Ruthless Compassion With Dr. Marcia Sirota

Michael Ungar, Ph.D., is a Family Therapist and Professor of Social Work at Dalhousie University where he holds the Canada Research Chair in Child, Family and Community Resilience. His ground-breaking work is recognized around the world for its emphasis on how to use the theory of resilience to increase both individual and community agility during crises, with numerous communities, organizations and businesses adopting his concept of resilience as a negotiated process that enhances people's wellbeing when facing adversity. Dr. Ungar has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on the subject of resilience and is the author of 17 books for mental health professionals, researchers and caregivers. These include Change Your World: The Science of Resilience and the True Path to Success, a book for adults experiencing stress at work and at home, and Multisystemic Resilience: Adaptation and Transformation in Contexts of Change, an open access edited volume with contributors from a dozen diverse di

Raymond Van Gobel is Mr Rayz, a kids entertainer and educator with heart on a mission to help kids find their courage and be brave! He also has managed bipolar affective disorder for over 22 years and has learned mental health strategies and ways to courageously battle mental illness with its challenges. He was recently on the board of OBAD.ca ( The organization for bipolar affective disorder) where he is on the team of peer group support specialists, the leading mental health peer group in Alberta. Ray make his home in Calgary and is a divorced single father to three fast growing kids in middle school and high school. You can find Raymond online... `Instagram: @mrrayz Originally Published 09/16/21

Robert Hawke is a comedian, author and speaker. Rob honed his storytelling and comedic skills with The Second City Comedy Troupe. He has shared in a Canadian Comedy Award and Gemini Award Nomination for Best Writing in a Comedy Series. Robert creates riveting virtual keynote presentations that give audiences immediately usable tips and tools to build resilience in these ridiculous times. Rob wrote the books Kicking Cancer's Ass: A Lighthearted Guide To The Fight Of Your Life and Doing Happiness: Uncovering The Hidden Benefits Of Feeling Good. He lives in Peterborough with his terrific wife and ridiculously small dog. You can find Robert online... Twitter: @RobertHawke Website Originally Published 09/02/21

Carlita Victoria is a Raleigh, North Carolina native, she attended The University of NC at Greensboro (BFA Dance Performance & Choreography, K-12 Dance Education). A committed mental health advocate, Carlita founded Darkness RISING Nonprofit for Black mental health to create a safe space and mental health resources for the Black community. National Tour: Chuck Davis & The African American Dance Ensemble, MADAGASCAR LIVE: CHINA, Industrial: Glee Project Promo featuring Darren Criss. (Lead Singer) Regional: THE COLOR PURPLE (Nettie), DREAMGIRLS (Lorrell Robinson), HAIRSPRAY (Little Inez/Dynamite), ROCK OF AGES (Justice), DISNEY’S ALADDIN (Regional Premiere), Urban Bush Women (Apprentice). Carlita is an active performer, certified personal fitness instructor, and mental health advocate. You can find Carlita online... Instagram: @darknessrisingproject Instagram: @itscarlitav Twitter: @darkriseproject Twitter: @itscarlitav Facebook: @darknessrisingproject Website Originally Published 08/19/21

TESS BRIGHAM (MFT, BCC), dubbed the 'Millennial Therapist' by CNBC, is an expert psychotherapist, certified life coach, and public speaker. She specializes in helping millennials discover their unique life path in order to go out into the world and make an impact. Tess' acclaimed one-on-one coaching empowers young adults to gain the confidence they need to create their dream life through concrete and actionable steps. Tess is a vital resource for those who may be feeling stuck, uninspired, or uncertain by where they are in life. She has written the Quarter Life Crisis Handbook, and also works with parents in helping them "launch your millennial". Her keynote speeches and workshops include topics such as: millennials in the workplace and parenting your millennial children. She's worked with companies including: General Assembly, The Bar Method, Newport Academy, and Better Up, to name a few. Based in San Francisco, California, Tess has over 15 years of experience helping thousands of people find their purpose,

As CEO of MI, I am committed to supporting my team in building digital tools that empower better living and faster healing. We blend science and design with internally developed technology that remotely and objectively measures mind and body data (typically via computer vision enabled psychobiometrics). By partnering with medical and academic institutions around the world, we rigorously interrogate the efficacy of our products through multi-centre randomised controlled trials. Our commitment of using science to ensure our tools work and are tailored to suit each individual means you can trust a MI product is the most effective product for you, no matter where you live or who you are. Until 2017, I was a Principal Investigator of the Zurich Neuroscience Centre where my laboratory at the Psychiatry Hospital focused on understanding molecules and neural circuits that give rise to the motivation to explore. This work was a continuation of a discovery I made in 2009 while completing my PhD at Mount Sinai Hospital

