People Worth Caring About

Uncover the untold power of nurse practitioners in the healthcare system.

Dr. Valerie Fuller, President of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, reveals why these highly trained professionals are the best-kept secret in healthcare. Are you aware of the vital role they play in providing high-quality, cost-effective care? Tune in to discover how nurse practitioners are reshaping patient care and what keeps them under the radar.  

In this compelling episode, Dr. Fuller shares her journey advocating for over 461,000 nurse practitioners nationwide. With 28 years of experience as a nurse practitioner, she discusses the misconceptions surrounding the role and the unique, holistic approach they bring to healthcare. You’ll learn how nurse practitioners can diagnose, treat, and prescribe, yet still remain lesser-known compared to their physician counterparts.  

You’ll discover: 

- How nurse practitioners bridge the gap in healthcare access, especially in underserved areas.  

- The legislative barriers that prevent them from fully exercising their training and how they’re working to change this.  

- Real-life examples of the impact nurse practitioners have on patient outcomes and satisfaction.  

Dr. Fuller emphasizes the importance of understanding the full scope of practice available to nurse practitioners and how misconceptions can lead to missed opportunities for patients to receive quality care. With a focus on listening and understanding patient needs, she highlights why nurse practitioners are essential in today’s healthcare landscape.  

Don’t miss out on this essential conversation that challenges the status quo and advocates for a transformation in healthcare delivery. Perfect for anyone interested in healthcare, policy, or simply looking to understand more about the hidden gems in our medical system. Listen now to empower yourself with knowledge that could change lives!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Welcome and introduction to Dr. Valerie Fuller

01:05 - What nurse practitioners do

02:40 - Explaining the nurse practitioner role to patients

04:15 - Why nurse practitioners are still “the best kept secret” in healthcare

06:39 - Nurse practitioners in rural and underserved communities

08:16 - Policy barriers to practicing at full scope

09:24 - How outdated Medicare rules affect patient care

11:36 - The I Can Act and federal advocacy

12:13 - Using storytelling to reach legislators

12:45 - Full practice authority and the Texas–New Mexico contrast

14:53 - The patient-centered philosophy of nursing

15:57 - Valerie’s path into advocacy and association leadership

18:41 - Why patient stories move policy

20:18 - Rural health advocacy at the White House

22:01 - What Valerie enjoys most about leading the association

23:09 - Favorite and least favorite airports

24:12 - Building a postoperative delirium program

25:53 - Researching patients’ experiences with delirium

26:59 - Closing remarks

Thank you for listening to “People Worth Caring About.” If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5-star rating to help others discover these important stories.

For more information and to connect with our guests, visit PeopleWorthCaringAbout.com.

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Transforming the cancer care experience is no small feat, but Christina Merrill is doing just that. 

In this riveting episode of People Worth Caring About, she unveils how her journey from social worker to founder and CEO of the Bone Marrow and Cancer Foundation has changed the lives of countless patients and families facing the daunting challenges of cancer treatment.

You'll discover the innovative strategies Christina implemented, including a groundbreaking partnership with Airbnb that allows patients to access crucial care without the burden of housing costs. She reveals the heartwarming stories behind her organization’s mission, detailing how they provide financial assistance, therapy programs, and essential peer support that truly make a difference in the cancer community. 

Peter Murphy Lewis and co-host Jalene Carpenter dive into Christina's entrepreneurial spirit, discussing how her experiences led to the creation of Cancer Buddy, an app that connects patients with peer support through a familiar swiping mechanism. This unique approach not only helps patients find others who understand their struggles but also fosters a sense of community and connection that is often lacking in healthcare.

This episode is not just about healthcare; it's a powerful reminder of the human spirit's resilience and the importance of support systems during life's toughest battles. If you’re a caregiver, a healthcare professional, or someone affected by cancer, Christina’s insights are invaluable and could inspire you to make a difference.

Join us for this heartwarming and enlightening conversation that showcases the power of compassion, innovation, and community in overcoming the challenges of cancer. Perfect for anyone seeking hope and practical solutions in the face of adversity.

