Ep 1: From Real Estate to Reality: My Journey into Senior Care

In this powerful episode of Moving Mom and Downsizing Dad , host Chris Spade interviews Brent Wakefield , CEO of Meals on Wheels San Diego County , to uncover how this vital organization is doing far more than meal delivery. From personalized nutrition and wellness checks to pet food delivery and life-saving interventions, Meals on Wheels is a lifeline for thousands of seniors and disabled veteran...

If you’ve ever asked, “How can I get my inheritance sooner?” or “Is there any way to access estate equity during probate?”—this episode is for you. In this episode of Moving Mom and Downsizing Dad , I talk with Marc Harris, Esq. , CEO of ProbateCash , about how inheritance advances help adult children and other beneficiaries unlock estate funds before probate is finalized . Marc shares how Probate...

In this inspiring episode of Moving Mom and Downsizing Dad , Chris Spade sits down with Dr. Joseph Casciani — psychologist, author, and founder of the Living to 100 Club. With over 30 years of experience working with older adults, Dr. Joe shares the mindset shifts, resilience strategies, and surprising benefits of aging that can help anyone embrace their “third act” with confidence. From redefinin...

Episode: Caring for a Loved One with Lewy Body Dementia—Medical Cannabis, Safer Homes, Nutrition that Works & Real Self-Care Host: Chris Spade, Moving Mom & Downsizing Dad (Keller Williams Realty • Senior Relocation Specialist) Guest: Diane Chew (“Dementia Coach Diane”) —caregiver, educator, and creator who documents life caring for her husband, Ben, living with Lewy Body dementia. Early s...

How much do you really need to retire comfortably in San Diego? In this episode, I break down the true costs: aging in place, hiring in-home help, moving into independent or assisted living, memory care, and even skilled nursing. We’ll translate monthly bills into a realistic savings target, talk Medicare and Medigap basics, and touch on inflation, taxes, and long-term care insurance. I’m Chris Sp...

This episode is dedicated to my dear friend Ellen, whose unexpected health crisis pulled me into the deep end of elder care, paperwork, housing decisions, and what it really means to “show up” for someone you love. Ellen’s journey is the reason Moving Mom & Downsizing Dad exists. Today I’m sharing what she taught me: act before a crisis, get documents in place, build a care team, and check on...

Ready to sell your parents’ house but feeling overwhelmed? 🎙️ In this episode of Moving Mom and Downsizing Dad , San Diego Realtor & Senior Downsizing Specialist Chris Spade reveals a proven 30-day market-ready checklist that turns a lived-in family home into a buyer magnet. Get budget-smart repair ideas , fast decluttering tactics, easy staging hacks, and show-day logistics—all tailored to se...

Got questions about helping Mom or Dad downsize, dodge probate, or fund retirement without draining savings? In this 20-minute solo episode, host Chris Spade tackles the 10 most-asked listener questions —from when to start “the talk” and which low-cost home fixes boost value, to the real pros and cons of reverse mortgages, 1031 exchanges, and estate-sale survival tips. If you’re a Gen X caregiver...

Avoid Probate Court. Protect Your Family. Start Planning Today. In this special recap episode, estate planning attorney Sandy Isaac returns to break down the biggest myths — and dangers — when it comes to wills, trusts, probate, and incapacity planning. ✔ Why having just a will still sends your family into probate ✔ How long probate actually takes (spoiler: much longer than you think) ✔ The shocki...

Worried your parents’ move could turn into a money pit? Realtor and senior-move specialist Chris Spade reveals the five most expensive mistakes adult children make when helping Mom or Dad downsize—and step-by-step fixes that keep cash (and sanity) in the family. You’ll learn how one skipped five-minute conversation cost a family $12,000 , why early decluttering beats storage fees, and which legal...

Gen Xers, grab a coffee—this one is for you! 🏡 In today’s episode of Moving Mom and Downsizing Dad , host Chris Spade sits down with friend and client Dave McCulloch , who just helped his parents sell their longtime Carlsbad home at 3975 Highland Dr. Dave unpacks the real lessons he learned while downsizing aging parents , from balancing timelines and emotions to tackling paperwork, dumpsters, an...

In this episode of Moving Mom and Downsizing Dad , host Chris Spade interviews Deborah Martin, CEO of ElderHelp San Diego. Deborah shares the organization's mission to help seniors live independently in their homes with dignity and offers insights into key programs like Care Coordination, Senior A GoGo, and volunteer-driven initiatives. If you’re a Gen Xer navigating the complexities of aging...

