People Worth Caring About

In this engaging conversation, Peter and Jalene discuss their recent experiences at LTC 100, share insights on storytelling, advocacy, and effective communication, and explore how to leverage social media for impact. They also delve into the importance of peer support among state executives and the power of storytelling in long-term care advocacy. Key TopicsLTC 100 conference highlightsStorytelling and social media impactState advocacy and collaborationLobbying efforts and success stories TakeawaysShort, engaging content works best—cut the fluff.Pass the cell phone—make content more human.Share success stories to inspire and motivate.Collaboration among state executives is vital.Effective storytelling increases engagement and pride.Chapters00:00 Summer Plans and Family Adventures02:44 CEO on the Go: A New Perspective05:45 Insights from LTC 10008:44 Lobbying and Advocacy: Learning from Each Other11:34 The Power of Storytelling in Long-Term Care14:31 Collaboration Among State Executives17:08 Screening Highlights and Key Takeaways19:57 Final Thoughts and Lessons Learned24:28 30 - Peter and Jalene 1 - outro.mp4ResourcesLTC 100 Conference - https://ltc100conference.comStorytelling and Social Media Strategies - https://example.com/storytelling-strategiesAdvocacy Success Stories in Long-Term Care - https://example.com/advocacy-storiesPeter Murphy Lewis on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/petermurphylewisJalene Carpenter on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/jalenecarpenterThank you for listening to “People Worth Caring About.” If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5-star rating to help others discover these important stories.For more information and to connect with our guests, visit PeopleWorthCaringAbout.com.

On this episode, host Peter Murphy Lewis talks with Benjamin VanDiest, a sophomore at the University of Nebraska Kearney and Certified Nursing Assistant at Mount Carmel Home. Benjamin shares his journey from a high school CNA class to discovering a deep passion for caregiving. He reflects on lessons learned from the elderly residents he serves and the personal inspiration he draws from his own family’s experience with caregiving.Key Takeaways:00:00 Introduction.01:16 Taking a CNA class in high school sparked an early interest in health care.03:00 Overcoming first-day nerves and gaining confidence through mentorship.04:20 Discovering the deeper purpose behind caregiving and connection.05:32 Learning wisdom from residents who lived through major historical moments.06:36 Becoming more patient and gentle through daily interactions with elders.07:32 Drawing inspiration from his grandmother’s compassion as a lifelong caregiver.Resources Mentioned:Mount Carmel Home | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/mountcarmelhome/Mount Carmel Home | Websitehttps://mountcarmelhome.org/Thank you for listening to “People Worth Caring About.” If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5-star rating to help others discover these important stories.For more information and to connect with our guests, visit PeopleWorthCaringAbout.com.#HealthcareLeadership #SkilledTrades #PeopleWorthCaringAbout

On this episode, host Peter Murphy Lewis talks with Collette Mieres, Executive Director of Ovation Heartwood Preserve. She shares how early lessons in compassion shaped her leadership in senior living and how creativity, empathy, and everyday acts of kindness drive meaningful care for both residents and staff.Key Takeaways:00:00 Introduction.01:01 Family influences can shape a lifelong commitment to care.04:17 Love and care for patients make a lasting impact.06:38 Creativity in daily activities enhances connection and joy.08:44 Treating others like family builds trust and belonging.12:44 Leadership is about being on the floor with your team.Resources Mentioned:Collette Miereshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/collette-mieres-ala-lpn-cdp-cmdcp-697774162/Ovation Heartwood Preserve | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/ovation-heartwood-preserve/Ovation Heartwood Preserve | Websitehttps://ovationheartwoodpreserve.com/Thank you for listening to “People Worth Caring About.” If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5-star rating to help others discover these important stories.For more information and to connect with our guests, visit PeopleWorthCaringAbout.com.#HealthcareLeadership #WasteManagement #SkilledTrades #PeopleWorthCaringAbout

In this heartfelt episode, Chris Moninger of Brookestone View shares his journey as a medication aide, his experiences living with disabilities, and how those challenges helped him build meaningful bonds with residents. Chris discusses mentorship, emotional resilience, rural community life, and receiving the NPV award for exceptional care. He offers practical advice for young caregivers starting in long-term care.Key Takeaways:00:00 Introduction.02:30 Early mentorship helps shape lifelong values in care.04:50 Personal challenges create deeper empathy for others.06:14 Overcoming adversity can bring a renewed perspective on life.06:53 Everyday acts of service provide lasting fulfillment.07:50 Teamwork and recognition motivate consistent improvement.09:01 Listening to stories helps form meaningful connections.Resources Mentioned:Brookestone View | Websitehttps://www.brookestoneview.com/Thank you for listening to “People Worth Caring About.” If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5-star rating to help others discover these important stories.For more information and to connect with our guests, visit PeopleWorthCaringAbout.com.#HealthcareLeadership #WasteManagement #SkilledTrades #PeopleWorthCaringAbout

