Mission in Motion: A Minute With Maxwell

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Mission in Motion: A Minute with Maxwell is a bold new podcast and a leadership companion for mission-driven organizations and changemakers across the care sector and beyond. Hosted by Heather Maxwell, founder of Maxwell Management Group, each episode delivers transformative insights through candid conversations with renowned leaders, innovators, and trailblazers who are redefining what it means to lead with purpose. In every short, powerful episode, listeners will uncover “aha” moments in leadership—those pivotal insights that shift perspectives, spark innovation, and drive meaningful change. From navigating people and culture to leading through uncertainty, challenge, and change, the podcast is designed to offer real value to executive leaders, HR professionals, and visionaries who are seeking meaningful conversations and lightbulb moments that both inspire and challenge the status quo. Whether you're looking for inspiration, strategy, or just a moment to reflect, A Minute with Maxwell - Mission in Motion brings the voices and stories that matter most—amplifying the lessons and leadership breakthroughs that can move your mission forward.

  1. Staffing the Future of Long Term Care | Jodi Hall

    APR 17

    Staffing the Future of Long Term Care | Jodi Hall

    In this episode of A Minute with Maxwell: Mission in Motion, host Heather Maxwell sits down with Jodi Hall, CEO of the Canadian Association for Long Term Care, to unpack one of the most urgent challenges facing Canada today: how we staff, support, and sustain the future of long-term care. With Canada now at a historic demographic turning point—more seniors than children—this conversation explores what it truly means to build a long-term care system that is resilient, modern, and centered on dignity. Drawing on national data, policy insight, and frontline realities, Jodi outlines why workforce shortages, infrastructure gaps, and system fragmentation are no longer future concerns—they’re already here.  Through a deeply practical and policy-informed lens, Heather and Jodi explore: The demographic tipping point: Why Canada’s aging population is reshaping healthcare, workforce planning, and national priorities—and why long-term care must now be seen as critical infrastructure.Workforce shortages and retention challenges: With tens of thousands of vacancies across the country, the conversation breaks down why recruitment alone isn’t enough—and how retention, culture, and career development play a defining role.Leadership gaps in care environments: Why long-term care leadership roles are increasingly difficult to fill, and what needs to change to build the next generation of leaders in the sector.Infrastructure and modernization needs: From outdated buildings to growing waitlists, why Canada may need to nearly double long-term care capacity—and what that means for funding, timelines, and care quality.Technology, AI, and workforce enablement: How innovation can reduce administrative burden, improve communication, and support care teams—without replacing the human element at the core of care.National strategy and government collaboration: Why a coordinated, Canada-wide workforce and infrastructure strategy is essential—and what success could look like over the next five years.Redefining success in long-term care: A future where staffing is stable, care is high-quality, infrastructure is modern, and long-term care is seen as a respected, desirable career path.This episode is a powerful call to action for policymakers, healthcare leaders, and organizations across the country: solving workforce sustainability isn’t just one priority—it’s the foundation that everything else depends on. About Maxwell Management Group:This podcast is brought to you by Maxwell Management Group, a national executive search and education firm specializing in the continuing care sector. For nearly two decades, they’ve partnered with organizations to build values-driven leadership, vibrant workplace cultures, and purpose-led employer brands. Learn more: maxwellmanagementgroup.com Chapters: 0:00 – Introduction to Jodi and Mission in Motion2:39 – Canada’s Demographic Shift: Why This Changes Everything6:55 – National Priorities: Workforce, Infrastructure, Innovation9:25 – The Reality of Staffing Shortages in Long-Term Care12:19 – Recruitment vs. Retention: What Actually Works23:03 – The Leadership Gap in Long-Term Care24:46 – Workplace Culture, Burnout, and Psychological Safety26:52 – Infrastructure Crisis and Capacity Challenges31:34 – Technology and AI as Workforce Enablers36:33 – A National Workforce Strategy: What’s Needed40:06 – What Success Looks Like for the Future of Care42:49 – Final Thoughts: Long-Term Care as Nation-Building

