Jean Owen always thought of herself as "somebody's someone" – first as her mother's daughter then as her husband's wife. It wasn't until she moved to Villa Gardens that she began stepping into her power as "Just Jean." As president of the resident council and key contributor to Sarah Friedland's award-winning film Familiar Touch (filmed on location at Villa Gardens), Jean has discovered a renewed sense of purpose and identity. Join us for this fascinating conversation about finding yourself and discovering the power of community at any (and every) age.

Chapters (timestamps)

• 00:00 — Welcome & show intro

• 00:41 — Anna Hall on purpose, belonging & memory care

• 04:38 — Meet today's guest: Jean Owen (Pasadena roots)

• 05:46 — Teaching, volunteering & community building

• 06:28 — Adopt-a-School: seniors + elementary students

• 08:02 — Proactive planning & the decision to move to Villa Gardens

• 12:11 — What "four levels of care" means (independent to skilled)

• 14:20 — Resident Council President: a personal self-awakening

• 15:49 — Embracing life's "third act"

• 17:01 — Making the film Familiar Touch at Villa Gardens

• 18:24 — Why the story matters; residents as cast & collaborators

• 20:25 — Authenticity: filming in a real community

• 22:11 — Talking openly about aging & dementia

• 23:41 — Normal changes vs. dementia; learning to wait for words

• 25:02 — "You move to retirement community to live your fullest"

• 25:53 — What's next: LeadingAge screening & closing reflections

• 26:53 — Credits & thanks

Key takeaways

• Community is a choice—and a catalyst for purpose and growth.

• Intergenerational connection changes attitudes on both sides.

• Proactive moves to senior living can increase independence and options.

• Authentic storytelling helps de-stigmatize dementia and aging.

• Leadership and identity can deepen in later life ("one of one").

Guest bio

Jean Owen—Pasadena educator and community builder—helped launch Kidspace Children's Museum and coordinated Adopt-a-School partnerships (including Villa Gardens with Jefferson Elementary). Widowed in 2017, she moved to Villa Gardens, where she became Resident Council President and contributed to the film Familiar Touch—continuing her lifelong work of building community.

Host Bio

Anna Hall is a purpose-driven leader with over 25 years in senior living, spanning employee engagement, life enrichment, training, and innovation in age-tech and program design. A certified life coach and dynamic speaker, she helps people connect with meaning and motivation at every stage of life. She is the creator of The Purpose Equation®, an evidence-informed framework that empowers individuals to define and activate their unique purpose to enhance wellbeing, engagement, and collaboration. As Chief Culture & Community Officer at Front Porch Communities & Services, Anna leads initiatives that foster belonging, creativity, and human thriving—building communities where everyone feels valued and inspired to make a difference.

Resources mentioned

• Villa Gardens

• Front Porch Communities & Services

• Kidspace Children's Museum (Pasadena)

• Familiar Touch (feature film shot at Villa Gardens)

• LeadingAge

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The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered, legal, health, tax, or professional advice. Always consult a licensed professional for specific advice related to your situation.

#Aging #Community #SeniorLiving #Dementia #Purpose #Intergenerational #FamiliarTouch