Healing the Hearts of Healthcare

In the high-stakes world of healthcare, we are often pummeled by other people’s discomfort, fear, and anxiety. But what if you didn’t have to accept that negativity into your body?

In this week’s episode of Healing the Hearts of Healthcare, we deconstruct the powerful psychological principle of "So What? Now What?"

• So What? Learn how to build a natural pause—a nanosecond of self-reflection that acts as a shield, reminding you to surrender feelings that aren't yours to carry.

• Now What? Accept the invitation to handle things differently. We explore how choosing a response of love, rather than reaction, can revolutionize your care delivery.

Join us to discover how two simple questions can help you reclaim your peace and change every interaction you have today.

 Can responding in love really improve patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes? Arleen says yes. In this episode, we dive into the "So what" technique, a powerful tool for reframing stress and reclaiming your peace in any healthcare setting. Inspired by the teachings of A Course in Miracles, Arleen shares how a conscious choice to lead with love can be transformative. Join us for a lesson in healing that starts from within.

In this deeply emotional episode, Arleen reflects on the tragedy of the shooting of Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, an event that sent shockwaves through the entire U.S. healthcare system. This single act of violence serves as a reminder of the fragility of healthcare — a system that has been strained to its breaking point. Arleen delves into the intense emotions consumers are experiencing: the mistrust, anger, and frustration that have fueled an increasingly volatile view related to the failures of the healthcare system.

As she unpacks the chain of events that led to this tragic situation, Arleen urges healthcare professionals to remain vigilant in their interactions with patients, reminding them that every encounter is an opportunity to embody compassion and empathy — even amidst the chaos, anger and frustration. She advocates for more education and training to help workers navigate crises with a heart-centered approach, shifting from a task-driven mindset to one that prioritizes connection and understanding.

Arleen invites healthcare workers to return to the basics–making a conscious decision to lead from a place of love and kindness. In a time when the world around them seems overwhelming, it’s this empathy and patience that can provide true healing — not just for patients, but for themselves. This episode is an invitation for all healthcare professionals to rediscover their purpose and power by choosing compassion in the face of adversity. Are you ready to lead with your heart and help heal a system that desperately needs it?

In this episode, Arleen acknowledges the times when healthcare workers feel boxed in and are simply going through the motions. Are you secretly questioning if you have it in you to continue? Arleen reminds us that difficult memories and the daily challenges of caregiving can cloud your perspective, making it hard to see how important and impactful your work truly is.

Drawing from her own personal experience, Arleen talks about the mental clutter that can lead to feelings of anxiety and emotional exhaustion. When you hold onto negative experiences and memories, you miss the opportunity to clear out that mental clutter. Sometimes, the things that weigh you down no longer serve a purpose, especially when they’re beyond your control—particularly when you care for people who need the best of you.

Arleen also highlights the wisdom of Marie Kondo, the organizational expert known for her “spark joy” philosophy. Kondo encourages people to evaluate what they hold onto—whether in their homes or minds—and assess whether it brings joy. If it doesn't, it only occupies space that could be used for something more positive. Holding on to negative memories and experiences does the same to your mental space, affecting how you approach each day.

Arleen encourages healthcare workers to clean out the clutter in both their physical surroundings and their minds. By doing so, you can make room for meaningful moments of care and more joy in your daily practice.

In this podcast, Arleen shares the great work from Dr. Don Miguel Ruiz’s book called The Four Agreements where he shares the four agreements based on ancient Toltec wisdom. Each of the agreements are a powerful code of conduct that can transform your life through experiencing freedom, true happiness and love. In the book, Don explains that 95% of our internal beliefs are simply not true. Unlearning beliefs and challenging your own thinking is essential to experiencing a strong-sense of joy, happiness and freedom.  

Arleen shares readings from the book about the importance of learning how to master each agreement. We delve into:

When you make a conscious choice and self-reflect on the ways you will embrace these four agreements and integrate them into your daily practices, you can experience healing. Arleen reminds us as healthcare workers, the work we do is meaningful and full of purpose. She challenges us to think about how we can use these four agreements in interacting with the patients we serve. You will realize, it is within your power to make change and to live the life you were destined to experience. 

In this podcast Arleen reminds healthcare workers that the challenges you experience every day often include feelings of fear, especially the unknown. Arleen shares that our fears can result in untoward behaviors, stress and unnecessary anxiety. What if as healthcare workers you could learn strategies on how to rise above your fears instead.  What if instead of allowing the fear of the unknown from holding you back, instead, you recognize that fear is a normal emotion that every single person faces each day. What if you could learn how to face everything and rise above it instead. 

