Send us a textEver wonder how to maintain genuine human connections in our digital age?Join us as we unpack this with Scott Grates, a versatile author, podcaster, entrepreneur, and coach, who brings a wealth of knowledge on nurturing trust and personal connections in business and life. Together, we explore the timeless value of H2H (human-to-human) interactions and discuss the powerful role of authentic personal relationships that businesses fundamentally thrive on.We also talk about intentional relationship-building and how technology should complement, not replace, these personal interactions, even as digital communication becomes increasingly prevalent. Scott shares strategies for consistently showing up for the right people at the right times, underscoring the impact of small gestures like handwritten notes.  Balancing work and personal life in a tech-driven world is no small feat. We address the evolution of professional relationships, the psychological impacts of virtual versus in-person interactions, and strategies for maintaining a healthy work-life balance. From setting boundaries through "isolation blocks" for focused work to empowering resilient leadership amid digital distractions, Scott offers actionable insights for fostering well-being and empowering teams to thrive. Tune in to gain a fresh perspective on preserving the human touch in an era defined by digital connectivity.Scott Grates is a USA Today national best-selling author, podcast host, TEDx speaker, entrepreneur, and sought-after consultant for small business owners. As the leader of multiple thriving businesses that started from zero—and now generate millions of dollars annually, Scott understands the challenges faced by small business owners in their relentless pursuit of success against corporate behemoths. Scott is on a mission to arm entrepreneurs with the transformative power of relationship optimization in their communities. Scott teaches the Infinite Referral Advantage system in his most recent book, Referrals Done Right. As a father of three children, Scott also has a lifelong passion for bringing real-world knowledge to students prior to graduation so they are better prepared for their careers after the classroom. You can learn more about Scott on his website or on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Facebook. You can listen to his podcast: Referrals Done Right.Go to https://betterhelp.com/resilience or click Notes on Resilience during sign up for 10% off your first month of therapy with my sponsor BetterHelp.Support the showProducer / Editor: Neel PanjiInvite Manya to inspire and empower your teams + position your organization as a forward-thinking leader in fostering resilience and trauma sensitivity.#trauma #resilience #MentalHealth #leadership #survivor

Send us a textCan technology truly unite us, or does it just add to the noise in our tech-heavy lives?Listen in to the next episode in our technology and well-being series as I talk with Chris Lucas, co-founder and CEO of Ompractice. He joined us for an enlightening discussion about technology, mindfulness, and the all-important human connection. He draws from his unique journey in public health and yoga instruction to reveal how digital tools can enrich rather than undermine our relationships. We unravel the complexities of building digital health initiatives with integrity, guided by his commitment to transparency and inclusivity and emphasizing a balance between compassion and financial sustainability. Chris’s insights highlight the importance of engaging with people's diverse experiences and striving for genuine inclusivity without seeking praise for simply doing what’s right. Chris gives us hope--that meaningful connections and compassionate leadership can transform lives.Chris Lucas is a co-founder and CEO of Ompractice. Prior to his long tenure as the first Digital Director for a wellbeing brand, he was a public health policy staffer for the Alzheimer's Association and the American Cancer Society. A certified yoga teacher since 2010, Chris taught yoga at White House events for six years during the Obama Administration. He's been retained as a digital consultant and in-house technologist to numerous professional athletes, sports teams, consumer and fitness brands. He lives in Northampton, Mass. with his wife, daughter, and dog.You can learn more about Ompractice on its website, learn more about Chris on his website or reach him on LinkedIn.Go to https://betterhelp.com/resilience or click Notes on Resilience during sign up for 10% off your first month of therapy with my sponsor BetterHelp.Support the showProducer / Editor: Neel PanjiInvite Manya to inspire and empower your teams + position your organization as a forward-thinking leader in fostering resilience and trauma sensitivity.#trauma #resilience #MentalHealth #leadership #survivor

