My word for 2026? Flourish.

You'll hear reflections on what it means to stop merely surviving and instead grow emotionally, spiritually, relationally and professionally. Drawing inspiration from Harvard professor Arthur Brooks and a powerful Marianne Williamson quote about not “playing small,” I also encourage listeners to choose their own guiding word for the rest of the year.

Growth doesn’t require perfection, sometimes we simply need direction.

Here's the quote by Marianne Williamson:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

This episode unfolds a little differently than many of my others. Bernadette courageously and thoughtfully shares her journey in her own words--and what a powerful story it is. She speaks openly about pregnancy loss, difficult pregnancies, severe food allergies affecting her children, exhaustion, and the emotional toll of navigating challenge after challenge while still trying to remain hopeful.

In this episode, Bernadette reflects on:

• The grief and loneliness that can accompany pregnancy loss

• How suffering changes us, strengthens us and forms our character

• The role of faith, prayer and community support during difficult seasons

• Finding gratitude and meaning even amid hardship

This episode is for anyone carrying invisible burdens, hidden grief, walking through uncertainty, or needing a reminder that they are not alone in the hard things.

Resilience is not about avoiding suffering. It is about learning how to walk through it with courage, grace and hope.

Here's the link to the Moving Mountains Podcast that Bernadette and her two friends host: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/moving-mountains-podcast/id1661002470

Books Mentioned:

The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter

He Leadeth Me by Walter Ciszek

I share three powerful reasons why gratitude matters so much to me:

• Gratitude can help carry us through hard times
• The best way to receive more of what we want in life is to become deeply grateful for what we already have
• Gratitude has the power to interrupt negative thinking and rewire how we see the world

This episode is for anyone who:

• Feels emotionally drained or discouraged
• Wants more peace and grounding
• Is walking through a hard season
• Finds themselves stuck in negative thinking
• Needs a reminder that joy and gratitude can coexist with struggle

One thing I know for sure: Gratitude doesn’t erase the hard things. But it absolutely changes how we walk through them.

And here's the link to the Gratitude Journal I mentioned and love it (...I receive no benefit from promoting this, other than sharing things I love with my listeners).

Onward and upward!

What started as a morning of exhaustion, shaky nerves quickly turned into one of the most memorable moments of my life. Faced with the decision between the smaller “Chicken Little” climb or a towering 30+ foot telephone pole and trapeze jump, I somehow found myself climbing higher and higher until I was standing at the very top of a giant telephone pole, balancing above the ground with my heart pounding.

I felt like Spider Woman.

Somewhere during that experience, something shifted in me. It was one of the first moments I realized I wanted more adventure, more courage, more aliveness and less of the things (like alcohol) that were draining my energy and spirit.

This episode is about:

• Courage before confidence

• Doing hard things even when conditions are far from perfect

• Why growth often begins with discomfort

• The surprising clarity that can come from challenge

• And how one terrifying leap helped shape the direction of my life

Sometimes resilience begins the moment we decide to climb anyway.

🎙️💕

In this episode (and that's Percy and Edson on today's podcast cover), I share the story of trekking the legendary Inca Trail to Machu Picchu--from acclimating to the altitude in Cusco, to climbing up, up, up to Dead Woman’s Pass at nearly 14,000 feet, to finally arriving at the breathtaking Sun Gate entrance overlooking Machu Picchu.

Along the way, I reflect on:

• The physical and emotional challenge of the trek
• The beauty and brilliance of the Incan civilization
• What resilience is really built from
• Why hard adventures can change us from the inside out

This episode is about more than hiking. It’s about mountains, meaning, growth, and the realization that sometimes we come home from an adventure not depleted, but deeply alive.

If you love hiking, travel, culture, or stories of resilience and transformation, this episode is for you (and I'm linking Episode 1 below--my Kilimanjaro trek story. Oof!)

Until next time… onward and upward.