Timestamps:

00:35 - Welcome and host catch-up

01:43 - Introducing Christina Merrill and the conversation ahead

02:13 - Lighthearted opening banter

02:46 - Christina’s formal welcome

03:32 - Christina’s path into cancer care

04:39 - Building the Bone Marrow & Cancer Foundation

07:02 - The inspiration behind Cancer Buddy

08:19 - Creating peer support and community

09:34 - Building the app from the ground up

10:13 - From bone marrow transplants to serving all cancer patients

11:17 - Storytelling, fundraising, and the Airbnb partnership

13:20 - Persistence and not giving up

14:30 - The patient story that changed everything

16:22 - Family, purpose, and raising four sons

16:52 - Technology, AI, and preserving human connection

17:59 - Bringing the Cancer Buddy community together in person

18:29 - Why patient navigation needs a human touch

19:40 - Discipline, health, and loving your work

21:18 - Peter reflects on Christina’s vision

21:49 - Lessons for long-term care

22:30 - Closing thoughts

Thank you for listening to “People Worth Caring About.” If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5-star rating to help others discover these important stories.

For more information and to connect with our guests, visit PeopleWorthCaringAbout.com.

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Aging, Stigma, and Why the Conversation Belongs Everywhere

Peter Murphy Lewis and Jalene continue a conversation about aging and gerontology: where should it be discussed, and how can we move beyond seeing aging only as decline?

They explore gaps in healthcare training, the stigma older adults face, the influence of everyday language, and why thinking about aging should include identity, relationships, and wellness - not just the body.

In this episode:

• Why aging and gerontology deserve attention beyond college campuses and long-term care

• How aging is covered in healthcare administrator and CNA training

• Why an acute-care model may not reflect the realities of aging

• The stigma that older adults have little value or productivity

• What it means to consider the “youth side” of aging

• How aging can shape identity, wellness, and relationships

• Why words like “old” can carry a negative connotation

• How people can reclaim language and shift its meaning

• Why Dr. Masters could add a valuable perspective to the conversation

Timestamps

00:00 - Opening the aging conversation

01:26 - How aging is covered in healthcare training

02:21 - The limits of an acute-care approach to aging

02:44 - Stigma and misconceptions about older adults

03:44 - Introducing the “youth side” of aging

04:11 - A younger person’s question about identity and the future

04:39 - Aging beyond the body: wellness, family, and relationships

05:10 - Using “old” as a negative label

06:17 - Owning words and changing their meaning

07:33 - Why Dr. Masters should join the conversation

07:51 - Peter’s emotional interview project

08:05 - The “Aging is Hot” T-shirt

09:15 - Closing thoughts

Thank you for listening to People Worth Caring About. If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5-star rating to help others discover these important stories.

For more information and to connect with our guests, visit PeopleWorthCaringAbout.com.

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Are we afraid of aging or just unsure how to talk about it?

In this lively episode of People Worth Caring About, hosts Jalene and Peter dive into the often-avoided topic of aging, revealing surprising insights from both younger generations and elderly residents at senior living communities.

If you’ve ever wondered how perceptions of aging shift from youth to old age, this episode is for you.

Peter shares his recent experience interviewing college students and seniors, unearthing enlightening truths about how each group views aging.

You’ll discover:

• Why many young adults avoid the conversation about aging altogether.

• The unexpected overlap in advice shared between seniors and the youth about approaching life and aging.

• Insights into the field of gerontology and why understanding aging is crucial for various professions, not just caregiving.

This episode isn’t just about sharing stories; it’s about transforming the way we perceive aging and the conversations we need to have.

As Peter highlights, avoiding discussions about aging can lead to missed opportunities for deeper connections and understanding.

Join us for this compelling exploration that challenges the stigma around aging and ignites curiosity about the inevitable journey we all face.

Perfect for anyone looking to rethink their perspective on aging or seeking to foster better dialogue around it.

Tune in now and let’s start the conversation!

Timestamps

00:01 - Peter and Jalene open the episode.

