Building a Life You Don’t Need to Escape From

How to Find Belonging When You Feel Like an Outsider w/ Anila Quayyum Agha

“People are not composed of a single one-dimensional story…Everybody's complicated.” What does it mean to truly belong? Award-winning multimedia artist Anila Quayyum Agha has spent her life exploring this question through breathtaking installations of light, shadow, and intricate patterns. Behind her internationally celebrated artwork is an extraordinary story of resilience. After immigrating to the United States, Anila faced loneliness, discrimination, financial hardship, and the challenge of building a new life while raising a child. Rather than allowing those experiences to diminish her, she transformed them into stunning art that invites us all to see one another with greater curiosity, compassion and humanity. In this episode, we discuss: * Finding belonging in an unfamiliar world * How creativity helps us heal during life's most difficult seasons * Why curiosity may be our greatest act of compassion and connection * How women can rewrite their story through courage and education If you've ever wondered where you truly belong, this episode is for you. To learn more about Anila’s art and showings, please visit anilaagha.com. If you found this episode helpful, you might want to listen to Episode 36 [https://donnayferris.com/resilience-in-full-color-with-artist-judith-bigham/], “Resilience in Full Color,” with Judith Bigham or Episode 18, [https://donnayferris.com/the-healing-power-of-wonder-with-caldecott-winner-micha-archer/] “The Healing Power of Wonder,” with Micha Archer.  Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others. Thank you. If you are interested in Donna's guided meditations, visit donnayferris.com/meditations or insighttimer.com/donnayferris. To join our free weekly Centering Group, please email donna@donnayferris.com [donna@donnayferris.com]. Donna’s latest book, Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens can be purchased here [https://www.amazon.com/Bounce-Back-Stronger-Finding-Purpose/dp/1736757946/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.EcQx2qIwaXFIKNzZIYSfFijOCF79O7keHRNsMrR1Bh3CXIX9onONsQdCCvvYTXFIBiq0XXaHtZ5K5xO95lrysBGY4gh5E_tS-Qmsg1NKAmWIJHDYVQ0iL4bKQ2ylGNumPmFpZp1nH6mZkLlk3_nEKrSQ635NkalC-AV3oZlrIAo1orQryVX9P95PoUD4qkXwJCf3z7sYpTgFRNFttqhvuOoz05BnquycDoqvzIzrGjI.tPIIhJpwXG2BYEzOZ3Rp4weY72xHKIOie4HpI3xPzDA&qid=1715417828&sr=8-1]. Click here [https://donnayferris.com/newsletter/] to subscribe to, or read our latest newsletter. Follow Donna on Instagram, Bluesky, or YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris. And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here [https://www.projecthealthyminds.com/guide], or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline is 1-877-330-6366. #Resilience #Belonging #Creativity #PersonalGrowth #WomenEmpoweringWomen #Healing #Mindfulness #BounceBackStronger #AnilaQuayyumAgha

If You're Awake Right Now: A Meditation for Sleep, Comfort & Calm

“This is a place where your body remembers how to be safe." If you're awake right now, you're not alone. This gentle sleep meditation is here for the middle-of-the-night moments when your mind feels busy, and your body won’t fully settle. Instead of trying to force sleep, we’ll create space for calm, safety, and ease. Through soft breathwork, full-body relaxation, and a peaceful meadow visualization, you’ll be gently guided back toward rest—without pressure or expectation. Whether sleep comes quickly or not at all, you are safe here. You are supported. You have permission to rest. Designed for nighttime anxiety, overthinking, and waking in the night. If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to Donna's other meditations here [https://donnayferris.com/meditations/] or on Insight Timer [https://insighttimer.com/donnayferris]. Donna’s latest book, Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens, can be purchased here [https://www.amazon.com/Bounce-Back-Stronger-Finding-Purpose/dp/1736757946]. To join our email list or inquire about meditation instruction or life coaching, visit donnayferris.com Follow Donna on Instagram, Bluesky, or YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris. And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here [https://www.projecthealthyminds.com/guide] or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline in the US is 1-877-565-8860, and in Canada, it is 1-877-330-6366. #SleepMeditation #AnxietyRelief #InsomniaSupport #GuidedMeditation #SleepHelp #NervousSystemHealing #Mindfulness #BounceBackStronger Music: Endless Sleep by Lost Ghosts

