Smart w/Heart Podcast

Power of Perspective: Disrupting the Status Quo w/ James Lee

The entrepreneurial journey is rarely an “overnight success”. In the care economy, entrepreneurs are stepping out to shine the light on new ways to approach care, caregiving, and services across the senior living care industry. James Lee is a recognizable face and name in the senior living and care industry. 
 
On this episode of Smart w/ Heart, we talk with James and share lessons from his journey serving, leading, and disrupting how we think about care in senior living. As the founder of Think Tank and a recognized TedX speaker, James shares insights that can help entrepreneurial leaders shift their thinking as they navigate the messy middle of building their vision to serve. 
 
We talk about the entrepreneurial journey, challenges, and the power of perception when it comes to unapologetically aligning with your purpose. James has a candid and authentic approach to sharing his journey. Join us for this inspiring conversation that covers senior living care, marketing, and personal purpose to show up and serve. Listen until the end to get James’ three tangible takeaways to apply to your business, purpose, or mission. 
 
Connect w/ James:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/seniorlivingguy/ 
 
Connect w/ Smart Girl Digital:
Follow on LinkedIn
www.smartgirldigital.com 

AI, Video, and Personality: A New Era of Recruiting

In this episode of Smart w/ Heart, host Katie Holt talks with Lauren Glass Mullins, founder of Personality Pool, to explore how personality-based hiring is transforming recruiting, retention, and culture fit in the senior living space.
Lauren shares how Personality Pool uses video-based screening and AI-powered assessments to help HR leaders and hiring managers go beyond résumés, uncovering the soft skills and personality traits that truly matter in frontline and caregiving roles. 
Whether you’re an executive director, HR professional, or operator focused on building stronger teams, this conversation offers practical insights into:
How AI and video tools humanize (not replace) the hiring process
Ways to reduce turnover costs and hire for long-term culture fit
The future of recruiting in senior living and aging services

Radical Sabbatical: Redefining Trauma-Informed Care in Senior Living

In this episode of the Smart w/ Heart Podcast, host Sarah Sheridan sits down with Jean Hartnett, founder of Radical Sabbatical, to explore how trauma awareness and healing are reshaping leadership in senior living. Jean shares her journey from frontline caregiving to executive leadership, the burnout that inspired her to start Radical Sabbatical, and why trauma-informed care must go beyond compliance checklists.
Listeners will learn:
Why trauma-informed care is essential for both residents and staff in senior living communities
The impact of trauma-informed practices on employee engagement, burnout, and organizational culture
How leaders can foster resilience, psychological safety, and stronger teams by embracing a more human-centered approach

The Business Case for EQ: From Burnout to Breakthrough

In this episode, Briana Hilmer, Erin Thompson, Sarah Carothers, and Gena Ross join Smart Girl Sarah Sheridan for a heartfelt and eye-opening conversation about why emotional intelligence isn’t just a “nice-to-have,” but a must-have for leadership in senior living.
Together, they explore the five pillars of EQ—self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills—and how they can transform the way leaders recruit, retain, and support their teams. Our guests share personal stories of growth, challenges, and breakthroughs, along with the leadership values they refuse to compromise on.
From reducing turnover to improving resident satisfaction, this episode shows how developing EQ can strengthen cultures, inspire teams, and create lasting impact.
📖 Download the e-book by clicking here.
 
Connect with our guests:
Briana Hilmer
Erin Thompson
Sarah Carothers
Gena Ross
Connect w/ Smart Girl Digital:
Follow on LinkedIn
www.smartgirldigital.com 

Granting Wishes, Changing Lives: The Twilight Wish Foundation’s Story

In this episode of Smart w/ Heart, Candice Hall and Peter Stinson from the Twilight Wish Foundation share how their nonprofit is transforming the lives of low-income seniors by granting wishes—from mobility aids to bucket-list experiences.
They discuss the power of storytelling, creating emotional connections, and the role of purpose-driven marketing in senior living. Senior living marketers will gain actionable insights on how to engage their communities and elevate their brand through meaningful experiences.
Tune in for inspiration on how to integrate heart-centered marketing into your senior living strategy.
 
Connect w/ Twilight Wish Foundation:Follow on LinkedIn
http://www.twilightwish.org
 
Connect w/ Smart Girl Digital:
Follow on LinkedIn
www.smartgirldigital.com 

Leading with Purpose: Cindy Sorgea on the Power of Passion

In this episode, Katie Holt sits down with Cindy Sorgea, a PR and marketing communications expert, to discuss the intersection of passion and purpose in leadership.
Cindy shares her journey from working in PR agencies to consulting and her profound experience in the senior living sector. They delve into the importance of structure in strategy, the significance of internal and external communications, and the concept of personal branding for leaders. 
 
Connect w/ Cindy:Follow on LinkedIn
 
Connect w/ Smart Girl Digital:
Follow Smart Girl on LinkedIn
www.smartgirldigital.com 

Championing Change: Mariella Canady-Towns on Executive Coaching and Leadership Excellence

We're officially kicking off Season 2 with Mariella Canady-Towns, founder of the Platinum Reine Foundation. 
We explore:
✨The impact of executive coaching on leadership growth
✨The marketing challenges nonprofits face and how to navigate them
✨Why strategy and storytelling often matter more than budget
✨How to build trust, amplify your mission, and lead with intention
Mariella’s passion for empowering leaders and her practical marketing insight make this conversation both inspiring and actionable.
 
Connect with Mariella & The Platinum Reine Foundation:
Follow Mariella on LinkedIn
Follow Platinum Reine Foundation on LinkedIn
https://www.platinumreine.org/ 
 
Connect w/ Smart Girl Digital:
Follow Smart Girl on LinkedIn
www.smartgirldigital.com 

Smart w/Heart: New Name, New Mission, Same Heart.

Introducing the Smart w/ Heart Podcast — a new spin on the SGD podcast. 🎙️
We’re refocusing to spotlight change-makers and heart-driven leaders in the senior care and nonprofit space.
Each episode shares the purpose story behind these organizations and offers valuable insights on navigating challenges, driving meaningful impact, and fostering growth within mission-driven communities.
✨ Stay tuned for what's to come this season...

Twinkle Tuesday Unveiled: Behind the Sparkle with SMASH Creators

In this bonus episode of The Collective, Katie Holt is joined by Bailey Beeken and Peggy Bilous, creators of the SMASH conference, to discuss the excitement surrounding the upcoming SMASH 2024 and the much-anticipated Twinkle Tuesday event. Tune in for a lively conversation on how Twinkle Tuesday became a standout tradition at SMASH and what attendees can expect this year.
Highlights:
✨ The Evolution of Twinkle Tuesday
✨ The 'Why' behind the creation of Twinkle Tuesday
✨ Shining a Light on Senior Living
 
Join us as we dive into the sparkle and significance behind one of SMASH’s most exciting traditions!

Bridging the Gap: From Operator to Vendor with Sonia Vachon

Sonia Vachon, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at ActiveDEMAND, joins SGD's Sarah Sheridan for a candid conversation on the unique perspectives of both the operator and vendor sides of senior living.
Episode highlights include:
➡️ Strategies for effective marketing automation
➡️ The importance of customer feedback for product innovation
➡️ Balancing in-house skills with agency expertise
 
Connect with SGD:
Smart Girl Digital
Follow us on LinkedIn
Connect with Sonia:
Follow Sonia on LinkedIn
www.activedemand.com