DT_T-Season1-Episode 3 - Jaime-Alexis Fowler - Founder/CEO, Empower Work

DT_T Spotlights Jaime-Alexis Fowler — Founder & CEO of Empower Work

Jaime-Alexis Fowler Originally drawn toward academic research and teaching, her path shifted after a late-night conversation with a young woman navigating a painful workplace challenge. Jaime realized something startling: while millions of people struggle at work , facing job loss, inequity, or toxic environments, there was no accessible, independent crisis support designed specifically for workers.

She couldn’t let that inequity go.

Driven by a deep sense of justice, empathy, and tenacity, Jaime founded Empower Work, a national nonprofit creating healthy, equitable workplaces where people are valued, supported, and empowered. Through a free crisis text line, peer counseling, coaching, and systemic research, Empower Work has now supported over 500,000 people across the United States.

In this episode of DT_T (Do The _ Thing), Jaime reflects on:

•  The unexpected pivot from academic dreams to social entrepreneurship 
•  How empathy became her superpower 
•  Why compassion is not a “soft skill” but a radical force for change 
•  And how we can each align our next step with our deepest values 

Her story reminds us that sometimes the “thing” we are called to do begins may not be with ambition but with noticing a gap and refusing to look away.

Learn more about Jaime-Alexis Fowler and Empower Work:
 🔗 https://www.empowerwork.org

Sometimes the purpose we’re called to do begins long before we know how to name it.

Transcript

S1E3-Jaime Alexis-FowlerEmpowerWork

[00:00:00] Sheela: Welcome, Jaimie to this DT Dash T podcast. , This podcast is about spotlighting your story, how your gifts found their way into service. So listeners who sense there is something more feeling encouraged to take their intentional next step. So I welcome you.

Could you please share a little bit about yourself? 

[00:00:24] Jaime: Well, thanks Sheila. Thanks to everyone who's listening. I'm Jaimie Alexis, I'm the founder and now officially my title is CEO of Empower work. And I started Empower work based on my own experience, which I can share a little bit about.

But before I do that, I should say I never intended to be a founder. You know, being a founder or a CEO was not. What I imagined part of my path, I thought early in my career that my trajectory to impact was through teaching and through academic [00:01:00] research. So early in my career, my dream was to become a professor where I get to teach emerging minds and dig deep into research and solve problems and, um, and, and apply that to the challenges of today that there are.

Lessons learned in the world that can unlock how we tackle future problems. And that's not how my career unfolded. So, so I sort of jokingly refer to myself as like a recovering academic. So I share that because I think as, as part of this podcast, and I know Sheila, what your own story has shared with me is,

people don't always necessarily initially see the gifts or the strengths or the, the facets of their experience in ways that might unfold later. And that is certainly true and that is certainly true of me. So I started in empower work really this, to research around it in 2017, following a [00:02:00] conversation that I had with a young woman who was navigating a really, really challenging situation at work.

And we had a late night conversation and I thought, okay, I think I helped a little bit, you know? , I was not a trained coach. I, you know, but given that I had, had a very challenging experience very early in my career, a real gut punch moment throughout the course of my career, I was always really committed to both creating work environments for people that were healthy, that enabled people to thrive.

Hiring in ways, supporting practices in ways that really addressed that and had sort of become the person in, in various, you know, friend and, and kind of social networks was like, oh, maybe it would be helpful to talk to Jamie Alexis about this. So she and I had gotten connected through a number of friends and I left that conversation thinking, I think I was helpful, [00:03:00] but it struck me that what she needed.

Was something that was closer to her experience because by the time she connected with me, it was, the situation had been unfolding for a number of months. She needed something with more insight than I certainly felt like I had, and she needed something that was separate from her employer. And given my own work experience, I was familiar with resources through employers or through, for example, alumni communities or, or things like that.

And she didn't have access to the ones that I knew that were available. So I started doing research on why, you know, what exists out there. Is there a crisis text line for workers? Like, what is that called? Who? Who would you, because I thought I could refer people like her who I was in conversation with two additional support and resources.

And what I discovered was that that doesn't exist. [00:04:00] And of course, then the next question is why? Why doesn't that exist? And you know, and I think one of my gifts or strengths is, is I think some would call it stubbornness. Some might call it tenacity, but it's like, okay, what, like, why doesn't that exist?

And what I uncovered was that there are resources that exist for folks, um, in environments. That are willing and able to pay. So companies that have the means, companies that have the resources are providing a lot of different internal, you know, coaching services, EAPs, things like that. The vast majority of Americans or those working in the US do not work in environments like that.

