Dear friends,

If you’ve been following the Red Door Project, you know that the heart of our work is about cultivating awareness and curiosity—creating space before reactivity takes over.

This has always been our north star: even in times as difficult as these, when we resist the pull of reactivity, we remember that we are not powerless—and we expand our capacity to meet challenges with imagination, compassion, and courage.

When we pause, when we notice, when we choose curiosity—our best thinking can come forward. And from that place, new solutions emerge. Possibility opens. Hope becomes real.

That is the work we remain committed to: helping all of us find our way to the kind of world that sustains and uplifts us all.

With gratitude,

The Founders of the Red Door Project

Kevin Jones & Lesli Mones

Tools for Real Change: A Leader’s Perspective on Evolve

At The Red Door Project, we often hear how the Evolve Workshop sparks lasting change — not just in the moment, but in the way people lead, communicate, and navigate conflict long after. To bring that impact to life, we sat down with former Portland Police Bureau Captain Jason Jones, who recently participated in the workshop. In this conversation, he shares what drew him in, the surprises along the way, and how the Evolve Mindset is shaping his work and relationships.

Q: What motivated you to take part in the Evolve Workshop?

Jones: I wanted to grow as a leader and handle stress more intentionally. I was doing fine on the surface, but I knew I needed a deeper shift in how I think and lead. The workshop seemed like a chance to reset and focus on what really matters.

Q: Can you share a moment from the workshop that surprised you or shifted your perspective?

Jones: One thing that surprised me was how often I operate from protection. I realized that staying in that space kept me reactionary and more interested in debating and winning than really listening and understanding. That shift in perspective stuck with me.

Q: The Evolve Mindset — Protect, Expand, and Evolve — was a central framework. What part of it stuck with you most, and why?

Jones: The “Protect” part stood out the most. I started to notice how often I default to control or defensiveness without meaning to. Now I try to recognize those moments and respond differently.

Q: Tell me about a time after the workshop when you applied what you learned — in a tough conversation, a conflict, or a leadership decision.

Jones: I reflected on some old conflicts in my career and noticed how I could have shown up better. I reached out to a few people, took ownership of my part, and apologized. It helped repair relationships that had felt unresolved for years.

Q: Since then, what’s one personal or professional habit you’ve started to change?

Jones: I have started pausing before big conversations to check in with myself. I ask if I am reacting out of fear or responding with purpose. That quick moment helps me stay focused on resolving challenges from a place of humility, curiosity, and understanding.

Q: If a colleague asked you why they should attend, what story would you share with them?

Jones: I would tell them the workshop helped me see patterns I had been blind to. The concepts are not based on abstract theories. I left the workshop with tools I carry into real situations. If you are ready to grow and lead with greater self-awareness and intentionality, this workshop gives you the space to do that alongside skilled facilitators.

Stories like Captain Jones remind us that real leadership begins with self-awareness — and when we choose to pause, listen, and lead with humility, we create space for growth, healing, and more authentic connection.

Help Us Build Connections

Do you, or someone you know, have connections with Law Enforcement or other Criminal Justice agencies that might benefit from The Evolve Workshop? We’re looking to expand our partnerships with leaders who are open to new tools and ways of thinking to help their communities move toward deeper understanding, adaptability, and meaningful change.

If someone comes to mind, please take a moment to fill out our Partnership Interest Form below. A member of our team will follow up to learn more and explore how we might collaborate.

Together, we can bring the power of The Evolve Mindset™ to more spaces that need it most.

Name of Organization

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Curious about what The Evolve Mindset is?

It is a systems theory model based on the premise that all systems, whether they are individuals, institutions, or nations, are subject to a simple, repeating process through which change occurs. This is “The Evolve Mindset.” We offer a guide for those who wish to engage in the process of evolution consciously and intentionally, rather than merely reacting to change when it becomes uncomfortable, unavoidable, or driven by crisis.