In this episode, Jaden speaks with Ryan Culkin, the Chief Counseling Officer & SVP of Talk Therapy Operations for Thriveworks. Ryan talks about the importance of having real conversations with team members to break the professional wall. Watch to learn how to build a safe space and culture your team members will appreciate and thrive in.

When Ryan was young, he was fortunate enough to know what he wanted to pursue as a career. He always had an affinity to helping others. Because of this, he received his Bachelor’s in Psychology and his Master’s in Professional Counseling.

After entering the mental health industry, he found that many professionals experienced burnout. This led him to join Thriveworks. Ryan explained that he connected with their mission and admired the way the company did things especially operation-wise. Here he learned how to get past formal professional relationships and create genuine relationships with his teams.

Ryan explained that he applied the same principles that he uses to connect with patients to his conversations with colleagues. Breaking down the professional wall that is present in a lot of jobs allowed for deeper and more down-to-earth conversations. Ryan was able to learn about his team members’ lives, problems, aspirations, and so much more. This helped improve communication and trust so that he could lead and help them reach their own aspirational goals.

Creating this safe culture by breaking the professional aura also allowed colleagues to establish their own productivity goals. By creating these true relationships through personal conversations, Ryan also helped colleagues find their fit within the company. All of this gives team members more autonomy and helps them better connect with the company’s mission. Now, he joins us on the Tips for Team Building Podcast to talk with us. His insights will allow viewers to learn more about creating relationships past the professional ones.

More about our guest

As Chief Counseling Officer, Ryan Culkin oversees the logistics and operations of all company clinics, telehealth, and clinicians nationwide. He brings over a decade of clinical experience and a unique business perspective to Thriveworks. Ryan is passionate about equipping clinicians with the skills needed to succeed as the field continues to modernize and evolve. Ryan is responsible for supporting the clinics through strategic planning, operational analysis, recruitment, and training for improved clinician success. He is also responsible for supporting the clinics by partnering with other executive team members. This allows them to execute the current strategic plan and develop future plans. It will also ensure performance that promotes both the clinician and client to THRIVE.

Ryan has a Master’s in Professional Counseling and currently resides in Central Virginia with his wife and son.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

https://thriveworks.com/online-counseling/

In this episode, Jaden speaks with Angela Bishop, Executive Director of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western Washington & Alaska. Angela talks about the importance of building connections with team members to cultivate a positive work culture. Watch to gain some advice on how to best lead by creating a great work environment.

Angela first started her professional career during her time as a high school teacher. She learned the importance of creating connections and being genuine with the individuals you are working with. In this case, those individuals were her students. Leaders must create a good work environment and culture to best meet the goals of the company. As a teacher, Angela was a great leader and was able to foster a safe learning environment for her students.

Angela gives listeners some tips to cultivate a positive work culture. These tips include advice on how to build trust with colleagues to make them feel comfortable enough to give feedback. She touches upon the importance of meeting one-on-one with workers and adapting to the current work culture. This way leaders can learn what can be improved. Finally, she highlights the importance of letting people know their work is appreciated no matter their role in the company.

Throughout the interview, Angela also gives recommendations on books and podcasts that have helped her on her leadership journey. Now, she joins us on the Virtuous Heroes Podcast to advise viewers on creating a safe and positive culture.

More about our guest:

Angela is a passionate and purpose-driven leader adept at working in complex systems during times of significant change. She started as a high school teacher and later went on to work in many purpose-driven organizations. Some of these organizations include Washington Campus Compact, The Sophie Way, and the Washington CASA Association. She is currently serving as the Executive Director of Ronald McDonald House Charities. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated success in fostering high-performing collaborative teams and employee engagement. Angela also has experience developing and executing data-driven strategies, securing major gifts and government grants, and cultivating cross-sector partnerships. She is a strong and active promoter of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging throughout an organization and its programs. She has proven to be a firm believer in the solidarity model as a systems change approach.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

https://www.rmhcseattle.org/

In this episode, Jaden Smith talks with Philip Harrison, Executive Director at Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Inland Northwest, about his road to leadership and how he effectively connects with and leads his team.

Philip’s desire to lead started early on when he was at summer camp. While there, he became inspired by his camp counselors who sparked a desire to lead. Philip wanted to be and lead like them and eventually inspire someone else in the future. Once he was older, Philip decided to follow this passion at the YMCA where he thought he would spend a year developing his skills and working.

However, his one-year plan did not last as he fell in love with the role and found himself working there for four years. While there, he learned what it meant to serve those who attended Camp Reed while also leading and connecting with his team members. After working there for four years, he decided to pursue his career elsewhere and worked in marketing for Dorian Studios.

After two years, though, he returned to continue his work with the YMCA at Camp Reed. During this time and as his leadership roles progressed, Philip found himself constantly reminded how important it is to connect with his team and not use a “one style fits all” leadership style. He learned and understood that he has to tailor his leadership approach to the individual rather than make the individuals fit with his.

With the advancement of his leadership and his wealth of experience, Philip has now recently found himself starting a new opportunity. In September of last year, he became an Executive Director at Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Inland Northwest, where he continues to serve the community and his new team. Watch to learn about his many accomplishments in this new role and how he connects and leads his employees.

