Episode 41
About this episode
What does it mean to have life break open in a single moment — and discover that the strength you need was already inside you?
In this powerful episode of Resiliency The Podcast, Jenn Quader and Dr. Kelly Culver sit down with Elle Davis, MSW, founder of The Elevate Group, TEDx speaker, and author of The Art of the Bounce Back: 31 Days of Resilient Living .
Elle shares the deeply personal story of losing her husband suddenly when their daughter was just two years old, and how grief, solo parenting, faith, community, and action shaped her understanding of resilience. Her story reminds us that resilience is not about coming back untouched. It is about returning to ourselves with the bruises, heartbreaks, and lessons that life leaves behind.
Together, Jenn, Dr. Kelly, and Elle explore grief, motherhood, symbols of strength, community care, nonprofit leadership, vulnerability, and what it means to transform pain into purpose.
What you will hear
- How she defines resilience as “the art of the bounce back”
- The moment people began calling her resilient after speaking at her husband’s funeral
- How community helped her survive grief and solo parenting
- What it means to move from “warrior” energy toward sovereignty
- How The Elevate Group supports overlooked middle managers in the nonprofit sector
- Why vulnerability is essential to leadership development
- Why sharing our stories can help others keep going
About the guest
Elle Davis, MSW, is a speaker, author, consultant, and founder of The Elevate Group, a company dedicated to supporting nonprofit leaders, especially middle managers, as they grow into dynamic senior and executive leadership roles. She is the author of The Art of the Bounce Back: 31 Days of Resilient Living, a guide designed to help people navigate life’s hard moments one day, one practice, and one resilient choice at a time.
Chapters
- Welcome to Resiliency The Podcast
- Introducing Elle Davis and Her Story of Sudden Loss
- Elle Reacts to Jenn’s Introduction
- What Resiliency Means to Elle
- The Art of the Bounce Back
- Speaking at Her Husband’s Funeral
- Symbols of Strength: Green, Warrior Bracelets, and Resilience
- Dr. Kelly on Warrior Energy and Sovereignty
- Becoming a Solo Parent Overnight
- Anger, Faith, Grief, and Community Support
- Everything You Need Is Already in the Room
- Founding The Elevate Group
- Supporting Middle Managers in Nonprofits
- Vulnerability, Cohorts, and Leadership Growth
- Creating Space for Grief, Leadership, and Transformation
- Turning Obstacles into Opportunity
- The Art of the Bounce Back Book
- Elle’s Big Audacious Goal for the Book
- The Impact of Hearing from Readers
- Vulnerability, Self-Judgment, and Sharing Your Story
- Resilience Rapid Fire Questions
- Favorite Resilient Movie: Lean on Me
- Favorite Resilient Song: Golden by Jill Scott
- What Made Elle Laugh Recently
- Elle’s Question for a Future Guest
- Stepping Out of Her Comfort Zone
- Turning a Widow Storytelling Exhibit into a Documentary
- Where to Find Elle D...
Mentioned in this episode
Transcript
A full transcript of this episode is available.