What does it mean to lead with care?For project managers, the job isn’t just about charts, check-ins, and deliverables. It’s about holding space for people, emotions, and constant change. And while we often talk about productivity and performance, we don’t talk nearly enough about the mental toll of keeping everything and everyone on track.That’s why this episode of Calm In The Chaos is all about shifting the conversation. Not just how we manage stress individually but how we collectively build team cultures that prioritize well-being. Licensed therapist and workplace wellness expert Valeir Carmel Dorsainvil, will join me.Let’s talk honestly about how PMs can foster psychological safety, set healthy boundaries, and model what it means to care for ourselves and each other.Because care isn’t a bonus feature of leadership.It’s the foundation of sustainable, successful teams.
Project managers often serve as the bridge between strategy and execution, but how frequently do we talk about the emotional toll of that role? Or the mental health impact of "urgency culture" and communication breakdowns?
This Calm In The Chaos episode will explore deepened conversations around wellness at work; licensed therapist Valerie Carmel Dorsainvil LCSW, who specializes in workplace wellness, and I have been reflecting on two essential themes:
1. Leading in all directions—up, down, and across—while protecting team wellbeing.
2. Managing time without sacrificing mental health?
We welcome you to join us in conversations that need normalizing.
✔️ The real mental health impacts of poor communication
✔️ How to create psychological safety across project teams
✔️ Breaking free from the "always-on" mindset
✔️ Recovery tips for teams already on the brink
This Calm In The Chaos episode will explore the mental health challenges of project and program management practitioners, particularly how to develop their mental wellness capacity to navigate complex projects. Joined by licensed therapist Valeris Carmel Dorsainvil LCSW, who specializes in workplace wellness, we will explore these practitioners' unique pressures and how to proactively check in on their mental well-being. This conversation offers actionable advice for project and program management professionals who want to build healthy teams by staying mentally strong and adaptable through uncertainty.
This Calm In The Chaos episode will explore the mental health challenges of project and program management practitioners, particularly how to identify signs of burnout and maintain self-care while meeting deadlines. Joined by licensed therapist Valerie Carmel Dorsainvil, who specializes in workplace wellness, we will explore these practitioners' unique pressures and how to check in on their mental well-being proactively. This conversation offers actionable advice for project and program management professionals who want to build healthy teams by recognizing signs of burnout.
This Calm In The Chaos episode will dive deep into project and program management practitioners' mental health challenges, particularly during the mid-month crunch. With constant deadlines, team dynamics, and deliverables piling up, it's easy for stress and burnout to take center stage. Joined by licensed therapist Valerie Carmel Dorsainvil LCSW, specializing in workplace wellness, we will explore project and program management practitioners' unique pressures and how to check in on their mental well-being proactively. This conversation offers actionable advice for project and program management professionals who want to build healthy teams by honoring psychological safety.
In this Calm In The Chaos episode, we dove deep into project management practitioners' mental health challenges, particularly during the mid-month crunch. With constant deadlines, team dynamics, and deliverables piling up, it's easy for stress and burnout to take center stage. Joined by licensed therapist Valerie Carmel Dorsainvil LCSW, specializing in workplace wellness, we explored project management practitioners' unique pressures and how to proactively check in on their mental well-being. From recognizing early signs of burnout to practical tips for setting boundaries and fostering resilience, this conversation offers actionable advice for project management professionals who want to balance productivity with peace of mind. Whether leading a high-stakes project or simply navigating daily work stress, this episode reminds you to pause, reflect, and prioritize yourself.
Episode Notes:
[00:00 - 01:56]: Intros and the "why" behind the launch of the mid-month wellness check-in series for project management professionals.
[0:157 - 4:22]: Valerie shares her observations of unique mental health challenges that project management professionals encounter compared to professionals in other roles.
[4:23 - 6:25]: Valerie shares examples of patterns or behaviors you've observed in clients who work in project management when approaching burnout.
[6:26 - 8:12]: Valerie and Michele further discuss the optics of decision fatigue and how to recognize consistent signs of experiencing burnout.
[8:13 - 10:59]: Valerie clarifies the durations of burnout based on one's approach to work and capacity levels.
[11:00 -15:51]: Valerie discusses impactful practices project management professionals can incorporate into their daily routines to protect their mental health.
[15:52 - 17:43]: Valerie shares advice on how project management professionals can intentionally address the struggle to prioritize their wellness because they feel responsible for their team's psychological safety.
[17:44 -19:34]: Valerie and MIchele discuss actionable tasks and strategies for "staying full" and not positioning themselves to be empty and support and pour into others from being burned out.
