How to Microdose Bravery to Grow Resilience, Connect More and Offer Yourself to the World

with Dr. Kristen Lee

About the Episode

Dr. Kristen Lee, a researcher and expert in the field of behavioral science, is here with me today. During today’s podcast, she discusses how we can rebuild the courage and resiliency we need to lead satisfying lives by engaging in frequent, little acts of daring and connection. 

Dr. Kristen Lee, Ed.D., LICSW, is a behavioral science clinician, researcher, educator, lecturer, and comedian based in Boston. She is the Lead Faculty for Behavioral Science and Faculty-in-Residence at Northeastern University. Kristen focuses on the well-being and resilience of individuals and organizations, especially those that serve underrepresented communities. She also consults with businesses and leaders worldwide to help them develop positive mental health cultures that reduce the risk of burnout and increase their chances of long-term success.

We discuss Kristen’s book, Worth the Risk: How to Microdose Bravery to Grow Resilience, Connect More and Offer Yourself to the World.  The book provides a fresh take on how risk-taking and resilience can be leveraged for the greater good.

Throughout today’s discussion, we discuss “what-if” living, defined as being plagued by worries about the past and the future. Kristen adds that one’s mental health and well-being might be negatively impacted by having such an attitude. She maintains that a “what is” perspective is preferable to a “what if” since it includes embracing the realities of life and concentrating on the positives.

Kristen also discusses the importance of taking responsibility for one’s actions, rejecting conventional wisdom, and unlearning any harmful or outdated beliefs or messages that may have been internalized. During the conversation, she emphasizes that we live in a time when mental health disorders are rising. She stresses the significance of being open and accepting of those who struggle with mental health issues. She suggests practicing mindfulness, meditating, and asking for support as ways to gain emotional regulation skills. 

Topics Discussed

What-if living [01:07]
Instead of being paralyzed by worry and dread, accepting the world as it is and making the best of it can liberate you to pursue your dreams.
Microdosing Bravery [16:57]
Bravery and courage are not about grand gestures or impressive displays but rather about taking small and manageable steps towards our values and goals, facing our fears and anxieties, and getting comfortable with the uncomfortable.
Emotional Regulation [22:15]
When we learn to regulate our emotions, we control our feelings better, react with greater awareness, and rely less on habitual, unthinking responses.
Mental Health [29:37]
Kristen stresses the need to address the current mental health problem because of the unprecedented level of suffering in the world today.
Labels and Diagnostic Frameworks [37:51]
You are not your diagnosis, you are still [Name].
Tolerance, Acceptance, And Reverence [01:20:03]
We discuss the difference between the concepts of tolerance, acceptance, and reverence and how these can be used to choose values over passivity when dealing with different biases, racism and other "isms" that exist in the world.

Connect with Dr. Kristen Lee

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