Season 2

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...