In this episode of Moving Mom and Downsizing Dad , I sit down with Monica Flynn, a Senior Care Advisor at A Right Place for Seniors in San Diego. Monica shares her deeply personal journey through caregiving and how it led her to help families find the best care options for their aging loved ones. We unpack the emotional side of placing a parent in assisted living, how to prepare financially, what...

In this episode of Moving Mom and Downsizing Dad, host Chris Spade sits down with Karina Rios, Residential Outreach Specialist at St. Paul’s Senior Services, one of San Diego’s most trusted senior living providers. Karina breaks down the different types of senior care—from independent living and assisted living to memory care and skilled nursing—and shares expert tips on what families should look...

In this solo recap episode of Moving Mom and Downsizing Dad , host Chris Spade reflects on the first 16 episodes and the powerful lessons shared by expert guests—from estate planning attorneys and fiduciaries to senior move managers, Medicare specialists, and aging-in-place pros. If you're helping your parents navigate the next chapter—downsizing, moving, or planning for aging—this episode is...

In this episode of Moving Mom and Downsizing Dad , host Chris Spade talks with Jamie Shapiro, founder of Silver Linings Transitions and an A+ accredited senior move manager. Jamie shares how her team supports seniors and their families through right-sizing, emotional transitions, and seamless moves. Learn the difference between traditional movers and certified senior move managers, what really hap...

If the idea of sorting through decades of belongings makes your head spin, hit “play.” In this episode of Moving Mom & Downsizing Dad , Chris Spade sits down with estate-sale pro Rey Ayon, owner of True Heritage Estate Sales , to unpack the emotional and logistical hurdles that come with downsizing a lifetime of memories. Rey explains how to separate sentimental value from market value, why pr...

In this episode of Moving Mom and Downsizing Dad , Chris Spade sits down with Erica Sell, founder of Harmony Home Medical in San Diego, to explore how seniors can safely and stylishly age in place. With nearly two decades of experience in the medical equipment and home accessibility world, Erica shares practical insights into home safety evaluations, trending products like zero-threshold showers a...

In this episode of Moving Mom and Downsizing Dad , Chris Spade sits down with certified estate planning attorney Sandy Isaac to break down everything Gen Xers need to know about helping their parents plan their estates. From the difference between wills and trusts to avoiding probate, understanding power of attorney, and selecting the right trustee, this conversation covers the essentials in plain...

In this episode of Moving Mom and Downsizing Dad , we're joined by Jen and Tori, founders of Sort It Out San Diego—professional organizers who specialize in helping seniors and their families declutter, downsize, and transition with dignity. Whether you're helping a parent move into assisted living, planning for retirement, or just trying to simplify a longtime family home, Jen and Tori sh...

Join Chris Spade of Keller Williams Realty in San Diego as he interviews licensed fiduciary and tax professional, Lacey Italiano. In this enlightening episode, Lacey explains what a fiduciary is, the crucial role fiduciaries play in safeguarding seniors’ finances, and how they help Gen Xers navigate the complexities of caring for aging parents. Discover valuable tips for estate planning, ensuring...

Are you a senior thinking about selling your home? Or are you a Gen Xer helping your aging parents navigate the financial side of downsizing? In this episode of Moving Mom and Downsizing Dad , host Chris Spade sits down with Lacy Italiano, EA , President & CEO of Italiano Tax Solutions, to break down the tax implications of selling a primary residence, capital gains exclusions, and common mist...

Medicare can feel like a mystery, but it doesn’t have to be! In this episode of Moving Mom & Downsizing Dad , host Chris Spade sits down with Medicare insurance broker Esther Sulistio to break down everything you need to know about Medicare, from enrollment deadlines to choosing the right plan. Whether you're helping a parent transition into Medicare or preparing for your own coverage, thi...

Thinking about selling a rental property but don’t want the tax hit? In this episode of Moving Mom & Downsizing Dad , we sit down with Eric Barbarita, Managing Director and Financial Advisor at Bangerter Financial Services, to break down 1031 exchanges and Delaware Statutory Trusts (DSTs)—a powerful and often overlooked strategy for real estate investors looking to defer capital gains taxes an...

Caring for an aging parent or loved one is one of the most selfless yet challenging roles anyone can take on. But while caregivers pour their energy into others, who’s looking out for them? In this episode of Moving Mom & Downsizing Dad , I sit down with Marcie Hanna , a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 25 years of experience helping people navigate stress, anxiety, and the emotional...