And then there are resources that exist for folks who have the means or are willing to pay. Most of those services are not affordable to the average incomes across the [00:05:00] United States. And so when I looked at that and saw there's this growing inequity that is really unsustainable and untenable, how can we address that?

Because we have this promise that a job, a good job. We will open up opportunity that a job is the path, uh, is, you know, it's the path. It's the pathway to what's next. And the reality of that is that that promise is broken. There's a chance you might end up in a good job. Amazing. The likelihood that you're gonna face some kind of challenge at some point in your career that puts that opportunity at risk is quite high.

And there's not a lot to navigate that situation when it comes up. And so that's why I started in Empower work. It was, you know, like I'd had that gut punch and knock you off your path experience. And I wanted to make sure no one else [00:06:00] faced the same thing. And, um, and you know, so fast forward here we are, you know, eight years later and, and we've supported 500,000 people.

Across the United States, , which is pretty, which is it's meaningful.

[00:06:18] Sheela: Awesome. I love to hear stories of the journey. You know, they really spark, something in anybody's heart, I feel. So thank you for sharing that. Could you please share a little bit about Empower Work and the organization you founded?

[00:06:36] Jaime: Sure. So Empower Work is a national organization that provides. A range of resources and support to workers who are navigating some type of challenge. And so that includes kind of three core areas. We have a range of resources, including a crisis text line for workers. So folks can connect in with a trained peer counselor over text or web [00:07:00] chat, talk through the situation that they're experiencing, and on the other side, you know, leave with a game plan.

So, okay, I've, I've experienced a job loss. I talked with the counselor about how to share that with my family, how to think about my job search, what financial resources might I need while I'm job seeking, is there a training that I might need to upskill around when I'm thinking about what's next? So.

That text line provides deep human support via technology in a very scalable way, and we meet people where they are. And so for some people what they need is an overview of those resources. So we have a digital resource section of our website. Um, we have the text line. We also provide a range of resources through programs like connection, protection, where people have lost their jobs.

They can come in, get resources and support coaching, um, as well as three months of their cell phone bill covered to keep them connected to [00:08:00] employment, which is amazing. We also offer training, so we train our peer counselors who are all volunteers. To respond and provide guidance and support for those who are connecting in.

We also provide that training to partner organizations, to organizations that wanna build skills, um, in their own teams or across their organizations. And then the third area of work is we look at lessons learned through the lived experiences of the folks that we support by analyzing anonymously, what are trends that we're seeing and how can we take.

Those insights and apply them to systemic change. So for example, over the past year and a half, we've seen this record increase in job loss. Job loss, even at the height of the worst parts of the COVID Pandemic we're, I think at most 20 something percent of the text line at points last year. It was [00:09:00] over 60% of our text line volume was about job loss.

When you look at that. In comparison to larger labor data, unemployment as a number stayed quite low last year, and we were seeing the experience of folks who were losing one of their three jobs, for example, not captured in unemployment data who might be working a job where suddenly their hours change.

And they can no longer do that job because now their two jobs are in conflict with one another. So the, the insights that we can see through larger, trends, we can share back with partner organizations with, , researchers with journalists to unlock sort of, here's an underlying story that's not being told, and here's how we can build systems and structures and approaches differently so that we're really building workplaces that work for everybody.[00:10:00] 

[00:10:00] Sheela: Wow, that's a lot of hard work right there. The profound work , the impact. , , In the environment that we are in. Thank you very much.

When did you first recognize a gift or passion within you? Something that felt like this calls to me?

[00:10:20] Jaime: That's a great question, and it's also, I wanna like ask the same thing of you, Sheila, but I, you know, I think the, there have been a few consistencies in my life, I think in terms of how, I view myself, but then how others view me and how others would say , my strengths or gifts come out.

And so , if you asked a former. coworker of mine, you know, he would say like, oh, Jamie, Alexis, like moves mountains. That like, my gift is like, is like basically going after really hard stuff and like figuring it out. If you, if you asked my husband, you know, he would say it's empathy and really understanding what's going [00:11:00] on for others.

And probably if you ask my friends that they would, they would say the same thing. You know, if you asked my kids, they would say. That I'm not a very good cook. So, you know, I'm like, I'm like, I have worked in the restaurant, business as a server, but like, I should never be back at the house, you know?

So, I think for me, what I've learned over time is that , I never realized, I think. Whether this is baked into who I am or was developed over time, I, I don't know, but I have a deep attunement to what's happening with others, and I, I can't really explain it. You know, I think the best description from a academic standpoint would be empathy or compassion, and that's tied with a deep value around justice.

