EvenMORE For You

The Butterfly Effect

By Danny Gutknecht
Some of us have heard the idea that the flap of a butterfly’s wings in Brazil could trigger a chain of events leading to a tornado in Texas. This concept, known as the Butterfly Effect, was popularized by mathematician and meteorologist Edward Lorenz in the 1960s. While studying weather patterns, Lorenz observed that minuscule changes, as small as one-thousandth of a decimal point in the input data, could lead to drastically different outcomes. In other words, something as subtle as the movement of a butterfly’s wings could potentially set off a tornado.

The Butterfly Effect is seen in various fields, from climatology and biology to psychology and economics, where small actions can impact entire groups dramatically. In social environments, small cultural changes can evolve into large-scale social movements. It’s a powerful reminder of the influence our actions can have on a larger scale.

About a year ago, Crossroads brought together a communications team—with Tag Strategies, Carrefour, and Pathways—to gain a deeper understanding of how we can best meet your needs and ensure Crossroads can be at its best. The goal was simple yet impactful: to listen and to care for those who work every day to provide care. Through this effort, we’ve gained valuable insights and made some tough decisions to realign Crossroads and help it tap its potential.

In this journey of listening and improving, we’ve been collecting and analyzing extensive data from sources like Gallup, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and our own Crossroads insights. We’re curious about the impact our efforts have on employees and how we compare to industry standards. Soon, we’ll share highlights of the incredible work many of you have done and the collective progress. In some cases, we’ve seen significant changes, while in others, we’ve made steady, incremental or even small, butterfly like progress.

As we go about our day-to-day tasks, it can sometimes feel challenging, and we might even wonder if our efforts matter. But when we take a step back to reflect on what we’re doing, how we feel, and our overall impact, we realize just how much it truly does matter.

We will be sharing some exciting new things over the next few newsletters - so stay tuned.

Employee Assistance Program Offers Immediate Access Anytime

Twenty-four hour a day, seven day a week access to short-term counseling. That’s how accessible Crossroads’ EAP (Employee Assistance Program) is to team members. Available through the My Benefits Work app, Crossroads’ EAP benefit is a short-term, confidential counseling benefit.

In addition to the Teladoc Mental Health benefit Crossroads team members have access to, which provides therapist and psychiatry visits within 72 business hours, Telephonic EAP provides 24/7 access to short-term counseling, according to Brian Del Savio of New Benefits, Crossroads’ enhanced benefits partner.

Advice and referrals to other specialists including psychologists and psychiatrists can also result from reaching out to the EAP provider, Del Savio said when asked what he’d like Crossroads team members to know about their EAP benefit.

Referrals to experts who can assist with additional work life solutions like dealing with elder care, childcare, substance abuse, financial concerns, legal matters and stress management are all part of EAP’s menu of services.

We know team members’ days can be packed with action and stresses on the job and at home. That’s why we’re happy to make our EAP available to all Crossroads team members to use anonymously when and as they see fit.

Your "Breast Friend"—Edie Tolbert

Cancer Survivor Eases the Journey for Others

Edie Tolbert wants to be your “breast friend.” That’s what the Tulsa-Oklahoma area breast cancer survivor, entrepreneur and inspiration tells you when you meet for the first time.

Cancer-free now for 16 years, due to her faith and support from family and friends, Edie was able to fight cancer with grace. Coming out the other side in full remission, Edie embraced a new purpose. Edie’s new life mission became helping others through their cancer journeys.

At her Stonebrook Day Spa, Edie leads “The Stonebrook Project, helping cancer patients feel like people.” Its mission is “to increase cancer survivorship.”

Edie remembers the burning and fearful questions about what would happen during her cancer diagnosis and treatment and wondering how she would handle the uncertainty of what was going to happen when. 

In her company-wide webinar Weds, Oct. 23 in honor of October Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Edie will cover the following topics:

• General Breast Health
• What to Expect if your Diagnosis is Escalated for More Testing
• 5 Steps to Prep and Plan for: Screening, Diagnosis, Ultrasound, MRI and Biopsy

Just last month, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began requiring that nationally all mammogram reports must include a woman’s breast density as either “dense” or “not dense.” Additional screenings including ultrasounds and MRIs for women with dense breasts are often recommended.

Edie is delighted that, with the new legislation based on scientific evidence, there will be more aggressive screenings that lead to the early detection of breast cancer. The topic of breast density will also be visited in Edie’s webinar.

In a highly relatable and energetic way Edie’s presentation will cover valuable, everyday information about breast health and breast cancer every woman should know.

To attend Edie Tolbert’s Breast Health Webinar on Wednesday, October 23, join a TEAMS Meeting at:

9:30 A.M. CT/10:30 A.M. ET

4:00 P.M. CT/5:00 P.M. ET