Life is full of the unexpected—and building resilience is key to navigating it all. On this episode of Curveball, host Scott Reich sits down with Dr. Andrew Shatté, renowned psychologist, resilience expert, and co-author of "The Resilience Factor." Dr. Shatté shares his fascinating journey from philosophy major in Australia to one of the leading voices in resilience training for everyone from Fortune 500 executives to students and military personnel. Together, they break down what really makes some people thrive under pressure, revealing the science behind mental strength, how our thinking styles shape our ability to bounce back, and—most importantly—practical strategies for anyone looking to foster unshakeable resilience. Whether you've faced a recent setback or simply want to build your mental muscles for whatever curveballs life throws your way, this conversation offers powerful, actionable insights, and hope for listeners at any stage of the journey.

Listeners Will Learn:

• Dr. Shatté describes two kinds of people he encountered when working at the Department of Social Security—those who bounced back after setbacks and those who languished.
• The episode discusses the idea of “thinking styles,” particularly the “always everything” style versus focusing on temporary and controllable problems.
• Dr. Shatté traces many resilience patterns back to childhood and parental modeling.
• Neuroplasticity was a big theme in the conversation.
• The podcast highlights seven “ingredients” of resilience—emotion regulation, impulse control, problem-solving, self-efficacy, optimism, empathy, and reaching out.
• One actionable takeaway was the idea of recognizing your emotional “radar”—your most common reaction to adversity (anger, anxiety, frustration, etc.).
• Dr. Shatté talks about “iceberg beliefs”—deep-seated, often unconscious standards that drive how we view achievement, relationships, and control.
• The episode differentiates between post-traumatic stress and post-traumatic growth, suggesting these can happen simultaneously.
• When supporting others (especially children), Dr. Shatté emphasizes modeling resilience over simply teaching it.
• Throughout the episode, the host and guest discuss the difficulty of balancing multiple internal standards (achievement, helping others, control).

Key Moments:

(00:00) Roundabout Journey to Career Stability

(03:16) Serendipitous Path to Psychology

(08:11) Navigating Adversity: Retrospective and Prospective Choices

(11:12) Rewiring the Mind's Reactions

(15:58) Resilience Training Beyond Innate Ability

(18:39) Embrace Choice: Cultivate Growth Mindset

(22:25) Understanding Anxiety and Emotional Responses

(25:55) Balancing Action and Grieving

(26:48) Managing Emotions for Health Balance

(30:33) Shame as Motivation for Excellence

(35:38) Conflicting Personal Growth Insights

(37:03) Embrace Imperfection and Pay It Forward

(42:38) Bouncing Forward: Embracing Change

(46:24) Teaching Kids Resilience Skills

(47:43) Teaching Positive Self-Efficacy

In this thought-provoking episode of Curveball, host Scott Reich sits down with Dr. Aimie Apigian, a physician, trauma specialist, and author, to dive deep into the intersection of trauma and biology. Dr. Apigian brings her unique perspective—rooted in personal experience as a foster and adoptive parent, her Armenian heritage, and years of medical practice—to explore how trauma isn’t just something we experience emotionally or mentally, but something that fundamentally shapes our biology and physical health.

Through powerful storytelling and candid self-reflection, Dr. Apigian explains the concept of generational trauma, how early childhood and family environments imprint on our nervous system, and why trauma held in the body can manifest as chronic conditions later in life. The conversation covers the science behind trauma’s impact, the crucial roles of rest, environment, and gentle movement in healing, and actionable strategies listeners can use to begin breaking the cycle—no matter their age or background.

Whether you’ve faced curveballs yourself or are striving to understand the invisible forces that shape us all, this episode offers hope, practical wisdom, and a roadmap toward true healing and adaptability.

Listeners Will Learn:

• Dr. Aimie Apigian talks about the concept of “the biology of trauma.”
• The episode explores the idea of generational trauma.
• According to Dr. Apigian, why might people be unaware of the trauma they carry.
• Dr. Apigian highlights the importance of “inner states” and tracking where your biology is at any moment (healing, stress, or trauma).
• The episode connects trauma to chronic health issues like autoimmunity, fatigue, pain, and more.
• Dr. Apigian describes her own “body crash” and the wake-up call it provided.
• The episode discusses the role of rest and gentle movement in trauma recovery.
• In the context of relationships, Dr. Apigian shares how letting go, especially of unhealthy attachments, requires a sense of safety.

