Welcome to Sustained Courage – the podcast where we dive deep into unlocking the inner hero within us all. I'm Rachel Caruso-Novack: employee, mother, wife, caretaker, author, and lifelong research enthusiast. Every week, I break down the latest research on grit, resilience, bravery, and more, so you can learn how to harness your own superpowers and face life's challenges with unwavering courage.
Whether you're starting over, navigating a new chapter, or simply seeking to grow stronger, this show is for you. Let's embark on this journey together and unleash our inner heroes – starting right now!
Ghoulish Double Feature Part 2: The Mother of Monsters — Mary Shelley and the Courage to Create Frankenstein
What happens when an eighteen-year-old girl enters a ghost story competition with some of the most famous writers of her time… and creates a monster that will outlive them all?
In Part Two of Sustained Courage's Ghoulish Double Feature, we're spotlighting Mary Shelley, the brilliant, rebellious woman behind Frankenstein.
From scandalous romances and a volcanic eruption that ruined the summer of 1816 to scientific experiments, unimaginable personal tragedy, and the birth of one of literature's most enduring monsters, Mary's story is almost as extraordinary as the creature she created.
Discover how a young woman helped shape modern science fiction, challenged the expectations of her time, and left us with a haunting question: Who is the real monster?
A story of creativity, loss, perseverance, and the courage to create something extraordinary.
Have the courage to be your own hero.
31 Oct 2026
Ghoulish Double Feature Part 1: Scared to Death — Why We Love Fear (and How It Makes Us Brave)
Why do we spend our lives avoiding danger… only to pay good money to scare the hell out of ourselves?
Welcome to Part One of Sustained Courage's Ghoulish Double Feature! This Halloween, we're exploring humanity's bizarre fascination with fear, from ancient ghost stories and haunted houses to horror movies, roller coasters, and the science behind why being scared can actually feel good.
We'll explore what happens inside your brain when fear takes over, why voluntary fear is so different from real-life danger, and how exposure therapy and small acts of bravery can help us build our courage muscle.
Because fear isn't always the enemy. Sometimes, understanding it is the first step toward becoming braver.
Have the courage to be your own hero.
30 Sept 2026
Harvesting Courage: What Will Carry You Through the Darker Seasons?
Why does fall make you want to cancel your plans, put on sweatpants, and disappear into your house—and why are we so determined to fight it?
For most of human history, autumn wasn't just a season. It was an accounting: What grew? What survived? What will sustain us through what's coming next?
In this episode, we're stealing that idea and applying it to courage. We're digging into what shorter days actually do to your brain and body, why modern life has basically eliminated our permission to slow down, and why you may be far more courageous than you give yourself credit for.
Before you start panicking about everything you haven't accomplished this year, we're going back through the year to find what you've already grown, what you need to preserve—and what you can finally stop carrying.
Because fear has a very short memory.
It's time to gather the evidence.
Podcast Authority Score: 31 / 100
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unknown host the show. Published by Rachel Caruso-Novack.
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