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  • Ep. #19 SMC Article: “Look Harder”

    Ep. #19 SMC Article: “Look Harder”
    2026/06/12

    A well-written song takes you deeply into the experience of its author while awakening something familiar in your own. In this week’s podcast, Dr. Tom reads his article published on June 14, 2026. His tender and deeply human reflection on his mother’s life invites us to remember the people whose love, laughter, and presence have shaped us.

    View the full article here: https://www.tomwagnerspeaker.com/post/look-harder

    Resources & Links

    • Join us live for the 8/2 SMC Event — Resilience & Creativity: A Concert & Interview with Royce Martin: https://www.tomwagnerspeaker.com/events
    • SMC events honor that what is deepest within us is most universal between us. Your gift helps create space for reflection, connection, and belonging — donate here: https://gofund.me/d63f2a6a9 100% of donations support the costs of bringing SMC events to more people, more often.

    Stay Connected with Dr. Tom Wagner & the SMC Community

    • Sign up for Dr. Tom’s newsletter: tomwagnerspeaker.com/contact
    • Website: tomwagnerspeaker.com
    • Blog: tomwagnerspeaker.com/blog
    • Facebook: facebook.com/DrTomWagner
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtomwagner
    • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-tom-wagner
    • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tomwagner3042
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    14 分
  • Ep. #18 SMC Article: “I Shall Die, But That Is All I Shall Do for Death”: The Sequel

    Ep. #18 SMC Article: “I Shall Die, But That Is All I Shall Do for Death”: The Sequel
    2026/05/28

    Could years of small surrender prepare you for the hardest letting go? In this episode, Dr. Tom reads his article published on May 31, 2026, continuing Mary’s story of illness, recovery, contemplative prayer, and the kind of peace that does not arrive by accident.

    View the full article + epilogue here:

    https://www.tomwagnerspeaker.com/post/i-shall-die-but-that-is-all-i-shall-do-for-death-the-sequel

    (Title quote from Edna St. Vincent Millay, 1934)

    Resources & Links

    • Join us live for the 8/2 SMC Event — Resilience & Creativity: A Concert & Interview with Royce Martin: https://www.tomwagnerspeaker.com/events
    • SMC events honor that what is deepest within us is most universal between us. Your gift helps create space for reflection, connection, and belonging — donate here: https://gofund.me/d63f2a6a9 100% of donations support the costs of bringing SMC events to more people, more often.

    Stay Connected with Dr. Tom Wagner & the SMC Community

    • Sign up for Dr. Tom’s newsletter: tomwagnerspeaker.com/contact
    • Website: tomwagnerspeaker.com
    • Blog: tomwagnerspeaker.com/blog
    • Facebook: facebook.com/DrTomWagner
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtomwagner
    • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-tom-wagner
    • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tomwagner3042
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    26 分
  • Ep. #17 SMC Article: “I Shall Die, But That Is All I Shall Do for Death” (Part One)

    Ep. #17 SMC Article: “I Shall Die, But That Is All I Shall Do for Death” (Part One)
    2026/05/22

    What allows a person to face the possibility of disability or death and still say, “I am at peace”?

    In this episode, Dr. Tom reads his article published on May 24, 2026, a reflection on mortality, courage, acceptance, spiritual grounding, and what resilience looks like when life becomes most fragile. This begins the story of Mary and her diagnosis with a rare neurological illness.

    View the article + discussion questions here: https://www.tomwagnerspeaker.com/post/i-shall-die-but-that-is-all-i-shall-do-for-death-part-one

    (Title quote from Edna St. Vincent Millay, 1934)

    Resources & Links

    • Join us live for the 8/2 SMC Event — Resilience & Creativity: A Concert & Interview with Royce Martin: https://www.tomwagnerspeaker.com/events
    • SMC events honor that what is deepest within us is most universal between us. Your gift helps create space for reflection, connection, and belonging — donate here: https://gofund.me/d63f2a6a9 100% of donations support the costs of bringing SMC events to more people, more often.

    Stay Connected with Dr. Tom Wagner & the SMC Community

    • Sign up for Dr. Tom’s newsletter: tomwagnerspeaker.com/contact
    • Website: tomwagnerspeaker.com
    • Blog: tomwagnerspeaker.com/blog
    • Facebook: facebook.com/DrTomWagner
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtomwagner
    • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-tom-wagner

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tomwagner3042

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    16 分
  • Ep. #16 SMC Article: Unbroken - Part Three

    Ep. #16 SMC Article: Unbroken - Part Three
    2026/05/01

    “Even If It Kills Me, I’m Not Going Back!”

