Connecting the Dots: Senior Living Success with Matt Reiners

On today’s episode, I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Lois Bowers, the powerhouse editor behind McKnight's Senior Living. We went deep into the McKnight’s Excellence in Technology Awards – the history, the growth, and all the behind-the-scenes action that makes it such a meaningful event in our industry. Lois shared how the awards have evolved over 15 years (yep, 15!), from just a handf...

Welcome back to the series What’s the Yap? With Rachel Keller — the show where we talk about what’s happening in senior living, what’s catching our attention, and what’s worth yapping about. And today, there’s a lot to yap about. Rachel Keller is back with me (yep, first official recurring guest, trophy pending), and we’re diving into our takeaways from the recent Argentum Senior Living Executive...

Today’s episode is equal parts inspiring and appetite-inducing. I’m joined by Matthew Thompson, Chief Culinary Officer at Restaura and probably the only person I’ve met who can pair an MBA with a perfectly executed cashew cheesecake. Matthew’s journey from computer science to culinary leadership in senior living is anything but typical… and that’s what makes this convo so good. We dive into: How a...

In this episode, I sit down with someone who’s quickly become both a friend and an inspiration, Kim Vassenelli, the Director of Sales and Marketing at Park Rose Estates in Syracuse, NY. When Kim took over her role, the community was sitting at 54% occupancy. Fast forward to today, and they’re celebrating a full house—100% occupancy. We dive into how she made that happen, what a day in her life loo...

In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with someone who brings an incredibly refreshing energy to the workplace conversation: Linda Cohen, aka the Kindness Catalyst . Linda’s not only a professional speaker and consultant, but she’s also the author of The Economy of Kindness , a book that I’ve personally loved. We dive into Linda’s powerful story, how a personal loss sparked her journ...

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Kathy Martin, the President and CEO of Glenmeadow, a senior living community that’s doing some pretty incredible things in Longmeadow, Massachusetts. We talk about her unique journey from higher education to senior living and how she’s leveraging the CliftonStrengths framework to lead with purpose and build a values-driven culture at Glenmeadow. Dr. Martin shares...

Today, we’re diving into the good stuff — data, strategy, and what’s actually working in senior living sales right now. I’m joined by Maggie Seybold, VP of Customer Insights at Welcome Home Software, and let me just say... if you’re into nerding out over numbers (or if you just want to move more people in), you’re gonna love this one. We talk about: The biggest sales and marketing trends from 2024...

This episode is pure energyin the best way. I sat down with none other than Christie Freeze (aka See-Freezy if you're feeling funky), who’s not just a video evangelist but a true force in senior living sales and marketing. If there's a way to use video to build trust and turn cold leads into genuine relationships, she’s probably tested it twice, and made it fun while doing it. We dive into Christi...

Today, I’m hanging out with my good friend Bryan Reynolds, a true pro when it comes to content strategy and digital marketing in the senior living world. Bryan’s been in the game for over 12 years, and what I love about him is how he brings heart and storytelling into a space that’s so often overlooked when it comes to digital. In this episode, we dive into Bryan’s unique journey from video produc...

Today’s episode is one I’ve been looking forward to for a long time. I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with the one and only Carrie Alberts , aka Dementia Darling – and let me tell you, she lives up to the name in every way. Carrie’s energy is contagious. From her standout pink hair to her heart for the dementia care community, she’s built a brand and a movement that’s as authentic as it...

In this episode, I’m joined by my good friend Larry Williams from Unlock Health —a guy who’s got more flow (in both hair and ideas) than most of us can handle. Larry’s journey into senior living marketing is a wild ride, from old-school print shops to becoming a digital marketing leader focused on impact over flash. We talk hoops, heart, and how this industry can change lives when we lean into our...

This one was a blast. I got to sit down with Cristy Ballard, the Chief Growth Officer at Solstice Senior Living, and let me tell you, she brings it . Cristy shares her personal story, starting from humble beginnings (we’re talking grocery bagger and lawn care hustle), to becoming a powerhouse CGO in senior living. She’s been through the grind, made the pivots, and now leads with a bigger purpose t...

What makes a truly great Executive Director? In this episode, we sit down with industry executive Dan Wolen to break down what it takes to build and elevate this critical leadership role. We get into the nitty-gritty of: ✅ The key traits that separate a good ED from a great one ✅ How organizations can better support and develop their EDs ✅ The biggest challenges Executive Directors face—and how...

