What does it actually mean to live well?

In this special Season 1 finale of Finding Wisdom, Amanda Phillips, PhD and Alvin Akibar, PhD reflect on the most powerful lessons from seven extraordinary conversations. Although each guest came from a different background, their stories revealed surprisingly similar insights about courage, resilience, mindfulness, vulnerability, community, and findingmeaning in life.

From hiking the Appalachian Trail and navigating recovery topracticing Zen, overcoming trauma, building community, and pursuing purpose, this episode explores the common threads that connect diverse paths to wisdom.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How growth begins when we take on meaningful challenges
• Why fear doesn't have to stop us from living the life we want
• The role of mindfulness in reducing anxiety and staying present
• Why vulnerability strengthens relationships and community
• How resilience is built through adversity
• Finding purpose through service, compassion, and helping others
• What psychology, philosophy, spirituality, and lived experience can teach us about living well

Whether you're interested in personal growth, mental health,mindfulness, psychology, philosophy, spirituality, resilience, recovery, self-improvement, or building stronger relationships, this conversation offers practical wisdom for everyday life.

Topics: mindfulness, personal growth, psychology,resilience, courage, fear, vulnerability, community, purpose, meaning, mental health, self-improvement, emotional well-being, philosophy, spirituality, recovery, wisdom, living well.

Resources & Links
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Disclaimer

This podcast is provided for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. It is not psychotherapy, psychological treatment, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and does not establish a psychologist-patient, therapist-client, or other professional relationship.

The content is general in nature and should not be relied upon as a substitute for individualized professional advice. If you have concerns about your mental or physical health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

If you are experiencing a crisis or emergency, contact emergency services or appropriate crisis resources immediately.

The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not reflect those of their employers or affiliated organizations.

In this episode, I talk with psychologist Dr. Calvin Fitch to explore the field of liberation psychology and what it can teach us about mental health, authenticity, agency, and human flourishing. Together, we discuss how cultural norms, institutions, and social systems can influence theway we think, feel, and move through the world.

We explore Calvin’s concept of disempowerment stress, thepsychological toll of living in environments that communicate, directly or indirectly, that we don't fully belong. We also discuss why some emotional reactions may not be signs that something is wrong with us, but signals that something important is happening.

Along the way, we connect liberation psychology to wisdomtraditions from around the world, including Stoicism, Buddhism, and religious teachings centered on compassion, dignity, and care for vulnerable people. Topics discussed include:

• What liberation psychology is and why it matters
• How systems and culture can affect mental health
• The concept of disempowerment stress
• Why authenticity can come with risk
• The connection between liberation and wisdom traditions
• How to recognize hidden sources of psychological distress
• The role of agency, community, and hope in personal transformation
• Practical tools for identifying the deeper roots of stress

Whether you've ever felt unseen, misunderstood, or pressured to adapt to systems that don't fully support who you are, this conversation offers a thoughtful framework for understanding your experience and moving toward greater freedom.

Resources & Links

📖 Featured Resource

➡️ Dr. Calvin Fitch's website: drcalvinfitch.com ➡️Courageously You Program: courageouslyyouprogram.com➡️ Substack: drcalvinfitch.substack.com

☕ Support the Podcast Ko-fi

❤️ Become a Patron Patreon

📘 Facebook

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🎥 YouTube Finding Wisdom Podcast Channel

Disclaimer

This podcast is provided for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. It is not psychotherapy, psychological treatment, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and does not establish a psychologist-patient, therapist-client, or other professional relationship.

The content is general in nature and should not be relied upon as a substitute for individualized professional advice. If you have concerns about your mental or physical health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

If you are experiencing a crisis or emergency, contact emergency services or appropriate crisis resources immediately.

The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not reflect those of their employers or affiliated organizations.

In this episode of Finding Wisdom, I explore post-traumatic growth with physician and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Daryl "Daxx" McClendon.

Daxx shares an extraordinary journey that includes surviving a violent hate crime, facing cancer that led to the loss of an eye, enduring a traumatic brain injury and years of memory loss, and ultimately becoming a physician dedicated to listening deeply and serving others.

Together, we explore resilience, faith, healing, the wisdom shared across spiritual traditions, and what it means to grow through adversity without losing yourself in the process.

One of the most surprising moments comes when I ask Dax who he has become after all these experiences. His answer:

"Older."

Rather than seeing trauma as something that fundamentally changed him, Dax reflects on how it deepened values that were already there: perseverance, service, compassion, and a belief in the dignity of every human being.

In this episode:

• What post-traumatic growth really looks like
• Common wisdom across religious and philosophical traditions
• How adversity shaped Daxx's approach to medicine
• Why "the only choice that matters is the next one"
• His simple but powerful message: Don't stop

☕ Support the Podcast Ko-fi

❤️ Become a Patron Patreon

📘 Facebook

📸 Instagram

🎥 YouTube Finding Wisdom Podcast Channel

Disclaimer

This podcast is provided for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. It is not psychotherapy, psychological treatment, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and does not establish a psychologist-patient, therapist-client, or other professional relationship.

The content is general in nature and should not be relied upon as a substitute for individualized professional advice. If you have concerns about your mental or physical health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

If you are experiencing a crisis or emergency, contact emergency services or appropriate crisis resources immediately.

The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not reflect those of their employers or affiliated organizations.