Send us a textHow is technology reshaping our well-being?In the next episode of our technology and well-being series, Ameeta Soni a leader in digital health, enlightens us about the transformative role of digital tools in healthcare, especially in the mental health landscape and remote work environments. We explore how platforms like Microsoft Teams and AI note-takers are enhancing productivity and balancing work-life demands while underscoring the need for mindful engagement with technology.She discusses the necessity of inclusivity in digital health initiatives, ensuring they serve everyone, regardless of their abilities or digital know-how, and talks about the breadth of digital health tools available today, from apps that assist with diet and medication management to those aiding in the management of chronic illnesses such as cancer. She highlights the importance of these technologies being accessible and the critical need for transparency and voluntary participation to safeguard privacy, particularly when discussing mental health.Ameeta Soni drives growth for technology and digital health companies as a chief marketing officer, growth advisor, investor and board director. Ameeta has facilitated funding, M&A, and IPOs and successfully developed new products and markets, generating billions of dollars. She is a member of the supervisory board of publicly held Esker, a global leader in AI-driven process automation solutions. She also serves on the Maroon Venture Partners Fund's investment committee and holds board roles with portfolio companies, including Ompractice, a digital wellbeing platform. In her consultancy, Ameeta works with publicly traded and PE/VC-backed companies, enabling successful funding and exits and often serving as an interim C-Suite executive. You can learn more about Ameeta on her LinkedIn profile or her website: Altek Consulting. Go to https://betterhelp.com/resilience or click Notes on Resilience during sign up for 10% off your first month of therapy with my sponsor BetterHelp.Support the showProducer / Editor: Neel PanjiInvite Manya to inspire and empower your teams + position your organization as a forward-thinking leader in fostering resilience and trauma sensitivity.#trauma #resilience #MentalHealth #leadership #survivor

Send us a textWhat are the secrets to regaining control over your attention?In the next episode of our technology and well-being series, Gloria Mark shares the alarming decline of our focus span, which has plummeted from two and a half minutes in 2004 to a mere 47 seconds today. Together, we explore how digital devices, social media, and algorithms are vying for our attention and highlight the importance of consciously engaging in activities that nurture longer attention spans. Learn how social dynamics and personal traits affect our focus and discover strategies for reclaiming your mental clarity amid the technological noise. Whether it's through turning off notifications or practicing meta-awareness, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you navigate the digital world and build a more focused, resilient you.Gloria Mark is Chancellor’s Professor Emerita at the University of California, Irvine, and has spent ten years as a visiting senior researcher at Microsoft Research. For over two decades, she has researched the impact of digital media on people's lives, studying how using our devices affects our multitasking, distractions, mood, and behavior. She has also been a Fulbright scholar and has received the prestigious NSF Career grant. Her work has been widely recognized outside of academia: she has appeared on The Ezra Klein show, NPR’s Hidden Brain, Sanjay Gupta’s CNN Chasing Life, CBS Sunday Morning, Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert, among many others. Her work has been featured in the popular media, e.g. New York Times, Wall Street Journal, NPR, The Atlantic, BBC, and others. Her recent book is Attention Span: A Groundbreaking Way to Restore Balance, Happiness and Productivity, was named by The Globe and Mail as the #1 Best Business and Management book of 2023, and chosen as the Season 20 selection of the Next Big Idea Book Club.You can reach Gloria on her website www.gloriamark.com. You can find her book on her website or at your favorite bookstore, and read her weekly Substack: Future of Attention.Go to https://betterhelp.com/resilience or click Notes on Resilience during sign up for 10% off your first month of therapy with my sponsor BetterHelp.Support the showProducer / Editor: Neel PanjiInvite Manya to inspire and empower your teams + position your organization as a forward-thinking leader in fostering resilience and trauma sensitivity.#trauma #resilience #MentalHealth #leadership #survivor

