Smart w/Heart Podcast

Aligning Brand & Reality in Senior Living with Adrienne Mansfield

In this episode of Smart w/ Heart, Katie Holt sits down with Adrienne Mansfield, Co-Founder of ADage Marketing Group, for a candid conversation on one of the biggest challenges in senior living today: brand alignment.
Together, they unpack the growing gap between how communities see themselves and how families actually experience them. From the “sea of sameness” in marketing to the critical role of operations in building trust, this episode explores why marketing is more than messaging. It’s a mirror.
You’ll also get an inside look at the Brand Mirror framework, a practical tool designed to help senior living leaders assess perception, uncover misalignment, and take meaningful steps toward differentiation.
If you’re navigating occupancy pressure, trust challenges, or trying to stand out in a crowded market, this conversation will give you a clearer path forward.
➡️ Check out the Brand Mirror

When Strategy Meets Reality: Bridging the Leadership Gap w/ Erin Thompson

What happens when corporate strategy meets the daily reality of running a senior living community?
In this episode of the Smart with Heart Podcast, Katie Holt sits down with leadership coach and industry advocate Erin Thompson, founder of Aspire for More with Erin and co-creator of the 100% Leader Program, to talk about the leadership gap many communities experience today.
Erin shares her perspective on what she calls the “leadership translation gap”—the space between corporate strategy and community execution. After spending more than 20 years working inside senior living communities, Erin now helps leaders develop the self-awareness, language, and confidence they need to bridge that gap and lead with clarity.
Together, Katie and Erin explore how leadership instability affects everything from team culture and trust to occupancy and marketing momentum, and why investing in leadership development may be one of the most impactful decisions organizations can make.
In this conversation, you’ll learn:
What the leadership translation gap looks like in senior living communities
Why Executive Directors and community leaders influence occupancy more than many marketing strategies
The real cost of leadership turnover and instability
How leaders can develop the confidence and language to communicate effectively with corporate stakeholders

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...