Difficult Conversations -Lessons I learned as an ICU Physician

On this episode, Dr. Anthony Orsini and Liz Poret-Christ introduce guest, Laura Diaz-Freeland, whose twin daughters were born at the very limits of viability at just 23 weeks gestation. Laura’s memoir, “Not What I Had in Mind,” is discussed, highlighting the emotional journey and the deep empathy found in motherhood that she experienced following the birth of her extremely premature daughters.  Dr. Orsini was part of the team who cared for her twins and they discuss the bond that Laura forged with the medical staff. Laura  discusses at length the emotional rollercoaster, exhaustion and helplessness that she and her family experienced.  The episode covers the profound advancements in neonatal care and the ethical dilemmas faced by parents and medical professionals in the treatment of such young infants. As a seasoned professional in marketing and creative writing, Laura’s poignant reflections highlight the importance of informed choices in the face of life’s most fragile beginnings, giving voice to the silent struggles and triumphs of preterm birth.  Laura advocates for parental choice and informed decision-making in cases of extreme prematurity, sharing insights from her 224-day hospital experience with her twins.  She stresses the need for compassion from healthcare providers and the importance of informed consent.  Dr. Orsini and Laura delve into the delicate conversations that occur in neonatal care, emphasizing the need for a supportive team approach to patient care.  Laura recounts how, despite feeling alone during the initial decision-making process, she later felt part of a team at the Hospital that was committed to her twins’ survival.  Laura also mentions the unique nicknames she has for the medical staff, like ‘The Godfather’ for Dr. Orsini, and ‘Behemoth Hands’ for the surgeon, reflecting their impactful roles in her and her daughters’ lives. For parents navigating this journey, we end with Laura sharing advice to parents to educate themselves, be gracious with themselves, and to not yell at the medical staff.  Please hit the subscribe button now!  Top of FormHosts:Dr. Anthony OrsiniLiz Poret-ChristGuest:Laura Diaz FreelandFor More Information:Difficult Conversations PodcastThe Orsini WayThe Orsini Way-FacebookThe Orsini Way-LinkedInThe Orsini Way-X/Twitterdrorsini@theorsiniway.comIt’s All In The Delivery: Improving Healthcare Starting With A Single Conversation by Dr. Anthony OrsiniLaura Diaz Freeland WebsiteLaura Diaz Freeland InstagramNot What I Had in Mind: A Motherhood Origin Story by Laura Diaz FreelandCOFFEE + CRUMBS-“Delusional Hope” by Laura Diaz Freeland 

In this episode, Dr. Orsini and Liz Poret-Christ are joined by guest, Dr. Samantha Winemaker, an associate clinical professor in the Department of Family Medicine, Division of Palliative Care at McMaster University in Ontario, and co-author of the book, Hope for the Best, Plan for the Rest: 7 keys for navigating a life changing diagnosis. Dr. Winemaker, an advocate for open communication, emphasizes the importance of patients expressing their need for honesty in their healthcare interactions, even when it involves tough conversations. Her work in palliative care, recognized by numerous awards and her co-hosting of “The Waiting Room Revolution” podcast, reflects her dedication to improving the healthcare journey for patients.  She shares her personal path into palliative care, shaped by her medical interests and her desire to move away from internal medicine.  Frustrated by the healthcare system’s delayed engagement with palliative care, she calls for a change, pushing for better public mortality awareness and suggesting that providers integrate palliative skills without necessarily labeling them as such to combat societal discomfort with death.Dr. Winemaker’s critique of the healthcare system extends to the misconceptions surrounding palliative care and the need for rebranding to reflect its comprehensive role. She argues for mandatory training in communication and palliative care skills in medical and nursing schools to ensure providers are well-equipped to support patients effectively.  She shares a story about a patient with lung cancer, to highlight the importance of informed decision-making and understanding the progression of illness. This episode also features insights into the book, Hope for the Best, Plan for the Rest, which offers 7 keys for navigating life-changing diagnoses, aiming to empower patients in managing their health. Dr. Winemaker aligns with Liz’s experiences with chronic illness, agreeing that patients should feel free to request full disclosure from their physicians to mitigate the fear of the unknown. She expresses her view on dying, considering it a natural chapter of life, and hopes to live her best life until the end without fear. Dr. Winemaker also shares her goal for the podcast and book, which is to educate patients worldwide, empowering them to navigate the healthcare system effectively and to manage their illnesses with confidence and knowledge. Hosts:Dr. Anthony OrsiniLiz Poret-ChristGuest:Dr. Samantha WinemakerFor More Information:Difficult Conversations PodcastThe Orsini WayThe Orsini Way-FacebookThe Orsini Way-LinkedInThe Orsini Way-Instagramdrorsini@theorsiniway.comIt’s All In The Delivery: Improving Healthcare Starting With A Single Conversation by Dr. Anthony OrsiniDr. Samantha Winemaker WebsiteHope for the Best, Plan for the Rest: 7 Keys for Navigating a Life-Changing Diagnosis by Dr. Sammy Winemaker and Dr. Hsien SeowThe Waiting Room Revolution Podcast

Welcome to another episode of Difficult Conversations-Lessons I Learned as an ICU Physician. In this episode, get ready to explore the journey of Jon Brandt, a remarkable entrepreneur whose journey is not just about business, but about purpose and change, especially in the realm of mental health in educational settings. Liz Poret-Christ and Dr. Anthony Orsini dive into Jon’s recent sale of the Thrive Alliance Group, and his vision for integrating mental wellness into the fabric of our school systems. As we explore Jon’s journey, from the founding of Sage Day Schools to his innovative approach with Thrive Alliance, we’ll uncover the layers of a mission-driven life that has touched many. Today, we trace Jon’s path from the loss that ignited his passion for mental health advocacy to the innovative ideas that propelled him into healthcare industry, revolutionizing patient care and worker standards.  Dr. Orsini uncovers the milestones in Jon’s career, highlighting the value of an outsider’s perspective in healthcare innovation. The discussion also touches on lessons learned from failures, the power of facing difficult conversations, and how his ventures have had a clear social impact. He also hints at his new venture, an educational program for entrepreneurs incorporating stoic wisdom, which is still in the early stages. Join us as Jon shares his insights on mental health, driving change, and leaving a positive mark on the world. Please hit the subscribe button now!Hosts:Liz Poret-ChristDr. Anthony OrsiniGuest:Jon BrandtFor More Information:Difficult Conversations PodcastThe Orsini WayThe Orsini Way-FacebookThe Orsini Way-LinkedInThe Orsini Way-InstagramThe Orsini Way-Twitterdrorsini@theorsiniway.comIt’s All In The Delivery: Improving Healthcare Starting With A Single Conversation by Dr. Anthony OrsiniResources Mentioned:Jon S. Brandt LinkedInJon S. Brandt X/TwitterThrive Alliance GroupDifficult Conversations Podcast-Episode 191: Fighting for our Heroes with Corey FeistNational Healthcareer AssociationThe Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck

