In this final episode of Community Good, Marney is joined by Karen Olson, founder and CEO emeritus of Family Promise. This national organization has helped over one million people experiencing homelessness. Karen shares how a single act of noticing—a moment of connection with a woman on the street—sparked a lifetime of advocacy, leadership, and impact.

Together, Marney and Karen explore how values-driven work shapes not only our legacy but also how we navigate each season of life. They discuss the evolution of Family Promise, the challenges of nonprofit leadership, and what it looks like to stay grounded in compassion in a world that often pulls us away from it.

As the closing chapter of Community Good, this episode serves as a powerful reminder of how doing good in your community begins with paying attention, following through, and trusting that one small act can truly change everything.

More about Karen Olson:

Karen Olson is the founder and CEO emeritus of Family Promise, a nonprofit organization that began with a single local initiative and evolved into a national movement to support families experiencing homelessness. Under her leadership, the organization expanded to over 200 affiliates nationwide, mobilizing more than 200,000 volunteers annually.

Karen is also a writer, speaker, and lifelong advocate whose reflections on faith, community, and service have helped inspire people to lead with purpose and compassion. Her work has earned her numerous national awards and recognition, but she remains grounded in the belief that real change always begins with small, intentional acts.

Today, she continues to write and speak on topics of leadership, personal transformation, and aligning your actions with your deepest values.

www.karenolsonauthor.com

Facebook: Karen Olson Author

Instagram: @karen.olson.author

Connect with Marney:

Insta: @shelives.intentionally

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marneyandes

In this episode of Community Good, Marney Andes and Sylvia Torres explore breaking traditional career cycles, counterculture recruiting, and the power of community support—especially for women. Sylvia shares her journey into recruiting, highlighting the importance of challenging conventional hiring practices and recognizing new opportunities. Together, they discuss the freedom of portfolio careers, the value of specialization, and the courage to pursue diverse career paths. This episode is a call to action for redefining success, embracing passions, and taking bold steps toward an intentional, fulfilling professional life.

Main Topics

00:00 The Power of Connection

05:59 Breaking Cycles in Career Development

11:58 The Journey into Recruiting

18:10 Challenging Traditional Hiring Practices

23:58 Redefining Career Mindsets

31:32 The Power of Specialization

39:00 Making Choices and Taking Action

49:51 Redefining Community and Support for Women

More about Sylvia Torres:

Sylvia Torres is the kind of person who turns “what if” into “why not?” Her journey began as a teen mom with big dreams and a fearless determination to discover her path. Fast-forward to today: Sylvia founded Switchboard, a boutique hiring agency that connects small businesses and startups with the talent they need to thrive. But she’s not just a recruiter—she’s a career strategist, writer, and coach for bold women pursuing non-traditional ways of making a living.

Through her publications, Where to Start and Girl Friday, Sylvia shares practical job search wisdom and unfiltered stories about taking risks, embracing quirks, and crafting a life outside the lines. Known for her nontraditional approach to work and life, she inspires others to rethink what’s possible and take charge of their narratives. Whether she’s on stage speaking, coaching, or penning her next piece, Sylvia is a storyteller at heart—one who helps people turn ambition into action.

Websites: https://substack.com/@sylviatorres

Connect with Marney:

Insta: @shelives.intentionally

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marneyandes

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In this episode of Community Good, Marney Andes and Christina Joymon dive into the intersection of clarity, values, and action as they discuss the unique journeys of women navigating male-dominated fields. Christina shares her career evolution from engineering to entrepreneurship, illustrating how aligning decisions with personal values fosters fulfillment and success. The conversation uncovers the challenges women face in the workplace, including cultural inclusion and the need for a supportive community.

Christina highlights her experience building empathy-driven communities, the power of shared stories, and the role of self-discovery in empowering the next generation of women. They also explore the importance of self-care, quiet reflection, and cultivating strong partnerships to thrive in personal and professional spaces. Together, they emphasize how women can proactively navigate complexities and take decisive action to create supportive, inclusive environments for diverse backgrounds.

Main Topics

00:00 Introduction to Clarity and Career Paths

04:51 Christina's Journey: From Engineering to Entrepreneurship

08:29 Finding Clarity: Aligning Values with Decisions

16:22 Navigating Challenges: Being a Woman in a Male-Dominated Field

20:54 Empowerment and Self-Discovery: Knowing Your Worth

26:33 Cultural Inclusion: Bridging Gaps Through Community Engagement

28:27 Building Community Through Shared Experiences

30:39 Taking Action: The Power of Decisiveness

34:19 The Importance of Self-Care and Quiet Time

39:04 Navigating Relationships: The Need for Partnership

46:08 Understanding Values in Relationships

More about Christina Joymon:

Christina Joymon is a trailblazer in engineering and entrepreneurship. With a Bachelor’s in Computer Engineering from Drexel University and a Master’s in Systems Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology, she broke barriers as the first Asian woman to serve as President of the IEEE at her university. Christina’s career spans prestigious engineering roles, including her work as a Systems Engineer and Project Manager at BAE Systems, where she earned multiple accolades for innovation and leadership.

