There is no question we are living in volatile and divisive times. We all feel the darkness, but we all should also feel proud that we are germinating the seeds of a new renaissance with our accomplishments around MindShifting.

2025 has been the year of progress, and 2026 is shaping up as a year where our impact will start being noticeable.

In 2025, over 400 educators took MindShifting courses, and their reviews of Tammie Schrader and Jane Lyons as leaders have been nothing short of amazing.

Here are two reviews:

• I am telling people “definitely take the course!” You made me see challenges in a different light. We need to be understanding of all views and collaborate together to brainstorm effective solutions.

• I would recommend this class to others; it gave me many practical tools that help me in my personal life and my classroom. It also encouraged me to reflect on my own reactions so I can lead students toward resilience, critical thinking and openness to feedback.

The impact of 400 educators on their students and families means that we are touching the lives of thousands of people. These courses are free for educators in NY and Washington states, and hopefully other educational organizations will join us in 2026.

David Shay of Stone Soup Communications has honed the MindShifting Website, Blog (where you can sign up for the newsletter), and a distinct LinkedIn newsletter so that articles are more easily accessible and reach  more people. We are always looking for guest authors and new subscribers; please share and if you have stories about how you’ve experienced increased resourcefulness, resilience, or collaboration, we’d love to hear from you. The more people who spread the word, the more people who gain these skills.

Judy Weintraub helped us publish the first two books on Resourcefulness and Conflict and Collaboration. Just one book to go, Resilience. I do realize that I am probably the only person who still thinks the second book should be called Volume 3, but as my grandson loves pointing out to me, “How come you’re always wrong!”

Josh Chenikoff and Kennard Ong started up the Live broadcast MindShifting Mondays with Mitch. These are on LinkedIn, Substack, and YouTube every Monday at 4:00PM eastern, and are archived on the MindShifting Mondays with Mitch playlist. We’ve had some wonderful interviews and discussions about feeling stuck and frustrated, and then techniques for pulling ourselves and others up.

LMC Media has asked us to create a MindShifting show for local television. People within Westchester County come on and talk about adversity and challenges, and the heartwarming ways they help others. The most recent episode is an 18 year old young man who led a team of volunteers to rebuild the plant and vegetable garden for our local Middle School, and our January episode will feature a financial planner who will discuss positive and negative mindsets about money and saving.

We have talked on over 40 podcasts during 2025, and are hoping for another 60 in 2026. Podcasters are great at getting the word out and bringing people the message that they can be in control over their sense of wellbeing in their personal lives, with their families, at work, at school, and in their communities. If you know of podcasts or publications, we’d love an introduction or to support you as you get the message out.

And there’s more!

We have started to work with coaches on incorporating MindShifting techniques into their own work. One organization that works with educational coaches has folded resourcefulness content into their professional development materials. A job coach is now using MindShifting techniques to help job seekers’ mindsets and communications skills. An entrepreneurial coach has built MindShifting sessions in management and sales training. We will support anyone who is helping others be more effective.

Taru Viitanen and Pekka Salokannel have been busy creating a MindShifting Resourcefulness course that will be formally released in the first quarter. This course uses video, interactive exercises, and AI coaches to help participants internalize MindShifting techniques. This course is already being tried by student success departments in two universities in Finland to help their students develop the internal skills to, well, be successful in school and life. You can try out a lesson and AI coaching exercise here.

Kat Nisson has created free resources and graphic social media posts about MindShifting. The 50 Questions and Change Minds Guide has proven to be highly valued and widely downloaded.

We will be releasing other free resources over the next few months, including a Conflict De-Escalation guide, Personal Strengths inventory, Strength-based feedback guide, Workplace conflict toolkit, and Family conflict toolkit.

And let’s not forget community. Laura Zug’s Hive community and her professional expertise on building community has been a driver of much of the success we have had. Rotary International and the Lions Club have embodied local action combined with international impact. One joint project will be an eight week experiential program teaching inner village kids to cook healthy meals in conjunction with our local Community Resource Center.

When we read the headlines, it’s easy to get discouraged. But when we recount the progress we have made, and the possibilities ahead, there is a lot to celebrate and even more to look forward to.

We are the light overcoming the darkness. Celebrate. Have a wonderful holiday. Find the joy!