Marion Nestle is the Paulette Goddard Professor of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health, Emerita, at New York University. She teaches and writes about food politics, the role of the food industry in food choice, and how the Coronavirus pandemic affects food systems. You can find Marion Nestle online... Website

Allyson G. Harrison is a clinical psychologist, currently employed as the clinical director of the Regional Assessment & Resource Centre at Queen's University. She also holds an appointment as an Associate professor in the Department of Clinical Psychology at Queen's University. Her research is dedicated to issues of differential diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders and the cognitive effects of mental health conditions. Originally Published: May 27th, 2021

Described as one of the most sought-after, engaging, thought-provoking, and truly transformative international speakers and scholars in her field, Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe is a multi-award-winning education and psychology instructor and resiliency expert. What sets Dr. Robyne apart is how she learned resiliency from the ground up, as a person who has experienced significant obstacles yet forged her come back. She lives in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada with her husband, Jeff, and their three children: Hunter, Ava Lesley and Jaxson. Robyne runs on coffee, hiking her pups – Apollo and Luna, historical fiction and time with her family! Be sure to check out her new book: Calm Within The Storm – Pre-sales are now open. Official launch date: March 23, 2021 You can find Robyne online... Website Twitter: @rhanleydafoe Instagram: @dr_robynehd LinkedIn: @Dr_robynehd

Ruth Ben-Ghiat is a historian, educator, and commentator on fascism, authoritarian leaders, and propaganda — and the threats these present to democracies around the world. Professor of History and Italian Studies at New York University, she is author or editor of seven books and many essays and op-eds in media outlets including CNN, The New Yorker, and The Washington Post. Her newest book is Strongmen: From Mussolini to the Present (Norton, 2020), which examines the authoritarian playbook illiberal leaders have used for a century Find her Book Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present here You can find Ruth online... Website Twitter: @ruthbenghiat. Instagram: @ruthbenghiat. Originally Published: April 29, 2021

Claire Soares is the founder of The Self Funded CEO™ Coaching Program and the mastermind behind the multi-million dollar flagship startup travel company, Up in the Air Life. She believes in doing what you love, being who you are, and living life out loud. As a former sales executive at a Fortune 500 company, Claire was a road warrior traveling over 1000 flights during her sales career. Throughout that time she learned the ins and outs of business travel and in 2013 channeled her love for luxury, champagne, and exotic destinations into her successful company, Up in the Air Life. Claire and Up in the Air Life have been featured in the Wal-mart Black Girl Magic Campaign, The AirBnB Inaugural Black Travel Leaders List, USA Today, The Huffington Post, Essence, Ebony, The Root, Rolling Out, The Griot, and other online publications. You can find Claire online at... Instagram: @clairebsoares Website

Bailey Parnell is the Founder & CEO of SkillsCamp, a soft skills training company, and was named one of Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women. Bailey is a TEDx speaker with over 2.5 million views, an award-winning digital marketer, and a businesswoman with a talent for helping people develop the skills they need for success. Her work and expertise have been featured in Forbes, CBC, FOX, Flare Magazine, and more. Bailey did her Masters in Communications and Culture at Ryerson University with research looking into social media's impact on mental health, the results of which she presented at the World Youth Forum in Egypt and turned into her signature 5 Steps Towards #SafeSocial. Check out Safe Social here You can find Bailey online at... IG: @baileyparnell TW: @baileyparnell Linked In: Bailey Parnell Facebook: Bailey Parnell Originally Published: 04/01/2021

Dana G. Cohen, MD has been practicing integrative medicine for the last 20 years in Manhattan. She is a nationally renowned internal and integrative medicine specialist whose multi-disciplinary approach has helped treat thousands of patients using a variety of conventional and complementary therapies. In practice for nearly two decades, Cohen trained under the late Dr. Robert Atkins, author of the iconic "Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution," and Dr. Ronald L. Hoffman, a pioneer of integrative medicine and founder of the Hoffman Center in New York City. Cohen earned her medical degree from St. George's University School of Medicine and completed a three-year internal medicine residency at Albany Medical Center and was board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in 1998. She was appointed to the Board of Directors of the American College for the Advancement of Medicine (ACAM), the leading voice of integrative medicine, where she currently serves as advisor to the Board of Directors and advisor to th

