In this episode of the Coffee Break Podcast, Dr. Renee Thompson takes listeners behind the scenes of her newly updated book Enough! Eradicate Bullying and Incivility in Healthcare: Strategies for Frontline Leaders. This is Part 1 of a two-part series where she unpacks why she rewrote the book, what’s changed since the original 2019 release, and what leaders can immediately take away from the first five chapters.

Renee shares vulnerable moments from her early leadership career, explains the “hidden virus” harming healthcare teams, and walks through mindset shifts and strategies leaders need to stop normalizing disruptive behaviors. She also covers the importance of awareness, the power of vision and behavioral expectations, and why confronting overt incivility is both essential and doable when leaders have the right tools.

Listeners will walk away with practical strategies they can begin using today to address disruptive behaviors and foster a healthier, more professional work culture.

About Dr. Renee Thompson

Dr. Renee Thompson is a leading authority on creating healthy work cultures by eliminating bullying and incivility in healthcare. With more than 31 years of experience as a clinical nurse, educator, quality manager, and executive leader, she has become one of the most sought-after experts on workplace culture. As CEO and Founder of the Healthy Workforce Institute, Renee works with healthcare organizations around the world to equip leaders with the tools they need to cultivate professional, respectful, and supportive teams.

Renee is a published author, award-winning speaker, and one of only 30 nurses worldwide to earn the Certified Speaking Professional designation. She also serves on The Joint Commission’s Workplace Violence Technical Advisory Panel and has been recognized globally for her thought leadership and advocacy.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Why Renee chose to revise and expand her original 2019 book rather than write a new one

The personal story in Chapter 1 that shaped her mission to eradicate bullying

Why leaders must stop normalizing deviant behaviors

How disruptive behavior threatens patient safety and fuels turnover

A practical approach for having honest behavior-focused conversations with employees

How to create a compelling vision and translate it into clear behavioral expectations

Why scripting works — and how leaders can begin addressing overt behaviors with confidence

What to expect in Part 2 of this series as she explores the remaining chapters

Links & Resources

Connect with and follow Dr. Renee Thompson on LinkedIn

Learn more about the Healthy Workforce Institute on their LinkedIn and website

Download your copy of our 33 Scripts to Address Disruptive Behavior When You Don’t Know What to Say

Check out Renee Thompson’s newly revised book and Amazon #1 Best Seller Enough! Eradicating Bullying & Incivility: Strategies for Front Line Leaders on Amazon  here! And on the website here. 

Check out Renee Thompson’s book Do No Harm Applies to Nurses Too! Strategies to Protect and Bully-proof Yourself at Work here!

Learn more about the Eradicating Bullying & Incivility eLearning Program here!

Have a question for Renee?

Email us at [email protected] to have your leadership question featured in an upcoming Q&A episode!

Disclosure: The host may be compensated for linking to other sites or for sales of products we link to. As an Amazon Associate, Coffee Break earns from qualifying purchases.

Liked this episode? Rate, review, and share with your colleagues. Your support helps us reach more healthcare leaders working to create better work environments.

In this episode of the Coffee Break Podcast, Dr. Renee Thompson chats with Dr. Penelope (Penny) Gorsuch, Senior Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive at Summa Health. With 38 years in healthcare and 28 in leadership – including 28 years in the U.S. Air Force – Penny shares how she’s transforming Summa’s culture through evidence-based leadership and a clear nursing vision: “To deliver care beyond expectations.”

From rebuilding professional governance to reducing ED turnover from 80% to zero, Penny’s approach shows what’s possible when leaders align vision, strategy, and implementation. If you’re ready to move beyond talking about healthy work environments and start building one that lasts, this episode is for you.