    43 min
  2. Developing Leaders People Want to Work For | Stacy Lademar

    APR 3

    Developing Leaders People Want to Work For | Stacy Lademar

    In this episode of A Minute with Maxwell: Mission in Motion, host Heather Maxwell sits down with leadership development expert Stacy Lademar to explore what it really takes to develop leaders that people actually want to work for—especially in the senior living sector, where leadership directly impacts resident experience, team stability, and turnover. Drawing on her journey from retail executive trainee on Fifth Avenue to manager of learning and development for major brands like Walmart and Royal Caribbean, and later into senior living during the pandemic, Stacy shares the hard lessons she learned about trying to “do it all,” the power of delegation, and why promoting your best individual contributor without support is often a setup for failure. Through practical stories from the floor—like assistant buyers in tears over untrained managers, or a star chef turned struggling culinary director—Stacy shows how lack of people-skills training quietly erodes culture, performance, and retention, and what organizations can do differently. Key themes they explore include: From top performer to first-time manager: Why so many organizations promote high achievers into leadership without giving them the tools to succeed—and how this leads to confusion, frustration, and avoidable turnover.High-potential and new manager programs: How identifying emerging leaders early, and offering targeted training in feedback, delegation, emotional intelligence, and expectation setting, can transform both performance and engagement.Feedback as a gift—not a threat: Using simple frameworks like What Went Well / Even Better If / Must Be Better and the FBI model (Situation, Behaviour, Impact) to make feedback specific, normal, and safe—for both positive reinforcement and constructive coaching.The critical role of one-on-ones and psychological safety: Why early and ongoing one-on-ones help new leaders build trust, become “safe spaces” for their teams, and surface struggles before they become performance issues.Delegation, clarity, and follow-through: Practical advice for leaders who are used to doing everything themselves—how to let others do things “their way,” ensure understanding, and follow up without micromanaging.Time management and the 80/20 rule: How journaling your time, then reviewing it with your supervisor, reveals where your energy really goes—and how to refocus on the 20% of activities that drive 80% of results.Trust as the foundation of leadership: Why trust—built through honesty, consistency, and admitting when you don’t know—is the core trait that separates leaders people endure from leaders people choose to follow.Stacy also lifts the curtain on how Walmart and Royal Caribbean structured their leadership development—through intentional promotion-from-within programs, extended manager training, and open-access leadership classes—and how organizations of any size can adapt these ideas using fractional learning and development support. This conversation offers a clear, actionable roadmap for organizations that want to stop “hoping managers figure it out” and start intentionally developing leaders who listen, clarify expectations, give meaningful feedback, and create workplaces where people—and residents—truly thrive. About Maxwell Management Group This podcast is brought to you by Maxwell Management Group, a national executive search and education firm specializing in the continuing care sector. For nearly two decades, they’ve partnered with organizations to build values-driven leadership, vibrant workplace cultures, and purpose-led employer brands. Learn more: maxwellmanagementgroup.com Chapters: 0:00 – Introduction to Stacy and Mission in Motion2:20 – Stacy’s Journey: From Retail to Leadership Development4:27 – The Pitfall of Promoting Top Performers6:43 – Building High-Potential and New Manager Programs8:42 – One-on-Ones and Creating Psychological Safety9:52 – Feedback as a Culture, Not a One-Off10:54 – Practical Feedback Models (WWW/EBI and FBI)12:47 – The Power of Positive Feedback and “Catching People Doing Right”18:06 – Traits of Leaders People Want to Work For19:19 – Clarity, Expectations, and Job Descriptions21:37 – Interviewing as a Critical Leadership Skill23:33 – Onboarding New Leaders and Reinforcing Expectations25:15 – Delegation: Letting Go of “My Way”28:09 – Time Management and the 80/20 Rule for Leaders29:51 – Trust as the Core of Effective Leadership32:06 – What Walmart Got Right in Developing Leaders33:11 – What Royal Caribbean Got Right in Developing Leaders35:04 – How Stacy Partners with Organizations Today35:53 – Closing Thoughts and How to Connect with Stacy & Maxwell Management Group

    37 min
  3. How Mentorship and Succession Power Senior Living Leadership Pt. 2 | Arta Shala & Mike Traub

    MAR 20

    How Mentorship and Succession Power Senior Living Leadership Pt. 2 | Arta Shala & Mike Traub

