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Amy Rodquist-Kodet returns to chat about flow for the final conversation in a three-part series on (re)discovering our spark and seeking more true fun. In this episode, she and host Jakob Hester discuss the benefits and subjective nature of flow, what inhibits flow, and some tools and tips for finding your flow at work, at home or with others. They also wrap up the conversation on true fun with ideas for how you can start feeling more alive again. You can find the episode show notes here. 

Drs. Anthony Limperos and Scott Soltis join host Jakob Hester to chat about connection for the second conversation in a three-part series on (re)discovering our spark by seeking more true fun. In this episode, you’ll learn: what it means to feel and be connected; why connections matter; how modes of connection have changed in recent years; and how we can cultivate more connections in and out of the workplace. They also share some personal examples of true fun and connection, plus discover multiple similarities in their personal and research interests. You can find the episode show notes here.

Ann Bassoni, a mental health therapist with HR Work-Life, returns to kick off the first of a three-part series on (re)discovering our spark by seeking more true fun. In this episode, Ann and host Jakob Hester chat about playfulness, one of the three core elements of true fun. You’ll learn: what true fun is and is not; why focusing on true fun is a way forward for us; how playfulness and laughter are good for our minds, bodies and relationships; and how humor helps make the workplace feel more human. They also share some personal examples of true fun and playfulness, as well as ways you can begin incorporating more true fun and playfulness into your days. You can find the episode show notes here.

On this episode, Audrey Bachman, a Training Specialist Senior with HR Training and Development, chats with host Jakob Hester about emotional intelligence (EQ). You’ll learn about the fundamental skills and benefits of EQ, how EQ shows up in our personal and professional lives, and how we can develop our EQs individually and collectively. Audrey and Jakob also share personal examples of lessons they’ve learned through their EQ journeys. You can view the show notes for this episode here.

Dr. Natalie Jones, an Extension Specialist for Family Health, joins host Jakob Hester on this episode to share what she has learned about physical, mental and emotional resilience through her experiences as an endurance athlete. Among her long list of athletic accomplishments are the completion of three Ironman races and a recent coast-to-coast cycling trip. Listen as Natalie shares how she got started, what keeps her going, and how she’s adapted to the challenges she has faced over the years. You’ll also hear advice for finding joy and success in whatever goals you’re pursuing in 2022 and beyond. You can view the episode show notes here.

Dr. Kate Leger, Assistant Professor of Psychology from UK College of Arts and Sciences, joins host Jakob Hester to close out 2021. In this episode, you’ll hear them discuss how we experience and respond to daily stress, why we’re hardwired to cling to negative events, and ways we can cope with both by using principles of positive psychology. They also dive into the specific benefits of practicing gratitude and how you can cultivate more of it. You can find the episode show notes here.

Health coach Jackie Carroll recently joined host Jakob Hester on the show to talk about slowing down—what it is and how we can get better at it. To complement their interview, Jackie recorded this meditation to help you slow down. Be sure to go back and listen to the full episode, titled "Episode 16: Slowing Down," to learn more about the importance of slowing down, plus hear other ways you can incorporate it into your everyday life.

In this episode, health coach Jackie Carroll returns to the podcast to talk about slowing down. Listen as she and host Jakob Hester discuss what it really means to “slow down” and why it is an essential practice for your well-being. You’ll also hear why it is challenging to practice slowing down, as well as some examples of ways to slow down or support others who may need to slow down themselves. You can find episode show notes and more here.

In this episode, Dean Jay Miller, PhD, from the College of Social Work joins host Jakob Hester to chat about self-care and cultivating workplace cultures of support. Listen as they discuss some common struggles of self-care and the importance of intentionality and personalization in self-care planning. You’ll also hear Dean Miller offer advice for approaching self-care at the administrative and employee levels, including examples from the College of Social Work’s self-care initiative. Episode show notes can be found here.

