Midwest Writers Room
Podcast from the Wisconsin Writers Association. We discuss all things writerly, with an emphasis on the unique flavor of works that originate in the Midwest.
Midwest Writers Room
Chapter Break with Mike Barden
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BIO:
Mike Barden wrote From Reactive to Resilient because he lived it. After his 25-year marriage ended, his career in ministry dissolved, and his belief system shifted, he found himself wondering, "Who am I now?" The book emerged from his journey through identity crisis—discovering that beneath all the roles and labels, something steady remained - the core self. Mike currently works in customer support for a software company and performs regularly as keyboardist for Boogie and the Yoyoz out of Appleton. He lives in central Wisconsin with his wife Melony and wrote this book to help others find clarity during life's hardest transitions.
SYNOPSIS:
From Reactive to Resilient: Practical Awareness for Major Life Changes is a guide for anyone navigating identity crisis during divorce, job loss, crisis of faith, or any other major transitions. When the roles that defined you fall away, who are you underneath? This book introduces the C.A.L.M. Method—a four-step framework (Connect, Allow, Let Go, Move Forward) grounded in mindfulness and psychology research. Through fifteen chapters, practical exercises, and a 30-day action plan, readers learn to distinguish between reactive patterns and conscious responses. Non-dogmatic and evidence-based, it's written for readers who want real tools without spiritual or motivational jargon—a practical companion for life's hardest moments.
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