--Links for You!--

If you'd like to hear my Kilimanjaro story, here's Episode 1: The Summit I Didn't Reach - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1-the-summit-i-didnt-reach-lasting-lessons-from-kilimanjaro/id1868855299?i=1000745071237

Interested in doing the Inca Trail? Here's the trip link to the company I went with--fantastic! https://iantaylortrekking.com/inca-trail/classic-5-day-inca-trail-trek/

Chicken soup.

Gourmet marshmallows from a gift box my friend Amanda sent me.

A walk for fresh air.

And somewhere in all of that, I realized…

This is resilience and grit. Not the polished moments. Not when everything flows. But showing up again and again when it’s not working. Stuck. Coming back after you’ve avoided. Choosing done over perfect.

In this episode:

• Why perfectionism keeps us stuck
• What avoidance really looks like
• How resilience happens in real time

A question for you:

Where are you stuck trying to get it just right?

What would one imperfect step look like today?

Oh, and that amazing gift box I mentioned from my friend Amanda? Here's the link to the company (again, no benefit coming back to me for sharing...I just love giving props to things I love): https://wildgirlgifts.com/

This process is not always easy. Decluttering asks us to make decisions, to release attachments, and to be honest about what we are holding onto and why. But on the other side of that work is something powerful: a sense of lightness, clarity, and renewed energy.

If you’ve been feeling stuck, overwhelmed or weighed down, this episode is for you.

Key Topics

• The emotional and mental benefits of decluttering
• The “spark joy” principle and how it guides decision-making
• Personal transformation through letting go
• Maintaining a clutter-free space for ongoing clarity

Takeaways

• Decluttering can significantly improve mental clarity and resilience
• The “spark joy” principle provides a simple but powerful decision filter
• Starting small makes the process manageable and sustainable
• Maintaining your space helps sustain emotional and mental benefits over time

A simple challenge for you

Choose one small space today. A drawer, a shelf, or even your car. Ask yourself, “Does this add value to my life?” If not, consider letting it go.

BOOK: The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo

Here's all my episodes in one online space: https://resilience-and-grit.captivate.fm/

#KathleenDuBois #ResilienceAndGrit

Since being home, I’ve been reflecting on what really creates happiness and heart connections. In this episode, I share:

• The beauty of ordinary moments with family and friends
• The challenges that showed up, even in something good
• And the biggest lesson: joy comes from participation, not productivity

This episode is also an invitation.

Who are the people that matter most to you?

And what is one small way you can show up for them this week?

Because meaningful relationships aren’t built in big moments. They’re built by choosing to be there.

______________________________________

https://resilience-and-grit.captivate.fm/

Lately, I’ve been leaning into persistence in two areas:

• Building friendships in my town and church
• Continuing to show up for this podcast

Neither has come easily, and both have stretched me more than I expected.

What I’m realizing is that persistence isn’t just about achieving something--it’s about becoming the kind of person who doesn’t give up on what matters most. And it can feel vulnerable, because every time we keep showing up, we risk rejection, discomfort, and disappointment.

At the same time, I’m seeing that something begins to unfold when I stay in it:

• Growth often feels uncomfortable, but that may be part of the process
• The outcome may matter less than who we are becoming along the way

If you’re in a place where something feels hard right now, I want to encourage you--keep going. Don’t do it alone. And you will find your way.

Until next time--onward and upward.

NOTE: Here's the book I mentioned: Think and Grow Rich

1) Do I feel my life has meaning?

2) Would I like to have more meaning in my life?

After attending a powerful event led by Arthur Brooks and reflecting on the teachings of Viktor Frankl and other thought leaders, I share why meaning is not just a “nice to have”, it is essential.

We’ll talk about:

• What meaning is and why it's essential to a vibrant life
• Why a lack of meaning may be at the root of so much unhappiness and loneliness today
• The five places we most often find meaning (get ready to take notes!)

Because the truth is, meaning isn’t something we wait for. It’s something we build and sometimes re-build. If you’ve been feeling a little disconnected, restless or unsure of your “why,” this episode is for you.

