Spark Connection

In this episode, I have the opportunity to sit down with my teacher, advisor, and someone I deeply respect: Dr. Isaac Prilleltensky. Together we discuss a more holistic, ecological definition of what it means to be well as individuals, organizations and communities.

In this episode, Isaac and I cover a lot of ground as we explore together the subjective and objective factors that create wellbeing across multiple levels of...

In this week's episode, I am super lucky to have the opportunity to speak with/geek out with Julie Rusk on all things related to community wellbeing. Julie has spent her career working within and between organizations, including a significant period of time within local government in Santa Monica, California. Her rich experiences anchor our conversation as we explore together the importance of partnership and collaboration for...

In the second half of this masterclass with Jane Dutton, PhD and Monica Worline, PhD, Jane and Monica tease apart the concept of compassion fatigue and share what the research says when it comes to the distinctions between compassion fatigue, burnout, empathetic fatigue and secondary trauma. They talk about the role and responsibility of organizations to buffer individuals from some of these outcomes, as well as the importance of s...

Spark Connection is back from our summer break with a very special two-part conversation with Dr. Jane Dutton and Dr. Monica Worline. In this first part of our conversation, we have the opportunity to 'meet' Jane and Monica, learn about their professional partnership, and begin exploring the science of compassion within organizations, as well as some myths that can still cloud this practice within organizations today. Jan...

In this week's episode, I am joined by Ve'lyn Crosby. In our conversation, Ve'lyn tells us about her personal journey from corporate consulting to becoming a spiritual life coach and intentional living guide. She shares about her experience of care-taking and talks about what it means to be spiritually liberated. We discuss our ongoing journeys of choosing love over fear and Anna shares a recent experience where this...

In this episode of Spark Connection, I am joined by my friend Emily Schickli.  Emily is a triple-certified Life Coach, Yoga and Meditation Teacher, and Reiki Master with a Masters in English and Curriculum Design from the University of Chicago. In our conversation, Emily shares her definition of self-care, and talks about some of the basic psychological drivers that play a role in practicing self-care that works. She reads an excer...

The month of May is Mental Health Awareness Month. In this special episode of Spark Connection, I am joined by Katie Elliot, a writer, educator, habit coach and organizational consultant, specializing in wellbeing and behavior change. In our conversation Katie shares about her journey to find mental health and talks about the role of community and connection in sustaining wellbeing over time.

Katie is an expert connector a...

In this episode, I am joined by my friend Miles Bukiet. In our conversation, Miles shares about his journey over the last 10 years from living as a monk in Thailand, to completing two years of solitary retreat (ie: living in a cabin in the woods, meditating for 10 hours a day, living on rice and beans). In our conversation, we talk about his journey with Buddhism, the importance of a teacher, and his involvement in NYU's Cente...

In this episode I am joined by Rev. Dr. Christopher Carter, an Assistant Professor of Theology at the University of San Diego, a Faith in Food Fellow at Farm Forward, and the lead pastor of The Loft in Westwood, California. In our conversation, we discuss everything from long-term partnership and marriage, faith and spirituality, and how radical compassion can transform our lives, from the inside, out.  Dr. Carter weaves in compell...

In this episode I am joined by Jan Stanley, a consultant, facilitator and celebrant, specializing in harnessing the power of rituals to enhance wellbeing both individually and collectively. In our conversation, Jan describes the difference between habits, practices and rituals, she walks me through a ritual design process, and provides a wealth of examples of how we can incorporate rituals within our personal and professional lives...

In this episode, Cindy Chou, the founder of the Micromoments Institute, shares about her cross-cultural journey of living, learning, and traveling around the world. In our conversation, we explore themes of culture, identity, positive psychology, and mindfulness. Cindy introduces the concept of micromoments and shares a helpful PEACE framework that can allow us to cultivate more micromoments in our lives and work. 

Cindy ...

In this episode, you will have the opportunity to meet your host Anna Lucas and learn about her professional background working within and between diverse communities across the US. Anna provides an overview of the field of positive psychology, often considered the science of wellbeing, and shares research highlighting the importance of cultivating connection and building community, within our lives and organizations.

Than...

Our world is more interconnected and interdependent than ever before, yet so many of us feel disconnected and alone. In Spark Connection, host Anna Lucas engages in conversations with friends, colleagues, researchers and leaders who each contribute their unique expertise when it comes to enhancing our wellbeing, by cultivating connection and building community, within our lives and our organizations. Please join us as together we e...