Voices of Hospice Leadership Podcast

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 thought...

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 f...

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 person...

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...

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, an...

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 playboo...

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 “Ho...

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 hos...

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...

In this episode of Voices of Hospice Leadership , Brian Frantz sits down with Sannie Lee, Area Director of Sales at Suncrest Care in Sacramento. Sannie shares how a “boots on the ground” approach—built on visibility, consistency, and a strong internal culture—has helped Suncrest stand out in a crowded market. From avoiding “muffin marketing” to building real relationships with referral partners, S...

In this powerful episode of The Voices of Hospice Leadership , host Brian Frantz sits down with Keely Vacca, Hospice Administrator at Elara Caring, to explore the personal and professional journey that led her into hospice leadership. From early inspiration during nursing school to guiding teams through the challenges of end-of-life care, Keely shares what continues to drive her passion for this m...

In our very first episode, host Brian Frantz sits down with Lisa Glynn, R.N., and Co-Founder of Golden Rule Hospice, to discuss what sets her hospice agency apart in the highly competitive Atlanta market. Lisa shares her journey in hospice care, the founding of Golden Rule Hospice, and how the company has grown over the past nine years. They dive into the challenges of marketing hospice services,...

Welcome to the Voices of Hospice Leadership Podcast. Check out this episode to learn who we are, what you can expect from this podcast and why you should listen.