Shows
The Relational Approach: In Seniors' CareWhat Fuels Creative Teams: A Relational Approach with Amy ClimerWhat if creativity isn’t something a few people are born with but a skill that every team can learn and apply?In today's episode, Dr. Amy Climer invites us to rethink what it means to be creative, and how structured curiosity can transform how care teams collaborate, problem solve, and engage with their work. Drawing from her book, Deliberate Creative Teams: How to Lead for Innovative Results, Amy shares practical ways leaders and staff can spark innovation without adding more to their plates.Through thoughtful stories and accessible frameworks, Amy shows ho...2025-07-0831 min
The Relational Approach: In Seniors' CareWhat If a 15-Second Story Could Change Everything? A Relational Approach with Marsha ShandurWhat if connection was as simple as sharing a 15-second story?In this episode of The Relational Approach Podcast, Marsha Shandur guides us into the world of storytelling, not just as entertainment, but as a powerful relational tool for care teams. With warmth and wisdom, she unpacks how small, emotionally-rich stories can help build trust, foster empathy, and create meaningful connections with families in senior care.Marsha shows us that storytelling isn’t just a skill, it’s a bridge. A 15-second story can ease anxiety, humanize care, and help family members feel seen...2025-06-2431 min
The Relational Approach: In Seniors' CareHigh Performance Starts with Presence: A Relational Conversation with Dr. Liane DaveyWhat if high performance in seniors’ care starts not with doing more but with showing up differently?In this episode of The Relational Approach Podcast, Dr. Liane Davey introduces us to the concept of thought load: the mental and emotional weight we carry on top of our day-to-day tasks.You’ll hear:Why your stress might have more to do with focus than workloadHow to protect your energy without stepping away from your purposeThe surprising difference between emotions and the stories we tell about themWhy small moments of awareness create big impactThis is a...2025-06-1033 min
The Relational Approach: In Seniors' CareFrom Fatigue to Connection: A Relational Approach with Denise BrownWhat if supporting caregivers wasn’t about having all the answers… but simply making space to listen?In today's episode, Denise Brown shares a powerful reminder: presence isn’t a soft skill, it’s the foundation for trust, healing, and connection.You’ll hear:Why “compassion fatigue” is often something deeperHow a simple phrase like “We know this is a hard day” can shift everythingWhy listening without fixing can be the most supportive thing you doHow presence and problem-solving actually go hand in handIt’s a beautiful, grounding conversation that will leave you thinking differe...2025-05-2731 min
The Relational Approach: In Seniors' CareBuilding Trust Through Family Councils: A Relational Conversation with Lisa DawsonWhat if family councils could become a bridge instead of a battleground?In this episode of The Relational Approach Podcast, Lisa Dawson shares what it really takes to build trust between care teams and families and how to move from frustration to collaboration.You’ll hear:How trust, not tension, sets the tone for everything elseWhy curiosity opens more doors than complaintsWhat it looks like to reset when a relationship has gone off trackHow to keep residents at the center of every conversationWhether you’re part of a care team or a fami...2025-05-1326 min
The Relational Approach: In Seniors' CareResidents Who Shape Culture: The Relational Approach with Rose Lamb and Lou WatsonWhat if the most powerful voice in the hiring process isn’t the manager but the resident?In today’s episode, Rose Lamb and Lou Watson show us what it looks like when residents aren’t just living in a seniors’ community, they’re shaping it. As a 92-year-young resident at The Village of Taunton Mills, Lou brings wisdom, wit, and a clear voice to the hiring table - literally. Together with Rose, Senior VP at Schlegel Villages, they share how involving residents in the interview process strengthens culture, trust, and connection.This episode is a power...2025-04-2930 min