Key Moments:

(00:00) Understanding Trauma's Biological Impact

(03:31) Understanding Childhood Trauma

(09:13) Generational Trauma and Its Impact

(10:52) Nervous System's Role in Survival

(14:43) Intergenerational Trauma and Achievement Drive

(19:38) Childhood Dynamics' Impact on Achievement

(24:08) Break Reveals Unconscious Habits

(26:25) Adapting to Change at Any Age

(28:22) Repairing Mind and Body

(32:58) Diet and Exercise for Stress Management

(36:56) Essential Rest for Sustained Health

(38:01) Navigating Familial Trauma and Healing

(41:23) Dr. Amy Apigian's Curveball Conclusion

Welcome to another episode of Curveball, where life’s toughest challenges are met head-on by those who refuse to give up. In this episode, host Scott Reich sits down for a heartfelt conversation with Kerry Kennedy—human rights advocate, author, and president of RFK Human Rights. As the seventh child of Ethel and Robert F. Kennedy, Kerry offers a rare glimpse into what it was like to come of age in a family at the center of American history, where dinner table conversations included civil rights leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis, and Cesar Chavez.

Kerry shares vivid memories of her parents’ partnership, emphasizing how the women in the Kennedy family quietly fueled movements for justice and shaped national conversations around equality and service. She reflects on the tragic night of her father’s assassination—how she processed the loss as an eight-year-old girl, and the surprising gift of forgiveness she received in the aftermath, even praying for her father’s killer.

In this wide-ranging discussion, Kerry delves into the work of RFK Human Rights, highlighting landmark international legal victories and her drive to empower the next generation of change-makers. Throughout, she draws from her personal experiences with adversity to share lessons on confronting trauma—not simply surviving it, but learning and growing from it.

This episode is a powerful reminder that, in Kerry's words, “our country is on fire”—and it’s up to each of us to run toward the flames, to meet suffering with action and empathy, and to channel our pain into positive change. Join us for an inspiring story about family, faith, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of justice, as Kerry Kennedy shows how even the deepest wounds can give rise to “ripples of hope.”

Listeners Will Learn:

• Kerry Kennedy describes how her parents didn’t separate home life from work, especially during the civil rights movement.
• The story about the suggestion box at the Justice Department is both humorous and illustrative.
• Kerry talks about the powerful influence of women in the Kennedy family.
• Robert F. Kennedy’s Cape Town speech is quoted as emphasizing the importance of everyday individuals sending out “ripples of hope.”
• When reflecting on her father’s response following Martin Luther King's assassination, Kerry emphasizes the importance of "showing up again and again" to build trust in communities.
• Kerry Kennedy describes watching the chaos on TV after Dr. King’s murder, then seeing her father walk directly into the turmoil to try to calm the riots.
• In discussing her father’s assassination, Kerry recounts praying both for her father and his killer.
• The work of RFK Human Rights spans international litigation, advocacy, and education.
• Kerry mentions that many major advances in justice and democracy come from "small groups of determined people" rather than governments or corporations.
• Kerry’s advice for processing trauma was to “learn the lessons” from your hardships.

Key Moments:

(00:00) 60s Civil Rights Activism at Home

(05:41) Tribute to RFK: a Family Man

(09:01) Robert F. Kennedy's Legacy of Service

(09:49) Hope and Empowerment Against Injustice

(14:38) Campaign Speech Countered Racism Narrative

(18:34) Resonating Politics and Personal Struggles

(21:41) Gift of Forgiveness in the Face of Trauma

(23:12) Kerry’s Remarkable Forgiveness and Strength

(27:52) Focus on Police Violence and Immigration

(31:58) Witnessing Injustice and Trauma

(36:03) Grassroots Movements Drive Global Change

(39:10) Empathy's Role in Overcoming Challenges

(41:43) Navigating Hellish Health Challenges