Seniority Authority

As more Americans choose to age at home, home-based support has become essential — but also misunderstood. In this episode, we welcome entrepreneur and caregiving expert Stephen Limpe, founder of CompassCare and co-founder of the new AI caregiving platform WiseBird. Stephen shares the hard-earned lessons he gained through his own medical crises and reveals the hidden complexities of home care: wha...

Palliative care isn’t “giving up”—it’s teaming up. Nurse practitioner Minnie Sabin explains how comfort, clarity, and support can begin from day one of a serious diagnosis—not just at the end. In this conversation, she demystifies palliative care, outlines who can benefit, and shares how early involvement can ease stress for both patients and families. You'll learn how palliative teams coordinate...

I’ve worked with older adults for a long time, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: the hardest conversations are often the most necessary. We plan for weddings, retirements, even vacations—but not for how we want to be cared for when we can’t speak for ourselves.  That’s why I invited Kate DeBartolo, Senior Director at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, to join me for a powerf...

When you think about sunlight, you probably picture warm summer days — not a cutting-edge medical treatment. But as recent research reveals, specific wavelengths of UV light can help calm runaway inflammation, a key driver behind autoimmune diseases. In this conversation, John MacMahon, co-founder of Cytokind and veteran medical device entrepreneur, shares how a dermatology treatment for psoriasis...

I didn’t know what to expect when I showed up to my first Death Over Drinks event. The name alone was enough to stop me in my tracks—equal parts playful and provocative. But what I found that night was something I didn’t even realize I was looking for: real, meaningful connection. We laughed. We cried. We reflected. And we built something that’s in short supply these days—community. In this episod...

Are you completely burned out from caregiving? Do you feel like nobody quite understands what you’re going through? In this heartfelt, wisdom-packed episode, caregiving advocate and author Carol Bradley Bursack joins Cathleen Toomey to talk candidly about the emotional tightrope that family caregivers walk every day. From navigating resistance to preserving dignity, Carol offers gentle, actionable...

What if retirement isn’t the finish line, but a new beginning you haven’t trained for? In this powerful episode, host Cathleen Toomey sits down with Harvard Business School professor emerita Dr. Teresa Amabile to explore the surprising truths behind retirement. Based on a decade of research and 200+ interviews, Dr. Amabile challenges the myth that money and health are all you need for a satisfying...

Is Your Financial Plan Missing Something Big? What if your retirement plan has a blind spot you didn't know existed? In this enlightening episode, host Cathleen Toomey welcomes wealth management experts Tom Sedoric and Casey Snyder of Clove Hitch Advisors to break down the real secrets of retirement success. With decades of experience and national recognition from Forbes, these two know exactly wh...

Fraudsters are getting smarter---and their biggest targets? Older adults. With a staggering $28 billion lost annually to scams, it's time to take action. In this episode, fraud prevention expert Ron Long shares insights on how scammers operate, why elder financial abuse is skyrocketing, and---most importantly---how to stay safe. Ron has spent years working to protect seniors from fraud, from his e...

Are you a people pleaser? Do you find yourself apologizing for things you shouldn’t? Ann Leary, New York Times bestselling author, is here to inspire you to rewrite the script. In her newest collection, I Tried Being Nice , Ann shares witty, insightful essays about overcoming lifelong tendencies to people-please, redefining kindness, and embracing the unapologetic freedom of midlife.  From confron...

The science regarding living longer is no longer just about genes---it's about the choices we make every day. In this episode, host Cathleen Toomey welcomes Maddy Dychtwald, award-winning author, speaker, and co-founder of Age Wave, to discuss her groundbreaking research and insights from her latest book, Ageless Aging: A Woman's Guide to Increasing Healthspan, Brainspan, and Lifespan . Maddy reve...

Aging gracefully means navigating through years of accumulated possessions and deciding what truly matters. But this process can feel completely unmanageable and emotionally overwhelming—deciding what to do with a lifetime of possessions can definitely be complicated. On this episode, we’re joined by Matt Paxton, who you may have seen on the fascinating show Hoarders. He is a decluttering expert,...

