Inspired Caring

Summary Michele welcomes back Jenni Herchenbach of Flourish Collaborative to answer Creighton University students’ questions about end-of-life care, death doulas, and grief. Herchenbach explains how to plan for a personally meaningful death, support families without taking over, and make room for grief and human connection in healthcare and workplaces. Keywords death doula, end-of-life planning, g...

Summary In this episode, Matt Field from Right at Home shares his unique approach to senior care, emphasizing person-centered care, caregiver retention, and proactive planning for dementia. Discover insights on how to support loved ones effectively and compassionately. Keywords senior care, dementia, person-centered care, caregiver retention, home care, aging, family support, healthcare innovation...

Summary In this episode of Inspired Caring, Michele Magner speaks with Kristin Thomas, founder of KindredMind. KindredMind is An AI voice companion that answers phone calls from people living with dementia using familiar voice technology. A clone of their caregiver's voice, plus proactive check-in calls and reminders. It's built around "simulated presence therapy" and "valid...

Summary Loretta Veney put her foot on the gas right off the bat in this episode and will blow your mind with her inspiring stories from her journey of using Lego Serious Play to improve communication and emotional well-being for people living with dementia and caregivers. Discover practical tips, powerful stories, and how this innovative approach is transforming caregiving and mental health suppor...

Summary Michele Magner shares insights on the importance of infrastructure in our personal lives, caregiving, and success. She emphasizes the need to build systems that support us, especially caregivers, to thrive and avoid burnout. keywords infrastructure, caregiving, success, systems, support, wellness, family, resilience, resources, self-care key topics The concept of infrastructure in personal...

Summary In this episode, Donna Kerber, LPN a seasoned wound care nurse specialist, shares insights on wound types, prevention, and care strategies, especially for seniors. Learn how to identify early signs of wounds, proper care techniques, and when to seek professional help to prevent serious complications. Wounds can originate from numerous circumstances and are not necessarily a sign of neglect...

Summary In this episode, Tara Jenkins, a board-certified music therapist, shares her insights on how music can be a powerful tool in dementia care, emotional connection, and caregiver support. Discover practical tips, scientific insights, and personal stories that highlight the transformative power of music. keywords music therapy, dementia care, emotional connection, caregiver support, neuroplast...

Summary Mark Wilson shares his inspiring journey of leaving a successful corporate career to step into the role of caring for his mother living with Alzheimer's. Mark highlights leadership in caregiving, mistakes to avoid, and practical strategies for improving quality of life. This episode offers valuable insights for family caregivers seeking to lead with love, safety, and innovation. keywor...

summary In this episode, Phil Galfond, a three-time World Series of Poker champ, and Michele Magner discuss insights on risk, decision-making, and how lessons from poker can be applied to caregiving and life. They explore the parallels between poker strategies, managing life's uncertainties, luck, emphasizing the importance of trust, self-awareness, and embracing risk. Phil has an important me...

Summary In this inspiring interview, filmmaker Brent Roberts shares his journey from wildly diverse backgrounds to creating a powerful documentary about Alzheimer's disease. The documentary shares the story of Luke, a 50 year old man in Iowa who is the 5th generation in his family to be diagnosed with younger onset Alzheimer's disease. The film focuses on hope, humor, and the importance of...

Summary In this heartfelt interview, Marty Schreiber shares his personal journey caring for his wife Elaine through Alzheimer's, offering invaluable insights on caregiving. He shares new terms he has coined such as "therapeutic fibbing" and "Careheimer's Disease", and shares the important observation that Alzheimer's is not a "chicken casserole disease". D...

Summary In this insightful interview, Eve Rodsky, author and founder of Fair Play, discusses the systemic issues of gendered unpaid labor, caregiving, and how to foster equity in household responsibilities. She shares personal stories, research insights, and practical strategies to empower women and men to create more balanced and fulfilling lives. We dive into Unicorn space where women reclaim th...

