Episodes

Dr. Rebecca Shasanmi Ellis joins Resiliency Within to explore how we can mobilize models of care that strengthen resilience, promote health equity, and advance Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of The Beloved Community across the life span. Drawing on her expertise as a community mental health nurse and a Community Resiliency Model (CRM)® Teacher, Dr. Ellis brings a grounded, systems-level perspective on how social and structural determinants of health shape individual and community well-being...

The chronic illness of a child does not arrive gently. It comes like an asteroid—sudden and life-altering. In this episode, I am honored to be joined by Kelly Cervantes, author of The Luckiest, and her husband Miguel Cervantes, the acclaimed Broadway star of Hamilton, as they share their extraordinary journey through unimaginable loss—and enduring love. Kelly and Miguel open their hearts as they reflect on the life and death of their daughter, Adelaide, who lived with epilepsy and a rare neurod...

After moving from a conservative Midwestern suburb to New York City to pursue an acting career, Kelly Cervantes never could have imagined what life had in store for her—or how much she would fundamentally change along the way. Now, in her memoir The Luckiest, Kelly shares the experiences that shaped who she is today—the pain of unrealized dreams, navigating her husband Miguel’s Broadway spotlight, fighting for their child’s life, finding purpose after loss, and rebuilding her life and marriage....

As we begin 2026, Elaine Miller-Karas, the host of Resiliency Within, airs an encore podcast with Aziza Hasan, Executive Director, and Andrea Hodos, Associate Director of New Ground, a nonprofit dedicated to bridging divides and convening constructive conversations around challenging social issues. New Ground envisions what is possible in a world deeply divided which is as pertinent today as it was when first aired. They will share their wisdom on how New Ground envisions an America where Musli...

On this Christmas Day, Resiliency Within will bring back the episode first aired in 2023 with Rev. Lesley Carroll. We can remember, "what else is true?" as we end 2025, which has been a year that has brought many challenges to our world community. Dr. Carroll is the former Prison Ombudsman of Northern Ireland and the current Assistant Commissioner for Investigations for the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery. She has dedicated her life to the pursuit of peace a...

Carla Cavlcanti and Kim Aasland will share how they help their respective churches live beyond their walls. They both believe in being a compassionate presence woven into the daily life of the neighborhoods they serve. There is the belief that "A truly missional church steps outside its sanctuary and into the streets, homes, and gathering places where people live, work, and struggle." They are called not only to preach love but to embody it—through presence, partnership, and practical support. ...

For four decades, Ellen Bassuk has navigated the worlds of psychiatry, advocacy, and motherhood—shaped by her son Daniel Schoonover’s lifelong struggle with mental illness, especially schizophrenia. Between Two Worlds is their deeply personal memoir, chronicling Daniel’s journey through a broken health care system, an ill-equipped educational system, and the parenting challenges that came with it. Ellen Bassuk and Daniel Schoonover, mother and son, will share their journey together. From earl...

Dr. Peggy Ward and Sister Peace join Resiliency Within to share the wisdom and poems of Dr. Larry Ward. In this conversation, Dr. Peggy Rowe-Ward reflects on the life and legacy of Dr. Larry Ward and his first poetry collection, Morning Night. She explores how Larry understood poetry—reading it, writing it, and living it—as a powerful form of spiritual practice. As a true great sound and one of the few Black Dharma teachers in his tradition, Larry was a trailblazer who bridged Buddhist and Chr...

Elaine Miller-Karas, LCSW, will discuss the second edition of her book, Building Resiliency to Trauma, with Dr. Michael Sapp, the CEO of the Trauma Resource Institute. During and after a traumatic experience, survivors experience a cascade of physical, emotional, cognitive, behavioral, relational, and spiritual responses that can make them feel unbalanced and threatened. The second edition of Building Resilience to Trauma explains common responses from a biological perspective, reframing the h...

Elaine welcomes guest Clarissa Castillo-Ramsey

Since January 8th, the Trauma Resource Institute (TRI) has been actively supporting survivors of the Eaton Fire and Palisades Fire. Our team has offered Community Resiliency Model (CRM)® workshops across Los Angeles County for individuals and families impacted by these devastating events, called Disaster Relief Mobilization, Community Resiliency Model (DRM-CRM) Through CRM Workshops, Circles of Connection, the Legacy Project, and other healing and supportive gatherings, TRI has provided spaces...

Dr. Michael Sapp and our host, Elaine Miller Karas will discuss the work of the Trauma Resource Institute as they work with an international team bringing the Community Resiliency Model to our world community. They will discuss the mission and purpose of the Trauma Resource Institute and how, through simple biological skills, they have increased individual and community well-being. How do we nurture compassion, empathy, and kindness in a world so marked by human pain? How do we hold fast to ou...

