Episode Summary:

In this episode of Reframe for Resilience, Dr. Frank Douglas speaks with Cymone Williamson, an advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), currently working in education. Cymone shares her journey from journalism and fashion to education, highlighting how her leadership skills and commitment to equity have shaped her career. She discusses the challenges of teaching DEIB concepts in a polarized world and offers insights into how schools can support students' mental well-being while fostering resilience.

Key topics include:

• Pivoting across industries: From journalism to education and leadership.
• The role of equity and inclusion in creating safe and supportive school environments.
• Addressing mental well-being as a cornerstone of belonging.
• Helping young people build resilience by embracing mistakes and learning from them.

This episode is packed with practical advice for educators, parents, and leaders aiming to create inclusive and supportive spaces for growth.

Timeline Summary:

[00:00]: Introduction by Dr. Frank Douglas, using the metaphor of shattered glass to explore resilience.

[02:00]: Cymone shares her journey from journalism to leadership in education.

[05:00]: Pivoting into leadership roles and transitioning into the DEIB space.

[09:00]: Challenges in teaching DEIB to children in a politically charged environment.

[11:00]: Explaining equity and inclusion to students and families in accessible terms.

[13:00]: Key lessons for fostering resilience in young people: embracing mistakes and recovering from setbacks.

[14:30]: Closing reflections on building better systems to support students and their

growth.

Link & Resources:

● Learn more about DEIB in education: Safe Haven Dialogues

● Explore tools for teaching equity and inclusion: Peck School

● Connect with Cymone Williamson: LinkedIn Profile

Closing Remarks:

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Reframe for Resilience. Cymone Williamson’s insights remind us of the importance of fostering equity and inclusion to create safe and supportive environments for young people. Her lessons on resilience—embracing mistakes and recovering from setbacks—are invaluable for educators, parents, and leaders alike.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of Reframe for Resilience, Dr. Frank Douglas is joined by Thomas Teles, HR Manager at Walmart Distribution Center, who shares his inspiring journey from retail operations to becoming a leader in the people space. Thomas reflects on his early career, how he reframed challenges into growth opportunities, and the importance of equity, inclusion, and honest feedback in building resilient workplace cultures.

Key topics include:

• Transitioning from retail to human resources and embracing the people space.
• How equity and inclusion ignite opportunities for both individuals and organizations.
• Building workplace cultures that foster growth, fairness, and open communication.
• Practical strategies for resilience, including honest feedback, direct communication, and big-picture thinking.

If you’re looking for actionable insights on leadership, culture-building, and personal growth, this episode is a must-listen.

Timeline Summary:

[00:00]: Dr. Frank Douglas introduces the podcast and uses the metaphor of shattered glass to illustrate resilience.

[01:00]: Welcoming Thomas Teles, who shares his journey from retail to HR at Walmart.

[03:00]: Thomas discusses how reframing his career led him to pursue HR and complete his degree later in life.

[05:00]: The transition from operations to HR and becoming a “keeper of culture.”

[07:00]: Insights on equity and inclusion as pillars of organizational success.

[09:00]: The role of leadership in developing individuals, even if they eventually leave the organization.

[11:00]: Thomas shares three key strategies for resilience: honest feedback, direct communication, and big-picture thinking.

[13:00]: Closing reflections on reframing challenges and fostering inclusive workplaces.

Link & Resources:

● Learn more about Walmart Distribution Center: Walmart Careers

● Explore leadership and resilience topics: Safe Haven Dialogues

● Connect with Thomas Teles: LinkedIn Profile

Closing Remarks:

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Reframe for Resilience. Thomas Teles shared invaluable insights on leadership, resilience, and the power of creating equitable and inclusive workplace cultures. If you found this conversation inspiring, please share it with your network, rate and review the podcast, and follow us for more episodes. Together, let’s continue to reframe challenges into opportunities.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of Reframe for Resilience, Nicole Tindle, Director of Operations at Mpire Financial, joins Dr. Frank Douglas to discuss her remarkable journey of resilience and reinvention. Nicole reflects on her 20-year career at Disney and how the challenges of 2020 led her to redefine her path. From applying to 201 jobs to joining a startup as its fifth employee, Nicole shares insights on navigating uncertainty, building trust, and leading with a positive outlook.

Key topics include:

• The role of trust and community in career transitions.
• How leadership skills from Disney shaped her ability to excel in a new industry.
• Strategies for self-empowerment, staying positive, and embracing change.

If you're looking for inspiration to tackle life's unexpected challenges, this episode is for you.

Timeline Summary:

[00:00]: Introduction by Dr. Frank Douglas, using the metaphor of shattered glass to illustrate resilience.

[01:30]: Welcoming Nicole Tindle to the podcast and beginning her story.

[02:00]: Nicole shares her career journey at Disney, starting in 2005 and transitioning through various roles.

[03:10]: Reflecting on the challenges of being laid off during COVID-19 after a 20-year career.

[04:00]: Applying for 201 jobs and finding an unexpected opportunity at Mpire Financial.

[05:00]: Nicole discusses transitioning to a new field and starting as one of the first five employees at Mpire Financial.

[06:00]: Learning leadership lessons at Disney and how they prepared her for the challenges at Mpire Financial.

[08:00]: Trust as a foundation: Building new relationships and trusting herself and her new colleagues.

[11:00]: Turning down Disney’s offer to return and committing to the growth of Mpire Financial.

[12:00]: Nicole reflects on her resilience, emphasizing bravery, trust, and a positive outlook.

[14:00]: Closing thoughts on the importance of community, relationships, and reframing challenges into opportunities.