About Dr. Penelope Gorsuch

Penelope Gorsuch, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, EBP-C, FACHE, USAF Col (Retired), is the Senior Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive at Summa Health. With more than 38 years in healthcare and 28 in leadership, she is known for fostering cultures of inquiry that drive quality and reliability across large health systems. A retired Colonel from the United States Air Force, Penny has led major initiatives in nursing strategy, evidence-based practice, and relationship-based care. She also serves as an Assistant Professor at The Ohio State University College of Nursing, teaching leadership in their DNP Executive track.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

How to lead large-scale culture change using evidence-based frameworks

The importance of vision and how to cascade it from the C-suite to the bedside

Strategies for rebuilding professional governance and re-engaging nurses

How evidence-based practice strengthens healthy work environments

Why implementation must be tailored at the unit level to succeed

Links & Resources

Connect with Penny on LinkedIn

Email Penny at [email protected] 

EP 98: Why Healthy Work Environments Are Non-Negotiable - Healthy Workforce Institute with Dr. Vicki Good

Download your copy of our 33 Scripts to Address Disruptive Behavior When You Don’t Know What to Say

Check out Renee Thompson’s newly revised book and #1 Amazon Best Seller Enough! Eradicating Bullying & Incivility: Strategies for Front Line Leaders here!

Check out Renee Thompson’s book Do No Harm Applies to Nurses Too! Strategies to Protect and Bully-proof Yourself at Work here!

Learn more about the Eradicating Bullying & Incivility eLearning Program here!

Have a question for Renee?

Email us at [email protected] to have your leadership question featured in an upcoming Q&A episode!

Disclosure: The host may be compensated for linking to other sites or for sales of products we link to. As an Amazon Associate, Coffee Break earns from qualifying purchases.

Liked this episode? Rate, review, and share with your colleagues. Your support helps us reach more healthcare leaders working to create better work environments.

In this episode of the Coffee Break Podcast, Dr. Renee Thompson chats with Dr. Christine Young, Chief Nursing Officer at Akron Children’s Hospital and President of the Ohio Organization for Nursing Leadership. Christine shares how she’s helping her team build a culture where nurses feel valued, supported, and inspired to stay.

They talk about how mission and purpose fuel retention, the importance of well-being, and why giving nurses a voice in decision-making leads to stronger engagement. Christine also highlights the success of Akron Children’s RN Career Path program and their Rising Nurse Leader Academy – two initiatives transforming nurse development and retention.

If you’re a leader looking for real-world examples of what works to create a healthy work culture, this episode is for you.

About Dr. Christine Young

Christine Young, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, joined Akron Children’s in 2012 and currently serves as Chief Nursing Officer. She has more than 30 years of nursing experience and 25 years in leadership. Christine led the design and implementation of Akron Children’s virtual nursing program and oversees behavioral health, perinatal, surgical, inpatient, and respiratory care services across the region. She’s also President of the Ohio Organization for Nursing Leadership.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

How culture directly impacts nurse retention

Strategies to engage a multi-generational workforce

Why involving staff nurses in decisions is non-negotiable

How to develop and retain nurse leaders

Ways to rebuild connection and teamwork after the pandemic

Links & Resources

Connect with Christine on LinkedIn

Email Christine at [email protected]

Download your copy of our 33 Scripts to Address Disruptive Behavior When You Don’t Know What to Say

Check out Renee Thompson’s newly revised book and #1 Amazon Best Seller Enough! Eradicating Bullying & Incivility: Strategies for Front Line Leaders here!

Check out Renee Thompson’s book Do No Harm Applies to Nurses Too! Strategies to Protect and Bully-proof Yourself at Work here!

Learn more about the Eradicating Bullying & Incivility eLearning Program here!

Have a question for Renee?

Email us at [email protected] to have your leadership question featured in an upcoming Q&A episode!

Disclosure: The host may be compensated for linking to other sites or for sales of products we link to. As an Amazon Associate, Coffee Break earns from qualifying purchases.

Liked this episode? Rate, review, and share with your colleagues. Your support helps us reach more healthcare leaders working to create better work environments.

In this episode of the Coffee Break Podcast, Dr. Renee Thompson sits down with communication expert Kelli Newman, APR, President of Newman & Newman, to explore how communication shapes trust, engagement, and culture within healthcare organizations.

Together, Renee and Kelli break down the difference between brand messaging (what your organization says it stands for) and values messaging (how those values show up in daily behavior). They discuss practical strategies for translating words into authentic experiences, so that what your organization says aligns with what your people actually feel and see every day. Kelli shares how the words leaders choose (and how they live them out) directly influence how employees connect, collaborate, and trust one another.

