What if trust in care starts, not with control but with letting it go?
In this episode of The Relational Approach Podcast, Joanna Osborne shares how presence, humility, and emotional clarity help care teams navigate challenging conversations and build lasting trust with families.
Drawing from her years of experience as a Clinical Dietitian and Director of Foodservice at Windsor Elms Village, Joanna offers a thoughtful reframe on the role of support in seniors’ care. She introduces the idea of the “passenger seat approach”– a powerful metaphor for what it means to walk alongside families without trying to steer every decision.
Joanna reflects on how her own approach has evolved over time: from wanting to offer immediate solutions, to learning how to slow down, hold space, and build trust through honest, relational connection. Whether it’s talking through nutrition changes or navigating end-of-life conversations, her calm presence and relational wisdom offer a model for compassionate care.
You’ll hear:
– A powerful “passenger seat” metaphor that reframes family support
– Why letting go of outcomes creates space for deeper connection
– How presence, not pressure opens the door to trust
Tune in for a grounded, compassionate conversation about building trust through care.
About Joanna Osborne:
Joanna Osborne is the Clinical Dietitian and Director of Foodservice at Windsor Elms Village in Nova Scotia. After beginning her career in Human Resources, Joanna made a purposeful shift into healthcare, earning her degree in dietetics from Ryerson University.
She’s deeply influenced by the Eden Alternative philosophy and brings a strong relational lens to everything she does- believing that connection, trust, and compassion are just as essential as clinical skill. In her work with residents, families, and care teams, Joanna embodies the very heart of relational care.
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