Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe Shares Why Resilience Is About More Than Bouncing Back

What if resilience is not just about bouncing back but also about building forward? Dr. Robyne invites us to rethink resilience as a set of daily practices, not a fixed trait, and she brings decades of research and a deeply personal story to the conversation. Through insights on nervous system regulation, the transformative power of hope, and the role of humor, she illustrates how small, intentional shifts can make a big difference. Whether you're navigating personal challenges or seeking to foster a stronger sense of community, this episode offers practical, heartfelt advice to help you show up for the hard parts of life with grace and strength. Key Takeaways: Resilience isn't something you're born with—it's built through small, consistent actions. Learn how "sweating the small stuff well" lays a foundation for navigating life's challenges. Understanding that tough moments are often temporary can help you embrace "learning shifts" and see challenges as opportunities for growth. True resilience includes connection—finding your "3 a.m. people" and leaning into the support of others can make the journey less overwhelming. Hope is a muscle that can be strengthened through positive habits, such as seeking joy-filled content, practicing gratitude, and surrounding yourself with uplifting influences. Humor isn't just entertainment—it's a physiological tool that helps manage stress, release tension, and create moments of reprieve during difficult times.   About Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe: 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, author, and resiliency expert. She specializes in resiliency, navigating stress and change, personal wellness in the workplace, and optimal performance - both personal and organizational. With nearly two decades of university teaching and research experience and as a two-time TEDx speaker, Dr. Robyne continues to create accessible and relatable materials while offering practical strategies that are realistic and sustainable. Dr. Robyne and her team have developed innovative programming and open educational resources that are readily shared across a multitude of industries. While working alongside some of the most influential organizations across the world, she has delivered nearly 1,000 keynotes and workshops since just March 2020. Dr. Robyne expands upon this work in her online community Anchor Labs, where leaders can learn strategies for resilience. Dr. Robyne also co-hosts a weekly podcast with Juno-nominated singer and songwriter Peter Katz titled In Time, where the scientist meets the artist to explore big areas around showing up in every aspect of your life. Dr. Robyne was named a 2022 Nautilus Award recipient with her debut book, Calm Within The Storm: A Pathway to Everyday Resiliency. Her second book, Stress Wisely: How to Be Well in an Unwell World was released June 20, 2023.   Connect with Dr. Michelle and Bayleigh at: https://smallchangesbigshifts.com [email protected] https://www.linkedin.com/company/smallchangesbigshifts https://www.facebook.com/SmallChangesBigShifts https://www.instagram.com/smallchangesbigshiftsco   Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app. Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.