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The Wellness Compass PodcastAuthor: D. Scott Stoner, LMFT & Holly Hughes Stoner, LMFT
Each episode explores an aspect of personal and/or family wellness from a whole-person perspective with your hosts Scott Stoner, LMFT & Holly Hughes Stoner, LMFT. Scott and Holly each have four decades of experience helping individuals, couples, and families. Scott and Holly are the co-creators of the Wellness Compass Model for Well-Being and the non-profit Wellness Compass Initiative. The Wellness Compass Podcast shares the same name as our weekly column/blog. The podcast provides an opportunity to explore the content presented in the column in greater depth with your hosts Holly Hughes Stoner, LMFT, and Scott Stoner, LMFT. Language: en Genres: Health & Fitness, Mental Health Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Sharing Awe: What 19,000 Likes Can Teach Us About Supporting One Another's Mental Health
Episode 177
Thursday, 23 April, 2026
Sharing Awe: What 19,000 Likes Can Teach Us About Supporting One Another's Mental Health Wellness Compass Podcast Hosted by Holly Hughes Stoner, LMFT & Scott Stoner, LMFT Episode Overview Something unexpected happened after Holly and Scott's last column and podcast about the Artemis II astronauts — a quote about the view of Earth from space, and how it reveals no borders, no divisions, only our shared humanity, went viral on Facebook with nearly 20,000 likes and almost 7,000 shares. In this episode, Holly and Scott reflect on what that overwhelming response reveals about what people are truly hungry for: awe, wonder, and a sense of connection. They explore the science of awe and how cultivating it can meaningfully strengthen our mental health. Key Themes The Power of Awe The viral response to their post was a powerful reminder of how starved many people are for good news and experiences of unity. Research confirms that experiences of awe calm our nervous systems, help us think more clearly, and have a measurable positive impact on mental health. The Science Behind Awe Holly and Scott highlight the work of Dr. Dacher Keltner, professor of psychology at UC Berkeley and author of Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life, who has identified eight key sources of awe in everyday human experience. The Eight Wonders of Awe (Dr. Dacher Keltner) Moral Beauty — Witnessing acts of courage, kindness, or perseverance in others Collective Effervescence — The shared energy of a group moving, worshipping, dancing, or celebrating together Nature — Immersion in the natural world and its "wild awe" Music — Experiencing or creating music collectively Visual Design — Encountering great art, architecture, or sacred geometry Spirituality and Religion — Mystical experiences, prayer, communal worship, transcendence Life and Death — The thin, liminal places of birth, dying, and transition Epiphany — Realizing you are part of something far larger than yourself Personal Reflection Question What could you do this week to enhance your own sense of awe? Consider revisiting a past moment that moved you deeply, or intentionally placing yourself somewhere — or with someone — that opens you to wonder. Even a simple gratitude practice, especially when shared with another person, can be a doorway into awe. What We Pay Attention to Will Grow A core principle of the Wellness Compass Initiative: whatever we pay attention to is what will grow. This episode invites us to ask — what are we amplifying? On social media and in daily life, are we spreading wonder and connection, or discord and division? This isn't about toxic positivity; it's about intentionally choosing where we direct our energy and attention. Upcoming Free Wellness Circles Wellness Circles are a free, six-week small group experience designed to cultivate awareness, intention, and well-being — a perfect real-life space to experience awe and gratitude with others. Tuesday, May 4 at 1:00 PM Wednesday, May 5 at 5:15 PM To sign up, visit wellnesscompass.org and click the green bar at the top of the homepage, or email Holly directly at holly@wellnesscompass.org. Connect With Us 🌐 Website: wellnesscompass.org 📧 General contact: connect@wellnesscompass.org 📧 Holly: holly@wellnesscompass.org Go forth and be awesome — discover awe, experience awe, and share it. May you be safe, may you be healthy, may you be happy.
