A Conversation with John Valentik
Event Details
The Department of Human Development and Family Studies invites you to A Conversation with John Valentik on Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m.
In his memoir, "Broken, but Breathing: A Story of Hearthbreak, Healing, and Hope," Valentik explores what it means to move forward through life's most difficult moments — not by avoidance, but by learning to grow through challenges. After experiencing profound personal loss — including the deaths of his stepfather from cancer and his father by suicide in 2020 — and navigating the season that reshaped his life, Valentik began searching for a way forward.
Join Valentik, Molly Countermine, and Marc McCann, all teaching professors in the College of Health and Human Development, as they discuss Valentik's lived experience and practical takeaways, rooted in the belief that even the smallest steps forward in life are still progress. Valentik's memoir offers a grounded approach to resilience and healing for slowly but surely rebuilding a meaningful life.
Attendees will be invited to submit questions via the Q&A function during the event. Closed captioning will be available.
*Only the first 500 attendees to join will be granted access to the webinar.
About the Discussants
John Valentik
John Valentik is an author, educator, wellness professional, and speaker whose work focuses on health, resilience, personal growth, and finding purpose through life's challenges. He is an assistant teaching professor of kinesiology at Penn State and owner of Happy Valley Wellness Solutions. Throughout his career, Valentik has worked with thousands of individuals through teaching, health and wellness coaching, and community outreach.
His first book, "Broken, but Breathing: A Story of Heartbreak, Healing, and Hope," grew from his experiences navigating profound loss, including the deaths of his stepfather from cancer and his father by suicide in 2020. Blending personal storytelling with practical lessons on wellness, resilience, and intentional living, Valentik shares what helped him imperfectly navigate the most difficult season of his life and continue moving forward, often one small step at a time.
Valentik lives in central Pennsylvania with his wife, their two children, and their pets. Through his writing, teaching, and speaking, he hopes to inspire others navigating their own challenges to recognize that they don't need to have all the answers. Sometimes progress simply means continuing to show up, adjusting your perspective, reaching out when you need help, and taking the next small step forward.
Molly Countermine
Molly Countermine is a beloved and award-winning teaching professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at Penn State, where she has taught since the late 1990s. Over her more than two-decade career, she has earned the College of Health and Human Development’s Excellence in Teaching Award more than 15 times — a testament to her impact in the classroom.
Countermine is widely recognized for her student-centered approach, characterized by storytelling, humor, and authentic personal reflections. Her popular courses consistently engage students in lively, relatable conversations about real-life experiences. She is a fierce advocate for all her students and takes great care in addressing issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and justice in her classroom.
Outside the classroom, she leads a vibrant life as a professional musician in the local State College music scene, connecting with students and the community through art and performance. Countermine's life reflects her philosophy that joy, creativity, and authentic connection are central to well-being.
Marc McCann
Marc McCann is an associate teaching professor of human development and family studies and the internship coordinator in the department. His priority is to prepare undergraduate students for internships and careers in human services via coursework and connections with alumni and other professionals in the field.
McCann's unconventional career path began while studying American history at Columbia College, where a chemistry tutoring job at an urban high school sparked his passion for teaching. He later taught social studies, coached, and served as a dorm parent at a boarding school in Maryland, where he met his wife. After completing his graduate studies at Penn State, McCann spent 20 years working at human service organizations, including the Centre County Youth Service Bureau, The Second Mile, and Global Connections.
Outside work, he enjoys fitness, outdoor activities, and live music. His wife is the executive director at Centre Helps, and together they have three adult sons.
