Hosts:

Michaela Tobin, Outreach Coordinator, Triage Cancer

Monica Fawzy Bryant, Esq., Chief Mission Officer, Triage Cancer

Guest:

Julie Larson, LCSW, Speaker-Educator, Psychotherapist

In this encore episode:

Uncertainty is something we all face, but for individuals living with serious health conditions—and their caregivers—it can feel overwhelming. In this listener favorite, hosts Michaela Tobin and Monica Bryant, Esq. sit with guest Julie Larson, LCSW, to explore practical ways to find calm, stay grounded, and build resilience in the midst of change.

Julie brings years of experience as a licensed clinical social worker supporting individuals with serious illnesses. Together, the conversation unpacks why uncertainty feels so heavy, what it does to our mental and emotional wellbeing, and how to create practices that foster stability even when the world feels out of control.

Why we’re re-sharing this episode:

The insights here are timeless—and especially resonant as so many continue navigating uncertainty in their health, work, and daily lives. Whether you’re tuning in for the first time or revisiting the conversation, you’ll walk away with renewed tools for staying centered.

Key Themes

• Finding Calm in Uncertainty

• Julie Larson emphasized that the goal is not to “find answers” but to find calm.

• Calm allows for clearer thinking, stronger connections, and better collaboration.

• Coping Strategies

• Recognize stress responses (fight, flight, freeze).

• Practice present moment awareness and self-check-ins (“How am I doing?”).

• Use grounding “entrance ramps”:

• Thoughts: Challenge unhelpful narratives, ask if you’re a reliable narrator.

• Emotions: Identify what your feelings are telling you (e.g., need for comfort or connection).

• Body: Move, breathe, hydrate, or step away when stress shows physically.

• Professional Well-Being

• Compassion fatigue and burnout are common, especially when staff deliver hard news.

• Strategies include:

• Setting boundaries between your emotions and the caller’s emotions.

• Debriefing and restoring balance after difficult calls.

• Giving yourself credit for trying, showing up, and staying steady for others.

• Workplace & Team Tools

• Triage Cancer’s legal team uses “throw spaghetti at the wall” brainstorming to problem-solve when no clear answer exists—this can also be applied to coping with uncertainty.

• Weekly positive navigation stories during staff meetings help “install the good” and remind staff of the impact they’re making.

• Balancing Information Intake

• Staying informed is important, but too much news can increase anxiety.

• Teams should watch for the tipping point between helpful venting and ruminating.

• Advocacy as Coping

• Advocacy can be empowering when it helps people feel they’re contributing to change.

• But if it leads to constant agitation, balance and self-awareness are key.

Featured Resources Mentioned

• Quick Guide to Accessing Mental Health Care

• Quick Guide to Stress Management

• Stress: What is it and what to do about it

Connect with Triage Cancer & Triage Health:

Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠TriageCancer.org⁠⁠ |⁠ ⁠⁠⁠TriageHealth.org⁠⁠

Social:

• Instagram:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@triagecancer⁠⁠ |⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@triage_health⁠⁠

• Facebook:⁠ ⁠Triage Cancer⁠⁠ |⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Triage_Health⁠⁠

• LinkedIn:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ Triage Cancer⁠⁠ |⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Triage Health⁠⁠

• Bluesky:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ @triagecancer.org⁠⁠ |⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@triagehealth.org⁠

AskTriage Email — Send questions to [email protected].

Connect with Julie Larson:

Website: JulieLarsonlcsw.com/

Social:

• Instagram: @jlarsonlcsw

• LinkedIn: Julie Larson, LCSW