to hear more from the amazing Chris Ducker in this week’s episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast!
XO,
KS & MFB
I didn’t know how to live anymore. ~ Taylor Grieger
You chase everything you can in this world because you’re alive in it.
~ Taylor Grieger
Hope and despair. While most of us have experienced great sadness or heartache, fortunately, not everyone experiences despair. But we all know hope, which can lift us from the depths, if we can only find it.
This episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast marks our 100th show, and we couldn’t think of a better way to offer hope and share Brilliance and Resilience than to bring you Taylor Grieger and Stephen O’Shea.
A veteran U.S. Navy rescue swimmer, Taylor Grieger found himself unable to adjust to civilian life after his term of service. After his gun didn’t fire when Taylor tried to take his own life, he knew he had to find out why he was still alive and draw attention to the terrible toll PTSD takes on veterans.
Taylor recruited his high school swim team friend, writer Stephen O’Shea, to embark on a treacherous sailing journey to the waters of Cape Horn, known as the graveyard of ships. On the way, Taylor uncovered his own hidden Resilience and found his Brilliance while sharing the journey with other veterans to inspire hope. Their travels are documented in the film Hell or High Seas, and it’s mesmerizing.
Have you ever experienced a painful event and wondered why? Or worse, that it was somehow your fault (as Taylor remarks in the film)? When big, tough sucker punches happen, it’s normal to look for a reason, even if that reason means blaming ourselves. But it’s rarely that simple, and often, the reason isn’t important, it’s how we choose to come out the other side. The quotes above reflect Taylor’s reckoning with both ends of this challenging spectrum.
Building a tribe, asking for help, controlling the control-ables, not being married to outcomes and taking action are all parts of being Brilliantly Resilient which Taylor and Stephen return to again and again in their journey. With every step, the final message is always: There is hope.
Tune into this 100th episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast to learn more about Taylor and Stephen, and be sure to watch the film Hell or High Seas. And check out https://www.amodsailing.org/ for more on adventure therapy and how it can help veterans build healthy lives after service. Thank you Taylor, for your service and thanks to you and Stephen for sharing your incredible journey and wisdom!
XO,
KS & MFB
Growth is found in the valleys; it’s not found on the mountains. But being on the mountain allows us to see the beauty so when we have to go back to the valley, we can handle it.
~ Melanie Bradshaw
Have you ever experienced a sucker punch and thought, Why me? Melanie Bradshaw did. In fact, in 2021, our Brilliantly Resilient guest this week was treating Covid patients in the E.R. where she worked, lost her father to Covid, got Covid herself, was in a major car accident, and was diagnosed with breast cancer, undergoing major surgery twice to treat the disease.
If anyone had the right to ask, “Why me?” it was Melanie. But when the thought struck, she quickly turned it to “Why not me?” recognizing that she could be defeated or be tougher than the hits. She chose tough, knowing that we learn in the valleys so we can continue to strive for the view from the mountain top and appreciate all of its beauty.
Sucker punches, well, suck. But we always have a choice, and if you know us, we say it starts with a decision: Are you just visiting your challenge, or are you going to live there? We don’t usually have the choice to avoid a sucker punch, but we always have a choice as to whether that hit will define us. (Hint: It doesn’t have to!)
Tune into this week’s episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast to hear more from Melanie, her incredible story, and her amazing outlook to keep striving for the mountain top. Melanie is truly Brilliantly Resilient–so are you!
XO,
KS & MFB
If you really want to be kind, you need to be grounded in action and rooted in justice. ~ Kaitlin Johnstone, Founder of Kind Cotton
How often have you heard the word “kindness” lately? There’s no doubt that encouraging kindness makes for a gentler, more humane world. But as this week’s guest reminds us, without action and a sense of justice, kindness can devolve into mere pleasantries–when it can be so much more.
As a kindergarten teacher, Kaitlin Johnstone realized that many of her students had only the books in her classroom to expose them to the wonders of reading and literacy. She was determined to do something to get books into the hands of kids, promoting kindness along the way. Joining forces with her husband, Kevin, who has a background in apparel, the couple created Kind Cotton, selling clothing with positive messaging and using profits to purchase books for kids and classrooms, culminating in over 40,000 books delivered to date.