The Relational Approach: In Seniors' CarePurposeful Work and Deep Alignment: A Relational Approach with Dr. Katie Keller WoodWhat if it’s not about balance at all, but alignment?In this episode of The Relational Approach Podcast, Dr. Katie Keller Wood brings a Montessori-inspired lens to caregiving, offering gentle wisdom on how we can reconnect with our purpose, even in the mundane.You’ll hear:How “alignment” can replace the pressure of work-life balanceWhy your work, no matter how small, has lasting impactWhat it means to discover your cosmic taskHow connection and purpose fuel care, even on the hardest daysThis is a reflective and deeply encouraging conversation for anyone feeling stretche...2025-04-1533 min
The Relational Approach: In Seniors' CareTaming Fear and Building Trust: A Relational Approach with Mindy SpigelWhat if the real barrier to connection in seniors’ care isn’t communication, but fear?In today's episode, Mindy Spigel helps us reframe how we respond to families in moments of fear, stress, and uncertainty. Her powerful metaphor of the “snake on your head” will change the way you see emotional reactions in seniors’ care.You’ll hear:Why fear often looks like anger, and how to meet it with empathy, not defensivenessHow one warm welcome can shape a whole relationshipWhy language matters more than we thinkThe impact of starting with yes, even when the answer i...2025-04-0133 min
The Relational Approach: In Seniors' CareLetting Go of Control to Build Trust: A Relational Approach with Joanna OsborneWhat if the key to building trust with families wasn’t about trying to control, but about letting it go?In today's episode I speak with Joanna Osborne, Director of Food Services and Dietitian at Windsor Elms in Nova Scotia. Joanna offers a deeply human perspective on how to support families in ways that create trust, not tension.You’ll hear:Why letting go of control often builds more connectionHow to guide with confidence while honoring family emotionsWhy the way you say something matters as much as what you sayHow small...2025-03-1832 min
The Relational Approach: In Seniors' CareBranding with Heart: A Relational Marketing Lens for Seniors’ CareWhat if your stories could build the bridge between fear and trust?In this episode of The Relational Approach Podcast, Krista Smith brings her lens as both a digital marketing expert and a family caregiver, showing us how real, relational storytelling can transform how we connect with families and communities.You’ll hear:Why authenticity matters more than polished messagingHow small, shared moments can shift perception and reduce stigmaHow families can become powerful collaborators in telling your care home’s storyWhy the admission process should start with “Tell me about your loved...2025-03-0433 min
The Relational Approach: In Seniors' CareThe Relational Approach TRAILER2025-02-1001 min
The Relational Approach: In Seniors' CareThe Empathy Exchange: Close the Expectation Gap and Minimize Disappointments in Seniors’ CareIn today’s solo episode, you’ll be getting a masterclass in how to better navigate and manage expectations, from both the perspective of staff and families in seniors’ care.I’ll break down the formula of Disappointment = Expectations – Reality (from Chip Conley, Emotional Equations book) and how we can reframe “unrealistic expectations” into a perspective that you can better work with.We cover a lot of information in this podcast so have provided references here:From Atlas of the Heart by Brene Brown:“Disappoi...2024-04-2334 min
The Relational Approach: In Seniors' CareThe Empathy Exchange: The Power of Practical Presence with Trish TuttonLet’s face it, stress and overwhelm can be a daily occurrence which interrupts how we are showing up and impacting others. This can then contribute to the frustration and friction between staff and families in seniors’ care.As much as stress is a reality, having negative reactions and ruminations is optional. This is one of many things I took away from my conversation with Trish Tutton.If you would love to have some practical and simple tools in your back pocket to help you feel less stressed, you’ll fin...2024-04-0941 min
The Relational Approach: In Seniors' CareThe Empathy Exchange: Adopting a Palliative Approach with Dr. Sammy WinemakerIn today’s episode, we talk about The P Word, a topic we don’t typically like to even think about, never mind plan for. My guest, Dr. Sammy Winemaker shares her experience, knowledge and insights with her compassionate, approachable and pragmatic style, which has been likened to as a Mr. Rogers kind of approach to care. Let’s face it, death is a reality, and when we have a loved one living in seniors’ care, it can be difficult to face. Yet knowledge is power for both the staff prov...2024-03-2643 min