As the Founder of XIA Capital, Christina has spent over a decade helping others launch tech innovations with a focus on Artificial Intelligence and sustainability. Her passion for inspiring others extends beyond STEM—she’s also an award-winning novelist whose debut, Royal Planet, explores meaningful topics like colorism, adoption, and self-worth through an engaging, symbolic narrative.

A sought-after speaker, Christina has keynoted conferences like LeadHERship, championing equity and inclusion in STEM. When she’s not driving innovation, Christina enjoys running, family adventures, and fostering a spirit of curiosity and connection in everything she does.

Insta: @christina.joymon

Websites: www.christinaj.com

Connect with Marney:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marneyandes

Insta: @shelives.intentionally

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In this episode of Community Good, Marney Andes and Bree Johnson discuss how women can heal from workplace harm, set boundaries, and find empowerment beyond the limitations of traditional employment law through community and self-discovery. Bree shares her transformative journey from a successful legal career to founding a company focused on healing workplace culture. She discusses the limitations of traditional employment law in addressing workplace harm and introduces the concept of 'work wounds,' characterized by bullying, bad behavior, and feelings of betrayal. Bree emphasizes the importance of empowerment through setting boundaries and self-discovery while addressing the systemic challenges women face in the workplace. The conversation concludes with a focus on the significance of community as a source of healing and support.

Main Topics

00:00 Journey of Resilience and Transformation

04:56 The Limitations of Traditional Employment Law

09:56 Understanding Work Wounds: The Three B's

15:02 Empowerment and Redefining Work Relationships

19:59 Healing Work Wounds: A Framework for Change

25:05 Navigating Systemic Challenges in the Workplace

34:28 Transforming Individual Well-Being into Systemic Change

37:33 Navigating Workplace Wellness: Individual Choices and Organizational Culture

38:45 Setting Boundaries for Personal and Professional Growth

40:12 Self-Discovery Through Personality Insights

42:30 The Heart of Community: Connection and Support

More about Bree Johnson:

Bree Johnson is a changemaker who founded Executive Unschool, built on the premise that leadership is an inside job. Executive Unschool delivers cutting-edge executive leadership, well-being, and mindfulness programs for companies and teams.

Having served as a COO and employment law attorney, Bree Johnson discovered that her worth in work wasn’t working. This personal journey led her to a new path, where she now assists leaders in overcoming professional setbacks and work wounds to reveal their authentic leadership. Her podcast, The Untamed Mind, delves into well-being, work culture, and conscious leadership.

Insta: @breejohnsonofficial

Websites: www.executiveunschool.com |www.bree-johnson.com

Connect with Marney:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marneyandes

https://www.instagram.com/marneyandes

https://www.facebook.com/marneyandesauthor

Listen, rate, and subscribe!

Dr. Liz Wilson, a behavioral scientist, organizational transformation expert, and founder of Include Inc., shares more about her journey to working with organizations on inclusion, her 8-inclusion needs of all people, and great insights for all of us live by in our day to day interactions with each other.

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Questions to Ask Yourself:

1. What behaviors and attitudes regarding inclusion exist in my personal and professional life, and how can I continue to improve and learn?

2. How can I learn from and collaborate with individuals from diverse backgrounds?

3. In what ways can I use my privilege and influence to advocate for underrepresented groups and promote equity?

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About Dr. Liz Wilson:

Originally from Australia and now based in the United States, Dr. Liz is well known for her authentic, honest, and pragmatic approach to everything she does. This includes her simple yet powerful, Include Change Method that has achieved remarkable results for her clients over her 25+ year career.

Dr. Liz has transformed the ways of working and cultures of dozens of global organizations, including major airlines, banks, consumer goods, telecommunications, mining, rail, tech, and medtech companies.

With a professional purpose that has always centered around the desire to equip individuals, teams, and organizations to thrive, Dr. Liz’s unrelenting curiosity also led her to research and find the solution to inclusion transformation and reducing discrimination, with the development of the 8-Inclusion Needs of all People.

