LifeDesign Showcase
Spring 2025
Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025 | 3:45 - 6:00pm
Kellogg Commons, Hesburgh Center
Undergraduate students in Steve Reifenberg's Spring 2025 LifeDesign: The Art & Science of Human Flourishing course will lead interactive 30-minute sessions on topics from the class that have been especially meaningful to them. Each session will highlight specific practices that will support your own personal flourishing. You are warmly invited to attend one, two, or all three sessions.
SEE SESSIONS BELOW
Explore the sessions below!
Each interactive session will be for 30 minutes.
Group A: 3:45 - 4:15
Group B: 4:30 - 5:00
Group C: 5:15 - 5:45
There will be refreshments following the final session.
Group A | 3:45 - 4:15 pm
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From Doubt to Creativity
Sonia Gloege
Creativity isn’t just for artists—it’s a powerful tool for everyone in everyday life. In this session, we’ll discuss the role of creativity in our daily lives, its benefits, practical ways to prioritize it, and try it out for ourselves!
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What if This is Enough?
Izzy Mahoney
This presentation explores how cultivating gratitude and shifting perspective can counteract the pressures of competition and striving at Notre Dame, fostering joy and purpose by embracing the present moment and redefining success. -
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Dress Good, Feel Good
Molly Pooler & Jose Aceves
Creativity isn’t just limited to artists, it’s a skill that anyone can cultivate. Our presentation will explore how the way we dress can influence our mood, confidence, and sense of identity.
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Seeing Life from a New Perspective
Lily Bodnar
Discover how shifting your perspective can help to reframe life's challenges and navigate uncertainty by focusing on what you can control and finding creative ways towards intentional action.
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Moving Mindfulness
Mai Whelan
We will be following along to a 10 minute video of tai chi. I will also explain the history and scientific benefits of tai chi. I will also share some helpful resources with the group.
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Trusting in God's Plan
Diane Musabese
In this session, I’ll reflect on how we can face uncertain futures—like graduation, job decisions, or waiting for results—with peace and trust rather than fear. T
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Just Breathe
Hannah Thurrow
Everyone struggles with anxiety. Whether it be worrying about major life changes, or a simple presentation, anxiety is an emotion everyone feels at one point or another. Learn how to manage this stress and anxiety, especially in the moment.
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Scheduling Joy
Olivia Maracina
Identifying activities that bring us joy and intentionally scheduling them into our routines. We will work together to create a more fulfilling and balanced daily life.
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Mood By Music
Elaine Carroll
My presentation will focus on the science behind how music impacts one's mood. I want to present music as a mechanism that one can utilize to take charge of their own emotions in ways such as cultivating joy or comfort.
Group B | 4:30 - 5:00 pm
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From Transactional to Transformational
Claire Jollay
This presentation explores the shift from transactional "give and take" relationships to transformational connections valued for deeper meaning and shared growth.
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Reframing Professional Setbacks into Moments of Gratitude
Kathleen Hicks
Sometimes, what we first believe to be a catastrophic career move is just a pivot point. Learn how to reframe the bad into being thankful for the good and excited for what is to come! -
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Mindful Me-"tea"-tation
Braden Hanley
In my showcase presentation I will be educating people on different types of teas and their healthy qualities, the science behind them, its history with meditation. Then I will give people a tea of their choice and walk them through a meditation together.
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Seeing Success: Visualization as a Tool
Shauna Staples
This presentation will explore how visualization techniques can boost confidence, build a positive mindset, and help you feel more prepared for anything from everyday challenges to big goals.
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Unexpected Joy: Finding new/old Hobbies
Jeongwoo Kim
Hobbies can be lost in the midst of our lives. Discover new hobbies and rediscover old hobbies to brighten your life!
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The Power of a Smile
Grace Archibeck
This presentation discusses the science and social impact of smiling, highlighting how something as simple as a smile can boost your health, happiness, and connections with others
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Seeking the Bright Side: Perspective & Joy
Bethanni Russell
Discover how to embrace joy by reframing your perspective and shifting your mindset, whether in difficult moments or everyday life.
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Exploring Anger & How to Move Forward
Derick Williams
It's true, we all get angry from time to time. Let's explore the root causes of our anger and identify paths forward on how to control and direct our feelings.
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The Power of Intentional Time
Emily Sullivan
This presentation will cover the time commitment required for training and the importance of intentional scheduling, supported by research on the value of time management.
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Graduation: What Now?
Cindy Huang
Drawing on the Four Doors of Discernment by Fr. Mike Schmitz, we will explore how to navigate career choices and find our vocation through the lens of happiness, purpose, and fulfillment.
Group C | 5:15 - 5:45 pm
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Embracing Endings: Making Meaning from Impermanence
Kyra Murphy
In this presentation, we will explore how shifting our perspective toward change can soften grief, deepen gratitude, and guide us toward a path of new beginnings.
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The Stress Relieving Power of Yoga
Grace Markovich
Explore the science behind why yoga provides clarity in times of chaos, and discover this stress relieving power through a short yoga session taught in person.
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What If?: The Power of Perspective
Madison Barquet
Explore how shifting your focus from negative “what ifs” to positive ones can help you manage stress more effectively. By learning to separate what we can control from what we can’t, we’ll use reframing as a tool to take meaningful action and move forward with confidence.
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Lens of Gratitude: Finding Meaning in Life’s Hardest Moments
Manuella de Carvalho Rodrigues
By learning to recognize the good hidden within life’s most difficult experiences, we can reframe our stories with hope. I’ll share personal reflections on how embracing gratitude, even in the midst of pain, has helped me grow, heal, and move forward with a deeper sense of purpose.
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Finding Your Ikigai: Purpose Beyond Your Day Job
Sarah McGurl
This session introduces Ikigai, a Japanese concept meaning “reason for being,” and explores how to build a purposeful, joyful life outside of just your career.
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The Art of Calm: Doodling for Mindful Relaxation
Michael Stautz
My presentation is going to be on doodling (specifically zentagles, writing your name over and over again, etc) and the science behind how that relaxes you. I want to show that doodling is a great way to calm down when you’re panicked about work and you feel like you have no time to do anything.
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Joy on the Calendar: How to Schedule Your Way to Happiness
Vivian Solis & Natalia Soto
Discover the power of intentionally scheduling moments that bring you joy into your weekly routine. Learn practical steps to cultivate a happier and more fulfilling life. Explore how joy can positively impact your mood, mindset, and overall well-being.
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Casual Creativity
Blake Caven
Unleash your creativity and enjoy collaborative fun with group drawing games! These activities are for everyone, sparking imagination and connection through shared artistic experiences and playful interpretation.
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The Power of a Sweet Treat - Embracing Life’s Little Joys
Holly Bill
In this session, we’ll explore the role of simple pleasures in human flourishing and how embracing everyday joys can lead to a happier, more purposeful life. Through the lens of desserts, we’ll discuss the importance of practicing mindful, balanced enjoyment, and we'll try it out ourselves!
Spring 2025