The Let's Get Comfy Podcast

Norman Harris
  • 5.0 (1)
  • HEALTH & FITNESS

Hosted by Founder and CEO of Comfort Measures Consulting LLC, Norman Harris. The Official Healthcare Edutainment station. Empowering listeners with the knowledge and resources to age comfortably. The podcast platform will uniquely provide laughter, peace, joy, resources and most of all COMFORT. Fostering professional partnerships and engaging the audience by providing them access to a REAL family-like conversation. That gives them the REAL reasons. Connects them to REAL reliable resources. To get REAL results. For REAL Comfort! Through interviews with C-suite healthcare leaders, experts, caregivers, founders, authors, educators, and thought leaders who are doing incredible work for older adults, family caregivers, and the healthcare community.

  1. 2D AGO

    Turning Lemons to Lemonade | Karen McGinnis Vaughn’s Powerful Recovery Story

    What happens when survival turns into purpose? In this deeply moving episode of Let’s Get Comfy, we sit down with Karen McGinnis Vaughn, CRPS, a Tampa native whose life is a testament to resilience, recovery, and redemption. After more than two decades battling substance use disorder, homelessness, incarceration, suicide attempts, and profound personal loss, Karen made a life-altering decision that changed everything. Her turning point came in 2013 with the birth of her son, Owen, and her entry into Hillsborough County’s Drug Court Program after losing custody of him twice before he turned two. Today, Karen has full custody, a thriving career in behavioral health, and a powerful voice in the recovery community. Karen shares her journey from active addiction to becoming a Florida Board Certified Recovery Peer Specialist (CRPS), using lived experience to help others navigate substance use and mental health recovery. She reflects on working as an Outreach Coordinator with American Addiction Centers, serving on the board of Dress for Success Tampa Bay, and recently being appointed to Hillsborough County’s Historic Resources Review Board. The conversation also explores unimaginable trauma. In 2022, a fire destroyed Karen’s home and nearly took her son’s life. Thanks to first responders, community support, and faith, Owen made a miraculous recovery. Karen opens up about grief, gratitude, and how community can carry you through the darkest moments. This episode is about recovery, motherhood, accountability, faith, and what it truly means to turn pain into purpose. 🎧 Listen to all episodes: https://comfortmeasuresmedia.buzzsprout.com 🌐 Learn more and connect with us: https://comfortmeasuresconsulting.com 📲 Connect with Karen: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-mcginnis-vaughn Facebook: Karen Waters Vaughn 📌 About CMC Media Comfort Measures Media, powered by Comfort Measures Consulting, educates and empowers individuals, families, and healthcare leaders to navigate aging, healthcare, and life transitions with confidence and dignity. We are a platform for education, advocacy, and real-life stories that matter. 👉 Subscribe, share this episode, and visit our website to learn how we can support you or your organization.

    43 min

  2. DEC 8

    Season Three Kickoff With Healthcare Lovebirds

    Season three opens with heart, humor, and hard-won wisdom as we sit down with two leaders who live at the intersection of care and creativity: Robin Blyer of RB Health Partners and Dr. Walter Kittle, clinician-turned-international recording artist. We start with gratitude for the community that built this platform, then dig into what actually moves the needle in skilled nursing: culture, continuity, and practical systems that help people do their jobs well. Robin shares how RB Health Partners built an interdisciplinary team—nursing, infection prevention, risk management, clinical reimbursement, life enrichment, and more—designed to strengthen facilities from the inside out. Her approach begins with listening, then layering regulatory review, trend analysis, and staff interviews to uncover root causes and culture patterns. We explore the cost of leadership turnover, the urgency of competency-based training for directors of nursing, and why a compliant grievance program can transform complaints into actionable data. The throughline is simple: sustained quality comes from shared accountability, clear tools, and support that respects the realities of frontline work. Dr. Kittle’s journey brings a different lens on healing. After a severe back injury ended his clinical practice, he pivoted to music—carrying the same drive to help people into a new medium. We talk about the growing evidence around sound, frequency, and wellbeing, and hear a moving story of a guitarist with dementia who reconnected through his instrument. Music therapy, hospice experiences, and life enrichment all show how nonpharmacologic care can restore presence and dignity alongside medical treatment. If you lead or support long-term care, this conversation offers a blueprint for change: invest in training, protect continuity, fix the grievance pipeline, and use expert voices openly. And if you’re here for the love story, you’ll get that too—tenacity, trust, and the balance of two careers that soar higher together. Enjoy the season kick-off, then share it with a colleague who needs a lift. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us the one change you’d make at your facility today.