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Connect with Liz:

Website: theincludeinc.com

LinkedIn: @drlizwilson

Podcast: Include with Dr. Liz

Melissa Payne is the bestselling author of four novels, including A Light in the Forest and The Night of Many Endings, who talks about her journey from an early career fundraiser to a full-time career author. Beyond her exceptional writing talent and personal success, she’s an inspiration, believing deeply and reminding us that we have a story to share.

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Questions to Ask Yourself:

1. How can sharing our personal stories benefit us and those around us?

2. How can listening to other people's stories broaden our perspectives and enhance our understanding of the world?

3. In what ways can sharing our stories create a sense of community and connectedness?

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About Melissa Payne:

Melissa Payne is the bestselling author of four novels, including A Light in the Forest and The Night of Many Endings. After a graduate degree in Public Administration and an early career raising money for nonprofit organizations, Melissa dreamed of becoming a published author and decided to write her first novel. Her books, two-time Colorado Book Award finalists and a 2019 Colorado Authors League winner for mainstream fiction, feature small mountain towns with characters searching for redemption, love, and second chances. She’s spoken to book clubs, reading groups, literary festivals, and the occasional podcast about her writing journey and believes everyone has a story to share. Melissa lives in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains with her husband and three children, a friendly mutt, a very loud cat, and the occasional bear.

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Connect with Melissa:

Website: melissapayneauthor.com

Instagram: @melissapayne_writes

Buy Melissa’s Books:

The Night of Many Endings

A Light in the Forest

The Secrets of Lost Stones

Memories in the Drift

Adriana Bucci, after nearly three decades of enduring narcissistic abuse and four years of dealing with severe chronic pain and migraines, made the choice to embark on her own healing journey.

Now, a life coach, specializing in helping other people heal from narcissistic trauma and abuse, Adriana shares more information about what narcissism is, how you might be experiencing people with it in your workplace, family, or personal life, and strategies for healing, setting clear and healthy boundaries and moving on.

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Questions to Ask Yourself:

1. What relationships in your life, professional and personal, have been difficult to manage?

2. How have you experienced people with narcissistic behaviors in your professional and personal life?

3. What do you need to do to set clear boundaries for yourself?

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About Adriana Bucci:

Adriana Bucci is a narcissistic abuse recovery life coach based in Toronto, Canada. She empowers her clients worldwide to heal from narcissistic abuse, set boundaries, and live life on their own terms. After nearly three decades of enduring narcissistic abuse and four years of dealing with severe chronic pain and migraines, she learned about the mind-body connection and, despite being skeptical, made the choice to embark on her own healing journey. This not only helped her heal from the physical pain, but it also helped her heal from having been raised by a narcissistic mother, other close narcissistic relationships, and toxic colleagues and workplaces. Her own healing journey inspired her to become a life coach so she could help other people in similar situations have a chance at living life on their own terms.

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Connect with Adriana:

Website: letsgetyourshifttogether.com/community/
Instagram: @letsgetyourshifttogether

Cali Williams Yost is a visionary workplace futurist, strategist, and author who shares her perspective and experience working with organizations and individuals to rethink and reimagine the way work is done. We are living in a time when we have an opportunity to not only change the way we think about work, but also implement those changes in a way that positively impacts our work.

Called “one of the most sophisticated thinkers” on the transformation of work by The New York Times, her commentary is frequently featured in the Wall Street Journal and NBC Nightly News.

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Questions to Ask Yourself:

1. What workplace traditions can you reimagine or rethink?

2. How would you benefit from shifting your focus from “where” you work to “what” you’re working on?

3. What small changes or “tweaks” can you make to optimize your well-being?

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About Cali Williams Yost:

For more than two decades, Cali Williams Yost has been a leading authority on high-performance work flexibility. A visionary workplace futurist, strategist, and author, Yost is the Founder and CEO of the Flex+Strategy Group, a solutions company helping organizations unlock performance and engagement by reimagining how, when, and where work is done.

Called “one of the most sophisticated thinkers” on the transformation of work by The New York Times, her commentary is frequently featured in the Wall Street Journal, HBR, USA TODAY, Marketplace and NBC Nightly News. Yost approaches flexible work transformation as a strategic business imperative. She codified her concepts in her books, Tweak It: Make What Matters to You Happen Every Day, (Hachette, 2013), and Work+Life: Finding the Fit That’s Right for You (Penguin Group, 2004).

Yost graduated with honors from Columbia Business School where she’s noted as an alumnus of “Changing the World.” In 2018, she was named one of the global management thinkers “On the Radar” by Thinkers50, and she was cited as one of Forbes’s 40 Women to Watch Over 40.

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Connect with Cali:

Website: flexstrategygroup.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/caliwilliamsyost/