The Resilience Breakthrough Podcast

Denise Hunter, MD, also known by her rapper name Dr. D-Nice Beaugelin (just kidding, but really), has been a medical doctor for over 18yrs and a youth leader for over 30 years.  She is a Adolescent Wellness Specialist. She is the founder of  Wisdomteethinger and creator of FOUNT.

Some people called Cordan James a “crack baby,” a negative label he’s learned to reframe.

Cordan is a fighter. As the only black person in a rural community, he fought to belong. As a young man, he also fought to fit in… and sometimes to stand out. He spent his life in the Foster Care system.

He had beautiful relationships with adoptive family and friends, and he experienced boldfaced racial discrimination and stereotyping. But Cordan never stopped fighting to discover who he was.

He joined the US military, where he became a leader, and he was later reunited with his birth family. Through all the challenges, Cordan never stopped fighting. He’s a living example of the kind of resilience that only shows up in a life beset by extraordinary challenges.

And that’s why they call him “The Comeback Kid."

Cordan’s voice, life, and mission are all about giving children hope. Hope for a brighter future, and the tools to see their life in new ways… today. For adults like Cordan who have a traumatic story, Cordan’s life and message show that it’s never too late to manifest the fearless imaginings of their childhood.

Cordan James Haveron is a motivational speaker, life coach, and the founder of The Comeback Kid Mentorship Program. Influenced by the WhyTry Program, he uses WhyTry today to support biological and adoptive families, veterans, and mental health professionals.

Dr Allison Farrington is the Principal of the Research and Service High School. She believes that strong community-school relationships are essential to academic and civic achievement. She navigated her school through the pandemic, where she faced food shortages and unprecedented challenges.

Dr Farrington empowers students to excel both inside and outside of the classroom. Control, Optimism, Resilience, and Empowerment are her school’s CORE values.

And she’s no stranger to adversity… Discover Allison’s story of resilience.

John Harrell manages a successful business, writes a blog, and regularly engages in public speaking. His audiences include corporations, trade associations, college students and incarcerated children-truly a "captive" audience. He encourages all to pursue their callings and not trade their potential for the security of a paycheck.

John is a fortunate survivor of childhood physical and emotional abuse. Because of his upbringing, Harrell is able to connect with struggling children, offering hope to kids, reminding them their futures are not limited by their circumstances. Everyone has the power within to break the generational malady of abuse and live a full life.

He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Rachel's Challenge, the largest program in the world which focuses on kindness and compassion. Named for Rachel Joy Scott, the first child killed at Columbine High School, Rachel's Challenge reaches 2 million people per year in 40 countries. John lives in Austin, Texas and is the proud father of two sons.

Magdalena Yesil is a founder, entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and author. She's been active in Silicon Valley for three decades. She was the founding board member and first investor in Salesforce, and she has invested in over 30 companies.

Magdalena was a pioneer in the commercialization of the Internet in its early days, helping it move out of the government and university domains and in establishing the infrastructure for e-commerce and financial transaction platforms.

She's the author of the book Power Up, and was featured as one of Silicon Valley's "Alpha Girls."

She started her career as a semiconductor design engineer at Advanced Micro Devices. She holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Industrial Engineering and Management Science and Engineering and a Masters of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, all from Stanford University.

Dedication, Communication, Results- with a genuine smile on her face, and her office adorned with her beauty pageant crown hanging beside her Navy uniform.

She's a doctor, an officer, and… the International Ms. 2020.

Dentistry and duty run in her blood. Her father, also a dentist, inspired her love of service and teeth, and she followed his footsteps becoming a Navy officer- a heritage that goes back to the Revolutionary War and earned her a Daughters of the American Revolution college scholarship.

While she continues her service as a Navy orthodontist based off-base, she has a passion for working with civilian kids and their moms. Whenever she can, she moonlights in private practices, using her strengths as a compassionate communicator (with a confidently feminine charm) to help improve the self-esteem of women, girls, and boys, one orthodontic procedure at a time.

