Suggestions
Jamie Aten
Co-Founder of Spiritual First Aid. Co-Director & Blanchard Chair, Humanitarian Disaster Institute, Wheaton College.
Jamie Aten, Ph.D., is a prominent disaster psychologist and the Executive Director of the Humanitarian Disaster Institute (HDI) at Wheaton College, where he also holds the Blanchard Chair of Humanitarian & Disaster Leadership. He founded HDI, which is recognized as the first faith-based academic research center in the United States focusing on disaster response and resilience.
Background and Education
Dr. Aten earned his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Indiana State University in 2005. His personal experiences as a survivor of Hurricane Katrina and late-stage colon cancer have profoundly influenced his work, allowing him to integrate scientific insights with spiritual perspectives on disaster recovery and resilience.123
Research and Publications
With over 100 peer-reviewed articles and several books, Dr. Aten's research has garnered more than $6 million in funding. His notable publications include A Walking Disaster: What Surviving Katrina and Cancer Taught Me About Faith and Resilience, which reflects on his personal journey through adversity.12 He has also contributed to various media outlets, including The Washington Post and Christianity Today, discussing topics related to faith, disaster response, and psychological resilience.23
Speaking Engagements and Contributions
Dr. Aten is a sought-after speaker at conferences globally, addressing themes such as disaster ministry, faith in crises, and psychological care during disasters. His contributions extend to organizations like FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security, where he provides insights on integrating faith-based approaches into disaster preparedness.23
Awards and Recognition
He has received several accolades for his work, including the Community Preparedness Champion Award from FEMA at the White House for his efforts with faith communities.3 His expertise continues to shape the field of disaster psychology, making significant impacts in both academic and practical settings.
For more information about his work and insights, you can visit his LinkedIn profile or his personal website.
Highlights
Join me at the What's Good on May 30th at 8pm ET! Kent Annan and I’ll share insights on fostering community through care and connection. Be part of this conversation with GoFundMe and Value Partnerships.
Don’t miss a LIVE performance from Grammy Award-winning singer India.Arie! RSVP now at the link in the comments.
#WhatsGoodTownHall #Community #LonelinessEpidemic #IndiaArie #LivePerformance #RSVP
Have you ever thought that entrepreneurship could be more than just starting businesses? Our latest #theBetterSamaritan podcast guest, Denise Daniels, does. In this episode, Denise— the Hudson T. Harrison Professor of Entrepreneurship at Wheaton College—discusses with us how innovation and design thinking can change the game in business and why an entrepreneurial mindset thrives on curiosity and practice.
Christians in the marketplace often wonder how faith fits into work. Denise challenges the old-school idea of putting shareholder value above all else; instead, she suggests aiming for social good and human flourishing. She also dives into the concept of sphere sovereignty, debunking the myth that Christian service is just for ministry or non-profits.
Finally, Denise shares insights from her study with Elaine Howard Eklund, breaking down how we can see our jobs as vocations filled with purpose. Whether through intrinsic satisfaction, societal impact, or workplace relationships, Denise shows us how faith and work can beautifully intertwine.
Listen now: https://ow.ly/qFtU50RPHEA
