The Quest for the GoodLife with Dr. Mike Strouse

Dr. Mike Strouse
  • 5.0 (2)
  • NON-PROFIT
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

How do we redefine what’s possible in care services, care & support models, and community living? The Quest for the GoodLife is where bold ideas, innovative solutions, and next-generation technology come together to transform lives. Hosted by Dr. Mike Strouse, a visionary leader in disability services, this podcast challenges conventional wisdom and explores groundbreaking approaches to independence, self-direction, staffing models, technology-enabled care, and workforce stability. Through candid conversations, real-world examples, and thought-provoking analogies, Dr. Strouse and co-host Ivo Ivanov unpack the science of implementation, the art of change management, and the future of human-centered care. This podcast is designed for: • Leaders of care service organizations seeking forward-thinking strategies. • Advocates, parents, and guardians wanting to empower their loved ones. • Legislators and policy-makers shaping the future of care.• Individuals with care needs looking for a more independent, connected life. Join us on this journey as we push boundaries, reimagine care, and challenge the status quo—because at GoodLife, impossible is what we do best.Tune in, challenge the norm, and start your own Quest for the GoodLife.

  1. The Intersection of Care and Technology

    1D AGO

    The Intersection of Care and Technology

    Send us a text In this episode, Dr. Mike Strouse and legal expert Lewis Walton discuss the intersection of privacy, technology, and care. They explore the implications of remote support technologies, the ownership of privacy, and the evolving landscape of healthcare. The conversation delves into the challenges and opportunities presented by new technologies, emphasizing the importance of choice and the least intrusive approaches to care. They also reflect on societal attitudes towards technology and privacy, drawing parallels with historical technological advancements. Takeaways: The conversation emphasizes the importance of privacy in care.All care methods can be seen as intrusive to some degree.Ownership of privacy is a fundamental right for individuals.Technology can enhance privacy rather than diminish it.The perception of intrusiveness varies with technology acceptance.AI and remote support are reshaping care expectations.Regulatory frameworks must adapt to new technologies.Choice in care methods is essential for individual autonomy.

    1h 7m
  2. The Privacy Paradox (with guests Beth McCoach and David McDonald)

    DEC 4

    The Privacy Paradox (with guests Beth McCoach and David McDonald)

    Send us a text In this conversation, Dr. Mike Strouse welcomes Beth McCoach and David McDonald to discuss the complexities of privacy in care, emphasizing the paradox of seeking privacy while relying on intrusive methods. He explores how technology can enhance independence and care delivery, advocating for remote support as a less intrusive alternative to in-home care. The discussion also highlights the role of sensors in modern care and the regulatory challenges that hinder the adoption of innovative care solutions. Takeaways The privacy paradox highlights the contradiction in care expectations.Technology can enhance independence and privacy in care.Remote support is often less intrusive than in-home care.Sensors play a crucial role in modern care solutions.Regulatory challenges impede the adoption of innovative care methods.Comparing care techniques is essential for effective decision-making.Privacy should not be sacrificed for the sake of care.The least intrusive approach to care is a fundamental expectation.Care delivery must evolve with technological advancements.Understanding the role of technology is key to improving care.

    56 min
  3. The Quest For The Good Life and The Holy Grail of Workforce Serendipity

    NOV 27

    The Quest For The Good Life and The Holy Grail of Workforce Serendipity

    Send us a text Today we welcome Nate Beers, the founder and host of the popular "IDD Leader" podcast. The conversation explores the critical role of frontline supervisors in staff retention and the lack of training they often receive in leadership. Nate Beers introduces the Leadership Lab, a new initiative aimed at providing comprehensive training, accountability, and community support for supervisors, focusing on essential skills like having difficult conversations and giving effective feedback. Takeaways Do your frontline supervisors sometimes unintentionally contribute to staff turnover? Most were never trained to lead. Training almost always has it bent towards compliance. What is the "Leadership Lab"? Training, accountability and community. How to have hard conversations. How to give informal feedback. How to avoid repetition Practical tools that are very evidence-based. Please visit Idd Leader here: https://iddleader.com Watch and subscribe to the podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@IDDLeader Stay in the Loop with GoodLife Innovations: Website: https://mygoodlife.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoodLifeInnovations Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodlifeinnov/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/goodlifeinnovations Donate: https://mygoodlife.org/donate/

    1h 16m
  4. The Quest to End the Perfect Storm of Workforce Challenges

    NOV 12

    The Quest to End the Perfect Storm of Workforce Challenges

    Send us a text In this episode of 'The Quest for the Good Life,' Dr. Mike Strouse and Ivo Ivanov welcome Marcy Davis, CEO of Candeo, who shares her journey in transforming the lives of individuals with disabilities through the innovative workforce strategies developed by GoodLife. The conversation explores the successful implementation of new work schedules that have led to a significant increase in applications and a decrease in vacancies. Marcy emphasizes the importance of communication and collaboration in navigating workforce challenges, providing valuable insights for other agencies facing similar issues. Marcy Davis emphasizes the importance of human connection in her work.Candeo has grown from serving 14 individuals to a larger community.Natural disasters can have a profound impact on local communities.The transition to a new work schedule strategies developed by GoodLife and Dr. Strouse can lead to increased employee satisfaction.Effective communication is key to implementing change in organizations.Marcy's experience highlights the importance of not going it alone during transitions.The quality of support improves when full-time employees work weekends.A dedicated recruiter can streamline the hiring process significantly.The new work model has led to a dramatic decrease in vacancies.Marcy's leadership style focuses on collaboration and understanding employee needs.Visit Candeo Iowa here: https://www.candeoiowa.org/

