High Quality Connections

MCEC Podcast

Dr. Kimberly Dickman discusses an epidemic of loneliness across the United States and the impact that it's having on mental health. She also shares the importance of developing meaningful connections, and how those connections influence our overall well-being.

This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the USAA Foundation.

Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.

Show Notes:

Resources:

Dickman, K. (2024, July). Loneliness: The New Global Pandemic. On the Move. Summer 2024

https://militarychild.org/news-and-publications/

PERMA Theory of Well-Being

https://ppc.sas.upenn.edu/learn-more/perma-theory-well-being-and-perma-workshops

Barbara Fredrickson: How Love and Connection Exist in Micro-Moments

https://psychology.unc.edu/2021/11/30/barbara-fredrickson-explains-how-shared-positive-emotions-make-us-happier-healthier-and-more-connected/

Bio:

Dr. Kimberly S. Dickman serves as an assistant professor at the U.S. Air Force Academy Center for Character and Leadership Development (CCLD), where she leads the Healthy Relationship Education and Emotional Intelligence branch of the Development Division in the Center. CCLD’s mission is to advance the understanding, scholarship, practice, and integration of character and leadership development, resulting in cadets and permanent party prepared for service to the nation.

Dr. Dickman is a licensed clinical professional counselor and certified educator. She began her work in education for the Department of Defense in 1991. During her 20+ years of civilian service she has performed at the Wing and Headquarters Air Force level before coming to USAFA. Of note is her work in the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program where she focused on education, analysis, and prevention science. Her extensive experience allows her to serve at USAFA as faculty and lead in topics such as healthy relationships, emotional intelligence, positive psychology, prevention science, human sexuality, and leadership development. She teaches Human Sex, Reproduction, and Sexuality in the Biology Department and Applied Positive Psychology in the Behavioral Science and Leadership Department.

Dr. Dickman is widely recognized and is frequently requested to present across the DoD and on a national scale.