Here are links to the books I mentioned:

1) The Meaning of your Life by Arthur Brooks

2) Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

3) The Blue Zones by Dan Buettner

Onward and upward. xo

Drawing on insights I have learned from the classroom of life, I walk through three practical ways to handle these moments with more clarity and calm:

1. Don't take it personally, even when it feels that way
2. Set boundaries without losing your kindness
3. Choosing your response instead of reacting

Because the truth is, we can’t control how others show up, but we can decide how we do.

If you’ve ever walked away from an interaction feeling thrown off, frustrated, or questioning yourself, this episode will give you a new way to think about those moments.

Link to Episode 9: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/9-when-life-pushes-your-buttons-the-inner-work/id1868855299?i=1000754810778

So for Lent, I deleted it all. But what I discovered surprised me… social media wasn’t the problem. My phone was. Even without Apps, I was still reaching for my phone: scrolling, checking, searching, distracting.

In this episode, I share what I’m learning about breaking free from that constant pull, what the research says about our habits, and a few simple changes that are helping me feel more calm, present, and connected.

If you’ve ever felt tethered to your phone, you’re not alone. This episode might be just the nudge you need.

Here's what I cover:

• My 40-day Lenten social media fast

• The surprising realization about phone dependency

• Eye-opening research on screen time and behavior

• Small shifts that are changing my daily life

• Three simple challenges to help you unplug

Onward and upward… 🎙️💕

In this episode, I share two real situations from my own week that tested my emotional reactions and helped me to grow. One involved a difficult dinner with a friend when both of us were struggling. The other was an unexpected conflict with someone who reacted aggressively during a disagreement.

In both moments, I found myself observing my reactions in real time and learning something important about emotional regulation.

Three reflections from this episode:

• Self-awareness is a super power. When we develop the ability to observe our own reactions, we create space to choose a better response.

• Boundary setting is the anecdote to people-pleasing. It is possible to stay calm, hold your perspective, and avoid escalating conflict.

• Growth often comes after imperfect moments. Sometimes the lesson appears only after we reflect on how we handled a difficult situation.

Responding with intention instead of reacting emotionally is a skill we build over time. And every hard moment gives us another opportunity to practice.

Onward and upward!

Here's what I cover:

• Relationships as the strongest predictor of happiness and well being

• The surprising power of small, meaningful moments

• How stepping outside your comfort zone creates connection

• How helping others connect can heal our own sense of disconnectedness

Key takeaway:

Community is not something we simply find. It is something we create, nurture, and grow together. A lifelong journey.

If you are feeling disconnected or are starting over socially, this episode is your encouragement that one small step can change everything.

Until next time, onward and upward.

What started as a simple idea to try something new quickly turned into a humbling crash course in French dance terminology, awkwardness, comparison and the uncomfortable reality of being a true beginner again. Not easy, for us high achievers!

Just a few weeks in, I learned we would be performing this past December in a recital. Yes. On a stage. In front of people. Dancing to the "Waltz of the Flowers" segment of The Nutcracker.

I wanted to quit more than once. But I kept showing up.

And when I finally stepped onto that stage, heart pounding and getting light-headed, I discovered something powerful.

Doing hard things on purpose builds confidence in a way comfort never can.

If you have ever thought, “I am too old,” “I am too late,” or “I will probably look ridiculous,” this episode is for you.

Because sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is simply show up, wobble through it, and keep going.

And here's the link to The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter (such a great read!).

Onward and upward.

Beth's story personifies resilience, grit, strong leadership and making hard decisions that affect positive behavior change.

In this heartfelt conversation, Beth shares how she triumphed over challenges and adversity. She takes us on her journey of embracing a healthier lifestyle, including (like me!) permanently removing alcohol from her life. Beth speaks candidly about how that decision transformed her clarity, leadership and overall well-being.

Two of my favorite "Beth Walker quotables" from this interview:

“I actually learned there was not enough Tito’s vodka to fix every problem...”

“...be a lighthouse, not a tug boat.”

These powerful insights capture the heart of this episode: learning to stand strong, lead with clarity and release that which no longer serves us.

