E136: Advocating for Your Future Self- Mentoring Part 1
Release Date: 05/27/2024
The Dignity of Work
In this episode of My Whole Story: More Than a Label, Duncan Taylor, CEO of the Washington Bankers Association and President of CareerWork$, shares a powerful and deeply personal story that challenges assumptions about success, struggle, and what people carry beneath the surface. Growing up in poverty and an abusive home, Duncan faced significant trauma and instability, but through mentorship, self awareness, and a pivotal shift in mindset, he began to see his life not as defined by what happened to him, but by what he could choose moving forward. With honesty and insight, he reflects on the...
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From the Best of The Dignity of Work: In this episode of the Good at Work series, Cami Eakins (CEO of Career Path Services), Lisa Grund (Organizational Development Partner for Career Path Services), and Dr. Anna Valiavska (organizational researcher and professor) continue their conversation about building sustainable work practices through effective feedback systems. The panel explores how workplace communication tools, knowledge management practices, and structured feedback processes contribute to creating positive work environments. They discuss strategies for overcoming discomfort with...
info_outlineThe Dignity of Work
From the best of The Dignity of Work: In this episode of the Good at Work series, Cami Eakins (CEO of Career Path Services), Lisa Grund (Organizational Development Partner for Career Path Services), and Dr. Anna Valiavska (organizational researcher and professor) continue their conversation about effective workplace practices, focusing on what happens when employees first enter an organization. They explore how the initial 30-90 days are crucial for forming habits and understanding what success looks like in a particular workplace. Discover practical strategies for creating meaningful...
info_outlineThe Dignity of Work
From the best of The Dignity of Work: In this episode of the Good at Work series, Cami Eakins (CEO of Career Path Services), Lisa Grund (Organizational Development Partner for Career Path Services), and Dr. Anna Valiavska (organizational researcher and professor) explore how organizations and employees can build a sense of belonging even before the first day of work. The panel discusses the evolution of hiring practices from seeking "cultural fit" to embracing cognitive diversity, the importance of authentic organizational messaging in job postings and interviews, and how both employers and...
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In this episode of My Whole Story: More Than a Label, host Andy Dwonch, COO of Career Path Services and Co-founder of Dignified Workday, sits down with Bob Sturch to explore a powerful journey of resilience, recovery, and rediscovery. Bob shares how mental health struggles and substance use led to job loss and homelessness—and how a single day of work each week became the turning point that helped him rebuild structure, purpose, and hope. Through the Dignified Workday program, Bob found not just employment, but community, accountability, and a path forward, ultimately stepping into a...
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In this episode of My Whole Story: More Than a Label, Daniel and Luis explore what it means to live beyond the categories others assign to us. Reflecting on their immigrant journeys, they examine how labels like “refugee” or “immigrant” may describe a chapter of someone’s life—but never their full capacity, character, or contribution. Luis shares how navigating complex systems, rebuilding community from scratch, and shifting from survival to service shaped his understanding of dignity and resilience, while Daniel reflects on how assumptions—whether subtle or overt—can...
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This introductory episode of My Whole Story: More Than a Label explores why this series is needed right now. Joined by Kelli Eller, Vice President of Human Services, and Andy Dwonch, Chief Operating Officer, the conversation examines how people experiencing homelessness, poverty, immigration challenges, and other life barriers are often reduced to simplistic labels—and what gets lost when we stop listening to the full human story. This episode sets the foundation for a powerful series centered on dignity, empathy, and lived experience, inviting listeners to slow down, challenge assumptions,...
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In this episode, host Cami Eakins sits down with Dr. Tara Deliberto, clinical psychologist and co-founder of the AI mental health company Yuna.io, to explore how ethical, evidence-based AI can expand access to mental health support in the workplace. Dr. Deliberto shares her journey from academic research and clinical practice into product innovation, explaining how Yuna blends evidence-based practices with strong safety guardrails, HIPAA compliance, and cultural sensitivity to support employees between therapy sessions or as a first step toward care. Together, they discuss secondary trauma...
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This episode, originally recorded in 2022, features a conversation with Cami Eakins, CEO of Career Path Services, and Darrell "Coach D" Andrews, Founder of Darrell Andrews, LLC, and Associates, as they discuss the importance of wellness, well-being and self-care. Though today's stressors may look different then they did in 2022, the core principles remain the same!
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In this episode, Cami returns to her annual tradition of choosing a single word to guide the year ahead—favoring intention over resolution—and reflects on how last year’s word unfolded during a period of sustained ambiguity and high-stakes leadership. She shares candid insights on leading without full information, staying grounded in values, and navigating the mental and emotional load that comes with prolonged uncertainty. As the conversation looks ahead to 2026, Cami introduces a new guiding word that signals a meaningful shift in how she approaches steadiness, decision-making, and...
info_outlineIn today’s episode, Lisa and Cami discussed mentoring, the difference between formal and informal mentors and how to go about selecting a Mentor and building your Circle of Influence. Below are the notes to help you get started:
1. Someone you respect & someone who respects you 2. Someone who will push you 3. Someone who will have critical conversations without hesitation 4. Someone who is invested in your success 5. Someone who is your champion A formal Mentorship has a bit more formality in the way that, they can sometimes be someone you don’t know and may not be ‘friends’ with but you are seeking specifically for mentorship. These can be paid or unpaid roles through an individual or sometimes a company. A formal mentorship will likely have: Clear Objectives: Formal mentorship programs often have predefined goals and objectives that align with the needs of the mentee, such as career advancement, skill development, or academic success.
Structured Process: There is a defined process for matching mentors and mentees based on compatibility, expertise, and goals. The program may include formal training sessions or orientation for both mentors and mentees to ensure they understand their roles and responsibilities.
Regular Meetings: Mentors and mentees typically meet on a regular basis, either in person or virtually, to discuss progress, set goals, and address challenges. These meetings may follow a predetermined schedule or be arranged ad hoc based on the needs of the participants.
Goal Setting and Monitoring: Mentors and mentees work together to set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals. Progress toward these goals is monitored and evaluated regularly to ensure accountability and track success. Feedback and Evaluation: Feedback is an essential component of formal mentorship programs. Mentors provide constructive feedback to help mentees identify areas for improvement and celebrate successes. Likewise, mentees may also provide feedback to mentors about their support and guidance. Support Resources: Formal mentorship programs often provide additional resources and support to participants, such as workshops, seminars, or access to networking events. These resources complement the mentorship relationship and enhance the overall learning experience. Duration and Closure: Formal mentorship programs may have a specified duration, after which the mentorship relationship is formally concluded. However, some programs allow for the continuation of the relationship beyond the initial timeframe if both parties agree.