In this episode of the ALF Boss Podcast, I sit down with Doug Adkins, Owner and CEO of DaySpring Village and DaySpring Senior Living — one of Florida's most respected leaders in the assisted living industry.

Doug has been operating facilities since 1987, serving thousands of residents across Florida through both limited mental health and senior living communities. His perspective is shaped by nearly four decades of experience, from surviving the early days of ALF operations to becoming one of the strongest advocates for sustainable Medicaid funding and better care models in Florida.

We discuss: His journey from converting a small motel into a 126-bed ALF Growing from one community to multiple campuses, including new developments like DaySpring Commons Why Florida's Medicaid funding model is broken — and what needs to change The challenges of rising costs, staffing, and overregulation His proposed Funding Methodology Workgroup and how it could transform access to care The story behind Emily's Promise, a foundation created in honor of his daughter, which inspired the Emily Adkins Family Protection Act, requiring blood clot screenings for seniors in ERs

Doug's insight, experience, and compassion for the industry make this a must-listen episode for anyone who cares about the future of assisted living in Florida.

This week on the ALF Boss Podcast, I talk with Kenneshia Martin, Owner & Administrator of Trinity Gardens Assisted Living in Riverview, FL.

After 15 years in physical therapy and rehab leadership, Kenneshia decided to open her own ALF — and she shares every step of the journey: From buying the property to passing AHCA inspection What to expect from zoning, fire marshal, and health inspections How being organized made her survey a breeze The mindset it takes to stay patient through delays

This week on the ALF Boss Podcast, I talk with Elizabeth Valadez from Living Well Menus, carrying on the 30-year legacy started by her mother, Ana Alvarez—a true legend in ALF dietary services.

We dive into: The right way to handle menus, portion sizes, and documentation Proper puree preparation that keeps you compliant How to avoid common AHCA dietary citations Simple tools every ALF kitchen should be using If you run an assisted living facility in Florida, this episode is a must-listen.

This week on the ALF Boss Podcast, I talk with Melissa Asaftei, Owner & Operator of Citrus Garden Assisted Living in Winter Springs.

From buying her first facility at 25 to running it for nearly two decades, Melissa shares what it really takes to succeed in residential care—long nights, big heart, and a clear why.

Topics include: Expanding small ALFs the right way Building relationships instead of rivalries Staying passionate when things get hard

This week on the ALF Boss Podcast, I sit down with Janette Radle, Regional Wellness Director at AgeWell | Solvere Living.

She oversees nine assisted living communities across Florida and shares her insights on: Strengthening medication management Supporting care teams through mentorship, not micromanagement Balancing leadership with compassion and accountability

On this episode of the ALF Boss Podcast, I sit down with Deby Okum, Director of Community Relations at Diamond Edgewater Assisted Living & Memory Care in Edgewater, Florida.

Deby's story is both personal and powerful. After caring for her father and struggling to find the right resources, she made a promise—to become an advocate and a resource for seniors and their families. Today, she's one of the most trusted names in Volusia County for helping families navigate Medicaid, VA benefits, and assisted living placement.

We discuss:

• Her journey from the beauty industry to senior living leadership

• The importance of urgency and consistency in follow-ups

• How she helped grow census from 52 to 78 residents in under nine months

• Her passion for educating families about Medicaid and veteran benefits

• Creative networking, community partnerships, and event strategies that make a difference

Deby's story is a reminder that compassion, hustle, and honesty are what truly drive success in senior living.

In this episode of the ALF Boss Podcast, I sit down with Shereve Smith, owner and operator of Northwood Manor Assisted Living in Wesley Chapel, FL.

Shereve has been in the industry since 2009, transitioning from a career as a respiratory therapist to running her own six-bed boutique assisted living community. With both a standard and limited mental health license, she brings a wealth of experience in navigating regulations, staffing, marketing challenges, and the realities of running a smaller, family-style community.

We discuss:

• Why passion is essential to succeed in assisted living

• The challenges small ALFs face with compliance and marketing

• How placement agencies have changed the industry

• The importance of proactivity, organization, and mentorship

• Her team's incredible loyalty, with staff who have been with her for over 16 years

Shereve's story is packed with wisdom for both seasoned operators and anyone looking to enter the ALF industry.

On this episode of the ALF Operations Podcast, I sit down with Ashley Braden, Director of Sales and Marketing at The Blake at Hamlin.

Ashley's path into assisted living wasn't traditional—coming from emergency medical services, she quickly discovered a passion for senior living and has since become a standout marketer known for her creativity, energy, and ability to connect with families.

We talk about:

• How she transitioned from EMS to senior living marketing

• The importance of authenticity and follow-up in building referrals

• Why listening more than you speak is key in sales

• Her passion for Alzheimer's and dementia care advocacy

• Lessons learned from both sides of the industry—EMS and senior living

Ashley shares what it takes to succeed in ALF marketing and how being genuine, approachable, and proactive can change everything.

On this episode of the ALF Boss Podcast, I sit down with Pavi Ruether, Executive Director at Banyan Place Assisted Living in Boca Raton, FL. Pavi's journey is both unique and inspiring—starting as a physical therapy assistant, becoming a licensed clinical social worker, and eventually stepping into leadership as an Executive Director.

We talk about:

• Her transition into assisted living leadership and the challenges she's overcome

• How her LCSW background shapes the way she manages residents, families, and staff

• Building a strong team with almost zero turnover

• Creative initiatives like Employee of the Month, Thank You Thursdays, and karaoke with residents

• What it takes to thrive as an ED, from having thick skin to leading by example

Pavi's energy, positivity, and proactive leadership shine through in everything she does. This is a must-listen for anyone considering or currently working in senior living leadership.

In this episode of the ALF Boss Podcast, I sit down with Michael Almeida, Executive Director of Brookdale Phillippi Creek in Sarasota, FL. Michael's journey into assisted living is nothing short of inspiring—he began as a maintenance director and, through hard work, perseverance, and a passion for serving seniors, worked his way up to executive leadership.

As a Navy veteran and former corpsman, Michael shares how his military background shaped his leadership style, how he overcame challenges during COVID, and why being approachable, fun, and down-to-earth has been key to his success in growing census and building strong teams.

If you've ever thought about becoming an Executive Director—or want to hear the mindset it takes to thrive in senior living—you won't want to miss this conversation.