She has lived in and visited over 50 countries in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, including her deployment with the United States Navy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom to Al Asad, Iraq where she took care of the smiles of over 25,000 active duty, contractors and Iraqi security forces.

After practicing for three years as a general dentist, she was selected to attend the elite Tri-Service Orthodontics Residency Program at Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

While in residency she competed and won the title Ms. Texas, followed by Ms. United States 2012 and Ms. Galaxy 2014. The titles allowed her the opportunity to mentor young girls and show them that they can be and do anything- from beauty queen to Navy officer to orthodontist. At the STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) Conference she was a keynote speaker, speaking to over 1,000 middle school girls for the Department of Defense in Japan.

Amen Mandela Rahh is the author of the book Revolutionary School Culture. He's known as the Revolutionary Principal for how he has built and founded University Pathways Public Service Academy, “The U,” an urban public school in South Central Los Angeles.

Principal Rahh distinguished himself in the classroom and as a school leader. As an middle school teacher in Watts, CA, he was selected as the turnaround teacher which ultimately helped him obtain his position as dean of students. As a principal, he founded one of the most highly-regarded schools in the area by students and parents.

Currently, Principal Rahh is one of the most engaging speakers for transforming the way schools serve their at-promise student populations in America. He is a published author of a chapter he wrote in the book titled Restorative Practices Meets Social Justice. He is also the recipient of many educational, professional and community awards.

He was born and raised from Compton, California in which he takes pride in saying. Amen received Associates Degree from Compton Community College, his Bachelors of Arts Degree in Black Studies, from Cal State University, Dominguez Hills. He holds two Master degrees in Education and in Special Education from Cal State University, Dominguez Hills. Amen is a certified trainer of trainers in Restorative Justice by the Institute of Restorative Practices (IIRP). Amen began his Professional career as a Special Education Assistant.

Principal Amen Rahh was selected by to be the Founding Principal of University Pathways Public Service Academy “The U”. The U is currently in its second year and the school is already a model school for building a Restorative Community as well as establishing school-wide system to improve student achievement.

On Jan. 29, 1962, Cardwell, now a professor at the University of Lynchburg, and Lynda Woodruff became the first black students to attend Glass. At that time, Glass had been an all-white school, and black students had attended Dunbar High School. It had snowed all day long the day before that historic Monday, Cardwell recalled, but school had not been canceled.

That day, Cardwell said, the doors of Glass that had been closed to black students were opened, but only a crack.

“Don’t think for a moment, however, that the crack was easy to enter,” Cardwell said. “Nor that those who guarded the door made the passage smooth.”

He was suspended from Glass during his senior year for leading a student walkout. Cardwell was one of four black students in his graduating class of about 650. Cardwell said school segregation and inferior educational opportunities harmed black students even decades after the landmark 1954 Brown vs. Board of Education case was decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Akbar H. Cook Sr. was born and raised in Newark’s West Ward. He attended Essex Catholic High School, where he excelled as a student and basketball player. Mr. Cook attended college on two basketball scholarships, attending St. Catherine’s College in Kentucky before graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Florida Atlantic University, a Division I university in Boca Raton, Florida. He went on to receive a Master’s Degree in Administration from St. Peters University in Jersey City in 2006. Mr. Cook’s love for children and basketball led him to Newark Vocational School in 2008, where he became head coach of the Boys’ Basketball Team, and in 2012, he was named Vice Principal of West Side High School. Mr. Cook is well known for having a stern, yet caring presence in the lives of many of Newark’s youth. His desire to uplift and educate children is always at the forefront of his work in Newark Public Schools. Mr. Cook volunteers in food kitchens and participates in Christmas tree and toy drives. He also organizes recreational activities for Newark Public School students and works closely with the Newark Police Department to ensure safe transportation for all students after school functions. In addition to serving as a Vice Principal at West Side High School and head basketball coach, Mr. Cook also serves as co-director of Greater Newark’s LifeCamp, a summer camp for inner city youth.

