Voices of Hospice Leadership Podcast

What happens when a hospice stops trying to “sell hospice” and focuses instead on education, resources, relationships, and being a good steward of its community?

In this episode of The Voices of Hospice Leadership Podcast, Brian Frantz talks with Jaime Wasden-Ryum, founder of Mountain View Hospice in Arizona.

Jaime shares her journey from ER and trauma nursing into hospice and explains the philosophy that now shapes Mountain View Hospice.

The conversation covers Jaime’s concept of “The New Norm,” the physical, cognitive, and caregiving changes families may encounter when a loved one returns home after a hospitalization, rehab stay, or skilled nursing stay.

You’ll also hear about Mountain View Hospice’s Resource program, Dementia Friendly communities, Memory Cafés, caregiver support, hospice eligibility misconceptions, staff education, and what hospice actually provides.

Then the conversation turns to growth.

Jaime explains why Mountain View Hospice does not rely on traditional hospice marketers and why she believes hospice should be educated, not sold. She also shares how Google reviews have become the organization’s number one referral source and how families have even discovered Mountain View Hospice through TikTok. 

This episode is a practical look at what can happen when a hospice focuses on helping first, educating consistently, delivering excellent care, and allowing trust to drive growth.

Topics Include:

• The “New Norm” after hospitalization or rehab 
• The first 48 hours after discharge 
• Community resource navigation 
• Dementia Friendly communities 
• Memory Cafés 
• Caregiver grief and isolation 
• When to start talking about hospice 
• What supplemental hospice care means 
• Hospice staff education 
• Community-first hospice marketing 
• Google reviews and online reputation 
• Social media and TikTok referrals 
• Building trust before asking for the referral 

Connect with Jaime on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaime-wasden-ryum-7825b4191

Learn More About Hospice Care Marketing: https://www.hospicecaremarketing.com/

Phone: (877) 959-5849

Interested in being a guest on the show? Reach out today!

Get our book: https://go.hospicecaremarketing.com/book

Schedule your Leadflow Acceleration Session: https://go.hospicecaremarketing.com/

Connect with us:

https://www.youtube.com/@hospicecaremarketing

https://www.facebook.com/hospicecaremarketing

https://x.com/HospiceCareMktg

https://www.linkedin.com/company/hospice-care-marketing/

https://www.instagram.com/hospicecaremarketing/

https://www.tiktok.com/@hospicecaremarketing

Subscribe for more conversations with hospice leaders, industry experts, and professionals working to improve end-of-life care. 

#HospiceCare #HospiceLeadership #CompassionFatigue #EndOfLifeCare #CaregiverSupport #HospiceEducation  #HealthcareLeadership

Helen Bauer joins The Voices Of Hospice Leadership Podcast for a powerful conversation on compassion fatigue, professional boundaries, staff support, and what better hospice care really requires.

Helen is a hospice nurse, end-of-life educator, advocate, founder of Hospice Navigation Services, and host of The Heart Of Hospice Podcast. With more than 16 years in hospice care, Helen brings a thoughtful and practical perspective on the emotional weight carried by hospice workers and the responsibility leaders have to protect their teams.

In this episode, Helen and Brian discuss why hospice workers are often disenfranchised grievers, how compassion fatigue and moral fatigue differ from burnout, and why professional boundaries matter for patients, families, staff, and agencies.

Helen also shares practical “atomic self-care” strategies for field staff, including small daily rituals that help hospice workers reset between visits. The conversation also explores leadership culture, staff retention, communication, caseload management, and what families should expect from a good hospice provider.

This episode is a meaningful listen for hospice owners, administrators, nurses, aides, social workers, chaplains, caregivers, and anyone committed to protecting the integrity of hospice care.

Connect with Helen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-bauer-bsn-rn-chpn-334a89123/

Hospice Navigation Services: https://www.theheartofhospice.com/services

The Heart of Hospice Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@UC6-q1LkHj5NQ5tTDO-bzccA 

Learn More About Hospice Care Marketing: https://www.hospicecaremarketing.com/

Phone: (877) 959-5849

Interested in being a guest on the show? Reach out today!

