The Waiting Room Revolution

In this episode we explore the final key, “Invite Yourself,” which encourages patients and families to become respectfully assertive in their healthcare journey. Rather than waiting to be asked, individuals are empowered to speak up, ask questions, and take an active role in their care. We discuss how this mindset shift can lead to better communication, improved understanding, and more meaningful...

In this episode we talk about the key "Connect the Dots" - a crucial strategy for patients and families navigating complex healthcare systems. We explore how being the "illness manager" can transform healthcare experiences, the importance of having someone who can coordinate care, track medical information, and serve as the "glue" between different healthcare providers.   Our Workbook: Applying th...

In this episode, we dive deep into the fifth key: Anticipate Ripple Effects. We discuss how serious illness impacts not just patients, but their entire support network. We share personal stories and insights about building strong support systems, caring for caregivers, and understanding the emotional journey of those surrounding a patient. We also give some tips to providers. Our Workbook: Applyin...

In this episode we discuss the fourth key: Customize Your Order. We chat about how you can transform your illness experience from a one-size-fits-all approach to a personalized journey that truly reflects your values, preferences and unique self. We also talk about communicating what matters most to you, and why being treated as an individual-not just a diagnosis- is crucial to maintaining you sen...

In this episode of the Waiting Room Revolution, we explore the powerful third key: "Know Your Style." We discuss how understanding your unique personality can transform your healthcare experience, how learning practical strategies for navigating illness can reduce family conflict, and how knowing your style gives insight on approaching challenges. We also chat about how important this can be for H...

In this episode we discuss the second key: Zoom Out. We discuss how information is a superpower, ways to get it, how to use it and how it can maintain hope all throughout an illness journey. We also discuss how everyone - patients, families, and healthcare providers - has a role in creating a more transparent, supportive healthcare experience. Our Workbook: Applying the 7 Keys for Navigating a Lif...

In this episode, we discuss the first of seven keys to navigating serious illness: Walk Two Roads. We chat about breaking through toxic positivity, communicating openly about illness, reducing uncertainty and maintaining personal agency during challenging times. We share stories and experiences that people have shared with us about why constant positivity can be harmful, how patients can find stre...

This episode we are talking about When Time is Running Out. We chat about demystifying dying, challenging healthcare norms, misconceptions about hospice and medical assistance in dying (MAID), how patients and families can reclaim power in their healthcare experience & much more. Our Workbook: Applying the 7 Keys for Navigating a Life-Changing Diagnosis is available at select retailers now! Vi...

Welcome to Season 10 of the Waiting Room Revolultion Podcast where we will be looking back (and forward!) to the start of it all: the Seven Keys! This episode we will be recapping the journey so far. Some topics we cover in this episode are: how the podcast has spread the movement around the globe, how our book Hope for the Best, Plan for the Rest has connected to so many communities, what we've l...

In this episode we chat with Ruth Richardson, a seasoned hospice palliative care nurse educator who has dedicated her career to empowering patients, families, and healthcare providers through her compassionate and holistic approach. She shares her strategies for breaking down misconceptions about palliative care, equipping patients to advocate for themselves, and creating community-based learning...

This episode features our conversation with Tilly Stevens, a health and well-being coach from New Zealand. We chat about her work with Coping with Loss and her training as an end-of-life doula. She tells us about the challenges in New Zealand's palliative care system, including funding and variability in services, her experiences with resilient grieving and the importance of acknowledging and acce...

This episode features our conversation with Catherine Cummings, CEO of the International Alliance of ALS and Motor Neuron Disease Associations. We chat all about ALS- the challenges of diagnosis, the economic impact on patients and caregivers and the variability in care quality globally. Catherine shares her personal experience as a caregiver. To learn more about the International Alliance visit t...

This episode features our conversation with Bill Harder, Theresa Radwell and Penney Gaul from the Palliative Care Society of the Bow Valley in Alberta. We discuss the society's mission to provide quality-of-life support through holistic care, emphasizing community partnerships and volunteer-driven initiatives. They highlight innovative programs like the dementia care team, which pairs volunteers w...