And so when I see something that is inequitable or unjust or [00:12:00] unfair, and I know that it's negatively impacting people, I am like a dog with a bone. You know, like I can't, I like cannot let it go. I just, I wanna, I wanna really dig in and I've done that over the course of my career on different issues or different areas that I'm passionate about.

I worked. International development on women's sexual and reproductive health for a number of years, and another area where I have personal experience that's close to my heart. And I think similarly pulled those skills into play where I wanted to solve big challenges. I wanted to address things differently.

I cared deeply about the work. So at different points in my career, I think those same skills were. Passions have been at play, but have been utilized in different ways. And so going back to what I shared at the beginning, I never imagined that I would be a founder or a leader of an organization because I always imagined myself more as an Entreprenuer.[00:13:00] 

Like, okay, I'm working on this issue within an existing structure or entity. How do I make it better from the inside? How do I think about new approaches? How do I think about new systems? Within what's already there. And it wasn't until I saw that there just wasn't something there at all for empower work that I thought what needs to be there?

And it, it really came from the need and then like, not being able to let go of that and not being tied to the outcome. I mean, for me, the outcome, what I mean is not being tied to an organizational structure of outcome. For me, the problem is. People are experiencing harm at work. There are not resources and support for that.

And it is creating negative impacts for people from a mental health perspective and from an economic perspective. And so how do we, how do we shift that, like empower work as an organization? If we're not [00:14:00] answering that, I would close tomorrow, you know, because it's like the problem is what we're trying to solve, not.

Oh, I wanna go create an organization, you know? , I think that's unusual. I think for a lot of entrepreneurs, they love the building, they love the creating, I mean, they love the problem solving, but there's something exciting in the creation. And I, and I feel that, but, but I'm more like, I wanna go change the lives of 40 million people.

I don't care if it's a startup or it's. Government or it's like whatever scale, like I want people to be in better situations going forward.

[00:14:39] Sheela: Beautifully said. And this is very meaningful share. I really appreciate sharing with us. If my previous questions are heart of the DT dash T, my next question is, it's soul.

What inspired you to take action and begin sharing that gift with [00:15:00] others?

[00:15:02] Jaime: I think the tenacity piece people have seen for a long time. I think, I mean, that just comes very, I think that comes very naturally. The empathy piece is harder, I think empathy as a skill or. Creating spaces where people feel seen and heard and really valued is a more difficult, you know, gift or skill to put into action.

I mean, I'm gonna contradict what I just said and say like, I believe everybody inherently can build empathy. It's a muscle, it's a skill. Like you can, you can bring that and. I've always felt an uneasy tension with it because I do think it's perceived in some ways to be, you know, you hear people talk about soft skills or, it's not perceived to be , a strength and I think it's a superpower.

And there's a quote that I had on my [00:16:00] son's wall in his, in his nursery. That said, compassion is the radicalism of our time. And it's a quote from the Dalai Lama. And for me that is a driving force of like, if we had a world where people could bring their whole selves and could bring deep empathy and compassion at every level from, you know, how you interact with a neighbor to how you're interacting at work, what an incredible world to live in.

And I think that's a world that that can exist. I say that because in my experience growing up, and I think some of the cultural messages that we get, particularly in the United States, it's a lot of pull yourself up by your bootstraps. It's like this rugged individualism about how you can, you, you have the, the ability to persevere and you can do anything, but it's.

By yourself. And I think compassion and [00:17:00] empathy and care are inherently both an individual and collective effort. So it's, it's in some ways harder. But I think it's more important we don't, none of us get here on our own.

[00:17:17] Sheela: Yeah, that quote you had mentioned, could you please repeat it for the listeners one more time please?

[00:17:24] Jaime: Compassion is the radicalism of our time, which I, I love.

[00:17:32] Sheela: Absolutely. I think, that highlights, your gift and how you are inspired to share it with others. I feel. Um, is there a particular request you would like to make to our listeners today for the organization Empower work

[00:17:50] Jaime: For anyone who is also moved by compassion or care for others or maybe has that.

Deep sense of also can't let go of an [00:18:00] inequity. I would say we have three key areas that are always helpful organizationally. One is our text line is powered by incredible peer counselors who are all volunteers. So for folks who wanna put that compassion into action or wanna build their empathy skills, sign up to be a peer counselor.

We are always excited to have more incredible folks on the line. And it's. It's really a win-win. I mean, you build skills that apply in the rest of life as well. In fact, we had a, a volunteer at one point whose husband then became a volunteer and they were talking about like, we ask each other better questions in our relationship.

