Episode Summary
In this powerful conversation, LaTonya Wilkins sits down with Dr. Caroline Adelman, clinical psychologist, coach, and founder of Chicago Psychotherapy, to explore what it truly means to lead and live well amid chaos. Together, they uncover how chronic stress, disconnection, and unpredictability shape our lives — and how we can rebuild connection through everyday mental health practices that actually work.
Dr. Adelman shares evidence-based techniques rooted in therapy and neuroscience that help leaders regulate emotions, create stability, and bring real compassion into the workplace. Whether you’re leading a team, a business, or just trying to stay grounded yourself, this conversation offers practical wisdom for navigating a complex, broken world — one human moment at a time.
Key Insights
- Connection — not control — is the foundation of resilience.
- Stress disconnects us from ourselves, others, and what matters most; awareness and intention reconnect us.
- Leaders don’t need to have all the answers, but they do need to show care, humility, and hope.
- Simple rituals — listening, check-ins, walk-and-talks — can transform workplace wellbeing.
- Human-centered leadership is the antidote to fear-based systems.
Guest Bio — Dr. Caroline Adelman
Dr. Caroline Adelman, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, coach, and founder of Chicago Psychotherapy. She completed her PhD at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and fellowships at the Yale Child Study Center. She previously served on the clinical faculty at Northwestern University and has spent over fifteen years helping children, adults, and professionals navigate anxiety, trauma, and transitions.
Dr. Adelman’s work integrates evidence-based therapy with compassion, humor, and authenticity. She’s a frequent speaker and consultant on resilience, wellness, and leadership.
To learn more, visit ChicagoPsychotherapy.com/dr-caroline-adelman.
Resources Mentioned
- Leading Below the Surface (2nd Edition): leadingbelowthesurface.com
- LaTonya’s article “The Relationship Between Psychological Safety and Accountability”: changecoaches.io/the-relationship-between-psychological-safety-and-accountability
Stay in Touch with Change Coaches:
- Change Coaches Guide to Create Psychological Safe Conversations Across Differences
- Change Coaches Newsletter
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Follow LaTonya on LinkedIn
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For More on the Book Leading Below the Surface
Podcast Summary Transcript:
Note: These are approximate, based on transcript — not pulled directly from the audio)
[00:00] Introduction — Welcoming Dr. Caroline Adelman and setting the stage for a deep conversation on mental health and leadership.
[03:20] The role of intergenerational stories and resilience.
[07:45] Connection as the antidote to stress and disconnection.
[14:10] Understanding how chronic stress hijacks our brains — and what leaders can do about it.
[20:00] What followers need most from leaders in uncertain times: trust, compassion, stability, and hope.
[28:40] How to ground teams when the world feels chaotic.
[36:15] Practical, evidence-based mental health practices for leaders and teams.
[45:30] When to know someone might need therapy — and how leaders can respond with empathy.
[53:00] Final reflections: why we can’t do this alone and how to model human-centered leadership.