Coffee Break

Breaking the Cycle of Bullying in Healthcare One Cup at a Time.

EP 82: Can They Change? Handling the Toughest Behaviors on Your Team

Some workplace behaviors are annoying but fixable. Others? Downright dangerous – and possibly unchangeable. In this Q&A episode, Dr. Renee Thompson tackles three real-world scenarios submitted by nurse leaders across the country: A charge nurse whose competence is overshadowed by recurring emotional outbursts. A team member who falsifies reports, raising red flags about character. A territorial nurse marking equipment as her own—and even throwing water at a coworker! How do you know whether someone’s behavior can be coached… or whether it’s time to performance-manage them out? Renee breaks down the difference between skill gaps and character flaws, and gives leaders the language to hold their teams accountable with professionalism and compassion. If you’re dealing with a disruptive team member, this episode will give you practical tools – and the permission – to protect your team and your culture.

April 23, 2025

EP 81: Civility is a Choice – Creating Respectful Work Environments

Civility isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s a must for creating healthy work environments. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Cynthia Clark, Founder of Civility Matters, Professor Emeritus at Boise State University, to unpack the evolving definition of civility in healthcare and beyond. From decades of research and a global concept analysis, Cindy shares what’s changed — and what hasn’t — when it comes to understanding incivility, how perception shapes our experiences at work, and why leadership plays a vital role in setting the tone. We dig into the power of emotional intelligence, co-creating behavioral norms, and Cindy’s model: the Continuum of Workplace Aggression. And yes, we even talk about eye-rolling. If you’re a healthcare leader trying to figure out how to address disrespectful behaviors, you’ll want to tune in to learn real-world strategies that you can implement today.

April 16, 2025

EP 80: Be the Nurse You Want to Work With — Sustaining a Healthy Culture

What does it really take to build a healthy workforce culture — and keep it strong years later? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jenny Cordo, Director of Clinical Operations and a transformational nurse leader at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, to talk about what a healthy work culture looks like in practice and how her team has sustained theirs long after implementing our system. Jenny shares the behind-the-scenes story of how her team won the 2019 STTI Clinical Healthy Work Environment Award, the importance of empowering nurses at every level, and how shifting from “shared governance” to “professional governance” helped hardwire cultural excellence. From actionable leadership insights to sustaining engagement through Magnet designations and beyond, this episode is filled with practical strategies — and a powerful reminder to be the nurse you want to work with. Tune in to learn how to hardwire healthy habits, inspire professional ownership, and lead culture change that actually lasts.

April 9, 2025

EP 79: Burnout, Coaching, and Glimmers: What Nurses Need Right Now

Burnout is still very real in healthcare, and many nurses are carrying trauma from the pandemic — whether they realize it or not. In this episode, I sit down with Keith Carlson, nurse career coach and host of The Nurse Keith Show, to talk about how burnout shows up today, how to begin healing, and what support looks like — whether through coaching, therapy, or small moments of joy. Keith shares his personal experience with burnout and how his late wife helped him take the first step toward change. We also talk about how to assess what’s within your control, when it’s okay to walk away, and how something as simple as a “glimmer list” can help you reconnect to what matters. Tune in for honest insight, practical strategies, and the reminder that healing is possible — one step at a time.

April 2, 2025

78: Leading with Confidence: Navigating Workplace Dynamics & Difficult Conversations

Navigating workplace dynamics can be challenging, especially when addressing incivility, leading a team, or handling difficult conversations. In this episode, Dr. Renee Thompson discusses strategies for fostering a healthier work culture and handling workplace challenges, including using a left-brain/right-brain approach and having "lens conversations." She also advises repeating unprofessional remarks back to the person, questioning their intent, or disengaging to maintain composure. Tune in for practical strategies to foster a healthier work culture, communicate effectively as a leader, and confidently respond to unprofessional behavior! Click this link to the show notes, transcript, and resources: https://healthyworkforceinstitute.com/podcast-episodes/