Summary In this insightful interview with Bruce Lederman, President and CEO of Charles E. Smith Lifestyle Communities, he shares his extensive experience in senior living, exploring its evolution, current challenges, and future trends, especially focusing on the pivotal year 2026. The discussion covers industry history, policy impacts, generational perspectives, economic factors, innovative care m...

Summary In this insightful interview, Sherri Combs, Founder of Silver Streak Senior Services, shares her journey from the finance industry to senior care resources and advocacy. She discusses the challenges families face in finding trustworthy resources, the importance of community collaboration, and her innovative platform designed to protect seniors from scams while connecting them with vetted l...

Summary Tammy Jensen picks up where she left off from episode 210, sharing her 27 year caregiving journey caring for her daughter and both of her parents. In this episode she shares challenges they've faced, boundaries she is firm on, and the importance of self-care and community support in navigating dementia care. keywords caregiving, dementia, boundaries, self-care, family support, memory c...

Summary - Part 1 In this heartfelt conversation, Tammy Jensen shares her long-term caregiving journey of her daughter who is God's pure love & light and 27 years ago was born with 2 rare syndromes. In recent years, Tammy has also cared for both of her parents, who each lived with different types of dementia. She shares personal stories as she describes caring for each of her beloved family...

Summary In this conversation, Michele Magner interviews Anne Smith, author of 'Gray Divorce, My Life Rewritten.' They discuss the phenomenon of grey divorce, the societal changes affecting women's choices in midlife, and the importance of self-discovery and empowerment. Anne shares her personal journey through divorce, therapy, and finding love again, emphasizing that women deserve hap...

Summary In this conversation, Michele Magner speaks with Aaron Fish, Founder and CEO of Trestle Hospitality, about the evolution of dining experiences in senior living. They discuss Aaron's journey into the industry, the importance of quality and consistency in food service, and the changing expectations of residents, particularly as the baby boomer generation ages. The conversation also touch...

Summary In this conversation, Michele Magner and LeeAnn Marie Webster explore the complex nature of regret, discussing its definitions, emotional impacts, and how it can serve as a tool for personal growth. They delve into the cultural influences on regret, particularly for women, and how societal expectations shape our feelings about life choices. The discussion also covers practical strategies f...

Summary In this episode of Inspired Caring, host Michele Magner engages in a heartfelt conversation with guests Brenda Freed and Alder Allensworth, both experts in music therapy and dementia care. The discussion centers around the challenges faced by families dealing with Alzheimer's disease, particularly how to communicate the complexities of the illness to children. Alder shares her personal...

Summary In this enlightening conversation, Michele Magner speaks with Megan Hale about the unique relationship women have with money and the importance of financial education. They explore Megan's journey in creating Dream Money, a platform designed to empower women to build healthy relationships with their finances. The discussion covers various themes, including the significance of understan...

Summary In this conversation, Debbie Weiss shares her profound journey as a caregiver, starting from her teenage years when she took on the responsibility of caring for her father after his stroke. She discusses the emotional challenges and the evolution of her caregiving roles, including caring for her son with autism and her husband with terminal cancer. Throughout the conversation, Debbie empha...

Summary : In this episode, Michele Magner discusses the complexities of the hospital discharge process with Nurse, Steph Madej. They explore the process of who is involved, what constitutes a safe discharge plan, the role of insurance and Medicare, the importance of family involvement, and the challenges of navigating referrals and resources. They also introduce EverBlessed Nursing and Transport,...

Summary In this conversation, Michele Magner interviews Kelley Brady, a seasoned geriatric nurse, who shares her extensive experience in senior care and the evolution of dementia care practices. They discuss the 4 key 'speeches' she would frequently share with family members, tough conversations, but critical in senior care: 1)the nuances of DNR versus full code decisions 2)the concept of...

Summary In this conversation, Dr. Lindy Fields, a neuropsychologist, discusses the importance of cognitive assessments for individuals experiencing cognitive concerns. The conversation covers various aspects of cognitive health, including the process of getting assessed, the role of neuropsychological testing, the significance of lifestyle changes for brain health, and the impact of stress and car...