And while literacy is the goal, promoting kindness through justice for all and action is equally important. Kaitlin shares her Brilliance through her commitment to improving the world, building a business grounded in action to improve lives.
If you aren’t sure how to share your Brilliance, find a way to be of service. When we lead with our hearts, the best of us follows and we can create wondrous things–just like Kind Cotton. Tune into this episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast to hear more about Kaitlin’s journey of literacy and kindness with Kind Cotton!
XO,
KS & MFB
When things are going off the rails, that’s when the enrichment occurs. The cracks show up and the light comes in. ~ Cherie Morris
How do you feel when you lose control? If you’re like us, you don’t like it. At all. (Like, we really hate it.) But here at Brilliantly Resilient, we’re recovering control freaks because our sucker punches taught us that often, control is a myth.
This week’s guest, Certified Divorce Coach Cherie Morris, reminds us that while a crisis can cause grief and anger, the cracks it creates can allow light to shine through–if we can let go.
Whether you’re going through a divorce or just struggling with disappointment and COVID fatigue (when is this thing going to end already???!!!!) Cherie tells us that our negative emotions are often caused when we can’t let go of things that aren’t working anymore.
Letting go of things that no longer serve or work for you is freeing, even if temporarily painful. When we let go, we allow ourselves to look toward the future and ask, “What’s next?” instead of living in the past. Opportunities will present themselves and we'll be ready.
Tune into resilient.onpodium.com/episode/episode-096-how-to-let-go-of-grief-and-anger-with-cherie-morris-971"> this week’s episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast to hear more of Cherie’s wisdom. And pry your fingers loose–lose control!
XO,
KS & MFB
When we started, it sucked. But once I started noticing small little things shifting, I did not want to go back.
~ Jacob Kenneally
How many New Year’s resolutions have you made over the years? And how many resolutions have you stuck with for more than a month?
If you’re like most of us (and admit it, you are), you decide you’re going to do something every New Year that’s going to change your life for the better. You start with energy and swear this year will be different, only to ditch the whole thing and beat yourself up–AGAIN.
This week’s guest, our friend, website guru and re-made man, Jacob Kenneally, actually stuck with his resolution to change his mindset and his life, reinventing himself and becoming the inspirational, positive, faith-filled guy he is today.
The key? Jacob knew that early on, the effort it would take to remake his life would, well, suck. He knew it, he acknowledged it, and he decided, especially once he saw small changes happening, that he was worth it.
Most of us believe big challenges require big solutions, and we expect the changes for the better to be as dramatic as the challenge. It just doesn’t work that way. Big changes are made with baby steps–consistently applied, even if they suck.
If this is the year you want to see big changes, be willing to do the hard work and push through the suck until you start to see those small changes. The big stuff is right behind, and you’re so worth it.
Tune in to hear more from our Brilliantly Resilient buddy Jacob on this week’s episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast, and visit Jacob at www.jacobkenneally.com!
XO
KS & MFB
How can I say what I want to in unconditional love instead of trying to be in control?
~ Kristin Smedley
How do you control things when nothing seems to be in your control?
As we move into holiday week (or has it been a year? Feels like it….) the To-Do List only seems to get longer. But what really needs to be done? And what can you actually accomplish without losing your mind? (Hint–controlling your adult kids is not an option!)
This is the time to take a look at the controllables and come up with ONE action step at a time and find a place to start. Consider doing a time block for the week–even if it’s not your usual routine–and set times to knock items off your list. It’s often easier to set aside a chunk of time and work on one thing than to bounce around from chore to chore with nothing done well.
And don’t forget–most times, the one putting the pressure on you is you! Remember to enjoy this season. Give yourself the gift of controlling what you can and let go of the rest.
Tune into this episode of Brilliantly Resilient LIVE to hear more from US! Finally, head over to Brilliantly Resilient on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/brilliantlyresilient/) to win a copy of our book to Reset, Rise and Reveal Your Brilliance as we head into 2022! Happy Holidays!!
XO
KS & MFB
Attitude can “flip the script” and turn a liability into an asset.
~ Andrea Bitner
When is a liability not a liability? When we recognize that labeling something as a liability doesn’t make it so.