Welcome to Difficult Conversations. You may have  heard the story of Dr. Lorna Breen, who was an accomplished physician that tragically took her own life during the spring of 2020. Today, Dr. Orsini and Liz Poret-Christ are honored to introduce guest, Corey Feist, who is the co-founder, and President of the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation. Corey dives into his personal journey, driven by the tragic suicide of his sister-in-law, Dr. Lorna Breen, and his mission to transform the healthcare system to support the well-being of healthcare professionals. The Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation’s work includes awareness efforts to break the stigma surrounding mental health issues, advocating for changes in licensing laws and credentialing questions to protect healthcare workers’ rights, and advancing solutions that aim to improve the overall well-being of the healthcare workforce.Corey shares insights into the challenges within healthcare, such as electronic medical records and burnout, which prompted him to take action.  He discusses the “All in Wellbeing First for Healthcare” initiative, that includes grants to fund well-being solutions, a starter kit for healthcare systems to kickstart well-being initiatives, and a focus on removing barriers to mental health access. We’ll also hear the significant progress the foundation has made, including the passing of the Dr. Lorna Breen Healthcare Provider Protection Act and the creation of the All In Champions Challenge Badge program,. Corey emphasizes the importance of healthcare professionals reaching out for help and clarifies that the most reliable source for information on the status of physician licensing and mental health concerns is their website because the foundation regularly updates this information. He also discusses the need to remove questions about past mental health issues from peer reference forms, stressing the importance of creating a supportive environment and ensuring confidentiality for healthcare workers seeking help.  If you enjoyed this podcast, please hit the subscribe button on your favorite podcast platform and download this episode to hear more! Hosts:Dr. Anthony OrsiniLiz Poret-Christ Guest:Corey FeistFor More Information:Difficult Conversations PodcastThe Orsini WayThe Orsini Way-FacebookThe Orsini Way-LinkedInThe Orsini Way-Instagramdrorsini@theorsiniway.comIt’s All In The Delivery: Improving Healthcare Starting With A Single Conversation by Dr. Anthony OrsiniResources J. Corey Feist LinkedInDr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ FoundationDr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation YouTubeNational Physician Suicide Awareness DayDr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation ToolkitAll In: Caring For Caregivers988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Difficult Conversations with Dr. Anthony Orsini- Episode 88In this episode, host Liz Poret-Christ along with Dr. Orsini, welcome guest Gina Jacobson, who discusses the Working with Cancer initiative. The initiative, born out of a heartfelt response to the need for better workplace support for employees facing cancer and chronic illnesses, aims to create a safe and positive environment for disclosing health conditions at the workplace. Gina, a survivor of stage four colon cancer, shares her passion for the initiative and her belief in the power of workplace support. The initiative has garnered support from major companies, including Yahoo, Disney, Walmart, SAP, Adobe, as well as The Orsini Way, all dedicated to fostering more inclusive and supportive workplaces, regardless of the company's size. Gina’s own experience surviving Stage 4 colon cancer and her belief in the power of workplace support have driven her commitment to this initiative. Gina explains how companies can become involved in the initiative, emphasizing flexibility, and providing a framework with five commitment pillars. The conversation underscores the significance of teaching people how to support colleagues facing cancer and the need for a safe space for difficult conversations at work. The discussion also explores the challenges of sustaining the Working with Cancer initiative and ensuring continuous training. Gina discusses the importance of ongoing training,  teaching people how to speak to and  support their colleagues facing cancer. She  emphasizes the need to provide a safe space for individuals and caregivers to have difficult conversations at work, how personal experiences and emotions play a role in advocating for the initiative’s global change, and its integration into inclusive manager training. Cohort sessions for managers are introduced as a way to offer intensive, real-time support. Gina highlights the initiative as a catalyst for promoting empathetic and compassionate communication in various challenging situations, extending beyond cancer. For more information,  check out the Working with Cancer Pledge website and connect with Gina for more information. Hit the subscribe button now!Hosts:Liz Poret-ChristDr. Anthony OrsiniGuest:Gina JacobsonFor More Information:Difficult Conversations PodcastThe Orsini WayThe Orsini Way-FacebookThe Orsini Way-LinkedInThe Orsini Way-Instagramdrorsini@theorsiniway.comIt’s All In The Delivery: Improving Healthcare Starting With A Single Conversation by Dr. Anthony OrsiniResources Mentioned:Gina Jacobson LinkedInStrive for 5 with Gina JacobsonPublicis GroupeThe Working with Cancer PledgeDifficult Conversations Podcast-Episode 180: Recognizing Fear with Gina Jacobson 

