On Healing: Conversations on Wholeness

Ep. 11 - On Grieving Our Past Selves and Embracing Change to Heal

Episode 11: Liz Salmi — On Grieving Our Past Selves and Embracing Change to Heal On Healing: Conversations on Wholeness with Dr. Amitha Kalaichandran How do we navigate the grief of losing parts of our identity while embracing the person we are becoming? In this episode, Liz Salmi, patient advocate, public speaker, and brain cancer survivor, joins Dr. Amitha Kalaichandran to discuss the profound process of grieving our past selves. Liz shares her personal journey of transformation, from facing a life-altering diagnosis to redefining her sense of purpose and self. Together, they explore how grief isn't always tied to the loss of a loved one but can stem from changes in health, career, or life circumstances. Liz offers practical insights into how we can honor who we once were while embracing the growth that comes from life's challenges. The conversation also highlights the power of storytelling and community in helping us heal and move forward. This episode is a powerful reminder that healing often requires letting go of old identities and making space for new beginnings. As Liz emphasizes, it's in this process of grief and renewal that we can find deeper resilience and self-compassion. Links * Liz Salmi's Website (The Liz Army): https://www.thelizarmy.com/ [https://www.thelizarmy.com/] * OpenNotes : https://www.opennotes.org [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.opennotes.org__;!!AIv8Mrc!4k47O_D6rRzGlCf5Q39yYrx4K7eAkJvQY1OWjfQLZLqU6hh62Q2WmobRed7NIU2MQvI58ta9m3sm-NAwuHV_TG8zUhb1dYqr$] * MedInfo 2024: Getting Ready for Open Everything: https://tv.digitalhealth.org.au/Mediasite/Play/43240956c1ef4e598d429f80228513b61d [https://tv.digitalhealth.org.au/Mediasite/Play/43240956c1ef4e598d429f80228513b61d] * Astrocytoma: https://braintumor.org/brain-tumors/about-brain-tumors/brain-tumor-types/astrocytoma/#low-grade [https://braintumor.org/brain-tumors/about-brain-tumors/brain-tumor-types/astrocytoma/#low-grade] Additional Links * Kubler-Ross' stages of grief https://www.ekrfoundation.org/5-stages-of-grief/on-death-and-dying/ [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.ekrfoundation.org/5-stages-of-grief/on-death-and-dying/__;!!AIv8Mrc!4k47O_D6rRzGlCf5Q39yYrx4K7eAkJvQY1OWjfQLZLqU6hh62Q2WmobRed7NIU2MQvI58ta9m3sm-NAwuHV_TG8zUr4hEAoc$] * Amitha's article on healthcare record transparency and the OpenNotes movement: https://quillette.com/2019/01/04/glimpsing-our-own-health-secrets-the-coming-revolution-in-health-care-transparency [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://quillette.com/2019/01/04/glimpsing-our-own-health-secrets-the-coming-revolution-in-health-care-transparency/__;!!AIv8Mrc!4k47O_D6rRzGlCf5Q39yYrx4K7eAkJvQY1OWjfQLZLqU6hh62Q2WmobRed7NIU2MQvI58ta9m3sm-NAwuHV_TG8zUoj94m-w$] Follow Liz Salmi on Social Media * Instagram: @TheLizArmy [https://www.instagram.com/thelizarmy] * Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thelizarmy [https://www.threads.net/@thelizarmy] * LinkedIn: Liz Salmi [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thelizarmy/] * BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thelizarmy.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/thelizarmy.bsky.social] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizsalmi/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizsalmi/] * Instagram: @TheLizArmy [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://949d6bce.streaklinks.com/CNsKcSG4uEb54RriCwOmQerV/https*3A*2F*2Fwww.instagram.com*2Fthelizarmy__;JSUlJQ!!AIv8Mrc!4k47O_D6rRzGlCf5Q39yYrx4K7eAkJvQY1OWjfQLZLqU6hh62Q2WmobRed7NIU2MQvI58ta9m3sm-NAwuHV_TG8zUgj5PgC-$] Twitter/X: @TheLizArmy [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://949d6bce.streaklinks.com/CNsKcSKrK9E0cjqpJgDxsC2w/https*3A*2F*2Ftwitter.com*2Fthelizarmy__;JSUlJQ!!AIv8Mrc!4k47O_D6rRzGlCf5Q39yYrx4K7eAkJvQY1OWjfQLZLqU6hh62Q2WmobRed7NIU2MQvI58ta9m3sm-NAwuHV_TG8zUi-j3Wtf$]

