What does it take to bring the voice of a frontline caregiver all the way to Capitol Hill? 

Shane Nixon, Certified Medication Aide at Brookestone Village Rehabilitation & Care Center, almost walked away from health care entirely — now he's heading to Washington, D.C., to tell lawmakers exactly what life looks like on the floor. Alongside Jalene Carpenter, President and CEO at Nebraska Health Care Association, Shane shares his unexpected path into caregiving, the scholarship program putting frontline workers in rooms where policy is made, and why the people doing the work every day are the ones legislators most need to hear.

Steven Buck, President and CEO of Care Providers Oklahoma, shares what he and a group of long-term care leaders discovered on a study trip to Vienna, Austria — a week of facility tours, government meetings, and cultural immersion organized through a partnership with Oklahoma Christian University.

Steven reflects on the intentional design choices that give residents access to sunlight and community, the striking contrast between Austrian and American regulatory environments, and what it looks like when an entire system is built around keeping seniors connected to the people around them.

He also shares the moment at Mauthausen concentration camp that reframed why this work matters — when a tour guide's closing story made clear that being visited, being seen, and being surrounded by people who love you is not a comfort. It’s a lifeline.

The trip runs annually, in early December, and is open to care providers, policy experts, CEOs, and facility administrators.

Jason Hurt, Founder and CEO of Chariots4Hope, shares how his career in the automotive industry evolved into a mission to remove transportation barriers for families in crisis. After witnessing how unreliable transportation destabilizes single mothers and caregivers, he and his wife switched from operating a for-profit repair shop to building a nonprofit that provides vehicles, discounted repairs, transportation support, and education.

Zach Cram, President of Rehab Services at Rehab Strategies, and Devon Cram, Chief Financial Officer at The Strategies, share the story of building a clinician-led, family-owned long-term care organization in Indiana. They reflect on growing up in nursing homes, taking the risk to purchase facilities during COVID, and why putting patient care and community first shapes every decision they make. The conversation explores leadership, succession, culture, and the unseen people who make high-quality care possible.

On this episode, Peter Murphy Lewis and Jalene Carpenter are joined by Rep. Mike Flood, Member of the United States Congress, who represents Nebraska’s First Congressional District. A lifelong broadcaster and former Nebraska state legislator, Mike brings a deeply personal and practical lens to public service, shaped by decades of listening to constituents and showing up in local communities.

Mike reflects on why town halls still matter, how media can bring people together in moments of crisis, and what responsible stewardship looks like when it comes to Medicaid and public spending. From his “Quarantine Tonight” television show during COVID to difficult conversations around health care access, Mike shares why trust, accountability, and human connection remain at the center of leadership.

Nash Mahupete, President and CEO of QLI, shares a deeply personal journey that begins in Zimbabwe and leads to a 25-year career inside one organization. He reflects on arriving in the US as an immigrant, starting as a CNA with no intention of staying in health care, and slowly discovering the meaning of mission, community, and leadership. Nash opens up about grief, regret, impostor syndrome, and the moments that reshaped how he views people, work, and responsibility. His story is not about titles, but about learning when to speak up, how to serve others with dignity, and why believing in people changes everything.

In this episode, hosts Peter Murphy Lewis and Jalene Carpenter sit down with the heart and soul of The Grace Space, a hospice facility in Nebraska. Kelly Sparr, the founder who spent seven years bringing her vision to life, and Jace Cooley, a dedicated CNA turned nursing student, discuss the profound beauty found in end-of-life care. From the unconventional path Jace took from installing sprinklers to guarding souls, to the vital role of Pickles the therapy dog, this conversation reframes hospice as a place of deep human connection, dignity, and even joy.

Steven Boulware, Managing Partner of Priority Management Group, shares his journey and leadership insights from the world of long-term care. As a licensed nursing facility administrator, he values the daily, hands-on satisfaction of solving problems for residents and their families. Steven discusses the unexpectedly non-boring nature of the sector, the philosophy of taking action over seeking perfection, and the essential value of putting resident happiness and safety first.

Peter Murphy Lewis and Jalene Carpenter are joined by Philip Scalo, Founder and Chairman of Bartley Healthcare and Chairman of Preferred Care Management. An attorney who began his career representing health-care clients, Phil pivoted in the 1980s to build a better model for long-term care, founding Bartley Healthcare in 1984. He has grown it into one of New Jersey's most awarded senior living organizations, spanning skilled nursing, rehab, assisted living, memory care, hospice, and home care. Phil shares his perspective on the industry's big wins, the fight for regulatory relief, and the formative moments that have shaped his leadership philosophy. He discusses the critical role of the AHCA in supporting its members and the importance of changing the public perception of the entire long-term care sector.

