EvenMORE For You

Part 1: Culture, the Soul

This is the beginning of a series on culture and the soul of Crossroads over the next few newsletters. 

We’ve all heard the phrase, “If you want to change the world, you’ve got to start with yourself.”  Yet, so many people point out the challenge of changing oneself in contrast to the culture we live in. It’s easy, and seems legitimate, that social or organizational culture is the culprit for the unhealthy or dysfunctional environments, that leave us feeling powerless. After all, from a young age, we’re often told, “The world is big, and we are small,” which is a form of learned helplessness.

So, what exactly is this daunting force we all refer to as culture? Those who study or try to influence it often speak of culture as having a powerful impact on the way we live. Economists point to the “invisible hand” of the market when predictions fail, and management experts often say, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” Yet the primary way we describe a company is by describing its “culture.” 

To understand culture, it’s useful to know its origins. Enter Cicero, a Roman statesman, lawyer, and academic skeptic who became famous during a politically turbulent time in Rome. A well-educated person of high standing, Cicero was skeptical of the rigid thinking often held by those in power. Despite his own high standing, Cicero approached his role with flexibility and heartfelt language. His ability to blend strong legal arguments with poetry or verse, infused meaning-based approaches. The result proved quite valuable in calming the turbulent culture of Rome. 

In fact, Cicero is who actually coined the term “culture.” But not in the senseless disconnected way we’ve adopted its academic definition. The essence of the real word was created through generations of rationalization. 

No, Cicero, who invented the word, knew exactly what culture stood for — and it makes total sense. Cicero’s definition of “culture” means “to cultivate the soul.” And to top it off — the word “soul” in Ancient Greek means psyche. The words are interchangeable. In fact, the original New Testament, referred to soul and self as “ψυχή” — which means psyche.

Cicero understood that what binds us is the unique work of cultivating soul/psyche. That the only way we create a better future together is through creating better selves. We live in a world where a lot of people are highly specialized—leaders and frontline people who work in the same company, but not in the same worlds. Meaning is the convergence of paths or the Crossroads where we find commonality in our differences.

2nd August Webinar: Harnessing Inner Strength

Learn to Navigate the Stress of Meaningful Work

Learning to recognize stress and anxiety within oneself and one’s team is an anticipated outcome for attendees of August’s second company-wide webinar “Harnessing Inner Strength.”

Practical, evidence-based stress management skills will be presented in the 60-minute webinar and an activity will assist attendees with harnessing their unique inner strengths to handle challenges more effectively.

According to Chief Innovation Officer Ryan Stoll, PhD, of Pathways, longtime organizational and human talent partner to Crossroads, “stress and anxiety is inherent in meaningful work, particularly in high-pressure environments” like the unpredictable end-of-life care industry in which Crossroads operates.

By integrating practical skills and proven personal capabilities, attendees will gain insights for effectively mitigating stress while transforming anxiety into a driving force for professional resilience and personal growth.

Presented by Pathways’ CIO Dr. Ryan Stoll

Dr. Ryan Stoll is Chief Innovation Officer (CIO) at Pathways. He designs products, programs and experiences that empower people with accessible, practical tools and approaches to improve their sense of well-being. Dr. Stoll creates paths that honor and respond to the humanity inherent in each individual, ensuring that whatever Pathways builds is designed with human needs at its core.

With more than 12 years of experience as a designer, entrepreneur, clinically trained psychologist and translational scientist, Dr. Stoll has pioneered several public health innovations.

Before joining Pathways, his previous roles included Chief Product Officer of Psych for Life and Director of Innovation and Commercialization at Arizona State University’s Courage Lab, where he co-invented COMPASS for Courage, a gamified toolkit to build resilience in youth that is available nationwide via PBS LearningMedia.

Laying the tracks for others to experience themselves more fully and live more fulfilling lives is Dr. Stoll’s vision.

Crossroads team members will find Dr. Stoll a thoughtful and engaging presenter. “Harnessing Inner Strength” is the first in a series of webinars Pathways will be presenting companywide. The topic for the next webinar is “Fostering Courage and Resilience.” Details will be available soon.

Time for questions is provided at the end of the webinar. Attendees will also receive a Digital Toolkit with key points, practice exercises and supporting materials.

The Pathways Harnessing Inner Strength Webinar is Tuesday, August 27th at 10:30 A.M. ET, 9:30 A.M. CT.

To register for the webinar, visit this link.
A Zoom invitation will be sent prior to the webinar.

Missed a webinar?

Click on a link to watch a recorded webinar.
April: Nomi Health Benefits. Download the PDF.
May: My Benefits Work.
June: Medicare Benefits Workshop.
July: Mindset Webinar. Passcode: k4M$8*at

Is it Hot in Here?

Menopause Part 1

We’ve all heard about “the change,” but do we really know what it means? Do we know that it means that estrogen and progesterone is declining and causing major change in the female body? Menopause has been getting some well-deserved attention lately. What used to be a taboo subject is now gracing social media, bookstores, YouTube, and finally the United States Congress. Still, the mere mention of menopause can elicit snide comments, misinformation, and a general sense of, “It’s just a part of aging. Get over it.” It’s time for that attitude to change. Menopause is inevitable if you live long enough, but suffering is optional.

Here’s what we know about menopause:

1. It’s one day after you’ve gone 12 months without a menstrual cycle. The average age of menopause in the United States is 51. Post-menopause continues for the rest of your life.
2. Perimenopause is the transitional period before menopause when women’s cycles become irregular and her ovaries produce less estrogen and progesterone. It can begin as early as the mid-30s and can last 7-10 years on average.
3. Women may suffer from sleep disturbances, cognitive decline, weight gain, depression, anxiety, loss of interest in sex, weak bones, and joint pain.
4. The risk of developing osteoporosis or cardiovascular disease might increase.
5. One in four women quit their jobs during menopause because of debilitating symptoms like brain fog and fatigue.
6. Women aged 45-54 have the highest suicide rate of all women; more than double the rate of women aged 15-19.
7. There are at least 35 symptoms related to menopause and for 25% of women they will significantly impact their daily lives.

Stay tuned for tips on what you can do to make this natural transition an educated and empowered one.