In this episode of A Side of Hope, Melanie sits down with Beth Gallagher, CEO of Life Works in San Diego County. Beth leads an organization committed to providing customized supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities—helping them live in their own homes, shape their own futures, and thrive in community.
Beth shares her journey into leadership, the values that guide her work, and the everyday stories of resilience and possibility that keep her inspired. From navigating challenges to celebrating small victories, this conversation is a reminder that true leadership is about empowering choice and honoring dignity.
Beth Gallagher is the founder and CEO of Life Works, an organization she launched in 2004 to serve people with developmental disabilities who have often been overlooked by traditional systems. Since beginning her career in 1986, Beth has spent more than three decades designing innovative support strategies that highlight individual gifts and create meaningful opportunities for contribution.
Her approach centers on curiosity—asking *“what more is possible?”*—and on collaboration, ensuring that both individuals and communities benefit from inclusion. She co-created the **Liberty Plan**, a facilitation tool for personalized planning, and co-authored *Intentional Teaming: Shifting Organizational Culture*, which explores how to value the unique strengths of direct support professionals.
At the heart of Beth’s mission is a commitment to crafting **customized, fully realized lives—one person at a time**—through partnership, creativity, and respect for every individual’s story.
We’ve all heard the phrase person-centered thinking—maybe in trainings, maybe on forms, maybe in passing. But what if it’s more than a professional concept?
In this solo episode of A Side of Hope, Melanie reflects on her journey in human services and why person-centered thinking is about more than paperwork or compliance. It’s a mindset, a way of honoring people’s stories, and a practice that keeps dignity, choice, and humanity at the center of our work.
For human service professionals, social workers, or anyone entering the field, this episode is both a challenge and an invitation: to make person-centered thinking part of who you are, not just what you do.
Melanie sits down with Joe, co-founder of Choices, to talk about supported living, mentoring new agencies, and his journey from provider to parent. Together, they explore partnership with families, self-determination, and what it means to build a legacy of hope.
Gratitude isn’t just a feel-good idea—it may be one of the most powerful tools we have for resilience. In this solo episode of A Side of Hope, Melanie reflects on how gratitude has profoundly shaped her life, both personally and professionally.
Drawing from positive psychology research and lived experience, she explores how gratitude impacts mental health, reduces stress, and even changes the brain. From regulating cortisol to releasing dopamine and serotonin, gratitude literally rewires us toward greater happiness and strength.
This episode is a reminder that resilience isn’t about pushing through—it’s about pausing, noticing, and choosing thankfulness, even in hard places.
In this episode of A Side of Hope, Melanie reconnects with longtime colleague and keynote speaker Al Condeluci, whose work has inspired the human services field for decades.
Together, they explore a bold idea: that social capital—the relationships, trust, and community that surround us—may matter even more than a formal service plan. Drawing from nearly 25 years of shared experience, they reflect on what truly sustains people: connection, dignity, and belonging.
Bio: Al Condeluci, PhD, is a renowned consultant, public speaker, and thought leader specializing in social capital and community engagement. With over four decades of experience, Dr. Condeluci has dedicated his career to fostering inclusion and strengthening community ties through the power of social capital. He is well-known for his dynamic presentations and workshops that inspire individuals and organizations to build meaningful connections and inclusive communities.
As a seasoned facilitator, Dr. Condeluci has led numerous Retreats and World Café sessions, a conversational process that encourages collaborative dialogue and the sharing of knowledge in large group settings. His expertise in this area has helped countless organizations harness the collective wisdom of their members to drive positive change. Through his consulting practice, Dr. Condeluci continues to guide communities and businesses in creating environments where all people can thrive and contribute. He is associated with the University of Pittsburgh and in 2018 was awarded the “Key to the City of Pittsburgh,” the highest civilian honor given to community leaders.