    How does someone heal after experiencing profound trauma? There is a deeper, resilient, and even sacred part of the human spirit that suffering cannot destroy. In this episode, Dr. Tom reads his article published on May 3, 2026, exploring Larry’s pilgrimage to freedom.

    View the article + discussion questions here: https://www.tomwagnerspeaker.com/post/unbroken-part-three

    Resources & Links

    • Join us live for the 8/2 SMC Event with special guest Royce Martin: https://www.tomwagnerspeaker.com/events
    • SMC events honor that what is deepest within us is most universal between us. Your gift helps create space for reflection, connection, and belonging — donate here: https://gofund.me/d63f2a6a9 100% of donations support the costs of bringing SMC events to more people, more often.

    Stay Connected with Dr. Tom Wagner & the SMC Community

    • Sign up for Dr. Tom’s newsletter: tomwagnerspeaker.com/contact
    • Website: tomwagnerspeaker.com
    • Blog: tomwagnerspeaker.com/blog
    • Facebook: facebook.com/DrTomWagner
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtomwagner
    • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-tom-wagner
    • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tomwagner3042
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    17 分
  • Ep. #15 SMC Article: Unbroken - Part Two

    Ep. #15 SMC Article: Unbroken - Part Two
    2026/04/24

    Even a small, steady experience of love can anchor a person through trauma. In this episode, Dr. Tom reads his article published on April 26, 2026, exploring how that same capacity exists in all of us, both to receive and to give.

    View the article + discussion questions here: https://www.tomwagnerspeaker.com/post/unbroken-part-two

    Resources & Links

    • Join us live for the 8/2 SMC Event with special guest Royce Martin: https://www.tomwagnerspeaker.com/events
    • SMC events honor that what is deepest within us is most universal between us. Your gift helps create space for reflection, connection, and belonging — donate here: https://gofund.me/d63f2a6a9 100% of donations support the costs of bringing SMC events to more people, more often.

    Stay Connected with Dr. Tom Wagner & the SMC Community

    • Sign up for Dr. Tom’s newsletter: tomwagnerspeaker.com/contact
    • Website: tomwagnerspeaker.com
    • Blog: tomwagnerspeaker.com/blog
    • Facebook: facebook.com/DrTomWagner
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtomwagner
    • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-tom-wagner

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tomwagner3042

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    18 分
  • Ep. #14 SMC Event: From Post-Traumatic Stress to Post-Traumatic Growth

    Ep. #14 SMC Event: From Post-Traumatic Stress to Post-Traumatic Growth
    2026/04/20

    At this Sunday Morning Café gathering, Dr. Tom Wagner welcomes happiness researcher and Washington University professor Dr. Tim Bono for an evening exploring the journey from post-traumatic stress to post-traumatic growth. Through live music from vocalist Jennifer Theby-Quinn and pianist Carl Pandolfi, guided reflection, and open discussion, participants explore how adversity met with reflection and community can become a source of resilience and lasting meaning. Dr. Tom closes the evening with a contemplative meditation rooted in stillness and shared humanity.

    Key Takeaways

    • Happiness is a direction, not a destination: The goal isn't to "be happy" — it's to become happier. Small, intentional steps matter more than waiting for the perfect circumstances.
    • Adversity plus reflection equals growth: Difficulty alone doesn't build resilience. It's adversity paired with community, mentorship, and meaning-making that leads to real growth.
    • You're not broken for having bad days: Trying to suppress negative emotions only amplifies them. The goal is to feel them, not fight them.
    • Connection is non-negotiable: Rich, satisfying relationships show up in every study as a consistent predictor of well-being, during the good times and especially the hard ones.
    • The RAIN acronym for anxiety: Recognize it. Accept it. Investigate what it might be telling you. Nourish yourself thoughtfully.

    Lifeline Activity & Reflection Questions

    PART ONE

    • Make two points on the opposite ends of the paper: One labeled "birth" and the other labeled "now." Draw a line between the two points.
    • Identify some of the major high points and low points in your life and graph them according to your age (horizontally) and the feelings in the experience (vertically). Low points will be below your lifeline, high points will be above.
    • Connect the points with lines, making a zig-zag line.