In this episode of Difficult Conversations, Dr. Orsini is joined by Chris Newlin, Executive Director of the National Children’s Advocacy Center (NCAC) in  Alabama, where he’s responsible for providing leadership and management, as well as participating in national and international training programs for the protection of children. He has more than 25 years of experience working as a Forensic Interviewer, Victim Advocate, Therapist, and other leadership roles in child advocacy.  Today, Dr. Orsini and Chris delve into the complex world of child advocacy. Chris sheds light on the emotional challenges faced by professionals striving to protect vulnerable children. We’ll hear about his background, tracing his journey from being an army kid  to finding his passion for safeguarding children’s well-being. The episode explores the history and evolution of Children’s Advocacy Centers, highlighting their global impact in providing safe spaces for children to share their experiences. The conversation shifts towards the vital role of forensic interviewers in child advocacy work.  These professionals who interact with children and faced traumatic events like child sexual abuse, are discussed in detail.  The challenges they encounter in building rapport, extracting accurate information, and creating a supportive environment are examined. Dr. Orsini shares his own experience working with forensic interviewers and child advocates through The Orsini Way and highlights their dedication to improvement.  Chris talks about his TEDx Talk focusing on child abuse, the staggering economic costs of child abuse on a national scale, and he cites research on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their impact on health, productivity, and substance abuse throughout adulthood. Dr. Orsini and Chris Newlin discuss strategies for preventing burnout among child advocates, emphasizing the significance of self-care, staying genuine, and maintaining emotional engagement.  We end with Chris sharing a personal experience of a difficult conversation with a family member facing a serious medical diagnosis and how he navigated through it. He emphasizes the importance of being patient, providing evidence, and allowing time for individuals to process challenging news. If you enjoyed this podcast, please hit the subscribe button on your favorite podcast platform and download this episode to hear more! Host:Dr. Anthony OrsiniGuest:Chris NewlinFor More Information:Difficult Conversations PodcastThe Orsini WayThe Orsini Way-FacebookThe Orsini Way-LinkedIndrorsini@theorsiniway.comIt’s All In The Delivery: Improving Healthcare Starting With A Single Conversation by Dr. Anthony OrsiniResources Mentioned:Chris Newlin LinkedInNational Children’s Advocacy CenterTEDx Talks: Financial Impact of Child Abuse with Chris Newlin (YouTube)Difficult Conversations Podcast-Conversations About Child Advocacy with Anthony DeVincenzo

Replay on Demand! Welcome to Difficult Conversations with Dr. Anthony Orsini. Today, my guest is the incredible Cy Wakeman, who is a drama researcher, a global thought leader, and New York Times best-selling author. She has been deemed “the secret weapon to restoring sanity to the workplace” and has helped companies such as Google, Facebook, NBC Universal, Johns Hopkins, and countless others how to navigate our rapidly changing world using good mental processes to harness energy wasted in workplace drama, and reinvent that effort into achieving profound business results. As a highly sought-after conference headliner, she’s a regular contributor on Forbes.com,  The Huffington Post, and has been featured on the Today Show, Ask Gary Vee Show,  and the New York Times Business Insider. Cy has published three books, the latest of which we’ll talk about today called, No Ego: How Leaders Can Cut the Cost of Workplace Drama, End Entitlement, and Drive Big Results. Cy tells us about herself and she shares with us her lifelong pursuit. She reveals some statistics about her research  with hardworking, super achieving, professional people and how they spend two and a half hours a day in drama in the workplace. Dr. Orsini shares some advice about how he teaches healthcare professionals to help them prevent burnout and his   concept of  “It’s hard to fire your best friend.” Cy tells us she believes in two things, “you love people up and then you call them up,” and shares a story about an upset nurse and why she said to her, “If you were great, what would great look like?” She also talks about how self-reflection is the ultimate drama diffuser.  Cy explains her concept of toggling up and toggling down. Dr. Orsini talks more about why he loves conflict resolution with a great story and clarifies how great leaders make you self-reflect and how to look at things differently. The topic of leadership and the culture of business comes up in the conversation, and whether or not we need to train the leaders and if there are some leaders that just have to go. Find out why Cy doesn’t believe in working on culture and why she said, “We don’t have to fix the culture, we have to fix the climate.” If you enjoyed this podcast, please hit follow, and download all the previous episodes. Host: Dr. Anthony OrsiniGuest:Cy Wakeman For More Information:The Orsini WayThe Orsini Way-FacebookThe Orsini Way-LinkedinThe Orsini Way-InstagramThe Orsini Way-TwitterIt’s All In The Delivery: Improving Healthcare Starting With A Single Conversation by Dr. Anthony OrsiniTEDx Presentation - How the Human Connection Improves HealthcareResources Mentioned:Reality-Based LeadershipReality-Based Leadership with Cy Wakeman LinkedinCy Wakeman-YouTubeNo Ego Podcast with Cy WakemanNo Ego: How Leaders Can Cut the Cost of Workplace Drama, End Entitlement, and Drive Big Results by Cy Wakeman

Welcome to Difficult Conversations -Lessons I Learned as an ICU Physician.  Liz Poret-Christ is our host and she’s joined by guest Molly Mattocks who is a writer, and end-of-life coach. Molly was an associate pastor before becoming a full-time caregiver for her daughter Izzy, who had neuroblastoma for nearly a decade before passing away in 2021. She is now dedicated to helping shift the cultural narrative around death because she believes our ability to embrace death is intricately woven into our ability to embrace life. We’ve had many conversations on this show about the importance of end-of-life discussions with some amazing guests, and although it’s sad and uncomfortable, we agree that the difficult conversation about our successful ability to transition out of this world is deeply connected to how we exist in this one.  On her Instagram page, Molly writes insightful, heartbreaking, and inspiring letters to her daughter, Izzy. We see the indescribable heartbreak of a grieving mom trying to learn how to live without her daughter. Her Instagram page is a tribute to her daughter and a heartbreaking window into her soul. We are so happy Molly is here to share her story.  As always, the promise on this show will be to inspire you and teach you how important communication is in medicine, business, and in everyday life.Molly shares her experience caring for her daughter Izzy.  Molly started writing letters to Izzy on Instagram as a way of coping with her grief and helping others in similar situations. She transitioned to coaching others and recently started end-of-life doula training and accepted a position as a hospice chaplain. She touches on the role of death doulas in supporting individuals during the dying process and emphasizes the importance of starting end-of-life conversations early, not being afraid to have them. She explains how grief is a process of getting used to loss and becoming a different person. Molly learned that grief is not a season of getting over the loss, but rather a season of getting used to loss and becoming a different person. We end with Molly sharing the difficult conversations she had with her daughter’s doctor about her terminal illness and end-of-life care, and how having these conversations helped her make decisions and provide her daughter with the end that she deserved.  Host:Liz Poret-ChristGuest:Molly MattocksFor More Information:Difficult Conversations PodcastThe Orsini WayThe Orsini Way-FacebookThe Orsini Way-LinkedInThe Orsini Way-InstagramLiz@TheOrsiniWay.comIt’s All In The Delivery: Improving Healthcare Starting With A Single Conversation by Dr. Anthony OrsiniResources Molly Mattocks CoachingMolly Mattocks InstagramDifficult Conversations about Death and Dying-Episode 175 with Julie McFadden “Hospice Nurse Julie”The Problem With Dying-Episode 161 with Dr. Bruce B.J. Miller