He can be reached at www.alcondeluci.com
When Melanie first entered the world of human services, she was fueled by passion and a deep desire to help—but she also found herself learning on the fly, making mistakes, and navigating the messiness of working with people. Over time, the work taught her something unexpected: the very people she served became some of her greatest teachers. In this episode, Melanie explores the idea of “invisible privilege”—those everyday freedoms and choices we often don’t notice until we walk beside someone who doesn’t have them. Through touching personal experiences and powerful stories from colleagues, she invites us to shift from “I have to” to “I get to,” embracing a perspective rooted in gratitude, purpose, and the belief that service changes us as much as it changes others.
Melanie Bazile is joined by Zach Anner—writer, comedian, disability advocate, and storyteller—who shares his journey with humor, heart, and deep insight. From the mountain hike where friends carried him on their backs, to the quiet guilt and later clarity that followed, Zach’s reflections remind us that presence is powerful—and sometimes, just showing up is enough.
The conversation explores the tension between labels and humanity, the often-overlooked wisdom of asking someone what kind of life they want to live, and the urgency of authentic disability representation in media. Zach doesn’t just talk about inclusion—he lives it. His message is clear: if we want better stories, we need to stop hosting panels and start hiring disabled people to tell them.
This episode is a call to action and a quiet celebration of what it means to be fully seen.
Show Notes
Zach Anner is a comedian, author, television writer, public speaker, and YouTube personality. He grew up in Buffalo, NY, and somehow remained an optimist despite enduring seven-month winters and watching the Buffalo Bills lose four straight Super Bowls. Zach's YouTube videos have amassed over 100 million views and have helped change the conversation around disability. He is an ambassador for the Cerebral Palsy Foundation and has worked with United Cerebral Palsy’s Wheels for Humanity program to distribute wheelchairs to disadvantaged communities in Nicaragua. He published his memoir If At Birth You Don’t Succeed in 2016, and his work writing for television has been honored with 2017 and 2023 Sentinel Awards for outstanding depictions of people with disabilities on screen. Zach spends most of his spare time in his underwear, thinking about how he can change the world.
In this solo episode, host Melanie Bazile gets personal about her early days in human services—where passion met inexperience, and leadership was full of stumbles, growth, and grit.With honesty and heart, Melanie shares the messy, meaningful journey that led her to this work, and why A Side of Hope was created in the first place. If you're navigating the human services field—whether you're seasoned, new, or somewhere in between—this episode is for you.Because real leadership takes vulnerability. And growth? That’s where grit meets hope.🎧 Listen now and let’s get gritty—together.
"Emotional Intelligence" by Daniel Goleman
https://www.amazon.com/Emotional-Intelligence-10th-Anniversary-Reissue/dp/055338371X
"The Five Dysfunctions of a Team" by Patrick Lencioni
https://www.amazon.com/Five-Dysfunctions-Team-Leadership-Fable/dp/0787960756
"Leaders Eat Last" by Simon Sinek
https://www.amazon.com/Leaders-Eat-Last-Together-Others/dp/1591845327
"No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention" by Reed Hastings and Erin Meyer
https://www.amazon.com/No-Rules-Netflix-Culture-Reinvention/dp/1984877860
"Keep Your Love On" by Danny Silk
https://www.amazon.com/Keep-Your-Love-Danny-Silk/dp/0986381802
With decades of experience in leadership development, Danny has empowered countless leaders to build cultures of trust, accountability, and connection.
As a renowned speaker, author, and consultant, Danny’s unique approach has helped leaders around the world create lasting, transformative change for their teams and communities.
Melanie Bazile is a longtime leader in the human services field, known for blending honesty, grit, and hope. With decades of experience navigating the messiness of people work, she brings sharp insight into leadership, resilience, and systemic change. On A Side of Hope, Melanie explores the real impact of the pandemic on the human services workforce—from burnout to innovation—and invites others to reflect, grow, and lead with purpose. Her passion is empowering fellow professionals to stay grounded, connected, and ready for whatever comes next.
