Podcast

In this episode of The Greater Good Podcast, Adept Programs CEO Jake J. Jones and Chief Administrative Officer Emma Cooley talk candidly about leadership, continuous learning, teamwork, and split-second decisions. Jake explains why effective leaders in IDD and human services need curiosity, current knowledge, and talented people around them, then shares the military training story that tested his ability to stay calm and act. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome and getting inside a CEO's mind 01:12 Purpose beyond the CEO role 05:52 How to tell who truly supports you 07:45 Why a CEO still keeps learning 08:33 Leaders do not need every answer 12:30 When a decision becomes life or death 13:00 The live-grenade story 16:21 Stopping traffic to save a dog 18:31 What pressure reveals about your values 23:57 Knowledge, experience, and the skill worth mastering What You'll Learn - Why admitting “I don't know” can be a leadership strength - How changing regulations make continuous learning essential in human services - Why capable teams matter more than one leader having every answer - What high-pressure moments can reveal about judgment, courage, and values When the stakes rise, do you tend to run, freeze, or act? Subscribe to The Greater Good Podcast and join the Adept community for more honest conversations about IDD, human services, leadership, advocacy, and person-centered support. ----------------------------------- 📩 For any questions or inquiries, please reach out to: info@adeptprograms.com 🎥 Be a part of our online community for exclusive content: www.AdeptPrograms.com/community 💬 Follow us on all our platforms: Instagram: www.instagram.com/adeptprograms Facebook: www.facebook.com/adeptprograms LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/adeptprograms/ X: www.x.com/adeptprograms Twitter: www.twitter.com/adeptprograms TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@adeptprograms YouTube: / @adeptprograms

People are harder to manage than money: and in IDD services, that human complexity shapes culture, trust, and care. In this candid episode of The Greater Good Podcast, Adept Programs President and CEO Jake J. Jones answers Emma Cooley's surprise leadership questions about intellectual and developmental disabilities, human services, staff experience, client experience, healthy disagreement, loyalty, performance, and the judgment leaders need when the stakes change fast. Timestamps 00:00 - A surprise leadership Q&A 01:29 - If Adept were a reality show 03:19 - The small habits that test workplace culture 04:46 - The jobs a visionary leader should not own 07:29 - The experience Adept wants to be known for 10:03 - Why people are harder to manage than money 12:37 - When employees should challenge or execute 18:10 - Ego, insecurity, and becoming a leader 24:28 - Respect, loyalty, performance, and trust 28:46 - $1 million, 10 employees, and advice for a new CEO What You'll Learn - Why staff experience and client experience belong in the same leadership conversation - How to create room for healthy challenge without losing decisiveness in a crisis - Why trust can matter more than exceptional performance when building a team - What a new CEO should remember about authority, judgment, and staying grounded ----------------------------------- 📩 For any questions or inquiries, please reach out to: info@adeptprograms.com 🎥 Be a part of our online community for exclusive content: www.AdeptPrograms.com/community 💬 Follow us on all our platforms: Instagram: www.instagram.com/adeptprograms Facebook: www.facebook.com/adeptprograms LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/adeptprograms/ X: www.x.com/adeptprograms Twitter: www.twitter.com/adeptprograms TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@adeptprograms YouTube: / @adeptprograms

What happens when protecting someone starts limiting their right to choose? In this episode of The Greater Good Podcast, Jake J. Jones sits down with Victoria "Vicki" Reed, Adept's client and family advocate, to explore dignity of risk in IDD and human services. They discuss person-centered support, independence, behavior changes in nonverbal people, medical advocacy, provider responsibility, and the leadership culture required to protect both safety and choice. Timestamps 00:00 - Meet Vicki Reed, client and family advocate 02:29 - What dignity means in IDD services 05:19 - Balancing safety with independence 09:52 - Supporting people across levels of need 18:48 - When a nonverbal person's baseline changes 22:04 - Documentation, urgency, and medical advocacy 26:43 - When the hospital refuses to help 35:50 - What the public does not see 39:22 - Compliance versus advocacy 48:36 - If Vicki were CEO: building an advocacy culture What You'll Learn - Why dignity includes privacy, choice, and the opportunity to make mistakes - How teams can respond when behavior may be communicating pain, illness, or distress - Why documentation and escalation are essential when systems resist urgent care - How frontline observation, communication, and leadership develop stronger advocates Where should providers draw the line between duty of care and a person's right to take risks? ----------------------------------- 📩 For any questions or inquiries, please reach out to: info@adeptprograms.com 🎥 Be a part of our online community for exclusive content: www.AdeptPrograms.com/community 💬 Follow us on all our platforms: Instagram: www.instagram.com/adeptprograms Facebook: www.facebook.com/adeptprograms LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/adeptprograms/ X: www.x.com/adeptprograms Twitter: www.twitter.com/adeptprograms TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@adeptprograms YouTube: / @adeptprograms

