Uplift Aging

Amanda is joined by  Nathan Jones and Shelby Rayner of Dash Media (a LeadingAge Texas gold sponsor), a storytelling and social media agency working with aging services providers across the country. Nathan, a former college football coach , found his way into aging services after a sermon about "the dash" on a gravestone representing the life that is lived. Shelby built her career in seni...

Amanda sits down with Christie Hinrichs , President & CEO of Frasier (Boulder, Colorado) and LeadingAge (national) Board Chair . From her first job at 15 in a rural Nebraska nursing home to leading one of the most prominent life plan communities in the country, Christie's career is a masterclass in persistence, purpose, and servant leadership. The conversation covers the thirty years she...

In this episode, Amanda and Mark Lenhard , President & CEO of UMC , continue their discussion recorded at LeadingAge 's Annual Meeting in Boston, MA (November 2025), going deeper into Mark's TEDx Talk, "Re-envisioning Aging Successfully," and what it was like to step onto that stage. They explore the power of storytelling in shaping how we understand and communicate about a...

In this conversation, Amanda and Mark Lenhard , President & CEO of UMC , sit down at LeadingAge 's Annual Meeting in Boston, MA (November 2025) to explore the themes of aging, human connection, and leadership within the context of aging services. They discuss Mark's TEDx Talk, "Re-envisioning Aging Successfully," the importance of living abundantly, the role of relationship...

In this episode, Amanda chats with Darrell D. Jones, Lieutenant General, USAF (Ret) , President and CEO of Blue Skies of Texas in San Antonio, to discuss the pivotal role of reading in shaping effective leadership in aging services. Darrell shares how his passion for reading has shaped his approach to management and decision-making, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning. Darrell offers...

In this episode, Amanda talks with Robin Gonzalez, Director of Resident Health Services & Nurse Navigator at Westminster in Austin, Texas, about the community’s holistic, resident-centered approach to aging services. Robin shares how her social work and nursing background is beneficial in her role as she partners with residents and families to address health and wellness needs with minimal int...

In Episode 5, Amanda interviews Dr. Hayley Moseley , Director of Campus Education , and Brian Parman , Director of The Point & Pavilion from CC Young  in Dallas, Texas, about how the arts inspire ageless creativity. CC Young's Spirit is Ageless Art and Writing Contest is a premier example of a LeadingAge Texas member celebrating the incredible talents of older adults, challenging societal...

Episode 4 features the second part of Amanda's conversation with Gwen Fitzgerald , Director of Public Messaging at LeadingAge (national). They explore how LeadingAge’s Opening Doors to Aging Services initiative is reshaping perceptions about aging services through research and storytelling.  Discover the profound impact on public trust, government support, and personal insights into navigatin...

Episode 3 features two guests to help us highlight careers in aging services for #CareersInAging Month . First, Gwen Fitzgerald , Director of Public Messaging at LeadingAge (national), provides insights into the workforce landscape in aging services and touches on the Opening Doors Initiative . ( psst! get excited because we'll explore this more in an episode next month! ). Then, Rahim Habib...

In Episode 2, host Amanda Wiedenfeld continues her interview with Nicole Gann , MS, SPHR, President & CEO of Juliette Fowler Communities . They discuss the power of words and the importance of continuous personal growth. Nicole shares her unexpected journey into aging services, and the two discuss changing perceptions of aging services and the benefits of living in a community. Nicole shares a...

Welcome to the Uplift Aging Podcast's debut episode! Host Amanda Wiedenfeld and special guest Nicole Gann , MS, SPHR, President & CEO of Juliette Fowler Communities , embark on a powerful conversation about the profound journey of aging.  This episode elevates the conversation on aging by diving into the question, "What is aging, anyway?" and the duo chat about: Aging is more th...

Get ready to Uplift Aging! Our first episode drops January 17 - subscribe now. --- Visit upliftaging.org/episodes for show notes and more information about each episode. Join the movement as we continue to elevate the conversation on aging by visiting upliftaging.org and following us on our socials @upliftaging . --- The Uplift Aging Podcast is a production of LeadingAge Texas .