Canadian Love MapCreating an Empathy Exchange: Deborah BaktiToday's story belongs to Deb Bakti, of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Deb's story belongs like many love stories do: girl meets boy at a bar and the two fall for each other. The "boy" in question was Ty, Deb's late husband. Deb and Ty had built the perfect life together with happy, healthy kids, and a gainful career working as a seniors' home executive. This idyllic life would be shaken to it's core when Ty, out of the blue, started to experience the debilitating symptoms of an extremely rare disease. The next few years of their...2024-03-1438 min
The Relational Approach: In Seniors' CareThe Empathy Exchange: Embracing Families and their Stories: A Collaborative Approach to Emotional Support at peopleCare CommunitiesIn this week’s episode, join us for an insightful and heartfelt episode with Kristen Leal, Director of Programs at peopleCare Delhi LTC and Anita Friesen, whose mom is a resident and has been living at peopleCare Delhi LTC since October of 2022. This conversation was so heartwarming, and you can feel the care and respect Kristen and Anita have as partners in care. Together, we explore the power of empathy and understanding in seniors care, from the challenges of cognitive decline to the impact of community-building initiatives like Kristen’s Now What...2024-03-1240 min
The Relational Approach: In Seniors' CareThe Empathy Exchange: Co-designing Care and Building Trust with Families and Staff with Jennifer CornellIn this week’s episode, join us for a conversation with Jennifer Cornell, Director of Long-Term Care and Seniors Services with the County of Grey. We delve into Jennifer's journey of transforming care communities, focusing on quality care initiatives, team development, and resident-centered approaches. With a fiery passion for improving the lives of residents and supporting their families, Jennifer discusses their innovative programs, including the "Colour It Your Way" philosophy and the Designated Care Partner Program. You’re going to hear some incredible practical approaches Jennifer uses, such as a Pro Attenti...2024-02-2741 min
The Relational Approach: In Seniors' CareThe Empathy Exchange: Rising above and Making Others More with Fraser WilsonIn this conversation with Fraser Wilson, he shares an inspiring and doable roadmap to building community connections, based on his newly released book Achievable: A Simple and Proven Way to Create a Culture of Possibility and Potential. You’ll hear practical ways Fraser led a team of seniors’ care homes to “Rise Above the Regs” and create a culture where residents, families and staff can live into their potential, by putting people first.Whether you’re a staff member, leader or a family member with a loved one in care, you’l...2024-02-1344 min
The Relational Approach: In Seniors' CareThe Empathy Exchange: The Power of Partnership with Family Councils OntarioIn this episode, I chat with Sam Peck and Liane Pelissier from Family Councils Ontario (FCO) You’ll hear how they define the role of a family council within long term, care, as well as some misconceptions about the role of family councils, from both the home and family perspective. You’ll also hear how FCO is focused on helping homes rebuild the trust between families and staff, as we continue to recover from the last few years. You’ll also hear some interesting perspectives on conflict and ways to work through the frustration and mis...2024-01-3040 min
The Relational Approach: In Seniors' CareThe Empathy Exchange: Navigating the Senior Care Maze: Hard Lessons, Insights, and Tips from a Resilient Family MemberIn this episode I chat with Sandra Boyd about her experience navigating Retirement and Assisted Living with her parents and in-laws. We dive into the ups and downs of her family’s journey, with Sandra bringing in both personal and business perspectives. Sandra shares practical insights based on her experience. She talks about what went well, what could have been better, and how care providers can learn from it all – the challenges, the missed chances for building relationships, and the positive impacts they can make.For family members dealing with similar situations, Sandra offers straightforward advice to help...2024-01-1636 min