Send us a textWhat if technology could enhance not just productivity, but also deepen our human connections? Join me and Dr. Jereme Wilroy, an associate professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, in the next episode in our technology and well-being series as we unravel the intricate dance between technological advancement and well-being. Jereme discusses how assistive technologies can transform lives and emphasizes the importance of personal interactions in our increasingly digital world. Our conversation also examines the challenges we faced maintaining connections during the pandemic, a time when digital communication became both a lifeline and a barrier.Ever wondered how technology can bridge generational gaps and foster inclusivity? We talk about tailoring communication preferences and using tools like video conferencing, email, and messaging platforms to enhance productivity and accessibility across different age groups; and the necessity of assessing digital literacy and accessibility needs to ensure technology serves to unify rather than divide.  Setting boundaries in our technology-driven lives is crucial for maintaining our well-being. Jereme helps us understand the balance between leveraging technology for productivity and preserving our mental health. Tune in for insightful discussions that promise to enrich your perspective on technology's role in human connection and productivity.Dr. Jereme Wilroy is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. His research focuses on the design and testing of exercise trials in populations of disability. He is the Co-director of the UAB Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems, overseeing a study looking at changes in gut microbiome during first year of spinal cord injury; and Director of Research at Lakeshore Foundation, a non-profit aimed to empower individuals with disability to live an active lifestyle. Lakeshore is a state-of-the-art, universally designed fitness and recreation center and a U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training site. Dr. Wilroy is also founding program director for the UAB Disability Health Studies Graduate Certificate and the behavior health expert for the National Center on Health Physical Activity and Disability.You can learn more about the Jereme at the Continuum Lab or reach him via email at jdwilroy@uab.edu.Go to https://betterhelp.com/resilience or click Notes on Resilience during sign up for 10% off your first month of therapy with my sponsor BetterHelp.Support the showProducer / Editor: Neel PanjiInvite Manya to inspire and empower your teams + position your organization as a forward-thinking leader in fostering resilience and trauma sensitivity.#trauma #resilience #MentalHealth #leadership #survivor

Send us a textEver wondered how technology can both enhance and hinder your well-being?In the next episode in our technology and well-being episode, we chat with Eric Porres, the head of smart habits at Logitech. Eric shares fascinating insights into how technology can support healthy habits through personalized digital nudges, while emphasizing the significance of maintaining genuine human interactions. We'll explore productivity as a byproduct of well-being, offering practical tips like the 20-20-20 rule for eye health, and discuss the delicate balance of tailoring tech tools to meet unique individual needs without becoming a source of distraction.Tune in for an episode filled with profound discussions on how technology can be a liberating force for all.Eric Porres is the founder and CEO of MeetingScience, a cloud-based application that helps organizations identify the true cost, value, and impact of meetings and how to improve them (acquired by Logitech), and an award winning CMO, who is passionate about #AI #advertising #lifespan #healthspan #wellness and #longevity. He is responsible for the SmartHabits initiative at Logitech.Download SmartHabits And connect with Eric on LinkedIn or Twitter.Go to https://betterhelp.com/resilience or click Notes on Resilience during sign up for 10% off your first month of therapy with my sponsor BetterHelp.Support the showProducer / Editor: Neel PanjiInvite Manya to inspire and empower your teams + position your organization as a forward-thinking leader in fostering resilience and trauma sensitivity.#trauma #resilience #MentalHealth #leadership #survivor