A few years ago, Sarah found herself feeling lost—unsure of her direction or purpose. She had big dreams but wasn’t certain how to bring them to life. That all changed when she discovered techniques that helped her visualize the possibilities ahead. Through that journey, she embraced her identity and realized she was uniquely equipped to fulfill a purpose only she could.
Once she could see her dreams clearly, she set out to achieve them. Today, Sarah is a dedicated school psychologist with over a decade of experience working with thousands of students, families, and educators. Her passion lies in helping others unlock their potential, just as she did for herself.
Buy her children’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Differences-Are-Dynamite-Sarah-Manuel/dp/1736753118/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=sarah+manuel&qid=1618957266&sr=8-1
Are you a visionary or integrator? This assessment can identify this for you: https://rocketfueluniversity.com/quiz/crystallizer-quiz-hs-norandom-privateapp.php
Peter Leidy is a consultant, speaker, teacher, and singer/songwriter with a background in support and inclusion for people with disabilities. He works with families and organizations throughout the US and abroad and frequently speaks at conferences, using humor and music in interactive sessions. Among his passions are inclusion for ALL people, improving workplace communication, building relationships, re-thinking “challenging behavior”, employee support and retention, writing personalized songs, and practicing and teaching mindfulness and stress-reduction. Peter is an associate with A Centre for Conscious Care. He also officiates weddings and other ceremonies. Peter lives in Madison, Wisconsin with his partner, Betsy. www.peterleidy.com
Andy has been a social worker since 2008 after he received his master of Social Work degree from CSU Chico. He worked as a Clinical Social Worker for 4 years specializing in addiction and recovery for adolescent males. He now works as a data specialist at Compass.
He brings an extensive background in evidence-based implementation and research experience. As a PhD candidate, he specialized in implementation science and clinical social work interventions.
He has extensive experience managing federally funded social work training programs. He was a Graduate teaching assistant at the University of South Carolina College of Social Work for 3 years and was a visiting professor at the Austin Peay State University in Tennessee. He completed my PhD dissertation in the fall of 2020.
Show Notes:
Andrew FLAHERTY | University of South Carolina, Columbia | USC | Research profile
In this episode of A Side of Hope, Jenelle shares powerful insights and wisdom drawn from her personal experience receiving Supported Living Services (SLS). Her story is a must-listen for anyone interested in human services or social work. Jenelle opens up about her background, the services she receives, and her dreams for the future, while also reflecting on the role of language, trust, and support in her journey of overcoming past trauma. She offers a unique perspective on what makes an effective social worker or case manager and gives heartfelt advice to aspiring professionals in the field.
Music Credit:
Instrumental beat: “Countdown” | Produced by Jordan Beats
Guest Bio:
Aaron Zint works as as a Payroll Manager by day and an author and coach by night. He has grown up in the Human Services field starting out as a caregiver at the age of 18. Aaron shares about his experience coming into his own as a leader in the field and what it could like to be in a supporting role. You can learn more about Aaron’s coaching business here: https://aaronzint.wixsite.com/website
Show Description and Notes:
Aaron has worked at Compass for 18 years, starting as a young 18-year-old with little experience in human services. He shared memorable stories from his time as a direct care provider, highlighting the humor, patience and empathy required in caregiving roles. Aaron discussed the grit and resilience needed to navigate operational challenges and policy changes, but found hope in seeing his colleagues persevere. A key part of Aaron's story was how the positive culture at Compass allowed him to develop healthy habits and balance his work and personal life, using morning routines, reading and physical activity. Aaron also recommended books related to emotional health, relationships and trauma healing, emphasizing the importance of understanding trauma for empathizing with clients and colleagues. Overall, Aaron provided a nuanced, personal perspective on the rewards and challenges of a long-term career in human services.
References:
"The Connection Codes" - A book that helps people get in touch with their emotions and learn how to use that to connect with others, especially their spouse.
"Boundaries" - A book about relationships.