The Relational Approach: In Seniors' CareThe Empathy Exchange: Are your narratives creating friction between staff and families?One of the contributors to friction between families and staff in seniors’ care are the narratives (aka limiting beliefs, assumptions, and stories) that both bring to the relationship. In today’s episode, I spill the beans on these narratives that I’ve heard from both families andcare team members, how they can create the problems we’d most like to avoid – friction, frustration and conflict.I share how curiosity can be an antidote to judgment and ways for staff and families to communicate more effectively and play a role in rewriting these narratives, to create a more emp...2024-01-0236 min
The Relational Approach: In Seniors' CareThe Empathy Exchange: Navigating Grief, Burnout and Trauma in Seniors’ Care with Edy NathanIn this episode of "The Empathy Exchange," host Deborah Bakti engages in a profound conversation with Edy Nathan, author of "It's Grief: The Dance of Self Discovery through Trauma and Loss." Drawing on their experiences of supporting senior care staff and families through grief, burnout, and trauma, Deborah and Edy explore the intricate dynamics of identity shifts within families as their loved ones transition into a senior care environment.The discussion delves deep into the often unnoticed realm of grief in the family experience, unraveling the layers of emotions that accompany the shift from a caretaker role...2023-12-1938 min
The Relational Approach: In Seniors' CareThe Empathy Exchange: Bridging Gaps in Admission Anxiety: A Family and Staff PerspectiveIn this episode of The Empathy Exchange, we delve into the emotional tapestry of the admission process. Mary’s story becomes a lens through which we explore shared family and staff experiences. Unveiling three impactful gaps - knowledge, emotion and identity - I guide you through key insights.The knowledge gap reveals misconceptions families often have about seniors’ care, highlighting the need for education and support. We navigate the emotion gap, exploring the complex feelings of guilt, grief and relief that families grapple with. The identity gap is explored as families transition from caregivers to p...2023-12-0528 min
The Relational Approach: In Seniors' CareThe Empathy Exchange: Empathy Exchange in ActionWelcome to the first episode of The Empathy Exchange.In this episode, I open up about my own experience working in seniors’ care and becoming a residents’ family member three times, with my dad, husband and mom, and how those journeys inspired me to shift out of my decades-long corporate career to a mission-driven focus to help strengthen the staff and family dynamic in seniors’ care.Listen in as I share why I chose The Empathy Exchange as the title and platform to explore the essential relationship between seniors’ care pro...2023-11-2123 min
The Relational Approach: In Seniors' CareTRAILER: The Empathy ExchangeThis podcast is specifically crafted for seniors care leaders, staff, and the families of residents, who share the common goal of the best possible care for their loved one who is now a member of a seniors care community. It's about the ever-important, but often tumultuous relationship between seniors care staff and management, and the families of residents. Join host Deborah Bakti – a former executive in seniors care for 11 years, and a family member three times over, with her dad, mom, and husband all having lived as residents. She’s seen what it’s like on both sides...2023-09-0501 min
She Flourishes with Brenda Jasmin44. Part 4 - Best Ways to Flourish: A Compilation of Guests’ Words of WisdomWant some amazing gems of practical wisdom on how you can flourish in your life? Tune into this final episode of Season 1, the last episode in a special 4-part summer series; a collection of the best ideas on flourishing from all our Season 1 guests. In each episode of the She Flourishes podcast, guests are asked to share their best recommendation on what women can do to flourish in their lives. This 4-part series includes a compilation of the insights and pearls of wisdom each of our guests shared when asked this question.
Here in Part 4 of this...2023-08-3019 minShe Flourishes with Brenda Jasmin33. Navigating the Emotional Journey of Long-Term Care with Deborah BaktiTransitioning a loved one into long term care can be an emotional journey. In addition to the challenges faced with navigating long term care itself, it can be tough to navigate emotions such as grief and guilt that commonly show up when placing a loved one in long term care.
