SOARING into Strength Positive Health Initiative

The SOARING into Strength Positive Health Initiative includes 23 virtual or in-person workshops which integrate the latest findings from Positive Psychology with a trauma-informed and person-centered approach.

Our goal is impact—the greatest impact possible.

5,000 Johnson & Johnson employees around the world participated in the Soaringwords' SOARING into Growth Mindset workshop.

To that end, we have developed a number of powerful programs based on our SOARING into Strength Model which has been presented at 16 scientific conferences around the world. The SOARING into Strength Positive Health Initiative is our flagship offering.

Soaringwords’ empirically measures participant well-being before and after each workshop to demonstrate enhanced resiliency, meaning, hopefulness, and agency.

Each workshop features internationally recognized Positive Psychology experts, including Dr. Richard Tedeschi, expert on post-traumatic growth; Dr. Angela Duckworth on resilience; Dr. Ryan Niemiec on character strengths; and Dr. Kristin Neff on self-compassion. Along with Lisa Honig Buksbaum as host, these Soaringwords guest experts allow participants to experience psychological safety in order to make meaningful changes in their professional and personal lives.

No other organization has amassed such an extensive lineup of thought leaders in one comprehensive initiative.

Virtual or in-person workshops for thousands of participants

Opening session, European Conference on Positive Psychology 2022

International Thought Leaders Featured in the SOARING into Strength Initiative

Over the past 19 years, Lisa has built a robust Soaringwords Positive Psychology Advisory Board of dozens of international thought leaders who are subject content experts in empirically-sound interventions that impact emotional, mental and physical well-being. The profiles of several of these Soaringwords advisors are highlighted below.

Today, hundreds of compelling workshops exist for people who seek enhanced well-being. Unfortunately, within days or weeks, even with the best intentions, most people have difficulty changing their thoughts and actions based on these newfound insights and the desire to change.

This is why Soaringwords has created companion, immersive workbooks filled with Appreciative Inquiry prompts to allow people to internalize the concepts and key learnings.

Attendees will also benefit from Soaringwords’ comprehensive Positive Dose Effect follow-up system where they are sent short, weekly video email reminders to reinforce and practice what they learned in the workshops.

Soaringwords also works closely with municipalities, health and human service agencies, and community groups to support the most vulnerable people experiencing the greatest health inequity.

This accessible, user-friendly platform has been embraced by companies and community organizations to benefit people at the most vulnerable times in their lives when they are grappling with a wide range of challenges such as illness, trauma, grief, and the implications of living through a global pandemic.

To date, the virtual workshops have created substantive change in several communities including Silicon Valley, Tampa Bay, and Jersey City when Soaringwords was selected as the mental health component as part of the World Economic Forum's Healthy Cities Initiative launch.

Hundreds of nonprofit professionals in Silicon Valley participated in a year-long SOARING into Strength Initiative.
150,000
professionals at Fortune 500 companies

Soaringwords’ award-winning employee-engagement initiatives have been shared with more than 150,000 professionals at Fortune 500 companies including Accenture, Meta, Google, JetBlue, Johnson & Johnson, Lilly, Viacom, and Verizon.

Collaborate

We are excited to collaborate with your organization in order to bring this valuable SOARING into Strength Positive Health Initiative to your employees and all the constituencies you serve.

Click here to view a PDF of the collaboration letter for:

Soaringwords has collaborated with Viacom since 2005

We’d love to hear from you!

Send us a message, and we`ll contact you within one business day.

Soaringwords SOARING into Strength Scientific Model

All Soaringwords’ workshops and trainings are based on the SOARING into Strength Positive Health model that consists of seven foundational Positive Psychology principles:

SOARING into Strength Model
Shifting
Creating shifts in your attitude, body, and overall well-being.
Optimism
Finding the good even when times are difficult or painful.
Altruism
Gaining a sense of control by sharing your creativity, kindness, strength and hope with others.
Resiliency
Flourishing, even in difficult times.
Imagery
Connecting to your inner knowledge to heal through imagery exercises.
Gratitude
Recognizing and celebrating moments of appreciation.
After inspiring thousands of children to take active roles in their own healing since 2000, Soaringwords’ unique approach was codified in 2013 as a new scientific model which has been tested among hundreds of patients in the U.S.

Since then, a new global study has expanded to assess the impact among thousands of patients worldwide.

Pre- and post-workshop survey data for the SOARING into Strength Positive Health Initiative captures qualitative and quantitative shifts in well-being. Results are aggregated, measuring how the initiative accomplishes health equity and well-being objectives for individuals, health care professionals, and communities.