The IDD field has changed - and yesterday's operating model is no longer enough. In this episode of The Greater Good Podcast, Jake J. Jones and Emma Cooley examine how intellectual and developmental disabilities services have evolved across funding, safeguards, quality expectations, frontline responsibilities, communication, and technology. They explore what best-in-class leadership looks like now, why administration and residential programs can become disconnected, and how real-time information can help human services providers support safer, more person-centered care. Chapters 00:00 Then vs. now in the IDD field 02:45 How funding and provider economics changed 06:09 Evolving service expectations and safeguards 12:45 How frontline responsibilities have shifted 17:24 Why administration and programs become islands 21:41 Real-time data, AI, and proactive support 24:39 What best-in-class means now 30:21 Public trust and the image of human services 34:11 Turning vision into execution What You'll Learn How IDD funding and operating expectations have changed over time Why stronger safeguards, training, and accountability matter for quality care How technology can close communication gaps between frontline programs and administration Why best-in-class performance starts with vision, action, and continuous innovation Where is your organization still relying on yesterday's playbook? Subscribe to The Greater Good Podcast for grounded conversations about IDD, human services, leadership, advocacy, and redefining what good looks like. #Episode33 ----------------------------------- 📩 For any questions or inquiries, please reach out to: info@adeptprograms.com 🎥 Be a part of our online community for exclusive content: www.AdeptPrograms.com/community 💬 Follow us on all our platforms: Instagram: www.instagram.com/adeptprograms Facebook: www.facebook.com/adeptprograms LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/adeptprograms/ X: www.x.com/adeptprograms Twitter: www.twitter.com/adeptprograms TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@adeptprograms YouTube: / @adeptprograms

A leadership title does not create trust. In human services, people follow what they can see, feel, and believe. In Episode 32 of The Greater Good Podcast, Jake J. Jones and Emma Cooley talk about what real leadership looks like inside IDD and human services organizations. Jake shares what he pays attention to when stepping into a new company, why buy-in matters more than authority, how leaders earn trust in the first 30 to 90 days, and why hard conversations, coachability, delegation, and frontline respect shape service quality. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome to The Greater Good Podcast 00:34 Getting inside the mind of a CEO 01:48 Champions, resistors, and earning buy-in 03:36 What not to do in the first 90 days 05:50 What Jake looks for when hiring managers 07:46 Why leaders sometimes have to step in 10:22 When a talented hire is not the right fit 18:55 The hardest leadership conversations 21:22 Advice for leading your first team 29:02 What Adept employees should understand What You'll Learn - Why leadership in IDD and human services depends on trust, not just authority - How a CEO identifies champions, resistors, and early opportunities for impact - What makes someone coachable when hard feedback has to happen - Why best-in-class service starts with culture, consistency, and frontline connection Question for the comments: What earns your trust faster: a leader's title, or the way they show up when the work gets hard? Subscribe for more conversations on IDD, intellectual and developmental disabilities, human services leadership, advocacy, caregivers, providers, guardians, direct support, person-centered care, and community living. ----------------------------------- 📩 For any questions or inquiries, please reach out to: info@adeptprograms.com 🎥 Be a part of our online community for exclusive content: www.AdeptPrograms.com/community 💬 Follow us on all our platforms: Instagram: www.instagram.com/adeptprograms Facebook: www.facebook.com/adeptprograms LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/adeptprograms/ X: www.x.com/adeptprograms Twitter: www.twitter.com/adeptprograms TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@adeptprograms YouTube: / @adeptprograms