Listen in on this conversation between your host, Brenda Jasmin, and Deborah Bakti, author of the book, “Now What? Managing the Emotional Journey of Long Term Care for Families”, as they discuss how to manage the life-changing experience of placing a loved one in long term care, and t...2023-06-1443 min
Coming of Age: Meeting the needs of our aging populationEasing the process of moving into long-term care | Deborah BaktiThe transition to a long-term care setting can bring up a range of emotions for both a new resident and their care partners. The transition can produce feelings of anxiety and fear in seniors and is often the source of tremendous guilt and uncertainty for family members. In this episode of Coming of Age, Donna sits down with Deborah Bakti, a seniors’ care consultant, speaker, coach, and trainer who helps build positive connections in seniors' homes. She worked in seniors’ care for 11 years prior to starting her own business, and she also lived through the transitions when her husband and...2021-11-0933 min
A Season of Caring PodcastAssistance Navigating the Long-Term Care Part of the JourneySend us a textRayna Neises, ACC, host, reflects on the thoughts shared during last week’s interview with Deborah Bakti. She expands on the suggestions Deborah provided during their talk and in her book, “Now What?” regarding long-term care facilities for families:Placement is needed when a person’s physical needs are to a point where the family cannot meet those needs, or the person cannot care for himself/herself and no one else is available.Medicare/Medicaid eligibility varies from state to state and is determined through an assessment tool. Assistance with a private pay placem...2021-10-2118 minA Season of Caring PodcastPreparing for Long-term CareSend us a textThis week, Rayna Neises, your host, talks with Deborah Bakti. From her experience on both sides of senior care, working in the industry, and being a caregiver for three of her family members, Deborah is on a mission to shift senior care from transactional to a more relational experience. She is the founder and president of the consulting firm THINK Breakthrough where she helps long-term care facilities with this change in approach. In addition, Deborah is a speaker and the author of two books with the latest titled, “Now What? Managing the Emotional Jour...2021-10-1426 min
#ElderWisdom | Stories from the Green BenchDeborah Bakti - Author of Now What? Managing the Emotional Journey of Long Term Care for FamiliesEpisode #17 - Erin Davis & Lloyd Hetherington welcome Deborah Bakti, author of Now What? Managing the Emotional Journey of Long Term Care for Families. Designed to be a valuable resource for the families of new residents, while also supporting seniors’ care providers who want to develop healthy, productive relationships with their families.
Erin: Do you ever read a book and go, wow, where were you when I needed this?
"It was so down to earth, so practical. I wish I had found it years ago ... I just love it! It's well written, the very definite points so...2021-05-2530 min
The Bo & Luke Show®️#58 - S2E28 - Insights on Long-Term Care with Deborah BaktiSend us a textPresident of THINK Breakthrough Inc. & Podcast Host of Seniors' Care Matters. Deborah is a Seniors Care consultant, coach, speaker and trainer who helps build positive and healthy connections with resident families.Order Deborah's book here.Use code BOANDLUKE for 20% your first course purchase with the Brabo Center of Excellence. BCOE is an HRCI & SHRM Approved Provider.The Bo and Luke Show is on LinkedIn, Instagram & Facebook. Subscribe to our YouTube channel here. Liked the episode? Leave us a comment or send us an e-mail at fanfeedback@theboandlukeshow.c...2021-04-0132 min
Authentic LivingManaging the Emotional Journey of Long-term Care for Families with Deborah BaktiIn this episode, Roxanne engages with Deborah Bakti, a senior care expert, as they delve into the emotional journey of long-term care. They discuss admission anxiety, the challenges of entering care facilities, and balancing caregiving with work and family. They also explore the role of workplace support and reflect on the importance of quality care for loved ones.
Quote: “Most people don’t understand how seniors’ care works. They don’t know what they don’t know, other than what they’ve read about. Deborah Bakti
There comes a time in many of our lives when we must help ma...2021-03-0339 min
Reframe Your Life110 | Deborah Bakti on supporting long term care workers and creating stronger communitiesWhile working as an executive in the seniors' care industry, Deborah Bakti's professional and personal lives collided when her husband Ty, was diagnosed with a rare disease. When her husband was admitted to a long-term care home, Deborah was forced to adopt a new role; that of a residents' wife. On this episode we talk about her book RECIPE for Empathy and the strategies she teaches for transforming the long term care experience for families.
Find out more about Deborah at her website.
Find out more about how you can get started writing your memoir with Patti M. Hall here.2020-06-121h 01
Reframe Your LifeEpisode 60 | What we've learned and implemented from our guestsIt's been 60 episodes and during that time we have interviewed 15 guests. What a truly amazing experience it has been. It really is an honour to interview people and learn from them and their stories. On this episode we review lessons learned from some of our guests. We each share what actions we’ve taken as a result. We are all on this journey of living and leading our best lives. It is one thing to learn and gather information, but true leadership lies in taking action. That action could be a shift in mindset, which ultimately impacts our thoughts an...2017-10-2357 min