Episode 120 Becoming Wildly Resilient Practice: the Power of Small Service

In this Becoming Wildly Resilient practice episode, Amy Rodquist-Kodet, health coach with UK Health and Wellness explores how volunteering strengthens well‑being through the themes of giving, growing and connecting.

Amy highlights that volunteering is not only an act of generosity but also a neurologically regulating practice that boosts purpose and resilience. Backed by research, she explains how even small acts of service can lower stress, increase life satisfaction and deepen our sense of belonging.

Mentioned in this Episode:

• Michael Steger 

• Elizabeth Dunn and colleagues' research 

• Self-determination Theory 

• Edward Deci and Richard Ryan research 

• UK Cooperative Extension 

Key Takeaways: 

• Volunteering enhances well-being by reducing depression risk, increasing life satisfaction and buffering stress. 

• Small, consistent acts of service are far more sustainable—and impactful—than large commitments. 

• Serving others helps build personal strengths, interrupts burnout and offers opportunities for growth. 

• Shared-purpose volunteering fosters belonging, strengthens relationships and supports community resilience.

Connect with us:

Have feedback or suggestions for future topics? Email us at healthandwellness@uky.edu.

You can listen and follow all episodes of "Becoming Wildly Resilient" wherever you find your podcasts. Spotify listeners can also interact with questions and polls or send a voice memo within the app. 

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