Best Smallhouse Podcasts (2025)

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Elder Awesome: Lessons on Saging, Sufficiency, and the Power of Paradigm Shifts 1:15:24

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1d ago1:15:24

1:15:24

This week's replay, one of the most popular episodes of 2025, features a profound conversation between Barry Barkan, visionary eldercare advocate and Pioneer Network co-founder, and AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan. These longtime friends discuss reimagining aging and the transformative potential of community, spirit, and consciousness. Barkan shares his jou…

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The Bold Ideas Behind University Retirement Communities 54:01

8d ago54:01

54:01

As we continue to replay the most popular episodes of 2025, this week's features an insightful interview by AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan as she sits down with senior living innovator Andy Carle, consultant and founder of UniversityRetirementCommunities.com. Andy shares his personal journey into eldercare and the bold moves he's made to elevate the field,…

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Rethinking Eldercare Across America 52:30

15d ago52:30

52:30

This week's episode is a replay of one of the most popular of 2025. It features a conversation with policy experts Joe Angelelli and Anne Montgomery as they discuss the EINSTEIN Option (which is now known as Connected Communities), a collaborative effort of eldercare changemakers dedicated to advancing a comprehensive plan to reimagine the entire c…

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Building Villages to Support Aging in Place 48:09

24d ago48:09

48:09

This week marks our first of four encore episodes this month – the most popular of 2025. As we close out the year, we are happy to present @AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan's interview with Village to VillageNetwork national director Barbara Sullivan. The Village to Village Network works to create durable webs of support in communities all across the country…

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Honoring a Renaissance Woman: Revisiting Our Conversation with Dr. Elders 1:00:17

29d ago1:00:17

1:00:17

This week on Elevate Eldercare is an encore episode with former U.S. Surgeon General and current AgingIN Board Member, Joycelyn Elders, MD. In honor of the Thanksgiving holiday, we thought this very special discussion, in which AgingIN's Susan Ryan and the late Alex Spanko (who served as director of communications from 2021 to 2024) engage Dr. Elde…

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Everyone Matters: The Power of Truly Human Leadership 1:02:42

1M ago1:02:42

1:02:42

In this week's episode of Elevate Eldercare, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan welcomes Bob Chapman, CEO of Barry-Wehmiller and a global ambassador for human-centered leadership. Chapman shares how he transformed a struggling $20 million family business into a thriving $4 billion enterprise by embracing a simple but radical idea: leaders have a profound respo…

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From Farm to Future: A Model for Sustainable, Intergenerational Living 57:47

1M ago57:47

57:47

In this episode, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan welcomes Steve Nygren, visionary founder of Serenbe, a pioneering biophilic community outside Atlanta that blends sustainability, wellness, and human connection. Beginning in 1991 as an impromptu farm purchase, Serenbe has become a decades-long experiment in how people can live harmoniously with nature—and wi…

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Tech, Tales, and the Power of Connection Through Storytelling 47:28

2M ago47:28

47:28

In the realm of storytelling in the senior living field, few come close to what Jack York has done in his decades-long career as a tech entrepreneur and now professional storyteller. In this episode of Elevate Eldercare, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan welcomes Jack, founder of iN2L and co-founder of Talegate, whose journey from Silicon Valley to the world …

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The Power of Stories in Long-Term Care 56:21

2M ago56:21

56:21

In this inspiring episode, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan sits down with Erin Hart and Peter Murphy Lewis, who share how they're transforming perceptions of long-term care through storytelling and authentic human connection. Erin, who has spent 13 years in long-term care and now works with the Ohio Health Care Association, describes how growing up across t…

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Leading With Purpose in Aging Services 40:04

2M ago40:04

40:04

In this episode, Katie Smith Sloan, president and CEO of LeadingAge, sits down with AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan to discuss Katie's remarkable journey from studying political science to shaping the future of eldercare. Drawing on her early work in the U.S. Senate and at AARP, Katie reflects on how policy and program must work hand in hand to create meani…

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Valuing Older Adults Through Intergenerational Connections and Human-Centered Technology 56:19

2M ago56:19

56:19

In this week's episode, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan sits down with Nancy Zionts, chief program officer at the Jewish Healthcare Foundation (JHF). In a wide-ranging discussion, the two talk about the importance of valuing older adults, human-centered technology, and intergenerational connections. Zionts shares insights from a study tour to Japan, where s…

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Living Small, Living Well: The Power of the Household Model 51:22

3M ago51:22

51:22

In this episode, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan sits down with Tamar Krebs, founder of VideriAustralia (formerly Group Homes Australia), to explore her remarkable journey transforming aged care through person-centered, household living. From her early experiences in nursing homes to building 26 small-scale homes across Australia, Tamar shares how her visio…

