From Cancer to Comeback – Jim Olson’s Playbook for Turning Setbacks into Tailwinds

Show notes

Jim Olson, a seasoned communications leader with a front-row seat to some of the most defining moments in corporate crisis history, joins Athena Koutsonikolas on the Aspire to Inspire Podcast to share the four-step crisis communications plan that has guided him through both his career in crisis comms and his fight against cancer.

From negotiating with terrorists to battling tumors and losing his sight, Jim candidly shares how crises have shaped him—both professionally and personally. He brings the audience inside high-stakes moments from his career and outlines a clear framework communicators can use to stay calm, take control, and craft a winning strategy—even in life-or-death situations.

Jim most recently served as Head of Brand and Communications at Avelo Airlines—America’s first new airline in 15 years—where he built the communications function from scratch. Previously, he led comms at United Airlines, Starbucks, and US Airways, where he helped turn the “Miracle on the Hudson” into a story of employee pride and national inspiration.

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Selected People, Places & Things Mentioned: Avelo Airlines; United Airlines; Starbucks; US Airways; Cartagena, Colombia; Project Hope; J.D. Power and Associates; Nissan North America; Overture; “Miracle on the Hudson”; Chesley Burnett “Sully” Sullenberger; African Leadership University; CEO of Avelo Airlines, former CFO of United Airlines Andrew Levy; Jakarta terrorist attacks; The Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist organization; Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz; Former EVP of Public Affairs at Starbucks Vivek Varma; Maya Angelou; Washington DC plane crash; American Airlines; American Airlines CEO Robert Isom; Flight 1549; Former Head of People & Public Affairs at US Airways Elise Eberwein; First Officer, Flight 1549 Jeffrey Skiles; Heroes behind the Miracle on the Hudson; Levi Strauss & Co CEO Michelle Gass; Former Chairman and CEO of United Airlines Oscar Munoz; Former CEO, US Airways Doug Parker; Ubuntu “I am because you are”; Follow Jim

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Follow the host and guest: Athena Koutsonikolas on LinkedIn & Jim Olson on LinkedIn

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Staffbase is the fastest-growing, most experienced employee communications platform provider for enterprise companies seeking to inspire diverse, disconnected, and distributed workforces. Staffbase is on a mission to empower communicators worldwide with a platform that equips companies aspiring to reach every employee with communication that inspires them to work together to achieve business outcomes.

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