[19:35 - 22:41]: Valerie talks about the importance of sleep and how to prepare for quality sleep throughout your day to avoid poor sleep outcomes.
[22:42 - 26:05]: Michele and Valerie discuss friendly mental health reminders on how to track your mood to navigate the holiday season and Q4 wrap-up.
[26:06 - 27:47]: Valerie provides one piece of advice, self-acceptance, and extending grace to yourself, to every project manager professional to remember until our next mid-month check-in.
[27:48 - 29:00]: Valerie talks about cultivating wellness in the workplace.
[29:01 - 29:54]: Michele shares her thoughts on the importance of mental wellness checks.
Evolving to your professional best is a journey that will lead many of us to assess the need to honor your mental wellness. Mental wellness awareness is year-round, and small actions can ignite transformation to take better care of ourselves.
Many professionals actively seek ways to manage compassion fatigue, preserving their ability to provide compassionate care while safeguarding their well-being.
Natasha is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in the states of Florida, Oregon, and Washington, a Florida Qualified Supervisor, a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), a Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional (CCFP), a Compassion Fatigue Educator and a Certified Forward Facing Professional Resilience Coach and Consultant. She received her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Argosy University, Sarasota. She is the Clinical Director of Lakewood Residential Treatment Center and the owner of D'Arcangelo Counseling & Consulting, LLC. Her previous experience includes 15 years as an educator in an inpatient psychiatric setting, community mental health, private practice, and mental health tech. She is an international speaker who has presented on various topics, including Destigmatizing Mental Health Care, Compassion Fatigue, and Effective Techniques for Working with Teens. She operates from a cultural humility perspective and is an ally of the LGTBQIA+ community. She is especially passionate about working with clients who are struggling with trauma and anxiety.
Show Notes:
[00:06] Michele introduces Natasha and shares her mental wellness journey.
[03:00] Natasha discusses how mental health interconnects with personal and professional lives.
[4:50] Natasha explains compassion fatigue and how to recognize it.
[07:57] Natasha shares why she enjoys speaking and educating others about compassion fatigue.
[8:49] Natasha educates on how trauma impacts our body and nervous system.
[12:22] Natasha shares her lessons and insight into compassion fatigue from her experiences.
[15:30] Natasha addresses misconceptions of compassion fatigue.
[19:05] Natasha provides strategies to manage or prevent compassion fatigue.
[21:47] Natasha emphasizes and gives reasoning to recognize and honor that "It's ok not to be ok."
Suggested Read:
The Body Keeps The Score by Bessel van der Kolk
Suggested Read: Professional Resilience by Dr. Eric GentryResource: Professional Quality of Life (proQOL) https://proqol.org
Evolving to your professional best is a journey that will lead many of us to assess the need to honor your mental wellness. Mental wellness awareness is year-round, and small actions can ignite transformation to take better care of ourselves. Determining a pattern of how to prioritize self-awareness, practicing mindfulness to foster a growth mindset that supports setting meaningful goals, and engaging in positive self-talk is a journey that may require a few reboots. We must work to celebrate our efforts to care for ourselves consistently.
Valerie Carmel Dorsainvil is next up in the series, discussing mindful evolution.
Valerie Carmel Dorsainvil, LCSW, CCTP, is adding her insight to the series by discussing the importance of building a healthy relationship with yourself.
When you're as passionate and knowledgeable as Valerie Carmel Dorsainvil, guiding high-achieving Black women's stress and trauma to their highest selves is all in a day's work. As a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and founder and CEO of Valerie Carmel Therapy, LLC, Valerie has providedcountless African-American and Caribbean-American professional women with the tools they need to reclaim control of their narratives. Her uncanny ability to deeply see, hear, and guide her clients empowers them to thrive mentally and emotionally beyond their therapy sessions.
Show Notes:
[00:03] Michele shares her mental wellness journey.
[02:37] Valerie shares her interpretation of what "mindful evolution" means to her as a therapist.
[03:21] Valerie addresses the misconception and usage of the term, healed.
[04:18] Michele and Valerie chat about career grief.
[05:58] Valerie chats about taking time and making space to experience a purposeful life.
[09:25} Valerie shares her awareness of how she presents as a therapist who is a black woman in workplaces and her suggestion of how to select to participate in different experiences.
[11:45] Valerie speaks on the power of affirmations and the power behind asking for help.
[13:54] Valerie informs of the importance for black women incorporating therapy as a part of their ongoing self-care routine.