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Redefining Eldercare: Data, Independence, and the Future of Aging 55:36

3M ago55:36

55:36

In this week's episode, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan sits down with Kristen Parsons, who shares her inspiring journey from pediatrics to eldercare and why she is passionate about helping older adults maintain their independence. Now leading operations at Tiffany Village and Kenny's Pond in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, Kristen highlights how their a…

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Transforming Healthcare Culture: Why Person-Centered Care Matters 51:44

3M ago51:44

51:44

In this week's episode, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan welcomes Michael Giuliano, chief operating officer at Planetree International, who shares his inspiring journey from growing up in a family of healthcare professionals to leading a global nonprofit dedicated to advancing person-centered care. Michael reflects on how his father's medical practice shaped…

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From Data to Daughterhood: Shaping the Future of Eldercare 55:38

3M ago55:38

55:38

In this episode of Elevate Eldercare, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan sits down with Anne Tumlinson, founder and CEO of ATI Advisory, and creator of Daughterhood, to explore her remarkable journey from environmental activism to national healthcare leadership. Anne shares how her early work with U.S. Rep. John Lewis and Sen. Harris Wofford inspired her pivot…

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Leading with Purpose and Innovation 1:02:14

4M ago1:02:14

1:02:14

In this week's episode, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan welcomes back Rob Liebreich, president and CEO of Goodwin Living, for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, innovation, and the future of eldercare. Rob reflects on his 23-year journey in aging services, inspired by his grandmother's experience, and shares how that personal connection continues to…

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The Future of Resident Engagement and Connection 51:02

4M ago51:02

51:02

In this episode, Charles DeVilmorin, co-founder of Linked Senior and now part of LifeLoop, joins AgingINSM CEO Susan Ryan to share his journey into eldercare and the passion that drives his work in resident engagement. Charles began his path with a thesis on nursing home environments that revealed the devastating effects of isolation and boredom on…

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Advocacy and Innovation: A Vision for Aging Services 53:15

4M ago53:15

53:15

In today's episode of Elevate Eldercare, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan welcomes Deke Cateau, CEO of A.G. Rhodes, a nonprofit nursing and rehabilitation organization in metro Atlanta. Born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, Deke's path to long-term care was sparked by his wife's encouragement and is sustained by his deep belief in the power of family and p…

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Dignity in Aging Through Policy Innovation, Community Engagement, and Collective Advocacy 57:45

4M ago57:45

57:45

In today's episode, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan sits down with Ben Veghte, director the WA Cares Fund, a state-run entity that provides working Washingtonians a way to earn access to long-term care benefits that will be available to eligible individuals. when they need them. Ben shares his inspiring journey from studying capitalism and social justice in…

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AgingIN: From Rebrand to Renewed Purpose in Person-Directed Living 51:41

5M ago51:41

51:41

This podcast's producer, Center or Innovation, now has a new name: AgingIN. With a mission to be the catalyst for person-directed living and empowered cultures in the community of one's choice, AgingIN's rebrand and new strategic direction was ushered in through a partnership with 3rd3rd Marketing, a marketing firm that specializes in senior living…

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Elder Awesome: Barry Barkan on Saging, Sufficiency, and the Power of Paradigm Shifts 1:16:27

5M ago1:16:27

1:16:27

Host Susan Ryan sits down with visionary eldercare advocate and Pioneer Network co-founder Barry Barkan for a profound conversation on reimagining aging and the transformative potential of community, spirit, and consciousness. Barkan shares his journey from founding the Live Oak Institute to helping launch the Pioneer Network, driven by a belief th…

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Intergenerational Connections Through Education and Collaboration 58:34

5M ago58:34

58:34

In this insightful conversation, host Susan Ryan sits down with senior living innovator Andy Carle, consultant and founder of UniversityRetirementCommunities.com. Andy shares his personal journey into eldercare and the bold moves he's made to elevate the field, from founding a 70-community company to creating the first university-level curriculum f…

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Eldercare Innovation Through Community, Design, and Determination 1:00:19

5M ago1:00:19

1:00:19

In this inspiring conversation, architect and eldercare innovator Jane Rohde shares her lifelong passion for community development and the power of person-centered care. From her early days with Erickson Retirement Communities to founding JSR Associates and the nonprofit Live Together, Jane has remained committed to transforming aging services thro…

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Exploring a Life of Service and Spirit 59:29

6M ago59:29

59:29

In this heartwarming and inspiring episode, Susan Ryan welcomes 99-year-old Peg McLaughlin and her daughter Marguerite for a moving conversation about Peg's extraordinary life. A lifelong nurse, mother of five, and dedicated community volunteer, Peg shares stories from her upbringing in Providence, R.I., her career in obstetrics and pediatrics, and…