Whitley County is one of the most scenic areas in the United States. But the students there face a challenging dilemma. How do they value and hold to their identity and their roots, while sprouting their wings and letting their lives take flight? In this episode, we explore the heart wrenching story of three students. We explore the southern charm and deep challenges faced by this region... and many rural areas across the country. 

Miranda Beard, past president of the National School Boards Association and news anchor discusses how to see past differences, get all the good ideas at the table, and move our country forward.

Dr. Damien Sweeney serves as the Program Coordinator for Comprehensive School Counseling at the Kentucky Department of Education where he works alongside school counselors to equip them with best practices. Sweeney oversaw the publication of the Kentucky Framework of Best Practices for School Counselors. He also contributed to Guidance on How Districts Can Facilitate Conversations About Race-based Stress and Trauma for districts and schools in Kentucky and also recently had his first publication in the ASCA magazine titled Stand Up, Stand Together: Now is the time for school counselors to take a stand and fight for social justice and equity for Black students.

With a passion for change agency and social justice, Dr. Sweeney has served as a special education teacher, English teacher, high school counselor, and adjunct professor. Dr. Sweeney holds a Master’s in Teaching Special Education and Secondary English from Bellarmine University, a Masters in Education for School Counseling, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Louisville.  Dr. Sweeney’s wife is Dr. Abigail Sweeney and they have three boys, Smith, Shawn, and Parker.

Dr. Gazelle is faculty at Harvard Medical School, a 25-year practicing physician, and one of the preeminent physician coaches in America. She utilizes evidence-based neuroscience, mindfulness, and physician leadership techniques to not only help combat burnout, but to help physicians develop leadership skills, broaden emotional intelligence, increase their healthcare resilience capacity, and reach maximum potential despite ever-increasing demands.

A longstanding mindfulness practitioner and certified mindfulness teacher, she helps clients become more present and able to meet the many demands they face. Dr. Gazelle helps physicians improve efficiency, manage conflict, and heighten team effectiveness, not only enhancing performance but maximizing fulfillment. Virtually and in person, she has coached over 500 physicians and physician leaders.

Dr. Gazelle’s physician coaching is results-oriented, tailored to the individual, and effective. Given her belief in the power of humor, her coaching is also enjoyable. Dr. Gazelle is passionate about helping fellow physicians enhance performance and achieve balance. She is highly invested in the outcomes her clients achieve and becomes a strong champion for success.

A founding member of the Harvard Institute of Coaching, a Master Certified Coach, and featured in The Physician Leadership Journal and American College of Physicians leadership webinars, Dr. Gazelle has been a pioneer in bringing the benefits of physician coaching to the medical profession.

A dynamic and sought-after physician burnout, leadership and resilience healthcare speaker, Dr. Gazelle gives in-person and virutal keynotes, workshops, and retreats across the globe, providing the resilience in healthcare and leadership tools needed for the marathon of a medical career.

Dr. Gazelle's book, Everyday Resilience. A Practical Guide ot Build Inner Strength and Weather Life's Challenges came out in August 2020.

Roberto Rivera is an award winning artist, educator, and change agent who specializes in social emotional learning and youth empowerment. He received his undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he created his own major entitled “Social Change, Youth Culture and the Arts”. This major is now a learning community that brings spoken word artists and hiphop artists together from all over the world through a program at UW-Madison called First Wave. 

Rivera, carries a masters degree in Youth Development with a focus on Social Justice, Urban Education, and has been a researcher and collaborator with CASEL. His work has been featured on WGN, Univision, Fox television, and numerous newspapers and radio shows around the nation and world. His work is also part of a permanent exhibit in the Illinois Holocaust Museum, and he is a proud husband and father of two creative and energetic boys.

Erin Gruwell is a teacher, an education activist, and the founder of the Freedom Writers Foundation. By fostering an educational philosophy that values and promotes diversity, Erin transformed her students' lives. She encouraged them to re-think rigid beliefs about themselves and others, reconsider daily decisions, and ultimately re-chart their futures. Erin and her students captured their collective journey in The Freedom Writers Diary.