Arleen invites healthcare workers when you do not learn appropriate coping strategies and learn how to manage fear effectively, it may have a negative impact on every aspect of your life. In order to face your fear, Arleen reminds us that we must recognize the emotions that bubble up and how fear is affecting you, as well as the patients you provide care to.  

Arleen reminds healthcare workers that by using positive affirmations every day you set positive intentions on how you wish to manage the day to day challenges with ease instead of being filled with anxiety. When you have the courage to face your fears and notice them, you are in the best position to rise above them and provide compassionate and empathetic care to those you serve.

Arleen reminds healthcare workers that the field of healthcare is full of daily physical, mental and emotional challenges. It is highly likely that in addition to the long hours you are probably not integrating self-care in your daily routine. When you are running on an empty tank, you need to keep your tank at least half full, not bone dry!

Arleen reminds healthcare workers that you need to carefully examine your emotional and physical responses especially in stressful situations. Having the courage to recognize when you need a moment to find a quiet place where external stimulations in your environment are limited. 

Arleen reminds professional healthcare workers that they shouldn’t wait to the point when you are having a meltdown. You must train your mind to look inward and examine what is within your control and what you can do to send love, compassion and empathy to the people you serve regardless of what is happening around you. Arleen reminds us that good things are happening around us, we just need to pay attention to them. When you advocate for your needs, you are in the best position to increase your tank before it runs completely dry.

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In this podcast, Arleen reminds healthcare workers that we must learn how to manage in the chaos and create calmness despite the challenges we face. Many healthcare workers crave a routine environment. But healthcare by nature is full of unpredictability. Arleen reminds us that managing the chaos is not just limited to our workplace but in our personal lives as well. 

Arleen reminds us that we can never forget that we are drawn into the field of healthcare because we are the healers of people. We must always demonstrate compassion and empathy to create the conditions for healing and comfort to occur.  

Arleen reminds healthcare workers that we alone control our own emotional response. When we work to create a sense of calmness even in a chaotic environment, it will improve the overall health of our patients. When you are aware of the energy you bring to work, it will truly change how healing occurs.

In this podcast, Arleen reminds healthcare workers that we are susceptible to being triggered by someone or something in your environment. The truth is, for many healthcare workers, working during the pandemic has resulted in experiences that can still be very triggering to you. Arleen reminds us that a trigger is something that causes a reaction or response, often emotional and/or psychological in nature that causes a person to experience feelings of intense anxiety. 

Arleen reminds healthcare workers when we self-reflect, look inward and gain self-awareness of our own triggers we are better positioned to be aware of behaviors that may be triggering to us or for us. When we slow down our pace, create a pause, and resist the temptation to react but rather respond you are in the best position to identify those triggering behaviors. 

Arleen shares reflections from Robert Holden’s book Finding Love Everywhere to serve as reminders for healthcare workers that when we provide care delivery, we do it from a place of love. That when we look inside ourselves and search for love, it is just one way we can show compassion, empathy and caring for those we serve. 

In this podcast, Arleen co-hosts with Doris Taylor, RN, BSN, a burnout wellness coach for an in-depth discussion on ways to identify and treat burnout. Arleen reminds us that working in healthcare can leave you feeling overwhelmed, fatigued and full of exhaustion. It is not your fault and not what you imagined when you entered into the workforce.

Doris invites us to self-reflect--what if it could be different? What if you could learn ways to truly relax and calm your nervous system and doing what you were destined to do. The secret is performing intentional actions to soothe your nervous system so you are not operating in a reactive state.  

Doris reminds us that burnout is not a permanent state and no one should feel alone. We discuss many of the challenges we face and why it is necessary to educate yourself on the ways you can self-identify feelings of burnout creeping in and those factors that contribute to burnout. Doris shares that every one of us must find their specific  window of tolerance and identify when we are operating in either a hyper-arousal or hypo-arousal state, putting ourselves at risk for burnout. Lastly we discuss ways you can recharge yourself every day and find ways to continue to work in the field despite all of the challenges.  

To connect with Doris and learn about her virtual and in-person workshops and training on combating burnout, visit her website at www.moonshinewellnesspnw.com or connect on her social media platforms at moonshinewellnesspnw to learn more.