Havenwood Academy Podcast
Hosted by Josh Gardner - CFO of Havenwood Academy - this show takes you behind the scenes of Havenwood Academy, a world-class residential treatment center in Cedar City, Utah.
Each episode shares real stories from our dedicated care providers - the people on the front lines helping young women heal from complex trauma, rebuild trust, and reclaim hope. You’ll hear the challenges, breakthroughs, and deeply human moments that make this work life-changing.
If you care about mental health, trauma-informed care, and the power of community, this is your inside look at how resilience is built and lives are transformed.
Havenwood Academy Podcast
Janie Sabin, Human Resources Director at Havenwood Academy
In this episode of the Havenwood Academy Podcast, host Josh Gardner sits down with Janie Sabin, Havenwood’s long-standing Human Resources Director. Janie shares her journey from paralegal to one of Havenwood’s very first employees, reflecting on over a decade of shaping the organization’s culture and people systems.
She dives into:
- How her legal background shaped her HR leadership
- Lessons learned about trauma, empathy, and personal growth
- Building strong staff culture and long-term retention
- Parenting insights gained from working in residential treatment
- Navigating licensing, regulation, and industry challenges
- Why Havenwood’s mission and values continue to attract and inspire
Whether you’re a parent, professional, or someone curious about what it takes to run a world-class treatment program, this conversation offers honesty, wisdom, and hope.
00:00 – Josh Gardner: Welcome and introduction. How did you end up at Havenwood?
00:04 – Janie Sabin: Shares her path from criminal justice degree to paralegal to co-founding Havenwood with Blaine.
01:15 – Josh: Why did you stay with Blaine through such a big pivot?
01:27 – Janie: Explains seeing the poor conditions in a prior home and being drawn to combine psychology with law.
02:25 – Josh: You became Havenwood’s HR Director early on. What have you learned?
02:59 – Janie: Talks about personal and professional growth, trauma awareness, and feedback culture.
04:03 – Josh: How has Havenwood changed your parenting?
04:17 – Janie: Discusses building strong relationships, using trauma-informed communication, and normalizing therapy.
06:11 – Josh: What are you most passionate about in your HR role?
06:33 – Janie: Creating supportive systems, benefits, and training; balancing licensing compliance with care.
07:27 – Josh: Why do some centers struggle with licensing?
07:48 – Janie: Importance of collaboration with licensors, staffing, and training for tougher cases.
09:22 – Josh: How has Havenwood retained staff so well?
10:00 – Janie: Recruitment through SUU, paying competitively, leaning into mission, and high standards.
11:27 – Josh: Can you share Havenwood’s mission and values?
11:36 – Janie: Explains mission statement and values: growth, team health, grit, extreme ownership.
13:21 – Josh: How do staff use the feedback channel?
13:24 – Janie: Staff-led improvements, immediate response from leadership, and empowerment through Divi cards.
15:07 – Josh: How does Havenwood build trust as an organization?
15:36 – Janie: Merch wall, self-checkout, no janitors—shared ownership and trust-based culture.
17:48 – Josh: How has your personal story shaped your empathy?
17:57 – Janie: Shares about her sister’s battle with cancer, empathy for staff, and her “flowers” tradition.
20:09 – Josh: What would you say to prospective parents considering Havenwood?
20:53 – Janie: Speaks directly to parents, assuring them of the love, safety, and support given to their children.
22:19 – Josh: Closing remarks and gratitude.