If you’ve ever wondered how to bring your mission, vision, and values to life, or how to communicate in a way that builds genuine trust, this episode is for you.

About Kelli Newman

Kelli Newman, APR, is President of Newman & Newman, a Houston-based, woman-owned communication strategies firm. For more than 30 years, she’s helped healthcare and nonprofit organizations create authentic brand and values messaging that strengthens culture and builds trust.

She’s also the creator of Experienced Messaging®, a proprietary, trademarked process that helps leaders align what they say with what people experience. Kelli teaches marketing and communication at Rice University’s Leadership Institute for Nonprofit Executives and is an active member of the Ignite Health Network, a coalition of women leaders influencing the future of healthcare.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Why communication is the cornerstone of trust and engagement

The difference between brand messaging and values messaging

How to make organizational values tangible and actionable

Simple ways to connect your department’s identity with the organization’s mission

Why “scripting” doesn’t work and what authentic communication looks like instead

How to align messaging, behaviors, and experiences to create a culture of integrity

Links & Resources

Visit ExperiencedMessaging.com

Connect with Kelli on LinkedIn

Email: [email protected]

Harvard Business Review: Begin with Trust  

Download your copy of our 33 Scripts to Address Disruptive Behavior When You Don’t Know What to Say

Check out Renee Thompson’s newly revised book and #1 Amazon Best Seller Enough! Eradicating Bullying & Incivility: Strategies for Front Line Leaders here!

Check out Renee Thompson’s book Do No Harm Applies to Nurses Too! Strategies to Protect and Bully-proof Yourself at Work here!

Learn more about the Eradicating Bullying & Incivility eLearning Program here!

Have a question for Renee?

Email us at [email protected] to have your leadership question featured in an upcoming Q&A episode!

Disclosure: The host may be compensated for linking to other sites or for sales of products we link to. As an Amazon Associate, Coffee Break earns from qualifying purchases.

Liked this episode? Rate, review, and share with your colleagues. Your support helps us reach more healthcare leaders working to create better work environments.

In this episode of the Coffee Break Podcast, I sit down with the ever-inspiring Dr. Joy Parchment, Assistant Professor at the University of Central Florida College of Nursing and one of the most respected nurse leaders I know.

Joy and I talk about what it really takes to develop capable executive leaders — the kind who not only drive outcomes but also build strong, trusting relationships with their teams. We unpack the difference between “command and control” leadership and relational leadership, how to handle conflict with curiosity, and why self-awareness is the foundation for leading well.

This is an honest, heart-centered conversation about leadership, humanity, and the power of relationships. If you’ve ever felt the pressure to have all the answers or struggled to stay calm in the storm, this episode will remind you that the best leaders don’t lead from perfection — they lead from awareness and authenticity.

About Dr. Joy Parchment

Joy Parchment, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, CPDC, ACC, is an accomplished nurse leader, educator, and coach with over 35 years of diverse nursing experience. She serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Central Florida College of Nursing and is a Commissioner on the ANCC Commission on Magnet®. Joy is deeply committed to helping nurse leaders grow their capacity to lead with confidence, compassion, and courage.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Why building relationships is the foundation of effective leadership

The power of curiosity over judgment when managing conflict

How to recognize and manage your triggers as a leader

Simple tools to help you stay intentional and grounded

How self-talk shapes leadership mindset — and how to shift it

Links & Resources

Connect with Dr. Joy Parchment on LinkedIn.

Email Joy: [email protected]

Book: Change Your Questions, Change Your Life by Dr. Marilee Adams

Buckwheat Sprouted Flour Renee mentioned

Book: The Next Conversation by Jefferson Fisher

Coffee Break Podcast Episode with Dr. Simmy King here

Download your copy of our 33 Scripts to Address Disruptive Behavior When You Don’t Know What to Say

Check out Renee Thompson’s newly revised book and #1 Amazon Best Seller Enough! Eradicating Bullying & Incivility: Strategies for Front Line Leaders here!

Check out Renee Thompson’s book Do No Harm Applies to Nurses Too! Strategies to Protect and Bully-proof Yourself at Work here!

Learn more about the Eradicating Bullying & Incivility eLearning Program here!