[16:56] Valerie shares her journey to therapy and how panic attacks impacted her becoming a therapist.
[23:04] Valerie explains strongholds and how to release them.
[30:58} Valerie talks about the power of a win-wall.
[33:40] Valerie chats about the importance of taking time for yourself.
Valerie Carmel's Mental Health Therapy Site: https://valeriecarmel.com/
Evolving to your professional best is a journey that will lead many of us to assess the need to honor your mental wellness. Mental wellness awareness is year-round, and small actions can ignite transformation to take better care of ourselves. Treating ourselves like a priority and having a healthy relationship with ourselves can sometimes be challenging for various reasons. Sometimes, embarking on or reconnecting to therapy can be a good investment of our time and resources with an ROI of next-level self-care we're each worthy of experiencing.
Dr. Rhonda Baker, M.A., LMFT, is adding her insight to the series by discussing the importance of building a healthy relationship with yourself.
Dr. Baker is a pioneer in human services—a highly sought-after professional who has created a humanitarian impact for over 25 years. As a licensed marriage and family therapist, Dr. Baker diligently assists couples and communities in navigating relationship challenges through the Art of DismantlingTM communication barriers. Her empathetic nature and ability to create a safe, non-judgmental space have earned her the admiration of her clients and peers. She guides her clients toward increased self-awareness, elevated emotional intelligence, and distinctive resilience through evidence-based therapeutic techniques and personal strength approaches.
Show Notes:
[00:04] Michele shares her mental health story.
[02:20] Michele introduces Dr. Rhonda Baker
03:18] Dr. Baker shares three questions she encourages people to ask themselves when building a healthy relationship with themselves.
[04:35] Dr. Baker discusses the importance of honoring your feelings when discovering the aspects of developing a healthy relationship with yourself.
[05:48} Dr. Baker chats about the unexpected ways our childhood may impact our relationship with ourselves as an adult.
[08:16] Dr. Baker talks about the frequency of therapy, seasonally or ongoing.
[10:11] Dr. Baker shares ways for H.A.L.T. to be used to remember when nurturing a relationship with self.
[12:51] Dr. Baker provides examples of what experiences can lead someone to therapy.
[13:45] Dr. Baker educates how an individual should approach the idea of going to therapy.
[15:33] Dr. Baker shares a strategy for exploring therapy and finding the right therapist.
Dr. Rhonda Baker's Luxury Perspectives Site:
https://www.luxperspectives.com/
Evolving to your professional best is a journey that will lead many of us to assess the need to honor your mental wellness. Mental wellness awareness is year-round, and small actions can ignite transformation to take better care of ourselves. As we navigate the ebbs and flows of our careers, we sometimes need to heal from career grief, perceived lost opportunities, unexpected life events, overcome self-doubt, and dismiss the imposter syndrome.
Caitlin Magidson, NCC, LCPC is kicking off the series by discussing Well-being in Life & Career.
Caitlin integrates her mental health counseling and coaching specialties as she guides clients through personal and professional life transitions to enhance their overall well-being. Caitlin previously worked as the Assistant Director of Coaching & Education at the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. She has coached executive leaders through Hopkins’ Academy for Women and Leadership and The Academy for Health Care Leadership and Management.
Show Notes:
[00:29]: Michele introduces herself and why mental health is the focus of Keep Your Stride
[01:53]: Michele introduces Licenses Psychotherapist & Coach, Catlin Magidson
[02:52]: Caitlin shares the “why” behind her mental health work that focuses on professionals.
[04:49]: Caitlin shares strategies on how to manage stress and anxiety in a high-pressure work environment.
[08:06]: Michele shares ways of therapy to reconnect to a childhood love of coloring and a new way she elevated her self-care through juicing.
[09:07]: Caitlin extends the labors of love reference as an act of love that requires energy.
[10:40]: Caitlin discusses perceptions of work-life balance/harmony that support maintaining mental health, and how to achieve it.
[12:53]: Michele and Caitlin discuss the need for reflection as we evaluate how to live a life that aligns with our values and definition of quality.
[16:15]: Caitlin chats about having healthy boundaries personally and professionally.
[19:16]: Caitlin talks how to identify work-related burnout.[20:56]: Caitlin shares the details about her individual services including her Career Design course and community.
