As the end of the year approaches, we offer a heartfelt thank you to our faculty, friends, and alumni who have presented for the WBI/JCC Positive Psychology Hour series in 2022. Each presenter has shared their knowledge and talent to serve the greater good.
This archive is treasure trove of wisdom. Access all in the Webinar section of our blog. (Make sure you click “older entries” or “newer entries” on the bottom to see all that are available.)
After curating these programs since the series began in 2020, in response to the COVID shutdown, Phoebe Atkinson is passing the torch—handing the role of curator on to her collaborator Caroline Kohles, host of the series and Senior Director of Wellness at the JCC Manhattan. Caroline, who was recently the recipient of the WBI Community Connector Award, will continue to bring her signature strengths of learning, leadership, and hope as she moves the series forward as both curator and host.
Our deepest thanks to Phoebe, who made the Positive Psychology Hours happen by being the driving force for good. Thank you, Phoebe, for your amazing capacity to connect community through meaningful content and experiences. You have made a difference in many, many lives, including my own.
Below are the fruits of her labors—all our 2022 webinars, with links so you can continue to savor the good.
Here’s to an amazing 2023. May it be our best year yet.
January
Say ‘Yes’ to Something New, with Jude Treder Wolff
Who Do You Want to Be in 2022?, with Jodi Wellman
Should I Be Part of the Great Resignation?, with Susan Peppercorn
Languishing to Flourishing in 2022, with Sandy Campbell
Inducing Vitality: Strategies from the Field of Positive Psychology, with Lorraine Gahles-Kildow
How to Cultivate Awe in Your Everyday Life, with Shawn Fink
February
Ignite Your Joy, with Joy Stone
Beating Burnout with Character Strengths, with Ruth Pearce
Love 3.0, with Megha Nancy Buttenheim
Positive Sexuality, with Ari Lewis
Embracing a New Vision of Aging, with Sheryl Towers
March
Unplug, Unwind, Unwrap: Masterful Self-Care in a Time When the World Needs Us Most, with Maria Sirois
Preaching Happiness: Positive Psychology to Create a Just and Joyful World, with Ginny Sassaman
Meanderings Through Meaning A Multi-Faceted Approach, with Deb Levin
Raising Resilient Teens, with Sherry Kelly and Kaitlin Kelly
Using G.R.A.C.E to Navigate Towards Peace, with Caroline Kohles and Winnalee Zeeb
Living Life with Intention, with Katherine Libonate
Envisioning Your Family at Its Best, with Michelle Brode
April
Whole Body Reset, with Heidi Skolnik and Eve Isaacson
Your Personal Freedom and Freedom in the World, with Rabbi Debra Orenstein
Journey from Mitzrayim: Exploring Personal Freedom with Passover as a Guide, with Amanda Davidowitz
A Moment to PAUSE, with Jill White
Managing Yourself in Stressful Times, with Mina Simhai
May
Back to Basics, withStephanie Jalinos, Phoebe Atkinson, and Caroline Kohles
How to Prevent Burnout + Prolonged Stress: Town Hall, with Ruth Pearce
Neurographic Drawing, aka Art for Non-Artists, with Michelle Brode
Using Our Character Strengths: Self-Regulation, with Marjorie Aunos and Paul Nawrocki
Can We Synergize our biochemistry with Our Mind?, with Tina Hallis
June
Happiness and Elite Performance, with Cristiana Pinciroli
Tuning Into Your ‘INNERnet,’ with Caroline Kohles and Winalee Zeeb
Savoring Small Joys for Finding Meaning + Making Positive Change, with Caren Osten
Character Strengths Helped Change My Narrative in Facing Adversity, with Marjorie Aunos
July
Repent, Restore + Repair: A Positive Psychology Look at Seeking Forgiveness, with Nancy Polsky
Living Life to the Fullest, with Yasmin Abadian
Ambiguous Loss, with Nancy Kirsner
August
Moving Into Action—How to Make Things Stick!, with Nancy Kirsner + Caroline Kohles
September
Life Is in The Transitions: Telling the New Story, with Nancy Kirsner and Phoebe Atkinson
Courageous Choices in Times of Transition, with Nancy Fliss and Michele Ruskino
October
Youth Positive, with Molly Dahl
Learning From Our Regrets to Boost Vitality and Meaning in Life, with Jodi Wellman
Relationship with Self, with Philipp Hartman
November
The Metaphor Mirror, Part 3: Hope is Alive in the Poetry of You, with Melissa Carissimo
Discovering Joy During Challenging Times, with Megha Nancy Buttenheim
Gratitude—The Queen of All Virtues: A Deeper Dive, with Nancy Kirsner
The Blessings of Regret, with Rabbi Debra Orenstein
December
You can review the 2021 recordings here.
You can also enjoy the blog posts from our JCC contributors in our Webinar section.
Megan McDonough
As the founder of Wholebeing Institute, Megan McDonough leads with divergent thinking and creative perspectives to build organizations and networks that harness the best in people for the greatest good. She has decades of leadership experience in diverse settings, in roles ranging from Alliance Manager of a $300 million relationship at DuPont; to General Manager of RISE at Kripalu, the largest yoga retreat center in North America; to numerous online-learning startups. A yoga enthusiast, Megan has practiced for more than 20 years and taught for more than a decade, and brings that mindfulness practice to her leadership. Her degree in biology, natural science, and nuclear medicine has little to do with her current work, and everything to do with her radically receptive approach to life. She is the award-winning author of four books on living mindfully.
What a treasure trove! I’m so grateful for this gift and the passion, excellence and leadership of Phoebe and to all the presenters who gave their time and insights.
Phoebe was certainly a vibrant force for flourishing in her role as curator! She made so many powerful connections for all of us! I’m sure Caroline will continue this fine work with zest and skillful action.
Thank you all so much. Caroline is a wonderful collaborator and creator and will populate the positive psychology hour into 2023 with great skill.
Phoebe, you are an amazing connector. I’m so grateful for you and to all who contributed their strengths and wisdom, helping others grow, rest, and build resilience.
Thank you for all you’ve done for us Phoebe, it’s very much appreciated. Caroline, thank you for stepping into the role and continuing to provide these amazing resources.
Thank you to all the presenters too, this content is so helpful and it’s a bookmarked resource that I can catch up with and there are sessions I can rerun. This year I do hope to access more of the sessions now I’m in better health.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Phoebe you so generously share your knowledge and wisdom. You are an amazing gift and inspiration for us all! Caroline your bright light, enthusiasm, and curiosity always shine in the sessions. Another beautiful example for all of us.
Thank you to both of you for sharing you with all of us so graciously!
Thank you Phoebe and Caroline for all of your hard work and dedication to this series! It was such a pleasure of mine to present to the group 3 times, for 3 different Jewish holidays. Positive Psychology is such a beautiful companion to exploring Jewish traditions and Jewish spirituality.
Phoebe, thank you so, so much for being such a huge part of my positive psychology journey (so far)!
This is an amazing collection of wisdom and knowledge. WBI, the JCC, Phoebe and Caroline, saved my ass during the pandemic and beyond. I cannot thank you enough for the connections, the creativity, and the insights.
What a gift you, Phoebe and Carolyn, your presenters and audience are-so much gratitude for bringing so much wisdom and healing into my life. May this year bring much good health, happiness and joy- Look out, 2023!