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Well-Being as a Framework: Rethinking Communities of Care 59:48

6M ago59:48

59:48

In this episode, Susan Ryan sits down with Rachel Broudy, MD, a passionate physician, innovator, and advocate for transforming eldercare. Her extensive experience includes serving as medical director at two PACE programs and currently as medical director of Pioneer Valley Hospice and Palliative Care and eldercare faculty at Ariadne Labs. This episo…

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A Nurse's Eye, a Leader's Heart: Episode 300 with Jennie Chin Hansen 51:30

6M ago51:30

51:30

There are few people who have the depth and breadth of knowledge about long-term services and supports than Jennie Chin Hansen, who we are honored to have as the 300th guest on today's episode. With a rich background in nursing and a penchant for solving problems, Hansen's career spans decades of leading top healthcare organizations such as the Ame…

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Trailblazers in Eldercare Mobilize the Movement 1:06:09

6M ago1:06:09

1:06:09

Susan Ryan welcomes three trailblazers in the eldercare culture change movement to this week's episode: Joanne Rader, Charlene Boyd, and Rose Marie Fagan. Each guest has a distinct and storied history within the culture change movement, and each has taken an interesting and unique journey built on their pioneering experiences. Joanne Rader recounts…

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Building Digital Equity In a Tech-Focused World 56:12

7M ago56:12

56:12

In this episode of Elevate Eldercare, Susan Ryan welcomes Mario Rubano, a passionate advocate for older adults. Mario shares his remarkable journey from a childhood steeped in intergenerational connection to a career that spans music therapy, public health, and systems change in aging services. In his role as Regional Program Manager at OATS (Older…

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The 2025 Center for Innovation Conference Preview 46:31

7M ago46:31

46:31

The 2025 Center for Innovation Conference registration has launched! And in today's episode, Susan Ryan talks with Joan Divine and Marla DeVries about what's in store for this auspicious event, scheduled for August 11 to 14 in St. Louis, Missouri. Hosted by The Green House Project and Pioneer Network, this event marks a significant gathering for th…

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A Legacy of Care and Innovation 1:05:59

7M ago1:05:59

1:05:59

In this week's episode, Susan Ryan sits down with Dr. Carol McKinley, president and CEO of Simpson, a senior living community in Bala Cynwyd, Pa. Carol shares her journey of more than 35 years in eldercare, and how early interactions with her grandmother and father's ministry work inspired her career in social work and geriatrics. In addition to em…

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Inspired by Family, Driven by Purpose 49:57

7M ago49:57

49:57

Inspiration comes in many forms, but in the field of aging services it appears that it most often comes from one's own experience with a loved one. Case in point: Jennifer Baker, policy director at the Moving Forward Nursing Home Quality Coalition, whose motivation to work in eldercare comes from early exposure to her great aunt and grandmother, bo…

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Hand in Hand: Advancing the Movement to Humanize Eldercare 1:03:07

8M ago1:03:07

1:03:07

Bold, visionary leaders are the ones who challenge the status quo, break down barriers, and champion quality of life for older adults. Today's guest, Karen Schoeneman, is a shining example of that kind of leadership. This week, Susan Ryan sits down with Karen to discuss her many years of work reforming long term care, beginning with her work in soc…

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Creating Compassionate Organizations 52:31

8M ago52:31

52:31

In this episode, Susan Ryan sits down with Marcus Engel—speaker, educator, and expert in compassion science—whose powerful survival story has become a catalyst for inspiring more humane, connected workplaces. Through his work, Marcus helps organizations foster environments rooted in empathy, connection, and purpose. With a Master's in Narrative Med…

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Australia's First Green House Homes 1:03:04

8M ago1:03:04

1:03:04

In today's episode, Susan Ryan sits down with Dan Gordon, Craig Major, and Stephanie Smithson of ACH Group, creators of the first international Green House homes in Adelaide, Australia. Based in South Australia, ACH implemented the Green House model into its newest residential care home, Healthia, in Elizabeth in 2023. Dan, a nurse, and Craig, a he…

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The 2025 Center for Innovation Conference Preview 45:07

8M ago45:07

45:07

The 2025 Center for Innovation Conference registration has launched! And in today's episode, Susan Ryan talks with Joan Divine and Marla DeVries about what's in store for this auspicious evet, scheduled for August 11 to 14 in St. Louis, Missouri. Hosted by The Green House Project and Pioneer Network, this event marks a significant gathering for tho…

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Opportunities Begin with Seeing the Whole Person 1:01:20

9M ago1:01:20

1:01:20

Opportunity can come in many shapes and in unexpected places. Today's guest, Jeff Ash, Ed.D, chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer at The Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville, Md., tells a very compelling story about how he was given an opportunity that set the stage for his now-illustrious career. Having had a somewhat circuitous care…