On this episode, host Peter Murphy Lewis talks to Maria Hudson, Senior Lead Administrative Assistant at the Good Samaritan Society. Maria shares how community involvement, frontline advocacy, and powerful resident experiences are reshaping perceptions of long-term care. From fishing trips to policy discussions in Washington, Maria highlights both the challenges and the joys of senior living today.Key Takeaways:00:00 Introduction.02:52 Sitting with senators to share frontline stories of long-term care.04:52 How COVID reshaped the workforce and made hiring in rural care difficult.06:42 Why community and staff are equally responsible for elder care.07:38 The joy and excitement of a 98-year-old’s first fishing trip.09:37 How showing the docuseries changed local views of nursing homes.10:47 Using storytelling and visuals to reassure new residents and their families.Resources Mentioned:Maria Hudsonhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-hudson-25692a12a/Good Samaritan Society | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/good-samaritan-sanford-health/Good Samaritan Society | Websitehttps://www.good-sam.com/Thank you for listening to “People Worth Caring About.” If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5-star rating to help others discover these important stories.For more information and to connect with our guests, visit PeopleWorthCaringAbout.com.#HealthcareLeadership #WasteManagement #SkilledTrades #PeopleWorthCaringAbout

Brenda Van Leer, Program Director at Grandview Assisted and Independent Living, shares how she stepped into long-term care and quickly built programs that stand out statewide. In just over a year, she introduced fresh ideas that have energized residents, strengthened community partnerships, and earned national recognition. From launching a traveling balloon volleyball league to hosting Nebraska volleyball coach John Cook, Brenda shows how creativity and teamwork can shape a thriving culture. She also reflects on how daily connections with residents have reshaped her patience, perspective, and sense of purpose — insights that matter to anyone leading in senior care.Key Takeaways:00:00 Introduction.04:12 Why assisted living is described as a feel-good job.07:33 The value of leaning on experienced teammates.11:10 Launching a balloon volleyball league across facilities.14:09 Turning activities into spirited competition that residents love.15:13 When national sports figures engage senior communities.19:19 Why volunteering is the best entry into long-term care.Resources Mentioned:Grandview Assisted and Independent Living | Websitehttps://www.grandviewassisted.com/Thank you for listening to “People Worth Caring About.” If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5-star rating to help others discover these important stories.For more information and to connect with our guests, visit PeopleWorthCaringAbout.com.#HealthcareLeadership #WasteManagement #SkilledTrades #PeopleWorthCaringAbout

On this episode, host Peter Murphy Lewis talks to Julie Masters, Professor of Gerontology at the University of Nebraska Omaha. Julie shares her passion for reframing how we view aging and why education, community design, and storytelling are essential to creating meaningful experiences for older adults. She reflects on shifts in gerontology programs, her own experiences navigating health care systems, and the urgent need to make communities more age-friendly.Key Takeaways:00:00 Introduction.01:54 Nobody hopes to end up in long-term care.06:07 COVID created a lasting stigma around aging.08:09 Students find inspiration in grandparents’ active lives.14:01 Health care systems can be difficult for older adults to navigate.15:37 Simple design changes make environments age-friendly.18:19 Older adults grow less alike as they age.22:40 Safe spaces encourage storytelling and dignity.26:40 Meaning and purpose remain possible at any age.Resources Mentioned:Julie Mastershttps://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-masters-1903b69/ University of Nebraska Omaha | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/school/unomaha/University of Nebraska Omaha | Websitehttps://www.unomaha.edu/“The Book of Charlie” by David Von Drehlehttps://www.amazon.com/Book-Charlie-Remarkable-American-109-Year-Old/dp/1476773920Thank you for listening to “People Worth Caring About.” If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5-star rating to help others discover these important stories.For more information and to connect with our guests, visit PeopleWorthCaringAbout.com.#HealthcareLeadership #WasteManagement #SkilledTrades #PeopleWorthCaringAbout

On this episode, we’re joined by Kyle Benesch, Director of Business Development at QRM. From mortician to long-term care advocate, Kyle shares a raw, emotional, and often hilarious journey through grief, growth, and deep purpose. He reflects on the lessons learned from managing people, surviving burnout, and finding belonging in the world of senior care. For Kyle, advocacy isn't a marketing line — it’s a calling shaped by personal loss, bold vulnerability, and a commitment to serving caregivers with respect and sincerity.Key Takeaways:00:00 Introduction.06:45 The senior living industry became an unexpected passion.08:15 Watching CNAs grieve showed the depth of their care.10:15 Kyle considers his ADHD a creative superpower.15:00 Traveling for work opened Kyle’s worldview and empathy.17:21 Great salespeople stay curious beyond their own product.19:00 Building friendships, not transactions, changes industry trust.26:00 Losing a colleague reshaped Kyle’s approach to leadership.30:33 "Hero Welcomes" during COVID became his proudest moment.32:57 Authenticity on LinkedIn builds real-world relationships.Resources Mentioned:Kyle Beneschhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kylejbenesch/QRM | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/qrm-quality-rehab-management/QRM Health | Websitehttps://qrmhealth.com/Thank you for listening to “People Worth Caring About.” If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5-star rating to help others discover these important stories.For more information and to connect with our guests, visit PeopleWorthCaringAbout.com.#HealthcareLeadership #WasteManagement #SkilledTrades #PeopleWorthCaringAbout