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Can unconventional thinking unlock the key to a better life?

Dr. Mike Strouse, President & CEO of Good Life Innovations, takes listeners on an exhilarating journey into creative problem-solving, disability services innovation, and leadership transformation in the premiere episode of The Quest for the Good Life.

Inside this episode, you'll discover:

• How bold, out-of-the-box strategies are reshaping the disability industry and organizational leadership.
• Why Dr. Strouse draws inspiration from Indiana Jones in his pursuit of impactful solutions.
• Unforgettable personal stories, including encounters with Muhammad Ali and profound life lessons from loss.
• A rare glimpse into Dr. Strouse’s poetic reflections on destiny, rules, and audacity—written 30 years ago yet more relevant than ever.

Whether you’re in the disability services field, an organizational leader, or simply someone who craves innovative ideas that challenge the status quo, this episode will ignite your imagination and empower you to pursue your own quest for a meaningful life.

Listen now and rethink what’s possible!

Links & References:

• The Rumble in the Jungle

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In this heartfelt and visionary episode of The Quest for the GoodLife, Dr. Mike Strouse and co-host Ivo Ivanov explore the power of real communities—what makes them work, why they matter, and how GoodLife's Neighborhood Network is redefining intentional, inclusive living. From memories of small-town Missouri to the story of a remote Alaskan building that houses an entire town, Mike and Ivo reflect on the deep human need for connection and interdependence. Learn how professional neighbors, purposeful design, and organic supports can build what Dr. Strouse calls “Powder Blue Zones”—places where everyone belongs and everyone contributes.

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In our typical candid manner, Dr. Mike Strouse, Ivo Ivanov, and Lauren Vohland dive into the systems behind success in care services. From zeroing in on medication error rates to designing personalized health dashboards and embracing tech-driven remote care, this conversation reveals how performance metrics and system design fuel real outcomes. Discover why good systems—not JUST good people—are essential in an industry plagued by turnover, and how culture, accountability, and unconventional thinking create measurable impact.

What you’ll hear about:

• Why individualized care still needs standardized systems
• Why agencies fear change—and how to move forward anyway
• What Yellowstone, Uber, and behavioral analytics all have in common

Whether you're leading a care organization, managing a team, or just love learning how great systems empower great people, this episode is your roadmap to rethinking performance in the care services sector.

Links & References:

• The Showrunner
• The Four Sixes
• Landman
• 1923

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In this episode Dr. Mike Strouse and Dr. Florence DiGennaro Reed discuss topics relevant to current challenges in I/DD and senior services such as:

• Performance management
• Improvement strategies
• Implementation of scientific research in practical environments
• How to leverage the exponential growth of technology
• Out-of-the-box thinking
• The vulnerability of independence
• Eclectic approach to problem solving
• Intrusive vs. non-intrusive practices
• Importance and limitations of conventional training

and much more

Our guest:

Dr. Florence DiGennaro Reed is the Chief Operating Officer of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. She is a board certified behavior analyst with a doctorate in school psychology from Syracuse University. She also completed a clinical post-doctoral fellowship at the Institute for Child Development and a pre-doctoral internship in clinical psychology at the May Center for Education and Neurorehabilitation and the May Center for Child Development.

Formerly, Florence was an Associate Professor in and Chairperson of the Department of Applied Behavioral Science at the University of Kansas where she directed the Performance Management Laboratory. Her research examined effective and efficient staff training and performance improvement practices. She also conducted translational research in on-campus laboratory facilities.

Florence has published articles and book chapters on a variety of topics including training, performance management, assessment, and intervention. Florence is co-editor of two books published through Springer titled Handbook of Crisis Intervention for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities and Bridging the Gap Between Science and Practice in Autism Service Delivery.

Florence has published over 100 articles and book chapters and two edited books on a variety of topics including training, performance management, assessment, and intervention. With co-authors Drs. Gregory Madden and Derek Reed, Florence recently published a textbook titled An Introduction to Behavior Analysis. Moreover, Florence has been an Associate Editor for Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, Journal of Behavioral Education, and Behavior Analysis in Practice.

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Mike Strouse discusses ICHRA and how bifurcation creates opportunities, flexibility, and savings for both the workforce and the employers.

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In this episode of The Quest for the GoodLife, we’re redefining what’s possible in workforce benefits, disability services, and staffing solutions.

Join Dr. Mike Strouse, Ivo Ivanov, and special guests Lauren Vohland and Megan McKinney Todd as they dive deep into what it truly takes to build a thriving workforce in care services. From innovative benefit structures and staffing models to the power of flexibility, personal choice, and work-life balance, this conversation might just change your mind about benefits at your company.

How can organizations retain top talent while operating in an industry with limited funding? What if we reimagined benefits to better serve both caregivers and those they support? And how can thinking beyond traditional compensation—like housing, transportation, and scheduling—lead to a win-win-win for employees, organizations, and the people they serve?

Through personal stories, industry insights, and a few movie references (yes, Indiana Jones makes an appearance!), this episode is packed with actionable takeaways for HR professionals, disability service providers, and anyone passionate about creating sustainable, people-first workforce solutions.

Listen now to discover how GoodLife is rewriting the rules.

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Are you ready to challenge the status quo in care services, staffing models, and organizational behavior? In this episode of The Quest for the GoodLife, Dr. Mike Strouse and co-host Ivo Ivanov take you on a deep dive into the science of change management, implementation strategies, and innovative solutions that redefine what's possible in disability services and beyond.

From behavioral analysis to workforce stability, Dr. Strouse reveals how GoodLife has pioneered groundbreaking models—leveraging technology, refining staffing structures, and pushing the boundaries of what traditional care looks like. Learn why standing still is not an option, why active listening and strategic delegation matter, and how the lessons of Netflix and Blockbuster apply to transforming human services.

If you’re passionate about change, leadership, and making a meaningful impact, this is the conversation for you. Tune in and discover why at GoodLife, Impossible is What We Do Best.

Listen now!

Links & References:

• The Family Teaching Model
• Herbert von Karajan
• The Royal Concertgebouw
• Implementation: Practice & Science Book

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What if the key to a long, fulfilling life wasn't just genetics but the environment you build around you? In this episode of The Quest for the GoodLife, Dr. Mike Strouse and co-host Ivo Ivanov dive into the fascinating concept of Blue Zones—communities around the world where people live longer, healthier, and more connected lives.

From lessons in purpose-driven living to why traditional caregiving models must evolve, this episode will inspire you to rethink how communities can support independence, self-direction, and meaningful connection. What does your Blue Zone look like?

Also:

• Who is our co-host Ivo Ivanov?
• How do you defeat a Russian bear?
• What did Curly say to the city slicker?

Tune in now!

Links & References:

• The Russian Bear
• That bear's downfall
• A Study on the Sardinia island Blue Zone
• The Secret of Life