From the Field: Stories From Our Certified Trainers

*Pictured above: Kim Williams presenting* Showing Up *to the Women’s Fund in Houston.*

Wednesday, March 15 — As we enter Spring of 2023, Inspiring Comfort wants to take the opportunity to uplift our Certified Trainers, who are doing incredible work in the field nationwide. From the healthcare sector, to the corporate sector, to coaching, to community engagement work, our Certified Trainers are cultivating cultures of care in beautiful ways.

Check out their insights from the field and hear about the exciting work they’re bringing to people, organizations, and communities across the country below!

Jen Pierce, Certified Trainer

As an Executive & Leadership Coach and Facilitator, I have been involved in many trainings and opportunities to share knowledge. But when I was introduced to Inspiring Comfort, I knew it was different.

This work isn't about a process or a program but about a way of being. And the best part is that it's for every person in every area of life - from elementary school age to senior citizens - from school, community to workplaces - to remind us of the skills and innate desire to connect with others.

Showing Up teaches us the lost art of social connection: to be present, to listen, to empathize, and to give (and receive) comfort. This work is so powerful yet also simple, as it creates a common language and safe space to practice our skills of empathy and comfort-giving to our fellow human beings.

I am focusing on taking Showing Up into the corporate space. Prior to my coaching career, I spent almost 30 years in corporate environments. I may have looked successful, but I often felt lonely, isolated, and disconnected. I now know I was not alone in how I felt. Imagine if we could feel seen, heard, and cared for by our colleagues and leaders?

Already the feedback I have gotten from the training has been overwhelmingly positive: one of gratitude and excitement. And the impact is not just on how others are relating in their workplaces, but the ripple effect extends to the community and home life as well. This may be the most important - and impactful - 90-minute training available.

Interested in working with Jen Pierce? Contact her here.

Kim Williams, Certified Trainer

As a mental health advocate, ally, and speaker, I knew there was a need for Inspiring Comfort and training my community with teachable skills on how to show up for one another. I immediately felt the power of the Showing Up book and the many tools that are provided to break through the Awkward Zone and close the Empathy Gap.

After being newly certified with the evidence-based Comfort Skills programming, I had the privilege of teaching Showing Up to HCA Healthcare Gulf Coast Division Marketing Team. It was my first time presenting and it was just the beginning of many doors opening.

In December I had the opportunity to speak at The Women’s Fund for Health Education and Resiliency Holiday Luncheon. The room was filled women of all ages. After the talk, I sold books and I was asked to do a deeper dive with The Women’s Fund for Health Education and Resiliency Board of Directors in February.

In January, I had the opportunity to present to the First United Methodist Church of Lake Jackson’s Women’s Ministry. Again, all different ages of women attended the event, and they so enjoyed the presentation that the church bought a book for their church library and are now hosting a book study.

Here is what I know for sure – now is the time to cultivate human care and connection. Caring is truly the new leadership skill and it is essential that we teach our community, businesses, churches, and schools how to care for one another.

Interested in working with Kim Williams? Contact her here.

*Pictured above: Certified Trainer Kim Bepko.*

Kim Bepko, Certified Trainer

I have organized a Showing Up Book Study in my new community here in Lakewood Ranch, FL. I have 11 women participating and had many others interested.

When we arrived here approximately a year ago, I had begun meeting so many wonderful, empathetic people. However, realizing that most of us here are transplants that don't have any family in the area for support, I thought this would be an incredible opportunity to begin to put my IC training into action. We have already had a couple of incidents where I knew that if these beautiful, empathetic hearts had this training, the response to those who needed care and support might look a bit different.

As soon, as I distributed the books and pre-work to my participants they were very excited and anxious to meet. We have had three sessions out of eight so far, discussion within the sessions has been amazing as everyone feels the value of what they are learning. If I'm honest, I have been learning just as much from them as I know they are from me. Many of the participants have started thinking about how our programming can be beneficial in the places that they volunteer, work and worship!

There has already been discussion about how no one in the group wants this training to end at the conclusion of the book study.... I am so excited to continue our mission and look for opportunities to share how we can better support those that are hurting.

Interested in working with Kim Bepko? Contact her here.

Pictured above: Colleen McFarland, Certified Trainer.

Colleen McFarland, Certified Trainer

As a management consultant, I have spent my career working with leaders who are driving change that impacts their employees and customers. I am delighted to be able to offer these leaders training on the critical leadership skill of comfort.

This February, I delivered two lite versions of the Inspiring Comfort Insights delivered via webinar. I partnered with Amy Keefner of Senior Living Chicago. Amy invited her professional contacts who manage caregivers in the Chicago area. Twenty-five people registered for the two sessions.

I have no doubt this training is needed in all settings where people work, and I know when we deliver it people will respond to it. My focus is finding workplace leaders who have the desire and ability to invest in Inspiring Comfort programs in order to get their people better skilled at supporting each other.

Interested in working with Colleen McFarland? Contact her here.

Kelly Shannon, Certified Trainer

"I had the incredible opportunity of speaking at University of New Hampshire's inaugural Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Conference on their panel Creating Inclusive Environments. It was an honor to represent Inspiring Comfort and this work in front of inspiring and engaged students, faculty, and business leaders. The feedback from the panel was overwhelmingly positive, with appreciation for the actionable as opposed to abstract approach to creating cultures of care.

When it comes to creating cultures and communities of inclusivity and belonging, we have to start with supportive care - with cultivating relationships. This is not intuitive, but requires the skills, tips, strategies and processes to break through barriers and truly reach one another.”

Inspiring Comfort is a social good company founded on the belief that today’s increasingly isolated, socially disconnected, and hurting world demands that we do a better job of caring for one another. The company trains you and your team to show up, lead with heart, and cultivate a culture of care, comfort, and connection.

Interested in doing this too? Inspiring Comfort has announced their upcoming certification sessions in April and Summer 2023, now available for enrollment. Click here to apply or email info@inspiringcomfort.com.

Comfort and Connection, Mental HealthKelly ShannonMarch 15, 2023