Roundtable Talk

Finding the right senior living community starts long before someone schedules a tour. In this episode of Varsity's Roundtable Talk, Derek sits down with Brad Breeding, founder of MyLifeSite, author of Your Best Path Forward and a nationally recognized expert on helping older adults and their families navigate senior living decisions. Brad shares why so many families struggle to compare community...

Every one of us is aging, yet most of us think of it as something that happens to other people later in life. In this episode of Varsity's Roundtable Talk, Derek sits down with writer, editor and Oldster founder Sari Botton to explore why growing older is a lifelong experience. Through her writing and community, Botton is helping reshape the conversation around aging by bringing together perspecti...

Fraud has become one of the fastest-growing crimes in America, fueled by AI, stolen data and increasingly sophisticated scams. In this episode of Varsity's Roundtable Talk, Derek talks with Kathy Stokes, director of fraud prevention programs at AARP, and Matt Mizenko, general manager of Nomorobo, about how consumers can stay one step ahead. Together, they discuss why scammers prey on emotion, how...

Music can do more than entertain, it can create connection, reflection and even healing. In this episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, Derek sits down with Stuart Malina, longtime Music Director and Conductor of the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra and Tony Award-winning orchestrator. In their conversation, Derek and Stuart discuss why music often resonates more deeply as we age, how live concerts cr...

The future of senior living may depend less on new buildings and amenities and more on whether the industry is willing to rethink culture, autonomy and the resident experience itself. In this episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, Derek sits down with Steve Moran, founder and publisher of Senior Living Foresight, one of the industry’s most influential media platforms. Known for his candid commentar...

Aging rarely happens the way people expect. It arrives gradually, bringing changes in identity, relationships and perspective that can feel difficult to navigate. In this episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, Derek sits down with bestselling author, cartoonist and former special education teacher J.J. Hubal, whose book Goodbye Old, Hello Bold uses humor and visual storytelling to explore the reali...

Aging has long been framed as a slow narrowing of possibilities, but that perspective is beginning to shift. In this episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, Derek sits down with Colin Milner, founder and CEO of the International Council on Active Aging, whose work has helped redefine aging as a dynamic, engaged and opportunity-filled stage of life. In their conversation, Derek and Colin explore why...

The stage doesn't just reflect life, it reshapes how we see ourselves, each other, and the possibilities that come with every new chapter. In this episode of Varsity's Roundtable Talk, Derek sits down with Jerry Mitchell, two-time Tony Award-winning director and choreographer, whose Broadway credits include Hairspray, Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde, and most recently Boop and The Devil Wears Prada on...

Dementia is often defined by what people lose, but a more helpful question is what abilities remain. In this episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, Derek sits down with Teepa Snow, occupational therapist, educator and founder of Positive Approach to Care, one of the most influential voices in dementia care. Their conversation explores why fear still shapes public perceptions of dementia, how commun...

Clutter isn’t about things, it’s about memory, identity and the fear of being forgotten. In this episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, Derek sits down with Matt Paxton, nationally recognized downsizing expert and longtime host of A&E’s Hoarders, who has spent decades helping families navigate life’s toughest transitions through his company, Clutter Cleaner. Matt shares why possessions feel like pr...