Crisis Doesn't Create Character, It Reveals It

The way a business leader responds to adversity — most recently in the form of COVID-19 —reveals true character. In Louisiana, we are lucky to be surrounded by people of exceptional character. Louisiana needs champions, change makers, and leaders to drive positive change in our state — now more than ever. Catherine O’Brien’s Red Stick Strong podcast tells the stories of those who are doing just that.

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Catherine is the Baton Rouge-based owner of Branch Out Programs, a podcast production company. She started Red Stick Strong to highlight local businesses and organizations that are working hard not only to stay afloat, but also to help our community thrive even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Catherine interviews local business leaders to capture the strategic and creative ways companies and individuals are continuing to serve their customers and spread joy during these challenging times. Thanks to Catherine and her Red Stick Strong podcast, local stories of resilience, compassion, creativity, and leadership are being captured and shared.

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Catherine’s first episode aired April 7, and her coverage since has been both impressive and inspiring. So far, she has recorded and released 23 interviews, each making us proud to call Baton Rouge and Louisiana home. The podcast features an array of Baton Rouge-area businesses ranging from individual artists and bakers to restaurants and branding agencies. Each interview provides stories of resilience and compassion, as well as tactical ways to help one another through the crisis. For example, Pure Barre Baton Rouge has pivoted class offerings to help people stay active while they stay home. Studio owner Rebecca Lemoine has taken her fitness classes online and invited members to bring their friends and families to join the workouts, inspiring even more people to stay fit and healthy throughout the pandemic. Other business leaders are stepping up to make a difference for those who need it most. Sarah Joy Hays, owner of CounterspaceBR, started Shift Support to both help the restaurant industry stay afloat and keep our healthcare workers fed. The nonprofit raises money to buy bulk meals from local restaurants (and leave a generous tip!) and then donates those meals to the hospitals’ night shift workers. These business owners are leading by example and empowering others to step up in this time of need.

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We are proud and humbled to have had our very own Seth Irby, LWCC's Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer, featured on the Red Stick Strong podcast. Seth and Catherine chat about LWCC’s commitment to the health and well-being of Louisiana and its workforce, a commitment that includes the LWCC Foundation’s Louisiana Well Again: COVID-19 Response Package, a three-phase, $1.1 million grant program to address Louisiana’s most pressing needs in the face of the pandemic and build future resiliency for the state’s businesses and workers.

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Check out our Red Stick Strong podcast episode to hear more. We are proud to be Louisiana Loyal and to do our part to help alleviate some of the stress caused by the pandemic. “Whether you’re an insurance company or a church,” says Seth, “[the pandemic offers] a huge opportunity for you to leverage your expertise to help people.”