Link & Resources:

● Learn more about Mpire Financial: Mpire Financial Website

● Explore topics on resilience and leadership: Safe Haven Dialogues LLC

● Connect with Nicole Tindle on LinkedIn: Nicole's LinkedIn

Closing Remarks:

Thank you for joining us on this thought-provoking episode of Reframe for Resilience. Nicole’s journey reminds us that resilience stems from trust, community, and self-belief. If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with your colleagues, rate and review the podcast, and follow us for more inspiring episodes. Let’s continue to reframe challenges into opportunities together!

Episode Summary:

In this episode of Reframe for Resilience, I’m joined by Lorenzo Fedele, Vice President of Human Resources at Campari US. Together, we explore the art of creating cultures of belonging in the workplace and examine the nuanced ways cultural differences shape employee engagement. Lorenzo shares his fascinating journey from Italy to Hong Kong and now the US, offering personal insights and professional strategies that have helped him foster inclusivity and resilience across diverse teams.

We dive into the dynamics of belonging, the evolving definitions of success, and the importance of equity and inclusion. Lorenzo’s perspective, shaped by his global experiences, will inspire leaders and teams alike to embrace diversity and create environments where everyone thrives. If you’ve ever wondered how to build stronger workplace connections or lead with empathy, this conversation is for you.

Timeline Summary:

[1:05] – Introduction to the podcast and today’s guest, Lorenzo Fedele, VP of HR at Campari US.

[2:00] – Lorenzo’s global journey: from Italy to Hong Kong to the US.

[4:11] – Choosing a career in HR: from organizational psychology to positive psychology in the workplace.

[6:14] – Comparing cultural differences: commitment, inclusion, and engagement across Italy, Hong Kong, and the US.

[10:00] – The importance of belonging: fostering an environment where people feel supported and celebrated.

[11:38] – Viewing diversity as a set of lenses: a metaphor for embracing perspectives.

[13:07] – Self-empowerment and redefining success in the workplace.

Link & Resources:

● Learn more about Campari Group and their brands: Campari

● Explore topics on resilience and leadership: Safe Haven Dialogues LLC

Closing Remarks:

Thank you for joining us on this thought-provoking episode of Reframe for Resilience. If you enjoyed this conversation with Lorenzo, please share it with your colleagues, rate and review the podcast, and follow us for more inspiring episodes. Together, let’s continue to flex our resilience muscles!

Episode Summary:

In this episode of Reframing for Resilience, I sit down with Allison Mairena, the VP of People at New Globe, who shares her fascinating journey from studying languages to becoming a leader in international HR and people management. Allison talks about her experiences working across diverse cultures—from China to Sub-Saharan Africa and India—and how these environments have shaped her approach to communication, leadership, and cultural adaptability. We explore the nuances of navigating high-context and low-context cultures, fostering inclusion, and learning from hierarchical and egalitarian team dynamics. Alison also offers her wisdom on managing stress, balancing work-life challenges, and the importance of vulnerability and self-awareness in leadership.

Timeline Summary:

[2:11] - Allison’s unique path from studying languages to becoming a VP of People

[6:30] - Insights on transitioning from teaching in Beijing to HR roles in Shanghai

[12:45] - Navigating communication across high-context and low-context cultures

[17:20] - Using The Culture Map by Erin Meyer as a resource for understanding cultural differences

[24:10] - Balancing egalitarian and hierarchical team structures in international organizations

[30:52] - The power of self-awareness, vulnerability, and asking for help

[37:15] - Allison’s three key lessons for handling stress and fostering resilience

Links & Resources:

• The Culture Map by Erin Meyer

Closing Remarks:

Thank you for tuning in to this inspiring conversation with Allison Mairena! Her insights remind us of the power of resilience and cultural awareness in both personal and professional settings. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, follow, and share it with others who might find it helpful. See you next time on Reframing for Resilience!

In this insightful episode of Reframing for Resilience, Dr. Frank L. Douglass sat down with Marcus Holmes, an HR strategist and General Manager of the City of Detroit, to explore the vital role of human resources in building resilient organizations. Marcus shares his unique approach to HR, coined "HR Passion Dial," which emphasizes the synergy between people, processes, passion, and purpose. We dive into the importance of employee engagement, empathy, and leadership in shaping a thriving workplace culture, and Marcus recounts several experiences that demonstrate how addressing employees' emotional and psychological needs can lead to greater collaboration and trust.

We also touch on critical moments from Marcus’ career, including navigating complex labor negotiations, handling grief in the workplace, and managing large-scale organizational change. Marcus explains how he's learned to embrace challenges by focusing on building relationships, understanding business operations, and fostering a culture of collaboration. This episode is packed with practical insights on resilience, leadership, and organizational development—perfect for anyone looking to enhance their HR strategies or leadership approach.

Key Highlights:

• [2:12] – Marcus explains the origin of his "HR Passion Dial" and why passion drives success in human resources.
• [8:35] – A "day in the life" of Marcus as an HR leader overseeing policy, planning, and operations for the City of Detroit.
• [13:47] – Marcus shares a powerful story of handling grief in the workplace and how it fostered trust and collaboration among employees.
• [25:04] – The importance of learning the business side of HR and how it shapes a successful career in human resources.
• [35:18] – Managing change within organizations and strategies to help employees navigate transitions while maintaining resilience.
• [45:10] – The role of empathy in leadership and empowering employees to overcome personal and professional challenges.
• [54:34] – Reflecting on Marcus' key career milestones and lessons learned from managing large-scale HR projects.

Links & Resources:

• Marcus Holmes’ book: The Gratefulness Journey Every Day
• Dr. Frank L. Douglas’ book: Until You Walk in My Shoes

Closing Remarks: If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate, follow, and share the podcast with others. Your support helps us continue bringing insightful conversations that inspire resilience in both personal and professional life!