Oct 24 2024 43 mins
Content Note: This episode contains discussions of mental health and mentions of suicide. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 9-8-8. Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
In this episode of Digital Comfort Zone, hosts Aine McGlynn and Lizz Bryce engage in a deep conversation with Canadian Olympian Silken Laumann. They explore resilience, mental health, and the transformative impact of technology. Silken shares her personal journey of overcoming a severe injury to win a bronze medal at the 1992 Olympics, emphasizing the importance of physical intelligence and stress management. The episode delves into the pressures faced by leaders of charitable organizations, the significance of digital enablement, and the evolution of personal motivation and self-belief. Additionally, the conversation highlights the necessity of embracing multifaceted identities, especially in women, and discusses the role of technology in fostering human connections and delivering mental health support, particularly in the wake of the COVID pandemic. Silken also talks about her podcast, Inflection Time, and the potential of storytelling platforms like Unsinkable.
00:00 Introduction and Trigger Warning
00:47 Introducing Silken Laumann
02:50 Silken's Story of Resilience
06:45 The Athlete's Mindset
08:33 Stress and Mental Health
11:50 Personal Growth and Motivation
21:53 The Power of Vulnerability and Storytelling
23:54 The Birth of Unsinkable
25:06 Connecting Storytellers and Mental Health
26:08 Embracing Technology for Good
27:35 Hopeful and Helpful Stories
29:59 Navigating Technology and Social Media
37:42 Digital Skills in the Nonprofit Sector
39:48 Introducing Inflection Time Podcast
Listen to Silken's new podcast: Inflection Time
Learn more about her charity: Unsinkable