    In this episode of A Minute with Maxwell: Mission in Motion, host Heather Maxwell continues the conversation with Mike Traub, former Vice President of Operations at Riverstone Retirement Communities, and Arta Shala, now Riverstone’s Vice President of Operations, to explore how lived experience, immigration, and frontline work shape people-first leadership in senior living. From arriving in Canada with two duffel bags and no clear plan, to walking through a snowstorm to her first retirement home interview, Arta shares how chance, courage, and deep respect for elders led her into the sector—and why she never looked back. Through powerful resident stories, including a Holocaust survivor whose quiet rituals spoke volumes, Arta reveals how listening beyond the surface transformed the way she leads teams, supports families, and carries forward Riverstone’s people-first culture. Key themes they explore include: Immigrant experience and leadership lens: How Arta’s journey from a war-torn country to Canada shaped her resilience, empathy, and refusal to take opportunity for granted—and how that perspective informs every leadership decision she makes today.Frontline to executive leadership: Why starting as an office manager in a retirement home gave Arta a ground-level understanding of residents, families, and staff that now guides her as VP of Operations.Seeing beyond the surface in resident care: The story of a Nazi camp survivor, and how understanding hidden histories changed Arta’s approach to care, compassion, and dignity in senior living.People-first as a daily practice: How small moments—checking in on a withdrawn team member, asking “Are you really okay?”—reinforce the belief that “it’s a people business” where kindness, curiosity, and non-judgment are non-negotiable.Determination, fairness, and growth: The realities of being underpaid, having to work harder for promotions as a newcomer, and why those experiences made Arta more determined to build workplaces where people feel seen, valued, and supported.The conversation offers an honest, story-driven look at what it means to lead with humanity in senior living—drawing on personal history, cultural transition, and everyday moments of care to shape a leadership style where people come first, and everything else follows. About Maxwell Management Group This podcast is brought to you by Maxwell Management Group, a national executive search and education firm specializing in the continuing care sector. For nearly two decades, they’ve partnered with organizations to build values-driven leadership, vibrant workplace cultures, and purpose-led employer brands. Learn more: maxwellmanagementgroup.com Chapters: 00:00 – Intro: Mission in Motion & Guest Introductions00:09 – Why Mike Chose to Mentor Arta as His Successor01:07 – Heather’s Welcome and Episode Framing01:20 – Arta’s Unplanned Entry into Retirement Living03:02 – First Job in Retirement & Early Culture Shock03:13 – The Story of Mrs. Zem and Seeing Beyond the Surface05:59 – “Be Kind”: The People-First Nature of Senior Living06:39 – Arta’s Immigration Story: From War-Torn Kosovo to Canada08:57 – An Immigrant Lens on Team Members’ Hidden Struggles10:44 – Family Roots: Parents, Daughter, and Leadership Values13:14 – Challenges as a Woman and Immigrant Leader16:08 – Leading a Large, Diverse Team at Riverstone22:45 – Psychological Safety, Trust, and Frontline Voices26:55 – Mike on Retirement, Hobbies, and Ongoing Mentorship28:11 – Mike’s Legacy: People, Properties, and Riverstone’s Growth30:00 – Succession Planning Advice for Executives Nearing Retirement31:32 – How Arta Defines Success and Leadership Today34:27 – Advice to Newcomers & the Power of Mentorship38:56 – When You Must Hire Externally: Choosing the Right Search Partner42:01 – Final Reflections on Purposeful Careers in Senior Living

    46 min
  4. How Mentorship and Succession Power Senior Living Leadership Pt. 1 | Arta Shala & Mike Traub

    MAR 6

    How Mentorship and Succession Power Senior Living Leadership Pt. 1 | Arta Shala & Mike Traub

    In this episode of A Minute with Maxwell: Mission in Motion, host Heather Maxwell sits down with Mike Traub, former Vice President of Operations at Riverstone Retirement Communities, and Arta Shala, now Riverstone’s Vice President of Operations, to explore what legacy leadership and people-first succession look like in senior living.  From building Riverstone “boots on the ground,” to leading through COVID-19 without ever closing the office, to cultivating teams and residents who stay for 15+ years, Mike and Arta offer a rare, practical look at succession planning that is both strategic and deeply human. Key themes they explore include: Legacy leadership in senior living: How Mike intentionally prepared his own successor—from identifying Arta’s potential to gradually expanding her responsibility—so Riverstone could grow without disrupting residents, families, or staff.People-first, profit-follows philosophy: Why Riverstone’s guiding principle—“We look after the people and then the profits follow”—has shaped culture, operations, and long-term success across all communities.Mentorship and internal promotion in action: Real stories of informal mentorship, stretch assignments, and how most support office roles (and even a former accountant) were developed into successful leaders from within.Leading through COVID-19 and rapid growth: How Mike and Arta stayed “boots on the ground,” supported homes that couldn’t work remotely, and maintained trust, stability, and continuity during crisis and expansion.The conversation offers a grounded, story-rich roadmap for organizations that want to turn mentorship, internal promotion, and succession planning into everyday leadership practices—especially in mission-driven sectors like senior living. About Maxwell Management Group This podcast is brought to you by Maxwell Management Group, a national executive search and education firm specializing in the continuing care sector. For nearly two decades, they’ve partnered with organizations to build values-driven leadership, vibrant workplace cultures, and purpose-led employer brands. Learn more: maxwellmanagementgroup.com Chapters: 00:00 – Intro: Legacy Leadership in Senior Living00:59 – Early Impressions of Arta’s People-First Management03:03 – Mike’s Path: From Hotels to Retirement Living05:57 – People-First, Profit-Follows Philosophy06:39 – Growth, COVID-19 & Responsibility to Residents12:42 – Choosing Arta as Successor & Mentorship Begins17:15 – Culture, Connection & Stories of Long Tenure20:21 – Inside the Mentorship: Exposure to the Executive Role24:34 – Why Succession Planning Matters26:30 – Arta’s Journey: Being Mentored into Leadership29:31 – Practical, Informal Mentorship & Internal Promotion33:37 – Outro

