Believe.Behave.Become - A Pennant Group Podcast

The Pennant Group
  • 3.9 (21)
  • Management

Welcome to Believe.Behave.Become., your gateway to inspiring conversations on leadership excellence. Join us in exploring the dynamic world of leadership concepts, firsthand experiences, and actionable principles that propel professional growth, drive operational advancements, and foster a healthy culture. In each episode, Rich, alongside different leaders from The Pennant Group, delves deep into leadership, uncovering invaluable insights and sharing key principles for success.

  1. 6d ago

    The Climb Back: Leadership, Resilience, and Earning the Phoenix Award

    Hosts Rich Lewis and Elliot McMillan sit down with Tobias, Executive Director, and Adriana, Director of Clinical Services, from Emblem Hospice Tucson for an honest and inspiring conversation about the realities of leadership. Their journey is anything but linear—marked by moments of major success, periods of significant financial hardship, and ultimately culminating in earning the Phoenix Award.  In this episode, Tobias and Adriana reflect on the highs and lows that have shaped their leadership approach, offering a candid look at what it takes to persevere through uncertainty and challenge. They share how their growth has been driven by the influence of peer leaders, a willingness to learn through trial and error, and a deep well of grit and passion. Their story is a powerful reminder that resilience and adaptability are at the heart of meaningful leadership.

    27 min

  2. Jun 1

    The Climb with Jeff Evans - Pennant Group Keynote Speaker

    In this powerful episode of Believe. Behave. Become., the team sits down with renowned mountaineer, adventurer, and latest keynote speaker, Jeff Evans live from the 2026 Pennant Group Leadership Summit. Jeff reflects on why Pennant’s culture stood out to him as a rare “outlier” in corporate leadership, praising the organization’s cluster model and peer-to-peer accountability approach as something deeply unique and powerful. Together, the group unpacks how great leaders create environments where people feel trusted, challenged, and empowered to grow. Drawing from years of guiding climbers through some of the world’s most dangerous mountains, Jeff shares profound leadership lessons on trust, peer accountability, resilience, humility, and what it truly means to climb together. Through stories from Everest, Denali, and high-stakes expeditions, the conversation explores how the strongest teams are built—not through hierarchy or ego—but through shared ownership, preparation, compassion, and commitment to one another.

    31 min

  3. May 7

    The Power of Why: Leadership, Hospice, and Building Better Partnerships

    In this episode of Believe. Behave. Become., we sit down with Sarah Nigro, Senior Vice President of Partnerships at BetterRx, alongside John Gochnour, to explore what it truly means to ascend together through purpose-driven partnership. Recorded live at the Pennant Group Annual Meeting, this conversation dives into the evolving relationship between The Pennant Group and BetterRx—one built not on transactions, but on trust, shared goals, and a commitment to delivering life-changing care. Sarah shares her deeply personal journey into post-acute care, revealing how experiencing hospice firsthand reshaped her purpose and ignited a passion for improving the end-of-life experience for patients and families. From that foundation, the discussion expands into leadership—how great leaders anchor in their “why,” lead with empathy, and empower others to grow. Together, the group explores the future of healthcare partnerships, the role of innovation and data integration in improving outcomes, and the urgent need to educate communities about hospice care. At its core, this episode is about more than strategy—it’s about people, purpose, and building relationships that elevate care and leadership at every level. Key Takeaways: Purpose Fuels LeadershipPartnership > Vendor RelationshipsLeadership is Rooted in EmpathyTechnology Should Enable Care, Not Complicate ItThe Future Requires Connected SystemsGreat Organizations Stay Humble and Hungry

    21 min

  4. Apr 15

    Climbing Together: Leadership, Trust, and the Power of the First Team

    This episode explores the real journey of leadership—not as a title or achievement, but as a continuous climb. Through the lens of rapid growth and new leadership responsibility, the conversation with Jared Green unpacks what it truly means to “earn your rope” every day. From building a strong first team to uncovering the deeper “why” that drives individuals, this discussion highlights the foundational elements that turn struggling teams into thriving ones. It challenges leaders to move beyond surface-level conversations, lean into vulnerability, and create environments where trust and authenticity can take root. The episode also reinforces a powerful truth: sustainable leadership starts with personal discipline. Physical health, mental resilience, and intentional habits aren’t side notes—they’re essential to leading well. At its core, this conversation is about ascent—not reaching the summit, but embracing the ongoing climb. Because the best leaders don’t arrive… they keep climbing. Key takeaways: Leadership is earned daily - not given onceYour first team is everythingGreat leaders start with "Why"Vulnerability drives real team growthYou can't lead well if you're not well

