Tips from Trestle: The Senior Living Food and Hospitality Podcast

In this holiday week re-release, we look back at Aaron's conversation with Christie Freeze from the ALAA Spring Conference. They discuss how video is transforming the senior living industry and explore the power of authentic video in building trust, boosting occupancy, and nurturing resident loyalty. Christie shares actionable strategies for senior living operators, from using evergreen and person...

Discover what placement consultants really see during senior living tours in this revealing conversation with Jenny Skis, founder of Premier Senior Solutions. With 25+ years of healthcare expertise, Jenny exposes critical dining red flags that operators miss—from wrinkled linens to empty dining rooms at mealtime. Learn why authentic resident experiences outperform polished brochures, how storytell...

This special Veterans Day episode of Tips from Trestle features Navy Petty Officer First Class Michael Lammey, who survived a catastrophic boiler explosion aboard the USS Frank Cable that left him with third-degree burns over 48% of his body. After enduring more than 50 surgeries, Michael transformed his life-altering experience into hope through Folds of Honor's Speakers Bureau, sharing his s...

Unlock proven secrets to "Managing from the Middle" in this special episode, recorded live during a recent "Cocktails & Conversations" hosted by Trestle Hospitality. Discover the art of the middle in this insightful episode, as host Aaron Fish welcomes Chrystal Hawley, Regional Director of Operations for Oak Senior Living. Chrystal shares practical strategies for thriving i...

Senior living emergency preparedness expert Kristie Schutt reveals the five critical keys to creating bulletproof emergency preparedness plans for foodservice operations. This essential episode covers comprehensive risk assessment strategies spanning natural disasters, cyber attacks, and human threats. Learn proven techniques for developing emergency policies, staff communication protocols, and Ch...

Senior living emergency preparedness is a topic that always needs a refresher, and we are avoiding the “panic” with expert Kristie Schutt in this week’s episode. Kristie reveals the five critical keys to creating bulletproof emergency preparedness plans for foodservice operations. This essential episode covers comprehensive risk assessment strategies spanning natural disasters, cyber attacks, and...

Join Aaron as he interviews Sara Mitchell, co-founder and president of Solinity Marketing, in this essential re-release examining how senior living communities can leverage culinary programs for enhanced marketing impact. Originally aired February 2025, this episode reveals proven strategies for transforming dining experiences into authentic storytelling opportunities that drive occupancy and resi...

Tune in to discover how community-first leadership transforms organizational culture and drives measurable business results in this episode of Tips from Trestle! Aaron interviews Chris Catania, community leadership expert and author, who reveals how his proven frameworks can help scale authentic connections across multi-location senior living operations. Learn how Fortune 500 companies leverage co...

As we grow and develop, we know we have to crawl be fore we can run. And on this episode of Tips form Trestle, we sprint into the details on how to successfully implement senior living technology with Jenn Kent's proven "crawl, walk, run" methodology. As Director of Project Management at Harmony Senior Services, Jen transformed 45 communities from manual paper processes to seamless d...

On this bright episode of Tips from Trestle, learn how United Group of Companies illuminates active adult living through their trademarked SUN® Program. Join Aaron as he explores resident engagement with VP of Sales Francine Bass and VP of Lifestyle Joanne DiMarco, who reveal how thoughtful programming transforms communities from apartments into thriving lifestyle destinations. Learn how the SUN®...

Ready to explore the OG culinary hack for your kitchen? Discover how speed scratch cooking transforms senior living food service operations with culinary expert Cody Middleton from Ben E Keith Foods. This essential Tips from Trestle episode explores practical solutions for labor challenges, cost management, and food safety in senior living kitchens. Learn why speed scratch techniques help small co...

Discover how exceptional hospitality transforms senior living dining in this essential Tips from Trestle episode. Host Aaron Fish interviews Shawn McGregor, Senior Executive Chef at Healthcare Services Group, who oversees culinary operations for over 2,000 kitchens nationwide. Learn proven strategies for staff training, showtime cooking engagement, and managing dietary restrictions in senior care....

