Dr. Liz Stanley is a renowned expert in resilience, stress, and trauma recovery. As a professor at Georgetown University, she has dedicated her career to understanding the social structures that drive human behaviour, especially during times of stress and conflict. Dr. Stanley is the creator of Mindfulness-based Mind Fitness Training (MMFT®), a groundbreaking program that has been empirically validated to help individuals build resilience and recover from trauma.
Recently, Dr. Stanley has been at the forefront of efforts to support the mental health recovery of those affected by the conflict in Ukraine. In collaboration with the Ukrainian Catholic University and Forest Glade Veterans Hospital, she has brought MMFT® to Ukraine, providing vital self-regulation skills to veterans, first responders, healthcare providers, and community leaders. Her work is empowering Ukrainians to support their own mental health amidst the ongoing challenges of war1.
Dr. Stanley’s compassionate approach and dedication to healing have made a profound impact on countless lives, offering hope and practical tools for recovery in some of the most challenging environments.
Liz Stanley Home Page
Building Resilience: MMFIT's Impact and Insights with Liz Stanley
In this episode, the conversation covers substantial ground about personal and community-level actions to support individuals in crisis, focusing on the application of Mindfulness-based Mind Fitness Training (MMFIT) in conflict zones like Ukraine.
Dr Liz Stanley delves into the importance of contemplative traditions, somatic work and nueroscience to navigate challenging emotions. She provides extensive insights into working with veterans and civilians in Ukraine, highlighting the profound impact and necessity of MMFIT in aiding those dealing with PTSD and other trauma-related conditions.
Liz explains the science behind MMFIT and the critical role of self-compassion and attention management in stress regulation. The conversation also touches on the importance of collective regulation and how personal calmness can positively affect societal stress levels.
If listeners are inspired thay can support ongoing MMFIT projects, particularly those aiding Ukrainians in their recovery and resilience-building efforts.
00:00 Introduction to the Theme of the Show
01:01 Deep Work and Wisdom
01:32 Updates on MMFIT in Ukraine
02:11 Challenges Faced by Ukraine
03:34 Training and Translation Efforts
04:32 Impact of the War on Training
05:07 Reflections on the Work
09:15 Overview of MMFIT
12:40 Understanding the Brain's Response to Stress
18:42 The Importance of Self-Compassion
24:43 Allostatic Load and Its Effects
27:09 Internal Gaslighting
32:37 Practical Tools for Reducing Suffering
40:18 The Ripple Effect of Regulation
42:38 How to Support and Engage with the Work
44:33 Conclusion and Final Thoughts