Resiliency Within

Elaine Miller-Karas, LCSW

Elaine Miller-Karas will amplify the message of hope, healing and resiliency she has learned from our world community as she has traversed the globe after human made and natural disasters. Hope often springs forth in response to suffering and trauma. Our beliefs and our wellbeing are being challenged during these unprecedented times. The program Resiliency Within is about cultivating individual and community resiliency. Resiliency is the capacity to lean into our strengths with compassion during the most challenging of times and to remember what else is true? about our lived experience. Her guests are inspiring global leaders actively promoting healing and resiliency from a variety of backgrounds. The goal is to spread wellbeing and give individual and community examples to inspire how wellness skills, including ones based upon neuroscience and the biology of the human nervous system, can be integrated into one's life, family and community during challenging times.

  1. VOR 1 TAG

    The First 2,000 Days: How Early Life Shapes Resilience

    In this episode of Resiliency Within, our host, Elaine Miller-Karas, will interview Bo Dean about his reflections of how the first 2,000 days of life—from pregnancy through early childhood—lay the foundation for resilience across the lifespan. Together, we discuss how these early experiences shape the developing brain, nervous system, and sense of self. Our conversation explores how love and stress can coexist within families, and how unspoken trauma can quietly influence a child's development. Drawing from neuroscience and research on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), we examine how early environments shape long-term health and well-being—and, importantly, how resilience can still be cultivated. The hopeful message is clear: resilience is not something a child builds alone. Even one stable, caring relationship can change the trajectory of a life. Bo and Elaine will explore how families, educators, faith leaders, and communities can create supportive environments that foster healing and help children truly thrive. Join us for this meaningful and insightful conversation on shaping resilience from the very beginning. ______________ About Our Guest L.S. "Bo" Dean Jr. is a Senior HR Analyst for Learning & Development at New Hanover County Government and a certified Community Resiliency Model® Teacher/Educator through the Trauma Resource Institute. He designs and delivers Learning and Development for approximately 2,000 public employees across 30 departments — always through a trauma-informed, nervous-system-aware lens. Learn more:  https://bodean.substack.com/

    56 Min.
  2. 26. MÄRZ

    After the Fire: How Survivors Are Leading Recovery in L.A.

    After disaster strikes, recovery is often measured in dollars—insurance claims, rebuilding costs, financial losses.But what about the human side of recovery? In this episode, Elaine Miller-Karas sits down with Joy Chen, Executive Director of the Every Fire Survivor's Network, to explore how thousands of Los Angeles fire survivors are navigating not only financial hardship, but also the emotional toll of loss and displacement. Through a growing community of over 10,000 survivors and allies, Joy and her network have helped unlock more than $100 million in delayed insurance payouts. Yet what's equally transformative is what happens when survivors come together—moving from isolation to connection, from overwhelm to empowerment. Together, we explore how people directly impacted by disaster are stepping into leadership, advocating for change, and reshaping the systems meant to support them. This is a conversation about more than rebuilding homes. It's about restoring agency, dignity, and hope—and discovering the strength that emerges when communities rise together.   About Our Guest: Joy Chen is the Executive Director of the Eaton Fire Survivor's Network, the largest survivor-led recovery community in the nation, representing over 10,000 fire survivors and allies across Los Angeles. Through her leadership, the network has helped unlock more than $100 million in delayed insurance payouts and built a recovery hub recognized by the Los Angeles Times as a lifeline for thousands. A former Deputy Mayor of Los Angeles, Joy led economic and workforce development initiatives focused on expanding opportunity in historically underserved communities. She has also worked globally in executive leadership at Heidrick & Struggles, advising Fortune 500 CEOs, and trained thousands through the Multicultural Leadership Institute. An internationally recognized author and thought leader, Joy's work has reached millions, challenging traditional narratives of success and empowering individuals—especially women—to lead with agency and purpose. Today, she is a leading voice in disaster recovery and insurance accountability, working to transform broken systems so families can rebuild their homes—and their lives—with dignity and hope.

    56 Min.
  3. 12. MÄRZ

    Crisis Recovery for Kids, Parents, and Teachers

    Crisis Recovery for Kids, Parents, and Teachers   Children worldwide are living during very difficult times within the United States and globally. Current policies are impacting our schools - our children, teachers, and school staff.    Inez Tiger and Elaine Miller-Karas will discuss how educational systems worldwide are increasingly confronted with the impact of natural and human-made crises - war, genocide, wildfires, ICE raids, and community violence.   These events disrupt the stability of whole communities with profound implications to children and those who care for them. Join our host, Elaine Miller-Karas, and Educator Inez Tiger for this encore show on implementing the Community Resiliency Model in a systematic, phased approach to support resilience for children, educators, and school staff. _______________ About Our Guest: Inez Tiger, LMFT, brings over 30 years of experience as an educator, school leader, and mental health professional. She has served as an elementary and middle school teacher, counselor, principal, and most recently as Director of Wellness at The Pressman Academy. Inez is a certified teacher of the Community Resiliency Model® (CRM), a practitioner of the Trauma Resiliency Model® (TRM), and a longtime facilitator and trainer in the practice of Council.  Specializing in self-regulation, trauma healing, and the power of storytelling, Inez recently transitioned from her role as a school-based educator to focus more deeply on healing and wellness. A collector of stories, she finds meaning in listening to the resilience of students, parents, and teachers as they navigate their school journeys.  Originally from South Africa, Inez lives in Los Angeles with her partner and their two children. She finds joy in art-making, meaningful collaboration, and long walks with their dog, Chase. One of her guiding mottos comes from Maya Angelou: "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