Send us a textWhat if you had access to a lifeline that could help you navigate the mental health challenges brought on by natural or human-caused disasters? In the first episode in our series on technology and well-being, Christian Burgess, director of the Disaster Distress Helpline, explains how this 24/7 national crisis hotline, supported by Vibrant Emotional Health and funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), is an essential part of the broader 988 Suicide and Crisis network. Discover how the helpline provides emotional support, coping strategies, and resource referrals to individuals facing traumatic events, all while maintaining a personal connection through the principles of psychological first aid (PFA).Christian also discusses the uniquely ongoing nature of disaster recovery, emphasizing the helpline's role in offering support long after the initial crisis has passed, and underscores the enduring impact of disasters and the necessity for continuous mental health resources. Christian brings his expertise and personal connection to the LGBTQ+ community into the conversation, adding a layer of depth to understanding the diverse needs of disaster survivors. Tune in to learn how technology and human empathy come together to support individuals in their journey toward recovery.Based in Gresham, Oregon, Christian Burgess, LMSW, is Director of the Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH), a program of the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration administered by the not-for-profit Vibrant Emotional Health. Christian joined Vibrant in 2010 and became Director of the DDH in 2012, helping to launch the program. The DDH is the only crisis hotline national in scope and dedicated to providing 24/7/365 emotional support for survivors and responders of natural or human-caused disasters. In 2021, Christian led the launch of two new DDH services, an online peer support program connecting survivors and responders in offering/receiving mutual aid and support during recovery, and a dedicated DDH Videophone option which connects Deaf/Hard of Hearing American Sign Language users experiencing disaster distress directly with DDH counselors fluent in ASL. Christian also worked for over 10 years in youth violence prevention and trauma intervention in New York City, including as Director of School Programs at Safe Horizon, one of the nation's largest service providers for victims of crime and abuse.Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990Learn more about the helpline on the SAMHSA website or email them at ddh@vibrant.org, or find the helpline on Twitter or Facebook.Go to https://betterhelp.com/resilience or click Notes on Resilience during sign up for 10% off your first month of therapy with my sponsor BetterHelp.Support the showProducer / Editor: Neel PanjiInvite Manya to inspire and empower your teams + position your organization as a forward-thinking leader in fostering resilience and trauma sensitivity.#trauma #resilience #MentalHealth #leadership #survivor

Send us a textWhat if our current approach to mental health care is fundamentally flawed?Listen in on the final episode in our four-part series for suicide prevention awareness month. I sit down with Hudson Harris, a visionary in behavioral health and suicide prevention, to dissect the urgent need for dedicated champions in mental health advocacy.  Hudson shares why it's critical to transition from crisis response to a well-being-focused system, the societal and personal costs of suicide, which he describes as incalculable, and the importance of designing robust mental health systems.We tackle the harsh reality that jails and hospitals have become the default mental health care providers in the United States. Alarming statistics underscore the necessity for systemic change as incarceration rates surpass those receiving necessary psychiatric care. Through our discussion, you'll gain insights into the prolonged impact of suicide on survivors and their families, the dire need for social support networks, and the challenges that come with postvention suicide support. Learn about how we can better support individuals in crisis and the systemic shortcomings that need addressing, including the critical need for long-term investment in mental health care.Call or text 988, a 24/7, free, and confidential support for people in distress.Hudson Harris is passionate about solving complex social issues. As a strategic systems builder, he has deep expertise in designing behavioral health continuums of care, community support services, diversion programs, and suicide prevention efforts. At Deloitte, Hudson’s work includes redesigning behavioral health systems of care at the state/local level, developing sustainable homeless strategies, and innovating new approaches to treatment and funding for behavioral health. Prior to Deloitte, he worked for San Diego County as a Population Health Strategist in behavioral health. He is a California attorney, holds an MBA in Marketing and an MA in International Business. He is the Chair of the board for the American Association of Suicidology and serves on the Board for Six Feet Over.You can learn more about Harris on Instagram and you can email him at: hudson@pandon.com.Go to https://betterhelp.com/resilience or click Notes on Resilience during sign up for 10% off your first month of therapy with my sponsor BetterHelp.Support the showProducer / Editor: Neel PanjiInvite Manya to inspire and empower your teams + position your organization as a forward-thinking leader in fostering resilience and trauma sensitivity.#trauma #resilience #MentalHealth #leadership #survivor