    1h 10m
  5. The Quest For The Last Frontier

    OCT 24

    The Quest For The Last Frontier

    Send us a text The Quest continues way up north as Dr. Mike Strouse travels to the stunning, vast and unforgiving state of Alaska! Our distinguished guests are Amanda Elder and Kim Champney.  The conversation explores the unique challenges and innovative solutions in delivering disability services in Alaska. Among other things the discussion highlights the economic factors affecting workforce availability, the diversity of service providers, and the transition to a three-day work week as a response to changing workforce demands. The guests share insights on the need for flexibility and innovation in service delivery, emphasizing the importance of adapting to the unique needs of Alaskan communities. Takeaways Alaska's vast geography presents unique challenges for service delivery. Transportation issues significantly impact access to services in remote areas. Extreme weather conditions affect community inclusion and service provision. Diversity among service providers is essential to meet varying community needs. Economic factors, such as the oil industry, influence workforce availability. Innovative care models are necessary to address service gaps in Alaska. The transition to a three-day work week can improve work-life balance for employees. Flexibility in service delivery is crucial for adapting to community needs. Technology can enhance service delivery but requires careful integration. Collaboration among providers is key to overcoming challenges in the system.

    58 min

  6. OCT 9

    PastCast: Rise Up, Look Back, Step Forward

    Send us a text In this episode Dr. Mike Strouse addresses the enduring challenges facing service providers such as:  - wonky schedules - reliance on part-time labor - early turnover  - working short - reliance on PRN and pool staffing Finding the right solutions starts with asking the right questions.  What are the twelve important questions service providers must ask themselves to make the first step towards arriving at the right solutions? The conversation also delves into the ongoing workforce stability crisis, emphasizing the multifaceted challenges beyond just pay. It explores the importance of metrics for assessing staffing stability, strategies for improving staffing capacity, and the role of local providers in the care ecosystem. Our workforce concerns are not going away organically.We need to stop looking at turnover as our estimate of instability.If you want different results, you just need to behave differently.Your pipeline is solely based upon attractiveness of the schedules.Do you even know what your call-off rate is?We can make a big difference but only with the right strategy.We need to pursue a different vision of care.The only reason people don't want to put solutions in place is because they can't change what they're doing.To continue on the quest for the good life we must rise up, look back and step forward. Chapters 00:00 Overview of Workforce Stability Crisis 02:39 Challenges Beyond Pay in Workforce Management 05:33 Metrics for Assessing Staffing Stability 08:58 Strategies for Improving Staffing Capacity 11:50 Addressing Staffing Challenges and Solutions 14:44 The Future of Care and Workforce Collaboration

    20 min

  7. SEP 25

    Revolutionizing Senior Care: The Senior Neighborhood Network Is Here!

    Send us a text In this episode, Dr. Mike Strauss discusses the challenges faced by seniors in accessing effective care, particularly the limitations of traditional in-home care and assisted living. He introduces the Neighborhood Network, a new model that combines community support, technology, and professional caregivers to provide affordable, on-demand assistance for seniors. The conversation emphasizes the importance of preventative health practices and the role of technology in empowering seniors to maintain their independence while receiving the care they need. Senior Neighborhood Network - Learn More Takeaways In-home care often fails due to unpredictable staffing and needs. Assisted living is expensive and not always desired by seniors. The Neighborhood Network aims to provide facility-level support at home. Technology can enhance senior care but must be user-friendly. Preventative health practices can significantly extend seniors' lives. Community support and volunteerism are vital for senior well-being. The iCoach offers 24/7 remote support for seniors. Seniors should only pay for the services they actually use. Engaging in simple health practices can prevent costly care later. The Neighborhood Network is a scalable solution for senior care. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Senior Care Challenges 02:53 The Viability of In-Home Care 06:03 The Need for a New Care Model 08:46 Introducing the Neighborhood Network 11:43 Characteristics of Effective Senior Care 15:04 The Role of Technology in Senior Care 17:54 The iCoach and Remote Support 20:55 Cost-Effective Solutions for Seniors 23:58 Community and Volunteer Support 26:56 The Importance of Preventative Practices 29:53 Engaging Seniors in Their Care 32:44 Conclusion and Call to Action

    43 min

  8. SEP 11

    The Quest for the Future of Care

    Send us a text What does it truly mean to live a “normal life”? In this episode of The Quest for the GoodLife, Dr. Mike Strouse and Ivo Ivanov explore how technology, shifting expectations, and the lessons of the pandemic are transforming care. From “place killers” like Netflix and Amazon to the enduring vision of the Final Rule, they reimagine what’s possible for people with disabilities, seniors, and communities everywhere. Join us as we uncover how care must evolve beyond old models—like Blockbuster and group homes—toward a future where people have home-field advantage, time for what matters most, and support that fits seamlessly into everyday life.

    22 min
See All (49)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

How do we redefine what’s possible in care services, care & support models, and community living? The Quest for the GoodLife is where bold ideas, innovative solutions, and next-generation technology come together to transform lives. Hosted by Dr. Mike Strouse, a visionary leader in disability services, this podcast challenges conventional wisdom and explores groundbreaking approaches to independence, self-direction, staffing models, technology-enabled care, and workforce stability. Through candid conversations, real-world examples, and thought-provoking analogies, Dr. Strouse and co-host Ivo Ivanov unpack the science of implementation, the art of change management, and the future of human-centered care. This podcast is designed for: • Leaders of care service organizations seeking forward-thinking strategies. • Advocates, parents, and guardians wanting to empower their loved ones. • Legislators and policy-makers shaping the future of care.• Individuals with care needs looking for a more independent, connected life. Join us on this journey as we push boundaries, reimagine care, and challenge the status quo—because at GoodLife, impossible is what we do best.Tune in, challenge the norm, and start your own Quest for the GoodLife.

Information