The Senior Scoop

In this special Mother’s Day episode of The Senior Scoop , hosts Deborah and Kelsey Samuel welcome Rebecca Anderson , CEO of Ganna Walska Lotusland , for an inspiring conversation about one of Santa Barbara’s most treasured botanical gardens. Rebecca shares her journey from nonprofit fundraising to leading Lotusland, reflecting on the importance of community, philanthropy, and preserving a place w...

In this special Mother’s Day episode of The Senior Scoop , hosts Deborah and Kelsey Samuel welcome Scot Pipkin , Director of Education and Engagement at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. Together, they explore the connection between nurturing families and nurturing the environment, discussing how native plants support biodiversity, strengthen local ecosystems, and create meaningful opportunities f...

In this episode of The Senior Scoop , hosts Deborah and Kelsey Samuel welcome Lisa Pahl , hospice social worker, palliative care expert, and creator of The Death Deck . Drawing from nearly two decades of hospice work, Lisa explains how difficult conversations around death, caregiving, and end-of-life wishes can become easier when approached with openness, curiosity, and even humor. Through interac...

In this episode of The Senior Scoop, hosts Deborah and Kelsey Samuel welcome Brad Tisdale, independent insurance expert and long-term care specialist, for a practical and eye-opening conversation about long-term care planning, wealth protection, and preparing families for unexpected health events. With more than 28 years of experience helping families navigate long-term care insurance, Brad explai...

In this fascinating episode of The Senior Scoop, hosts Deborah and Kelsey Samuel sit down with Dr. Joel Rothman, Distinguished Professor at UCSB and Director of the Center for Aging and Longevity Studies, to explore the cutting-edge science behind aging, longevity, and the future of human health. Dr. Rothman explains how researchers are shifting the focus away from simply extending lifespan and to...

In this episode of The Senior Scoop , hosts Deborah and Kelsey Samuel welcome Rabbi Maddy Anderson for a meaningful and deeply human conversation about grief, community, and how we support one another through life’s most difficult transitions. Rabbi Anderson shares how pastoral care extends far beyond the individual, offering support not just to the person who is ill, but to their entire family an...

In this compassionate episode of The Senior Scoop , hosts Deborah and Kelsey Samuel speak with Jill McClennen , a certified death doula and celebrant who supports people and families through life’s final chapters. Jill shares the personal story that led her into this work, what death doulas actually do, and how simple acts of presence, conversation and ritual can transform both dying and grieving....

In this episode of The Senior Scoop , hosts Deborah and Kelsey Samuel welcome Alfred Pomerleau , practitioner of Asian medicine and founder of Ascending Health and Ah Juice. With decades of experience in acupuncture, herbal medicine, and nutrition, Alfred shares how natural medicine focuses on supporting the body’s innate ability to heal rather than simply masking symptoms. He explains how Asian m...

In this episode of The Senior Scoop , hosts Deborah and Kelsey Samuel welcome Julianna Malis , attorney and founder of Santa Barbara Estate Planning and Elder Law, for a comprehensive and compassionate conversation about estate planning, elder law, and long-term care preparation. Julianna shares how her personal life experiences shaped her career and explains why estate planning is not a one-time...

In this episode of The Senior Scoop , we welcome Peggy Renker and Katerina Marcellin , two of Santa Barbara’s most trusted senior living consultants, for an in-depth conversation about senior housing, care options, and proactive planning. Together, they explain how families can navigate assisted living, memory care, six-bed residential homes, and continuing care retirement communities without wait...

In this episode of The Senior Scoop , hosts Deborah and Kelsey welcome Dr. Stella Wuttke , a specialist in integrative and energetic healing. Together, they explore how sound, vibration, and intention can influence the body’s ability to relax, restore balance, and support overall well-being. Dr. Wuttke explains how sound therapy works, the role of frequency and resonance, and why each individual r...

In this episode of The Senior Scoop , hosts Deborah and Kelsey Samuel sit down with Marty Wuttke to explore how the brain responds to feedback, attention, and repetition — and how learning does not stop with age. Rather than framing the brain as something fixed, this conversation focuses on how the brain adapts based on the information it receives. Marty explains how feedback helps the brain recog...

