Bounce Back Stronger with Donna Ferris

In this episode of Bounce Back Stronger, your host, Donna Ferris, guides you through a heartfelt meditation focused on cherishing happy memories of lost loved ones. This meditation aims to support those on a grief journey by utilizing the powerful tool of positive reminiscence.

Research shows that recalling joyful memories can significantly improve mood, reduce stress, and enhance psychological well-being. By immersing yourself in ...

In this episode of Bounce Back Stronger, host Donna Ferris guides you through a powerful meditation that focuses on body awareness and tension release. Discover how your emotions manifest in your body and learn the importance of releasing this tension for overall well-being. Donna also introduces a simple yet effective technique using a tennis ball to help you find relief and calm.

This episode is perfect for anyone looking to redu...

“What makes you feel good? What centers you? Do more of that.”

In this episode of Bounce Back Stronger, host Donna Ferris interviews Bob Butera, a Ph.D. in yoga therapy who founded the Comprehensive Yoga Therapy Training at Yoga Life Institute.

What is yoga therapy? A discipline that adapts yoga’s mind, body, and spirit practices to mental and physical health challenges.

During our time together, Bob shares three simple ways yoga t...

"I just felt like the world didn’t need any more sadness - it really needed more prettiness. And I also felt like with flowers, there was this stereotype of women, mothers, older women painting flowers, and I thought I'm gonna own that."

In this week’s episode of Bounce Back Stronger, host Donna Ferris sits down with Judith Bigham, an artist whose resilience and creativity shine brightly in the face of adversity. Judith, a Rhode Is...

“Pain gets suppressed in the body either consciously or subconsciously. I think this isn't talked about enough. When you start to express that suppressed pain in any sort of movement, not just yoga, it allows you to release heaviness in the body.”

In this episode of Bounce Back Stronger, host Donna Ferris delves into the healing power of yoga and meditation with grief yoga teacher Kim Bernardo.

After experiencing profound personal ...

"Everybody has a treasure. Everybody is a gem in some way. And that's why I'm so curious. That's why I ask people questions because I like to try to discover or plumb their being or their soul and find out what is that special spark that makes them unique and interesting."

In this episode of Bounce Back Stronger, host Donna Ferris interviews the illustrious Art Carey, an acclaimed author, journalist, and editor with over 34 years o...

Tune into our latest podcast episode for a powerful meditation that combines mindfulness and movement to help you overcome barriers and walk your way to inner peace.

This meditation is one of a dozen that accompany Donna Y. Ferris' book Bounce Back Stronger - Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens (available here).

We hope this episode is helpful to you. If it is, please subscribe to this podcast, leave a review, and shar...

“There's always something that's going to test us and try to knock us off kilter. But if you stay resilient and open, I swear you will receive blessings, opportunities, epiphanies, and a connection to the divine that gets stronger and stronger and stronger.”

We are thrilled to welcome our first repeat guest, the internationally renowned psychic medium, spiritual teacher, and real-life ghostbuster Cristina Leeson.

We had so much fun...

“People sacrifice sleep. They put it last, and I'm hearing things like, I'll sleep when I die,  sleep is for the wicked, or  you want to show that you're a superhero by not needing  more sleep...”

This is our third episode in Mental Health Awareness Month, and this week, we are focusing on a fundamental activity that directly affects our mental health.

What is it? Sleep.

Our guest is Julie Wright, the visionary founder of We Sleep,...

In this episode, we guide you through a ten-minute meditation focused on the art of surrendering the outcome. This practice isn't about giving up, but rather about recognizing that we've done our best and it's time to let go of persistent thoughts, release control, and trust in the flow of life.

We'll start by helping you relax your body and focus on your breath. As we move through the meditation, we'll explore the concept of surre...

“I’ve always told people who deal with a family member or someone they love with schizophrenia or some severe or even brain trauma, the essential person is in there. It's this disease or accident or whatever, that's hijacked the brain.”

This is our second episode in Mental Health Awareness Month, and our guest is National Book Critics Award-winning memoir author Mira Bartok. This conversation is for anyone who loves someone struggl...

In this first episode for May Mental Health Awareness Month, we delve into the meaning of "The Peace That Passes All Understanding" as we lead you through a serene, meditative journey of self-discovery and tranquility.

Through simple steps, discover how to release past and future worries and remain grounded in the present moment. Experience the inherent calmness within you, regardless of external circumstances.

Conclude feeling rej...

“Quickly after coming to Kripalu, I noticed that when we asked people why they were there, 80 percent of them said, I want to come home to myself...  There was this kind of desperation to come to someplace that felt like home. And what is that? Well, that's being at ease with how it is in the body, how it is in the mind...beginning to notice how it all is, and being okay with it...” ~Stephen Cope

Join us for a special episode of Bo...

Feeling angry or anxious? Overwhelmed and not sure how to manage strong emotions like resentment, jealousy, and fear?

This meditation is for you.

In this episode, we use the symbol of a rose to navigate intense feelings. Join us as we practice releasing difficult emotions into its cooling petals so we can learn from our feelings and emerge lighter, freer, and more at peace.

This meditation is one of a dozen that accompany Donna Y. ...

"You become that place where people rely on being safe...being a safer place than I was before has helped my career more than my MBA or CFA...Maybe the yoga therapy training I took was the best money ever spent."

Recently, I guested on the 10X Growth Strategies podcast with Saradha Sriram to discuss one of my favorite books, The Untethered Soul.

This episode replay shares how this book helped me during a difficult time and how side...

In this episode, Dr. Stephen S. Tang, author and biotech executive, shares his experience leading the team behind the Intelliswab Covid-19 test, which Oprah Winfrey calls the easiest of its kind.

He also shares crisis and leadership insights from his book A Test for Our Time, along with his six secrets for navigating tough times and tips for those of us who have trouble blurring work and life.

I learned so much from talking to Dr. ...

This week’s guest, Billy Manas, is a writer, poet, truck driver, father, and talented singer-songwriter with over twenty years of experience in the music industry.

You might have come across Billy's insightful Substack column, "Manas From Heaven," or caught his compelling pieces in Elephant Journal and the Good Men Project. But Billy's talents don't end there – he's also the author of "Kickass Recovery," a motivational self-help gu...

Ever wish you could blink your eyes and be in your happy place? That's what this meditation is all about. Through soothing imagery and relaxation techniques, this short meditation will guide you to leave overwhelm behind so you can be in your special place of bliss and calm. 

This meditation is one of a dozen that accompany Donna Y. Ferris' book Bounce Back Stronger - Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens which can be pu...

“So rather than being focused on my circumstances, how can I look up and out above the waves and recognize that my body has cancer, but it doesn’t have to have my soul, my heart, or mind? How can I live love while I’m here?”

This week’s episode features cancer survivor and author Shawn Elizabeth George. With four books under her belt, including a heartwarming children’s book about finding your place, Shawn shares her powerful insig...