Candid Care

2025 Pulse Report

Long-term care providers face an ever-evolving landscape of challenges and opportunities, and staying ahead of the curve is critical. In this episode of Candid Care, we’re diving into key insights from M3’s latest Pulse Report, exploring the biggest risks and trends shaping 2025.
 
Hosts Sara Kekula and Talia Pletcher break down the most pressing issues keeping providers up at night—from the growing impact of climate change and cybersecurity threats, to supply chain disruptions and the future of AI in healthcare.
 
If you're looking for insights on what’s ahead—and how to proactively manage risk—this episode is a must-listen. Tune in for a candid conversation on the strategies and solutions that will help you navigate 2025 with confidence.

Captive Conversations

Curious how you can take control of your organization’s insurance costs? In this latest episode of Candid Care, M3’s Brendan Bush breaks down the power of property and casualty captives—an alternative risk financing strategy that puts businesses in the driver’s seat.
We’re talking long-term savings, stronger risk management, and the chance to collaborate with industry peers. But are captives the right fit for your organization? Tune in to find out why more mid-sized providers are exploring this approach and what it could mean for your future.

Strong Brands, Smooth Crises

Discover the vital role PR and communications firms play in shaping strong brands and navigating crises in this episode of Candid Care. Hosts Sara Kekula and Talia Pletcher talk with Lori Richards, CEO of Mueller Communications, who shares actionable strategies for long-term care providers to 'frontload the good'—building proactive plans to define their brand, foster community trust, and highlight the human stories that make their organizations unique.
From understanding crisis severity to training employees at all levels, this episode offers invaluable advice to help your organization respond swiftly and empathetically during challenges. Whether you're enhancing your public presence or safeguarding your brand, this conversation is a must-listen.
 
About Mueller Communications:
Mueller Communications is a full-service PR and marketing agency known for its deep local expertise and strong community ties. The team crafts tailored strategies that drive growth, enhance brand presence, and navigate complex challenges, with a focus on thoughtful, results-driven solutions.
Lori Richards, CEO of Mueller Communications, is a PR professional with over 20 years of experience and a deep commitment to both her work and the Milwaukee community. Lori thrives on tackling challenges, collaborating with her team to develop creative solutions, and sharing impactful stories. She takes pride in leading a team that values excellence, work-life balance, and strong client relationships, believing that personal connections, client service, and hard work are key to success.
 

Addressing Clinical Loss Trends

In this episode of Candid Care, M3’s Sara Kekula and Talia Pletcher discuss clinical loss trends with Lauren Davis, CEO of David Clinical Consulting, to unpack the evolving trends in assisted living and skilled care.
From rising patient acuity to the spike in wound care citations, this episode tackles the real-world challenges providers face today. You’ll discover risk strategies, staffing solutions, and even emerging technologies that are reshaping care delivery. Whether you're looking to improve patient outcomes or streamline your risk management processes, this conversation is packed with expert advice to help you navigate the changes ahead.
Don’t miss out on the practical tips and game-changing strategies that will help future-proof your organization.
 
Please be advised this podcast and the recommendations throughout are not intended as legal advice and should not be used as or relied upon as legal advice. This podcast is for general informational purposes only.

Preparing for a Cybersecurity Incident

Dive into the latest episode of Candid Care, where we tackle the pressing issues of cybersecurity in healthcare with a fresh perspective. Join M3's Sara Kekula and Talia Pletcher as they sit down with Sarah Sargent, an attorney specializing in Data Privacy, Cybersecurity, and Technology at Godfrey & Kahn, to explore why no healthcare organization is immune to cyber threats.
From the rise of ransomware to the importance of an airtight incident response plan, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you stay ahead of the curve. Tune in to learn how to prepare, protect, and future-proof your organization against the evolving landscape of cyber risks. Don’t miss out on the key strategies that could be your game-changer!