01:01 - Jalene introduces the negative way people often talk about aging.

01:48 - Peter explains the project’s goal: bringing awareness to gerontology and the fear of discussing aging.

02:43 - Peter describes visiting retirement centers and asking residents what comes to mind when they hear “aging.”

04:08 - Peter shares that many older adults hadn’t thought about aging until arranging long-term care for a parent.

05:33 - Peter describes asking young people what their 80-year-old selves would advise them to do now.

06:19 - Advice from older adults: slow down, worry less, plan financially, and take care of your body.

07:38 - Peter shares why it can help to have difficult conversations about death and dying earlier.

08:39 - Peter explains how studying gerontology can help people understand a population they haven’t experienced yet.

09:30 - Peter discusses the professional value of understanding an aging demographic.

10:42 - Jalene asks about Dr. Julie Masters’ work and the episode closes with a teaser for part two.”

Thank you for listening to “People Worth Caring About.” If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5-star rating to help others discover these important stories.

For more information and to connect with our guests, visit PeopleWorthCaringAbout.com.

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Keep Going: Alicia Staley on Four-Time Cancer Survivorship, Patient Advocacy, and Building Better Clinical Research

Peter Murphy Lewis sits down with Alicia Staley, Chief Patient Officer at Medidata and a four-time cancer survivor, for a conversation about identity, resilience, and why patient experience should shape healthcare technology.

Alicia shares how surviving cancer four times changed the way she sees time, work, and purpose, and why she now fully embraces patient advocacy as part of who she is. They also discuss the overlooked roles that make clinical research work, the stubbornly outdated parts of healthcare that still frustrate her, and the simple message she would put on a billboard for anyone facing hard seasons: keep going.

KEY TOPICS

Alicia’s Four-Time Cancer Survivor Story
• Processing what it means to survive cancer four times
• Her first diagnosis of Hodgkin’s lymphoma in college
• Learning to embrace survivorship as part of her identity

How Personal Experience Shapes Leadership
• Connecting an engineering background with patient advocacy
• Improving the experience of patients in clinical trials
• Putting the right tools in front of patients at the right time

The Unseen People Behind Clinical Research
• Clinical research site workers
• Engineers and product teams
• Patient-facing staff whose work often goes unrecognized

Why Healthcare Technology Feels Extraordinary
• Connecting patient data across systems
• Improving access to medical information
• Making clinical trial opportunities easier to explore

What Still Feels Outdated
• Alicia’s frustration with fax machines in healthcare
• How outdated communication methods can damage the patient experience

Mentorship and Personal Growth
• The impact of Alicia’s career coach, Jill
• Learning from multiple mentors and relationships
• Turning personal experiences into a resource for others

A Book Worth Reading
• The Magic of Thinking Big
• Why Alicia recommends it to her team and others

The Message She Would Put on a Billboard
• “Keep going”
• Resilience, persistence, and taking life one step at a time

EPISODE TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Introducing Alicia Staley, four-time cancer survivor and Medidata Chief Patient Officer

01:12 – Wrestling with what it means to survive cancer four times

02:08 – How a college diagnosis reshaped her outlook on time and purpose

04:19 – Why she stopped resisting the cancer survivor identity

06:05 – Bringing an engineer’s mindset into patient advocacy

07:28 – Using technology to improve the patient experience in clinical trials

09:05 – The clinical research roles that rarely get public recognition

10:42 – How Alicia encourages and celebrates her team’s impact

13:00 – Why healthcare data integration is extraordinary

14:23 – How modern patient tools changed access to information

16:11 – Why fax machines still feel shocking in healthcare

17:57 – The value of a career coach and learning from many mentors

20:03 – Why The Magic of Thinking Big is her most recommended book

21:40 – The billboard message she would share with the world: “Keep going”

ABOUT PEOPLE WORTH CARING ABOUT

Thank you for listening to People Worth Caring About. If you found value in this episode, please follow the podcast and leave a 5-star rating to help others discover these important stories.