Have a question for Renee?

Email us at [email protected] to have your leadership question featured in an upcoming Q&A episode!

Disclosure: The host may be compensated for linking to other sites or for sales of products we link to. As an Amazon Associate, Coffee Break earns from qualifying purchases.

Liked this episode? Rate, review, and share with your colleagues. Your support helps us reach more healthcare leaders working to create better work environments.

In this episode of the Coffee Break Podcast, Dr. Renee Thompson sits down with Greta Rosler, CEO and Principal of Radius Leaders, to talk about one of the most practical and transformative leadership tools in healthcare – strategic leader rounding.

Greta shares how being intentional and present as a nurse leader can strengthen connection, improve engagement, and foster a healthier, more respectful culture. From developing measurable rounding frameworks to empowering staff through open-ended conversations, Greta explains how leaders can move beyond “checking the box” and make every round meaningful.

If you’ve ever wondered how to balance visibility with strategy, or how to round without feeling like you’re putting out fires all day, this episode is for you.

About Greta Rosler

Greta Rosler, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, CPXP, is an experienced nurse leader with a background in frontline nursing leadership, patient experience, and professional development. She is the CEO and Principal of Radius Leaders, a nurse leader development partnership she founded in 2017.

Through her Skilled Nurse Leader© and WIN Your Rounds© programs, Greta helps healthcare organizations strengthen leadership skills, improve engagement, and sustain healthy work environments. Her work has led to measurable improvements in turnover, patient experience, and nurse leader confidence.

Greta is actively involved with the Pennsylvania Organization of Nurse Leaders (PONL), serves as a subject matter expert for multiple healthcare leadership organizations, and is currently pursuing her PhD in nurse leader self-efficacy and rounding effectiveness.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

How strategic, intentional rounding builds trust and psychological safety

Why most leaders struggle with rounding and how to fix it

The difference between “checking the box” and creating meaningful engagement

How to empower your team instead of enabling them

Simple, open-ended questions that transform performance conversations

Why presence and purpose are key to sustaining a healthy work culture

Links & Resources

Connect with Greta Rosler: LinkedIn

Visit Radius Leaders: www.radiusleaders.com

Email Greta: [email protected]

Download your copy of our 33 Scripts to Address Disruptive Behavior When You Don’t Know What to Say

Check out Renee Thompson’s newly revised book and #1 Amazon Best Seller Enough! Eradicating Bullying & Incivility: Strategies for Front Line Leaders here!

Check out Renee Thompson’s book Do No Harm Applies to Nurses Too! Strategies to Protect and Bully-proof Yourself at Work here!

Learn more about the Eradicating Bullying & Incivility eLearning Program here!

Have a question for Renee?

Email us at [email protected] to have your leadership question featured in an upcoming Q&A episode!

Disclosure: The host may be compensated for linking to other sites or for sales of products we link to. As an Amazon Associate, Coffee Break earns from qualifying purchases.

Liked this episode? Rate, review, and share with your colleagues. Your support helps us reach more healthcare leaders working to create better work environments.

October is Bullying Prevention Month – a time when awareness of this global issue is amplified. In this episode of the Coffee Break Podcast, Dr. Renee Thompson shares practical strategies that leaders can implement right away to stop the cycle of disruptive behaviors, create safer environments for staff and patients, and build healthier teams.

Drawing from decades of experience coaching healthcare leaders, Renee unpacks four of the most common challenges leaders face and gives actionable solutions: from un-normalizing deviant behavior, to stopping overt incivility in the moment, to avoiding the trap of over-defending yourself, and addressing behaviors you didn’t personally witness.

She also shares a bigger-picture approach: why workshops alone won’t solve this problem, why HR and the interprofessional team must be part of the solution, and how the Healthy Workforce Institute’s Framework can guide organizations toward real, lasting culture change.

About Dr. Renee Thompson:

Dr. Renee Thompson is a sought-after speaker, author, consultant, and leading authority on creating healthy workforces by eliminating bullying and incivility. With more than 31 years as a clinical nurse, nurse educator, quality manager, and nurse executive, Dr. Thompson is a leading authority on workplace bullying and incivility and spends the majority of her time working with healthcare leaders who want to cultivate a healthy workforce.