Dr. Ilene Naomi Rusk shares her trauma-informed and science-based approach to brain health and optimal longevity in this encore episode. During these unprecedented stressful times, her approach is essential in today's world. She’s developed a user-friendly way of using a functional medicine approach to help prevent Alzheimer’s and improve cognitive health. Dr. Rusk focuses mainly on helping her patients build stress resilience, and she focuses on numerous lifestyle pillars of brain health. T...

Across the globe, there exists a pressing demand for effective treatment of complex trauma. While a growing number of trauma-informed mental health professionals dedicate themselves to supporting individuals, relationships, communities, and systems, the daily confrontation with trauma can take a toll, leading to exhaustion and burnout. Who stands ready to provide support to these therapists and aiding professionals along their professional journey? Brad Kammer, a Somatic Psychotherapist, Educ...

In this encore presentation, Michael Karlin, one of the creators of Compassionate Integrity Training(CIT), illuminated our listeners about this innovative program that was adopted by UNESCO MGIEP. The UNESCO Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (MGIEP) is UNESCO's category 1 Research Institute that focuses on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) towards education for building peaceful and sustainable societies across the world.

Resiliency Within welcomes back John Kania and Laura Calderon de la Barca. Join this conversation with the Collective Change Lab team who are at the leading edge of shifting how organizations, movements, and collective system change efforts are evolving towards more healing-centered ways of working. John Kania is the Founder and Executive Director of Collective Change Lab. Laura Calderon de la Barca is a psychotherapist specializing in individual, intergenerational, and collective trauma, as w...

In this encore episode, Elaine Miller-Karas, host of Resiliency Within, welcomes back Kevin McLeod, Director of Business & Community Development at the Trauma Resource Institute (TRI), for a powerful conversation about teens, healing, and hope. In this episode, Kevin addresses the Trauma Resource Institute’s inspiring work bringing the Youth Ambassador Program (YAP) to teens in Georgia’s Juvenile Justice System—and how this innovative program can be brought to schools, teen centers, and communi...

In a time of deep division, uncertainty, and crisis, Finding Light in the Darkness will explore how we can maintain our well-being, integrity, and hope. Hosted by Elaine Miller-Karas, an internationally recognized trauma expert and resiliency advocate, she will illuminate practical strategies for navigating today’s complex social and political landscape. Elaine hopes this episode will provide a beacon of light—insights on staying grounded, fostering compassion, and building resilience in the f...

This week on Resiliency Within, we present this encore episode in memory of Dr. Larry Ward. Drs. Larry Ward and Peggy Rowe-Ward will address how we are all as a world community are impacted by Racism and how we can heal from the traumas that arise from Racism. Dr. Ward’s book, America’s Racial Karma published in September 2020 addresses how America can begin to heal. They have been teaching and practicing with Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, a global spiritual leader, poet and peace activist, rev...

Dr. Joy Miller returns to Resiliency Within to share an extraordinary global offering—Resiliency 2025: The Power of Connections. Taking place on September 10, 2025, from 12–4:30 pm EST, this free international event brings together an unprecedented 51 renowned presenters from around the world—our largest gathering yet. Join our host, Elaine Miller-Karas, for a dynamic conversation with Dr. Joy Miller, the creator of the Resiliency Conferences. Dr. Miller will share her perspectives of building...

Elaine Miller-Karas, LCSW, the host of Resiliency Within, will interview Inez Tiger, LMFT, who has over 30 years of experience as an educator, school leader, and mental health professional. They will discuss how educational systems worldwide are increasingly confronted with the impact of natural and human-made crises, including wildfires, immigration enforcement, and community violence, including armed conflicts. These events disrupt the stability of children, families, and educators, with pro...

Elaine Miller-Karas, host of Resiliency Within, welcomes back Kevin McLeod, Director of Business & Community Development at the Trauma Resource Institute (TRI), for a powerful conversation about teens, healing, and hope. In this episode, Kevin addresses the Trauma Resource Institute’s inspiring work bringing the Youth Ambassador Program (YAP) to teens in Georgia’s Juvenile Justice System—and how this innovative program can be brought to schools, teen centers, and community clubs everywhere. YAP...

Erin Kennedy and Scott Dinits are deeply embedded in the communities affected by the wildfires in Northern California. With the recent firestorms on Maui and Southern California, learning how to support children and adults is essential. They were direct responders after the 2018 Campfire that devastated Butte County Communities and the town of Paradise, California. As Boys and Girls Club employees, they share what is essential to help children and adults heal. Both Erin and Scott are trained in...

Elaine Miller-Karas, the host of Resiliency Within, welcomes back Dr. Michael Sapp, the Executive Director of the Trauma Resource Institute. Dr. Sapp and Elaine will acknowledge the profound challenges many people in our worldwide community have been navigating during 2025. The weight of witnessing so much uncertainty, fear, and suffering can feel overwhelming, especially for those who have dedicated their lives to serving and protecting vulnerable individuals and families. The need for heali...