We're living in an era where optimism, inspiration and hope are as rare and as luminescent as multi-carat emeralds. The "sledgehammer effect" wrought by a historic number of overlapping crises from the pandemic to recession, partisan toxicity to the war in Ukraine has helped spawn a mental health epidemic marked by surging incidence of depression, suicide and addiction. In a program designed to provide an antidote to our common anxiety, "Common Ground with Jane Whitney" will profile five women who have overcome adversity and trauma through grit, resilience and determination. The panelists are the Broadway superstar, Patti LuPone, who was bullied for much of her life; Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa, an internationally acclaimed symbol of press freedom; Amy Bloom, the writer who chronicled her husband assisted suicide; Topeka K. Sam, a convicted drug smuggler who has become a celebrated criminal justice reform activist; and Katy Tur, the anchor of MSNBC's Katy Tur Reports whose father was abusive. Guests: Patti LePone, Amy Bloom, Katy Tur, Topeka Sam and Maria Ressa.