Get our book: https://go.hospicecaremarketing.com/book

Schedule your Leadflow Acceleration Session: https://go.hospicecaremarketing.com/

Connect with us:

https://www.youtube.com/@hospicecaremarketing

https://www.facebook.com/hospicecaremarketing

https://twitter.com/HospiceCareMktg

https://www.linkedin.com/company/hospice-care-marketing/

https://www.instagram.com/hospicecaremarketing/

https://www.tiktok.com/@hospicecaremarketing

Subscribe for more conversations with hospice leaders, industry experts, and professionals working to improve end-of-life care. 

#HospiceCare #HospiceLeadership #CompassionFatigue #EndOfLifeCare #HospiceNurse #CaregiverSupport #HospiceEducation  #HealthcareLeadership

In this episode of The Voices Of Hospice Leadership Podcast, Brian Frantz speaks with Shahrouz Golshani, founder and president of Healing Care Hospice, about what families should understand before choosing hospice care.

Shahrouz explains hospice as a shift from curative treatment to comfort-focused support, while emphasizing that hospice is not about giving up. It is about helping patients and families make informed decisions, manage symptoms, receive emotional and spiritual support, and focus on quality of life during a deeply personal season.

The conversation covers common misconceptions about hospice, when families should begin asking questions, what the Medicare hospice benefit includes, and how families can evaluate hospice providers using resources like Medicare Care Compare, reviews, response times, staffing, and visit frequency. Shahrouz also shares what makes Healing Care Hospice unique, including RN case management, physician access when needed, advanced clinical support when appropriate, Spanish-speaking care teams, and a strong focus on serving Southern California families.

This episode is a helpful resource for families, caregivers, referral partners, and hospice professionals who want a clearer understanding of hospice care, patient choice, and how the right provider can shape the end-of-life experience.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

•  What hospice care really means 
•  Why hospice is not the same as giving up 
•  The difference between curative care and comfort-focused care 
•  How hospice supports both the patient and the family 
•  What the Medicare hospice benefit may include 
•  When families should start asking questions about hospice 
•  Why advanced care planning matters before a crisis 
•  How families can choose the right hospice provider 
•  What questions to ask before selecting a hospice 
•  Patient rights, including revoking hospice or transferring providers 
•  What makes Healing Care Hospice different 
•  The importance of informed decision-making at end of life 

Shahrouz Golshani
Founder And President, Healing Care Hospice
Website: healingcarehospice.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shahrouz-golshani-881075278/

Hospice Care Marketing: https://www.hospicecaremarketing.com/ | (877) 959-5849

Interested in being a guest on the show? Reach out today!

If this episode encouraged you, share it with someone who may need it.

#Hospice #HospiceCare #EndOfLifeCare #HealthcarePodcast

What does good hospice care really look like?

In this episode of the Voices of Hospice Leadership Podcast, I sit down with Rachel Rankin, part owner and medical director of Bosque Trails Hospice in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Rachel shares why she and her partners started Bosque Trails Hospice, how a clinician-led team changes the care experience, and why locally owned hospice can offer a more personal and individualized approach for patients and families. 

We also talk about some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding hospice, why so many families are referred too late, and what signs may indicate it is time to start asking questions. Rachel explains that hospice is not about giving up. It is about comfort, dignity, support, and helping people live as well as possible in the time they have. 

You will also hear:

• What makes Bosque Trails Hospice different 
• How clinician-led leadership improves patient care 
• Why caring well for employees leads to better care 
• The role of reviews, word of mouth, and community trust 
• Common myths about hospice 
• Signs it may be time to ask for a hospice evaluation 
• The rights patients and families have when choosing hospice 
• How hospice supports loved ones before and after a loss 

https://www.bosquetrailshospice.com/

Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-rankin-b8927590/

Hospice Care Marketing: https://www.hospicecaremarketing.com/ | (877) 959-5849

Interested in being a guest on the show? Reach out today!