Today, you’re in for a real treat because Dr. Orsini and Liz Poret-Christ are having a superstar loaded episode! This episode is  about kidney donation. Liz shares a personal story about her daughter’s unlikely friendship with Frank Mara, Vice President of Community Relations for the New York Giants, and how he’s in need of a kidney transplant, which he’ll talk about with us.  Also, on the list of superstars joining us is Matt Cavanaugh, an active duty US Army Strategist and President of the National Kidney Donation Organization.  In 2022, he became  the first living kidney donor to finish the full four deserts race in one year. Matt donated his left kidney in 2021 to a stranger and started a donation chain that facilitated eight transplants.  Our next superstar is Ned Brooks, who’s the Founder and CEO of the National Kidney Donation Organization. He is a non-directed kidney donor who kickstarted a chain of three transplants in 2015. The organization has facilitated numerous transplants and helped find living donors for patients in need of a kidney transplant.  We start with learning about the National Kidney Donation Organization. They discuss the barriers to kidney donation and how the organization supports potential donors throughout the process and dispel misconceptions about kidney donation and discuss the physical recovery time. They explain that being a donor can be like an insurance policy for oneself, as donors move to the top of the list should they ever need a kidney later in life. Ned touches on the process of what happens after you donate your kidney. Matt shares his experience of becoming a sponsored athlete after his kidney donation and emphasizes that kidney donation has been a second wind to him. Ned discusses the differences between directed and non-directed donors and explains that non-directed donors often feel a deep sense of gratitude. Matt shares his most difficult conversation when he faced discussing his decision to donate with his family, particularly his wife. Ned tells us the story of the young mother that received his kidney and what happened. We also have Frank Mara joining us. He shares his story of how he found out he needed a kidney transplant and meeting Ned, who’s been a godsend. Frank tells us his most difficult conversation, which was explaining to his kids what was going on.  He’s had so much support from family and friends and after sending out emails asking for a kidney donation, many people have registered to donate, but he’s waiting to see if there’s a match. We’re all hoping for great news soon, Frank!  Hosts:Dr. Anthony OrsiniLiz Poret-ChristGuests:Matt CavanaughNed BrooksFrank MaraFor More Information:Difficult Conversations PodcastThe Orsini WayThe Orsini Way-LinkedInIt’s All In The Delivery: Improving Healthcare Starting With A Single Conversation by Dr. Anthony OrsiniResources National Kidney Donation OrganizationNational Kidney RegistryMara FamilyMatt Cavanaugh Living Donor GamesNed Brooks LinkedIn

Welcome to Difficult Conversations with Dr. Anthony Orsini. On this episode,  Dr. Orsini is Co-hosting with Liz Poret-Christ. Today, they’re having a great conversation with Chuck Saia, who’s a Senior Partner at Deloitte and Member of the Quinnipiac University Board of Trustee’s, where he's the Chair of the Student and Academic Affairs Committee. In his thirty year career, Chuck has held various leadership positions at Deloitte, he’s a CPA, and holds an MBA from Quinnipiac University. He’s also the author of, YOU GOT THIS KID! Words of Advice for Young Leaders, YOU GOT THIS KID! Leadership Advice for Children, and is the Co-founder of YOU GOT THIS KID! Leadership Foundation, which focuses on teaching empathy and leadership to medical students. Chuck is a frequent keynote speaker at some of the largest companies and universities in the world.  Chuck’s unique approach to teaching others about leadership is just one of the many wonderful things that we’ll be talking about today.  Chuck tells us his journey to becoming a successful leader and the importance of putting in the effort, being authentic, and having difficult conversations. He emphasizes the need to start with self-exploration, understanding what makes you special and different, and having enough thick skin to lead with your authentic self. He also discusses the impact of empathetic leadership and putting others’ interests ahead of your own. We’ll find out how he came up with the idea for his books, why he donates all proceeds to Lupus Research and Environmental Sustainability Studies, and how hisYOU GOT THIS KID! Leadership Foundation  has had such a positive impact on his life. He also talks about the leadership training program he established for medical students at Quinnipiac University and how he thinks if we educate people more on the importance of team and mentorship to help people navigate through career and life, it might help in addressing burnout in the medical field. He shares his favorite part of the book  about an eagle mom, and another part of his book with a caterpillar character that has a purpose.    If you enjoyed this podcast, please hit the subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. Hosts:Dr. Anthony OrsiniLiz Poret-ChristGuest:Chuck SaiaFor More Information:Difficult Conversations PodcastThe Orsini WayThe Orsini Way-FacebookThe Orsini Way-LinkedInIt’s All In The Delivery: Improving Healthcare Starting With A Single Conversation by Dr. Anthony OrsiniResources Chuck Saia LinkedInYOU GOT THIS KID! Leadership FoundationYOU GOT THIS, KID! Words of Advice for Young Leaders by Chuck SaiaYOU GOT THIS KID! Leadership Advice for Children by Chuck Saia