What does real advocacy look like when someone in IDD care cannot speak for themselves? In this episode of The Greater Good Podcast, Jake Jones sits down with Victoria "Vicki" Reid, Adept's client and family advocate, to talk about 30 years in intellectual and developmental disabilities, human services, person-centered care, family trust, and the everyday decisions that protect dignity and safety. From individualized outings and personal care details to a hospital moment where speaking up mattered, this conversation shows what quality support can look like on the ground. Timestamps 00:00 - Why advocacy matters 01:07 - Meet Vicki Reed and her 30-year career 02:23 - Seeing ability, dignity, and individuality 03:26 - Haircuts, shopping, camp, and normal life experiences 05:20 - Why individual outings matter 07:45 - How the field made Vicki a stronger advocate 12:04 - Leadership trust and learning on the ground 16:25 - Calling 911 when your judgment says something is wrong 23:10 - The hospital story that could have ended differently 41:22 - Vicki's role as client and family advocate What You'll Learn - Why advocacy at every level matters in IDD and human services - How person-centered care shows up in everyday details, not just policies - What families and guardians should expect from providers when concerns arise - Why direct support experience can shape stronger leadership and judgment ----------------------------------- 📩 For any questions or inquiries, please reach out to: info@adeptprograms.com 🎥 Be a part of our online community for exclusive content: www.AdeptPrograms.com/community 💬 Follow us on all our platforms: Instagram: www.instagram.com/adeptprograms Facebook: www.facebook.com/adeptprograms LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/adeptprograms/ X: www.x.com/adeptprograms Twitter: www.twitter.com/adeptprograms TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@adeptprograms YouTube: / @adeptprograms

Are leaders born, or do they grow into leadership? In this episode of The Greater Good Podcast, Jake Jones and Emma Cooley explore one of leadership's biggest questions: **What matters more—character or capacity?** From confidence and mindset to fear, growth, and stepping into bigger opportunities, this conversation unpacks what it really takes to succeed when you're called to more. If you've ever wondered whether you're ready for the next level, this episode is for you. 🕒 Timestamps: 00:00 – Are You Ready for More? 01:35 – Opportunities Before Confidence 03:45 – Character vs. Capacity 06:20 – Why Character Matters 12:05 – Overcoming Fear & Self-Doubt 20:45 – How Environment Shapes Leaders 29:30 – Compassion vs. Operations 34:00 – Why Growth Requires Discomfort 39:20 – The Power of Buy-In 48:30 – Final Leadership Takeaways 🎯 What You'll Learn ✅ Why character often matters more than talent ✅ How leaders grow through discomfort ✅ The role of mindset in long-term success ✅ Why buy-in is more important than titles ✅ How to know you're ready for more 💬 What matters more for success: Character or Capacity? 📲 Subscribe for more conversations from The Greater Good Podcast. #Leadership #CharacterMatters #LeadershipDevelopment #SuccessMindset #TheGreaterGoodPodcast #ADEPTPrograms ----------------------------------- 📩 For any questions or inquiries, please reach out to: info@adeptprograms.com 🎥 Be a part of our online community for exclusive content: www.AdeptPrograms.com/community 💬 Follow us on all our platforms: Instagram: www.instagram.com/adeptprograms Facebook: www.facebook.com/adeptprograms LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/adeptprograms/ X: www.x.com/adeptprograms Twitter: www.twitter.com/adeptprograms TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@adeptprograms YouTube: / @adeptprograms