The Story I Couldn't Find: Pride, Belonging, & Memoir w/ Jennifer Leigh Selig

“I grew up in a very small town in the 70s. So when I had my first girlfriend in high school, we didn't have a name for ourselves. We didn't even know the word lesbian. We found it in a dictionary…in our high school library. And we're like, ‘That's what we are.’" Your story could be exactly what someone else needs to hear. In this episode, in honor of Pride Month, Jennifer Lee Selig shares how memoir writing can help people process trauma, discover who they are, and transform difficult experiences into stories that bring meaning, healing, and connection. We discuss: * Writing through adversity * The role of community in healing * LGBTQ+ visibility and representation * Creativity as a resilience practice This conversation is full of wisdom for writers, caregivers, survivors, and anyone on a personal growth journey. To learn more about Jennifer’s books, courses, and events, visit jenniferleighselig.com. If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to episodes with other authors, including Episode 53 [https://donnayferris.com/from-panic-to-peace-with-rita-zoey-chin/] with Rita Zoey Chin and Episode 29 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/moms-memoirs-and-mental-health-with-mira-bartok/id1716530620?i=1000655282064] with Mira Bartok. Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others. Thank you. Donna’s latest book, Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens, can be purchased here [https://www.amazon.com/Bounce-Back-Stronger-Finding-Purpose/dp/1736757946]. To join our email list or inquire about meditation instruction or life coaching, visit donnayferris.com Follow Donna on Instagram, Bluesky, or YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris. Her guided meditations can also be found on Insight Timer [https://insighttimer.com/donnayferris]. And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here [https://www.projecthealthyminds.com/guide] or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline in the US is 1-877-565-8860, and in Canada, it is 1-877-330-6366. #PrideMonth #RepresentationMatters #MemoirWriting #LGBTQCommunity #Healing #Storytelling #Trauma

Laid Off? Here’s How to Heal, Rebuild, & Move Forward w/ Steve Jaffe

“So often conversations and coaching goes straight to, ‘Here’s how you update your resume. Here’s what you do with your LinkedIn profile.’ And there’s nothing that says, ‘Listen, you need to pause. You’re gonna feel some grief. It’s gonna hurt, and here’s how you get through it.” In this episode of Bounce Back Stronger, author Steve Jaffe shares how losing a job impacts identity, mental health, relationships, and self-worth — and why the traditional “just update your resume” advice misses the point. Drawing from his book, The Layoff Journey, Steve explains how the seven stages of grief can help people process layoffs, regain confidence, and navigate career transitions with resilience, acceptance, and hope. In the episode, we discuss: * Why layoffs are rarely personal * 3 Things to Do in the Early Days * Healthy coping tools (like a gratitude practice) that actually help If you’re navigating a layoff, career transition, or burnout, this conversation will help you feel less alone. To learn more about Steve and his book, visit thestevejaffe.com. If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to Episode #55 [https://donnayferris.com/when-gratitude-is-hard-with-eve-turek/] “When Gratitude is Hard” with Eve Turek and Episode #44 [https://donnayferris.com/mindset-matters-how-tami-adams-turned-job-loss-into-success/] “How Tami Adams Turned Job Loss Into Success.” Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others. Thank you. Donna’s latest book, Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens, can be purchased here [https://www.amazon.com/Bounce-Back-Stronger-Finding-Purpose/dp/1736757946]. To join our email list or inquire about meditation instruction or life coaching, visit donnayferris.com Follow Donna on Instagram, Bluesky, or YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris. Her guided meditations can also be found on Insight Timer [https://insighttimer.com/donnayferris]. And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here [https://www.projecthealthyminds.com/guide] or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline in the US is 1-877-565-8860, and in Canada, it is 1-877-330-6366. #Layoff #CareerTransition #MentalHealth #JobLoss #Resilience #Podcast #BounceBackStronger #CareerAdvice #Healing #SteveJaffe #depression

Building a Life You Don’t Need to Escape From

“Maybe building a life we don’t need to escape from happens slowly — one mindful moment, one gentle choice at a time.” What would it look like to build a life you don’t constantly feel the need to escape from? In this new Bounce Back Stronger Reflections episode, host Donna Ferris shares a personal reflection on burnout, mindfulness, grief, anxiety, birdsong, and learning how to slow down long enough to notice what’s still beautiful. This episode is for anyone feeling overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, or stuck in survival mode lately. We talk about: * Meditation and mindfulness * Reframing anxious thoughts * Healing after loss * Finding hope in small daily moments * And why birds may understand resilience better than we do If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to Episode #91 [https://donnayferris.com/letting-go-of-control-how-to-find-peace-when-life-feels-uncertain/] – “Letting Go of Control: How to Find Peace When Life Feels Uncertain.” Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others. Thank you. Donna’s latest book, Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens, can be purchased here [https://www.amazon.com/Bounce-Back-Stronger-Finding-Purpose/dp/1736757946]. To provide feedback on this podcast or suggest topics, please email donna@donnayferris.com [donna@donnayferris.com]. Follow Donna on Instagram, Bluesky, or YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris. Her guided meditations can also be found on her website [https://donnayferris.com/meditations/] and on Insight Timer [https://insighttimer.com/donnayferris]. And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here [https://www.projecthealthyminds.com/guide] or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline in the US is 1-877-565-8860, and in Canada, it is 1-877-330-6366. #MentalHealth #Mindfulness #Healing #BurnoutRecovery #SelfCare #GriefHealing #Meditation #PersonalGrowth #Resilience #PodcastRecommendation #BounceBackStronger