Investigation Complexities and How to Prepare

Following M3’s 11th annual Risk and Quality Summit, this episode of Candid Care features hosts Sara Kekula and Talia Pletcher speaking with Ellison Hitt and Pat Sullivan of Siesennop and Sullivan at Law to discuss the complexities of handling investigations involving police and regulatory bodies.
They dive into the ins and outs of dealing with police and regulatory investigations, sharing their insights on the latest trends and the importance of making a great first impression. You’ll hear about strategies for managing these high-pressure situations, from training staff and escalating reports to crafting a positive narrative right from the start. Don’t miss out on these essential tips for navigating the tricky space between healthcare and law enforcement and learn how to strengthen your practice’s resilience.

S1-Ep9: Cybersecurity Strategies Tailored for Senior Living and Social Services Settings

This episode of the Candid Care podcast emphasizes the significance of addressing cyber exposure within the senior living and social services industry. Our guest Matt Thomson, the director of cyber liability at M3, delves into the distinct cyber threats confronting your organization.
Matt leads us through an exploration of the industry's vulnerabilities, ranging from electronic health records to the sophisticated sensors and monitoring systems crucial for delivering high-quality care. Tune in to discover proactive strategies for fortifying your operations and enhancing resilience in the face of cyber incidents.
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Please Note: This podcast and the recommendations throughout are not intended as legal advice and should not be used as or relied upon as legal advice. This podcast is for general informational purposes only.
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Candid Care is hosted by Sara Kekula & Marleah Keuler Grahek and produced by M3 Insurance.

S1-Ep8: Technology for Senior Living & Social Services with Justin Smith of Direct Supply

In this episode of the Candid Care podcast, we explore how technology can help the senior living and social services industry solve for issues like labor shortages and rising costs. Our guest Justin Smith, the senior manager of the innovation and technology group at the Direct Supply Innovation and Technology Center, shares some of latest technology options available to senior living and social services organizations.
Justin guides us through the rapidly progressing world of tech as it pertains to long-term care providers, and talks through change management and successful implementation practices. Tune in to ensure your facility is keeping pace with the future of your industry.
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Please Note: This podcast and the recommendations throughout are not intended as legal advice and should not be used as or relied upon as legal advice. This podcast is for general informational purposes only.
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Candid Care is hosted by Sara Kekula & Marleah Keuler Grahek and produced by M3 Insurance.

S1-E7: Hiring Foreign Workers with Bob Simandl of von Briesen & Roper

In this episode of the Candid Care podcast, we address the pressing issue of workforce shortages in the senior living and social services industry. Our guest Bob Simandl, a shareholder and chair of the labor and employment section at von Briesen & Roper, shares how to approach recruiting foreign workers and caregivers.
Bob guides us through considerations when attracting international talent to the U.S. workforce and emphasizes the potential benefits of outsourcing certain tasks. Discover how to navigate the legal aspects of recruiting foreign workers, and explore the possibilities of expanding your workforce while ensuring compliance with U.S. laws.
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Please Note: This podcast and the recommendations throughout are not intended as legal advice and should not be used as or relied upon as legal advice. This podcast is for general informational purposes only.
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Candid Care is hosted by Sara Kekula & Marleah Keuler Grahek and produced by M3 Insurance.

S1-E6: 10th Annual Healthcare Defense Symposium Recap: Senior Living & Social Services

In this episode of the Candid Care podcast, we share exclusive insights from M3 Insurance’s recent Healthcare Defense Symposium. This symposium brought together healthcare providers, attorneys, and insurance carriers, all with a shared mission to exchange experiences and knowledge aimed at strengthening defense strategies for senior living and social services providers.
M3 host Marleah Keuler Grahek is joined by special guests Crystal Miller from Frontida Assisted Living and Emily Koch from Illuminus as they collectively share a recap and key themes from the day. These include the current landscape of liability claims within the senior living and social services space, provider’s perspective on claims, the latest trends in litigation as presented by defense attorneys, and the role of ESG.
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Please Note: This podcast and the recommendations throughout are not intended as legal advice and should not be used as or relied upon as legal advice. This podcast is for general informational purposes only.
________________________________
Candid Care is hosted by Sara Kekula & Marleah Keuler Grahek and produced by M3 Insurance.