Tips from Trestle: The Senior Living Food and Hospitality Podcast

Discover how video is transforming the senior living industry in this latest episode of Tips from Trestle. Aaron sits down with Christie Freeze, senior care guide and video communication expert, to 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 pe...

On this episode of Tips from Trestle, Aaron welcomes Michelle Magner, founder of Inspired Caring, to discuss supporting families through the transition to memory care. Recorded live at the ALAA Spring Conference, Michele draws from her extensive experience as a caregiver and certified dementia practitioner, to share practical strategies for calming the chaos, focusing on the “Three C’s” - curiosit...

This episode of Tips from Trestle features Todd Smith, founder of Odessa Connect, exploring how technology can truly serve seniors in living communities. Smith introduces the concept of "the last five feet" - the critical final step where technology meets the user, often overlooked in design. He discusses Odessa Connects journey to a TV-based solution, emphasizing intuitive interfaces, i...

This episode of Tips from Trestle - recorded live at the ALAA Spring Conference - features risk management expert Steve Growth, who reveals that risk management in senior living is definitely more than just having really good insurance. Steve explains why prioritizing employee safety goes far beyond workers’ compensation-it directly affects staff retention, company culture, resident satisfaction,...

Let’s learn how to create a voice that will resonate with any audience! This episode of "Tips from Trestle" features Dana Weaver, a leadership and communication coach with deep roots in senior living. Dana shares her journey from nursing home administrator to empowering women entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of magnetic leadership—rooted in authentic communication, deep listenin...

Let’s explore the haunted halls of senior dining innovation in this spine-tingling episode of " Tips from Trestle!” Aaron joined by culinary conjurers Jasmine Killebrew & Chad Lauderbaugh, who reveal how The Sharon at South Park summoned a ghost kitchen—Allison’s—to deliver fine dining straight to residents and those lurking on the waitlist. Discover the tricks and treats behind launching...

This episode of  Tips from Trestle finds Aaron connecting with Alexis Baker, a board-certified music therapist and dementia practitioner, about the transformative power of music therapy in senior living communities. Alexis explains how music therapy goes beyond entertainment, using evidence-based methods to enhance cognitive, emotional, and social well-being for seniors, particularly those with de...

In this episode of  Tips from Trestle , Aaron is joined by Dr. Rodney Harrell, Vice President of Family, Home, and Community at AARP, to discuss the seven housing mega trends shaping the future of senior living. From demographic shifts and affordability challenges to the importance of community connections and local government collaboration, Dr. Harrell shares insights on creating inclusive, adapt...

In this episode of Tips from Trestle, Aaron dials up Chris Heinz, President of Westport One, a leader in senior living executive recruitment. With over 27 years of experience, Chris shares invaluable insights on how senior living communities can streamline their hiring process to attract top leadership talent. They discuss the importance of balancing speed and thoroughness in interviews, why a str...

Get ready to vibe out with Gary Solomonson, founder of Virtical Learning Systems, as he shares his far-out insights on creating a community experience in senior living that will definitely pass the “vibe” check. With over 45 years in the industry, Gary breaks down the magic of creating the right “Community Vibe” into his five key touchpoints. He shares a tale of transforming a potential client&#39...

On this week’s Tips from Trestle , Aaron chats with Heather Burns, a seasoned resident engagement professional, to explore innovative strategies for enhancing senior living communities. Heather shares her resident-first philosophy, emphasizing holistic well-being that foster independence and purpose. She highlights the importance of bridging departmental silos, fostering teamwork, and training sta...

This week’s episode of  Tips from Trestle finds Aaron immersing himself into the world of Residential Assisted Living (RAL) with guest Isabelle Guarino, COO of the Residential Assisted Living Academy. Together, they explore how RAL homes offer a unique, personalized alternative to traditional senior living communities by blending residential comfort with professional care. Isabelle shares insights...

In this episode of  Tips from Trestle , Aaron catches up with Sara Mitchell, co-founder and president of Solinity Marketing, to explore how food and hospitality can elevate senior living communities. Sara shares her unique journey from sports reporting to senior living marketing, emphasizing the power of storytelling in connecting with residents and families. They discuss leveraging culinary excel...