If this episode encouraged you, share it with someone who may need it.

#Hospice #HospiceCare #EndOfLifeCare #PalliativeCare #HealthcarePodcast

In this episode of the Voices of Hospice Leadership Podcast, Brian Frantz talks with Katie Quine, hospice leader, coach, and founder of Leaders on Edge, about one of the biggest challenges in hospice today: burnout and staff retention.

Katie shares insights from her experience in hospice leadership, including why staffing stability is directly connected to census growth, how leaders can recognize early signs of disengagement, and what it really takes to build a culture where teams feel supported.

If you are a hospice owner, administrator, or leader trying to improve retention, strengthen your culture, and better support your field staff, this conversation is for you.

In This Episode:

• Why staffing stability is a growth strategy 
• Early signs of burnout and disengagement 
• What hospice staff need beyond pay and benefits 
• How leaders can better support field clinicians 
• Why relationships matter more than metrics alone 
• Practical ways to improve retention before staff check out 
• How to hire people who are truly called to hospice work 

About Katie Quine

Katie Quine is a hospice leader, coach, and founder of Leaders on Edge. Her work focuses on helping healthcare leaders build the capacity to handle pressure, lead more effectively, and better support their teams.

https://www.leadersonedge.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/leadersonedge/

Subscribe for more conversations on hospice leadership, growth, staffing, and strategy.

Schedule your free strategy session today.

#HospiceLeadership #HospiceCare #BurnoutPrevention #StaffRetention #HealthcareLeadership #HospicePodcast

In this episode, Brian sits down with Angie Oujiri, Director of Hospice for Vivie, serving families across Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. With over 15 years in home health and palliative care, Angie brings a rare perspective on why so many hospice appropriate patients are hiding in plain sight  inside home health caseloads. You'll learn how better conversations, earlier education, and stronger partnerships between home health and hospice teams can transform both care quality and census growth.

Key Topics

• Why patients who are eligible for hospice often land in home health first
• The emotional barrier to hospice and how to meet families where they are
• How to have informed, compassionate conversations about end-of-life options
• The single most important question clinicians can ask every patient
• Why home health teams are an underutilized referral source for hospice
• Building a new hospice program within a larger integrated care organization
• Facility partnerships, seamless care, and team communication tools
• Growing census in a new market through collaboration

Featured Guest Angie Oujiri, Director of Hospice, Vivie is a care provider offering an integrated set of care services, including home health, care management, senior living, rehabilitation, hospice, and more. With a dedicated team of over 2,300 employees, Vivie serves more than 13,000 individuals annually across Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Rooted in a foundation of faith and focused on transforming the way people live, age, and thrive, Vivie tailors its support to meet the unique needs of every person. By prioritizing people first and fostering a culture of excellence, compassion, and innovation, Vivie strives to deliver exceptional care.

Resources & Links

• Vivie: https://vivie.org/
• Connect with Angie on LinkedIn
• Hospice Care Marketing

If your hospice is not showing up where families search, you are leaving admissions on the table. We help hospice teams strengthen Google Maps visibility, generate reviews, and turn education into referrals. Call (877) 959-5849 or visit www.hospicecaremarketing.com

Schedule your free strategy session today.

#Hospice #HospiceCare #HomeHealth #PalliativeCare #HospiceLeadership #EndOfLifeCare #CensusGrowth #HospiceMarketing #Minnesota #HealthcareLeadership

Episode Summary

In this episode, you sit down with Raphael Akobundu, NP and CEO of Blue Monarch Hospice, serving families across North County San Diego. You unpack the difference between being eligible for hospice and being emotionally ready, common myths like 24/7 in-home care, and how clear communication with families and facilities reduces crisis decisions. Raphael also shares practical playbooks for reviews, referral partnerships, and what actually drives census growth in a competitive market.

