Healing the Hearts of Healthcare

In this podcast, Arleen reminds healthcare workers that they have greatness inside of them and must learn how to activate it. Arleen shares reflections from the book Man’s Search For Meaning, and Victor Frankl’s theory of Logotherapy, that he discovered after surviving a concentration camp. Logotherapy is the primary motivation of human beings to search for meaning and purpose in their life. Finding meaning is the key to your mental health and well being.

Arleen also reads the poem “Heartsongs” from Mattie J.T. Stepanek’s book, reminding healthcare workers that each one of us has an inner heart song that is waiting to be heard by the world. Arleen discusses the different challenges healthcare workers face everyday and when you don’t take time out to heal your heart from your experiences at work and throughout life, it can be difficult for you to spot the greatness awaiting inside of you. 

Arleen reminds healthcare workers to slow down their pace, use deep breathing, find solace in nature and allow feelings of love to overcome your spirit. Through storytelling and using a metaphorical example, Arleen shares how the pain and suffering we experience in life and at work can fill our spirits with lots of excess garbage. Living with garbage inside makes it difficult to search for and find those precious things inside of you that are destined for greatness. When you have the courage to activate the greatness inside of you, everyone in the world benefits from it! 

In this podcast, Arleen discusses why as healthcare workers you must find moments of joy throughout your day to heal your heart of what you experience each day. Arleen reminds us that the effects of not allowing yourself to experience joy, absolutely impacts the way healing occurs for you and your patients. Finding the opportunities and allowing yourself the freedom to experience joy is 100% attainable. Arleen reminds healthcare workers to be intentional, channel the tiny moments of joy, and allow yourself to experience the feelings while providing care delivery. 

Arleen reminds us what we allow into our hearts, absolutely impacts our ability to experience joy. Arleen shares when we do not allow ourselves those moments to experience joy while providing care, it can lead to burnout. We are reminded that even in nature change is happening around us and challenges listeners to recognize that there is a time and season for joy, happiness, sadness, pain and suffering. Arleen reminds us that unless we slow down our pace we may miss the opportunities to experience joy. Arleen shares reflections from the book by Dottie Billington, Ph.D. Life is an Attitude: How to Grow Forever Better and the importance of seeking out those magic moments each day.  

Arleen reviews the psychological theory of Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and explains as humans how we are motivated and the different ways you can achieve fulfillment while in life school. Arleen shares relevant examples of how healthcare workers must search inward to understand the level you are currently at in order to move forward and live a self-fulfilled life. Arleen reminds listeners that focusing on your personal development, allows you to reach your full potential and become the best version of oneself.     

In this podcast, Arleen interviews Dianik Chesney, a certified nursing assistant on practices that she uses to achieve healing by focusing on the power of love and personal connections. Dianik shares her personal experience of contracting Covid-19 early in the pandemic and her return to the workforce when so many others were fleeing. Dianik shares her firsthand accounts in caring for the most vulnerable population.  

Dianik shares her passion for caring for people and how important it is to work together in healthcare to support one another. Dianik shares in vulnerability several stories from her 30 years in healthcare to inspire others to keep pushing forward. She reminds all of us as healthcare workers, to take time out to heal your heart daily from what you experience at work. Dianik reminds healthcare workers to take time during work to recharge your batteries, find happiness, seek counsel from a higher source and enjoy those personal interactions with the patients you provide care to. She reminds healthcare workers, that whatever is happening to you in your personal life, when you come to work you must put aside any frustration or anger and find the quiet still silence and channel the power of love, personal connection and encouraging words. She reminds us that you make a choice every day to be great on purpose and change the world with your care and compassion.

In this podcast, Arleen shares the importance of understanding how self-worth and self-confidence play a role in healing your heart. Arleen shares the book Worthy by Jamie Kern Lima, self-made entrepreneur, founder and CEO of IT Cosmetics. Jamie’s story of how she refused to give up her convictions despite years of rejection, led to the launch of her billion dollar company. When we understand how the words we use to describe the way we feel feeds into our self-worth, we can learn strategies to evaluate situations in a different way. As healthcare workers, everyday experiences with co-workers, patients and families can have a negative influence on your sense of self-worth. If you are not careful, you can find yourself listening to those negative words which will impact your ability to grow to your highest potential. You can believe those experiences. 

Arleen shares how our experiences from our childhood can directly influence your self-worth. By sharing her own personal experience of being raised in a religious cult, and breaking free, finding freedom was part of her destiny, but our childhood experiences can affect the way we see the world. Arleen also shares the “Four R’s” from Jamie’s book to help you to look at rejection from a different perspective. So that you can continue to show up every day, push those thoughts aside and continue to do the great work you were designed to do–caring for others. 

Learn Jamie’s inspirational story by visiting her website at www.jamiekernlima.com or by purchasing her book Worthy on Amazon.

In this podcast, Arleen shares the power and importance of deep listening and how it relates to healing of your heart and healing others. In a world that is full of distractions, as healthcare workers, our ability to listen to ourselves and what is going on inside of us or those patients we serve is critical. Listening is a core skill for healthcare workers especially since we are moving at such a high-speed in providing care delivery. Arleen challenges you to think about how the ability to listen affects healing of your patients and yourself. 

Arleen reminds us as caregivers we need to create a sacred space for listening to occur. If you are rushing by the opportunities you will miss the mark. It takes discipline and practice and you must be willing to improve your own listening skills. Being present, slowing things down, listening and connecting with people is part of healing. Learn simple strategies to create natural pauses so that you can listen to what is happening around you at work and home and allow healing to occur. 