In this episode of The Senior Scoop , hosts Deborah and Kelsey Samuel sit down with Dhara Solanki , founder of the Pelvic Health Center of Santa Barbara, to explore a topic that influences far more of daily life than most people realize: pelvic health . Through honest conversation and patient stories, Dhara explains how pelvic discomfort affects mobility, posture, digestion, continence, and overal...

In this uplifting episode of The Senior Scoop , hosts Deborah and Kelsey Samuel sit down with two Santa Barbara fitness experts who help seniors stay strong, mobile, and confident at any age. First, Justin Randolph , founder of Sol Seek Yoga , shares how yoga, mindful breathing, and gentle movement improve bone strength, mobility, and pain relief — even for beginners. Then, Natasha Caleel , owner...

In this deeply meaningful episode of The Senior Scoop , hosts Deborah and Kelsey Samuel talk with Maritza Torres-Benitez , Bilingual Community Liaison at Hospice of Santa Barbara . Together, they explore how honest conversations about advance care planning can bring peace, clarity, and empowerment to families at every stage of life. Maritza shares how Hospice of Santa Barbara provides free bilingu...

From bladder leaks to confidence and strength — this week’s episode of The Senior Scoop tackles one of the most misunderstood topics in senior wellness: pelvic health . Hosts Deborah and Kelsey Samuel sit down with Natalie Hickenbotham , licensed physical therapist and pelvic floor specialist at Heart of Gold Physical Therapy , to discuss how awareness, movement, and small daily habits can make a...

From menopause to regenerative medicine, this episode of The Senior Scoop explores how women can thrive at every stage of aging. Host Deborah Samuel and co-host Kelsey Samuel sit down with Dr. Duncan Turner, one of Santa Barbara’s leading OB/GYNs, to discuss how hormonal balance, pelvic health, and lifestyle choices shape long-term well-being. 🌿 Whether you’re navigating menopause, supporting a l...

From inspiring young musicians to revitalizing Santa Barbara’s arts scene, this episode of The Senior Scoop dives into the incredible story of the Music Academy of the West . Host Deborah Samuel and co-host Kelsey Samuel sit down with Jill Rode , Director of Philanthropy, to explore the Academy’s legacy, free youth programs, and exciting new developments in local music education. 🎶 Whether you’re...

In this episode of The Senior Scoop , hosts Deborah and Kelsey Samuel welcome Cyndi Silverman , CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara, for a heartfelt conversation on community, culture, and care. Cyndi shares the inspiring programs the Federation leads, from Etty’s Deli and J Café to “Random Acts of Challah,” Caring Visitors, and the powerful Portraits of Survival Holocaust educat...

In this insightful episode of The Senior Scoop , hosts Deborah and Kelsey Samuel of SB SOS sit down with Michael T. Daly, Chief Deputy at the Santa Barbara County Assessor’s Office, to break down the complexities of Proposition 19 . This law significantly impacts property taxes, intergenerational property transfers , and downsizing for seniors in California. Michael explains key aspects of Prop 19...

In this video of The Senior Scoop , meet your hosts Deborah and Kelsey Samuel , the passionate duo behind SB SOS . Discover how their unique life journeys—from aviation and corporate Australia to construction and event planning—shaped their mission to provide personalized downsizing, estate sales, and real estate services to seniors in Santa Barbara. Get a behind-the-scenes look at how SB SOS bega...

In this episode of The Senior Scoop , Deborah sits down with Jon McCuskey of Prosperity Mortgage to demystify the mortgage process for seniors navigating home transitions in Santa Barbara. Whether you're downsizing, moving to a senior living community, or needing to access equity without selling your home, this conversation is packed with insights tailored to your needs. Jon shares expert advice o...

Selling a longtime home can be an emotional and complex process, especially for seniors navigating escrow for the first time in decades. In this episode of The Senior Scoop , host Deborah Samuel sits down with Janice Bowie , an escrow expert with nearly 40 years of experience, to break down the escrow process for seniors , key real estate challenges , and how to avoid common pitfalls when selling...

In this introductory episode of The Senior Scoop, meet your hosts Deborah and Kelsey Samuel of SB SOS, Santa Barbara’s trusted senior relocation and real estate team. Learn why they launched this podcast—and how it’s here to help seniors and their families navigate every step of the aging journey. From downsizing and home sales to health, finances, and pets, Deborah and Kelsey will bring on local...