Can Resilience Be Cultivated? with George Bonanno - a podcast by Michelle McQuaid

George Bonanno is professor of clinical psychology, Director of the Lost Trauma and Emotion Lab, and Director of The Resilience Center for Veterans and Families at Columbia University’s Teacher’s College. George’s research focuses on resilience in the fact of loss and traumatic events.  

Most of us have the natural tools to deal with extreme adversities in our lives. We cope well when extreme things happen to us.  To deal with the world around us, it takes a repertoire of behaviors.  Sometimes, this involves what George calls “coping ugly.”  Sometimes we might need to do something that doesn’t seem pretty but is reasonably effective.  

Connect with George Bonanno:

Website for Lost Trauma and Emotion Lab

You’ll Learn:

• [01:55] - George will be presenting on loss, trauma, and resilience at the 5th World Congress on Positive Psychology.  He shares what he would like attendees to take home from his presentation. 
• [03:45] - Media coverage ensures that we are aware of negative events.  The negative psychological consequences can be overcome, and eventually they go away.
• [05:38] - George believes that resilience is natural and speaks to the fact that organizations are spending money on trying to enhance resilience.
• [08:50] - George talks about the behaviors that make us cope better.   
• [11:43] - “Coping ugly” is a phrase that George coined and he talks about what this means.  
• [12:55] - George talks about how laughter can be an example of coping ugly.  
• [14:20] - We all know the famous five stages of grief.  George states that these stages have been harmful to many people.  
• [16:25] - The Lightning Round with George Bonanno

Your Resources:

• 5th World Congress on Positive Psychology
• The Other Side of Sadness: What the New Science of Bereavement Tells Us About Life After Loss - George A. Bonanno
• Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo - Hayden Herrera

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining me again this week.  If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this post.  

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Special thanks to George for joining me this week. Until next time, take care!

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