Welcome to Difficult Conversations with Dr. Anthony Orsini. Today, I have two amazing women joining me that are doing extraordinary work. My guests are Noa Ries and Kim Havens. They are Founders of Kahilla, which is an innovative digital platform to scale access to personal and professional development for underrepresented minorities in the corporate world.  They had a vision in 2018, to transform the culture of the corporate world and see more equity in positions of senior leadership. Through their curated content and ongoing engagement, Kahilla helps members become more confident, informed, and emboldens them to make their own choices, whatever they may be.  The spirit of empowerment, inclusivity, and accountability forms their core values, and every aspect of Kahilla, including their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy, and charitable commitments. Noa and Kim are going to share with us everything you need to know about Kahilla, a company built by these amazing women.  Noa shares her story of starting her career in advertising and being an entrepreneur. Kim shares her story  commercial real estate development.  They tell us how they met through their children and decided after a meeting over guacamole and chips to form Kahilla.  They have some incredible clients they work with in Fortune 500,  as well as smaller organizations in commercial real estate, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare. We also  hear about their memberships, as well as the new men’s program they are launching in April. Kim and Noa explain three ways they coach a woman who needs to have a difficult conversation: one-to-many, peer-to-peer, and crowdsourcing. They tell us   what their biggest barriers were when they started the company just 4 years ago. They share their reason  behind their recent decision to expand to minority men.  Kahilla has a program for people called the Step Up Reach Down Gifting Program, and Kim gives us the details. There’s some great advice on what you can do to create a more inclusive environment in the workplace, as well as some advice for the facilitator of a meeting to make sure everyone’s included. Kahilla has individual memberships now available that are very affordable, and you get all the benefits of executive coaching, curated content, and community.   We end with Noa and Kim sharing the most difficult type of conversations they’ve had and advice on how to navigate through those conversations. If you enjoyed this podcast, please hit the subscribe on your favorite podcast platform.  Host:Dr. Anthony OrsiniGuests:Noa RiesKim HavensFor More Information:Difficult Conversations PodcastThe Orsini WayThe Orsini Way-FacebookThe Orsini Way-LinkedInThe Orsini Way-Twitterdrorsini@theorsiniway.comIt’s All In The Delivery: Improving Healthcare Starting With A Single Conversation by Dr. Anthony Orsini Resources KahillaNoa Ries TwitterNoa Ries LinkedInKim Havens TwitterKim Havens LinkedIn

Welcome to Difficult Conversations with Dr. Anthony Orsini.   Today our guest is Mr. Ryan Estis, who is a globally recognized sales and leadership expert, speaker and author. Ryan has been advising clients on navigating change, improving performance, influencing culture, and accelerating growth. He’s a Founding Partner of ImpactEleven, where he’s helping define and shape a community that’s influencing culture and shaping the future of both personal and professional growth. In this episode, we talk about Ryan’s story and how he went from a rockstar rising sales professional to becoming one of the top keynote speakers in the industry. As a speaker, Ryan is known for his innovative ideas on leading change, improving sales effectiveness, and preparing for the future of work. He’s been recognized as one of “the best keynote speakers ever heard” by Meetings & Conventions magazine. His works and writings have been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, and Entrepreneur Magazines,. His book Prepare for Impact, coming later this year, offers a playbook for individuals to capture opportunity, accelerate growth, and leading into the future. As always, the promise on this show will be to inspire you and teach you how important communication is in medicine, business, and in everyday life. Ryan shares his story about hearing a speaker that changed the perspective of his career and inspired him to follow his passion to teach and coach.  We hear the path Ryan took to master the craft of  speaking.  Preparing for a keynote takes a lot of work, and we’ll find out about the hundreds of hours of preparation, perfecting the delivery, and bringing the energy into a conference.  We hear how Dr. Orsini met Ryan and how he helped him bring his speaking skills to another level.  Ryan tells us about how the word “community” kept coming up in his  life, and this is what led to the creation of ImpactEleven, a place where people can be inspired to share, teach, and spread their message to the world.  Dr. Orsini explains how attending the ImpactEleven Bootcamp had such an influence on him.  We’ll find out about how bootcamp started and the meaning behind Ryan’s mantra, We’re better together! Liz shares the experience she had learning about ImpactEleven’s operating principle called, “Give generously, don’t keep score.”  Ryan tells us about the importance of storytelling?  He shares with us how a story about  a cup of coffee changed his life. Hosts:Anthony OrsiniLiz Poret-ChristGuest:Ryan EstisFor More Information:Difficult Conversations PodcastThe Orsini WayThe Orsini Way-FacebookThe Orsini Way-LinkedIndrorsini@theorsiniway.comIt’s All In The Delivery: Improving Healthcare Starting With A Single Conversation by Dr. Anthony OrsiniResources Ryan Estis WebsiteRyan Estis TwitterRyan Estis & Associates YouTubeImpactElevenA Cup of Coffee Changed My Life-Ryan Estis-Goalcast (YouTube)

Hello and welcome to Difficult Conversations with Dr. Anthony Orsini.  Today, we are excited and honored to have as our guest, Julie McFadden, otherwise known as “Hospice nurse Julie,” on social media, where she has almost a million viewers between TikTok and Instagram. Her warm and insightful ability to normalize and explain the death and dying process has made her a cultural icon. Julie has been a nurse for fifteen years, ten in the ICU, and five taking care of hospice patients. Her gift to the world has been sharing her experiences and discussing topics like death to help others understand the process and alleviate any anxieties they may have about it.  She’s a funny, honest, and natural storyteller and her amazing following has helped expand the conversations about death and dying and change the way people view hospice care. Julie tells us more about herself, her journey to becoming an ICU nurse, and what led to her decision to transition into doing hospice. She worked in ICU for ten years and she talks about coming to the realization that there was a missing link to talking about big life goals with what’s going to happen with certain patients. When Julie started speaking up, she realized her voice mattered and it started making an impact with more conversations happening with family members. Julie tells us about two patients she took care of in the ICU who impacted her and made her realize she really wanted to do hospice care. She details the difference between palliative care and hospice, she explains the biggest thing she learned, and why she became so passionate about working in hospice. We learn how “Hospice nurse Julie” started, how topics such as, “The Rally,” “Death with dignity,” and “Myths about morphine,” all came to her, and why she picked TikTok as her platform. Julie explains the process she goes through with families, the conversations she has, and how she navigates through them. Liz and Dr. Orsini talk about the guilt family members feel and the phrase they teach, “Sometimes the more loving thing to do is to not do anything.”  We hear the one question that Julie gets asked the most from people and we learn the most fulfilling thing about her job. If someone is newly diagnosed, scared, and referred to hospice, Julie shares the first conversation she has with this person, and Dr. Orsini shares a sweet story behind his father-in-law last words, “I won!” We end with Julie telling us the most difficult type of conversations she has and how she navigates through them. . If you enjoyed this podcast, please hit subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. Hosts:Liz Poret-ChristAnthony Orsini Guest:Julie McFaddenFor More Information:Difficult Conversations PodcastThe Orsini WayThe Orsini Way-FacebookThe Orsini Way-LinkedInThe Orsini Way-InstagramThe Orsini Way-TwitterIt’s All In The Delivery: Improving Healthcare Starting With A Single Conversation by Dr. Anthony OrsiniResources Hospice nurse Julie TikTok Hospice nurse Julie InstagramHospice nurse Julie YouTubeHospice nurse Julie-End Well (YouTube)