For more information and to connect with our guests, visit:
https://peopleworthcaringabout.com

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This episode is a personal conversation about how Peter Murphy Lewis’ unusual career path shaped the way he thinks about caregiving. Jalene and Peter discuss listening, observation, emotional resilience, and why hands-on care is one of the hardest and most undervalued kinds of work. We also touch on identity and community through sports mascots and school pride, using Nebraska and Gonzaga as examples of how symbols create connection.

Key Topics:

• In this episode, Peter explains how working more than a hundred unusual jobs taught him to be a better listener and observer, which later translated directly into caregiving.

• He shares how filming a South America version of Dirty Jobs initially made him too mental and calculated, until he learned to relax and focus on the person in front of him.

• Peter and Jalene discuss how healthcare and long-term care are hard to “sell” because so much of the work is intangible, unlike visibly celebrated jobs like firefighter, FBI detective, or subway driver.

• Peter describes one of his earliest filming experiences as a gravedigger, where he moved the remains of an 83-year-old woman, and how that brought up grief about not being present for his own grandparents’ funerals.

• He explains that the emotional weight of that day, including becoming unable to talk near the end, prepared him for the emotional strain caregivers face.

• Another formative experience involved filming a woman who did handyman and repair work, then later learning she took her life six months after they became close.

• Peter reflects on how caregivers can pour everything into supporting someone in deep depression and still not be enough, which is part of the emotional reality of the job.

• Jalene asks what a full CNA shift would really be like, and Peter says he worked three full shifts during CNA training, running everywhere under a strict supervisor named Robert.

• He emphasizes that the hardest part of caregiving is being on your feet all day while supporting people who may be combative, confused, or unable to communicate their needs.

• Peter closes by saying caregiving also teaches life-changing human intangibles that make you a better spouse, parent, community member, church member, or Boy Scout.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Why Peter’s unusual jobs matter for caregiving

01:06 - Learning to stop overthinking and just be present

02:39 - “Celebrated” jobs versus invisible caregiving work

05:19 - The gravedigger job that changed his perspective on grief

07:25 - A close connection that ended in tragedy

08:54 - What CNA training and three full shifts were really like

10:23 - The hardest part of being on your feet all day

11:17 - How caregiving makes you better in every part of life

12:25 - Why sports teams use mascots and identity language

13:11 - Nebraska pride as a community signal

14:15 - Why Gonzaga gear still sparks conversation 

Thank you for listening to “People Worth Caring About.” If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5-star rating to help others discover these important stories.

For more information and to connect with our guests, visit PeopleWorthCaringAbout.com.

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This conversation looks at why the people with the most meaningful stories are often the ones least comfortable on camera. Peter and Jalene discuss how trust, relatability, and lower production pressure help surface authentic stories from direct care staff, leaders, and quiet contributors inside organizations.They also break down a practical approach to helping people tell their story, from asking better questions to framing everyday work as valuable, human, and worth caring about.

Key topics

• In this episode, Peter Murphy Lewis and Jalene explore why ego can hurt on-camera resonance, even when someone is polished or “good” on camera.

• Jalene shares that the most compelling people are often the ones doing genuine work for heartfelt reasons, not for visibility.

• Peter explains that viewers connect most with relatability, not perfection, and that small human quirks can make someone more trustworthy on screen.

• Jalene gives the example of “Judy in housekeeping” - a person everyone in the organization knows is special, but who would never raise her hand to be filmed.

• They discuss how “share your story” is often too vague, especially for direct care staff who may think storytelling requires a grand life event.

• Peter says the first requirement for getting someone to open up is trust, and that the interviewer should already have a relationship with the person.

• Jalene emphasizes that the goal must be clear and genuinely altruistic, so the person feels they are sharing for the mission, not being used for content.

• They suggest making the setting feel safer by reducing production pressure, including fewer people in the room, minimal lighting, and starting with familiar voices.

• Peter pitches a powerful leadership concept: record executives talking about an important caregiver before revealing that the caregiver is in the room to hear it.

• They reflect on how long-term care stories often become most meaningful around postmortem care, family presence, gratitude, and forgiveness.