    35 min
  3. Leading Like Women: Courage, Care, Clarity

    NOV 12

    Leading Like Women: Courage, Care, Clarity

    What changes when women stop asking to fit in and start leading on their own terms? We sat down with three powerhouse voices—a military leader and coach, an immigrant executive and leadership mentor, and a nonprofit director—to unpack how care, clarity, and courage can rewrite the rules at work, at home, and in the public square. The question “What if a woman were President?” becomes a springboard to explore real leadership: thinking through solutions before acting, holding boundaries without apology, and building teams where authenticity drives results. We dig into the double bind many women face—tone down to be accepted or speak up and be mislabeled—and share the playbook that actually works. From navigating a male-dominated military to assimilating into American corporate culture, the stories are honest and specific: research your moves, integrate who you are with where you are, and let consistency do the talking. We talk legacy as practice, not pedestal: it’s how you climb, who you help, and the shade you plant for others. Expect candid takes on contraception autonomy, a little humor about driving and razors, and a reminder that joy is a leadership resource, not a distraction. Dating while ambitious brings fresh honesty. Should you hide your wins? The panel pushes back with alignment over approval: be fully yourself and let the wrong matches filter out. Boundaries aren’t drama; they are quality control. We close with resilience—deployments, divorce, culture shock—and the power of support systems that keep you moving when the clouds gather. If you’re building a career, guarding your energy, or redefining what leadership can look like, this conversation offers tools, stories, and a gentle nudge to take up more space. If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway—we’d love to hear what shifted for you.

    41 min
  4. Women Lead With Grit And Grace

    NOV 5

    Women Lead With Grit And Grace

    What does it really take to lead when the room wasn’t built for you? We sit down with three women shaping healthcare and senior living—from a statewide association CEO to a dementia-focused executive director to a nurse development leader—to talk about standards, service, and the stories that forge resilient leadership. No slogans. Just the truth about being quizzed harder than male peers, showing up prepared, and choosing humility so others feel safe enough to ask for help. We trace the throughline from immigrant grit and modest beginnings to single motherhood on Medicaid and Pell Grants, to long-term sobriety and rebuilding after unthinkable loss. Instead of wallowing, they moved—one step, then the next—and turned survival skills into a mentoring mindset. Their “toolbox” approach to influence is simple and generous: teach what you know, give context, protect relationships, and help new professionals choose the tools that fit their path. Along the way, we unpack why celebrating wins matters for high performers who were raised to always ask “what’s next,” and how pride, practiced thoughtfully, becomes a lesson we pass to our kids. The conversation widens into a social vision rooted in empathy and practical support. Empathy reframes conflict and humanizes care across assisted living, dementia support, and nursing development. And safety nets? They should be launchpads, not lifelong cages—short-term scaffolding that lets people study, stabilize, and stand taller. There’s laughter too, with a community connector who turns LinkedIn pings into purpose, reminding us that opportunity loves follow-through. If you’re building influence in a male-dominated space, mentoring the next generation, or trying to turn hardship into service, this one’s for you. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs the push, and leave a review with one practice you’ll adopt this week—what’s going in your leadership toolbox?