    58 Min.
  4. 5. MÄRZ

    Supporting Refugees: Refugee Jumpstart Coaching with Bev Weise

    On this episode of Resiliency Within, Elaine Miller-Karas welcomes Bev Weise, MBA, ACC—leadership coach, social entrepreneur, and co-founder of Refugee Jumpstart Coaching. Bev shares the inspiring story behind the organization she co-founded in 2021 with Syrian refugee Hussein Alzribi to help educated and highly skilled refugees rebuild their professional lives. Refugee Jumpstart Coaching connects refugees around the world with a global network of pro bono leadership, wellness, and career coaches, as well as job search, entrepreneurship, and industry mentors. Their innovative work empowering displaced professionals earned the organization the International Coaching Federation's Global Social Impact Award in 2024. That same year, Refugee Jumpstart Coaching became a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in California, expanding its ability to support refugees seeking opportunity, dignity, and meaningful work. Bev brings more than 35 years of experience in corporate and nonprofit leadership development. She is an ICF-certified Leadership Coach and the founder of Leadership Talent Solutions, a consulting firm dedicated to helping organizations identify, develop, and retain leadership talent. Her career has included roles such as Executive Director of Interlaw Ltd., an international association of law firms, and Corporate Director of Executive Planning and Development at Northrop Grumman Corporation. A turning point in Bev's life came in 2016 when she volunteered in a refugee camp in Chios, Greece. The experience deeply moved her and inspired her commitment to helping refugees recognize their strengths and rebuild their futures. In this heartfelt conversation, Bev shares how compassion, leadership, and global collaboration can help transform adversity into opportunity—reminding us that resilience often grows when people are given the chance to rediscover their gifts and purpose.

    56 Min.
  5. 26. FEB.

    The Prophetic Lens-Chronicling Black History

    Resiliency Within welcomes back Dr. Phillip Allen.  Dr. Allen is a theologian and ethicist whose research and writings include the intersections of social structure, race, culture, and theology and ethics of justice. He has authored two books: Open Wounds: A Story of Racial Tragedy, Trauma, and Redemption and The Prophetic Lens: The Camera and Black Moral Agency From MLK to Darnella Frazier. He is an affiliate assistant professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, where he completed his PhD in Theology. He is also a poet and documentary filmmaker. Dr. Allen founded the nonprofit Racial Solidarity Project based in Pasadena, CA. As a former Division 1 college basketball player at North Carolina A&T State University, he has enjoyed opportunities as a guest chaplain for college and pro sports teams.   Dr. Allen will talk about the nonprofit he started, the Racial Solidarity Project and his book, the Prophetic Lens. The Prophetic Lens takes an important look at the use of the video camera as an indispensable prophetic tool for the security of Black lives and greater possibility for racial justice. He will share how the camera can be a catalyst for cultural change, using Walter Brueggemann's Prophetic Imagination as a framework for understanding the concept of "prophetic." Chronicling the use of the camera, particularly in film from J.D. Griffiths' Birth of a Nation to Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing, Allen's historical approach reveals how effective this technology has been in achieving the goals of its respective storytellers. Dr. Allen's work is an example of the importance of chronicling the richness of black history.

    56 Min.
  6. 19. FEB.

    Finding Light In the Darkness

    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 face of adversity. Elaine is dedicated to empowering listeners to cultivate inner strength and create ripples of change for themselves, their families and their communities. Join Resiliency Within as Elaine uncovers pathways to healing, unity, and action—because light can be found even in the darkest times. ___________________________________ About Elaine Elaine Miller-Karas, LCSW, is a social worker, trauma therapist, author, lecturer, consultant, VoiceAmerica  podcast host, Psychology Today blogger, and social entrepreneur. She has been called an "ambassador of hope" in the fields of trauma therapy and community resiliency. As a co-founder of the Trauma Resource Institute, Elaine serves as the Director of Innovation.  She has led the development of the Trauma and Community Resiliency Models, which have left an indelible global footprint, impacting over 75 countries. Her book, "Building Resiliency to Trauma: The Trauma and Community Resiliency Model, Second Edition (2023)," has been recognized by the United Nations and Taylor and Francis.  She is a regular contributor to Psychology Today. She has presented internationally at Oxford University's Skoll World Forum, the United Nations, Resiliency 2024, Medscape, Psychotherapy Networker, the Global Fund, the Carter Center, and the Centers for Disease Control. Elaine believes in a world where every person is treated with dignity and our differences are acknowledged and respected.

    43 Min.

Info

Elaine Miller-Karas will amplify the message of hope, healing and resiliency she has learned from our world community as she has traversed the globe after human made and natural disasters. Hope often springs forth in response to suffering and trauma. Our beliefs and our wellbeing are being challenged during these unprecedented times. The program Resiliency Within is about cultivating individual and community resiliency. Resiliency is the capacity to lean into our strengths with compassion during the most challenging of times and to remember what else is true? about our lived experience. Her guests are inspiring global leaders actively promoting healing and resiliency from a variety of backgrounds. The goal is to spread wellbeing and give individual and community examples to inspire how wellness skills, including ones based upon neuroscience and the biology of the human nervous system, can be integrated into one's life, family and community during challenging times.

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