Key Components

Findings from the latest scientific studies show that, when people can learn to take active roles in their self-healing, they can experience greater well-being. Soaringwords’ research findings show that participants are empowered after attending a workshop. As we scale the SOARING into Strength Positive Health Initiative it will continue to motivate, teach, and inspire millions of people to realize and experience the “power to heal” that resides within them.

Proven Workshop Components:
1/5
Professional Presentations:
Participants will learn from compelling, easy-to-understand video presentations, approximately 45-60 minutes long. Each topic covers practical, simple concepts with engaging footage and graphics that support key points. The SOARING into Strength workshops do not employ scientific jargon and can be enjoyed by individuals of all ages and professions. This comprehensive approach motivates everyone to take active roles in self-healing in order to experience greater physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
2/5
Access to Relatable Experts:
Attendees will learn from a compelling, easy-to-understand virtual video presentation, featuring internationally recognized Positive Psychology experts who are approachable, likable, credible, and communicate cultural competency and humility. Along with Lisa Buksbaum as a host, these approachable, likable, and credible individuals allow participants to experience psychological safety in order to fully participate in the workshops and make meaningful changes in their thoughts and actions. Featured experts include Dr. Richard Tedeschi (SOARING into Post-Traumatic Growth); Dr. Angela Duckworth (SOARING into Resilience); Dr. Kristin Neff (SOARING into Self-Compassion); Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar (SOARING into Optimism); Dr. Dan Tomasulo (SOARING into Hope; and SOARING into Gratitude); Dr. Madan Kataria (SOARING into Laughter); Dr. Jane Dutton (SOARING into Altruism); Emily Esfahani Smith (SOARING into Meaning); and numerous others.
3/5
Reinforcing Key Concepts:
Today, hundreds of compelling workshops exist for people who seek enhanced well-being. Unfortunately, within days or weeks, even with the best intentions, most people have difficulty changing their thoughts and actions based on these newfound insights and the desire to change. This is why Soaringwords has created companion, immersive workbooks filled with Appreciative Inquiry prompts to allow them to internalize essential concepts and key learnings. Attendees will also benefit from Soaringwords’ comprehensive Positive Dose Effect follow-up system where participants are sent short, weekly video email reminders to reinforce and practice what they learned.
4/5
Pay-It-Forward Projects:
To further reinforce the learnings, participants are invited to create an expressive arts/writing project that will be donated to hospitalized children in their local area. These quick and easy altruistic projects engender community pride and tremendous goodwill, giving participants a profound sense of agency, meaning, purpose, and joy.
5/5
Empirical Research and Measurement:
The impact of the SOARING into Strength Positive Health Initiative is measured empirically through simple pre- and post-workshop surveys that reflect the change in each participant’s well-being.
Our offerings

Award-winning scientifically-based virtual workshops to enhance physical, emotional, and mental well-being

SOARING into Character Strengths

Discover and amplify your unique strengths with Dr. Ryan Niemiec

Identify the strengths within yourself and learn how to strength-spot in others.

SOARING into Post-Traumatic Growth

Post-Traumatic Growth with Dr. Richard Tedeschi

Scientific studies show that most people recover from life crises transformed and even stronger than before. This is called Post-Traumatic Growth.

SOARING into Gratitude

Building a Gratitude Practice in your life with Dr. Dan Tomasulo

Explore the enormous benefits of gratitude on personal well-being, relationships, and communal flourishing.

Why Loneliness Matters: The Power of Connection with Yourself

Learn practical tools with Dr. Jane Dutton

Master easy-to-use strategies based on the work of US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy to reduce feelings of isolation, even while physically distancing.

SOARING into Hope

Hope requires a negative catalyst to ignite. Learn how to activate hope with Dr. Dan Tomasulo & Dr. Shane Lopez

Learn the latest scientific findings and techniques in order to shift your thoughts and actions to make hope happen in your life.

SOARING into Resilience

Strengthen your mental agility, coping skills, & grit with Dr. Angela Duckworth

Learn how to harness your inner strength during difficult times in order to thrive.

SOARING into Altruism

Learn how to gain a sense of control through helping others with Dr. Jane Dutton

Doing something kind without the expectation of receiving anything in return enhances emotional and physical well-being.

Talk Back to Your Negative Thoughts

Reduce automatic negative thoughts with Dr. Judith Beck

Gain strength, awareness, and clarity through proven Cognitive Behavioral Therapy tools.

SOARING into Self-Compassion & Forgiveness

Discover gentle tools to help you thrive with Dr. Kristin Neff

Learn how to activate self- compassion and forgiveness to experience greater well-being.

SOARING into Optimism

Finding good things to notice & celebrate with Dr. Barbara Fredrickson & Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

Master strategies to cultivate an Optimistic Explanatory Style and more micro-moments of joy.

