“One of the most beautiful, sort of promising - and also tragic - statements that I heard very, very early on, when I started this work, nearly what 17-18, years ago was the girls would say, ‘Nobody ever told us we had strengths.’”
- Steve Leventhal, CEO of WorldBeing

In this episode of Standing Up Strong, Steve Leventhal joins Dr. Jillian Coppley to talk about why wellbeing isn’t something we earn after things get better—it’s what helps people make things better.
Through his work with young people around the world, Steve shows that when kids recognize their strengths, believe in their worth, and learn how to speak up, they’re better equipped to stand up to injustice, inequality, and difficult circumstances.

By starting from the inside out—building identity, kindness, and courage—Steve reminds us that upstanders aren’t born; they’re developed. And when we invest in wellbeing, we’re not just helping individuals thrive—we’re helping communities change.

More about host Jillian Coppley:

Dr. Jillian Coppley is a visionary executive recognized internationally for her expertise in character strengths, wellbeing, and organizational transformation. With deep experience in positive psychology, strategy, and change, she has led large-scale collaborations, built global programs, strategic partnerships, and thriving organizational cultures that empower individuals, teams and organizations to flourish. Her leadership blends strategic vision, research-based innovation, and deep personal care for others —creating environments where people and programs thrive and where meaningful, lasting impact takes root. 

This series is part of the Cynthia & Harold Guttman Family Center for Storytelling at the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, where the science of character strengths is integral to our work creating a community of upstanders. 
https://www.holocaustandhumanity.org/  
https://www.youtube.com/@holocaustandhumanity     

Our thanks to the Mayerson Family Foundation and the VIA Institute on Character for their support of this series    
https://www.mayersonfoundation.org/      
https://www.viacharacter.org/   

Episode Resources

Read more about the work at WorldBeing
https://ssir.org/articles/entry/the_missing_link_in_girls_education

Follow WorldBeing on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/worldbeing/

Follow Steve
https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-leventhal-a2748/

Follow Jillian
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcoppley/

Take a free character strengths quiz
https://www.holocaustandhumanity.org/upstander/assess-your-character-strengths/

True resilience and success don’t start with striving harder—they begin by standing firmly in who you are at your best.

“Happiness precedes success.”
- Caroline Adams Miller

In this episode of Standing Up Strong, Dr. Jillian Coppley speaks with positive psychology pioneer and author Caroline Adams Miller about the science of flourishing, goal setting, and meaningful achievement.
Caroline challenges the myth that success creates happiness, explaining instead that well-being fuels goal attainment and long-term success. Drawing on research and personal experience, she highlights the power of character strengths, supportive relationships, and her concept of ampliship—publicly and intentionally uplifting others, particularly women, as they pursue ambitious goals.
Her best advice: do hard, meaningful things, surround yourself with people who believe in you, and create spaces where everyone can rise together. This conversation reminds us that true happiness and wellbeing are critical to building a community of upstanders.

More about host Jillian Coppley:
Dr. Jillian Coppley is a visionary executive recognized internationally for her expertise in character strengths, wellbeing, and organizational transformation. With deep experience in positive psychology, strategy, and change, she has led large-scale collaborations, built global programs, strategic partnerships, and thriving organizational cultures that empower individuals, teams and organizations to flourish. Her leadership blends strategic vision, research-based innovation, and deep personal care for others —creating environments where people and programs thrive and where meaningful, lasting impact takes root.

This series is part of the Cynthia & Harold Guttman Family Center for Storytelling at the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, where the science of character strengths is integral to our work creating a community of upstanders.
https://www.holocaustandhumanity.org/
https://www.youtube.com/@holocaustandhumanity    
   
Our thanks to the Mayerson Family Foundation and the VIA Institute on Character for their support of this series   
https://www.mayersonfoundation.org/     
https://www.viacharacter.org/  
   
Find us on social media   
https://www.facebook.com/CincyHHC/    
https://www.instagram.com/holocaustandhumanity/    
https://www.tiktok.com/@holocaustandhumanity   


Episode Resources
Take the free VIA Character Strengths Survey https://www.viacharacter.org/survey
Caroline Adams Miller’s latest book, "Big Goals" https://biggoalsbook.com/
Caroline Adams Miller’s website: https://www.carolinemiller.com
Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center https://www.holocaustandhumanity.org