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Inside the EINSTEIN Option Summit 51:46

9M ago51:46

51:46

Policy experts Joe Angelelli and Anne Montgomery return to the podcast to discuss the recent EINSTEIN Option summit, a gathering of eldercare changemakers dedicated to advancing a comprehensive plan to reimagine the entire care delivery system. In this episode, you'll learn how the EINSTEIN Option could create full care continuums in communities ar…

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Sustaining Small Homes for Decades 1:00:10

10M ago1:00:10

1:00:10

Suellen Beatty is a pioneer of person-directed care and small-home living in Canada. During her decades-long career at the Sherbrooke Community Center in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Beatty worked tirelessly to always go above and beyond even the basics of person-directed care practices, building a community where residents actually want to live, and c…

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Documenting the Dementia Journey on Film 47:21

10M ago47:21

47:21

Like far too many people across the world, Kyle Henry was forced to spend his mother's last days communicating from behind screens and PPE as the COVID-19 pandemic raged. But Henry — a prolific filmmaker and associate professor at Northwestern University — also saw an opportunity to shine a light on dementia, caregiving, and his own relationship wi…

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The Case for Population Health Management in Long-Term Care 57:41

10M ago57:41

57:41

The pursuit of innovative solutions in nursing home care is ongoing, and there is no shortage of people who are dedicated to this endeavor. Today's guest, Fred Bentley, managing director of ATI Advisory's Post-Acute/Long-Term care and Senior Living Practice, is one of these people. In addition to advocating for long-term care providers to shift foc…

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Paving the Way for Innovative Eldercare 59:46

10M ago59:46

59:46

To be a trailblazer is not an easy path. There are detractors, nay sayers, and critics, of course. But to pave the way for others to achieve great things in the field of eldercare takes heart and soul as well. Today's guest, Steve McAlilly, has accomplished this all. In addition to leading the development of the first-ever Green House Homes, he has…

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Neuroplasticity and the Power of Integrated Care for Older People 53:12

10M ago53:12

53:12

Gerascophobia is the fear of aging or getting older. This fear, according to today's podcast guest, Kelly Tremblay, PhD, can not only make us sick, but can also be combatted by engaging in wellness activities such as book clubs or walking clubs—or even by listening to an inspiring podcast. What's more, doing the work to counter the fear can actuall…

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Forging Good Trouble in Seniors Housing and Care 1:02:38

11M ago1:02:38

1:02:38

Innovation and disruption have not been typical keywords used to describe the seniors housing and care industry. This perception is rapidly changing thanks in large part to today's guest, Bob Kramer, a self-described serial social entrepreneur and founder and president of Nexus Insights, an advisory firm that helps clients redefine aging and rethin…

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From the Theater to Dementia Advocacy 50:41

11M ago50:41

50:41

There's an old quote about how thinking about death is like staring at the sun — you can't really do it for too long without becoming overwhelmed. The same can be said for Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia: The idea of a parent, spouse, or other loved one no longer recognizing you is far too distressing for most people to consider. But Marily…

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Building Villages to Support Aging in Place 49:15

11M ago49:15

49:15

It's no secret that most people want to age in place, but without a strong support system, getting older in your longtime home can lead to unwanted challenges and isolation. The Village to Village Network works to create durable webs of support in communities all across the country, organizing volunteers to provide the kind of nuts-and-bolts assist…

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A Mandate for Canada: Prioritizing Small House Care Homes 45:45

11M ago45:45

45:45

The COVID-19 pandemic awakened the nation – and the world – to the fact that small-house eldercare homes were substantially safer places to deliver long-term care compared with traditional nursing homes. And while it's now been almost five years since the onset of the pandemic, Canadian health policy makers such as Samir Sinha, MD, continue to rais…

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Using Robots to Facilitate Human Connection 52:10

12M ago52:10

52:10

For more than a decade now, tech companies have promised robotic assistants that could one day help solve workforce shortages in eldercare settings. Concerns over safety and the loss of the personal touch aside, these worker bots remain science fiction — but what if robots could bridge, and not expand, the isolation that so many older adults face? …

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Data as an Engine for Change in Eldercare 53:12

12M ago53:12

53:12

By Susan Ryan

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Rethinking Technology's Role in Eldercare and Senior Living 43:49

1y ago43:49

43:49

This December, we're taking a look back at some of the top episodes from 2024, with a special focus on the speakers and ideas that took center stage at our annual conference in Grand Rapids, Mich. last month. Please enjoy this encore presentation of our interview with Amber Bardon Across all industries, it can be difficult to separate promising, us…