    29 min

  5. Apr 7

    Ascending Together: Partnership with CareXM

    In a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, the future of home health and hospice will be defined by one thing: partnership. In this episode, we sit down with Si L. Luo, CEO of CareXM, to explore how leaders are reimagining care in the home—moving from reactive service to proactive, coordinated, and deeply human-centered experiences. Together, we unpack how partnerships between providers and innovators like CareXM are expanding clinical capacity, transforming after-hours care, and unlocking powerful data insights that improve outcomes. From workforce challenges to the shift toward proactive patient engagement, this conversation highlights what it means to lead at the forefront of home-based care—and how the right partnerships help us all climb higher. Key takeaways: The future of home-based care is built on partnershipLeadership must shift from reactive to proactive careAfter-hours care is a hidden opportunityData turns patient interactions into actionable insightLeadership is the ultimate differentiator

    25 min

  6. Apr 1

    Hard Conversations, Better Care: Redefining Physician Leadership and Fixing the Care Continuum

    aIn this episode, we sit down with Dr. Derrel Walker, Chief Medical Officer at The Pennant Group, for a powerful conversation on what it truly means to lead as a physician in today’s complex healthcare environment. From his early experiences in hospital medicine to shaping innovative care models, Dr. Walker shares how compassion, communication, and leadership—not just clinical expertise—are the keys to transforming patient outcomes. Key takeaways: Why Physician Leadership Matters More Than Ever The Power of Hard Conversations The Broken Care Continuum (and How to Fix It) Rethinking Care Delivery “Bullets Before Cannonballs” Strategy Leadership Principles for Physicians Growth Through Feedback Great healthcare isn’t just about treating illness—it’s about guiding people through their most vulnerable moments with clarity, compassion, and connection.  And great physician leaders aren’t defined by what they know—but by how they lead, listen, and grow.

    1h 24m

  7. Mar 25

    No Mask Leadership: Authenticity, Accountability and the Power of Fairness

    What if the key to better performance, stronger culture, and deeper trust wasn’t another leadership tactic—but how fair your team feels you are?   In this episode of Believe, Behave, Become, Rich and Elliot sit down with Tella, Executive Director at Symbii Home Health and Hospice - Utah County, to explore one of the most overlooked (and powerful) leadership frameworks: organizational justice.   From bringing her full self to work—including birds in the office—to building high-performing teams rooted in trust. Tella shares how authenticity, empathy, and fairness combine to create cultures where people thrive.   This isn’t theory. It’s leadership you can apply immediately.   Key Takeaways:   Authenticity Builds Trust Faster Than PerfectionOrganizational Justice = The Foundation of Culture“Yes, And” is a Leadership SkillFixing Mistakes Builds More Trust Than Avoiding ThemBeware of Ruinous EmpathyClarity > Comfort in Tough ConversationsStop Saying This Phrase Immediately "Let me know if there’s anything I can do…"

    1h 3m

  8. Jan 29

    Why the Hardest Conversations Make the Best Leaders with Dr. Lauren Templeton

    What does it look like to lead when the stakes are high and the answers aren’t clear? In this episode of Believe Behave Become, we sit down with Dr. Lauren Templeton, nationally recognized hospice physician and educator, to explore how humility, preparation, and active listening shape exceptional leadership. Dr. Templeton shares her unexpected journey into hospice care, her passion for hard conversations, and why leaders don’t need to have all the answers to be effective. From navigating emotionally charged situations to leading through uncertainty, this conversation highlights how education and connection empower leaders to show up with confidence, compassion, and credibility. What You’ll Learn: Why listening first is one of the most powerful leadership skillsHow humility builds trust and strengthens leadership presenceThe role preparation plays in navigating hard conversationsWhy leaders don’t need all the answers, but do need the right questionsHow education and clarity create confidence for teams and cliniciansWhat COVID taught us about vulnerability, leadership, and connectionHow ownership includes both accountability and humilityWhy embracing the full human experience, including laughter, makes leaders more effective ⁠Connect with us everywhere!

    1h 6m
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Ratings & Reviews

3.9
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

Welcome to Believe.Behave.Become., your gateway to inspiring conversations on leadership excellence. Join us in exploring the dynamic world of leadership concepts, firsthand experiences, and actionable principles that propel professional growth, drive operational advancements, and foster a healthy culture. In each episode, Rich, alongside different leaders from The Pennant Group, delves deep into leadership, uncovering invaluable insights and sharing key principles for success.

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