Peggy Abels, Director of Health Sciences at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, joins Peter to share her 30-year journey guiding students into health care careers. She discusses her rural roots, the growing needs across Nebraska, and the programs UNK and UNMC have built to strengthen the state’s health care workforce.

Peggy walks through the creation of Health Science Explorers and the Kearney Health Opportunities Program (KHOP), explaining how these initiatives spark interest early, support first-generation students, and help rural communities build long-term access to care.

On this episode, host Peter Murphy Lewis talks with Jessica Guerrero, Administrator of Emerald Nursing and Rehab Lakeview, whose journey from a teenage dietary aide to a respected health care leader is as inspiring as it is heartfelt. Jessica shares her path from working at Subway to building a culture of compassion and belonging within her facility. She opens up about overcoming fear and imposter syndrome, leading through vulnerability, and transforming a once-struggling workplace into a true home for residents and staff alike.

On this episode, host Peter Murphy Lewis talks with Benjamin VanDiest, a sophomore at the University of Nebraska Kearney and Certified Nursing Assistant at Mount Carmel Home. Benjamin shares his journey from a high school CNA class to discovering a deep passion for caregiving. He reflects on lessons learned from the elderly residents he serves and the personal inspiration he draws from his own family’s experience with caregiving.

In this episode, Victoria Arrowsmith, a Certified Nursing Assistant of Brookestone of Papillion, shares her inspiring journey from high school science teacher to health care professional. Her career transition during the COVID-19 pandemic led her to discover profound purpose through patient care and human connection in long-term care settings.

On this episode, host Peter Murphy Lewis talks with Collette Mieres, Executive Director of Ovation Heartwood Preserve. She shares how early lessons in compassion shaped her leadership in senior living and how creativity, empathy, and everyday acts of kindness drive meaningful care for both residents and staff.

In this episode, Madison Guthrie, Director of Safety and Environmental Services of Vetter Senior Living, shares how attentive leadership and hands-on experience across different roles can drive meaningful change in senior living environments. The discussion reveals practical strategies for building trust, improving teamwork, and inspiring personal growth within care communities

In this heartfelt episode, Chris Moninger of  Brookestone View shares his journey as a medication aide, his experiences living with disabilities, and how those challenges helped him build meaningful bonds with residents. Chris discusses mentorship, emotional resilience, rural community life, and receiving the NPV award for exceptional care. He offers practical advice for young caregivers starting in long-term care.

On this episode, host Peter Murphy Lewis talks with Greg Ernst, Vice President of Operations at Dial Senior Living and Chair of the Nebraska Healthcare Assisted Living Association. Greg shares his path from an uncertain start in healthcare to finding lasting purpose in senior living. He reflects on the daily rewards of connecting with residents, the importance of authenticity in leadership, and the impact of often-overlooked frontline caregivers. His story highlights the heart of long-term care and why people matter most.

On this episode, host Peter Murphy Lewis talks to Maria Hudson, Senior Lead Administrative Assistant at the Good Samaritan Society. Maria shares how community involvement, frontline advocacy, and powerful resident experiences are reshaping perceptions of long-term care. From fishing trips to policy discussions in Washington, Maria highlights both the challenges and the joys of senior living today.

Host Peter Murphy Lewis is joined on this episode by Danielle Rasmussen, Life Enrichment Coordinator at Linden Court. Danielle shares her journey from librarian to life enrichment, her high-energy approach to engaging residents, and the meaningful stories that shape her work in senior living. From celebrating 104th birthdays to helping a 101-year-old find renewed purpose, she illustrates the power of connection, dignity, and joy in long-term care.

Brenda Van Leer, Program Director at Grandview Assisted and Independent Living, shares how she stepped into long-term care and quickly built programs that stand out statewide. In just over a year, she introduced fresh ideas that have energized residents, strengthened community partnerships, and earned national recognition. From launching a traveling balloon volleyball league to hosting Nebraska volleyball coach John Cook, Brenda shows how creativity and teamwork can shape a thriving culture. She also reflects on how daily connections with residents have reshaped her patience, perspective, and sense of purpose — insights that matter to anyone leading in senior care.