# Pathways for Peace in Challenging Times with Diane Dreher, PhD

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/nine-to-thrive-the-well-being-podcast-6727471/pathways-for-peace-in-challenging-times-with-diane-dreher-phd
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/nine-to-thrive-the-well-being-podcast-6727471/pathways-for-peace-in-challenging-times-with-diane-dreher-phd.md
Podcast: [Nine to Thrive: The Well-Being Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/nine-to-thrive-the-well-being-podcast-6727471)
Published: 2026-02-17T09:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://ninetothrivewellbeingpodcast.podbean.com/e/pathways-for-peace-in-challenging-times-with-diane-dreher-phd/
Audio file: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/r2rtrkds7diariyp/2142026_Diane_mixdown67lbo.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/nine-to-thrive-the-well-being-podcast-6727471/episodes/pathways-for-peace-in-challenging-times-with-diane-dreher-phd
Duration seconds: 3176

## Resource

We're living through a period of profound disconnection—from ourselves, from each other, and from any sense of peace. The pandemic, technology, political division, and the World Health Organization's reported rises in anxiety and depression have left many of us feeling fragmented and alone. AND there is a pathway forward. In this episode, Julie sits down with Dr. Diane Dreher, positive psychology researcher, coach, and author of Pathways to Inner Peace, to explore nine powerful pathways drawn from centuries of spiritual tradition and validated by modern science that can help us restore connection, peace, and hope. From mindful presence and community to joy and intuition, Diane offers practical wisdom for navigating these challenging times with resilience and active hope. KEY TAKEAWAYS We've substituted convenience for community: COVID, social media, and digital delivery have broken many of our circles of connection—neighborhood stores, religious communities, face-to-face gatherings—leaving us more isolated despite being more "connected" than ever. Chronic stress keeps us stuck in fight-or-flight: When we're constantly in survival mode, we react instead of respond. Learning to pause, breathe, and shift from the amygdala to presence is essential for problem-solving and connection. 50% of our time is spent doing one thing and thinking about something else: Mindful presence—simply being here now—is the foundation for all other pathways. Start with three deep breaths and one-pointed attention. Micro-moments of connectivity matter: A wave to a neighbor, a kind word to a grocery clerk, or eye contact with a stranger activates our immune system, relieves stress, and creates positive ripple effects in our communities. The nine pathways to inner peace are: Mindful presence, natu…

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