    Part One Discussion Questions

    1. How did each impact you? How has each event contributed to who you are today?
    2. What did each experience teach you about yourself? How did it change your perspective on life? Is there anything else important you learned from those experiences?
    3. If you could go back in time, is there any aspect of the experience you would approach differently?

    PART TWO

    • Make two points on the opposite ends of the paper: One labeled “NOW" and the other labeled “FUTURE." Draw a line between the two points.
    • Identify at least three hopes, goals, or dreams you have for your future and specify the age when you’d like them to occur.

    Part Two Discussion Questions

    1. What are some of the biggest challenges you may face in your future? When might these come up? How might they affect the goals and dreams you have for yourself?
    2. Is there anything you learned from your previous experiences (either high points or low points) that can help you in the future?
    3. What steps are you taking now to help you realize your future dreams and goals? What might be some of the barriers that get in the way?

    Resources & Links

    • Join us live for the 8/2 SMC Event with special guest Royce Martin: https://www.tomwagnerspeaker.com/events
    • SMC events honor that what is deepest within us is most universal between us. Your gift helps create space for reflection, connection, and belonging — donate here: https://gofund.me/d63f2a6a9 100% of donations are dedicated to the costs associated with bringing SMC events to more people, more often.
    • Dr. Tim Bono’s book, “Happiness 101”: https://a.co/d/028GLKqQ

    Stay Connected with Dr. Tom Wagner & the SMC Community

    • Sign up for Dr. Tom’s newsletter: tomwagnerspeaker.com/contact
    • Website: tomwagnerspeaker.com
    • Blog: tomwagnerspeaker.com/blog
    • Facebook: facebook.com/DrTomWagner
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtomwagner
    • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-tom-wagner
    • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tomwagner3042
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    1 時間 45 分
  • Ep. #13 SMC Article: Unbroken

    Ep. #13 SMC Article: Unbroken
    2026/04/16

    Even in the worst conditions, the human spirit finds ways to survive. In this episode, Dr. Tom reads his article published on April 19, 2026, exploring how those small acts of survival can become the foundation for healing.

    View the article + discussion questions here: https://www.tomwagnerspeaker.com/post/unbroken

    Resources & Links

    • Join us live for the 8/2 SMC Event with special guest Royce Martin: https://www.tomwagnerspeaker.com/events
    • SMC events honor that what is deepest within us is most universal between us. Your gift helps create space for reflection, connection, and belonging — donate here: https://gofund.me/d63f2a6a9 100% of donations support the costs of bringing SMC events to more people, more often.

    Stay Connected with Dr. Tom Wagner & the SMC Community

    • Sign up for Dr. Tom’s newsletter: tomwagnerspeaker.com/contact
    • Website: tomwagnerspeaker.com
    • Blog: tomwagnerspeaker.com/blog
    • Facebook: facebook.com/DrTomWagner
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtomwagner
    • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-tom-wagner

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tomwagner3042

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    18 分
  • Ep. #12 SMC Article: Each and Every Soul Has Some Easter In It, No Exceptions

    Ep. #12 SMC Article: Each and Every Soul Has Some Easter In It, No Exceptions
    2026/04/03

    What if there’s a part of you that already knows how to “keep climbing” when things get hard? In this episode, Dr. Tom reads his article published on April 5, 2026, exploring the resilience woven into every soul.

    View the article + discussion questions here: https://www.tomwagnerspeaker.com/post/each-and-every-soul-has-some-easter-in-it-no-exceptions

    Resources & Links

    • Join us live for the 4/12 SMC Event “From Post-Traumatic Stress to Post-Traumatic Growth: Perspectives on Extracting Meaning from Adversity” Featuring Happiness Expert, Author, and Professor Tim Bono, PhD: https://www.tomwagnerspeaker.com/events
    • SMC events honor that what is deepest within us is most universal between us. Your gift helps create space for reflection, connection, and belonging — donate here: https://gofund.me/d63f2a6a9 100% of donations support the costs of bringing SMC events to more people, more often.

    Stay Connected with Dr. Tom Wagner & the SMC Community

    • Sign up for Dr. Tom’s newsletter: tomwagnerspeaker.com/contact
    • Website: tomwagnerspeaker.com
    • Blog: tomwagnerspeaker.com/blog
    • Facebook: facebook.com/DrTomWagner
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtomwagner
    • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-tom-wagner
    • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tomwagner3042
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    10 分