Personal Recommendation of the Week.

 This week, I want to spotlight a book that I have loved for many years: Hope Rising by Casey Gwinn and Chan Hellman.

If you’ve ever walked with trauma survivors, worked in advocacy, or simply needed to understand how people rise from the darkest valleys, this book is transformative. Gwinn’s research-based approach shows that hope isn’t just a feeling, it’s a measurable, life-changing force that can predict resilience, healing, and even long-term success. He weaves together survivor stories, neuroscience, and practical tools with compassion and clarity.

What I love most is how empowering and validating it feels. Hope Rising doesn’t minimize pain or gloss over injustice. Instead, it honors the struggle while lighting a path forward, reminding us that every choice to heal, every moment of courage, every act of kindness fuels hope in ourselves and in others.

If you serve, support, or simply care about people, this one is a must-read.