Timestamps

(00:00) Why the most interesting people often avoid the camera

(01:20) Ego, relatability, and what viewers immediately notice

(02:40) Finding the quiet storytellers inside an organization

(03:51) Why “share your story” is too vague for most people

(04:54) Trust first - why the relationship has to come before the recording

(05:40) Reducing pressure with fewer people and less production

(06:25) Making a camera feel safe for someone who has never been on one

(07:21) A leadership video idea that honors an unnamed caregiver

(08:13) Revealing the caregiver in the room for a genuine reaction

(09:41) Helping leaders and staff discover their “why” through a before-and-after story

(11:37) Postmortem care, family presence, and why these stories matter

(12:52) The beauty of work that long-term care rarely talks about

Thank you for listening to “People Worth Caring About.” If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5-star rating to help others discover these important stories.

For more information and to connect with our guests, visit PeopleWorthCaringAbout.com.

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In this episode, Peter Murphy Lewis and Jalene share behind-the-scenes insights from filming a documentary with frontline caregivers at the Capitol, highlighting the power of storytelling in advocacy and leadership.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to filming with frontline caregivers

00:07 The challenge of directing on the run

00:33 Experiencing the Capitol filming journey

01:20 The group's humility and lack of ego

02:03 Capturing organic, emotional moments

03:07 Unexpected insights during interviews

04:22 Pulling footage together around a journey theme

06:10 The physical and emotional journey from Nebraska to DC

07:07 Caregivers' transformation from timid to empowered

08:27 Impactful moments with legislative staff

10:37 Authentic interactions and genuine interest

11:53 Caregivers' understanding of the association's role

12:34 Strategies for sharing the story effectively

14:03 Engaging caregivers through social media and email

15:58 Lessons learned from on-the-fly filming challenges

16:32 Reflections on communication and coordination

17:08 Humor and candid moments on set

19:04 Final thoughts and next steps for advocacy storytelling

Thank you for listening to “People Worth Caring About.” If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5-star rating to help others discover these important stories.

For more information and to connect with our guests, visit PeopleWorthCaringAbout.com.

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In this episode, Peter and Jalene explore innovative ways to raise curiosity about aging and long-term care through engaging content and street experiments. They share practical ideas, testing methods, and creative projects to inspire change and awareness.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Stories about World Cup and Soccer

02:21 Introducing the Project to Raise Curiosity About Aging

03:11 Defining Curiosity and How to Capture Attention

04:01 Goals of the Gerontology Content Project

05:26 Ideas for Content and Engagement Strategies

07:20 Using Street Experiments to Connect with People

09:12 Testing Curiosity with Questions About Aging and Fears

11:06 Street Interviews and Sharing Personal Stories

13:04 Practical Challenges and Solutions in Street Content Creation

14:04 Creative Viral Ideas to Promote Aging Awareness

15:34 Wrapping Up and Next Steps for Content Projectst

Thank you for listening to “People Worth Caring About.” If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5-star rating to help others discover these important stories.

For more information and to connect with our guests, visit PeopleWorthCaringAbout.com.

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In this episode, Peter and Jalene discuss the importance of advocacy for frontline caregivers, the upcoming congressional briefing in DC, and how sharing authentic stories can influence policy decisions. They highlight the transformative power of caregiver voices and the impact of storytelling in advocacy efforts.

Chapters:

00:08 Peter shares excitement about advocacy event

00:43 Personal story of Jace, a CNA making an impact

01:21 Upcoming trip to DC for congressional briefing

02:20 Goals for advocacy: showcasing caregiver stories

02:55 What success looks like in advocacy events

03:31 Observing confidence growth in caregivers

04:01 The importance of authentic storytelling

04:28 Travel plans and weather considerations

05:08 Closing remarks and anticipation of the event

Thank you for listening to “People Worth Caring About.”

If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5-star rating to help others discover these important stories.

For more information and to connect with our guests, visit PeopleWorthCaringAbout.com.

#HealthcareLeadership #SkilledTrades #PeopleWorthCaringAbout