Welcome to Difficult Conversations.  Today, we have Liz Poret-Christ hosting along with Dr. Orsini.  A few weeks ago, when Liz was scrolling through Facebook, she came across the PELOTON Cancer Warriors page and saw a post by Gina Jacobson. Her thoughts about battling cancer, mixed with a bit of dark humor, and a lot of honesty made Liz realize that she would be a great guest on this podcast. So, joining us today is Gina Jacobson. For the past twenty-seven years, Gina has worked in a broad range of roles with the Publicis Group, including overseeing media at Starcom and creative development at Leo Burnett. Her official title at Starcom is Chief Growth Officer, but she thinks of herself as a “Chief Potential Officer.” She’s known for her critical strategic thinking, digging into her client’s businesses, and has a passion for building and nurturing teams who deliver engaging, strategic work.   Gina was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer in 2018, and has outlived her prognosis by several years, and intends to keep living a joyful and purposeful life, helping others realize their full potential.  Get ready to hear Gina’s story and be inspired! Gina shares her background story and how she got to where she is today with her career. We learn how her leadership style and philosophy of “recognizing fear” started, and she goes in depth how her philosophy deepened after her cancer diagnosis.  Gina tells us about the breakdown she had at a conference in front of her whole leadership team and reveals how having cancer changed her philosophy of leadership, how she views the world, her job, and how being more vulnerable helped her and her co-workers. We hear the story about the four oncologists Gina interviewed and how their communication affected her ability to envision a successful path forward. She explains how each of the conversations went, and how she ultimately chose the one that communicated with her in a way that she felt this physician was her advocate and one that she could trust. With the great connection she had with this physician, she makes a point that the positive attitude certainly made for an easier journey and a more tolerable journey.  Gina describes her cancer journey as a “masterclass in fear” and shares her message to everyone.  We hear about her blog and a post she wrote about telling the kids, and specifically one with her son, and his response that felt like a knife in the gut for a mother to hear. We end with Gina telling us the type of conversation she finds most challenging and the strategies she’s developed to get better at having those difficult conversations. If you enjoyed this podcast, please hit the subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. Hosts:Liz Poret-ChristDr. Anthony Orsini Guest:Gina Jacobson For More Information:Difficult Conversations PodcastThe Orsini WayThe Orsini Way-FacebookThe Orsini Way-LinkedInThe Orsini Way-InstagramThe Orsini Way-TwitterLiz@theorsiniway.comIt’s All In The Delivery: Improving Healthcare Starting With A Single Conversation by Dr. Anthony OrsiniResources Gina Jacobson Blog-SubstackWe Are All Made of Stars-Gina’s Blog

Welcome to Difficult Conversations with Dr. Anthony Orsini.   My guest today, is Mindy Spigel.  Mindy  has dedicated her career to improving healthcare and helping patients get over their fears of the  system. She has a master’s degree in nursing, has worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings, and has taught in both academic and clinical fields. Her passion is helping people create meaningful connections as a leader and team member while providing the best care.  She enjoys helping leaders build strong teams in exceptional work environments. It’s her desire to alleviate fears, build trust, and create an exceptional experience for all.  Mindy has been honored to have presented at numerous national, state, and local conferences, she recently published a research study on the “Fears of Parents When Their Child is a Patient, and she just released her first book, There’s a Snake on My Head! Strategies for Alleviating Fear and Anxiety in Healthcare, which we are going to be talking about today. Mindy tells us about her journey and what gave her a passion for patient experience. She expresses why she’s been a very big advocate for shared decision making and asking the team  how can we make this work? We hear about the inspiration behind the title of her book, There’s a Snake on My Head! Strategies For Alleviating Fear and Anxiety in Healthcare. Dr. .  Mindy and Dr Orsini discuss why it is such a big mistake when hospitals try to t way to improve patient experience is treating hospitals like hotels. She tells us about  things she learned in her research about what people are afraid of. In her book, Mindy talks about Five Relieving Strategies, and the first one is build a relationship. It’s about finding commonality, and Dr. Orsini talks about how we could find commonality in just about everyone.  Mindy explains her second strategy which is, choose your words carefully.  She shares an aha moment story.  In part two of her book, Mindy talks about how healthcare team members are people too and she explains more about this. Also, we find out what prompted Mindy to write her book, what she hopes will understand after reading the book. Mindy talks about what she is currently doing and her hopes for the coming months in her career. We end with Mindy telling us the most difficult type of conversation she’s had, and advice on how she navigated through it. Host:Dr. Anthony OrsiniGuest:Mindy Spigel For More Information:Difficult Conversations PodcastThe Orsini WayThe Orsini Way-FacebookThe Orsini Way-LinkedInThe Orsini Way-InstagramThe Orsini Way-Twitterdrorsini@theorsiniway.comIt’s All In The Delivery: Improving Healthcare Starting With A Single Conversation by Dr. Anthony OrsiniResources Mentioned:Mindy Spigel Websitemgspigel@gmail.comThere’s a Snake on My Head! Strategies for Alleviating Fear and Anxiety in Healthcare for Patients, Families, AND Healthcare Teams by Mindy G. Spigel

