At the intersection of personal stories and collective practices, the Practicing Connection podcast recently featured Dr. Chip Benight, Executive Director of the Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience, and Nicole Weis, Director of Community Training and Empowerment. The podcast delved into burnout and resilience, shedding light on the Institute's groundbreaking research and impactful initiatives.

The Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience, nestled at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, spearheads transformative research on human resilience, paving the way for therapeutic interventions tailored to trauma survivors. In the interview, Dr. Benight shared the origins of his interest in resilience, noting a pivotal experience during Hurricane Andrew in 1992. This event prompted a shift in focus from studying stress in the heart to understanding how individuals overcome severe adversity. Nicole Weis, the Institute's Director of Community Training and Empowerment, shared her journey into the field, inspired by personal experiences and her brother's traumatic encounters in the military. 

A key theme woven throughout the interview was the importance of social connections in resilience. Dr. Benight highlighted the military context, where frequent relocations challenge families' connections to communities. The Institute's GRIT program, which focuses on peer support training, emerged as a valuable resource for service providers and individuals navigating trauma and burnout.

As the podcast emphasized, the journey toward resilience is not solitary but a collective effort. The Institute's dedication to research, training, and empowerment exemplifies a commitment to fostering resilience in individuals, communities, and organizations, making a lasting impact in an ever-changing world. The Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience website, resilience.uccs.edu, serves as a hub for those eager to delve deeper into the Institute's impactful work.

To listen to the podcast or read the transcript, visit https://oneop.org/learn/burnout-and-resilience-in-service-providers-s-4-ep-10/.