Welcome back to the show! Today, I’m sitting down with someone I’ve known for nearly half my life—Caroline Hourihan, MS, CCC-SLP. Caroline is the Executive Director of Rehabilitation and Home Care Services at Schofield Care, part of the Lineage Care Group, and she’s been making waves in the aging services space. In this episode, we dive into Caroline’s journey from speech-language pathology to lea...

In this episode of Connecting the Dots, host Matt Reiners sits down with Megan Ulrich, Vice President of Marketing & Public Relations at BHI Senior Living, to discuss her remarkable 20-year journey in senior living. What started as a college internship turned into a lifelong passion, shaping her career as a leader in marketing, innovation, and resident engagement. Megan shares how senior livin...

In this episode, I sit down with my friend Mary Gauldin, an absolute powerhouse in the world of memory care, dementia support, and sensory-based learning. With over 20 years of experience in senior living, Mary has dedicated her life to improving the way we engage, support, and care for those living with neurodegenerative diseases. Mary shares her incredible journey—from starting out as a youth mi...

Welcome back to the show! Today, I’m joined by my friend Rachel Keller—VP of Sales at Serviam Care Network, host of Female Friday , co-host of Good Day Senior Living , and the driving force behind the Women in Leadership series. Basically, she wears a LOT of hats, and somehow, she makes it all look easy. In this episode, Rachel shares her journey from broadcast journalism to senior living sales le...

In this episode, I sit down with Kelly Singleton Myers, Founder and Chief Vision Officer at KJB Sales Consulting, to talk about something that doesn’t always get enough attention in sales—empathy and curiosity. Kelly is a powerhouse in the senior living industry. She’s spent decades helping teams rethink the sales process, shifting the focus from “always be closing” to “always be connecting.” She’...

What if senior living felt less like a downgrade… and more like an upgrade? In this episode, I sit down with Lorne Schechter, a veteran in the senior living industry who’s bringing a fresh, luxury-driven approach to how we think about aging. Imagine moving into a sprawling estate, complete with high-end finishes, a world-class culinary experience, and personalized care—that’s the vision Lorne is b...

Welcome back to Connecting the Dots: Senior Living Success ! In this episode, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with my friend and one of the brightest lights in the senior living industry, Amy Silva-Magalhaes, Chief Operating Officer at Bristal Assisted Living. Over the course of our conversation, Amy shares her incredible journey from a hospitality career to becoming a dynamic leader i...

In this podcast episode, I’m joined by the incredible Frances Reaves—elder law attorney, Medicaid specialist, president of Parent Your Parents, and author of the thought-provoking new book, Boomers Booming: How to Thrive After 65 and Have Great Sex. Link to Book Here. Frances brings her sharp wit, personal stories, and unmatched expertise to discuss what it truly means to thrive in your golden yea...

Welcome back to the show! This week, I’m joined by Nicole Belanger, Director of Business Development for Compass Group Canada, 2025 Bridge the Gap ambassador, and all-around rockstar in senior living. Nicole is also a certified DISC consultant, and let me tell you, her passion for understanding human behavior and unlocking better communication is nothing short of contagious. In this episode, Nicol...

What happens when a senior living executive decides to move into a community—not as a leader, but as a resident? In this episode of Connecting the Dots: Senior Living Success , I sit down with Dr. Lisa Ippolito, a seasoned senior living administrator and educator, to unpack the incredible lessons she learned during her four-month experience living in a senior living community. Lisa shares the stor...

Welcome back to another episode of Connecting the Dots: Senior Living Success ! Today, I’m thrilled to be joined by Amy Laughlin, the Director of Resident Engagement at Presbyterian Communities of South Carolina. Amy’s passion for senior living and her innovative approach to resident engagement make her a standout leader in the field. In this episode, we dive deep into Amy’s journey and how she fo...

In this episode I sit down with Benjamin Butler, Vice President of Key Account Development at Aramark SeniorLIFE+, to dive into the world of culinary, environmental services (EVS), and facility solutions in senior living. With nearly two decades of experience in senior living, Ben brings a wealth of knowledge, passion, and a fresh perspective to the conversation. We explore Ben’s incredible journe...