On an unremarkable summer night at the age of fifteen, Mary Keating got into a 1965 Mustang convertible driven by a boy she barely knew. She never walked again.

In her memoir-in-verse, Recalibrating Gravity, Keating explores life before, during, and after her spinal cord injury, bringing readers into the lived experience of navigating ill-fitting wheelchairs, poorly designed buildings, well-intentioned loved ones, the medical-industrial complex, and our ableist society. It's not a story of tragedy or triumph, but of adaptation, persistence, and the daily negotiations required to live fully in a world not designed with disability in mind.

Keating earned her JD from Yale Law School, worked as an attorney at IBM, spoke at the American Bar Association's annual meeting on working with disabled lawyers and clients, and founded her own law practice—twice. Along the way, she married a man she has known since fourth grade, survived thyroid cancer, learned how to scuba dive, and published widely in journals and anthologies. Her book is a reminder that disability is an ordinary and integral part of human life.

What happens when we step away from the noise of everyday life and allow our feet to
carry us toward something greater than ourselves?
In this episode of Resiliency Within, I am joined by my colleague, K. Thomas, as we
explore the profound physical, emotional, and spiritual transformations that unfolded
during two remarkable pilgrimages. I share my experience walking the Camino de
Santiago in my seventies, while K reflects on her journey to Machu Picchu in her
thirties. Though our paths led us across different landscapes and cultures, they
revealed strikingly similar truths about resilience, healing, purpose, and self-discovery.
Together, we discuss the healing power of walking long distances, the rhythm of putting
one foot in front of the other, and how the solitude of the trail creates space for deep
self-reflection. We also explore the unexpected gifts found in conversations with fellow
pilgrims—brief encounters that often leave lasting impressions and remind us of our
shared humanity.
Our conversation examines how age, life experience, and personal perspective shape
the pilgrimage experience while revealing the universal themes that connect us across
generations. Whether you have completed a pilgrimage yourself, dream of embarking
on one someday, or are simply seeking renewal in your own life's journey, this episode
offers inspiration to embrace movement, mindfulness, and the transformative power of
walking with intention.
Join us as we reflect on two sacred paths, the resilience they cultivated, and the
enduring truth that sometimes the longest journeys lead us home to ourselves.

Crisis Recovery for Kids, Parents, and Teachers

Children worldwide are living during very difficult times within the United States and globally. Current policies are impacting our schools - our children, teachers, and school staff.

Inez Tiger and Elaine Miller-Karas will discuss how educational systems worldwide are increasingly confronted with the impact of natural and human-made crises - war, genocide, wildfires, ICE raids, and community violence.

These events disrupt the stability of whole communities with profound implications to children and those who care for them.

Join our host, Elaine Miller-Karas, and Educator Inez Tiger for this encore show on implementing the Community Resiliency Model in a systematic, phased approach to support resilience for children, educators, and school staff.

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About Our Guest:

Inez Tiger, LMFT, brings over 30 years of experience as an educator, school leader, and mental health professional. She has served as an elementary and middle school teacher, counselor, principal, and most recently as Director of Wellness at The Pressman Academy.

Inez is a certified teacher of the Community Resiliency Model® (CRM), a practitioner of the Trauma Resiliency Model® (TRM), and a longtime facilitator and trainer in the practice of Council.

Specializing in self-regulation, trauma healing, and the power of storytelling, Inez recently transitioned from her role as a school-based educator to focus more deeply on healing and wellness.

A collector of stories, she finds meaning in listening to the resilience of students, parents, and teachers as they navigate their school journeys.

Originally from South Africa, Inez lives in Los Angeles with her partner and their two children. She finds joy in art-making, meaningful collaboration, and long walks with their dog, Chase.

One of her guiding mottos comes from Maya Angelou: "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."