David Berez⁠: Courageous Optimism and the Path from Warrior to Healer

<p>Retired police lieutenant and positive psychology practitioner <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-berez/">David Berez</a>, MAPP, DRE joins us to discuss how we can transform trauma into a catalyst for growth. David shares his journey from a 20-year career in law enforcement—where "resilience" meant simply bouncing back—to his development of "Courageous Optimism," a framework that empowers first responders to become "anti-fragile" in the face of chaos. By blending the science of human flourishing with the gritty reality of police work, David illustrates how storytelling and vulnerability can break the stigma of silence and save lives.</p><p><strong>David Berez’s VIA Strengths:</strong> Honesty | Kindness | Curiosity | Perspective | Social Intelligence</p><p><strong>Audio Editor</strong>: Kyle Gross (https://kylegross.myportfolio.com)</p><p><strong>Recorded:</strong> January 7, 2026</p>