Send us a textWe are each irreplaceable.Join us for the third episode in our four-part series for suicide prevention awareness month, for a conversation with Dr. Liz Clark, Director of the Defense Suicide Prevention Office. We discuss the topic of suicide prevention from an ecosystem perspective.Dr. Clark discusses the essential role of belongingness and connectedness, especially in our post-pandemic hybrid work environment, the severe health consequences of social isolation, and the importance of human connection. We also tackle the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide, advocating for direct communication and empathy. We explore a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention, emphasizing the importance of national policies, effective crisis response systems, and community-based support programs.  ResourcesCall or text 988, a 24/7, free, and confidential support for people in distress.FindSupport.govDr. Liz Clark serves as the Director of the Defense Suicide Prevention Office (DSPO) in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. She is responsible for policy, oversight, and advocacy of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) suicide prevention programs, which include non-clinical suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention efforts including policy, program development and evaluation, data surveillance, research, and outreach and engagement in support of more than 2M service members and over 2.5M military family members worldwide.Prior to her current assignment, Dr. Clark was the Deputy Director of DSPO. Dr. Clark also previously served as the Deputy Executive Director for the PREVENTS Task Force, and charged with developing the first federally coordinated national public health strategy and roadmap to address Veteran suicide. From 2015 to 2020, Dr. Clark served as the Director and Assistant Director of the DSPO Policy and Plans Directorate. Dr. Clark brings an array of suicide prevention experience to the Department through her previous work as a volunteer hotline crisis worker answering the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, as well as established and co-led a suicide bereavement support group in the Washington Metropolitan area.Dr. Clark served as an Army Officer for over nine years in the Ordnance Corps and Adjutant General Corps and had a variety of assignments at the installation level, Army Staff, and National Guard Bureau.Go to https://betterhelp.com/resilience or click Notes on Resilience during sign up for 10% off your first month of therapy with my sponsor BetterHelp.Support the showProducer / Editor: Neel PanjiInvite Manya to inspire and empower your teams + position your organization as a forward-thinking leader in fostering resilience and trauma sensitivity.#trauma #resilience #MentalHealth #leadership #survivor

Send us a textWhat if understanding trauma could save lives? Join us for the second in our four-part series for suicide prevention awareness month, for an enlightening conversation with Dr. Anita Everett, director of the Center for Mental Health Services at SAMHSA. She sheds light on the profound connection between trauma and suicide risk. We explore the impact of trauma and discuss the vital strategies for offering support to those affected. You will learn about creating safe spaces for open dialogue, the significance of validating experiences without judgment, and the importance of upstream approaches to addressing suicide prevention at its roots.Dr. Everett also shares valuable insights into how community engagement can act as protective factors against suicide, recognizing changes in language as potential distress signals, and the importance of postvention to support those grieving after a suicide. ResourcesCall or text 988, a 24/7, free, and confidential support for people in distress.FindSupport.govSuicide Prevention Resource CenterDr. Everett is the Director of the Center for Mental Health Services within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Serving in this role since 2018, she provides executive leadership for federal efforts to improve the nation’s mental health service systems.Prior to SAMHSA, Dr. Everett served as the Section Chief of The Johns Hopkins Bayview Community and General Psychiatry in Baltimore, Maryland. She was on the faculty of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and the Bloomberg School of Public Health. Earlier in her career, Dr. Everett also served as the Senior Medical Advisor to SAMHSA. From 1999 to 2003, she served as the Inspector General to the Office of the Governor in the Department of Mental Health in Virginia. Dr. Everett is a past president of the American Psychiatric Association, Maryland Psychiatric Society and the American Association of Community Psychiatry. She has served on the National Institute on Drug Abuse National Advisory Council, is currently an ex-officio member of the National Institute of Mental Health National Advisory Council and is active in several professional organizations. She has been engaged in a number of international projects, including with the Global Leadership Exchange, and has provided consultation to the Ministries of Health, Department of Mental Health in Iraq and Afghanistan on the implementation of mental health services in these countries.Learn more about Dr. Everett. Learn more about SAMHSA on their website, LinkedIn, Instagram, or Facebook.Go to https://betterhelp.com/resilience or click Notes on Resilience during sign up for 10% off your first month of therapy with my sponsor BetterHelp.Support the showProducer / Editor: Neel PanjiInvite Manya to inspire and empower your teams + position your organization as a forward-thinking leader in fostering resilience and trauma sensitivity.#trauma #resilience #MentalHealth #leadership #survivor