Empowered Elder Podcast

What stories in your family haven’t been told yet? In this episode, Lisa Mars shares how video can become a meaningful way to preserve not just memories, but presence — the voice, personality, and essence of the people we love. For families navigating aging or life transitions, this can be a powerful way to hold onto what matters most. You’ll hear simple ways to begin, even if a loved one feels he...

What does it really look like to support someone you love… without taking away their independence? In Part 2 of this conversation, we explore the balance between care and autonomy — and why advocacy should feel like partnership, not control. This episode helps families better understand how to make thoughtful, informed decisions while still honoring the person at the center of it all. From clarify...

How do you know if you can trust the people helping your family make elder care decisions? In this episode, Certified Senior Advisor Kelly O'Connor breaks down what families should be paying attention to when choosing professional support—from credentials and ethical standards to real-world experience. It’s a conversation that brings clarity to a system that can often feel overwhelming and fra...

Supporting someone with Parkinson’s goes beyond managing symptoms — it involves the entire family. In Episode 16 – Part 2 , Polly Dawkins of the Davis Phinney Foundation continues the conversation with a focus on caregiving, communication, and the importance of building support early. This episode highlights how Parkinson’s often includes symptoms that aren’t immediately visible, and why understan...

A Parkinson’s diagnosis can feel overwhelming — but it doesn’t mean life stops. In Episode 16 – Part 1 , Polly Dawkins, Executive Director of the Davis Phinney Foundation, joins The Empowered Elder Podcast to talk about the foundation’s guiding message: live well today. Rather than focusing only on symptoms or waiting for future treatments, Polly explains how daily habits can support people living...

What happens when technology becomes a barrier to independence? For many older adults, everyday tasks now involve navigating devices, apps, and online systems. When technology doesn’t cooperate, it can lead to frustration, embarrassment, and sometimes avoiding important tasks altogether. In this episode of The Empowered Elder Podcast , hosts Tasha Beckman and Nicole Robilotto speak with Steven Cle...

Downsizing and estate cleanouts are rarely just logistical. They’re layered with memory, responsibility, and often grief. In this episode, Marc Agins, President of Grasons of Southwest Denver, joins Tasha Beckman and Nicole Robilotto to talk honestly about what families experience during estate liquidation. From common misconceptions about value to emotional overwhelm, this conversation brings bot...

What really happens after someone dies — beyond the funeral? For many families, the days and months after a loss also bring confusion, paperwork, unanswered questions, and unexpected responsibility. In this episode, we talk with Kylee Bandy, founder of Afterloss Advisors, about what families actually face after someone dies — and why organization is one of the most loving gifts we can leave behind...

When is the right time to start talking about downsizing or relocating? Most families don’t plan to downsize in the middle of a crisis — but many do. In this episode, we talk with Alex Vaughn of Caring Transitions of North Aurora about what really happens when families wait too long to address relocation, estate cleanouts, or right-sizing decisions. From emotional attachment to physical safety con...

What does it truly mean to thrive later in life—and why does community play such a powerful role? In this episode, hosts Tasha Beckman and Nicole Robilotto are joined by Melissa Clifford and Amy Benedict of iPlace Seniors for a thoughtful conversation about aging with intention, connection, and choice. Together, they explore why waiting for a crisis often limits options and how proactive planning...

Grief is a universal experience — yet it’s often misunderstood, avoided, or carried in isolation. In this episode of the Empowered Elder Podcast, Jennifer Flaum, Executive Director of the HeartLight Center, joins the conversation to reframe how we understand grief, especially as it relates to aging, caregiving, and major life transitions. Jennifer explains why grief isn’t limited to death, how ant...

Dementia doesn’t erase humanity — and connection is still possible. In Episode 9 of the Empowered Elder Podcast , we welcome Cody Kohlhagen , a dementia care professional with over 17 years of experience supporting individuals and families through every stage of dementia. Cody’s journey began in companion care while studying psychology, and evolved into a lifelong calling focused on understanding...

Why Most Families Wait Too Long to Plan for Senior Care? In Episode 8 of The Empowered Elder Podcast , hosts Tasha Beckman and Nicole Robilotto welcome Stacy Hathaway, founder of Family Connection Senior Consulting and Placement. Stacy shares her transition from corporate life into senior care advocacy, inspired by a personal family experience. This episode explores why planning ahead is essential...

What happens when independence doesn’t end because of health — but because transportation disappears? For many aging adults, independence doesn’t end because of declining health — it ends when transportation becomes inaccessible. In this episode of The Empowered Elder Podcast , hosts Tasha Beckman and Nicole Robilotto explore why accessible transportation is a critical — yet often overlooked — com...

We live in a culture that avoids talking about death—but avoiding it doesn’t make it easier on the people we love. In this episode, Jamie Sarche, Director of Preplanning at Feldman Mortuary, joins The Empowered Elder Podcast to explore how end-of-life conversations, funeral preplanning, and meaningful ritual help families replace fear with clarity and navigate grief with intention. Guest: Jamie Sa...

What does it actually take to prepare a state — and its communities — for an aging population? Colorado’s population is aging rapidly — and the way we design our communities, healthcare systems, housing, and workforce will determine how well we all age. In this episode of The Empowered Elder Podcast , we’re joined by Kristine Burrows , Senior Specialist on Aging for the State of Colorado, to explo...

📢📢This version has been superseded by a revised upload. Please watch the updated episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5WI91VwVftzZm1J7ZZLKSU?si=3_ejC9ouQne6bEiqZswu4w What happens when independence doesn’t end because of health — but because transportation disappears? For many aging adults, independence doesn’t end because of declining health — it ends when transportation becomes inacc...

Downsizing isn’t just about clearing clutter — it’s about understanding the stories we tell through the things we keep. It’s about safety, transition, identity, and the tender process of letting go. In this episode of The Empowered Elder Podcast, hosts Tasha Beckman and Nicole Robilotto sit down with senior transition expert Margaret Sunderland, who has spent years helping older adults move, sort,...

Do I need a will or a trust? When should you start estate planning? What happens if you wait too long? In Episode 3 of The Empowered Elder Podcast , hosts Tasha Beckman and Nicole Robilotto sit down with Dan McKenzie , attorney and owner of The McKenzie Law Firm, LLC , to break down estate planning in plain language. This conversation covers the real difference between wills and trusts , the most...

Moving is more than just a checklist — it’s an emotional journey. In this episode of The Empowered Elder Podcast , hosts Tasha Beckman & Nicole Robilotto sit down with Cierra Olmsted & Paige Rabon , co-owners of A Move Handled With Care , to guide families through downsizing for seniors, senior move management, and stress-free relocation . ✅ You’ll learn: How to help aging parents downsiz...

Most families believe reverse mortgages mean “losing the home.” Today, we’re breaking down the truth — clearly, calmly, and without the fear tactics. In this episode of The Empowered Elder Podcast, we sit down with Tim Oddo, a trusted mortgage professional with 20+ years of experience helping seniors protect their financial future. We cover: what a reverse mortgage really is the myths that scare f...

Aging doesn’t come with a manual — but it does come with questions. The Empowered Elder Podcast is here to bring clarity, guidance, and real support for adults and families navigating aging, caregiving, estate planning, and life transitions. We focus on Empowerment through knowledge, preserving Legacy, offering Direction, sharing Education, and connecting you to Resources that truly matter. Each e...