Artificial intelligence is changing everything… but can it ever replace real human care? 🤖❤️ In this episode of The Greater Good Podcast, we dive into one of the biggest questions facing the future of disability services, caregiving, and human connection: Can AI replace human care? As technology continues to evolve, AI is becoming more involved in healthcare, disability support, documentation, communication, safety monitoring, scheduling, and independent living tools for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. But while innovation can improve efficiency, there’s one thing technology still struggles to replicate — genuine human connection. This conversation explores the balance between automation and compassion, the future of DSPs and caregiving, and how AI could transform disability services without removing the heart behind the work. 🚀 If you work in leadership, healthcare, human services, nonprofit organizations, caregiving, or the IDD community, this episode will challenge the way you think about the future of care. 🕒 Timestamps: 00:00 – Can AI Really Replace Human Care? 🚨 02:18 – The Future of Disability Services & Technology 05:42 – How AI Could Help People Live More Independently 09:15 – The Role of Human Connection in Caregiving 13:08 – Can Robots Support DSPs and Staff? 17:24 – The Benefits of AI in Human Services 21:06 – What Technology Still Can’t Replace 25:10 – The Ethical Questions Around AI & Care 29:38 – Balancing Innovation With Compassion 34:22 – The Future of Human Services Starts Now 🚀 🎯 What You’ll Learn ✅ How AI is changing disability services and caregiving ✅ The pros and risks of automation in human care ✅ Why human connection still matters in healthcare and IDD support ✅ How technology can improve independence and quality of life ✅ The future of DSPs, staffing, and smart care solutions ✅ Why compassion may always be the missing piece in AI 💬 Drop a comment: Do you think AI could ever fully replace human care? 📲 Subscribe for more real conversations from The Greater Good Podcast 🎧 Powered by ADEPT Programs #ArtificialIntelligence #DisabilityServices #HumanCare #Leadership #AI #HealthcareInnovation #IDD #DSP #HumanServices #TheGreaterGoodPodcast #AdeptPrograms #FutureOfCare #AssistiveTechnology ----------------------------------- 📩 For any questions or inquiries, please reach out to: info@adeptprograms.com 🎥 Be a part of our online community for exclusive content: www.AdeptPrograms.com/community 💬 Follow us on all our platforms: Instagram: www.instagram.com/adeptprograms Facebook: www.facebook.com/adeptprograms LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/adeptprograms/ X: www.x.com/adeptprograms Twitter: www.twitter.com/adeptprograms TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@adeptprograms YouTube: / @adeptprograms

There comes a moment in every leader’s journey where success isn’t about doing more… it’s about becoming someone different. 💭 In this episode of Leadership Unfiltered, we dive into the exact moment that changed everything — when identity, mindset, and leadership had to evolve to reach the next level. Too many leaders try to grow externally without realizing the real shift happens internally. This is the CEO-level truth about identity, growth, and stepping into who you’re actually called to be. 🚀 If you’ve ever felt stuck, plateaued, or like you’re hitting a ceiling… this conversation might be your breakthrough. 🕒 Timestamps: 00:00 – The Moment Everything Changed 🚨 02:10 – Why Identity Matters More Than Strategy 06:45 – The Ceiling Most Leaders Never Break 11:20 – The Internal Shift Before External Growth 15:55 – Letting Go of Your Old Self 20:30 – The Truth About CEO-Level Thinking 25:10 – Why Growth Feels Uncomfortable (and That’s Good) 30:05 – Breaking Out of Limiting Patterns 34:40 – Stepping Into Your Next Identity 39:15 – Final CEO Secrets You Need to Hear 🎯 What You’ll Learn ✅ Why identity is the foundation of real leadership growth ✅ The difference between doing more vs. becoming more ✅ How to recognize when you’ve outgrown your current mindset ✅ Why most leaders stay stuck at the same level ✅ The internal shift required to reach CEO-level thinking ✅ How to step into your next level with confidence 💬 Drop a comment: What’s one identity shift that changed your life? 📲 Subscribe for more real conversations from Leadership Unfiltered 🎧 Powered by The Greater Good Podcast #CEOSecrets #IdentityShift #LeadershipJourney #CareerPivot #GreaterGoodPodcast #ProfessionalGrowth #FromMusicToBusiness #successmindset ----------------------------------- 📩 For any questions or inquiries, please reach out to: info@adeptprograms.com 🎥 Be a part of our online community for exclusive content: www.AdeptPrograms.com/community 💬 Follow us on all our platforms: Instagram: www.instagram.com/adeptprograms Facebook: www.facebook.com/adeptprograms LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/adeptprograms/ X: www.x.com/adeptprograms Twitter: www.twitter.com/adeptprograms TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@adeptprograms YouTube: / @adeptprograms