March 26, 2025

EP 77: The Secret To Keeping Your Finger On The Pulse Of Your Healthcare Team

Creating a culture of gratitude and visibility is essential for fostering a healthy and respectful healthcare work environment. In this episode, Paula Schmidt shares her approach to fostering a positive work culture through gratitude, visibility, and open communication. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing employees, addressing workplace concerns through staff rounding and newsletters, and maintaining transparency in decisions on key issues like staffing, space, and compensation. Tune in and learn how to start small and implement these strategies within your own team to foster a positive and supportive work culture! Click this link to the show notes, transcript, and resources: https://healthyworkforceinstitute.com/podcast-episodes/

March 19, 2025

EP 76: Beyond Policies: How Genuine Leadership Transforms Workplace Culture

What does it take to create a truly safe, supportive, and accessible workplace in healthcare where leaders are present, staff feel valued, and workplace violence is actively prevented? In this episode, Stephanie Gedeon discusses leadership accessibility, workplace safety, and fostering a positive work culture through relationship-building, streamlined meetings, and staff engagement. Stephanie emphasized the importance of using a structured framework like Pathway to Excellence and leading with genuine care to create a safe, efficient, and supportive work environment. Tune in to uncover the leadership strategies that drive a thriving work culture! Click this link to the show notes, transcript, and resources: https://healthyworkforceinstitute.com/podcast-episodes/

March 12, 2025

EP 75: Unlock The Secrets To Effective Team Building Through Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is a critical skill, far exceeding technical intelligence in importance for career advancement and team effectiveness. In this episode, Dr. Mitch Kusy explores the growing importance of emotional intelligence in healthcare, emphasizing interprofessional team building, leadership skills like boundary reinforcement, and the dynamics between teams. He also breaks down the key components of emotional intelligence (self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management) while highlighting strategies for skill development and the critical role of empathy in coaching and decision-making. Tune in and learn how to cultivate emotional intelligence within yourself and your team to foster a healthier and more productive work environment! Click this link to the show notes, transcript, and resources: https://healthyworkforceinstitute.com/podcast-episodes/

March 5, 2025

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Coffee Break

A podcast for healthcare leaders who have had enough of the bullying; the incivility, the he-said-she-said, and other shenanigans in their departments and want to cultivate a high-performing, respectful, and healthy professional team.

In each episode, we provide practical tools and strategies for addressing workplace bullying and incivility, fostering a culture of respect and civility, and building trust and collaboration among the healthcare team.

When leaders are equipped with the skills and tools that they need to address disruptive behaviors, employees are more engaged, happier, and better serve patients and each other. This results in high-performing teams with increased retention and improved patient outcomes.

Host

Dr. Renee Thompson, DNP, RN, FAAN, CSP

Renee grew up in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, the oldest of 5 kids. There was never a dull moment in the Rossi home as her parents provided anyone in need a seat at the dinner table and sometimes a place to stay. Renee’s father had a strong work ethic (still does) and worked hard to provide for his family. Her mom kept everyone fed, watered, clothed, and is extremely kind, generous, and loving. Renee acquired her drive to accomplish everything she could in this one precious life and her passion for helping others from her parents.

Adulting didn’t come easy for Renee at first. She married young and had two kids right away, without the means to provide for them. One day she looked around and decided she wanted a better life for her girls and for herself. So, she got her associate degree in nursing at a local community college, then got her bachelors, masters, and finally, in 2015, received her doctoral degree in nursing. Along the way, she divorced her first husband and married the man of her dreams. Together, Ashley and Renee have built a life that they love.

Ten years ago, Renee took a leap of faith, quit a really great job that she loved, and started her own business. The business started basically as Renee – a speaker. Fast-forward to today, and she’s expanded the business beyond just her and now enjoys watching her company develop into an institute that serves numerous clients around the globe.