Erin founded the Freedom Writers Foundation where she currently teaches educators around the world how to implement her innovative lesson plans into their own classrooms. She created the Freedom Writers Methodology, a progressive teaching philosophy and curricula designed to achieve excellence from all students. Erin continues to fight for equality in education and inspires teachers and students all over the world with her work.

We can't control what happens to us, but we can choose how to respond. In this episode, Christian and Hotep discuss how to channel the pain of failure, discrimination, and setbacks into power.

Hotep is a Congressional Award-winning educator and social entrepreneur known for his book, The Hustler’s 10 Commandments.

Kimberly is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Supervisor. She has been a presenter at the Parents of Murdered Children National Conference and Lone Star College’s Academy for Lifelong Learning. She currently provides clinical supervision for students and LPC Interns at FamilyTime Crisis and Counseling Center, Inc. and is an active member of the Advisory Board for Sam Houston State University.

In this episode, Kimberly shares her personal story, including why she became a counselor and opened multiple practices and what motived her to keep fighting through daunting life challenges. She does a live therapy session with the hosts and shares the healing power of positive self-talk.

Darrell discusses what it was like to lose his daughter in one of America's first school shootings. He shares the difference between pain and suffering, and forgiveness and pardon... and finding our inner purpose.

About Darrell Scott

In response to a school shooting that tragically claimed the life of his daughter, Darrell started Rachel's Challenge. He's on a mission to end school violence, bullying, and suicide by sparking a 'chain reaction' of hope.

In this week's episode, we bring you the voices of Black people. From the civil rights movement, to Black Lives Matter and the modern protests against racial injustice and violence.

Judge Teske watched black kids enter his court day in and day out. He saw them enter shackled, shuffling across the floor to be judged. One day, as a youth offender's grandmother approached him in tears, grateful for her grandson's release, he couldn't take it any more. Judge Teske realized the pain these shackles must create for people still traumatized by slavery.

So Judge Teske drafted an order banning the use of shackles or restraints unless it could be shown by evidence that having no restraints would place the safety of others at risk.

Judge Steven Teske has been reforming the juvenile justice system for over two decades. Through what became known as "The Teske Model," he reduced juvenile detention rates by over 60% in the state of Georgia. Rather than pushing students out of school, the Teske Model provides a framework to keep kids in school by pressing pause and asking why the student is having the issue. Judge Teske's model has been successfully adopted in 42 US States.

Early King is a pioneer in blended learning and online engagement. He was an executive for the K-12 organization before returning to his roots as a principal in inner-city Chicago.

He's seen his share of tragedies and hard times. From dealing with lead poisoning, to witnessing multiple murders. What got him through it? The discipline he developed through martial arts and transcendental meditation.

Hasan Davis knows about hope. It's the only thing that kept him going through the loss of his cousin, as a soldier, and as the Commissioner of Juvenile Justice for the State of Kentucky.

Are you at risk? CALL 1-800-273-TALK

Some students are beyond "at-risk." They are wounded. They may feel hopeless. Often, we have no idea how to reach them or how to help them heal. In this episode, Joe and Dardi Hendershott explore the power of empathic connection to heal the wounded, and how educators can recover from compassion fatigue and burnout.

Are you at risk? CALL 1-800-273-TALK

Miranda Beard discusses equity, the power of words, entrepreneurship, and turning the pain of discrimination into fuel to achieve your dreams. As the former president of the National School Boards Association and anchor of a Washington DC area affiliate news show, Miranda has a powerful voice. But she didn't always see it that way. Discover her journey of finding her voice then using it to empower children across the country.

Richard Kerry Thompson, the principal of an alternative middle school in Flint, Michigan, shares a jaw-dropping story of rock-bottom resilience.

How can you turn your problem into your best friend? How can you "flip the switch" and see a challenging situation in a different light? We discuss this, and more, in the second episode of the Resilience Breakthrough Podcast!

Episode one. The podcast hosts introduce themselves and the core concepts of resilience.