SOARING into Laughter

Experience the therapeutic benefits of laughing with Dr. Madan Kataria

Learn about the secret powers of smiling, mirror neurons, and laughter to boost your immunity and enhance your health and relationships.

SOARING into Synchronicity

Learn how to trust your inner knowingness & spiritual truth with Chris Mackey

Often uncanny coincidences provide profound meaning and direction, especially at crossroads.

SOARING into Meaning

Explore how our thoughts, words, and actions becomes our reality with Dr. Michael Steger & Emily Esfahani Smith

Learn how you can incorporate more meaning and mattering into your personal and professional life.

Caring for Yourself as a Caregiver

Discover innovative success strategies and insights to strengthen you as a caregiver with Karen Warner

There are 43 million caregivers in the U.S. Learn to soothe all of your senses, activate circles of support, and other proven self-care tools.

SOARING into Narrative

Experience the transformative power of positive storytelling with Dr. Margarita Tarragona

Learn how to become the hero or heroine of your life by accessing positive narrative.

SOARING into Primal World Beliefs

Primals are our most basic beliefs about the world as a whole.

Uncover your beliefs with pioneering scientist Dr. Jer Clifton to experience greater insight and clarity for yourself and those closest to you.

SOARING into Healing Imagery

Tap into your inner knowledge to heal with Rachel Epstein, American Institute of Mental Imagery

Learn to access internal clarity and guidance with powerful, easy-to-use visualizations that will create an immediate shift.

SOARING into Positive Rituals

Learn how rituals ground us and give us confidence with Jan Stanley

Uncover the power of simple, easy-to-implement rituals grounded in research to imbue your life with meaning and joy.

SOARING into Growth Mindset

Harness your growth mindset and learn how to be more “open to being open” based on the work of Dr. Carol Dweck

Learn the science behind Growth Mindset and Fixed Mindset to experience greater awareness, clarity, and expansiveness.

SOARING into Positive Movement & Vitality

Learn how movement jumpstarts your brain with Dr. John Ratey & Dr. Elaine O’Brien

Learn how fun and simple movements help your brain grow new cells and neural connections that increase learning, happiness, and well-being.

SOARING into Mindfulness

Discover the healing power of tranquility, calm, and ease with Dr. James Doty

Learn how to relax the body and the mind, open the heart, and manifest your intention with easy-to-use exercises based on the latest science.

SOARING into Play

Learn how play fuels wisdom, relationships, and optimal health with Dr. Stuart Brown & Elizabeth Cushing

Play is not simply for children. Learn how playfulness can enhance meaning, purpose, and health throughout your life.

Learn How to Navigate Pain & Flourish

Learn to co-exist with pain to experience more joy and thriving with Dr. Peter A. Levine

Pain is often a fact of life, but does not have to define one's life. Learn success strategies to support yourself and others living with chronic pain.

Testimonials
SOARING into Strength: Jersey City Health & Human Services leadership testimonials
SOARING into Strength: Silicon Valley Year-Long Initiative
SOARING into Strength: Silicon Valley Year-Long Initiative was launched in Silicon Valley in October 2020. Over the course of one year, 23 virtual workshops were shared with hundreds of participants. This is what participants had to say about the workshops.
SOARING into Strength: Jersey City Health & Human Services employee testimonials
Jersey City was the launch city for the World Economic Forum Healthy Cities Initiative. Soaringwords workshops were the mental health component. This is what Jersey City Health & Human Services Staff had to say about the workshops
Linda Ivory-Green, Director, Jersey City Division of Community Health and Wellness
My staff as health educators were able to build their capacity to engage the community on a more intimate level, more efficiently and effectively, while learning communication skills. They were better able to have self-confidence in going out and educating the community on all the various health issues Soaringwords workshops took the staff to a whole different level with self-confidence, building trust amongst themselves and within the groups.
Paul Bellan-Boyer, Director, Jersey City Division of Injury Prevention
We needed to work better as a team, to understand each other, communicate, and trust each other’s experience. We didn’t know that the Soaringwords trainings also would be a lot of fun. And we didn’t know that it was preparing us to respond to a mass shooting and that we were developing skills for a pandemic that would demand new levels of commitment, at the same time we needed new ways of working together to serve the residents of our beloved city.
Stacey Flanagan, Director, Jersey City Health and Human Services
In 2019, the city of Jersey City was selected as a pilot city for the World Economic Forum’s health cities and communities 2030 campaign. … We invited Soaringwords to be one of our partners in the effort so that we could continue to work on mental health together. Making sure that our staff really understands diversity and has a heightened level of cultural sensitivity, understanding, and competency is really at the forefront of our work around health... Read more