Believe.Behave.Become - A Pennant Group Podcast

In this episode of Believe Behave Become, hosts Rich and Elliot sit down with Mechelle McMillan and Dylan Gottschling from Grand Court of Mesa to share their remarkable leadership journey. Together, they reflect on stepping into big roles, building trust, empowering others, and navigating the challenges that come with leading through uncertainty. From filling legendary shoes to learning when to step back and let others grow, Mechelle and Dylan offer an honest look at the personal transformation required to create lasting success. The conversation explores Grand Court's four-year turnaround, highlighting the power of incremental progress, team alignment, and unwavering commitment to culture. Mechelle and Dylan discuss how celebrating small wins, involving residents in major goals, and leaning on trusted partners helped sustain their team through difficult seasons. Their message is both practical and inspiring: success rarely happens overnight, but leaders who keep moving forward, show up for others, and stay focused on what they can control can achieve extraordinary results. This episode is a powerful reminder that the journey matters just as much as the destination.

What does it take to build a high-performing leadership partnership? In this episode of Believe Behave Become, hosts Rich Lewis and Elliot McMillan sit down with Traci Repko and Eric Wise of Columbia River Home Health to explore the trust, accountability, and shared purpose behind one of Pennant's standout agency success stories. From navigating acquisition challenges and difficult transitions to earning recognition on a company earnings call, Traci and Eric share how a strong Executive Director and Director of Clinical Services partnership became the foundation for sustained growth and exceptional results. The conversation dives into leadership development, mentorship, and the power of identifying the right people before the right positions. Traci reflects on her journey from field nurse to clinical leader, while Eric shares why he recognized her leadership potential long before she stepped into the role. Together, they discuss what it means to truly "love one another" in leadership, how healthy accountability strengthens teams, and why trust allows great partnerships to flourish. Whether you're an emerging leader, a clinical partner, or someone striving to build a stronger team culture, this episode is packed with practical insights on creating excellence through collaboration, resilience, and belief in others.

In this episode of Believe. Behave. Become., Charlie Marinko shares his leadership journey from hospice operations to senior living and reflects on the experiences that have shaped his growth along the way. From rebuilding a leadership team to creating a culture rooted in trust and accountability, Charlie discusses what it takes to lead through uncertainty while staying committed to people and purpose. Charlie opens up about the challenges of stepping into a community with significant opportunities for improvement, and the importance of finding the right partners.The conversation also gets personal as Charlie reflects on family, mentorship, and what continues to motivate him today. Whether discussing leadership, community, or helping a resident with something as simple as a cup of coffee, Charlie's perspective is a reminder that meaningful leadership is built one relationship at a time.

Executive Director of Santa Maria Terrace, Joanna Casillas has a leadership journey that is a remarkable example of what can happen when curiosity meets commitment. Starting in housekeeping, she worked her way through multiple roles across the community, driven by a simple mindset:“What can I do to help?” Rather than waiting for opportunities, Joanna created them by stepping forward, learning every aspect of the business, and continuously pushing herself to grow. Today, she leads with that same philosophy, helping others discover their own potential. From caregivers to department leaders, many of her team members have followed growth paths similar to hers. Joanna emphasizes accountability, shared goals, and a culture of “no excuses,” while encouraging team members to think beyond their current role and keep striving for more. One of the most powerful moments of the conversation came when Joanna reflected on failure. She believes it’s okay to fall because the comeback is where true growth happens. Her message is simple but impactful: leadership isn’t about titles or perfection, it’s about continuing to climb, helping others along the way, and leaving things better than you found them.

In this episode, we sit down with Christina Darrah, CMO and Business Development Portfolio Leader, to explore what it means to lead with vision and influence. Christina shares how great leadership starts by recognizing the passions and strengths of others, empowering people to grow, and creating opportunities for them to make a meaningful impact.  Christina reflects on a pivotal leadership lesson early in her career that transformed how she viewed herself and the people around her: no one is “just” their job title. That perspective continues to shape her approach to leadership today, helping others see their potential and inspiring them to achieve more than they thought possible. She also shares insights on leading without direct authority, building trust across teams, and creating alignment through consistent communication and shared purpose.Whether you're a new leader, a business development professional, or simply looking to grow your influence, this conversation offers valuable lessons on empowering others, driving strategy through relationships, and completing the "third leg of the stool" that helps organizations reach their full potential.

In this episode of the Believe. Behave. Become. podcast, Elliot and Rich sit down with Horizon Central CEO Nick Pew to explore the story behind the success. Nick reflects on his unexpected journey from newly graduated nurse to healthcare executive, sharing how a job he initially took out of necessity became a calling he never anticipated. The conversation goes beyond leadership highlights and into the challenges that forged Nick's growth. From navigating organizational expansion and splitting a flagship agency, to receiving difficult but transformative feedback from trusted partners, Nick discusses the moments that changed the way he leads. Most importantly, Nick shares a powerful message for leaders at every stage of their journey: no one ascends alone. Success is built by investing in people, assembling the right team, and trusting others to grow alongside you. Whether you're a new leader finding your footing or a seasoned operator striving for your next summit, this episode is a compelling reminder that leadership is less about personal achievement and more about multiplying your impact through others.

Roxy Romero joins us in this episode of the Believe. Behave. Become. podcast to share the inspiring story behind Capitol Hill Senior Living's turnaround. From rebuilding trust in struggling healthcare communities to helping drive growth at Capitol Hill, Roxy shows how authenticity, grit, and genuine relationships became her secret weapons. This episode is packed with leadership lessons on culture, teamwork, and doing the right thing for residents and families. Roxy highlights the power of owning your role, celebrating your team, and creating a culture where people feel valued, trusted, and inspired to succeed together. She also shares how strong partnerships and a resident-first mindset helped transform a challenged community into one built on trust and momentum. Whether you're leading a team, navigating change, or looking to create a lasting impact, Roxy's message will leave you motivated to take ownership, lift others, and keep climbing.

Sarah Crowder’s leadership journey is a masterclass in growth, courage, and authenticity. From speech therapist to Director of Clinical Services, Sarah shares what it was like stepping into the roles of highly respected leaders and learning that success doesn’t come from being just like them, it comes from being the best version of yourself. In this episode, Sarah opens up about leading through fear, embracing feedback, and navigating the challenges of moving from peer to leader. She discusses why curiosity has been one of her greatest leadership strengths, how vulnerability builds trust, and why the best leaders never stop learning. You’ll also hear powerful insights on building team buy-in, creating a culture of continuous growth, and helping people connect to a larger vision. Sarah’s message is simple but impactful: stay curious, stay coachable, and keep climbing, because the real growth happens along the journey. 

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.

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.