Faculty Member Spotlight: Teddy Kellam
Here at CERI we are always looking to collaborate and build our offerings with people who are doing beautiful work for the world. We were so excited when we had the opportunity to bring Teddy Kellam on-board as a Faculty member so she could broaden her audience and find other pathways to support parents in the age of climate change. Read below to learn more about her, how she got into this work, and upcoming opportunities to work with her.
How did you get into this work?
When my children were younger I was invited to present a talk on parenting in the age of climate crisis at their school. I was new to the topic, so I researched earnestly, wrestling with the heaviness of the task. Not much was written about it at the time. I began to gather ideas, stories, and advice from people in my life who had wisdom to offer.
As I learned more about climate and mental health, my past began to weave together - education in psychology, parenting three kids, a yoga background, hospice volunteering, Medicine Wheel studies. I was bursting with emergent energy. I joined Good Grief Network to facilitate 10-Step groups to help people lean into their painful feelings about the world and orient to meaningful action. I became a therapist, and I studied climate psychology, anti-racism and somatic practices. Now I am engaged with the International Transformational Climate Resiliency Coalition to learn how to bring mental wellness and resilience to local communities with a trauma-informed approach.
I try not to look away from suffering. As Francis Weller says, it's a worthy goal to grow more spacious and to "hold grief in one hand, and gratitude in the other." And I have a big heart, which keeps me in this work.
Why do you love this work?
During that first talk with parents I watched as intensity, furrowed brows, grief, tears, and eventually relief and hugs coursed through the room. I was able to witness a healing moment at the juncture of climate and emotion. It was powerful. Over time I realized that when we take the time to do our inner work, we are better prepared to do outer work in the world. These times ask us to do both. It's inspiring, it's purposeful, and I love being with people when they are feeling raw and real with hearts wide open.
What do you wish people knew about parenting & climate change?
I wish that people knew that climate emotions (grief, anger, sorrow, guilt, numbness, fear, despair) are valid and that they make sense. As Contrary to what many think, heavy emotions can be a doorway. Psychology and neuroscience tell us that when we get vulnerable and connect with others, we are more likely to undo aloneness, build community and take action.
I also wish people knew that we can take this big, scary problem and make "sacred compost" of it. We can take a meaning-based approach to the problem and get to know our neighbors, come together in adversity, grieve and celebrate together, finding purpose in hard times. We are built to sit and sing around the fire together, so to speak. The crisis can deepen our experience of life and help us fall back in love with the world. This way of looking at life is so good for our children.
Why is working with this group of people important to you?
I love working with parents.
My goal is to help them meet their children with humanity and skill. There are so many wonderful ways for adults to develop emotional resilience: from sharing vulnerably with people who care, to breathing practices, falling back in love with nature, creative expression, exploring different ways to rest, experiencing awe, dancing wildly in the kitchen to good music, calling a friend to talk, to having a good rant or a good cry.
During uncertain times we may not always know how to show up as our best selves. I want to be a part of a sea change in how we honor children and their needs, and how we find compassion for ourselves.
What are some of the groups you are offering?
Twice yearly we co-facilitate a Good Grief Network group for parents online. I also lead in-person resilience groups where I live on Quw'utsun land in the Cowichan Valley in BC, Canada. You can find out more about those groups at Climate Emotional Resilience Institute (CERI), and on my website.
Our next upcoming group is called Rootstock, run through CERI. We’d love to see folks there!
What are some resources you would share with parents?
Our free CERI workshop Wise Parenting in Uncertain Times will provide some favourites.
I enjoy cuddling up with my kids and listening to this great guided meditation from Kristin Neff of the Center for Mindful Self Compassion.
I love the book Braiding Sweetgrass, which explores our reciprocal relationship with the living world, weaving together Indigenous perspectives, parenting and science.
My co-facilitator Kristan is a parenting instructor with Hand-in-Hand Parenting, and the organization provides so many incredible parenting education groups and articles including What if Parenting is an Emotional Practice? by founder Patty Wipfler.
Good Grief Network is a terrific resource for these times.
Hope you enjoyed the opportunity to get to know Teddy a little bit more. Keep a lookout for other Faculty spotlights coming out soon!