In this conversation on Compassion & Courage, Marcus interviews Nicole Brackett, a nurse and Army veteran, about compassionate care for aging populations, dementia, and the importance of person-centered support at home. They explore strategies for aging in place, caregiver well-being, and innovative approaches in home care.

Resources for you:

• More communication tips and resources for how to cultivate compassion: https://marcusengel.com/freeresources/
• Connect with Marcus on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcusengel/
• Learn more about Marcus’ Books: https://marcusengel.com/store/
• Learn More about Homewatch CareGivers: https://www.homewatchcaregivers.com
• Learn More about DAA Now: https://www.DAANow.org
• Subscribe to our podcast through Apple: https://bit.ly/MarcusEngelPodcast
• Subscribe to our podcast through YouTube: https://bit.ly/Youtube-MarcusEngelPodcast

About Nicole Brackett, LPN:

Nicole is a U.S. Army veteran with a nursing career spanning over 34 years, specializing in Alzheimer's and dementia care. She co-developed the Homewatch CareGivers Certified Dementia Care Specialist Training Program with Dr. Al Power, a noted geriatrician, author, and dementia care expert. A Certified Eden Educator, Nicole is part of a global movement transforming the culture of care. She actively participates in the Dementia Alliance Optimizing Well-being Committee and its subcommittees, championing initiatives for people living with dementia. Nicole is passionate about training and development to enhance quality care for individuals receiving care in their homes.

Date: 4/6/2026

Name of show: Compassion & Courage: Conversations in Healthcare

Episode number and title: Episode 180 – The Future of Aging in Place: Compassionate Care Strategies with Nicole Brackett, LPN

In this conversation on Compassion & Courage, Dr. Brian Bausano shares his journey to becoming an emergency medicine physician, highlighting the emotional challenges and the importance of teamwork and compassion in healthcare. He discusses the pivotal moments that shaped his career, the necessity of building a purpose-driven team, and the coping strategies that help healthcare professionals manage the emotional toll of their work. Dr. Bausano emphasizes the human element in patient care and the role of faith in providing comfort to patients during their most vulnerable moments. Join us in trying to keep clinicians in the field and taking care of themselves and others.

Resources for you:

• More communication tips and resources for how to cultivate compassion: https://marcusengel.com/freeresources/
• Connect with Marcus on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcusengel/
• Connect with Dr. Brian Bausano on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bbausano
• Learn more about Marcus’ Books: https://marcusengel.com/store/
• Subscribe to our podcast through Apple: https://bit.ly/MarcusEngelPodcast
• Subscribe to our podcast through YouTube: https://bit.ly/Youtube-MarcusEngelPodcast

About Brian Bausano, MD, MBA:

Brian Bausano, MD, MBA is a Professor of Emergency Medicine and Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs at Washington University School of Medicine, where he oversees clinical operations across six emergency departments serving more than 255,000 patients annually. With dual expertise in medicine and business—holding an MBA from Washington University's Olin Business School—he brings a unique lens to the intersection of operational excellence and patient-centered care. The first half of Brian's career was dedicated to educating an entire generation of emergency medicine physicians. He founded the Healthcare Administration Leadership & Management (HALM) Fellowship to develop the next generation of physician leaders and serves as Immediate Past President of the Missouri Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians. Everything Brian does is driven by a singular higher purpose: connecting people to their health, their happiness, and each other. His work proves that operational rigor and empathy aren't competing priorities but reinforcing ones—that building better systems is how we build better human connections. For Brian, emergency medicine isn't just about saving lives in critical moments; it's about creating environments where patients feel seen, teams feel supported, and compassion operates at scale.

Date: 3/9/2026

Name of show: Compassion & Courage: Conversations in Healthcare

Episode number and title: Episode 179 – Building Purpose-Driven Teams in Healthcare with Brian Bausano, MD, MBA

In this episode of Compassion & Courage, Marcus Engel interviews Dr. Toby Campbell, a palliative care physician, discussing the importance of compassionate communication in healthcare. They explore the role of palliative care, the significance of building rapport with patients, and the impact of narrative medicine. Dr. Campbell shares insights on effectively communicating bad news, the necessity of presence in difficult conversations, and coping mechanisms for healthcare professionals. The conversation also highlights the value of curiosity in understanding patients and introduces Dr. Campbell's podcast, 'Extraordinary Conversations,' which delves into the complexities of organ donation and transplantation.

Resources for you:

• More communication tips and resources for how to cultivate compassion: https://marcusengel.com/freeresources/
• Connect with Marcus on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcusengel/
• Connect with Dr. Campbell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toby-campbell-md-ms-faahpm-0b372821b/
• Learn more about Extraordinary Conversations Podcasts: https://www.extraordinaryconversationspodcast.com
• Learn more about Palliatively Speaking: https://www.palliativelyspeaking.com
• Learn more about Marcus’ Books: https://marcusengel.com/store/
• Subscribe to our podcast through Apple: https://bit.ly/MarcusEngelPodcast
• Subscribe to our podcast through YouTube: https://bit.ly/Youtube-MarcusEngelPodcast

About Toby Campbell MD, MS, FAAHPM:

I am an experienced, compassionate, visionary healthcare leader focused on enhancing the patient experience with healthcare by ensuring that the care delivered is aligned with their values and preferences while contributing to a goal of delivering the highest quality care. My backgrounds in cognitive science and theater, medical research, internal medicine, medical oncology, and palliative care combine to allow me to be a creative thinker, innovator, and problem solver in complex and matrixed systems. I am driven to bring value to healthcare workers and patients while maximizing value to all the stakeholders in the healthcare system.

Date: 2/9/2026

Name of show: Compassion & Courage: Conversations in Healthcare

Episode number and title: Episode 178 - The Art of Compassionate Communication in Healthcare