You know, it's, it's helpful in work, it's helpful personally. And you really see the transformation that happens. You know, you see at the end of conversations. Someone who's reached out say to their peer counselor, oh my gosh, I can't believe I've never had support like this before. You know? And so it feels really meaningful and connective and you can see the outcome of, of how you've [00:19:00] supported someone, pretty tremendously.

So if you wanna volunteer, sign up to volunteer on our website, empower work.org/volunteer. The second is it's always meaningful to have investment of resources to do our work. We're a national organization. We've moved the needle for 500,000 people, but there are 40 million Americans who lack access to resources and support.

It takes investment in our tech infrastructure, in our outreach, in our community building, in our training of peer counselors. So. If, whether it's $5 or $50, whatever amount, we're always grateful for contributions. And the third is to share, empower, work with someone who might be struggling. You know, it's, it's often someone sharing our text line and with someone else they care about and saying, you know, I'm here for you, but empower work should also be your first call.

You know, like, um, and it's [00:20:00] okay to reach out for help. It's okay to not know. The answer to the work situation that you're going through, it's okay to be uncertain about your next step, and you deserve a resource and investment in coaching and support to figure that out. And , that's something I think in a lot of ways people don't, when they come across Empower work, they're surprised.

Like they're like, I didn't even know that this existed. Because the idea that. There could be something that is for you, that is focused on your success, on your best outcome is, is difficult for people to wrap their heads around, you know, because it's like, Hey, we're here just for you. You know? That's our sole purpose and, and that's unexpected, I think in this day and age.

[00:20:57] Sheela: Thank you for sharing, that important piece. [00:21:00] Jaimie,

So this is the last one, and I feel this is very important. At least to me it is. Is there an insight or encouragement you would like to leave with the listeners who are sensing that unnamed something,, looking for their next thing or chapter? Or finding their dash.

[00:21:22] Jaime: Hmm. It's one that I sit with because it's hard, it's hard to have that realization and think through what's next.

And, and I've certainly been there at a number of points , in my career. And I feel, you know, oftentimes people will say, well, like, just trust your gut. And you're like, but what if your gut is pulling you in three different directions? You know? 

[00:21:46] Sheela: Exactly.

[00:21:48] Jaime: So , for me, , and you know, I think this is where I would center my response, is to say, , it's about finding .

My values in line with the people that I care about. [00:22:00] And so when I'm making decisions or I'm, I'm stuck or I'm uncertain about how to move forward, it's about finding some quiet, and by quiet I mean it could be on a run with some music and my headphones or so, you know, it's like some kind of like personal space to really work through in that, okay, given what I care about and given everyone in my life who are important to me.

What aligns with those two pieces? And the answer might be none of the options. Okay, well, let's go figure out a different one. The answer might be, oh, yeah, really clearly this one. The answer might be sequencing some of those like, okay, I can do this one first, and those two other ones later. And, , and then the last question I usually ask myself is like, what's, what's the worst outcome?

Like what, what could possibly be, like, what's the thing that could go the most wrong? [00:23:00] And once I sort of face that, like, okay, if I, if I did a, and it failed, or I didn't get that job, or I didn't, you know, like what's the worst thing that could happen? And when I look at that and kinda, oh, okay, I'm okay with that, or like, I'm comfortable with that outcome, or.

I'm really not comfortable with that outcome. Okay. And you have, you know, you have the data points to, to feel a little bit more like you could trust the gut element that's, that's coming up a little bit more strongly, but that's me. And I know people process things in different ways. And so I'm someone who's, some who needs to take inputs and sit with them and then look at the path forward.

I have friends who are really quick decision makers and they're like, great, I'm uncertain about something, but I'm gonna make this decision and move forward with it tomorrow. And I'm like, not looking back. Amazing. You know? And I have friends who are like, I'm gonna sit with it for like three months. [00:24:00] Like, I've gotta really like be with it and wrangle.

So, you know, everybody's different. And I think finding the way to tackle that uncertainty in a way that. Aligns with your values and the way, and, and the things that are important to you is the most important part.

[00:24:20] Sheela: So beautiful once again, and it's practical and very, very meaningful and valuable. Thank you, Jamie, for sharing all that and especially the insight for the listeners.

I really appreciate , your willingness to be a guest on this podcast,

[00:24:38] Jaime: I appreciate that. Sheila. It was wonderful to get connected and I love your passion for people finding their paths forward too and how you're committed to that. And , we need more, we need more of you in the world.

[00:24:50] Sheela: Thank you. I appreciate it. I receive that.