    38 min
  5. From Stigma To Sisterhood: Building Tribes That Scale

    OCT 28

    From Stigma To Sisterhood: Building Tribes That Scale

    What does real leadership look like when you strip away the optics and keep the heartbeat? In this episode of the CMC Media Women’s Panel series, Miranda Johnson and Yasmine Gardiner sit down for an honest, energizing conversation about women leading with purpose—building tribes that empower, scaling without burnout, and defining legacy on their own terms. Miranda Johnson, founder and CEO of Mirajo Collective (https://www.mirajoco.org), brings 25 years of experience in construction, real estate, logistics, and corporate travel. A proud mother of five daughters, she now helps entrepreneurs find community, clarity, and confidence through authenticity. As Lead Ambassador of the Tampa Business Club, Miranda teaches that true success starts with self-awareness—“authenticity is the new blue check.” Yasmine Gardiner, a two-time tech founder and CEO of ClearSet.AI (https://www.clearset.ai) and DataScrubber.AI, merges AI innovation with human insight. A senior data scientist and community leader, she has worked with organizations including Accenture, NTT Data, and the U.S. Department of Defense. Currently Director of Data Science at Electus Global Education, Yasmine is redefining what tech leadership looks like—collaboration over competition, empathy over ego, and results rooted in resilience. Together, they challenge the pressure on women to “prove it,” debunk myths about emotion in leadership, and unpack the art of protecting your peace while growing your impact. Expect candid stories about choosing your tribe, mastering money mindset, scaling with systems, and teaching emotional intelligence to the next generation. If you’re ready to trade spectacle for substance and build something that lasts, this episode is for you. Connect with our guests: Miranda Johnson — https://www.mirajoco.org | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/miranda-johnson Yasmine Gardiner — https://www.clearset.ai | Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ygardiner_/ | Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Prettyrockstarstatus | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/yasmine-gardiner-0b0720100 Watch more episodes at https://www.comfortmeasuresconsulting.com/media Editing & Post-Production by https://www.otv.agency If this conversation moved you, like, share, and subscribe to support content that celebrates women who build, lead, and lift others. Leave a comment sharing how you’re building your own tribe and what legacy you hope to leave.

    48 min
  6. Redefining Long-Term Care: Quality, Leadership & Innovation | CMC Media Women’s Panel with Dr. Yvette Guzman

    OCT 21

    Redefining Long-Term Care: Quality, Leadership & Innovation | CMC Media Women’s Panel with Dr. Yvette Guzman

    What if long-term care wasn’t defined by stigma or red tape, but by dignity, design, and measurable excellence? In this powerful episode of the CMC Media Women’s Panel, moderator Dr. Yvette Guzman, DNP, leads a transformative conversation with Deborah Franklin, MHA, NHA, and Dr. Kelly Smith, PhD, CLSSBB, CPHQ, CDP—three leaders proving that skilled nursing and post-acute care can be both compassionate and high-performing. 💡 Inside the Episode: Dr. Guzman, CEO of Olive Health and Vela Wellness, brings a holistic and person-centered lens to the discussion—connecting medical innovation, accessibility, and empowerment to reshape the patient experience. Deborah Franklin, Senior Director of Quality Affairs at the Florida Health Care Association, explains how Florida’s value-based Medicaid reimbursement model rewards quality rather than punishment, creating space for innovation, staff development, and patient-first leadership. Dr. Kelly Smith, Co-Owner of Q3 Healthcare Consulting, breaks down the Baldrige Framework for Performance Excellence, showing how to align mission, strengthen systems, and turn complaints into catalysts for sustainable improvement. Her consulting work helps facilities across the country earn AHCA/NCAL Quality Awards through data-driven design and continuous learning. Together, the panel explores how to humanize healthcare through better systems, stronger leadership, and purpose-driven collaboration. 🌟 Featuring: 👩🏽‍⚕️ Moderator: Dr. Yvette Guzman, DNP CEO – Olive Health | Vela Wellness Instagram: @VelaWellness Facebook: facebook.com/OliveHealthFL 🏛️ Deborah Franklin, MHA, NHA Florida Health Care Association Website: fhca.org LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/deborahfranklin Facebook: Deborah Bennett Franklin 🔬 Dr. Kelly M. Smith, PhD, CLSSBB, CPHQ, CDP Co-Owner, Q3 Healthcare Consulting, LLC Website: q3hc.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/q3-healthcare-consulting Facebook: facebook.com/q3hc 📍 Learn more and explore upcoming panels: comfortmeasuresconsulting.com/media 🎬 Editing & Post-Production by: OTV.agency