Ep. 10 - On the Power of Story (& Creativity) to Heal

Episode 10: Lauren Ling Brown — On the Power of Story (& Creativity) to Heal On Healing: Conversations on Wholeness with Dr. Amitha Kalaichandran What is it about storytelling that allows us to heal? How can the creative process become a path to self-discovery and transformation? In this episode, Lauren Ling Brown, acclaimed fiction author and advocate for the healing power of creativity, joins Dr. Amitha Kalaichandran to discuss how storytelling can serve as a bridge between our inner worlds and the collective human experience. Lauren shares how her own journey as a writer has been intertwined with personal healing, and she offers a glimpse into her creative process—how she transforms emotions, challenges, and life experiences into compelling narratives. Together, Lauren and Amitha explore the therapeutic potential of storytelling, the role of fiction in addressing universal themes of loss and resilience, and how creating art can help us process emotions and find meaning in adversity. This episode will inspire anyone looking to channel creativity as a tool for healing and connection. As Lauren emphasizes, storytelling isn't just an art form—it's a way of making sense of the world, building empathy, and transforming pain into purpose. Links * Lauren Ling Brown's Website: https://laurenlingbrown.com/ [https://laurenlingbrown.com/] * Society of Lies – Lauren Ling Brown: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/734849/society-of-lies-reeses-book-club-by-lauren-ling-brown/ [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/734849/society-of-lies-reeses-book-club-by-lauren-ling-brown/] Additional Links * Mindful Affirmations by Intelligent Change: https://www.intelligentchange.com/collections/mindful-affirmations * Broken Open by Elizabeth Lesser: https://www.elizabethlesser.org/broken-open * Rising Strong by Brene Brown: https://brenebrown.com/book/rising-strong/ * Study by Roger Ulrich on natural light and healing: https://www.healthdesign.org/knowledge-repository/view-through-window-may-influence-recovery-surgery Follow Lauren Ling Brown on Social Media * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenlingbrown * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurenlingbrown/ [https://www.facebook.com/laurenlingbrown/] Bluesky: @laurenlingbrown.bsky.social

