Season 3, Episode 9 begins 2026 with a deeply moving and honest conversation about self-care, love, and survival. In this episode, “Carolyn Dowdy”, we sit with a story that so many caregivers live, but few talk about out loud.

When Carolyn’s husband suffered a stroke, her life changed in an instant. Overnight, she became a caregiver, carrying the weight of responsibility, fear, and love all at once. Through exhaustion and uncertainty, Carolyn learned a powerful truth the hard way: you cannot pour from an empty cup. Without boundaries and self-love, burnout doesn’t just harm the caregiver, it also impacts the person they are trying so desperately to care for.

Carolyn shares how choosing happiness, practicing gratitude, and protecting her mental health became acts of love, not selfishness. By focusing on positivity and honoring her own needs, she found the strength to show up fully and compassionately for her husband.

This episode is a reminder that caregivers matter too. Your well-being is not optional, it’s essential.
For practical mental health tools and self-care strategies for caregivers, visit Carolyn’s website:
👉 https://caregivermentalwellness.com/

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On this episode of On the Front Line: The Safety, Learning & Operations Podcast, Dr. Gina Anderson, speaks with Nikki Thomas, Vice President of Industry Affairs at the American Trucking Association and leader of ATA Women in Motion. Nikki has three years of transforming how the trucking industry supports women and 20+ years in program and event management.

Nikki explains how a partnership with Trucker Path solved the critical truck parking safety gap for women drivers, why "leading from the front" means making others shine, and how she's building networks that keep talent in the industry. Her approach to innovation—taking one step, trying one new thing, and showing up excited—demonstrates why community-centered leadership creates lasting impact.
If you're navigating male-dominated industries, building inclusive programs, or leading teams through innovation, this episode will show you the power of strategic partnerships and quiet persistence.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
--How Nikki's strategic partnership with Trucker Path created a safety solution accessed 64 million times
--Why leadership means creating opportunities for others to shine, not chasing titles
--The seven critical safety features women drivers identified for truck stops
--How forward-thinking technology and virtual training tools are attracting the next generation to trucking
--Why starting earlier with student outreach could transform industry talent pipelines

Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-thomas-0520/

Want to learn more about Nikki's work? Check out the American Trucking Association website https://wim.trucking.org/home?ssopc=1

Check out the Luma Brighter Learning website, https://lumabrighterlearning.com/

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply, https://www.learningwithgina.com/on-the-front-line/

Subscribe to On the Frontline for more insights on safety, compliance, learning, and operations in the world of mobile, distributed, and high-risk workforces.

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I sat down with Jillian McLaughlin, Emotional Intelligence Coach, Leadership Trainer, Keynote Speaker, and Founder of McLaughlin Mentoring Inc. Jillian helps leaders grow and improve their teams with a focus on emotional intelligence and human-centered leadership culture. She shared with us that we need to find your word to shape your your year. Such a powerful conversation to end the year. Let's bring more emotional intelligence into 2026. Share what your word will be for 2026.

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on has been part of the transportation industry since 1987, spending three decades as a professional driver before transitioning into a safety leadership role. One of the greatest challenges in that transition was building confidence. After years of working independently behind the wheel, Don had to learn to speak up, share his ideas, and contribute in new ways. As his insights began to gain traction and receive positive feedback, his confidence grew and with it, a strong sense of purpose and impact.

Tip from Don:
You don’t have to be the smartest person in the room and sometimes it’s better if you aren’t. Staying open to others’ perspectives helps prevent getting stuck in one way of thinking and creates opportunities to learn, grow, and lead more effectively.

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When Josee was just 12 years old, she longed for a new bicycle, a simple dream, but one her family couldn’t afford. Instead of letting disappointment settle in, she let that moment light a fire inside her. She picked up a paper route, began babysitting, and worked for the bike she imagined herself riding.

Josee says she’s learned something powerful along the way: every hurdle in her life has held the potential to become an opportunity. We’re all going to face obstacles, some small, some life-shifting, but what matters most is how we choose to meet them. Often, it’s the smallest, quietest acts of determination that end up changing everything.

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Dr. Courtney Beck shared her career in sports laid a strong foundation of life lessons for her. After spending 3 years away, she realized she had another chance to be part of a team again when her coach allowed her to walk back on. Through this small action, she attributes so much personal growth and confidence. Sometimes it’s little things that have the biggest impact or teach you the biggest lessons in your life.

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On this episode of On the Front Line: The Safety, Learning & Operations Podcast, Dr. Gina Anderson, speaks with Blake Grolmus, SVP of Government Relations at Iowa Motor Truck Association.

Blake challenges the "tenure trap" that keeps fresh voices on the sidelines. He shares why his best safety innovations came from people outside the safety team. Drivers who asked "why do we do it that way?" changed everything. He reveals his leadership approach: never ask someone to do what you wouldn't do yourself.

Tune in to discover why the best innovations come from unexpected voices, and how quiet leadership opens doors.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

--Why breakthrough ideas come from non-experts in the room
--How to create space for newcomers in a longevity-driven industry
--The leadership lesson of being remembered for people, not accomplishments
--How small frontline changes move entire industries forward

Connect with Blake on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakegrolmus/

Want to learn more about Blake’s work? Check out the Iowa Motor Truck Association website, https://www.iowamotortruck.com/

Check out the Luma Brighter Learning website, https://lumabrighterlearning.com/

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply, https://www.learningwithgina.com/otfl-guest/

Subscribe to On the Frontline for more insights on safety, compliance, learning, and operations in the world of mobile, distributed, and high-risk workforces.

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Dr. Marline shared the smallest step that had the biggest impact for her was being brave enough to share her story. She set aside the fear that no one else would care and made the decision to tell her story through her book. That small step fueled her passion to connect with others and led her to speaking engagements and then onto the TedX stage.

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On this episode of On the Front Line: The Safety, Learning & Operations Podcast, Dr. Gina Anderson speaks with William Lusk, Director of Education and Government Relations at the National Tank Truck Carriers, where he represents 500 member companies across North America.

William shares his journey of building trust by showing up, keeping promises, and connecting members with real solutions. With years of experience visiting facilities nationwide, he’s seen firsthand how innovation in driver recruitment, safety technology, and cargo tank inspections is shaping the industry. He also talks about what frontline leadership teaches us about humanity, how regulations affect companies in unexpected ways, and why genuine, consistent touchpoints matter more than formal meetings.

Tune in to hear how one leader is shaping the future of tank trucking through trust, connection, and a commitment to understanding the people he serves.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How trust and integrity form the foundation of effective industry advocacy
The value of visiting member facilities to understand operational challenges firsthand
What frontline leadership reveals about the struggles people face behind closed doors
Innovative solutions emerging across the tank truck industry, from driver pipelines to virtual tank inspections
The lasting impact of advocacy work and policy changes that benefit the entire industry
Why regular communication matters more than scheduled committee meetings

Subscribe to On the Frontline for more insights on safety, compliance, learning, and operations in the world of mobile, distributed, and high-risk workforces.

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