Key Topics

• Eligibility vs readiness and how to guide families through both
• What hospice covers vs what it does not cover
• Typical visit cadence and how it increases as needs change
• The 24/7 misconception and how to set expectations
• Switching hospices and discharge when patients stabilize
• Building referral partnerships that last
• Why medication workflows between facilities and hospices need standardization
• Owner insights on compliance, costs, and growth

Featured Guest

Raphael Akobundu, NP, CEO, Blue Monarch Hospice
Locally owned, clinician-led hospice serving North County San Diego. Emphasis on small-team communication, right-sized caseloads, and high-touch family support.

Pull Quotes

• “Eligibility and readiness are different conversations. Your job is to meet families where they are.”
• “Communication and clear expectations with facilities prevent most issues before they start.”
• “Great care is your best marketing. Reviews and referrals follow.”

Resources And Links

• Blue Monarch Hospice, North County San Diego
• Connect with Raphael on LinkedIn
• Hospice Care Marketing: SEO, Maps, and Reviews Support

Show CTA For Hospice Providers

If your hospice is not showing up where families search, you are leaving admissions on the table. We help clinician-led teams strengthen Google Maps visibility, generate reviews, and turn education into referrals. Call (877) 959-5849 or visit www.hospicecaremarketing.com

Schedule your free strategy session today.

#Hospice #HospiceCare #HospiceEligibility #Caregiving #PalliativeCare #NorthCounty #SanDiego #HealthcareLeadership #CensusGrowth #HospiceMarketing

Why This Episode Matters for Hospice Leaders

When families hesitate, your census suffers. In this episode, you’ll learn practical language and field-tested frameworks to move families from fear to clarity, earn clinician buy-in, and empower your team to follow through without getting “salesy.”

What You’ll Learn (At A Glance)

• Eligibility Vs. Readiness: How to guide families without pressure
• The “Hospice Bank Account” Analogy: A simple way to explain the Medicare benefit
• Demystifying Meds: Reframing morphine myths into quality days
• Clinician Education That Works: Micro-trainings and data points that earn buy-in
• Leadership & Growth: “Trust but verify,” ride-alongs, and operational follow-through

Episode Highlights & Takeaways

Understand Eligibility Vs. Readiness In Hospice Admissions

Families often say “We’re not ready.” Samuel shows you how to separate readiness (emotional) from eligibility (clinical) using questions, checklists, and empathetic phrasing so decisions feel confident, not coerced.

Use The Medicare “Hospice Bank Account” To Educate Families

Explain that the hospice benefit is something families have already paid into. This bank-account analogy makes coverage, DME, and supplies easy to grasp and reduces cost anxiety.

Replace fear-driven narratives with a clear plan for comfort and goals (e.g., attending a reunion, one last fishing trip). Families remember outcomes, not jargon.

Win Clinician Buy-In With Data And Follow-Up

Short, focused lunch-and-learns, readmission impact, and timely feedback loops help physicians and NPs recognize hospice-eligible patterns sooner and refer with confidence.

Lead Field Marketing with Trust and Accountability

“Trust but verify” your marketers. Ride along, remove operational blockers, and keep promises (equipment, supplies, weekend availability). Empowered teams deliver better experiences and more qualified referrals.

Guest Bio: Samuel Powell

With over 18 years in customer service and more than a decade in sales and marketing, I’ve dedicated my career to helping organizations strengthen their impact through leadership, compassion, and connection. Using both my professional experience and my personal experience, I am passionate about hospice teams and the way they can elevate their marketing, inspire their people, and create meaningful experiences for every family they serve.

Connect With Samuel:

Guest Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-powell-9628a6145/
• Company: https://www.powellmarketinginnovation.com/

Resources For Hospice Owners & Administrators

• Family Education Toolkit Ideas: Eligibility checklist, “bank account” one-pager, DNR explainer
• Clinician Micro-Training Topics: Eligibility indicators, readmission reduction, handoff scripts
• Field Marketing Framework: Visit cadence, value-based touchpoints, follow-up templates

Need More Qualified Hospice Referrals?

If your hospice isn’t showing up in Google’s Map Pack or you want more high-intent calls, our team can help, from Google Business Profile optimization and reviews to local SEO and conversion-focused websites.