Caitlin Magidson’s Psychotherapy & Coaching Site: https://www.caitlinmagidson.com/
The Skills Recharged® conversation recently continued during the Add Your S.A.U.C.E. episode on my podcast, Career Tipper®. S.A.U.C.E is my latest professional development acronym to help professionals like yourself keep their skills recharged, competitive, and hire-ready. #ProfessionalDevelopment
In this bonus video, I'm providing more information on E in S.A.U.C.E on exploring opportunities beyond your comfort zone, including insight from David Tann, the Founder and Creative Director of Tantrum Agency. #SkillsRecharged
S.A.U.C.E. episode on my podcast, Career Tipper®. S.A.U.C.E is my latest professional development acronym to help professionals like yourself to keep their skills recharged, competitive, and hire-ready. #ProfessionalDevelopment
Michele provides more information on C in S.A.U.C.E on communicating your value, including insight from Career Coach, Cathy Francois in this bonus video. #SkillsRecharged
S.A.U.C.E. episode on my podcast, Career Tipper®. S.A.U.C.E is my latest professional development acronym to help professionals like yourself to keep their skills recharged, competitive, and hire-ready. #ProfessionalDevelopment
Michele provideds more information on U in S.A.U.C.E on understanding your niche, including insight from Former Accountant and Investment Banker, Dalan Vanterpool in this bonus video. #SkillsRecharged
The Skills Recharged® conversation recently continued during the Add Your S.A.U.C.E. episode on the Career Tipper® podcast. S.A.U.C.E is Michele's latest professional development acronym to help professionals like yourself keep their skills recharged, competitive, and hire-ready. #ProfessionalDevelopment
In this bonus video, Michele provides more information on A in S.A.U.C.E on assessing your skills that center around transferable skills, including insight from Agile Coach Stella Ihenacho. #SkillsRecharged
S.A.U.C.E is Michele's latest professional development acronym to help professionals like yourself to keep their skills recharged, competitive, and hire-ready. The Skills Recharged® conversation recently continued during the Add Your S.A.U.C.E. episode on my podcast, Career Tipper®. In this video, Michele provides more information on S in S.A.U.C.E on strategizing your money line alignment in this bonus video based on No Boss, Only Clients written by the former accountant and investment banker Dalan Vanterpool.
The Skills Recharged® conversation continues on the Career Tipper® podcast, with Michele encouraging and guiding listeners to add their sauce when promoting and sharing their skills in the workplace and their businesses. Check out this episode, where she shares her latest professional development strategy, Add Your S.A.U.C.E., full of expert advice clips, friendly reminders, and insight to help listeners continue to evolve to their professional best while keeping their skills recharged, competitive, and hire-ready on an ongoing basis.
Show Notes:
[00:07] Michele shares her professional development journey.
[01:38] Michele introduces and explains her latest professional development strategy, Add Your S.A.U.C.E.
[04:20] S - Strategize your alignment with the money line breakdown
[9:20] A - Assess your skills
[15:10] U - Understand Your Niche
[19:55] C - Communicate Your Value
[25:19] E - Explore Opportunities Beyond Your Comfort Zone
Ladies, financial empowerment is an ongoing conversation that helps us evolve to our professional best. Michele Badie hosts the Career Tipper® podcast and is a Women On The Rise International board member. She and the Founder of Women On The Rise International (WOTR), Arelene Blake discussed the Educated & Broke™️ program during a financial empowerment special edition episode. WOTR is educating women on developing tactical strategies to earn more money, know their worth, budget, save, pay off debt, invest, start a business and provide a legacy for their families.
[00:03] Intros and Arlene shares an overview of Women On The Rise International (WOTR).
[03:37] Arlene shares her vision for the financial empowerment programming, Educated & Broke™ (E&B)
[06:29] Michele shares her journey of supporting E&B and becoming a member of the board.
[8:00] Arlene talks about the importance of being a part of a community-based organization and a program like E&B.
[11:22] Michele and Arlene discuss the in-person experience and potential takeaways from attending a WOTR event.
[15:06] Arlene chats about E&B expanding to offer an 8-week cohort.
[17:50] Arlene informs why the event is hybrid and includes free onsite childcare during the event.
[20:32] Arlene shares why she includes a self-care component in the E&B program.
[22:46] Michele and Arlene talk about the journey of being successful and shares a definition of what it means to be a woman on the rise.
[26:56] Michele and Arlene talk about the monthly masterminds that Arlene offers to the WOTR membership and the importance of being consistent.
[31:28] Arlene speaks about the intended "how to recognize your value" takeaway for the E&B attendees.
[33:41] Michele and Arlene chatted about the program strategy to help attendees progress through the E&B program.
[36:13] Arlene chats about pivoting and monetizing skill sets that don't require a college degree.
[37:44] Arlene shares the E&B event and cohort details along with her contact details.