This week’s guest, Andrea Bitner has witnessed first-hand how an “attitude adjustment” can turn a liability into an asset with the many students she’s instructed in learning English. While society, and the students themselves, can initially view their lack of language skills as a problem, Andrea helps her students recognize their innate resilience and strength as they take on life in a different country. Her new book, Take Me Home, profiles several of her students by highlighting the power each possesses and comes to see on their own.
What are your “liabilities?” Can you look deeper and see what power lives in each? Ditch the labels and see yourself as you really are–empowered, strong, and resilient--and learn more on this episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast!
XO,
KS & MFB
How are you, really? ~ Dennis Gillan
How often do you say or hear the sentence, “How are you?” We say it and are asked it so much that it barely registers, eliciting an automatic “I’m good” or “Fine.” But are you really? And when you ask someone else how they are, do you really listen?
Dennis Gillan knows the importance of real conversation and real listening. After suffering the loss of two brothers to suicide, Dennis knew that he had to try and make conversation– especially around mental health–meaningful.
Grief is a part of life, and when we recognize its impact and let it do its work, we come away stronger, kinder and more compassionate. When we share our struggles with those who care, our burden is lighter.
Tune in to hear more from Dennis about his Half a Sorrow foundation, based on the Swedish proverb that “A shared joy is a double joy; a shared sorrow is half a sorrow.” It’s time to end the stigma of mental health issues with real conversation. Listen in here and let us know how you are–really!
XO
KS & MFB
Do you believe you have value? Real, genuine, built-in value?
Many of us don’t, and it’s a dangerous way to live. Without recognizing our own worth, we, and especially our children, are susceptible to all kinds of manipulations, especially in the world of social media.
The movie Taken is every parent’s worst nightmare. But that’s not what sex trafficking looks like. It’s here, in our own backyards, and our kids are the targets.
Stephanie Olson has lived a life. After dealing with abandonment, alcoholism, addictions, eating disorders and sexual and domestic violence, Stephanie overcame through determination, faith, and resilience. That would be enough, but Stephanie went further, turning her trauma into triumph, and working with kids to combat human trafficking by instilling in each child a sense of worth and intrinsic value--a voice to say, “No!”
Tune in to Stephanie’s episode on the Brilliantly Resilient podcast to hear more of her amazing story and learn about her work with “The Set Me Free Project,” inspiring kids in schools to know their own worth to live lives of power and self-respect.
Gratitude is a tool that connects us to our happiness, success and power. ~ Kristin Smedley & Mary Fran Bontempo
Has it ever occurred to you that gratitude can help you tap into your power? We don't often think of thankfulness as a powerful thing. In fact, some of us feel that being grateful may make us seem weak.
Here at Brilliantly Resilient, we are card-carrying members on the gratitude train. Even in our darkest hours, we were thankful for those slivers of light that held us up and gave us hope, whether they came from friends, family, or the experts who helped guide us through our crises.
Training the mind to focus on blessings instead of lack opens up the spirit, and okay, we're going a little woo-woo here (with Mary Fran's blessing), the universe, to provide opportunities, connections and the strength to move forward instead of stewing in a pot of blech.
Gratitude provides focus, as well as the positive energy necessary to make decisions and take action. This Thanksgiving, remember to be truly grateful for blessings both big and small. Live with an open heart and mind and use gratitude as a tool to live a Brilliantly Resilient life!
Happy Thanksgiving!
XO, KS & MFB
Quit trying to do it on your own; surround yourself with growth minded people who will have the tough conversations with you when needed. ~ Robert Raymond Riopel
Who loves ya, baby? No really, who loves you? Or better yet, who understands you--the way you think, your dreams, your goals?
When we look for people to join our “tribe,” it’s human nature to seek out those who love, or at least like us. People who make us feel good, who validate us. But those may be exactly the wrong people to surround yourself with, especially if you’re trying to accomplish a big goal.
This week’s guest, Robert Raymond Riopel, reminds us that it’s precisely those people who will make us uncomfortable by asking the tough questions who will be the best members to add to our tribe. While it’s easy to surround ourselves with people who will stroke our egos and make us feel good, it’s far more important, if we want to accomplish anything of true value, to have folks next to us who will hold our feet to the fire and ask the demanding, uncomfortable questions--the ones that will force us to see reality and not live in the land of magical thinking. (We’re aren’t talking Negative Nancys here--just folks who see the truth.)