Hospice Care Marketing (HCM): hospice-only expertise, full-funnel strategy, and results you can measure.

FAQ: Hospice Leadership & Marketing

Learn More

If you’re a hospice leader looking for strategies to better support families, let’s connect: Schedule a Free Strategy or call (877) 959-5849.

#hospicecaremarketing #HospiceLeadership #EndOfLifeCare #FamilySupport #HospiceMarketing #VoicesOfHospice

RN leader Ashleigh Lugar (Merrill Gardens) shares how “not matching energy,” empowering staff, and early hospice education turn high-emotion moments into better outcomes for residents and families plus the top 5 signs it’s time to consider hospice in assisted living.

Today’s guest is Ashleigh Lugar, RN, Regional Director of Health Services at Merrill Gardens. With 20 years in senior living and hospice, Ashleigh breaks down compassionate leadership, the difference between delegating and empowering, and how to reframe hospice as a layer of support, not a last resort. We cover simple language families understand, what makes a hospice a great partner to assisted living/memory care, and the top 5 indicators it’s time to talk hospice.

Resources mentioned: 

• Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry & Jean Greaves
• Merrill Gardens (senior living; Ashleigh supports TX, MS, AL regions)

Subscribe: Voice of Hospice Leadership Podcast

Contact: Hospice Care Marketing for websites, SEO, and growth for hospice providers

Connect with Asleigh & Her Work

• Learn more about Merrill Gardens: https://www.merrillgardens.com/
• Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleigh-lugar-rn-391b04233

How This Episode Helps Hospice Professionals

Ashleigh Lugar, RN is Regional Director of Health Services at Merrill Gardens, supporting assisted living and memory care communities across Texas, Mississippi, and Alabama. She’s spent 20 years in senior living and hospice with a passion for leadership, education, and family support.

Learn More

If you’re a hospice leader looking for strategies to better support families, let’s connect: Schedule a Free Strategy or call (877) 959-5849.

#HospiceLeadership #AssistedLiving #MemoryCare #HospiceEducation #CompassionateCare #EmotionalIntelligence #HealthcareLeadership #EndOfLifeCare #HospiceSEO

Welcome to another episode of the Voices of Hospice Leadership Podcast. In this conversation, host Brian Frantz sits down with Kait McEwen, founder of Peaceful Passage, to explore how her work complements hospice services and provides families with much needed support during the end of life journey.

Kait brings a unique, non-medical perspective that focuses on advocacy, logistical planning, and guiding families through what can often feel overwhelming. She describes her role as “walking alongside hospice,” filling in the gaps that Medicare doesn’t cover and helping families navigate emotional and practical challenges.

Key Highlights from This Episode

• The Inspiration Behind Peaceful Passage: Kait shares how her career path led her into end of life support and why the work feels sacred.
• Collaborating with Hospice Teams: How she advocates for patients, supports families, and complements social workers and clinical staff.
• Common Family Challenges: From financial stress to emotional overwhelm, Kait explains how she brings structure to chaos.
• A Story That Inspired Her: Kait recalls a caregiving experience with a veteran that reaffirmed her mission to guide families into hospice care.
• Shifting the Conversation on Death: How she uses openness, mindfulness, and compassion to break through cultural taboos around dying.
• The Future of Peaceful Passage: Kait’s vision for keeping her work sacred and intimate while still expanding awareness and resources.

Connect with Kait & Her Work

• Learn more about Peaceful Passage and Kait’s support offerings: peacefulpassage.org
• Follow Kait’s journey and insights on Instagram: _peacefulpassage
• Connect on LinkedIn: Kait McEwen

How This Episode Helps Hospice Professionals

Hospice providers understand clinical and emotional complexity. Kait brings a unique lens, non-medical advocacy, empathetic logistics, and emotional grounding. Listening in, you’ll gain new ideas to strengthen caregiver and family support within your hospice offerings.

Learn More

If you’re a hospice leader looking for strategies to better support families, let’s connect: Schedule a Free Strategy or call (877) 959-5849.