The Relational Approach: In Seniors' Care

What Fuels Creative Teams: A Relational Approach with Amy Climer

What if creativity isn’t something a few people are born with but a skill that every team can learn and apply? In today's episode, Dr. Amy Climer invites us to rethink what it means to be creative, and how structured curiosity can transform how care teams collaborate, problem solve, and engage with their work. Drawing from her book, Deliberate Creative Teams: How to Lead for Innovative Results, Amy shares practical ways leaders and staff can spark innovation without adding more to their plates. Through thoughtful stories and accessible frameworks, Amy shows how creativity thrives when trust, clarity, and curiosity come together. Whether it’s involving families in ideation or shifting a brainstorming session to be more inclusive, this episode is filled with practical tools to bring a more relational (and creative!) approach to your team culture. You’ll hear:  * Why creativity is a learnable process, not just a talent  * The three essential elements every creative team needs  * How to use “How might we…?” questions to spark better solutions  * Why traditional brainstorming doesn’t work...and what to try instead Join us for a practical and energizing conversation about how care teams can build creative confidence, think more relationally, and find fresh ways forward - together. You can find the full show notes here [https://deborahbakti.com/podcast-2/] About Amy: Dr. Amy Climer is a speaker, trainer, and coach who teaches teams how to innovate on demand. She is the author of Deliberate Creative Teams: How to Lead for Innovative Results written to help leaders understand how to increase creativity in their teams. She hosts The Deliberate Creative [http://www.climerconsulting.com/deliberate-creative/]™ podcast and she is the designer of Climer Cards [http://climercards.com/], a creativity and teambuilding tool. Amy has a Ph.D. in Leadership and Change. You can learn more about and connect with Amy here: *  climerconsulting.com [https://climerconsulting.com/] * Deliberate Creative Teams Book: deliberatecreativeteams.com  * book listing on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3WD4lMR [https://amzn.to/3WD4lMR]   * Climer Cards: climercards.com [https://climercards.com/] * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/climerconsulting]:  * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyclimer/]: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyclimer/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyclimer/]  * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/amyclimer/]: https://www.instagram.com/amyclimer/ [https://www.instagram.com/amyclimer/]  * BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/amyclimer.bsky.social]: https://bsky.app/profile/amyclimer.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/amyclimer.bsky.social]  * X/Twitter [https://twitter.com/amyclimer]: https://twitter.com/amyclimer [https://twitter.com/amyclimer]

What If a 15-Second Story Could Change Everything? A Relational Approach with Marsha Shandur

What if connection was as simple as sharing a 15-second story? In this episode of The Relational Approach Podcast, Marsha Shandur guides us into the world of storytelling, not just as entertainment, but as a powerful relational tool for care teams. With warmth and wisdom, she unpacks how small, emotionally-rich stories can help build trust, foster empathy, and create meaningful connections with families in senior care. Marsha shows us that storytelling isn’t just a skill, it’s a bridge. A 15-second story can ease anxiety, humanize care, and help family members feel seen and reassured. When care teams learn how to “make a movie in someone’s brain,” they transform everyday moments into emotional touchpoints that deepen relational connection. You’ll hear: * How storytelling activates empathy and emotional resonance * Why a tiny story can be more impactful than a checklist * How leaders and staff can use small personal moments to build trust Tune in and discover how storytelling isn’t just about what you say, it’s about how you help others feel. A Relational Approach starts with connection and that begins with the stories we choose to tell. See the full show notes here [https://deborahbakti.com/sticky-stories-and-building-trust-a-relational-approach-with-marsha-shandur/] You can learn more about Marsha here: https://www.yesyesmarsha.com/ [https://www.yesyesmarsha.com/] The special resources she provided for listeners is here: https://www.yesyesmarsha.com/deb [https://www.yesyesmarsha.com/deb]

High Performance Starts with Presence: A Relational Conversation with Dr. Liane Davey

What if high performance in seniors’ care starts not with doing more but with showing up differently? In this episode of The Relational Approach Podcast, Dr. Liane Davey introduces us to the concept of thought load: the mental and emotional weight we carry on top of our day-to-day tasks. You’ll hear: * Why your stress might have more to do with focus than workload * How to protect your energy without stepping away from your purpose * The surprising difference between emotions and the stories we tell about them * Why small moments of awareness create big impact This is a practical and grounding conversation for anyone who wants to stay steady in the chaos and lead with more clarity, compassion, and connection. 🎧 Tune in and let it reframe the way you work and relate. Read the full show notes here [https://deborahbakti.com/podcast-2/]

From Fatigue to Connection: A Relational Approach with Denise Brown

What if supporting caregivers wasn’t about having all the answers… but simply making space to listen? In today's episode, Denise Brown shares a powerful reminder: presence isn’t a soft skill, it’s the foundation for trust, healing, and connection. You’ll hear: * Why “compassion fatigue” is often something deeper * How a simple phrase like “We know this is a hard day” can shift everything * Why listening without fixing can be the most supportive thing you do * How presence and problem-solving actually go hand in hand It’s a beautiful, grounding conversation that will leave you thinking differently about how you show up for caregivers, for your team, and even for yourself. Tune in and take a breath with us. This one is full of heart. Read the full show notes here [https://deborahbakti.com/from-fatigue-to-connection-a-relational-approach-with-denise-brown/]

Building Trust Through Family Councils: A Relational Conversation with Lisa Dawson

What if family councils could become a bridge instead of a battleground? In this episode of The Relational Approach Podcast, Lisa Dawson shares what it really takes to build trust between care teams and families and how to move from frustration to collaboration. You’ll hear: * How trust, not tension, sets the tone for everything else * Why curiosity opens more doors than complaints * What it looks like to reset when a relationship has gone off track * How to keep residents at the center of every conversation Whether you’re part of a care team or a family member navigating this journey, this conversation offers hope, clarity, and practical steps for working together relationally. Listen in and explore what’s possible when we lead with trust.  Access the full show notes and more about Lisa Dawson here [https://deborahbakti.com/building-trust-through-family-councils-a-relational-conversation-with-lisa-dawson/]