Progress is made only when we’re willing to see and address our shortcomings--either out and out failures or just dropping the ball before we should have. The people who make us see that are true allies--willing to hurt our feelings to help us achieve.
Don’t be afraid to align yourself with people who are “tough” on you, as long as you know they have your best interests at heart. You’ll thank them when you cross the finish line!
Hear more of Robert’s wisdom on his episode of Brilliantly Resilient LIVE!
XO
KS & MFB
Resilience is the audacity to never give up. ~ Beate Chelette
We’ve heard a lot of definitions for the word “Resilience” in the past year, but this is one of our favorites.
We call upon our Resilience when we’ve been knocked down, and often it feels like we’re dragging ourselves back to a standing position, even after the Resilience kicks in. But combining the idea of Resilience with audacity imbues Resilience with power. Kick-ass power at that.
One definition of audacity is “the bold or arrogant disregard of normal restraints.” We love that! Challenge requires boldness, and it’s the perfect time to break free of normal conventions and behaviors. It’s the perfect counterpart to Resilience.
Being Resilient with audacity sends a clear “Aw, hell no!” message to our challenges and struggles. Does that minimize them? Not at all. Every challenge must be acknowledged and respected for what it is. But we should never, ever take our challenges lying down.
Our friend, Beate Chelette, a first-generation American immigrant, refused to allow her challenges to take her down, even audaciously writing to the President of the United States to request help for her small business. And guess what? She got it.
Hear more of Beate’s inspiring, bold story on her episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast, and find her at https://beatechelette.com/.
XO,
KS & MFB
Brilliant can be basic and simple. ~ Lynne Kelleher
How would it feel to know that you’re doing something amazing, something Brilliant in fact, and it’s so easy and simple that you almost can’t believe it?
For some reason, we think Brilliance is hard. As a culture, we tend to devalue things that don’t require major amounts of blood, sweat and tears. But the truth is, Brilliance, your Brilliance, is easy. It’s cued into the basic parts of who you are. It reflects you and your talents, aligned with your values, and when you tap into that magic combo, Brilliance just happens.
Our friend Lynne Kelleher, founder of 100 Women Who Care in Bucks County, discovered just how basic Brilliance can be when she created a group of women who impact their community with tens of thousands of dollars in a single hour. That’s ONE HOUR—no big events, no planning, no stress. Completely, utterly simple, doable, and Brilliant.
Brilliance can be basic, and when it is, it’s often powerful. Learn how to tap into your basic Brilliance in this week’s episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast, and check out 100 Women Who Care with our buddy Lynne Kelleher!
You are often asked to be at your functioning best when you feel your worst. If you’re driven to do something even when you’re at your lowest, you know that’s a core value for you.
~ Mary Fran Bontempo & Kristin Smedley
What are your non-negotiables? Those things you aren’t willing to compromise on no matter what. It’s one of life’s ironies that we are called to be our strongest when we are at our lowest point. Yet, that’s exactly when we get to find out who we truly are, by deciding what’s essential to us--what we won’t give up on.
When we talk about the Reset in the process of living a Brilliantly Resilient life, values is our first pillar in the process. It’s an essential part of building the foundation upon which you will share your Brilliance with the world.
Values speak to who you really are. And when you’re clear on your core values, decisions are easier, life becomes clearer, and you feel confident moving forward toward building the life you want.
On this week’s episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast, tune in to hear us (yep, just us!) talk about the value of values. Let’s start the Reset together!
XO
KS & MFB
If you want to get to where you want to go faster, you have to focus on less.
~ David Wood, Focus CEO
How often do you feel like you aren’t doing enough? If you’re like us, even if you’re putting in twelve-hour days, you still think, Darn it, I didn’t do, finish, start…XYZ. I’ve just got to do more! Sigh. How utterly exhausting. How frustrating. How impossible.
We all have big dreams. And the way most of us think we’ll accomplish them is to multi-task and try to accomplish as much as possible in a day, week, or month. Life offers so many options, we should take advantage of as many as possible and try as many things as we can until something works, right?
Wrong. As our guest, Focus CEO coach David Wood reminds, us, it’s only by focusing on less that we go farther and faster. WHATTTTTT????!!!! We can do less? Well, yes. And no. To get to where we want to be, we still have to make the effort, but we shouldn’t divide our effort among a zillion options. (Yes, we said “zillion.” That’s what it feels like sometimes.)