11/05/2022 Hybrid Educated & Broke Registration Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/educated-and-broke-parttm-ii-time-to-level-up-hybrid-event-tickets-433802203067?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
For more information about the Women On The Rise International organization visit this link. https://womenontheriseinternational.wildapricot.org/
Evolving to your professional best is a journey that includes self-care. Michele kicked off the mental health awareness conversation early for her upcoming Color To Connect workshop in Central Florida on Saturday, 8/13/2022, with the event's guest Mental Health Counselor Natasha D'Arcangelo. Michele believes that mental health awareness is year-round, and small actions can ignite transformation to take better care of yourself. Listen as Michele and Natasha chat about mental health triggers.
Register for the in-person Color To Connect Central Florida workshop. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/color-to-connecttm-tickets-375573007977
[00:25] Michele shares her why for creating the Color To Connect™ workshop.
[01:20] Natasha shares her "why" for becoming a Mental Health Counselor.
[03:25] Natasha shares signs that listeners can recognize that they might be struggling with their mental health.
[08:20]Michele and Natasha talk about breaking the generational stigmas associated with therapy.
[11:37] Natasha shares how listeners can know if their mental health is stable.
[15:16] Natasha shares an overview of BIPOC mental health awareness.
[16:17] Michele and Natasha further share their perspective on the importance of therapy.
[17:15] Natasha provides statistics about barriers of care that cause some people of color to be reluctant to include therapy in their wellness practice and potential approach strategies to overcome them.
[25:45] Natasha shares activities that she suggests professionals implement or try to help them mentally stay healthy beyond meditation.
[28:22] Natasha and Michele chat about how coloring helps their mental health.
[31:12] Natasha shares how she takes care of her mental health.
[34:20] Michele and Natasha share resource suggestions for mental health therapy, how to utilize Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) services through some employers, and how to process mental health information shared on social media.
[41:34] Natasha shares how listeners get in contact with her.
Resource:
Directory of Clinicians of Color and other Minoritized Identities:
https://www.counseling-csj.org/directory-of-clinicians-of-color-and-other-minoritized-identities.html
Therapy Den: https://www.therapyden.com/
*The Evolution of a Project Manager* The #SkillsRecharged conversation continues this quarter; MJ Bianchi, the Three T Institute CEO, and I are curating project management-centric discussions titled PM Perceptions on the Career Tipper podcast. During the season finale, MJ and I chatted about the evolution of a project manager.
[02:14] Michele and MJ reflect on their collaboration and the first season of PM Perceptions with Michele and MJ. They also shared their takeaways from chatting with professionals about being a practicing project manager and becoming PMP certified.
[07:54] MJ and Michele share ways for project managers to identify development opportunities.
[11:30] MJ chats about the need for project managers to be patient with themselves.
[15:23] MJ gives insight into what point a PM goes from feeling scared of managing a project to being confident.
[18:10] MJ spoke of the difference between managing and leading a project team
[22:14] MJ and Michele chat about how can a project manager decipher between choosing the standards of project management provided by PMI versus the ones at their organization.
[24:46] Michele and MJ spoke of ways to practice and recognize that you're a proficient project manager.
[27:11] Michele shares details of her why for continuing the work of helping professionals understand the role of project manager and how she recognized that she was a project manager.
[31:42] MJ and Michele chat about determining if becoming PMP certified is the right fit for you.
We welcome you to send either of us a DM with your questions about project management and earning your PMP certification credential.
The #SkillsRecharged conversation continues this quarter; MJ Bianchi, the Three T Institute CEO, and I curate project management-centric discussions titled PM Perceptions on the Career Tipper podcast. During episode three, MJ and I chatted about being project management consultants.
[01:04] Michele and MJ chatted about leveraging your network to connect to consulting opportunities
[05:52] MJ shared branding starting points and strategy on defining your niche through a scenario of PM Consultant persona Gregory.
[08:57] MJ provided insight on how to land consulting gigs beyond your 9-5 and shared her experience and the duration of how she built her consulting portfolio.
[12:07] MJ spoke of why collaboration is vital for project management consultants to learn and grow in their business.
[14:59] MJ shared her perspective on why project management should seek opportunities outside their comfort zone.
[18:05] MJ and Michele provided intel on identifying contractors and vendors and strategies on how to work well with them.
We welcome you to message either of us with your questions about project management or earning your PMP credential.
Join MJ and me for the season finale on Sunday, 5/15/22, at 8:00 PM EST. We'll be discussing the evolution of a project manager.