What does it look like to lead when the stakes are high and the answers aren’t clear? In this episode of Believe Behave Become, we sit down with Dr. Lauren Templeton, nationally recognized hospice physician and educator, to explore how humility, preparation, and active listening shape exceptional leadership. Dr. Templeton shares her unexpected journey into hospice care, her passion for hard conversations, and why leaders don’t need to have all the answers to be effective.

From navigating emotionally charged situations to leading through uncertainty, this conversation highlights how education and connection empower leaders to show up with confidence, compassion, and credibility.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why listening first is one of the most powerful leadership skills
• How humility builds trust and strengthens leadership presence
• The role preparation plays in navigating hard conversations
• Why leaders don’t need all the answers, but do need the right questions
• How education and clarity create confidence for teams and clinicians
• What COVID taught us about vulnerability, leadership, and connection
• How ownership includes both accountability and humility
• Why embracing the full human experience, including laughter, makes leaders more effective

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In this episode of Believe, Behave, Become, Travis Jones shares his leadership journey from physical therapy to healthcare administration and how the principle of “First Who, Then What” shaped his approach to building strong teams and thriving cultures. Travis reflects on lessons learned, the importance of finding the right people, and practical strategies like peer interviews that create lasting impact. He also discusses why slowing down the hiring process and leveraging internal networks can transform organizational success.

What You’ll Learn:

• How “First Who, Then What” is the foundation of great leadership
• The difference between building the right team and the wrong team
• How your best people bring your next best people
• Why peer interviews create buy-in and stronger onboarding
• Strategies for slowing down the hiring process to get it right

Whether you’re a new leader or a seasoned executive, this conversation offers actionable insights on building trust, fostering growth, and creating a culture where people thrive.

Timestamps:00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Hosts02:18 Travis Jones’ Professional Journey05:42 Discovering Pennant and Transitioning to Leadership09:15 What “First Who, Then What” Really Means14:32 Why the Right People Matter More Than Strategy18:50 Finding Leaders in Your Community and Internal Network23:40 Peer Interviews The Overlooked Hiring Practice29:12 Slowing Down the Hiring Process for Better Results34:55 Building a Tribe and Creating Buy-In40:20 Lessons from Kinder Hearts and Team Culture47:18 One Last Thing Advice for New Leaders52:00 Closing Thoughts and Future Aspirations

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In this episode of Believe, Behave, Become, Heath Braverman shares his transformative professional journey - from military service to sales leadership and ultimately to healthcare. Heath reflects on lessons learned, the role of mentorship in shaping authentic leadership, and how investing in people creates thriving teams. He also discusses the importance of work-life balance and finding a professional home where values and purpose align.

What You’ll Learn:

• How military experience shaped Heath’s approach to teamwork and trust.
• Common misconceptions about leadership - and how to overcome them.
• Why mentorship and servant leadership drive authentic growth.
• Strategies for building strong teams and fostering a positive culture.
• The importance of aligning personal values with professional goals.

Whether you’re a new leader or a seasoned executive, this conversation offers actionable insights on building trust, fostering growth, and leading with authenticity.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Hosts
02:12 Heath Braverman's Professional Journey
04:44 Lessons from Military Experience
06:55 Transitioning from Military to Sales Leadership
09:20 Misconceptions of Leadership
12:31 The Impact of Mentorship on Leadership
17:06 Shifting to Healthcare and Home Health Services
20:12 Cultural Differences in Corporate Environments
22:52 Reassessing Work-Life Balance
27:45 Joining Pennant and Finding a Professional Home
35:31 The Importance of Authentic Leadership
40:38 Investing in Others and Building Teams
49:02 Looking Ahead: Future Aspirations

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In this episode, Rich and Eliot join Camille Jensen and Justin Stenquist for a candid conversation on leadership, innovation, and the realities of healthcare today.

From tackling social determinants of health to embracing intelligent risk-taking, we explore how executives can turn complexity into opportunity and drive meaningful change across the care continuum.

In this special episode of Believe. Behave. Become. Pennant CEO Brent Guerisoli joins hosts Rich Lewis and Elliot McMillan to unpack what it really means to be a Level Five Leader. From his early days as a CEO-in-Training to leading a high-growth, locally-led organization, Brent reflects on humility, ownership, the power of building up others, and even shares his thoughts on competitive eating and cinematic leadership icons.

Expect insight, humor, and some unexpected food analogies as Brent reveals Pennant’s “secret sauce” for sustained growth, culture, and leadership development. Whether you're new to Pennant or a seasoned partner, this episode will challenge you to reflect, grow, and lean into the life-changing opportunities ahead.

In this candid and thought-provoking episode of Believe, Behave, Become, Elliot and Rich sit down with John Gochnour, Chief Operating Officer of The Pennant Group, for a leadership conversation that hits close to home—both literally and figuratively.

From rafting mishaps on the rivers of Idaho to helping build a nationwide service model from scratch, John reflects on more than a decade of leadership lessons. What began as a drive to be the go-to problem solver gradually evolved into a deeper truth: real leadership means building capable teams, letting go of control, and trusting others to thrive.

⁠For more leadership insights, follow Pennant on LinkedIn

In this episode of Believe, Behave, Become, hosts Rich Lewis and Elliot McMillan sit down with Kris Maples, Marisa Crecelius, and Nicole Yantes—three Life-Changing Service Award winners.

They explore what it means to lead from the service center, build authentic partnerships with field leaders, and why Pennant is truly a leadership company.

For more leadership insights, follow Pennant on LinkedIn

In this episode of Believe, Behave, Become, Elliot McMillan sits down with Kahla McCurdy, Director of HR for Pinnacle Senior Living, and Autumn Hornsby, Director of HR for Cornerstone, to discuss the evolving role of HR in leadership development.

Kahla and Autumn share their unique career paths, the pivotal moments that shaped them, and how they transitioned into HR leadership. They discuss the importance of building strong teams, fostering a leadership-driven culture, and balancing the human and business sides of an organization.

In Episode 16, Intelligent Risk + Successful Hiring, hosts Rich and Elliot welcome special guests Kirk Cheney and Scott Myers to explore the powerful connection between smart decision-making and successful talent acquisition. Together, they share insights from years of leadership experience, discussing how calculated risks can pave the way for exceptional results—particularly in hiring and building high-performing teams.

In this episode, we dive deep with Justin Stenquist, Executive Director of Bluebird Home Health and Hospice, to uncover his journey from caregiving as a teen to leading a transformative healthcare company. Justin shares powerful personal stories, the inspiration behind Bluebird's innovative transitional care model, and how they’re breaking down barriers in patient care. With humor and heart, this conversation explores what it means to build a brand that’s more than a business—it's a movement.