To be truly successful, focus—on your Brilliance. Do what moves you, what you’re good at, and what speaks to you over and over again. Make time for just that, and refuse to let the minutiae of life (i.e. emails, Facebook, Instagram, spider solitaire—okay, that’s just MF, but you get the idea) sidetrack you. As reminds us, figure out what would make you do your happy dance and focus on that! Hear more of David’s wisdom on his episode of the Brilliantly Resilient podcast!
XO,
KS & MFB
You have to take the pause and reckon with the carnage. ~ Kimberly Smith
How would you feel if you checked off all of your “I want” boxes? You get the house, partner, job, family—everything you think you want. Feels pretty great, doesn’t it? Until it doesn’t. Instead of feeling happy, you’re unfulfilled, sad and worse, guilty for not appreciating your life.
As we grow, we create a plan—more like a wish list of things that we believe will make us happy. We think that once we get the “fill in the blank,” life will be good. Truth is, sometimes maintaining that perfect life is exhausting, and it can create the cracks in your plan that prove it isn’t the right plan—FOR YOU.
That’s what Kimberly Smith discovered when she seemingly had it all but found herself depressed and desperate. She tried to “talk herself out of it,” only driving herself deeper into the pit. Ultimately, Kimberly realized she had to STOP. Stop trying to talk herself into a life that, while seemingly perfect, wasn’t working for her. She needed to hit pause and see, really see, what she had, what she wanted, and what she needed to do to get there.
Taking personal inventory of what we want is essential to living a Brilliantly Resilient life, but that list needs to reflect YOU, not everyone else. So, take time to reflect, even if it’s kind of a mess, and see what you need to change. It’s the first step towards becoming Brilliantly Resilient. Tune in to hear more from Kimberly on the Brilliantly Resilient podcast!
XO,
KS & MFB
You are trustworthy. Yep, you. But do you believe it? So often, we look to others who we think are smarter, more experienced, or wiser, to influence us when making big decisions, because we want to KNOW. We want to know in which direction we should go, we want to know the answer, and we don’t quite believe we’re up to the task. But more often than not, you do know the answer. It may not be a great answer, it may not be perfect, but you know, even if you don’t want to admit it. And the best way to test your decision? Your gut. When it’s wrong, your gut will tell you, loud and clear. When it’s right, you’ll know that, too. Your gut reflects who you truly are. Its reactions are a physical manifestation of what you truly think and believe—your values, your truth, not that of others. Trust your gut. The one who knows you best is you. Trust yourself! Tune in to hear more of Leslie’s wisdom here!
XO
KS & MFB
How would you feel if everyone understood and accepted you all of the time? No judgement, just you being allowed to be you. If you’re like us, the thought alone makes you breathe a deep sigh of relief. Yet it’s a rare human who always feels accepted and understood—especially when their reality isn’t “normal”—whatever that means. Today’s guest, award-winning journalist and documentarian, Allison Norlian, knows what it feels like to be misunderstood and isolated, an experience she first had as a young child playing with a school friend. But Allison began to find her voice at that moment, learning to educate others to her truth. Listen and learn how Allison turned her everyday experiences into her Brilliance and her life’s work—and how you can too! Stay Brilliant!
XO,
KS & MFB
Do others have low expectations of you? Worse, do you have low expectations of yourself?
This week's guest is Philly native and cheesesteak god, Derrick Hayes! Derrick grew up in West Philly, a tough part of the city, and knew that the world expected little of him. But Derrick was determined to fulfill his dreams and rise above others' expectations, and oh my, has he!
Tune in and hear how Derrick combines determination, faith and trust and to take action and Rise with Resilience, building his highly successful, award winning business while serving his community through Big Dave's Cheesesteaks, named in honor of his father. Big Dave's Cheesesteaks, located in Georgia, often sports lines wrapped around the downtown venue with customers yearning for a taste of Philly. During COVID, the restaurant gave out free meals to health care heroes and went as far as distributing face masks and other medical supplies to neighboring hospitals in the area.
You can rise above low expectations and live a Brilliantly Resilient life, too! Listen and hear how Derrick uncovers his life's purpose to make a brilliant impact on the world.