We're bringing back this fan-favorite episode of Tips from Trestle as we're thrilled to announce our exciting new partnership with Zinnia TV! Join Aaron as he sits down with Allyson Schrier, co-founder and president of Zinnia TV, in this transformative conversation about revolutionizing dementia care through innovative streaming technology. Discover how Allyson's personal caregiving journey sparke...

Discover the hidden gaps destroying memory care programs in this essential Tips from Trestle episode featuring Dawn Platt, National Director of Memory Care Programs for Discovery Senior Living. Aaron Fish explores how operators can transform their dementia care approach using data analytics, micro-training strategies, and family engagement techniques across 180+ communities nationwide. Learn why t...

Join Aaron this week as he interviews Bonnie Brindle - "The Anxiety Avenger," on managing anxiety in senior living communities. This essential episode explores practical strategies for helping seniors navigate challenging transitions while supporting overwhelmed caregivers and staff. Brindle, author of "Cracking The Crazy Maker's Code," shares evidence-based techniques for...

According to recent research, social isolation is considered more dangerous than smoking a pack of cigarettes a day. For seniors, social isolation stands out because it amplifies multiple other health risks simultaneously. Unlike single-condition risk factors, social isolation creates a cascade effect that impacts both physical and mental health outcomes. In this compelling episode of Tips from Tr...

This episode of Tips from Trestle is an exploration of emergency preparedness for senior living communities, focusing on food service and disaster planning. Aaron takes over the Ben E Keith studios and welcomes in industry veterans Lenny Raymond and Joyce Lamilla, who share firsthand experiences from Hurricane Katrina and major ice storms, revealing how critical pre-planning, culture, and communic...

Ready to help your senior living community get ahead of the wellness curve? In this lively episode, Aaron sits down with Brenda Davis, a top plant-based dietitian and international speaker, to unpack how plant-powered eating is transforming senior health. Dive into real-life stories of dramatic turnarounds, practical tips for making menus more plant-forward, and actionable advice for culinary team...

Tune in to hear how Presbyterian Homes and Services revolutionized their 47-community senior living operation with point-of-sale technology. Aaron interviews Mary Kieffer, traveling nutrition and culinary director, who shares insider insights on implementing comprehensive POS systems across multiple senior care levels. Learn how integrated technology solutions enhance resident safety through EHR c...

Tips from Trestle sat down this week with Chef Matthew Thompson, Chief Culinary Officer at Restaura , to discuss the creation of new culinary and hospitality standards for senior living communities. Learn about the partnership with the International Council on Active Aging, the five core domains of excellence, and the innovative Plate of Distinction program. Chef Thompson shares insights on culina...

Discover how empathy is transforming leadership in senior living on this episode of Tips from Trestle. Host Aaron Fish welcomes Joseph Cope, “The Empathy Guy,” to break down the actionable CARGO Model for building genuine human connection and accountability in senior living communities. Learn the difference between empathy and sympathy, why empathy is a measurable business skill, and how leaders c...

Come explore the transformative impact of Zinnia TV on dementia care in this episode of Tips from Trestle! Aaron sits down with Allyson Schrier, co-founder and president of Zinnia TV, who shares her deeply personal journey from caregiver to dementia advocate and tech innovator. Learn how Zinnia’s research-driven, plot-free video content is revolutionizing engagement for people living with dementia...

Join Aaron and guest Carrie Aalberts, aka Dementia Darling, for a lively exploration of dementia care through the lens of food, hospitality, and joyful living. Discover how understanding “behaviors” as communication transforms senior dining, why nonverbal cues matter, and how to create truly person-centered environments. Packed with practical tips on reducing overstimulation, designing dignified d...

Discover how senior living dining is being transformed in this episode of Tips from Trestle. Aaron welcomes Liz Oba Killinger, Real Food Mission Ambassador at Thomas Cuisine, to discuss the shift from processed foods to nutrient-dense, scratch-made meals in senior living communities. Liz shares practical strategies for balancing resident preferences with a real food philosophy, engaging both staff...

We kick off our summer season with another great conversation form the ALAA Spring Conference! This week’s episode finds Aaron catching up with Joyce Lamilla, Director of Healthcare and Nutrition Solutions at Ben E Keith Foods, to explore the evolving role of dietitians in senior living food service. Joyce shares her journey from clinical dietitian to distributor, revealing how her team customizes...