Welcome to Difficult Conversations with Dr. Anthony Orsini. Today, I have a wonderful guest who’s been doing great things in the healthcare field and has some wonderful stories to share.  My guest today is Jeff Atwood.  Jeff is a healthcare leader, author, and speaker who has more than twenty-five years of healthcare leadership, marketing, and storytelling experience. He consults with healthcare and community groups nationally, sharing insights and encouragement found at the crossroads during his two decades serving healthcare organizations, while raising a daughter with significant and developmental challenges. Jeff’s books have been published by Simon & Schuster, Random House, and Harvest House, and today we’ll be talking about his latest book, Need to Know for Graduates: Little Things That Make a Big Difference, which was released earlier this year. Jeff shares his journey and how he entered a career in healthcare by accident.  He tells us about his daughter who has had a seizure disorder her entire life, and how he and his wife had the opportunity to touch almost every part of the healthcare system as parents. We hear about the Gratitude Symposium and Jeff shares a sweet story, as well as his thoughts about how the healthcare community is wired with gratitude. Dr. Orsini shares his insights on the importance of teamwork when it comes to providing care to human beings, and we hear some great stories of the true kindness of people in healthcare  We hear some great advice about how we can bring even more beauty and humanity out in medicine, and why acknowledging  people when they do good things is so important.  Dr. Orsini tells us his “sticker story” and why such a simple thing seems to bring so much excitement to people. He tells a tender story about a housekeeper in the Neonatal ICU. Jeff’s discusses his most recent book, Need to Know for Graduates: Little Things That Make a Big Difference, and his idea behind the book that shares advice and things he thinks are important for parents to tell their kids. He explains how as a parent you really need to be intentional with what’s important and how you say it. Host:Dr. Anthony OrsiniGuest:Jeff AtwoodFor More Information:Difficult Conversations PodcastThe Orsini WayThe Orsini Way-FacebookThe Orsini Way-LinkedInThe Orsini Way-InstagramThe Orsini Way-Twitterdrorsini@theorsiniway.comIt’s All In The Delivery: Improving Healthcare Starting With A Single Conversation by Dr. Anthony OrsiniResources Jeff Atwood (Email)Need to Know for Graduates: Little Things That Make a Big Difference by Jeff AtwoodNeed to Know for New Parents: Little Things That Make a Big Difference by Jeff Atwood

Welcome to Difficult Conversations with Dr. Anthony Orsini.  Our guest today is my friend, Ellen Reilly, who is an industry leader focused on the intersection of healthcare, technology, and data. She’s the Global Head of Healthcare and Life Sciences at WHOOP, a company that debuted in 2015,. Ellen has led large organizations in driving change to transform and simplify business processes while delivering bottom line measurable benefits. This is another part of a long series about physician wellness, and we’re going to build upon  a previous episode with guest, Brian Ferguson. Brian is doing real important work with  WHOOP.  As always, Dr. Orsini keeps his promise about two things, that you will feel inspired, and you will have learned valuable lessons to be a better and more compassionate communicator.Ellen tells us her background and how she ended up at WHOOP. We find out what WHOOP does and why it is unique in the industry.  Dr. Orsini tells us that agreed to be on the Healthcare Advisory Board for WHOOP because he was so impressed with what it does, and he shares what he loves about it. There are a lot of hospitals that are doing some studies right now with WHOOP and Ellen shares some of those studies with us.  We also hear about the type  of data  consumers and healthcare workers use to understand the impact of such factors as alcohol, smoking, and  caffeine, and how it changes their behaviors and recovery.  Ellen tells us how people are using WHOOP to measure things such as the strain of stress.  Ms Reilly explains how WHOOP helped her improve her life in a positive way by using it every day. Also, we learn how WHOOP could be used for real time data to make people aware of how outside factors effect their own wellness.  Dr. Orsini and Ellen discuss the major impact Whoop can have on physician wellness, professional burnout and  ultimately patient safety. Ellen tells us the most difficult conversation she’s had in her life and shares advice how she navigated through it.  We end with learning where Ellen sees WHOOP going in the future. If you enjoyed this podcast, please hit subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. Go ahead and download this episode now! Host:Dr. Anthony OrsiniGuest:Ellen ReillyFor More Information:Difficult Conversations PodcastThe Orsini WayThe Orsini Way-FacebookThe Orsini Way-LinkedInThe Orsini Way-InstagramThe Orsini Way-Twitterdrorsini@theorsiniway.comIt’s All In The Delivery: Improving Healthcare Starting With A Single Conversation by Dr. Anthony OrsiniResources Mentioned:ellen.reilly@whoop.comWHOOP UniteDifficult Conversations Podcast-Episode 164: Reaching Peak Performance in Medicine with Brian FergusonDifficult Conversations Podcast-Episode 110: Avoiding Burnout with Dr. Dike Drummond

