We are going to feel our feelings with Sarah Young-Sheppard - Episode 8

We are back with a new episode of the podcast!

The irony of this episode is, it’s about feelings and helping our teams identify, work through and use their feelings, but mine got in the way of putting this episode out for a couple months. It was recorded shortly after the 2024 election and is getting posted in January of 2025. Not to overshare, but unemployment/ job search, the holidays and my feelings on the outcome of the elections, made the editing and recording an intro of this episode impossible. I would sit down in front of my computer and I just couldn’t make myself do it. Listening to my own voice is always difficult, but this time it was like climbing out of a valley with a backpack full of rocks.

I needed a manager like Sarah to see me struggling and her help to work through it. It gave me an insight into what members of my teams over the years have had to deal with, and my lack of being there to help them. I want to use this experience to remind and inform my leadership in the future.

This is just one of the conversations that I have had with Sarah about feelings and emotions and I know it won’t be the last. She excels in a lot of areas that I need to put some work into.

Summary

In this conversation, Chad and Sarah Young-Sheppard discuss the evolution of Sarah's career and her current role as the founder and executive director of the Social Emotional Wellness Initiative (SEWI). They explore the importance of mental health services for youth, the differences in teaching social-emotional skills to children versus adults, and the challenges of management. Sarah shares insights on effective management strategies, the significance of emotional check-ins, and the hiring process for her nonprofit organization, emphasizing the need for genuine care in team dynamics. Sarah also highlights the value of employee engagement through unique initiatives and the necessity of self-care and kindness in both personal and professional settings.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit managinghumanspodcast.substack.com