Tag: community

Well-being Community

If we think in terms of 2020, it was often viewed as a challenge for a year of stress.  With the advent of the virus, the incident that occurred with respect to George Floyd and the social justice efforts that resulted coupled with a competitive general election with a drastic shift of the workplace working from home.  It created innumerable stress and anxiety.  The pandemic has been nothing short of a time out, in fact a global time. 

Which is why I have been focusing my personal energy toward the work around how we can live a rich and meaningful life in the time of crisis and beyond.  Jumping into discussions around the wellness ecosystem and how we can invite in new people process and technology to facilitate deep and meaningful change for a new wellness framework.  From normalizing mental health to finding ways for individuals to increase their own wellness. 

It has been exciting to see senior leaders across organizations are normalizing discussions around mental health, diversity equity and inclusion as well as conversations around meditation, coaching and support systems.  Taking these into wireframe discussions around experiences and online journeys to allow focus on the individual for the first time.  Focus on easy navigation, deeper scientific approaches to surface content, coaches and assessment feedback on capabilities or mental health which allow people to immediately get the support needed at their moment of learning need.  In essence flattening or becoming an omnichannel for self-assessment, service, and support for one’s whole wellness.

I look forward to engaging in the conversations to focus on cultures that look out for each other, become more observant to help one another and check in online and in person all the while working toward technology and business solutions that offer up a much deeper whole wellness discussion that is far beyond today’s crisis but has a scientific view of the whole human more so than ever before.

In the meantime, would appreciate your thoughts around this notion of interactive health technology and the work at: Body as Starting Point 4: CHI2021 Workshop on inbodied interaction – Wellthlab

Real Family in a Real Community

The Klein family has roots in the Midwest and so when we discovered the National Geographic Wild show called, “the Incredible Dr. Pol”, we immediately felt ‘at home’ because it is. 

1.)   Unscripted

2.)   Real down to earth people

3.)   It’s educational, informative and inspirational and

4.)   Based on real animals, real people and real families

Therefore, when I was visiting my family this week in Michigan, we took a trip over to visit the Pol Vet Clinic to possibly get an opportunity for my daughters to meet the doctor and get behind the scenes.

True to form, this clinic feels inviting as it is swarming with animal owners that are in need of a trusted medical advisor for some type of ailment or preventative service.  From the moment you walk in the door, you feel safe in this haven.  No fancy iPads to review procedures, but traditional smiles, warm personalities and great wall art made up of locals who share their animals for adoption, services available or upcoming events like roller derby.  Yes folks, it was awesome for me to see the real people behind the scenes continue to act normal.  Nothing has changed for them but their ability to expand their reach to more people, drive more connectedness through the show and educate more people.  In fact, I understand that the local television providers don’t carry his show; so many farmers will congregate in homes of folks that happen to have access to the show.   They got the invite through Diane Jr., their Social Media Manager who invites patients through their traditional communication mechanisms to turn into the series.  But otherwise, it’s business as usual.

Employees are encouraged to have wall art, create their workspace to be their own and connect and support one another in the ‘family’ approach to business.  Really not a far cry from what Google tries to do by allowing people to draw on the wall.  As someone who spans a heart from the Midwest but a career in Silicon Valley, I was in awe of this special place.  My daughter wants to become a vet, but perhaps it was just what makes my heart sing

I personally want to thank Dr. Pol and his family for being authentic, for your tireless advocacy for this important science and practice as well as your authentic approach to community.  Additionally, for the executive producer at Nat Geo Wild and team that took the risk to support an important void that has existed in reality based programming.  Send out some tweet love via @natgeo  #drpol or check them out on Facebook.