Lori Gibson-Washington, Author at The Calming Coach

Grief in the Workplace: Identity and the Gentle Work of Becoming Again

May 20, 2026May 21, 2026 by Lori Gibson-Washington

Lori Gibson-Washington

Grief in the workplace does not always look like tears. Sometimes it looks like brain fog, missed details, low patience, clutter, or the strange feeling that your body showed up but the rest of you did not. That matters because many grieving people are trying to function, produce, and survive…

Stop Being a Nice Boss. Start Being a Kind Leader.

April 15, 2026April 15, 2026 by Lori Gibson-Washington

Lori Gibson-Washington

We often use the words "nice" and "kind" as if they mean the exact same thing. Someone holds the door open? They are nice. A coworker brings donuts to the morning meeting? They are kind. But when you step into a leadership role, treating these two concepts as identical…

Love, Business, and Caregiving: A Wild Ride

From Cats, Dogs, and Divorce Threats to Finding Our Tribe

March 29, 2026March 29, 2026 by Lori Gibson-Washington

Lori Gibson-Washington

Most people who knew us as a couple thought highly of our togetherness. We looked like we had it all figured out. But behind closed doors during our first seven years, we either loved each other madly or fought more ferociously than cats and dogs. Those dramatic fights usually ended…

Unplug Your Assumptions: A Next-Gen Guide to Critical Thinking for Maximum Impact

November 24, 2025 by Lori Gibson-Washington

Lori Gibson-Washington

As a leader in the nonprofit and service space, your day is a constant stream of decisions. From managing budgets and motivating teams to designing programs and engaging stakeholders, your choices have a direct impact on the mission you serve. But are you using the mental tools you truly need…

Bedside Boogie: Finding Joy in Hospice Care

October 22, 2025October 22, 2025 by Lori Gibson-Washington

Lori Gibson-Washington

It’s amazing how music can transform a moment. Amazing how music can turn gray skies, blue. Wednesday was a good day. Many of us have heard of chair dancing, but today I witnessed—and joined in on—some impressive bed dancing. As the caregivers helped my husband, we all danced around…

So Baldwin and Wright had Beef – A Lesson in Generational and Other Communications Differences

September 4, 2025September 4, 2025 by Lori Gibson-Washington

Lori Gibson-Washington

Civil Rights era writer, James Baldwin; Harlem Renaissance era writer, Richard Wright I grew up reading "The Fire Next Time" by James (Jimmy) Baldwin and "Native Son" by Richard Wright. As a seasoned citizen, the cultural mantra I've been using is that the Black Community is not a monolithic…

When Decluttering and AI Meet: An Ethical Dilemma

June 10, 2025June 10, 2025 by Lori Gibson-Washington

Lori Gibson-Washington

The Overwhelming Reality of Clutter I am overwhelmed! For many of us, clutter isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a reflection of our lives. Living in a two-bedroom apartment filled with belongings from our two previous 3-bedroom townhouses, the homes of my mom and dad, Hubby's parents, Hubby's sister, my grandparents,…

Woo-Woo Alert! Can Negative Lead to Positive?

April 26, 2025April 30, 2025 by Lori Gibson-Washington

Lori Gibson-Washington

Negative emotions never elicit positive outcomes. That was my belief once upon a time. I often argued it vehemently. After all, how in the world could negative energy bring about positive change? It seemed impossible. And yet, here I am today, questioning my own emphatic stance. First, let's address…

Smile at Your Storm

April 5, 2025April 5, 2025 by Lori Gibson-Washington

Lori Gibson-Washington

Life can feel like a relentless storm sometimes. The wind howls, the rain lashes down, and it seems like the chaos will never end. Maybe you've been feeling that way lately. I know I have. A colleague and I were recently talking about posting on social media. You see, I…

Celebrating 39 Years of Terrance Kelly with the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir

April 4, 2025April 4, 2025 by Lori Gibson-Washington

Lori Gibson-Washington

Celebrating 39 Years of Terrance Kelly with the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir When thinking of gospel music and spirituals, few names shine as brightly as Terrance Kelly and Jester Hairston. This year, we celebrate an incredible milestone for Terrance Kelly, who has been the artistic director of the Oakland Interfaith…

1 2 3 … 5 Next »