CLASSIC EPISODE: The Resilience Myth with Soraya Chemaly

CLASSIC EPISODE: The Resilience Myth with Soraya Chemaly

June 22, 2026 · 39 min

About this episode

Nicole Kalil and Soraya Chemaly discuss the complexities of resilience and the importance of community care over individual grit.

Resilience has become a buzzword in today’s culture, thrown around by influencers, coaches, and even bootcamp instructors, all insisting we need to “push through” no matter the cost. But is resilience always the healthiest path forward? Does mental toughness, positivity, and grit serve us in the ways we think—or is there more nuance to uncover? In this episode, Nicole connects with Soraya Chemaly, activist and author of The Resilience Myth: New Thinking on Grit, Strength, and Growth after Trauma. Together, they challenge conventional ideas about resilience and explore a new way of thinking—one that shifts from individual grit to collective care and community connection. Soraya’s previous book, Rage Becomes Her: The Power of Women’s Anger, was widely acclaimed and named one of the Best Books of 2018 by the Washington Post, NPR, and Psychology Today. This conversation offers insight into what really matters: kindness, compassion, belonging, and care—for ourselves and each other. It’s time to rethink resilience as more than just strength in isolation and embrace what it looks like to thrive, together. Thank you to our sponsors! Become a Fora Advisor today at Foratravel.com/WOMAN…

People in this episode

Host: Nicole Kalil

Guest: Soraya Chemaly

Topics covered

Keywords

Sponsors

Fora, Quince, Upwork, Skylight

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Washington Post, NPR, Psychology Today

Books & works: The Resilience Myth: New Thinking on Grit, Strength, and Growth after Trauma, Rage Becomes Her: The Power of Women’s Anger

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