Renee is the CEO and Founder of the Healthy Workforce Institute and has been repeatedly published, interviewed, and awarded for her work to eradicate disruptive behaviors in healthcare. In 2020, the Joint Commission invited Renee to become a member of their Workplace Violence Technical Advisory Panel. She has been published in numerous nursing journals and is a frequently invited guest on radio, podcasts, webinars, and online social media platforms.

In 2016, Renee received the Nursing Excellence Award as a nurse entrepreneur to honor her work to eliminate workplace bullying. She received the first Outstanding Nursing Alumni for Excellence in Leadership Award and Distinguished  Alumni recognition from her alma mater and was a finalist in the Healthcare Heroes Awards as a Healthcare Provider. Her blog has won numerous awards as a Top Nursing Blog “must-read” by the online nursing community, and her anti-bullying videos are viewed by healthcare organizations around the world. Renee is one of only 30 nurses in the world who have achieved the prestigious certified speaking professional designation.

In 2018, she was recognized as one of LinkedIn’s Top Ten Voices in Healthcare for her contribution to the global online healthcare community. In 2022, she was identified as one of the top 5 Nurse Influencers on LinkedIn. Also, in 2022, Renee was inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing for her work to eradicate disruptive behaviors in healthcare.

Renee has a Master's degree in Nursing Education and a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from the University of Pittsburgh.

Links & Resources

Connect with and follow Dr. Renee Thompson on LinkedIn

Learn more about the Healthy Workforce Institute on their LinkedIn and website

Download your copy of our 33 Scripts to Address Disruptive Behavior When You Don’t Know What to Say

Check out Renee Thompson’s newly revised book Enough! Eradicating Bullying & Incivility: Strategies for Front Line Leaders here!

Check out Renee Thompson’s book Do No Harm Applies to Nurses Too! Strategies to Protect and Bully-proof Yourself at Work here!

Learn more about the Eradicating Bullying & Incivility eLearning Program here!

Check out the article: 3 Common Landmines to Avoid When You Confront Bullying Behavior

In this episode of the Coffee Break Podcast, Dr. Renee Thompson sits down with Dina MacDonald, Nursing Director of the Maternal Newborn Center at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center, to talk about something we can all relate to – turning a toxic work environment into one where people actually want to come to work.

Dina shares her personal journey from being the target of a bullying boss to becoming a leader who reshaped her department’s culture. She opens up about the power of accountability, why tough conversations are necessary, and how even the hardest decisions can set the tone for a healthier, more respectful workplace.

If you’ve ever wondered how to deal with resistors, set clear expectations, and build a team that actually supports one another, this episode is for you.

In this episode of the Coffee Break Podcast, Dr. Renee Thompson sits down with Dr. Katherine Virkstis, Chief Clinical Officer at Get Well, to talk about the intersection of patient experience, staff well-being, and healthy workplace culture.

Katherine shares Get Well’s inspiring origin story, which was founded by a patient who believed every person should be treated like a VIP, and how their digital tools now empower patients, reduce cognitive burden on staff, and foster joy in care delivery. She also explains how innovations like automated documentation, real-time feedback, and a digital kindness pledge are not just transforming patient experience, but also strengthening work cultures and reducing workplace aggression.

You’ll hear practical strategies leaders can use right now to reduce stressors, support their teams, and create a safer, more respectful environment for both staff and patients.

In this episode of the Coffee Break Podcast, Dr. Renee Thompson welcomes Patricia McGaffigan, President of the Certification Board for Professionals in Patient Safety at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. Patricia has dedicated her career to advancing patient and workforce safety, and she brings powerful insights into why safety cannot just be a project or fleeting priority – it must be an organization’s purpose.

Together, Renee and Patricia explore the deep connection between patient safety and workforce well-being, the importance of shifting leadership mindsets, and practical strategies organizations can adopt to hardwire safety into their culture. Patricia also shares tools and frameworks leaders can start using immediately, including the National Action Plan, a new workplace violence reporting framework, and IHI’s Joy in Work framework.

Listeners will walk away with a clearer understanding of how every interaction impacts safety and why creating safer workplaces requires action at both the system and individual levels.