More about our guest:

Phil was born and raised in Spokane and has deep connections within the community. Phil has extensive experience in the nonprofit sector, having grown his career at YMCA’s Camp Reed, where he started as seasonal summer staff and excelled into the role of Executive Director. His experience is supported by a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Washington and a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University. Over the years, Phil has attended various events and supported the mission of serving more families by participating in the Make-A-Meal program. As a person driven by service and uplifting others, Phil was naturally drawn to RMHC INW’s mission. Phil states, “I promise to give my best to ensure the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Inland Northwest will always be a ‘Home-Away-From-Home’ for families requiring critical medical care from our premier hospital community.”

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-harrison-8470674a/

https://rmhcinlandnw.org/

In this episode, Jaden Smith talks with Angela Nguyen, System Vice President for Talent Management and Colleague Relations at Hospital Sisters Health System, about how she attracts the best talent and fosters their development.

Leadership can sometimes be a daunting task, especially at the scale of a health system Vice President. At first, Angela was concerned about what stepping into that role would entail and the many responsibilities that come with it; however, after taking that leap, Angela has proven that she can not only lead but excel at it.

She credits her ability to lead effectively to how she grows and manages her team members. When growing her team, Angela moves the hiring process along at a swift pace and makes sure that the branding of Holy Sisters Health System is attractive to their potential candidates. This ensures that, in this competitive job market, they can be the most attractive and first offer to come to a potential candidate’s desk.

One effective tool Angela utilizes for team growth is the organization’s use of an onboarding coach to ensure a smooth transition for executive leaders. She continues to grow in her current role and takes on new team members and challenges with vigor.

More about our Guest:

Human Resources thought-leader focused on attracting and retaining top talent and aligning business objectives and strategies that drive engagement and retention. Strategic and transformational partner who builds and executes programs and initiatives that enhance organizational performance, innovation and best practice solutions. Certified Human Resources professional with specialized experience in Talent Acquisition, Talent Management, Employee Relations, Training, Performance Management, Employee Engagement, and Compensation. Currently leading System Talent Acquisition, Employee Relations and Talent Development Centers of Excellences for Hospital Sisters Health System. Also, function as the HR Business Partner for the corporate office functional areas.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-nguyen-ms-sphr-shrm-scp-racr-a9b9531/

https://www.hshs.org/

In this episode, Jaden Smith talks with Kyle Kingston, Vice President of Operations at Great Expressions Dental Centers, about the importance of being a support system for your team and celebrating their successes. Watch to gain a better understanding of what truly goes into leading your team and how to stay positive while you do it.

Kyle began his leadership journey as a Respiratory Therapy Manager at UI Health and has continued to grow and expand his leadership prowess over the past 10 years. Kyle attributes this success of leadership to both his leadership style as well as the team members that he has had the pleasure of leading over the years. Although some of his leadership styles have changed, one thing that has remained constant for Kyle is his focus on having positive relationships with his team.

Whether it is a large or small success Kyle tries to celebrate this as he believes that a crucial part of creating a successful team is celebrating wins of all sizes. As well, Kyle believes in encouraging his team and giving positive feedback and reinforcement to strengthen the relationships on his team.

Now in his new role at Great Expressions Dental Centers, Kyle hopes to continue to build upon his leadership skills and journey while helping his new organization grow. With hundreds of people led and a wealth of experience, listen in as Kyle gives his best tips for team building!

More about our guest:

Kyle started as a Respiratory Therapy Manager at UI Health in 2013 after graduating from Robert Morris University - Illinois. After a few years of helping this organization, Kyle began working for the University of Chicago Medicine as a Respiratory Therapy Supervisor. Kyle then moved on and worked for Allegheny Health Network, where he first started as a Practice Manager for Pulmonary, Sleep, Allergy, and Critical Care, where he led a team of 80, with 15 direct reports, generating $30M in revenue by overseeing the daily operations for a multi-disciplinary physician division and integrating the use of the EPIC EMR systems throughout multiple physician practice sites.

After a year of working for Allegheny Health Network, Kyle was promoted and changed roles, becoming Regional Practice Manager. In this new role, Kyle led a team of 110, with 7 direct reports, while driving the direction of day-to-day operational processes. This included delivering solutions-based and clinical operations leadership for 7 specialty divisions with annual revenue of $50M+. After another year in this role, Kyle moved on to the next step in his leadership journey.

Kyle then went to work for Concentra, where he performed the role of Director of Operations. In this role, Kyle led a team of 250+, with 5 direct reports, overseeing 43 occupational medicine and urgent care sites with $60M in annual revenue, this included holding P&L responsibility. He then switched roles to Director of Implementation and Field Support, in which he led a matrixed team of 10 while serving as the operational logistics leader for 525 medical centers, overseeing the support of thousands of clients while managing the successful negotiation of service contracts, which included managing a $4M annual budget.

Kyle has served in the role of Vice President of Operations for the Michigan market of Great Expressions Dental Centers since February of 2022, and he looks forward to helping the organization continue to grow.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-p-ki...

https://www.greatexpressions.com/