Of all of the rich discussions at the National Summit on School Safety where I recently presented, it became apparent that there is a strong need for a broader discussion about how despite best intentions, we are undermining resilience with reactive crisis preparedness efforts. Building resilience is a process of increasing protective factors and decreasing
This is an important day for me. My first thought upon waking up: one year as a cancer survivor. One year ago, I underwent surgery as part of treatment to remove three malignant tumors. My second thought: more accurately, one year cancer free. My cancer survivor journey actually started on the same day in February
As part of the Resilience First Aid project, a 6-month pilot I developed for the National Resilience Institute to build community resiliency and better prepare for mass disruptions, we recently held a trauma and resilience training with my UK colleague, Lisa Cherry. At a Q&A session with Lisa, me and another resiliency specialist, one participant
My doctor said that I could not go for a walk for 30 days after surgery. I was annoyed. My body said it needed even longer.I listened… On an invitingly warm May evening, it finally was time for my first walk. A slow going stroll, but I could do it. As I walked down the
Earlier this year, I took down my website after being diagnosed with breast cancer, an unfortunate family tradition. I lost my mom to the disease when I was 22-years-old. My grandma, aunts, sister and niece also have braved this path before me. Who am I on the other side of recovering from treatment, finding a
Note: This perennial favorite is republished with working video links (original date: April 16, 2014). What Breaks Your Heart? As I was preparing to travel to a community in western Iowa that lost a fourth person to suicide this past year, I heard about the shooting and loss of lives at the Jewish Community Center
As I revise this website to reflect my evolving work, some essential pieces of earlier work move forward with me. This oldie but goodie – an essay from May 15, 2009 — is one of those pieces. May it serve as a reminder of integration for you. ~ Mollie Parenting and Work…Not Oil and Water
Part 2 of Resiliency Matters with Janet Hilary. Learn the St. George’s Calm School Code and how educational reformer Jan Hilary, designated National Leader of Education, London, UK, took a school from surviving to thriving through creating a culture of high expectations, accountability, and a consistent code of conduct.
After a recent 60 Minutes segment on treating childhood trauma, I had the opportunity to attend a virtual screening of KPJR Films award-winning RESILIENCE: The Biology of Stress & The Science of Hope. This film chronicles a rising movement to build collective strength by using trauma informed practices to disrupt cycles of violence, addiction, and
A recent 60 Minutes segment with correspondent Oprah Winfrey, has served to powerfully broaden our national conversation around Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), the impact of childhood trauma, and the possibilities of human resilience. Oprah traveled to her childhood hometown of Milwaukee, where she learned about the body of research that shows how trauma experienced by