Welcome to Difficult Conversations with Dr. Anthony Orsini.  This interview was recorded over a year ago and for reasons best not discussed were not been able to make it live. Well the big day is finally here. Today, you are in for a real treat because my special guest is a true legend and a local hero in the field of Neonatology here in Central Florida and in the country.  He is a hero not only because of his accomplishments, but because of the positive impact that he has left on so many lives and families. My guest today is Dr. Gregor Alexander, who is a friend, a former partner, and someone whom I’ve learned a great deal from.  He has treated more than 45,000 critically ill newborns and has touched the lives of countless other families and children through his work with Orlando Health and the Arnold Palmer Foundation.  He has been locally and nationally recognized by organizations such as March of Dimes, Children’s Miracle Network, and the American Institute for Public Service, to name a few. His relationship with Arnold Palmer and the work they’ve done together is a story he will share today.  His story is so inspirational and interesting that Gregor is currently working on a book about his life as a Baby Doctor and what it means to truly live a  purposeful life. Gregor shares with us an incredible story about his family, living in Columbia, becoming a doctor, and how he ended up in the United States.  He tells us about coming to Central Florida, working in a tiny NICU, and becoming the director. He talks about the miracle that came to him in 1981, which was Arnold Palmer, who helped with making a dream come true in 1989 to open the Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.  We also learn about the dream and planning of building the Winnie Palmer Hospital.  Gregor goes into detail about the relationship he formed with Arnold Palmer over the years and why he called him the “King of Hearts.” Dr. Orsini talks about meeting Arnold Palmer, how he changed the game of golf, and how humble he was. Gregor tells us about the survival rates of babies back in 1975 and how scary it was. We hear Gregor’s philosophy on having that human connection with the families of premature babies, how he takes great pleasure and honor taking care of babies, and how he uses humor to start his relationships with the families.  Also, find out why he says we are becoming “emotional billionaires.” Dr. Orsini brings up the importance of finding commonality. Gregor shares with us what he’s currently doing in his life, which includes mission trips, caring for babies, and writing a book about his life that he hopes will be an inspiration to people not only in the medical field, but for people that come to this country and have a dream and want to succeed like he did.  Check out Dr. Alexander's upcoming book "The Baby Doctor" Host: Dr. Anthony OrsiniGuest:Dr. Gregor AlexanderSponsor:The Finley ProjectFor More Information:The Orsini WayThe Orsini Way-FacebookThe Orsini Way-LinkedinThe Orsini Way-InstagramThe Orsini Way-TwitterIt’s All In The Delivery: Improving Healthcare Starting With A Single Conversation by Dr. Anthony OrsiniResources Mentioned:gag.alexander@outlook.com

Welcome  to Difficult Conversations with Dr. Anthony Orsini. Today, joining me as my guest is somebody who embodies everything that I think should be right in healthcare. With over forty years of healthcare leadership experience, Thomas Dahlborg is a voice for relationship centered and compassionate care and servant leadership. He’s the President and CEO of Dahlborg HealthCARING Leadership Group, a leader, advisor, internationally recognized speaker, and an amazing writer of two multiple award-winning books, From Heart to Head & Back Again:  a Journey Through the Healthcare System,  and The Big Kid and Basketball…and the lessons he taught his Father and Coach. Tom is a father, husband, and coach, and he also coaches healthcare leaders and a coach of young men. He believes at the end of the day, it’s all about love and impact.  Tom shares his journey into healthcare,  starting out in a small community hospital. In his book, From Heart to Head & Back Again:  a Journey Through the Healthcare System, Tom tells us about going door to door trying to get people’s opinions on the healthcare system, and he shares the story about one person he met who was the wife of a soldier, and the points she made to him that were so important.  We hear about Tom’s journey, and the one doctor that treated him a whole person that helped him heal. Find out why he states in his book that we are hurting our doctors, our nurses, our families, our patients, our communities, and ourselves. We learn some key pieces Tom learned working in quality improvement, and he explains why the real solution is integrity, love, losing ego and focusing on what the real problem is. Another story we hear is about a doctor that Tom was connected to when he was sick, the incredible conversations he had, and the relationship that developed all leading to the right path for him.  We talk more about Tom’s organization, Dahlborg HealthCARING Leadership Group, and what they do. We end with finding out Tom’s diagnosis of healthcare, the most difficult conversation he’s had, and how he navigated through it. Host:Dr. Anthony OrsiniGuest:Thomas Dahlborg For More Information:Difficult Conversations PodcastThe Orsini WayThe Orsini Way-FacebookThe Orsini Way-LinkedInThe Orsini Way-InstagramThe Orsini Way-Twitterdrorsini@theorsiniway.comIt’s All In The Delivery: Improving Healthcare Starting With A Single Conversation by Dr. Anthony OrsiniResources Mentioned:Dahlborg HealthCARING Leadership GroupTom@DahlborgHLG.com (email)Thomas Dahlborg LinkedInDahlborg HealthCARING Leadership Group YouTubeFrom Heart to Head & Back Again: a Journey Through the Healthcare System by Thomas Dahlborg Sr.

Welcome to Difficult Conversations with Dr. Anthony Orsini.   In previous episodes, we’ve had some guests that talked about the problem of substance abuse among physicians. We heard about an incredible film documentary on physician suicide and we heard from  physicians about their journey with burnout,  This is an important topic because it doesn’t just impact doctors and their families, it also affects patients. According to one statistic, physician suicide affects 900,000 patients per year in the United States, and a physician dies by suicide in the U.S. on an average of one per day,  That speaks to a very larger problem in healthcare.  Recently, I read the book, Why Physicians Die by Suicide:  and I knew I had to have the author on since he has a unique insight into this problem. Today, my guest is Dr. Michael Myers, Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at SUNY-Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn.  He’s a specialist in physician health , a researcher, teacher, and consultant, as well as an author of nine books. He’s a highly regarded speaker and lecturer on all aspects of physician well-being. Michael shares the story about his medical school roommate who committed suicide.  We find out how Dr. Myers started out in Internal Medicine and the game changing decision that made him take the leap into Psychiatry. Dr. Orsini and Dr. Meyers share their concerns on the “elephant in the room” problem, how we got into this crisis, . Many physicians are asking for help, but as Dr. Meyers explains there is work being done to make it easier and more permissible to ask for help. We dive into Dr. Meyers book, and he shares stories about the hundreds of families he interviewed, and how this changed his life,  To the family and friends of physicians out there, Dr. Meyers goes in depth on how they can identify the red flags  To the physicians  who are feeling depressed or having suicidal thoughts, he sheds some light on what the rules and laws are that protect them, and the best way to find the psychiatrist that is right for them.    If you enjoyed this podcast, please hit subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. Go ahead and download this episode now! Host:Dr. Anthony OrsiniGuest:Dr. Michael MyersFor More Information:Difficult Conversations PodcastThe Orsini WayThe Orsini Way-FacebookThe Orsini Way-LinkedInThe Orsini Way-InstagramThe Orsini Way-Twitterdrorsini@theorsiniway.comIt’s All In The Delivery: Improving Healthcare Starting With A Single Conversation by Dr. Anthony OrsiniResources Mentioned:Michael F. Myers, MD WebsiteDr. Michael Myers LinkedInDr. Michael Myers TwitterWhy Physicians Die by Suicide: Lessons Learned from Their Families and Others Who Cared by Michael F. Myers, MD