Ep. 9 - On Healing Workplace Culture

Episode 9: Cy Wakeman — On Workplace Well-Being and the Path to Healing On Healing: Conversations on Wholeness with Dr. Amitha Kalaichandran How can workplace well-being transform not just our professional lives but also our ability to heal and thrive? In this episode, Cy Wakeman, leadership expert, workplace strategist, and bestselling author of Reality-Based Leadership, joins Dr. Amitha Kalaichandran to explore the critical connection between workplace health and overall well-being. Cy shares her revolutionary insights on how to cultivate resilience, emotional agility, and accountability in workplace environments. Together, they dive into the ways that toxic cultures, unresolved stress, and low psychological safety can harm both individual and organizational health—and how fostering wellness at work can lead to healing on a broader scale. Cy provides actionable strategies for leaders and employees to create a thriving culture where everyone can bring their best selves to work. This episode offers a powerful reminder that healing doesn't just happen in our personal lives—it happens in our workspaces, too. As Cy emphasizes, prioritizing workplace well-being is not just a leadership imperative but a path to deeper healing, both individually and collectively. Links * Cy Wakeman's Website: https://www.realitybasedleadership.com [https://www.realitybasedleadership.com/] * Cy Wakeman's Employee Value Equation: Employee Value = Current Performance (How am I doing today?) + Future Potential (Am I ready for what's next?) – (3x) Emotional Expensiveness (Am I worth it?) * Link to download the Employee Value Equation Calculator: https://info.realitybasedleadership.com/equation-0 [https://info.realitybasedleadership.com/equation-0] * Sign up for the newsletter: https://realitybasedleadership.com/newsletter/ [https://realitybasedleadership.com/newsletter/] * Subscribe to the Reality-Based Leadership Podcast: https://sites.libsyn.com/101318/website [https://sites.libsyn.com/101318/website] * Books by Cy Wakeman: * Life's Messy, Live Happy: https://info.realitybasedleadership.com/happy * Reality-Based Rules for the Workplace: https://reality-based-leadership.myshopify.com/collections/books/products/reality-based-rules-of-the-workplace-book * Reality Based Leadership: https://reality-based-leadership.myshopify.com/collections/books/products/reality-based-leadership-book * No Ego: https://reality-based-leadership.myshopify.com/products/no-ego-book Follow Cy Wakeman on Social Media * Instagram: @CyWakeman [https://www.instagram.com/cywakeman] * Facebook: Cy Wakeman [https://www.facebook.com/CyWakeman] * Twitter/X: @CyWakeman [https://twitter.com/CyWakeman] * LinkedIn: Cy Wakeman [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cywakeman/] Additional Links * Amitha's article on culture ("as a product") and team performance https://medium.com/@amithakalaichandran/why-we-must-view-culture-as-a-product-88d6a82a49b6 [https://medium.com/@amithakalaichandran/why-we-must-view-culture-as-a-product-88d6a82a49b6] * Andrew Huberman's interview with Bill Eddy on managing "high conflict personalities" https://www.hubermanlab.com/episode/bill-eddy-how-to-deal-with-high-conflict-people * Enneagram: https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/how-the-enneagram-system-works/ [https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/how-the-enneagram-system-works/] * Jon Gordon's The Energy Bus: https://www.theenergybus.com/ [https://www.theenergybus.com/] Bill Eddy's book on spotting high conflict/self-victimization in the context of adult bullies: Our New World of Adult Bullies https://www.porchlightbooks.com/product/our-new-world-of-adult-bullies-how-to-spot-them----how-to-stop-them--bill-eddy/isbn/9780757325106#full-description [https://www.porchlightbooks.com/product/our-new-world-of-adult-bullies-how-to-spot-them----how-to-stop-them--bill-eddy/isbn/9780757325106#full-description]

Ep. 8 - On the Power of Journalism to Heal Societal Ills

Episode 8: Wesley Lowery — On the Power of Journalism to Heal Societal Ills On Healing: Conversations on Wholeness with Dr. Amitha Kalaichandran In an era of division and misinformation, how can journalism serve as a force for healing and justice? In this episode, Wesley Lowery, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of They Can't Kill Us All, joins Dr. Amitha Kalaichandran to explore the transformative role of journalism in addressing societal ills and amplifying marginalized voices. Wesley shares his experiences covering some of the most pressing issues of our time, from systemic racism to police violence, and how storytelling can shed light on injustices, foster empathy, and drive meaningful change. Together, they delve into the power of accountability journalism, the challenges of reporting in a polarized world, and the responsibility of journalists to seek truth while navigating the emotional toll of their work. This conversation highlights the crucial role of journalism in healing societal wounds and advancing equity. As Wesley emphasizes, the stories we tell—and how we tell them—have the power to shape the future, holding institutions accountable and inspiring collective action. Links * Wesley Lowery's Website: https://www.wesleylowery.com [https://www.wesleylowery.com/] * Book – They Can't Kill Us All: Ferguson, Baltimore, and a New Era in America's Racial JusticeMovement:https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/wesley-lowery/they-cant-kill-us-all/9780316312479/?lens=little-brown * Book – American Whitelash: https://www.harperacademic.com/book/9780358393269/american-whitelash/ * Follow Wesley Lowery's Work: * Recent Articles in The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/author/wesley-lowery/ Additional Links * Wired (COVID-19 modelling): https://www.wired.com/story/opinion-actually-covid-optimists-and-pessimists-were-both-right/ * Enneagram: https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/ * Self-care tips for journalists: https://journalistsresource.org/home/self-care-tips-for-journalists-plus-a-list-of-several-resources/ [https://journalistsresource.org/home/self-care-tips-for-journalists-plus-a-list-of-several-resources/] * The similarities between medicine and journalism: https://kevinmd.com/2017/06/striking-parallels-doctors-journalists.html [https://kevinmd.com/2017/06/striking-parallels-doctors-journalists.html] * Ikigai: https://positivepsychology.com/ikigai/ Follow Wesley Lowery on Social Media * Instagram: @wesleylowery [https://www.instagram.com/wesleylowery] * Facebook: Wesley Lowery [https://www.facebook.com/wesley.lowery.9] * Twitter/X: @WesleyLowery [https://twitter.com/WesleyLowery] LinkedIn: Wesley Lowery [https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesleylowery/]

