Facing the Moment: Insights Action for Times of Crisis

Foundation for Self Leadership

5.0 (3)
MENTAL HEALTH
UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

This podcast centers on conversations that address various crises and focus on how to navigate them with abundant fortitude and a bit of hope. As we discuss relevant observations, together we will identify meaningful actions that will generate valuable insights. Hosted by Toufic Hakim, PhD. Learn more at FoundationIFS.org.

FEB 4

Emerging from Suicidal Despair

Suicide is a devastating reality that touches millions, yet it often remains shrouded in silence and stigma. Today, the crisis is more pressing than ever: nearly 50,000 individuals died by suicide in the U.S. in 2023, and it has become the second leading cause of death for younger Americans. In this episode of Facing the Moment, host Toufic Hakim speaks with Bill Geis, PhD, a clinician with over 40 years of experience and 55,000 therapy hours, who has dedicated his career to suggesting better ways to assess, care for, and help those wrestling with suicidal ideation. Together, they explore the critical limitations of current detection methods—noting the tragic discovery that 70% to 80% of individuals who end their lives do not reveal their intentions during their last medical or mental health contact. Bill Geis Phd, sheds light on the internal world of the "suicidal imagining," explaining the concept of "psychache"—an unbearable emotional pain fueled by feelings of failure, self-hatred, or the malignant belief that one is a burden to others. He also discusses the biological vulnerabilities, such as systemic inflammation and sleep deprivation, that can contribute to what he describes as a "suicide attack." Drawing on his clinical research and Internal Family Systems (IFS) training, Bill Geis, PhD, introduces a transformative perspective: viewing suicidal thoughts not as a rational choice of the whole person, but as "extreme parts" or "firefighters" desperately trying to rescue the individual from incineration-level emotional pain. This conversation offers a clear-eyed, compassionate look at a profound crisis while pointing toward hopeful, restorative possibilities. Support this podcast. Your donation supports production, outreach, and the continuation of meaningful conversations on Facing the Moment. ⁠www.foundationIFS.org/support⁠

1h 3m
JAN 14

Healing the Heart of Education

Schools have long been places of learning, possibility, and growth. Today, however, many are strained by rising stress, emotional overload, and an urgent need for deeper connection. In this episode of Facing the Moment, host Toufic Hakim speaks with Joanna Curry-Sartori, a clinician-educator whose work brings mindfulness, presence, and compassion-based tools into classrooms across the country. Together, they explore the growing crisis in U.S. schools—how behavioral challenges, trauma histories, academic pressure, and constant activation impact both students and educators. Joanna sheds light on the inner world of overwhelmed teachers, the silent emotional burdens students carry, and the systemic pressures that make genuine connection harder to sustain. Drawing on her clinical background and her work training school teams, she introduces the PAUSE framework, a practical method for slowing down, grounding, and responding thoughtfully when tensions rise. Through real classroom stories, she illustrates how small shifts in presence can transform conflict moments, rebuild trust, and ease the emotional climate of a room. This conversation offers a clear-eyed look at what educators are facing today, while also pointing toward restorative possibilities. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of school-based stress, the power of attuned relationships, and tools that support both adult well-being and student self-regulation in challenging moments. Check out The Self-led Educator Book: www.selfleadershipcollaborative.com/book Support this podcast. Your donation supports production, outreach, and the continuation of meaningful conversations on Facing the Moment. ⁠www.foundationIFS.org/support⁠

1h 6m
12/27/2025

Weathering the AI Storm

In this episode of Facing the Moment, Toufic Hakim speaks with Dilara Ally, a clinician-researcher who works at the intersection of mental health, about the emotional, societal, and psychological stakes of artificial intelligence. Drawing on her work in trauma recovery, digital mental health, and natural language processing, Dilara explores how AI is reshaping human connection, influencing well-being, and changing the way we understand intuition, presence, and the therapeutic relationship. This conversation illuminates both possibility and peril: the biases embedded in AI systems, the emotional cost of predictive technologies, and the alarming rise of anxiety, self-harm, and disconnection in young people growing up in the smartphone era. At the same time, Dilara highlights the irreplaceable qualities of human attunement, vulnerability, and repair—and why moral imagination and “living in the question” may be our most important tools in an AI-driven world. We’ve shared 11 episodes of Facing the Moment, and we’d love your feedback. Your response to this quick poll helps us grow and serve you better. We’re always looking to bring voices that truly fit the heart of Facing the Moment. If there’s a guest you think would be a great fit, please email us at outreach@foundationIFS(.)org. Support this podcast. Your donation supports production, outreach, and the continuation of meaningful conversations on Facing the Moment. https://www.foundationifs.org/support

