Positive Directions

In episode 9 we have the pleasure of speaking to the energetic and enthusiastic Dr. Jennifer Todd. 

Jennifer Todd, DrPH, received her Doctor of Public Health in Community Health Sciences from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine where she studied health disparities among Native Americans. After Dr. Todd completed her doctorate, she was a senior research evaluator for the Federal Government’s Department of Health and Human Services working on high profile programs for nearly ten years. She worked to improve the health of women and adolescents, and communicate issues around sexuality and reproductive health in a sensitive and culturally appropriate way. Dr. Todd spent five years addressing emergency preparedness and disaster, including bioterrorism and pandemic influenza, and led crisis and risk communications planning for various hazards in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security.

Dr. Todd left the Federal Government to lead the development of a new undergraduate program in Public Health at the University of Maryland College Park, where she served for 5 years as the charter Director. She went on to hold administrative and senior lecturer positions with Johns Hopkins Communications Program, the University of Wollongong, in Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia, and currently is with George Washington University.

She is the founder of Jennifer Todd Wellness, which focuses on helping employers address issues of workplace wellness, employee satisfaction and retention, and psychological safety.

We hope you enjoy this episode and we look forward to your feedback. Please email us with any topic ideas at [email protected]

Opening song credit: Positive Directions was written by our good friend Tanya Nye. Check out all her music on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/artist/6bIfbhOAv1khVH7xvCJAPG?si=su5NaNQcRCKZm5AfFnP0wA&dl_branch=1

In today's episode we discuss the term Toxic Positivity. This concept has popped up all over the place on social media these days but many don't even know what it means, or when they are being faced with it or if they are a perpetuator of it. We take a look at how it shows up in our everyday life and a real life example from this week is discussed when David's car window got stuck in the down position and Jared showed support. We also offer tips on how to combat toxic positivity taken from some work done by Shannon Bruin, a Colorado based therapist. 

Enjoy this week's episode and as always you can send us your feedback to [email protected] and follow us on IG @positivedirectionspodcast

Opening song credit: Positive Directions was written by our good friend Tanya Nye. Check out all her music on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/artist/6bIfbhOAv1khVH7xvCJAPG?si=su5NaNQcRCKZm5AfFnP0wA&dl_branch=1

In this episode we bring in our very special guest and friend Danielle Farage. A self-title Zennial and futurist who helps companies create hybrid working opportunities. As the Director of Growth at Café, she fosters an elevated consciousness around the intersection of identity, culture, and self-advocacy. As a younger member of Gen Z, she brings people together to bridge the gap between employers and jobseekers, helping culture thrive and values align. She brings youth and wisdom to our podcast this week! Connect with Danielle on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-farage/ 

We hope you enjoy this week's episode and we look forward to your feedback. Please email us with any topic ideas at [email protected]  Follow us on Instagram @positivedirectionspodcast 

Opening song credit: Positive Directions was written by our good friend Tanya Nye. Check out all her music on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/artist/6bIfbhOAv1khVH7xvCJAPG?si=su5NaNQcRCKZm5AfFnP0wA&dl_branch=1

On this special Canadian Thanksgiving Edition, Jared and David discuss gratitude. We talk about what we are grateful for in our three main pillars of life: family, personal and work. We also take a deep look into how expressing gratitude to others have a positive impact on someone but also on you!!! How do you express gratitude to others? What are the things you do to show someone you appreciate them? Send us an email at [email protected] or a DM on Instagram: @positivedirectionspodcast

Opening song credit: Positive Directions was written by our good friend Tanya Nye. Check out all her music on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/artist/6bIfbhOAv1khVH7xvCJAPG?si=su5NaNQcRCKZm5AfFnP0wA&dl_branch=1

In this episode we center our conversation around the topic of happiness. How do happiness and positivity interact? Does happiness come first? or vice-versa? We may not answer all of your questions but we will share some stories and of course David will have a parable to tie it all together. 

We hope you enjoy our fourth episode and we look forward to your feedback. Please email us with any topic ideas at [email protected]

Opening song credit: Positive Directions was written by our good friend Tanya Nye. Check out all her music on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/artist/6bIfbhOAv1khVH7xvCJAPG?si=su5NaNQcRCKZm5AfFnP0wA&dl_branch=1

In episode 3 we welcome our first guest to the podcast, our good friend Genelle Martin. Genelle hasn’t always been so cheerful but has found positivity in her work and in her life. As a an experienced HR professional for 20 years, Genelle has seen the pleasant and unpleasant side of HR. Being a divorced single parent Genelle brings the positivity to the homfront as well. She “tripped and fell” into HR before it was a thing in the early 2000’s. In 2013, while her kids were toddlers she finished her BS in Business Administration with a concentration in HR. Genelled worked for a global SaaS based company for four years before becoming an HR leader in higher Ed. fighting to finish her Masters by April.

We hope you enjoy our third episode and we look forward to your feedback. Please email us with any topic ideas at [email protected]

Opening song credit: Positive Directions was written by our good friend Tanya Nye. Check out all her music on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/artist/6bIfbhOAv1khVH7xvCJAPG?si=su5NaNQcRCKZm5AfFnP0wA&dl_branch=1

In this episode, we dive into the back-to-school time. For many children and parents, there are many challenges we face at this time of the year – with fears and hesitations that our children experience when they return to school in non-pandemic years. Now we add the challenges of returning to school after learning from home for an extended period of time students are relearning how to get back to the physical school environment. We offer some ideas on how to shift your mindset and that of your children to get them to embrace the new normal in their school.

We hope you enjoy our second episode and we look forward to your feedback. Please email us with any topic ideas at [email protected]

Opening song credit: Positive Directions was written by our good friend Tanya Nye. Check out all her music on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/artist/6bIfbhOAv1khVH7xvCJAPG?si=su5NaNQcRCKZm5AfFnP0wA&dl_branch=1

In this episode, we explore how and why we came together to put out a podcast called Positive Directions. Two strangers living in different countries brought together by their voices and their drive to share knowledge and wisdom on organizational culture, we developed a friendship. This friendship spawned our desired to record a podcast about positivity in three areas of life: family, personal, and work.

Episode 1 covers a range of topics including our own personal stories of growth and development through a positive mindset. We bring some tips and tricks on how you too can develop a positive mindset to drive you to achieve your goals.

We hope you enjoy our first episode and we look forward to your feedback. Please email us with any topic ideas at [email protected]

Opening song credit: Positive Directions was written by our good friend Tanya Nye. Check out all her music on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/artist/6bIfbhOAv1khVH7xvCJAPG?si=su5NaNQcRCKZm5AfFnP0wA&dl_branch=1