Sometimes all you need is a helping hand! Today, we sit down with Felicia Greenfield, an advocate for dementia caregiving support, to delve into the transformative power of mentorship for caregivers. Felicia shares the origin and impact of a pioneering program designed at the Penn Memory Center, which pairs experienced caregivers (mentors) with those newly navigating the caregiving journey (mentee...

In this transformative episode of Seniority Authority, we sit down with Adam Felts, Research Associate at the MIT AgeLab, to dive into the complexities of caregiving in today's aging society. Adam shares invaluable insights from his groundbreaking research on family caregiving, revealing the challenges and triumphs of those caring for older adults. Together, we explore the implications of our long...

Technology can be an incredibly helpful tool as we age, but many older adults don’t take advantage of the new tools we have going for us. Join us in an eye-opening discussion with Lauren Lachs, the visionary behind Wisebird , a website dedicated to enhancing the lives of older adults through digital innovation. Lauren shares her journey from a successful digital marketer to a trailblazer in the ag...

In this compelling episode of Seniority Authority, Cathleen Toomey sits down with Lauri Scharf, a seasoned social worker and Master Trainer with the Benjamin Rose Institute's “We Care Because You Do” program. Lauri delves into the critical and often overlooked aspects of caregiving, shedding light on the immense challenges and pressures that unpaid family caregivers face daily. Lauri shares valuab...

Navigating the later stages of life can be as complex as it is essential. Where does one begin when planning for the golden years? It's not just about finding the right care; it's about understanding the nuances of aging and the healthcare system. On today's episode, Dr. Mark Lachs, a leading gerontologist and author of the book, "What Your Doctor Won't Tell You About Getting Older" , joins us to...

Eldercare is a necessary fact of life for many seniors (and their families), but figuring out where to start can be pretty overwhelming. A Google search for “eldercare near me” is probably not going to cut it—so how do you know where to go? In this must-listen episode of Seniority Authority, we welcome Joy Loverde, a renowned author and authority in the aging industry. As we delve into the essenti...

As the number of individuals grappling with dementia continues to rise globally, understanding and empathizing with their unique challenges has never been more crucial. Join us as we delve deep, exploring strategies, experiences, and the transformative power of genuine connection, and partnering with dementia patients instead of doing things for them. Meet Teepa Snow Renowned as a beacon in the wo...

If you are a woman of a certain age, do you start to feel invisible? Do you sense that people think of you just as an “old person”—as if that were your defining characteristic? If you've experienced this sensation, then boy—do I have a book for you. Join us in this enriching episode where author Colleen Oakley delves into her latest book, "The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise," painting a vi...

Unveiling the secrets to a longer, healthier life has been the life's mission of Dan Buettner, a renowned explorer, journalist, and best-selling author. On this episode of Seniority Authority, we delve deep into Buettner's groundbreaking "Blue Zones Project", which sheds light on the regions across the globe where people live the longest, and the lifestyle choices that contribute to their longevit...

Living a fulfilling, long, happy life is pretty much the number one thing on our wish list, particularly as we get older. But what are some things we can do to get there?  Dr. Roger Landry, a Tufts-Harvard University Decorated Military Veteran and Preventive Medicine Physician who is the President of Masterpiece and author of Live Long Die Short. Dr. Landry discusses how society has traditionally...

In this compelling episode, we delve into the distinct health challenges black Americans face as they age. We’re joined by Dr. Lauren Brown, an assistant professor and gerontologist at San Diego State University School of Public Health.  Dr. Brown discusses her groundbreaking research on this critical issue. Discover the shocking underrepresentation of non-European people in genetic databases and...

Episode 27: Arthur C. Brooks is the Professor of the Practice of Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School and Professor of Management Practice at the Harvard Business School. Before joining the Harvard faculty in July of 2019, he served for ten years as president of the Washington, D.C.-based American Enterprise Institute (AEI), one of the world’s leading think tanks. He is also a columnist...

Engaging in open conversations around death can be unsettling, but it is a reality that we must all confront. In this enlightening episode, Taya Dunn Johnson, a writer, speaker, mother, and recent master's degree graduate in thanatology from Marian University, sheds light on this often avoided subject. Johnson's insights, deeply rooted in her personal experience of losing her young husband to a su...