In this episode, we hear from former Navy Commanding Officer, David Smith, a sociologist who co-authored Athena Rising, a book by men to men about mentoring women.

Dave dives into some of the challenges men face today mentoring women in the #MeToo environment, and highlights the benefits — to men — that show why men should double-down on interacting with their female colleagues – not pull away.

A couple books mentioned by David in this episode:

David Smith, PhD, is the co-author of Athena Rising: How and Why Men Should Mentor Women and Associate Professor of Sociology in the National Security Affairs Department at the United States Naval War College. A former Navy pilot, Dr. Smith led diverse organizations of women and men culminating in command of a squadron in combat and flew more than 3,000 hours over 19 years including combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. As a sociologist trained in military sociology and social psychology, he focuses his research in gender, work, and family issues including dual career families, military families, women in the military, and retention of women. Dr. Smith is the author of numerous journal articles and book chapters—many on the topic of gender and the workplace. Learn more about David at his website: davigsmithphd.com

Also check out: Work, Pause, Thrive, by Lisen Stromberg, about non-linear work paths.