SUMMIT SESSIONS

Kelly McGonigal, PhD

The Power of Compassion in Times of Uncertainty

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About Kelly McGonigal, PhD

Kelly McGonigal is a health psychologist and lecturer at Stanford University who specializes in understanding the mind-body connection. Her mission is to translate insights from psychology and neuroscience into practical strategies that support personal well-being and strengthen communities. She is the best-selling author of The Willpower Instinct and The Upside of Stress. Through the Stanford Center for Compassion and Altruism, she helped create Stanford Compassion Cultivation Training, a program now taught around the world that helps individuals strengthen their empathy, compassion, and self-compassion. You might know her from her TED talk, "How to Make Stress Your Friend," which is one of the most viewed TED talks of all time, with over 20 million views.

Her new book, The Joy of Movement, explores why physical exercise is a powerful antidote to the modern epidemics of depression, anxiety, and loneliness. You can learn more about Dr. McGonigal and her work at her website.

About Kaleigh Isaacs

Kaleigh Isaacs is the Founder of The Awake Network. She’s an inspired leader, remarkable collaborator, and spontaneous dancer. She sees connections everywhere, and it was this vision on which The Awake Network was founded. That we are stronger together is a motto that goes without saying for her.


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129 Comments

  1. Prabha Sridhar March 21, 2020 at 6:03 pm

    I am Prabha from Chicago

  2. Aubrey March 21, 2020 at 5:53 pm

    Aubrey in Los Angeles

  3. Janet March 21, 2020 at 5:03 pm

    Janet in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
    Social distancing is so foreign for many of us in this small friendly environment.

  4. Carol Rose March 21, 2020 at 4:55 pm

    Carol Rose Calgary Alberta Canada
    Appreciative JOY! Lovely
    Check out Canadian “caremongers”

  5. Bethany Hampton, PhD March 21, 2020 at 4:04 pm

    I’m Bethany from Dallas. I’m really enjoying these free workshops. So helpful at this stressful time!

  6. Elyssa March 21, 2020 at 3:18 pm

    It’s a new reality depending on the online community to feel connected to a wider world. I have moments of thinking horrible thoughts about losing that (for some reason that’s not real). This is where mindfulness is helping keep me grounded and rooted in what’s here and now. XXO, Elyssa Toronto, Canada.

  7. Patricia March 21, 2020 at 2:19 pm

    Thank you 🙏 for this practice. 🥰 Patricia in Prescott Arizona

  8. Carole and David March 21, 2020 at 12:35 pm

    we are Carole and David Lander viewing in St. Louis Missouri
    appreciative of these talks.

  9. María Pía Caputo March 21, 2020 at 12:11 pm

    María Pía from Uruguay. Great instance!

  10. Janet March 21, 2020 at 12:04 pm

    Excellent, thank you for the wonderful meditation and thoughts .
    Janet from Massachusetts

  11. Debra Franco March 21, 2020 at 9:36 am

    I am Debra from Pelion, South Carolina. Anxious because of the present time of uncertainty. And family and friends going through this. Thank you for being here for us.

  12. Debra Franco March 21, 2020 at 9:15 am

    Hello I am Debra from Pelion South Carolina. And fear of the unknown or loneliness.
    .

  13. Irene O'Garden March 21, 2020 at 9:15 am

    Dear Folks–
    Thanks for this inspiring series–I’m a poet and writer and wanted to pass along an idea that came to me yesterday–that we are entering not a Great Recession or a Great Depression, but The Great Compassion–Had a livestream conversation yesterday with Andrew Revkin, Climate and Communications expert at Columbia–

    YouTube link. https://j.mp/covid19greatcompassion

    Thanks for all your beautiful creating–

  14. Farid March 21, 2020 at 9:12 am

    THi Everyone
    Thank you for the summit,I am farid from Tehran Iran.

  15. Delaney March 21, 2020 at 8:11 am

    Children are coming outdoors and playing in their driveways! Families are going for walks with their children. Forwarded this site to many; especially loved your meditation on compassion. That is why we are experiencing this time. Much good will come from this quieting time. Being thankful for the sun, my home, water from the faucet, electricity, heat, the time to reflect and calm down. Just breathe and be grateful.

  16. Rita Cohen March 21, 2020 at 7:30 am

    Loved the Compassion and Kindness video with Kelly. Thank you!

  17. Rita Cohen March 21, 2020 at 6:51 am

    Rita Cohen Ventnor, NJ doing well and enjoying the Mindfulness videos. Mark Bertin was my favorite so far.

  18. Andrea Avila March 21, 2020 at 6:36 am

    Hi! I’m Andrea from Colombia! Thanks for sharing this lovely information, it helps a or in this moment!

  19. Vicki March 21, 2020 at 5:59 am

    I’m Vicki from Groton, NY. Thank you!

  20. Dorit March 21, 2020 at 5:55 am

    I am Dorit from Israel, I enjoyed the session, and appreciate the generosity of you all. Thank you

  21. Anna March 21, 2020 at 5:48 am

    Namaste. /From sweden

  22. Janet Fabb March 21, 2020 at 5:38 am

    Hi –
    I’m Janet from Glasgow, Scotland UK. This summit has come at the perfect moment. Thanks.

  23. Anne Mather March 21, 2020 at 5:32 am

    I live in rural Hoschton, Georgia. Cynthia, a retired nurse in my neighborhood, has organized us knitters, quilters, and sewers to create masks for hospital infectious disease specialists. We have the pattern, our prototypes have been approved, and we are meeting this morning for instruction in an open pavilion, where we can sit 6 ft apart from each other. Feels so good to be able to help!

  24. Dora March 21, 2020 at 4:21 am

    I am Dora from Reston VA, USA
    Thank you

    • Rachel March 21, 2020 at 6:01 am

      Rachel from Maine. Very helpful!

  25. Ilana March 21, 2020 at 4:16 am

    Ilana from Israel
    lthanks thanks thanks

    • Jo March 21, 2020 at 6:11 am

      Seeing the cat gave me a good feeling of warmth and normality.

      Bringing to mind all the people practicing right now gave me a good feeling.

      Love Hope Strength to all.

  26. ruth fellner March 21, 2020 at 4:04 am

    Beautiful practice. Thankyou Kelly. From my heart 💓

  27. Clayton Micallef March 21, 2020 at 3:48 am

    🙂 compassion is crucial in times of uncertainty as it helps us hold ourselves but also gives us the resilience to hold and support others.

  28. Silvia March 21, 2020 at 3:26 am

    Hello! I’m Silvia, and I’m from Rome (Italy). Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and practices with us in this difficult time. It’s really helpful, and as I’ve practiced along the video, I’ve already felt a sense of relief. It’s really important to understand that we’re not alone and can count on others that are living the same situation and are experiencing similar emotions. 🙏🏻

    • Katherine March 21, 2020 at 4:37 am

      Katherine from Milton MA
      Thank you for this lovely offering at this time of crisis.

  29. Dawn Hanna March 21, 2020 at 2:56 am

    I’m Dawn from Donegal, Ireland. A more anxious than normally nurse. Thanks so much for this 💕

  30. Patricia March 21, 2020 at 2:34 am

    I am Patricia from Flagstaff AZ

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