"The Body Keeps the Score" by Bessel van der Kolk - A book about trauma and the healing of trauma, which Aaron found helpful for understanding why people may have certain behaviors.
Eric is the CEO of Compass, an agency that supports adults with disabilities in California. He joined the mission of Compass when he saw that Sadie’s (his wife) dream would need to be a family affair. He wanted to lend his strength and skills to further the company’s mission and vision. He has the heart to see the staff live their dreams alongside of the clients. Eric holds his BA in Biblical Studies and his MBA from Columbia and Berkeley. Eric’s role is to provide stability to the staff and financial soundness to the organization. Eric and Sadie enjoy all aspects of home and business together in a spirit of true partnership. Eric and Sadie have three children: Trinity, Ryan, and Elayna.
Eric references"10x is easier than 2x" by Dan Sullivan - This book discusses the concept of setting ambitious, "10x" goals rather than more easily achievable "2x" goals in order to drive significant growth and change.
Cassandra works as the program manager of the ILS wing of Compass. She found her home at Compass in 2011 at the ripe ol’ age of 24. She began in the field in SLS, had a baby, was promoted to ILS Coach, had another baby and was promoted to ILS Manager. Her final promotion was not the result of a baby though, it was a result of passionately wanting to spread the magic of Siskiyou County across all counties and asking what more is possible in the years to come. Outside of work, she has the privilege of being a mother to my tribe of 4 incredible children: Hunter, Annalyse, Arianna and Bubba. She is a writer, kindness pollinator, adventure seeking hiker, and fierce advocator.
References
Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
Fear Free and Full of Fire by Jen Hatmaker
Cassandra discusses how the book "Harold and the Purple Crayon" inspired her as a child, as it allowed her to create her own world through writing. She also recommends Jen Hatmaker's book "Fear Free and Full of Fire" as a valuable resource for personal development in the human services field.
Podcast Summary:
Sadie and Melanie shared their insights on navigating leadership transitions within the human services field, emphasizing the critical role of compassion and empathy in effective leadership. They discussed the challenges of moving from hands-on caregiving roles to more strategic positions, all while striving to maintain a culture rooted in compassion and service. They highlighted the importance of a strategic approach in supporting individuals and families, particularly in keeping loved ones at home while prioritizing their own well-being. Additionally, the conversation underscored the significance of hope and connection in the workplace, urging the need to challenge existing belief systems and practices that contribute to a culture of scarcity and mediocrity within the social work industry.
References:
Sadie discussed how her team read and implemented concepts from this book, emphasizing the power of dreams and goal-setting within their organization’s culture.
(No additional notes provided)
Guest Bio:
Sadie Hess founded Compass, a Human Services agency, in 1996 to provide options and support for people with disabilities. She dreams of making a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities across California and beyond. Holding both a BA and MA in psychology, Sadie's role in the organization is to cast a vision for tomorrow while ensuring that clients today are happy, safe, and healthy. Learn more at www.compasscares.com.
I’m Melanie Bazile, a long-time professional in the human services arena. It seems like just yesterday when I was getting my serendipitous start in human services discovering the messiness of working with people. I had a passion and a work ethic but lacked experience and found myself fumbling through many of the challenges I faced, especially in leadership. Years of challenges and learning led to the emergence of hope and grit, paving the way for service greatness. We created A Side of Hope to give you inspiration, tools, and support as you navigate your career in human services. If you are a human service professional, social worker, or one in the making, you’re in the right place friend. Let’s get gritty together with a Side of Hope.
Melanie has worked in the industry for over 30 years in group settings, day programs, and Supported and Independent Living. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Therapeutic Recreation from CSU Sacramento. She is also a 7 Habits of Highly Effective People trainer, Lean Six Sigma certified, and a Person Centered Thinking Skills trainer. She is currently working as the Director of Innovation and Expansion at Compass.
Show Notes: Bricks in Your Backpack Illustration by Dr. John Delony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqEaK0PU0OA
