Resilience in Recovery: Practical Tools for Hard Seasons

Episode 6 of Circle of Chairs Conversations with Caroline

This week on Circle of Chairs Conversations, I’m diving deep into a topic that feels more urgent than ever: resilience.

If you’ve been feeling worn down by the pace of life, struggling to bounce back from hard seasons, or simply wanting to strengthen your own mental and emotional foundation, this conversation is for you.

As the American Psychological Association puts it, resilience is “the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or significant sources of stress.” Or as I like to think of it, building the kind of backbone, grit, and perseverance that helps us move forward with courage, even when life feels uncertain.

In this episode, we explore:

• The science of resilience—how trauma impacts the nervous system and what it really means to “self-regulate”

• Practical, evidence-based ways to strengthen your resilience starting today

• How movement, mindfulness, and community connection can help repair what trauma has disrupted

• Why leaning into your feelings—yes, even the hard ones—can be a powerful act of healing

• The link between caring for your physical health and building emotional fortitude

One of my favorite reminders from this conversation:

“We might not be able to control what happens to us, but we can control how we respond.”

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Let’s keep pulling up more chairs.

Each week, I’m humbled by the honesty and wisdom shared around this virtual table. I’d love to hear from you about what resonated from this episode! Leave a comment below or send me a message.

Make sure you’re subscribed so you never miss an episode, and if this one resonated with you, would you share it with a friend or family member who might need it right now?

💬 Have a story to share or know someone doing impactful work in recovery? Reach out, I’d love to connect and keep building this space together.

📚 Want to go deeper? My book You Are Not Your Trauma offers practical, faith-filled guidance to help you break free from the past and build a life rooted in healing. Order your copy here.

Caroline Beidler, MSW, is an author, speaker, and Managing Editor of Recovery.com, where she combines expert guidance with research to help people find the best path to healing and treatment. Her next book, When You Love Someone in Recovery: A Hopeful Guide for Understanding Addiction, is coming Spring 2026 with Nelson Books. Drawing from her own recovery journey through addiction, mental health challenges, and trauma, along with training as a clinical mental health provider and addiction recovery expert, Caroline is passionate about guiding you into seasons of greater healing. Learn more about her books here.

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