In this episode of Resilience Matters, we sit down with Stefanie Lachenauer — New Jersey’s 2024-2025 State Teacher of the Year and a Starr Certified Trauma and Resilience Trainer. Stefanie shares her journey as a veteran educator leading district-wide initiatives in mindfulness, SEL, and trauma-informed practices. From building empowering programs for middle school students to advocating for equity and wellness statewide, she offers practical strategies and heartfelt insights for creating safe, supportive learning environments. Whether you’re a teacher, leader, or advocate, this conversation will leave you inspired to lead with compassion and purpose.

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In this powerful episode of Resilience Matters, we dive deep into the evolving landscape of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) and the growing pushback against these efforts. Across the country, DEIB programs are being dismantled at the governmental level and threatened at the corporate level. Policies that once aimed to create equitable opportunities and address systemic inequalities are now being labeled as “divisive” and “harmful.” But who really benefits from this rollback? And what does it mean for marginalized communities?

Our guests Kenneth Ponds, Erin Madden Reed, and Candy Guyton-Pendergraft, all members of Starr's Glasswing team, explore the complexities of DEIB initiatives and the cultural and political resistance they face. We examine the performative nature of some corporate DEIB programs, the broader societal implications of these policy shifts, and the importance of sustaining hope and transformation in the face of systemic challenges. This episode is a call to action—not just for policy change, but for critical thinking, community engagement, and personal transformation in the fight for equity and the Oneness of Humankind.

In this episode, Jeff Sefcik, principal of Stanton Middle School in Fox Lake, Illinois, shares his transformative journey in implementing trauma-informed education. As he prepares for retirement after 33 years in education, Jeff reflects on the power of fostering connections, reshaping disciplinary approaches, and creating a culture of resilience for students and staff. He joins Kathy Hart, Senior Director of Learning Services and Solutions at Starr, and host Ben Reed to discuss the impact of the Circle of Courage model, the importance of relationships, and how his school community is evolving to better meet students’ needs.