In this episode I diverge from the more theoretical leaning of recent episodes, to discuss communication tools. As a leader there just isn't enough time in the day to connect one-on-one with all the people you serve. In this episode I discuss the different tools at your disposal, and when, and how to utilize them to change hearts and minds. 

When you communicate on behalf of your organization, there are some best practices that are essential to the success of your message. These include, making sure that you keep everyone on the same page, involve all stakeholders, and empower those within your organization to share your message. In this episode I discuss a few strategies to ensure your success by starting with your audience.

In this week's slightly shorter episode, I explore what makes organizational communication successful, and also what distinguishes it from personal communications. I breakdown organizational communications into four components: Audience, Message,  The tools you use, and Logistics. Tune in for a few tidbits to make communicatinging within your organizational structure a little more seemless.

Catherine opens up about love in its many forms - from the exhausting performance-based love of her past to the transformative power of being loved "just because." She vulnerably shares the profound loss of her partner David during COVID, how grief became a catalyst for change, and her journey to finding love again with someone who teaches her she doesn't need to perform to be worthy.💬 What You’ll HearAgape Love: Understanding unconditional love and how it was the only love Catherine felt comfortable givingPerformance-Based Love: Growing up believing she had to earn love through achievements, appearance, and over-givingThe Comparison Trap: Watching friends in effortless relationships while she obsessed over perceived flawsDating Disasters: From the guy with the clinker in his eyelash to repelling men who actually wanted to love herMeeting David: Finding someone who loved her in her "broken divorced self" without requiring performanceMarch 23rd, 2020: The devastating day David died suddenly of a heart attack during the first day of COVID lockdownMoving Through Grief: Walking to move grief through her body and the mistakes of dating too soonLeveraging Loss: How David's death became the catalyst for coming home to herselfBack to the Apps: Four months later, downloading dating apps and learning about ENM and poly via GoogleFinding Love Again: Meeting her current partner who teaches her "this is not a call to action" - she can simply receive✨ TakeawayLove doesn't require performance. You don't have to earn it through achievement, appearance, or over-giving. The exhausting pattern of proving your worth can be broken. Sometimes profound loss becomes the catalyst for discovering you're worthy of love simply for being who you are. Finding home within yourself first allows you to show up authentically in relationships - and that's when real love finds you.⚖️ DisclaimerThese stories are mine — told through my eyes, my lens, and my lived experience. Each person moves through life in their own way. I own these stories, and I share them to inspire us all to live truthfully, freely, and as our most authentic selves.🌿 Connect with CatherineIf this episode made you reflect on the ones you love, share it with them to let them know how much they mean to you.Follow Catherine on Instagram to keep following the story.Theme Song Written and Composed by Trevor Lynch and Michaela Dennis and recorded by Trevor Lynch in Chicago ILPhoto: Baumgardner Studio Yakima, WAProduction: Red Trux Productions Snohomish, WA

This month on Snohomish Storytellers, we sit down with Snohomish Mayor-Elect Aaron Hoffman for an open and candid conversation. As with any passionate community, opinions about leadership vary, many are excited, others are cautious, and at HDSA, our mission remains the same: to support connection and work collaboratively with our city leadership, whoever is in office.In this episode, we ask Aaron questions about his decision to run, his campaign, and the plan for his first 100 days in office. We cover everything from infrastructure to events, while returning again and again to the heart of the matter: people. The people who live, work, and play in Snohomish and who care deeply about its future.Snohomish thrives in the vibrant purple space between perspectives, and this conversation aims to bring clarity, curiosity, and connection to the forefront. Join us as we explore what comes next for our city, together.