    35 min

  5. FEB 20

    The New Era of Workplace Mental Health: Dr. Rachel Toledano

    In this episode of A Minute with Maxwell: Mission in Motion, host Heather Maxwell sits down with clinical psychologist Dr. Rachel Toledano to explore how workplace mental health has transformed since COVID-19. They discuss the most common mental health challenges facing today’s workforce, why supporting mental health is now a business imperative, and how organizations can create psychologically safe cultures. From no-cost strategies like flexibility, trust, and daily recognition, to paid supports such as enhanced benefits and EAPs, Rachel shares practical, actionable ways leaders can better support their teams.  Post-COVID shift in mental health: From stigma to normalization; “everyone was struggling” so the conversation opened up.Common workplace mental health challenges: Burnout/adjustment disorders, depression, anxiety, and especially substance use concerns.Evolution of EAPs and access to care: From a few in‑person sessions to ongoing, flexible, remote and tech-enabled support.Role of technology & AI: Tele-mental health, AI-driven matching with therapists (language, culture, identity, role-specific needs).Psychological safety at work: Reducing stressors like workload, role overload, and poor work-life balance; clear responsibility between employer and employee.Organizational responsibility & ROI: Mental health as a business imperative with clear return on investment.Leadership behaviors: Empathy, active listening, non-judgment, openness, and having real human conversations about struggle.No-cost / low-cost supports: Flex work where possible, reduced micromanagement, autonomy, trust, and everyday recognition and gratitude.Paid supports: Benefits for mental health, improved EAP structures, ergonomic and practical supports, dedicated mental health roles.Workplace culture & energy: How toxic versus positive cultures impact energy, engagement, productivity, and burnout.Burnout and return-to-work: Need for real accommodations and dialogue to prevent relapse, not just box-ticking.Using data for action: Turning engagement and satisfaction surveys into concrete, visible changes and closing the feedback loop with employees.The conversation also looks ahead at trends like AI-driven care, tele-mental health, and holistic wellness approaches that are reshaping how we think about work, well-being, and burnout prevention. About Maxwell Management GroupThis podcast is brought to you by Maxwell Management Group, a national executive search and education firm specializing in the continuing care sector. For nearly two decades, they’ve partnered with organizations to build values-driven leadership, vibrant workplace cultures, and purpose-led employer brands. Learn more: maxwellmanagementgroup.com

    42 min

  6. JAN 30

    Leading With Heart, Innovating With Purpose: Derrick Bernardo

    In this episode of A Minute with Maxwell – Mission in Motion, Heather Maxwell sits down with Derrick Bernardo, President & CEO of Broadmead Care in British Columbia, one of the province’s most respected continuing care organizations. Derrick shares his leadership journey from his first role in a psychiatric hospital to leading a rapidly growing, innovation-driven non-profit that serves veterans, seniors, and younger adults with disabilities. He reflects on: How early exposure to interdisciplinary teamwork shaped his collaborative leadership styleThe turning point of opening his first long-term care home and learning to balance high standards with adaptabilityBroadmead Care’s evolution from a single veterans’ lodge to a multi-site organization with seven homes and expanding third‑party management up IslandThe internal culture shift behind the “You Matter” commitment and how it’s improving staff retention, psychological safety, and resident experienceBroadmead’s Long Term Care at Home program (federally funded to 2028), using technology and home care to help seniors safely age in place and reduce ER visits and hospitalizationsDerrick and Heather also dig into: Common misconceptions about long-term and continuing care across Canadian provincesWhy innovation ecosystems, partnerships and new models of care (like campuses of care and concierge-style independent living) are crucial for the futureHow Broadmead is tackling workforce challenges through creative recruitment, recognition programs (like the “You’re a Gem” award), and wellness initiativesWhy Derek believes seniors care offers limitless career paths—far beyond nursing aloneDerrick closes with advice to his younger self—and to emerging leaders: take risks, listen first, act second, and never underestimate the power of relationships and engagement. If you’re a leader, policymaker, or professional in the continuing care sector—or simply care about how we support an aging population—this episode offers a hopeful, practical look at what’s possible when innovation and compassion meet. About Maxwell Management GroupThis podcast is brought to you by Maxwell Management Group, a national executive search and education firm specializing in the continuing care sector. For nearly two decades, they’ve partnered with organizations to build values-driven leadership, vibrant workplace cultures, and purpose-led employer brands. Learn more: maxwellmanagementgroup.com

