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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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What happens when MacGyver meets Wonder Woman in the world of human services? In this episode, Dr. Mike Strouse and Ivo Ivanov sit down with Veronica St. Cyr, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Navigating Life. Together, they explore how private social platforms can foster connection, build trust, and transform care for individuals, families, and communities. From GoodLife’s award-winning Neighborhood Network to the bold vision of creating new “blue zones,” this conversation is all about redefining what’s possible with creativity, technology, and heart.

Episode Links:

• Who is MacGyver?
• Watch our Video Episode: Noel's Quest for Independence
• Explore the Navigating Life app
• Explore GoodLife's Expanded Neighborhood Network for Aging Adults
• Explore the active "Blue Zones" and learn about the history of the concept.

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What happens when you combine the wisdom of the world’s healthiest communities with a vision to reinvent how we age?

In this episode, Dr. Mike Strouse and co-host Ivo Ivanov take listeners from stories of synchronicity and small-town magic to a bold plan for creating America’s first “Blue Zone” without walls. Learn how logistics, technology, and purpose-driven living could help people age in place, stay connected, and live longer, healthier, more meaningful lives.

Episode Links:

• The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
• Synchronicity: An Acausal Connecting Principle

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Watch this Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jG4M1him8Hk?si=4qKdXTWneqaS5y3o

Watch this Episode on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/goodlifeu/quest13?share=copy

About this Episode:

In this special video episode of The Quest for the GoodLife Podcast, Dr. Mike Strouse travels to Arkansas to meet Noel—an insightful, passionate young man with cerebral palsy—and Whitney Garrison, Director of Regional Services for GoodLife.

What unfolds is a deeply personal, eye-opening conversation that lays bare the realities of support systems for people with disabilities. Noel shares his experiences navigating Arkansas’s fragmented care landscape, his struggle to remain independent, and the emotional toll of unreliable staffing, limited transportation, and bureaucratic complexity.

With humor, grace, and wisdom beyond his years, Noel reminds us what it truly means to live a “good life”—not just with support, but with friendship, dignity, and the freedom to contribute meaningfully to one's community.

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In this episode of The Quest for the GoodLife, Dr. Mike Strouse and co-host Ivo Ivanov welcome Todd Lewis, VP at IMA and a passionate advocate for those who care for others. Together, they unpack the complex world of ICHRAs—Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements—and why these innovative benefits are gaining traction across the caregiving industry.

With over 400% growth in recent years, ICHRAs empower employers to offer flexible, individualized, and portable healthcare options for employees—especially critical for the hourly caregiving workforce. Todd and Mike discuss how these plans can break the one-size-fits-all model, ease the financial burden on staff, and stabilize a workforce under strain.

If you’re a CEO, HR leader, or policymaker navigating rising insurance costs and caregiver retention challenges, this episode offers a fresh perspective—and a path forward.

👉 Learn how to customize benefits, contain costs, and truly “take care of the people who take care of people.”