In this Becoming Wildly Resilient practice episode, Amy Rodquist-Kodet, health coach with UK Health and Wellness as she explores how volunteering strengthens well‑being through the themes of giving, growing and connecting.

She highlights that volunteering is not only an act of generosity but also a neurologically regulating practice that boosts purpose and resilience.

Backed by research, Amy explains how even small acts of service can lower stress, increase life satisfaction and deepen our sense of belonging.

Discover how volunteering does far more than support good causes—it strengthens your well‑being. In this inspiring episode, we explore the powerful ways that giving back helps us feel better, grow personally and connect more deeply with others.

Through practical insights and uplifting reflections, you’ll learn how small acts of service can:

• Boost emotional and mental health
• Build confidence, skills and a renewed sense of purpose
• Create meaningful social connections and a sense of belonging
• Reduce stress and burnout by shifting focus to purpose
• Fuel healthier, more connected communities

Whether you volunteer regularly or are just curious how helping others might help you, this episode shows how service is a simple, accessible pathway to feeling more grounded, motivated and connected.

If you’re looking for a meaningful spark in your daily routine—or a reminder that your actions matter—this conversation is for you.

Listen in, get inspired and take one small step to give, grow and connect.

Listen as Jackie Carroll, health coach with University of Kentucky HR Health and Wellness invites listeners to slow down and create a sense of calm around financial stress in this guided meditation.

The practice encourages compassion, clarity, and steadiness—supporting a more open, resilient approach to financial wellness.

In this Becoming Wildly Resilient practice episode, Amy Rodquist-Kodet explores how financial stress affects relationships and offers a simple tool—the Money Check-In—to help navigate tense money conversations with more understanding and less reactivity.

Amy explains that financial strain often triggers the nervous system, making people feel threatened. For many, this leads to a sense of urgency and a desire to make quick decisions just to end the discomfort.

Listen as host Sebastian Calmes, Wellness Specialist with UK HR Health and Wellness, speaks with Jennifer Godbey, Assistant Professor and therapist in UK Psychiatry as they explore the powerful connection between financial wellness and healthy relationships. Learn why money conversations matter, how financial stress impacts emotional well-being, and practical strategies for building trust and shared goals around finances. This discussion offers tools to foster clarity, communication, and confidence in managing money together.

Listen as Jackie Carroll, health coach with UK HR Health and Wellness, guides listeners through a calming winter meditation designed to support emotional well‑being during the darker months. Through gentle reflection, you’ll explore what nourishes your energy when sunlight is scarce and how small joys can bring warmth into the season.

Listen as host Amy Rodquist-Kodet, Health Coach with UK HR Health and Wellness, shares simple, research-backed practices to help steady your mood during the dark Winter months. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) impacts millions each year, but small actions—light exposure, gentle movement and self-compassion—can make a meaningful difference. Amy says, “These practices aren’t about fixing everything at once; they’re about shifting your internal weather by a few degrees, building resilience over time.”Key Points:

• Light: Morning light exposure is a powerful cue for your circadian rhythm. Even a short burst of brightness—like turning toward a window or a bright lamp—can support a more positive circadian rhythm.• Movement: Just 10 minutes of low-intensity movement can increase BDNF, a brain chemical tied to emotional stability and resilience. Think of gentle movements like rolling your shoulders or shifting in your seat.• Self-Compassion: Brief moments of self-kindness reduce stress and regulate the nervous system. Pairing a small action with a compassionate phrase—such as “I deserve steadiness and kindness”—makes the practice more powerful and sustainable.

Listen as host Sebastian Calmes, Wellness Specialist with UKHR Health & Wellness, speaks with Lee Anne Walmsley, Assistant Dean ofWellness and Well-Being at the College of Nursing, about Seasonal AffectiveDisorder (SAD)—what it is, why reduced sunlight can impact mood and practicalstrategies to support yourself and others through the winter months—it's timeto become more Wildly Resilient!

Other SAD Episodes:

· "SAD" During Winter Months? 3Simple Tools for a Resilient Winter | BWR: Practice Ep. 114

· A Meditation for Seasonal AffectiveDisorder (SAD) | BWR: Meditation Ep. 115

Personal Resilience Resources:

Key Takeaways:

· SAD is more than “winter blues”—it’s arecurring, persistent pattern.
Seasonal Affective Disorder can show up as a consistent heaviness/sadness andlow mood that returns year after year, not just a temporary slump from coldweather or a bad week.

· SAD is biological, not a personal weakness—lightchanges brain chemistry and sleep cycles. Reduced daylight can influence circadianrhythms, lower serotonin (mood support) and increase melatonin (sleepiness),which helps explain why people can feel more fatigued, down and unmotivated inwinter.

· Small, consistent strategies can meaningfullyhelp—especially light, routine, movement and support. Practical tools includegetting outside when the sun is out, considering light therapy, prioritizing regularsleep, adding consistent activity and using social connection as a moodsupport. For persistent or debilitating symptoms, professional support like CBTand healthcare collaboration is important.