XO,
KS & MFB
We are excited to introduce you to a brilliant new friend of ours, Samuel Moore-Sobel. Samuel is the author of the incredible book, sobel.com/">Can You See My Scars?- a story of trauma, adversity, healing, and recovery. Samuel, a young man about to begin his sophomore year of high school, accepts a job that culminates in a chemical explosion, leaving Samuel with severe burns on his face, neck, and arms. The tragic and sudden accident sets Samuel on an unpredictable journey of healing, recovery, and acceptance. Listen in and be inspired by this Brilliantly Resilient young man!
XO,
KS & MFB
Well, Waaaahhhhhh!!! It's after Labor Day, and for most of us, that means summer is officially over. But while we're sad, we're excitedd to bring you amazing new guests who will inspire you to begin your own Brilliantly Resilient journey.
As we come upon the 20th anniversary of the horros of 9/11, we couldn't think of a better way to honor those who have given their lives for us than to introduce you to Trish Shallenberger, founder of A Soldier's Hands.
Trish's empowering tale begins with a chance meeting on a plane, where she found herself sitting next to a young soldier about to be deployed. The young man confessed that he wasn't afraid to go into battle, he was more afraid of the sun burning his skin and making his job harder. Touched, Trish promised she would send him sunscreen, and A Soldier's Hands was born!
Tune in to hear how we can find our Brilliance in the most unlikely of places, if only we dare to look. Learn more about Trish and A Soldier's Hands here.
Happy almost fall, and get ready B.R. community, we have great things in store!
XO
KS & MFB
Oh, say it isn't so!! It's just about the end of summer, and this is week 10--the last week--of our Summer of Giveaways Reading Contest!
We've been blessed to feature some amazing authors and friends to help you on your resilience journey. Now this week, we're getting back to basics--US! Our week 10 giveaway features a copy of Brilliantly Resilient: Reset, Rise & Reveal Your Brilliance, as well as a copy of The 15 Minute Master by MFB, Thriving Blind by KS, and maybe a surprise or two!
There's no better way to jump into fall than by renewing your committment to your own Resilience and Brilliance--and we'll show you how in this easy-to-read (did you expect anything else?) gem chock full of Brilliantly Resilient wit and wisdom. Head over to Instagram and the Brilliantly Resilient Facebook Community to enter for your chance to win!
Let's get Brilliantly Resilient together!
XO
KS & MFB
Eating a scorpion, walking backwards for an entire day, racing into a freezing ocean for a Polar Bear plunge...these are just a few of the things Lu Ann Cahn dared herself to do on her year of firsts! After beating cancer (twice) and building a successful career as an Emmy-winning TV news reporter in Philadelphia, Lu Ann found herself feeling stuck, frustrated and bored. At her daughter's urging, she dared herself to do something new every day for an entire year. Her journey proved to be enlightening, inspiring and just plain fun! Tune in to hear our buddy Lu Ann talk about daring to take risks and how we can all make life better by saying, "I Dare Me!" Enter for a chance to win a copy of Lu Ann's book on Instagram and Facebook!
David Fajgenbaum is a physician, a healer, a speaker, a best-selling author, and the main reason he, himself is still alive today. After a devastating diagnosis of Castleman disease in 2010, David found himself on his deathbed a total of five times, told by doctors there was nothing more they could do. Determined not to sit and wait for death, David began to research his own disease, trying drugs designed for other purposes and ultimately finding one that saved his life.
As a child of four, Lise Deguire was horribly burned in a fire and left by her mother as her mother ran to save herself. Today, Lise shares her Brilliance as a compassionate psychologist who is the epitome of Resilience.
Lise's book, Flashback Girl: Lessons on Resilience from a Burn Survivor, is this week's Brilliantly Resilient Summer Giveaway and detaills her experiences and how she overcame her trauma to become a kind, forgiving adult who teaches others to live healthy lives.
Head over to @brilliantlyresilient on Instagram for your chance to win a copy of this Brilliant memoir. And for the entire summer reading list, go to www.brilliantlyresilient.net. Good luck and happy reading!
XO
KS & MFB
We're back with our week 5 Summer Giveaway! This week we're featuring one of our FAVORITE people--Violette de Ayala and her book: The Self-Guided Guru--Life Lessons for the Everyday Human!
Violette is the founder of the global women's group FemCity, and she believes that if we ask intentional and guided questions of ourselves, we can connect to the personal guide within. It's an intentional way to tap into that "little voice" that's there to help if we pay attention!
