Welcome to OnTopic by Empathia, a podcast dedicated to overcoming challenges in times of uncertainty. We’ll be talking to industry experts from a wide variety of fields to explore the issues of the day and steps individuals and organizations can take to become more resilient.
Whether it is delivering a high-value employee assistance program or responding to a crisis in your organization or community, Empathia brings competence, compassion and commitment to those who need it most.
Stay updated on the latest informational articles & resources.
Everybody deserves a second chance… right? But sometimes events transpire that can often feel unforgivable. This week’s OnTopic with Empathia features return guest Dr. Buck Blodgett founder and executive director of The LOVE>hate Project. During Dr. Blodgett’s previous OnTopic appearance, he discussed the tragic events that led to him starting The LOVE>hate Project, an organization…
Dr. Melissa Lunardini highlights various digital grief spaces—from social media memorials to AI companions—while emphasizing both opportunities and challenges these technologies present. The presentation offers practical frameworks for evaluating digital grief spaces and tools and implementing safety protocols, ultimately advocating for a balanced approach that recognizes digital spaces as legitimate grief environments requiring thoughtful guidance…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Milwaukee, WI — November 4, 2025 — In today’s complex global landscape, where public scrutiny from safety incidents, operational disruptions, and random attacks can escalate rapidly, Empathia, a leading provider of employee assistance and crisis management services, has launched a full-service Crisis Leadership Advisor Program. Fueled by crisis experts, the program offers…
Everybody deserves a second chance… right? But sometimes events transpire that can often feel unforgivable. This week’s OnTopic with Empathia features return guest Dr. Buck Blodgett founder and executive director of The LOVE>hate Project. During Dr. Blodgett’s previous OnTopic appearance, he discussed the tragic events that led to him starting The LOVE>hate Project, an organization…
How do you take care of an aging parent? What about your own future? As we age our bodies tend to break down, unless we start to take the steps necessary to keep us going. This week’s guest Carrie Crawley, an Empathia resource specialist and gerontologist, shares methods to ensuring you can take care of…
Caring for aging loved ones is one of the most meaningful, and often one of the most challenging roles any of us will take on. It raises questions about health, independence, finances, and how to balance caregiving with the rest of life. And while every family’s journey looks different, the need for support and good…
This week’s OnTopic with Empathia features guest Alan Mikolaj and explores whether someone can be a “born leader” and what the research shows. (Hint: With enough hard work, anyone can find their way, regardless of standing.) Alan is a leadership and organizational development consultant, executive coach and the author of Stress Management for the Emergency…
Being a leader is harder than it looks. It’s a demanding and isolating job, with immense pressure and a constant need to adapt. Just take it from Alan Mikolaj he’s a leadership and organizational development consultant, executive coach and the author of Stress Management for the Emergency Care Provider and The Change: Insights into…
Walk the talk! It’s a simple phrase, but what does it really mean? And more importantly, does it apply to you or the leadership at your organization? The idea of aligning your actions with your words is one that executive coach Ken Jenkins was introduced to early in his career, and it’s a principle he’s…
