Bridge the Gap: The Senior Living Podcast

Employee retention remains one of the most pressing challenges in senior living, but according to The Queen of Retention , Cara Silletto, the problem isn’t that “nobody wants to work anymore.” In this episode of Bridge the Gap, Josh Crisp and Lucas McCurdy welcome Cara back to unpack why retention failures are often rooted in leadership, culture, and outdated assumptions. Cara introduces her Emplo...

In this episode, Josh and Lucas sit down with returning guest Arick Morton , CEO of NIC MAP Arick shares key takeaways from his conference session, including the widening mismatch between senior housing supply and demand, rising occupancy across nearly every market, and what these trends mean for life plan and nonprofit communities. In this episode, we cover: Senior housing occupancy approaching t...

In this special Christmas episode closing out Season 8 of Bridge the Gap , Josh and Lucas reflect on eight years of conversations that have helped shape the senior living industry. From humble beginnings to nearly 600 episodes and millions of impressions, they look back on the relationships, stories, and mission that continue to drive the platform forward. In this episode, we discuss: The missiona...

In this episode of Bridge the Gap , Josh and Lucas sit down with Ashley Luchsinger of Aline at the LeadingAge conference in Boston to explore how AI and CRM innovation are reshaping senior living sales and operations. Ashley shares insights into Aline’s evolving mission of “elevating aging,” driven by new leadership, a renewed focus on customer alignment, and the launch of a customer advisory boar...

This week on Bridge the Gap, Josh and Lucas sit down with Traci Bild, Chief Visionary Officer at Bild & Co . Traci shares actionable insights on how senior living operators can redefine sales, optimize marketing, and fill communities faster with a segmented approach. Learn why the traditional salesperson role may be disappearing, how to manage leads efficiently, reduce burnout, and leverage te...

In this episode of Bridge the Gap , we sit down with returning guest and industry leader Heather Tussing, President of The Aspenwood Company, to explore what it takes to build thriving, scalable, luxury senior living communities. Heather shares updates from her three-year leadership journey: from launching successful urban infill developments in Nashville and Charlotte to expanding through acquisi...

This week, Josh and Lucas sit down with Lina Ren , an emerging leader in senior living whose journey into the industry has moved at remarkable speed. Lina shares how her graduate studies at USC, a personal family experience with dementia, and a pivotal scholarship opportunity through NIC opened doors she didn’t even realize existed, ultimately connecting her with Cima Senior Living, where she now...

In this episode of Bridge the Gap , Josh and Lucas sit down with Jessica Wesley, Head of Vayyar Care North America, to explore how technology is transforming senior living. She discusses the evolution of senior care expectations, why technology has shifted from a “nice to have” to a “must have,” and how Vayyar’s sensor-based platform helps communities improve care outcomes, support staff, drive ce...

In this episode, we sit down with Josh Studzinski , Chief Growth Officer at CarePredict , to explore how data-driven technology and AI are reshaping the senior living industry. We discuss how operators can evaluate, implement, and measure the ROI of technology solutions—and why success starts with aligning organizational goals from the top down. In this episode, we cover: Defining ROI and aligning...

This week, we welcome back returning guest David Schless, President of ASHA, to preview the 2026 ASHA Annual Meeting, taking place January 26–28 at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix. As ASHA celebrates 35 years of shaping the senior housing industry, David shares what members can expect from this milestone event You will get an exclusive look at: The economic outlook and what’s driving optimism acro...

In this episode of Bridge the Gap, BTG Ambassador and FSLA Board Member Damon Thomas , Senior VP of Operations at Providence Senior Living , joins the show. Damon shares practical insights on smooth senior living operations, leadership evolution, and the importance of culture in smaller, regional organizations. From his “daily alignment” meetings to managing the ever-present “top ten” list, Damon...

This week, we’re sitting down with Kelly Arduino and Brandon Christopherson of Wipfli , a leading accounting and consulting firm, to discuss growth strategies and the latest market updates. Together, they unpack how today’s market forces like tariffs, interest rates, and tax reforms are influencing M&A in senior living. Produced by Solinity Marketing . Sponsored by  Aline , NIC MAP , Proc...

