Dr. Sherry Hamby, author of the new book Stronger Than You Think: Building Lifelong Resilience, joins Dr. Debra Kawahara for this episode of Wellness in Today’s World. Dr. Hamby shares her journey from victimization research to the development of the Resilience Portfolio Model, emphasizing a comprehensive, culturally responsive approach to resilience that goes beyond toughness to encompass meaning-making, interpersonal strengths, environmental factors, and regulation. Discover how this model is applied globally and how it can help individuals and communities build lifelong resilience.

Charles Duhigg, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of Supercommunicators, joins Dr. Debra Kawahara to explore the science behind meaningful communication. Drawing from neuroscience, psychology, and behavioral research, Duhigg explains how communication is not just about words but about connection.

The conversation introduces three types of conversation: practical, emotional, and social, and how misalignment between them can lead to misunderstanding. Duhigg shares actionable strategies for improving communication, including the “matching principle,” asking deep questions, and practicing active listening through techniques like “looping for understanding.”

They also discuss the role of vulnerability in building trust, the importance of curiosity in navigating difficult conversations, and how strong relationships are foundational to overall health and well-being. The episode offers listeners practical tools to become more effective communicators and build deeper, more meaningful connections in both personal and professional settings.

As part of Brain Awareness Week, this episode of Wellness in Today's World features Dr. Debra Kawahara engaging with Dr. Duke Han, a clinical neuropsychologist and tenured professor at the University of Southern California, to explore the critical topic of brain health. They discuss the importance of understanding cognitive well-being as we age, the role of mentors in shaping careers, and the Global Council on Brain Health's work. Dr. Han shares insights into the six key pillars of brain health: social engagement, cognitive stimulation, stress management, physical exercise, restorative sleep, and nutrition. The conversation also highlights the significance of early habits, the impact of diet on cognition, and the latest research on Alzheimer's disease, emphasizing the need for community engagement and education. Finally, they discuss the promising advancements in Alzheimer's research, offering hope for future treatments.