Tune in to hear more and head over to our Instagram page to win a FREE COPY of Violette's book! Happy reading!
XO
KS & MFB
John Lee Dumas is THE GUY for all things entrepreneurial. And now, he's put all of his Brilliance into a book--The Common Path to Uncommon Success, which we're featuring in week 4 of our Brilliantly Resilient Summer of Giveaways!!!
JLD joins us on this week's show to share some Brilliance Bits ("Choose your hard....") from his book and his incredible rise to the top of the podcasting mountain! (And there's a bit about muffins that you won't want to miss!)
Be sure to enter our Instagram Giveaway Contest and get the full Brilliantly Resilient Reading List HERE!
XO,
KS & MFB
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 for week 3 of our Summer of Giveaways! Rob's book, Game Changer, tells the story of how he 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!
And be SURE to head over to Brilliantly Resilient on Instagram to enter to win a signed copy of Game Changer. It's a BRILLIANT read!!
XO
KS & MFB
Rob Kenney just wanted to help those whose dad may have been missing in their lives. Now, the Dad, How Do I video star has millions of followers who can't get enough of his genuine kindness, wisdom, how-to's, and some pretty terrible dad jokes!
Now, Rob has published a book called--you guessed it--Dad, How Do I? that's one part DIY, but more important, one part wisdom and humor. And guess what??? Rob is part of our Brilliantly Resilient Summer of Giveaways! Tune into the podcast to learn more about Rob and his book, and then head over to Instagram (@brilliantlyresilient) to enter to win a personally signed copy of Rob's book and a copy of Brilliantly Resilient!
We love Rob and know you will, too. Contest runs weekly--don't miss your chance to win!!!
XO
KS & MFB
It's Summer!!! And not like summer 2020, which kind of, well, sucked. This is Summer 2021, and we're bringing you our Summer of Giveaways featuring the books of our Brilliantly Resilient author friends! First up, one of our favorite folks in the world, and our first B.R. guest ever--Chip Baker! Chip has just released (another!) book, this one titled The Impact of Influence, featuring the stories of extraordinary men, and those who influenced them. Sure to inspire and make you want to "Go Get It!" (we love when Chip says that!), this book is a must on your summer reading list. To get the entire list, visit brilliantlyresilient.net or head over to our Instagram page to register for the Summer Giveaway! Each week we'll feature a new book and a new Giveaway, so let's make 2021 your most Brilliantly Resilient summer yet!
XO
KS & MFB
This week we celebrate fathers with our Brilliantly Resilient dad guests! We've been so blessed to interview many men who count their roles as fathers as among the most important in their lives. And they are Brilliant!!! Listen in as we share the advice and messages these dads have for their kids and our Brilliantly Resilient tribe! Many thanks to Rob Kenney a.k.a. Dad, How Do I?, Chris Ducker, Eric Edmeades, Grant Baldwin, Lee Warren, Jason Romano and Justin Batt. Great men all, and great dads, too! Happy Father's Day!
XO,
KS & MFB
Kate Erickson is the "engine" of Entrepreneurs on Fire--the wildly popular podcast hosted by John Lee Dumas. While JLD is the on air presence of EOFire, the show simply wouldn't run without Kate! Yet, it wasn't a straight line from Kate's writing background to running one of the most successful podcasts on the planet. Tune in to hear Kate's one step-forward, two steps back journey and her advice about taking "imperfect action." Just Brilliant! We know you'll love Kate as much as we do! Enjoy!
XO
KS & MFB
The world is opening up again and we can all go back to normal, right??? Yay!!! Not so fast....Should we really be going "back" to anything?
We've all learned a lot this past year, and you need to make sure you don't forget it! So we're going to give you a little reminder about what it means to be Brilliantly Resilient, 'cause you have to hang onto that stuff!
Tune in and hear about how to Reset, Rise and Reveal your Brilliance to the world--and no going backwards!!!
Stay Brilliant!
XO
KS & MFB
What meaning are you giving your triggers? After all, they are yours, right? Eric Edmeades, founder of Wildfit, reminds us that we create our triggers and the meaning we assign to them, giving them power over us. Quite the world traveler, Eric chatted with us from his current home at Kite Beach in the Dominican Republic.