This episode is for anyone who:

1. Is navigating adversity (personal or professional)
2. Wants to accomplish major health goals, one step at a time (and it takes time!)
3. Is curious about taking break from alcohol or quitting all together

Beth’s story reminds us that at any point in life, we can make decisions to become a steady light that guides the way for ourself and others. And she sure is a steady light to so many!

If you would like to hear my own juicy journey of going alcohol-free, you can listen here:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-quit-drinking-for-90-days-eight-years-later-im-still/id1868855299?i=1000749405020

Thank you so much for tuning in. I am so grateful...

What started as a 90-day challenge during Lent turned into one of the most life-changing decisions I have ever made.

In this episode, I share the personal story of my relationship with alcohol, how it quietly shaped my choices, my coping mechanisms, and my identity, and what ultimately led me to stop. For decades, drinking was woven into every chapter of my life. School. Social life. Work events. Grief. Looking back, nearly every poor decision I made had alcohol somewhere in the picture.

Quitting was hard. It required white-knuckling, redefining relationships, and navigating very real adult peer pressure. But on the other side of alcohol, I found clarity, peace, resilience, and a grounded sense of self I never knew was possible.

I did not quit drinking to make my life easier. I quit drinking to make my life better.

Eight years later, I am filled with gratitude for the inspiration of Andy Ramage, Father Richard and many other amazing people who I've met on this incredible journey.

Here's a link to Andy Ramage's podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/andy-ramage-podcast/id1572654044

And you might also be interested in following my friend Andy Garwood. We were in the One Year No Beer Challenge group together and--trekked Mount Kilimanjaro in 2022 with five other friends. https://andygarwood.com/

Onward and upward!

In this episode of The Resilience and Grit Podcast, I share four lessons on navigating life’s challenges. They are inspired by my own personal journeys, including a hiking accident that left me with two broken bones, seven weeks in a bright pink cast, four weeks in a brace, and months of physical therapy.

We talk about the courage it takes to ask for help, the importance of surrounding yourself with supportive people, making peace with the messy middle, and holding on to belief when things feel uncertain. I also share a powerful rally cry from motivational speaker Les Brown that reminds us that no matter how hard things get, we can make it through: "No matter how bad it is...or how bad it gets...I am going to make it."

If you are facing something difficult right now, this episode is a reminder that you are not alone and that growth often begins in the middle of hard things.

In this episode, I take you inside that experience. What it felt like to arrive, how the silence affected me physically and emotionally, and why returning to the noisy world afterward was harder than I expected. I also share why silence has since become one of the most grounding practices in my life and how you can begin to explore it for yourself.

Retreat Website for Abbey of Gethsemani in Trappist, Kentucky (...on Monk Road, don't you love it?) https://monks.org/visit-us/retreats/

Retreat Website for Holy Cross Abbey in Berryville, Virginia https://www.virginiatrappists.org/retreat-house/

Thank you for tuning in!

What was meant to be a crowning achievement became a profound lesson in listening to the body, honoring limits, and redefining what resilience and grit truly mean. After returning home, Kathleen learned she had been battling COVID during the excursion, reframing what she once viewed as failure into wisdom and self-respect.

This episode explores disappointment, courage, and the quiet strength required to walk away from a goal when pressing on would be detrimental.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

1. Training for a lifelong goal and facing unexpected challenges
2. Both the sting and good lessons learned from not reaching the summit
3. Why turning back can be an act of strength, not weakness
4. Finding joy and positivity while navigating hard times
5. Redefining success when life doesn’t go as planned

If you’ve ever felt discouraged by an un-achieved goal or wondered what it means to surrender and walk away...this episode is for you.

Note From Kathleen: The Podcast cover shows my six friends and me--the Super Seven-- who embarked on this Kilimanjaro adventure together and we are all forever bonded from the experience.

Onward and upward!

Through real stories and inspiring conversations, Kathleen DuBois and her occasional guests explore how life’s hardest moments can lead to growth, healing, and lasting happiness.

If you’re looking for some inspiration on living a more meaningful and content life, this show is for you.