In this podcast, Katie O’Shea, PT, DPT, MBA, GCS, CDP, CCRP joins Arleen as a guest podcaster on how healthcare workers can achieve healing through understanding the practice of reiki. As a doctor of physical therapy and reiki master, Katie shares how she listened to the whisper of reiki and how you can experience healing from this ancient practice of energy healing. As humans there is an energetic presence around each of us, and understanding how to use energy as a way of healing will only benefit you. Katie demystifies some of the myths related to reiki and how you can tap into one of the seven chakras in your body and achieve healing. She discusses the power of meditation and setting an intention towards healing.  

Arleen shares how the environment is essential when it comes to healing our patients, but also for ourselves. By slowing down, we can ensure we do not miss the moments as to how healing can occur. Understanding the benefits of reiki which include seeking help with relaxation and anxiety and finding ways to release those intrusive thoughts that prevent you from achieving rest and recovery. Katie shares how you can use a visualization practice of energy blocking which prevents any negative energy from co-workers, patients and family members from robbing you of your energy.

You can learn more about Katie by emailing her at [email protected]. LinkedIn: Dr. Katie O’Shea. Instagram: @dr.katie.oshea

In this podcast, Arleen shares the work of John Bickart, Ph.D., Educator, Consultant and author of four books. Together we discuss and explore the teachings in the book 20 Opportunities to Transform Yourself While Teaching. John reminds us that for healing to occur and to change our mindset, we must first think with our heart. John shares that because our lives are full of distractions and the need for instant gratification we can miss the moments where we can look at our challenges differently.

John teaches us a 3-step process he uses with educators called “Wish, Wait, Whatever” which should first be used before we try to find solutions to our challenges. John shares his 3 rules about belief: (1) Make a detailed wish on how something can be; (2) Ask yourself if it is even possible; and (3) Allow the possibility for whatever to occur. 

Through storytelling John shares how using simple, one-minute daily exercises, you can find new possibilities when you change the thoughts in your mind into thoughts from your heart. Arleen shares John’s creative interpretation of an ancient Cherokee legend called “Two Wolves.” John shares a beautiful story about his grandson waiting for his birthday cake and how important it is to have people in our lives to support us. If you can hold onto the possibility that things could be better, you can access this child-like spirit and find beauty in the world. John invites all of us to focus on our “heart thoughts” which are our greatest opportunity to find healing. 

You can access John’s book on Amazon and related tools/resources at https://www.bickart.org/

In this podcast, Arleen reminds healthcare workers that their superpower in healing others. We do this with our words, thoughts and actions. Not only is healing others what you are designed to do, but the people you serve desperately need you. Even when you experience day-to-day challenges, Arleen reminds us to use our superpower of compassion, empathy and teamwork in every situation.

The way you interact with patients and families absolutely affects the well-being of those we serve. Arleen reminds us that those who need healing, are not always operating at their personal best, which is why empathy and compassion are integral to care delivery. This is especially true for people who live with both chronic and acute medical conditions.

Arleen reminds us when we are kind to ourselves, and show love regardless of what is happening around you, will receive personal and professional satisfaction. When you learn to show compassion, empathy and create stillness, you are in the best position to ensure healing occurs. Arleen shares a passage from the book American Ramble: A Walk of Memory and Renewal by Neil King Jr., to remind healthcare workers of the importance of seeking stillness throughout your day and shifting from a mindset of transactional care to one where the person is the center of the care you deliver. By not missing any opportunities to be in stillness and silence, you can shift from transactional to person-centered care. 

Not only will your patients and family members appreciate you, but you will feel better in the way you deliver care. You will be filled up inside which will remind you why you do this important work. 

In this podcast, Arleen shares the work of authors, Keith Yamashita and Sandra Spataro from the book Unstuck. As healthcare workers, part of your healing journey is to recognize when you are stuck, especially if you find yourself just going through the motions. If you are not feeling a strong connection to your passion and purpose then it might be time for you to self-reflect and realize you might simply be stuck.

You will learn why you must first admit that you are stuck and learn the three symptoms you might be feeling as a result. Arleen shares the importance of receiving a proper diagnosis and the importance of using one of the greatest root cause analysis methods known as “The Five Whys” tool to drill down and identify the real root cause that is keeping you there. Once you realize you are stuck, it is time to learn through a simple exercise to begin by reimagining the life you want to live every day as a healer of people. Let’s face it, you were designed to provide compassionate care to those who need it. You must learn the strategies needed to continue to grow, learn and be challenged to move forward so that you can achieve your highest potential. 

In this podcast, Arleen reminds us that it is within your capability to recreate the future you want. She shares the secrets for healthcare workers to heal your heart. It is not about running away from the painful experiences but learning how to use our minds to create new experiences. When you remember the reasons that drew you into the field of healthcare, you can reconnect your passion to your purpose. You can find happiness as a healer–it is all within your reach.

Arleen shares the great work of Rick Hanson, Ph.D., Psychologist, Teacher and Author of Hardwiring Happiness on ways to engage your mind in an intentional and useful way using 3 simple strategies. Learn how you can design your future self by using examples from Kathleen Adam’s book Journal to Self to help you create a future you deserve–because you are a healer.

You deserve happiness because you provide care from a spirit of love, compassion and empathy. Arleen speaks about the importance of creating daily, weekly and monthly habits to heal yourself and grant yourself permission to find happiness so that you can live your best life.