    41 min
  7. If a Woman Was President: Power, Barriers, and the Blueprint for Change

    OCT 14

    If a Woman Was President: Power, Barriers, and the Blueprint for Change

    Start with the better question: when, not if. That single shift unlocks a charged, deeply practical conversation about women’s leadership, the cultural myths that gatekeep power, and the concrete moves that help people flourish at work and beyond. We sit down with Dr. Shirley Davis and Pamala McCoy to blend lived experience, HR expertise, and entrepreneurial grit into a toolkit you can actually use. We trace the spark that surrounds a woman running for the highest office and connect it to everyday leadership: bias you can name, intuition you can trust, and resilience you can build. Pamela shares how a hostile C‑suite nudged her into launching a purpose-driven company—and why gratitude for that “bona‑5D blessing” still fuels her. Dr. Shirley brings thirty years of HR leadership to the table, translating research into action on disengagement, toxic managers, psychological safety, and the power of a personal board of advisors. Together, we map the real drivers of engagement—great leaders, flexibility, and meaning—while disentangling surface distractions from structural problems. We go deep on mental health, especially in Black and brown communities and among men, where stigma runs high. Pamela spotlights The Confess Project training barbers as first-line listeners, turning trusted community spaces into compassionate entry points for care. We dig into privacy, EAP access, and how companies can protect employees while normalizing help-seeking. Then we take on the boys’ club with candor, acknowledging where sponsorship came from, where it didn’t, and how modern sisterhood—intentional, cross-country networks—turns praise into promotions and referrals. Expect sharp takes on AI and reskilling, return-to-office friction, and the art of standing firm with policy, poise, and purpose. If you care about women in the White House, women in the boardroom, or simply building a healthier team, this conversation brings faith and data together to show the way. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a lift, and leave a review telling us one change you want leaders to make this year.

    40 min
  8. Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment: Fixing What Others Miss

    AUG 31

    Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment: Fixing What Others Miss

    We dive into the world of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) with Dr. Mehra, Osteopathic Medical Director of Evolutionary Healthcare. Recorded live at the Florida Healthcare Conference, this demonstration reveals how OMT effectively treats chronic back pain in ways other specialties often miss. • Dr. Mehra explains why OMT qualifies as a specialty requiring significant time to master • Live demonstration of sacrum alignment on a patient with 13 years of post-childbirth back pain • Muscle energy technique used to correct significant sacral misalignment in just 30 seconds • Discussion of how OMT addresses problems overlooked by physical therapists, chiropractors, and other doctors • Exploration of the connection between bone alignment and muscle function Visit Evolutionary Healthcare for more information about bringing OMT services to post-acute settings and nursing homes. Caring is what we do.

    5 min
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About

Hosted by Founder and CEO of Comfort Measures Consulting LLC, Norman Harris. The Official Healthcare Edutainment station. Empowering listeners with the knowledge and resources to age comfortably. The podcast platform will uniquely provide laughter, peace, joy, resources and most of all COMFORT. Fostering professional partnerships and engaging the audience by providing them access to a REAL family-like conversation. That gives them the REAL reasons. Connects them to REAL reliable resources. To get REAL results. For REAL Comfort! Through interviews with C-suite healthcare leaders, experts, caregivers, founders, authors, educators, and thought leaders who are doing incredible work for older adults, family caregivers, and the healthcare community.

Information

  • Creator
    Norman Harris
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Comfort Measures Consulting LLC
  • Show Website
    The Let's Get Comfy Podcast