Timothy Caulfield is a Canada Research Chair in Health Law and Policy, a Professor in the Faculty of Law and the School of Public Health, and Research Director of the Health Law Institute at the University of Alberta. His interdisciplinary research on topics like stem cells, genetics, research ethics, the public representations of science, and health policy issues has allowed him to publish over 350 academic articles. He has won numerous academic and writing awards and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, the Trudeau Foundation, and the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. He contributes frequently for the popular press and is the author of two national bestsellers: The Cure for Everything: Untangling the Twisted Messages about Health, Fitness and Happiness, and Is Gwyneth Paltrow Wrong About Everything?: When Celebrity Culture and Science Clash. Caulfield also has a strong social media presence and is the host and co-producer of the documentary TV series, A User's Guide to Cheating Death. You can fin

Allyson G. Harrison is a clinical psychologist, currently employed as the clinical director of the Regional Assessment & Resource Centre at Queen's University. She also holds an appointment as an Associate professor in the Department of Clinical Psychology at Queen's University. Her research is dedicated to issues of differential diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders and the cognitive effects of mental health conditions. Originally Published: February 18, 2021

Dr. Ryan Martin researches and writes on healthy and unhealthy expressions of anger. His book, Why We Get Mad: How to Use Your Anger for Positive Change, explores why people become angry, some of the common consequences of anger, and how people can use their anger in productive ways. Ryan also hosts the popular psychology podcast, Psychology and Stuff. He was trained as a counseling psychologist at the University of Southern Mississippi where he first started studying anger after earning his undergraduate degree in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice from the University of St. Thomas. He has worked with clients- angry and otherwise- in a variety of settings including community mental health centers, college counseling centers, and a VA Hospital. Ryan's new book can be found here You can find Ryan online at... TW: @angerprofessor Facebook: @angerprofessor IG: @angerprofessor Website

Sakinah Hofler is an award-winning writer and a doctoral candidate in English and Comparative Literature at the University of Cincinnati. She has won the Manchester Fiction Prize, the Hurston/Wright Award for College Writers, and the Sherwood Anderson Fiction Award, among others. She has received fellowships from the Edward H. and Mary C. Kingsbury Foundation, the Charles Phelps Taft Research Center, and the P.E.O. Scholar Award. A former chemical and quality engineer for the United States Department of Defense, she's at work on her first novel. You can find Sakinah online at... TW: blackquisition IG: blackquisition Website Originally Published: 01/21/2021

Mark Henick is a mental health advocate and strategist based in Toronto, Canada. His TEDx talk on suicide is among the most watched ever, and he is the host of the So-Called Normal and Living Well podcasts. His forthcoming book, So-Called Normal: A Memoir of Family, Depression, and Resilience, will be published by HarperCollins on January 12, and is currently available for presale at most major bookstores worldwide. You can learn more about Marks book by clicking here You can find Mark online at... Twitter - @markhenick Facebook - @markhenick Instagram - @markhenick LinkedIn - Mark Henick Website Originally Published: 01/07/2021

A passionate transpartisan political disruptor, Dave Meslin has spent the last twenty years as a political biologist, exploring the strange and mysterious worlds of protest movements, party politics and non-profit organizations. Wearing a suit and tie one day and shouting through a megaphone the next, Dave has worked as an executive assistant at both city hall and the provincial legislature, painted do-it-yourself bike lanes on the street, organized hundreds of volunteers, started a handful of non-profits, worked as federal lobbyist, helped draft provincial legislation, survived tear-gas riots in three countries, buried his car and got thrown in jail. Not in that order. Dave's best-selling book, Teardown: Rebuilding Democracy from the Ground Up, is a roadmap for change and a cure for cynicism. You can find out more about his book by clicking here You can find Dave online at... Instagram - @davemeslin Twitter - @meslin Facebook - Dave Meslin Website Originally Published: 12/23/2020

Laurie Palau is the author of the book HOT MESS: A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO GETTING ORGANIZED, host of the popular weekly podcast, This ORGANIZED Life, and founder of Simply B Organized-a lifestyle company helping people live simply and work smarter. Her advice has been featured in national publications including Real Simple & The New York Times. A self-described homebody and coffee lover, Laurie lives in Bucks County, PA with her husband Josh, 2 daughters, and dog, Jeter. You can find Laurie online at... Instagram - @simplyborganized Facebook - Laurie Palau LinkedIn - simplyborganized Website Originally Published: 12/10/20