Senior housing is evolving, and data is leading the way. In this episode, Arick Morton and Kyle Gardner of NIC MAP Vision join the show to unpack the most pressing trends shaping senior living, from record-high demand and limited supply to how AI and analytics are transforming investment and operational strategies. Discover how NIC MAP’s newest innovation, Rate Intelligence, is empowering operator...

Finding the right senior living community can be overwhelming for families and challenging for operators. In this episode of Bridge the Gap, returning guest David Hopkins , owner of Assisted Living Locators, shares how his placement services approach connects seniors with communities that truly fit their needs, builds trust between families and operators, and streamlines the decision-making proces...

In this episode of Bridge the Gap, Bryce Robinson , Regional Vice President at Agewell Solvere Living, comes to the table to explore the critical role regional leaders play in senior living communities. Bryce shares his career journey, insights on managing multiple communities, and how he bridges the gap between corporate strategy and frontline teams. Also, hear advice for young aspiring industry...

In this episode of Bridge the Gap, Josh and Lucas welcome Jaime Ojeda of Eldermark, and Shawn Lane of LivTech for a conversation about the evolving role of technology in senior living. They share why communities don’t just need technology, they need trusted partners who listen, build collaboratively, and stay committed long-term. Plus, a 30-year legacy of innovation at Eldermark is merging with Li...

From hospice nurse to Chief Nursing Officer, Erin Shadbolt , CEO of Ascension Living, discusses the importance of helping families understand the benefits of moving into senior living prior to a health need. Erin shares her unique journey from nurse and hospice caregiver to senior living executive, and the surprising lessons she’s learned along the way. From bridging gaps in the healthcare continu...

George Netscher , Founder and CEO of SafelyYou, dives into the launch of SafelyYou Halo™ , the all-in-one AI operational platform that’s transforming care in Assisted Living and Memory Care communities. As the senior living industry faces growing demand, rising acuity levels, and severe staffing shortages, operators are being asked to do more with less, while improving outcomes for residents and e...

Tune in to catch returning guest, Evan Friedkin , of Roobrik by Aline, to explore how integrated technology is transforming the way senior living communities connect with prospective residents and families. Evan shares how the merger of Roobrik and Aline continues to help sales teams have better, more meaningful conversations while reducing the time it takes to convert leads. Sponsored by  Al...

Collaboration inspires innovation, and when operators like Matt Rezkalla , Managing Director at Agemark Senior Living, join industry leaders at the NHI Symposium, there are plenty of new ideas to come. Hear his story of breaking into the industry and why he chooses to stay and innovate on this episode of Bridge the Gap. This episode was recorded at the NHI Music City Symposium.  Hear Agemark’...

With decades of experience in senior living, Greg Roderick , CEO of Frontier Senior Living, joins the show to discuss the industry’s comeback from COVID-19 and the future benefits of value-based care. From repurposing buildings to new development, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Sponsored by  Aline , NIC MAP , Procare HR , Sage , Hamilton CapTel , Service Master , The Bridge Gr...

The NIC Fall Conference is headed to Austin, Texas, and Amy Peters , VP of Conferences, Meetings & Events, is here to share insights, session details, and an agenda preview. Plus, a special announcement from Amy you won’t want to miss. Produced by Solinity Marketing . Sponsored by  Aline , NIC MAP , Procare HR , Sage , Hamilton CapTel , Service Master , The Bridge Group Construction and S...

Returning guest, Chief Operating Officer of NIC MAP, Kyle Gardner , shares details from NIC MAP’s 2Q report and what they mean for the future of senior living. Hear takes from the entire table as they talk through the data and how it impacts different areas of the industry. Sponsored by  Aline , NIC MAP , Procare HR , Sage , Hamilton CapTel , Service Master , The Bridge Group Construction and...

How does hospitality affect every interaction we have with residents? Tune in to hear Frederick Zarrilli , President and CEO of Senior Living Hospitality , give us the answer. From storytelling to paying attention to the little things, this episode is full of practical insights. Produced by Solinity Marketing . This episode was recorded at the NHI Music City Symposium. Sponsored by  Aline , N...

Join Robb Chapin , Co-Founder of Channel Marker Advisors , as he joins the show to give us a play-by-play breakdown of senior living. Hear incredible insights from an industry veteran on the current state of senior living and the direction we’re headed. Hear everything from new projects to how operators can pivot to thrive. This episode was recorded at the NHI Symposium.  Produced by Solinity...