1h 10m
12/10/2025

Mitigating the Climate Crisis

In this episode of Facing the Moment, host Toufic Hakim engages Natalie Thomas, PhD—philosopher, psychotherapist, and environmental ethicist—in a candid exploration of the climate crisis. Moving beyond the polarized political debates, the conversation examines the crisis’s tangible impacts on ecosystems, human communities, and mental health. Natalie unpacks the science behind global warming, the psychological roots of climate denial, and the shared values often hidden beneath divisive rhetoric. She offers hopeful signs from community-led initiatives, innovations in green technology, and mental health support networks. The dialogue highlights “climate distress” and its varied emotional toll—particularly on younger generations—while exploring strategies to foster resilience, from climate cafés and nature connection to compassionate activism and bridge-building conversations with skeptics. Listeners are left with both a sobering grasp of the crisis and practical ways to connect, adapt, and act collectively for a livable future. Support this podcast. Your donation supports production, outreach, and the continuation of meaningful conversations on Facing the Moment. ⁠www.foundationIFS.org/support⁠

1h 5m
11/24/2025

Wising Up to Anger

Anger is everywhere—in our homes, on our roads, and acrossthe news cycle—but how well do we really understand it? In this powerful and timely episode, IFS-trained therapist Ted Riskin joins Toufic Hakim to challenge conventional thinking about anger. Rather than suppress or fear it, what if we learned to listen to it—and even welcome it? From the internal tensions of personal triggers to thecollective storms of cultural rage, Ted unpacks the anatomy of anger: its roots in boundary violations, its role as a smoke alarm for deeper emotions like grief or shame, and its potential as a protective force when wisely guided.Drawing on decades of therapeutic experience and Internal Family Systems (IFS) theory, Ted shows us how to shift from impulsive reaction to grounded reflection. This episode is both a deep dive into emotional self-leadership and a gentle call to action in an increasingly reactive world. If you've ever been caught in the jaws of anger—or lived in fear of expressing it—this conversation offers a way forward: from fragmented reaction to integratedresponse.

1h 12m
10/30/2025

Bridging Family Chasms

In this deeply personal and universally resonant conversation, educator and organizational healing consultant Mona Sullivanreflects on her journey of navigating family estrangement shaped by cultural expectations, religious beliefs, and rigid traditions. Raised in a Muslim Egyptian household in the U.S., Mona shares how her search for belonging led her through painful seasons of shame, conditional acceptance, and profoundloss—including the passing of her father and her former beloved mother-in-law just days apart during a difficult phase of estrangement from her family. Through therapy, spiritual grounding, and compassion, she found a path toward healing, reclaiming her self-worth, and fostering interdependent relationships. This episode offers an intimate look at resilience, the courage to live one’s truth, and the delicate art of keeping the door open for reconciliation—without surrendering one’s wholeness or core self.

1h 13m
10/08/2025

Overcoming Loneliness

In this powerful and timely episode of Facing The Moment, we explore the silent epidemic of loneliness—a condition that affects people of all ages and cuts across cultures, relationships, and social structures. Sarah Oswald, Executive Director of the Relational Life Foundation, joins us for an intimate and illuminating conversation on the roots, manifestations, and healing paths for loneliness. Together, Toufic and Sarah unpack loneliness not just as isolation but as a societal wound—linked to trauma, individualism, patriarchy, and the breakdown of community. They reflect on the mental and physical health tolls, the generational impact, and how modern life—despite hyperconnectivity—has left many feeling unseen and unheard. Sarah offers a hopeful vision rooted in intentional connection, self-awareness, and community-building, and shares practical and deeply human ways we can respond: by slowing down, listening, showing up with presence, and reclaiming our common humanity. This conversation is an invitation to both acknowledge pain and ignite renewal, for ourselves and for others. If you or someone you care about is wrestling with disconnection, this episode is both a compassionate guide and a call to action. Tune in to remember: you are not alone.

1h 3m
09/15/2025

Finding Our Way Through Wars

In this deeply moving episode of Facing the Moment,We explore what it means to live, work, and nurture hope in the midst of war.Ukrainian psychologist and university educator Anastasiia Shyroka shares her firsthand experience since the 2022 invasion—from the shock of the first days to leading humanitarian efforts, teaching students under siege, and guiding communities through trauma. She reflects on the daily balancing act between survival and professional purpose, the losses carried by individuals and society, and the quiet, persistent ways people create “islands of safety” for one another. Drawing on her research and practice, Dr. Shyroka offersprofound insights into resilience—rooted in purpose, coping skills, and humanity—and the need to pass on not only the burdens of history but also the gifts of courage and care. She also describes her work with others, bringing Internal Family Systems therapy to Ukraine, creating healing spaces throughcultural initiatives, and preparing for the immense task of post-war recovery. A conversation about pain, persistence, and the power ofsmall acts, this episode invites listeners to witness the human spirit’s capacity to endure, connect, and keep building toward a better future.

1h 12m

5

out of 5

3 Ratings

This podcast centers on conversations that address various crises and focus on how to navigate them with abundant fortitude and a bit of hope. As we discuss relevant observations, together we will identify meaningful actions that will generate valuable insights. Hosted by Toufic Hakim, PhD. Learn more at FoundationIFS.org.

Creator

Foundation for Self Leadership
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

13
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Foundation for Self Leadership
Show Website

Facing the Moment: Insights Action for Times of Crisis