Ep. 7 - On Grieving Our Loved Ones and Finding Purpose & Healing in Loss

Episode 7: Darren Sudman — On Grieving Our Loved Ones and Finding Purpose & Healing in Loss On Healing: Conversations on Wholeness with Dr. Amitha Kalaichandran How do we navigate the deep and often isolating grief of losing someone we love? In this episode, Darren Sudman, grief advocate and founder of Simon's Heart, joins Dr. Amitha Kalaichandran to explore the profound journey of grieving loved ones and turning pain into purpose. After the sudden loss of his son Simon, Darren dedicated his life to raising awareness about heart health and preventing sudden cardiac death in children. Darren shares his personal story of loss, healing, and advocacy, offering insights into how grief can shape us in unexpected ways. Together, they discuss the importance of creating space for grief, finding community support, and channeling emotions into meaningful action. Darren also highlights the role of storytelling in healing and how we can honor our loved ones by keeping their legacies alive. This conversation is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of love and purpose. As Darren emphasizes, grief is a journey, not a destination—and in sharing our stories, we can help others find their way through it. Links * Simon's Heart Website: https://www.simonsheart.org [https://www.simonsheart.org/] * Got AED: https://www.gotaed.org/ [https://www.gotaed.org/] * Tyree Wallace: https://thephiladelphiacitizen.org/why-is-tyree-wallace-still-in-prison/ * Books/Articles * Why Bad Things Happen to Good People - Harold Kushner https://www.amazon.com/When-Things-Happen-Good-People/dp/1400034728 [https://www.amazon.com/When-Things-Happen-Good-People/dp/1400034728] * The Amen Effect: https://www.amazon.com/Amen-Effect-Ancient-Wisdom-Broken/dp/0593543319 * Who Shall Live and Who Shall Die: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/who-shall-live-and-who-sh_b_8184912 [https://www.huffpost.com/entry/who-shall-live-and-who-sh_b_8184912] Additional Links * Amitha's Article on the "Re-emergence Effect" in Elemental (featuring Darren Sudman) https://elemental.medium.com/a-re-emergence-effect-has-us-all-feeling-awkward-4325f739effb * Broken Open by Elizabeth Lesser: https://thephiladelphiacitizen.org/why-is-tyree-wallace-still-in-prison/ * Amitha's article on Grief in the Atlantic https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/04/were-not-ready-for-this-kind-of-grief/609856/ [https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/04/were-not-ready-for-this-kind-of-grief/609856/] * Amitha's article on Grief in NYT Sunday Opinion https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/23/opinion/grief-covid-book-of-job.html [https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/23/opinion/grief-covid-book-of-job.html] Follow Darren Sudman and Simon's Heart on Social Media * Instagram: @SimonsHeart [https://www.instagram.com/simonsheart] * Facebook: Simon's Heart [https://www.facebook.com/simonsheart] * Twitter/X: @SimonsHeart [https://twitter.com/simonsheart] * LinkedIn: Darren Sudman [https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrensudman/]