In this special live interview recorded at the Kollel for Young Professionals, we sit down with Dr. Luan Phan, Chair of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at The Ohio State University, for a powerful and personal conversation about mental health, trauma, and resilience.

Dr. Phan reflects on his journey from Vietnam to the U.S., growing up as the son of a war veteran, and how those early experiences shaped his career in psychiatry. He shares how treating war veterans helped him move from distrust to trust, and how that path led him to a deep understanding of resiliency — what it really means to recover and grow through adversity.

We explore:

• The core lessons of resilience and how to build it
• What to look for in Project SOAR, and why it matters
• How to prepare our children for when — not if — adversity comes
• Helping children manage their own mental health
• Simple, daily practices to strengthen emotional well-being
• Mental health and resilience in a post-October 7th world
• A moving story of hope that will stay with you long after the episode ends

🟦 This episode is sponsored by Brad and Holly Kastan — thank you for your generous support.

🙏 Special thanks to everyone who submitted questions in advance, including:

Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Coach Jim Tressel, Michael Milch (PGH), Rabbi Yitz Frank (CLE), Congressman Greg Landsman (OH-D 1st Distric), Howard Sher, Julie Tilson-Stanley (JewishColumbus), Sivan Rahav-Meir (Israel) — and many more!

Whether you’re a parent, professional, or simply someone trying to stay grounded in turbulent times, this conversation offers clarity, inspiration, and tools for a stronger tomorrow.