Eric Edmeades is a leading authority in Behavioral Change Dynamics. He has created and consulted on some of the most effective, transformative, and highly rated educational products and live events in the world. Widely recognized as one of the most powerful, engaging and entertaining speakers in the world today, Eric has shared the stage with Sir Richard Branson, Jack Canfield, John Gray, Robin Sharma, and President Bill Clinton. His dedication and passion for improving the quality of human lives all across the world was the inspiration behind his flagship program, WILDFIT®, globally recognized as the most effective health transformation program on the market.
We had such a blast chatting with Eric, and be sure to tune in for his hilarious (yes, HILARIOUS!) Road Rage story!
XO,
KS & MFB
During our summer of focus on mental health and imperfect action, we wanted to share again our interview with Jessica Cox, the first armless pilot in aviation history. As Jessica shares her Resilient mindset, note how she continues to remind us to respect ourselves as well as others. Tune in for more from the Brilliant Jessica Cox!
If we carry ourselves with confidence and love, it allows others to respond to us in the same way. ~ Jessica Cox
Okay, Brilliantly Resilient listeners, today there will be no complaining--about anything! Today's guest, Jessica Cox, was born without arms--and she's a pilot!!! As in, she flies planes! Jessica has had to overcome incredible odds to live on her own terms, creating a successful, hopeful and inspirational life to share with others. We are so grateful for her spirit, leadership and attitude. Jessica proves that all things are possible through hard work, committment and love. Tune in to hear our Brilliantly Resilient friend, and visit her at https://www.jessicacox.com/.
Today we're bringing back one of our favorite episodes--Rob Angel, the creator of Pictionary and author of the new Best-Seller, Game Changer! Rob is one of our favorite all-time guests, and when you tune in, you'll know why. Let's face it--who doesn't love Pictionary? Rob had vision, guts, and admits that at the time he had no idea what he was really doing, but he built a tribe, relied on his skills and in a college dorm room, created Pictionary! And listen in to hear about the multi-million dollar deal Rob turned down because...well, just have a listen! Great stuff. Thank you, Rob, you're the best! Find Game Changer at Amazon!
Vincent James and Joann Pierdomenico are not only role models for living Brilliantly Resilient, they are showing the world how music is a universal tool of resilience. We all can attest to the brilliance that music unleashes. These founders of Kids Music Day and Keep Music Alive as well as authors of 88+ Ways Music Can Change Your Life went from never heard of and getting no after no after no for their ideas... to hanging out with Jack Canfield (the brilliant founder of the Chicken Soup for the Soul mega hits) Julie Andrews, Richie Sambora, and more incredible A-listers. This episode is packed with inspiration and take-a-ways that YOU can put into practice on your own journey to living Brilliantly Resilient! Learn more about Vincent & Joann at https://www.keepmusicalive.org. Join the Brilliantly Resilient Community on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/groups/BrilliantlyResilient.
Ahhhhhh!!!! Brilliantly Resilient tribe! You are going to loooove this week's guest! Get ready to LOL, LOL, and a bit more LOL!
Jane Jenkins Herlong is hilarious, fun and brilliant on so many levels:
With a motto of “Prove people wrong and laugh while achieving your dreams," we just knew we'd have a blast and learn so much-- we could not wait to share Jane with you! Listen to this incredible conversation and stay tuned all week long for more from our fun friend! Visit Jane at: https://janeherlong.com/
XO,
KS & MFB
PS - There are only a few days left to register for the 5 Day Discover Your Brilliance Challenge! Get in on the fun at www.brilliantlyresilient.net/discover!
We've got another brilliant episode of the Brilliantly Resilient LIVE show this week! You are going to loooooove Morissa Schwartz, aka Dr. Rissy, for her personality and business star power - but the "As seen on MTV" as well as the contests "thing" is gonna blow you away! A bestselling author who has helped thousands of businesses grow through her powerful writing, Morissa holds a Master's in communication and a Doctorate in Literature from Drew University. Morissa's PR/Marketing company is Ranked #1 in PR and top ten in Social Media and SEO for New York and New Jersey on Thumbtack. Her team has grown with her over the years. They are all passionate wordsmiths, focused on helping businesses share their key messages with the world. Get to know more about Dr. Rissy at https://www.drrissyswriting.com/
XO,
KS & MFB
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