This episode features our conversation with Dr. Barbara (Bunni) Bresver, Dr. Roz Doctorow & Peter Macaulay from Dying with Dignity Canada- Toronto Chapter. We chat about the mission and work of Dying with Dignity Canada, which focuses on protecting end-of-life rights, advocacy, support, and education for Canadians. We also chat about how the generational shift in provider-patient dynamics and...

This episode features our conversation with Laura Cleminson, a community organizer and founder of the Pre Dead Social Club. We discuss her journey from working in a medical device company to becoming a death doula, and the importance of preparing for death through community engagement and education by hosting events to foster open discussions. To learn more about her work visit: https://www.predea...

This episode features our conversation with Dr. Zachary White, Professor of Communication in the Department of Communication Studies at Furman University in South Carolina. We discuss his journey into caregiving research and advocacy, challenges and insights into caregiving communication and how healthcare providers can navigate uncertainty to be present with patients and families. To learn more a...

This episode features our conversation with Sheli O'Connor, Director of Community Engagement and Partnership at Hospice Waterloo Region. We discuss her passion for community development, the importance of continuous community engagement in healthcare and in advance care planning to empower individuals in healthcare decisions, and innovative community engagement strategies. To learn more about her...

This episode features our conversation with Clare Fuller & Dani Ayre, Advance Care Planning Experts and advocates from the UK. We discuss how they organized a conference for Advance Care Planning in the UK earlier this year, public awareness and empowerment.   Learn more about Clare's work on her website:  https://speakforme.co.uk/ Our theme song is Maypole by Ketsa and is licensed under CC BY...

This episode features our conversation with Dr. Karen Wyatt, Medical Director, Author and Founder of End-Of-Life University. We chat about Karen's clinical practice and personal tragedy, her transition into hospice care and reflections on healing, writing and community building. Learn more about the EOL University here: https://www.eoluniversity.com/     Visit our website to learn more about our w...

This episode we chat with Dr. Julien Abel, retired palliative care physician, Director of Compassionate Communities UK, author and podcaster. In this episode we talk about what compassionate communities are, what a public health palliative approach looks like and what community support of serious illness should look like. To learn more about Compassionate Communities UK visit: https://compassionat...

This episode we chat with Dr. Diah Martina, an internal medicine doctor in Indonesia. Diah also has per PhD focusing on culturally sensitive advance care planning in Asia. In this episode we talk about what culturally sensitive palliative care looks like in Indonesia, what her research has shown about adapting conversations about dying and planning in different cultures and religion, and the relev...

This episode features Dipti Purbhoo, Executive Director of the Dorothy Ley Hospice, one of Ontarios oldest Hospices. We chat about the synergy between hospice services and the Waiting Room Revolution, innovative ways hospices partner with community agencies and how Dororthy Ley Hospice is working to be truly integrated upstream in an illness journey. To learn more about Dorothy Lea Hospice visit:...

This episode features our conversation wtih Lisa Levin, CEO of Advantage Ontario. We chat about how Advantage advocates for seniors quality of life, housing policy that promotes aging in place and what other countries are doing to innovate aging. Learn more about Advantage Ontario here: https://www.advantageontario.ca/   For more information visit: www.waitingroomrevolution.com   Our theme song is...

Happy Caregivers Month! This episode features our conversation with Amy Coupal, the CEO of the Ontario Caregiver Organization. We chat about the services and resources OCO offers, Amy's own caregiving experience and the essential role caregivers have within the healthcare system. Learn more about the Ontario Caregiver Organization here: https://ontariocaregiver.ca Our theme song is Maypole by Kets...

This episode features our conversation with Eliza Munro and Kelly Clark, who are palliative care educators and consultants on IPEPA. IPEPA stands for Indigenous Program of Experience in the Palliative Approach, which is a grass roots approach to breaking down barriers to palliative care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Australia. We chat about the important work they are do...