This month, Tommy Leach, a training specialist senior with HR Training and Development joins host Jakob Hester to chat about growth mindset. Listen as they discuss what growth mindset is and how it can make us more resilient. You’ll also hear Tommy explain how we can foster a growth mindset within ourselves and among others. You can find the episode show notes here.

In this episode, host Jakob Hester is joined by Dr. Lauren Whitehurst, an assistant professor of psychology from the College of Arts and Sciences. Listen as they discuss how you can discover and achieve better sleep. You’ll also hear Dr. Whitehurst explain how sleep is tied to our emotions and can help us be more resilient during our waking hours. You can find the show notes for this episode here.

This month, host Jakob Hester looks back at the first year of conversations by recapping all 12 episodes so far. Whether you’re new to the show or have been listening for the past year, this special episode offers an opportunity to catch up or reflect on what you’ve learned so far. You can find the episode show notes and survey link here.

Ryan Mason, an exercise specialist with HR Health and Wellness, joins host Jakob Hester this month to chat about recent physical activity research. Listen as they discuss how the data show we’ve been moving and what we can do with that information to improve or maintain our physical activity and exercise. You’ll also hear them break down SMART goals and how you can apply this process to plan a clear roadmap to where you want to be. Episode show notes can be found here.

In this episode, host Jakob Hester chats with HR Work-Life mental health therapists Ann Bassoni and Rhonda Henry. Listen as they reflect on what we’ve learned over the past year and what we need more of moving forward, both individually and collectively. You’ll also hear how mindfulness can help keep us grounded when thinking about the past or the future, plus simple strategies for discovering self-care routines that work for you. Episode show notes can be found here.

Listen as host Jakob Hester previews the 2021 employee well-being week "Moving Forward with Our Well-Being," presented by UK HR Health and Wellness and Work-Life. Jackie Carroll, a certified health and wellness coach with HR Health and Wellness, will also guide you through a mindfulness exercise to help you discover what is possible for you and your well-being. To learn more about "Moving Forward with Our Well-Being" and register for any events, visit the link here.

In this episode, Dr. Nichole Huff, an Assistant Professor of Family Finance and Resource Management, joins host Jakob Hester to talk about financial well-being. Listen as they discuss financial literacy and the foundation skills that make it up, as well as some common financial setbacks and traps we face in life. You’ll also hear how our financial habits can develop a reciprocal relationship with other dimensions of our well-being. Episode show notes can be found here.

In this episode, Eric Wilkinson, a mental health clinician with UK HR Work-Life, joins host Jakob Hester to talk about some of the benefits music can have on our well-being. Listen as they discuss links between music and our emotions and how we can use it to increase our resilience. You’ll also hear how music can elicit empathy and foster connection, as well as ways music can produce unintended consequences. Want to contribute to the playlist shared by Jakob and Eric in the episode? Email us at healthandwellness@uky.edu to let us know what songs you’d add. We may just add your songs to the playlist. You can find the show notes to this episode here.

In this episode, host Jakob Hester speaks with Vanessa Oliver, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with UK HR Health and Wellness. Listen as they discuss how nutrition and resilience are linked plus tips for including more produce in your diet. You’ll also learn about community supported agriculture and its impacts on nutrition, the local economy, and the environment. Episode show notes can be found here.

In this episode, Amy Rodquist-Kodet, a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach with UK HR Health and Wellness, joins host Jakob Hester. Listen as they discuss how you can identify and address your needs by naming and acknowledging feelings. You will learn how feelings are distinguished from emotions, how to label your feelings better, and how you can discover short- and long-term strategies for meeting your needs. Find episode show notes here.

Cindy Bowling, an LCSW and mental health therapist with UK HR Work+Life Connections Counseling, joins host Jakob Hester in this episode of Becoming Wildly Resilient. Listen as they discuss burnout: what it is and what we can do to prevent or reverse it. You will also hear them address current mental and emotional health trends, concerns throughout the holidays and the differences between stress and burnout.   You can find the show notes here.