This episode of  Tips from Trestle  features Corey Fein, a senior market strategist at Hireology, who shares actionable strategies for improving recruitment and retention in senior living communities. Corey emphasizes applicant-centric hiring practices, the importance of speed in recruitment, and diversifying applicant sources beyond job boards. He introduces the concept of a recruitment marketing...

In this episode of  Tips from Trestle , Aaron reconnects with Paige Hoffman to explore the intersection of sustainability, culture, and innovation in senior living communities. Paige shares her unique five-pillar approach to sustainability, providing us with a more holistic approach to the concept. She emphasizes the importance of balancing immediate operational needs with long-term goals, fosteri...

In this episode of Tips from Trestle, host Aaron Fish explores the transformative power of purpose in senior living and hospitality with Gabrielle Bosche, co-CEO of The Purpose Company. Gabrielle shares her journey to becoming a leader in purpose discovery and explains how aligning personal and organizational purpose can drive culture, retention, and profitability. From defining purpose as “the be...

In this episode of Tips from Trestle, host Aaron Fish kicks off Season 4 with guest Carrie Alberts, aka the Dementia Darling. Fresh from CES 2025, Carrie shares insights on the scope of the conference and some of the groundbreaking age-tech innovations she saw in the AARP AgeTech Collaborative. They discuss how these tools are transforming senior living by enhancing resident experiences and suppor...

In this season finale of  Tips from Trestle , Aaron Fish reflects on an exciting year in senior living, highlighting key episodes that explored everything from AI-powered tools and culinary competitions to emotional intelligence and storytelling strategies. The podcast dives into how DISC assessments and EQ improve team dynamics, the role of technology in enhancing dining experiences, and the powe...

This episode of  Tips from Trestle  dives into the intersection of culinary excellence and senior living, featuring Catie Ramp, CEO of the Georgia Senior Living Association, and Chef Manny, the two-time winner of GSLA’s Culinary Competition. In the first half, Catie highlights the importance of recognizing culinary professionals as key contributors to senior living culture and resident satisfactio...

In this episode of Tips from Trestle , Aaron sits down with Erin Thompson, founder of Aspire for More with Erin and the co-founder of The Mentoring Company, to explore effective leadership strategies in the senior living industry, focused on how she has used the 80/20 principle to create high performing teams. Key takeaways include the importance of building trust, fostering a positive culture, an...

In this episode of Tips from Trestle, Aaron reconnects with Nancy Rhodes from the GFS team at the recent Georgia Senior Living Association Conference. Nancy is a non-commercial business solutions specialist at Gordon Food Service, and a recent guest host on Trestle Tactics. Aaron & Nancy discuss the evolving concept of wellness in senior living communities, emphasizing its six dimensions, and...

This week’s episode is the continuation of our live podcast discussing the value of a point of sale system in your senior living community. Aaron & Matt are chatting with operators Paige Hoffman, Katie Tibbets, & Kim Bendickson on how they are using their point of sales system to not only create revenue opportunities, but how each of them are elevating the resident, guest & family expe...

Recorded live for a select audience, this week’s TFT is the first of a two-part podcast that explores how eMenuChoice, and it’s unique approach to serving senior living, can and does enhance the resident experience. Here in Part 1, Aaron chats with Matt Stenerson and they discuss how the technology improves resident interactions, streamlines dining processes, and captures revenue efficiently. By i...

Recorded live at the recent Georgia Senior Living Association conference, this week’s TFT episode features Nathan Jones, founder of Dash Media, discussing the transformation of senior living perceptions through authentic storytelling and social media. Jones emphasizes the importance of resident-focused content, particularly in showcasing senior living cuisine. He outlines strategies for creating e...

This week’s Tips from Trestle finds Aaron exploring artificial intelligence in senior living Fritz Brumder, CEO of WiseOx. Aaron & Fritz go deep into the transformative potential of AI in senior living. They discuss how AI-powered "mascots" can streamline operations, enhance resident care, and support staff in various roles. The conversation covers the benefits of customized AI assistants, imp...