    46 min

  7. JAN 16

    Moral Distress in Nursing with Dr Rebecca Greenberg

    In this episode of A Minute with Maxwell: Mission in Motion, host Heather Maxwell sits down with Rebecca Greenberg, a bioethicist, nurse consultant, and founder of Greenberg Consulting, to explore the often hidden reality of moral distress in healthcare, especially in nursing and long-term care. Rebecca explains how she transitioned from bedside nursing into bioethics, driven by her early fascination with big philosophical and ethical questions. She shares a powerful story from her time as a nurse caring for a terminally ill patient whose family was not ready to choose a palliative care path, leaving staff to deliver aggressive treatment they felt was causing more harm than good. Together, Heather and Rebecca unpack: What is moral distress?How moral distress shows up in long-term careMoral distress and Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID)Moral distress vs. burnoutStaffing shortages, system pressures, and moral distressWhat organizations can do: supports that actually helpSelf-care, boundaries, and realistic expectationsHope, moral resilience, and culture changeAdvice to nurses and care professionals Website: greenbergconsulting.ca Social: Search Greenberg Consulting on Instagram or LinkedIn About Maxwell Management GroupThis podcast is brought to you by Maxwell Management Group, a national executive search and education firm specializing in the continuing care sector. For nearly two decades, they’ve partnered with organizations to build values-driven leadership, vibrant workplace cultures, and purpose-led employer brands. Learn more: maxwellmanagementgroup.com

    34 min
  8. Inspiring the Next Generation of Caregivers with Jeff Renaud

    JAN 2

    Inspiring the Next Generation of Caregivers with Jeff Renaud

    In this episode, host Heather Maxwell sits down with Jeff Renaud, a passionate leader in long-term care who is on a mission to inspire the next generation of caregivers. Jeff shares why a career in long-term care is both meaningful and rewarding, breaking old myths about the sector being low-paying or limited in opportunity. He explains how leaders can transfer passion to young professionals, helping them see long-term care as a place to grow, contribute, and make a real impact on society. If you’re a young professional, student, or healthcare leader curious about long-term care careers, this conversation will open your eyes to the possibilities. Keywords: long-term care, long-term care careers, senior care, leadership in healthcare, young professionals, healthcare careers, caregiving, meaningful work, healthcare leadership, career advice, Jeff Renaud, Heather Maxwell 00:00 – Introduction to Heather Maxwell and guest Jeff Renaud01:00 – Why Jeff is passionate about long-term care03:00 – What leaders can do to inspire young professionals06:00 – Is long-term care still “low paying”? Debunking old myths09:00 – Meaningful careers: making a real impact in society12:00 – Advice for students and young professionals considering long-term care15:00 – Final thoughts and message to future leaders

    45 min
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About

Mission in Motion: A Minute with Maxwell is a bold new podcast and a leadership companion for mission-driven organizations and changemakers across the care sector and beyond. Hosted by Heather Maxwell, founder of Maxwell Management Group, each episode delivers transformative insights through candid conversations with renowned leaders, innovators, and trailblazers who are redefining what it means to lead with purpose. In every short, powerful episode, listeners will uncover “aha” moments in leadership—those pivotal insights that shift perspectives, spark innovation, and drive meaningful change. From navigating people and culture to leading through uncertainty, challenge, and change, the podcast is designed to offer real value to executive leaders, HR professionals, and visionaries who are seeking meaningful conversations and lightbulb moments that both inspire and challenge the status quo. Whether you're looking for inspiration, strategy, or just a moment to reflect, A Minute with Maxwell - Mission in Motion brings the voices and stories that matter most—amplifying the lessons and leadership breakthroughs that can move your mission forward.

Information

  • Creator
    Maxwell Management Group
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Maxwell Management Group