In this special Christmas episode closing out Season 8 of Bridge the Gap, Josh and Lucas reflect on eight years of conversations that have helped shape the senior living industry. From humble beginnings to nearly 600 episodes and millions of impressions, they look back on the relationships, stories, and mission that continue to drive the platform forward.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The missional “why” behind senior living leadership
• Entrepreneurship and family-driven roots in senior housing
• Technology and AI’s growing role in the industry
• Learning from industry thought leaders and conferences

Meet the Hosts:

Josh Crisp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshcrispsocial/ 

Lucas McCurdy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasmccurdyseniorlivingfan/ 

Produced by Solinity Marketing.

Sponsored by Aline, NIC MAP, Procare HR, Sage, Hamilton CapTel, Service Master, The Bridge Group Construction and Solinity.

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In this episode of Bridge the Gap, Josh and Lucas sit down with Ashley Luchsinger of Aline at the LeadingAge conference in Boston to explore how AI and CRM innovation are reshaping senior living sales and operations. Ashley shares insights into Aline’s evolving mission of “elevating aging,” driven by new leadership, a renewed focus on customer alignment, and the launch of a customer advisory board. The conversation dives deep into the concept of zero-click discovery, where prospects increasingly gather information through AI summaries before ever visiting a community’s website. Ashley explains how this shift is changing the prospect journey, emphasizing quality over quantity of leads and the need for smarter follow-up strategies.

This week we discuss: 

• The role of customer advisory boards in product development
• Zero-click discovery and AI-driven search behavior
• How AI is reshaping the senior living prospect journey
• Driving ROI through smarter sales prioritization
• Best practices for adopting new technology in senior living

Meet the Hosts:

Josh Crisp

Lucas McCurdy

Connect with Our Guest

Ashley Luchsinger

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This week on Bridge the Gap, Josh and Lucas sit down with Traci Bild, Chief Visionary Officer at Bild & Co. Traci shares actionable insights on how senior living operators can redefine sales, optimize marketing, and fill communities faster with a segmented approach. Learn why the traditional salesperson role may be disappearing, how to manage leads efficiently, reduce burnout, and leverage technology and outsourced solutions for maximum occupancy.

This week we cover:

• Why traditional sales in senior living is no longer enough
• How marketing has evolved faster than sales
• Segmented sales models and outsourced solutions
• Storytelling, brand identity, and influencer marketing for senior living

Meet the Hosts:

Josh Crisp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshcrispsocial/ 

Lucas McCurdy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasmccurdyseniorlivingfan/ 

Connect with Our Guest

Traci Bild

Hear Traci on BTG Network.

Produced by Solinity Marketing.

Sponsored by Aline, NIC MAP, Procare HR, Sage, Hamilton CapTel, Service Master, The Bridge Group Construction and Solinity.

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In this episode of Bridge the Gap, we sit down with returning guest and industry leader Heather Tussing, President of The Aspenwood Company, to explore what it takes to build thriving, scalable, luxury senior living communities. Heather shares updates from her three-year leadership journey: from launching successful urban infill developments in Nashville and Charlotte to expanding through acquisitions and third-party management.

This week, we cover:

• How Aspenwood transformed a strong company into a market-leading culture
• Building authentic sales relationships long before a community opens
• Supporting high-performing teams and reinforcing culture at scale
• Strategic refreshes and CapEx planning for luxury senior living assets
• Maintaining brand standards across developments and acquisitions

Meet the Hosts:

Josh Crisp

Lucas McCurdy

Connect with Our Guest

Heather Tussing

Produced by Solinity Marketing.

Sponsored by Aline, NIC MAP, Procare HR, Sage, Hamilton CapTel, Service Master, The Bridge Group Construction and Solinity.

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This episode was recorded at the NIC Fall Conference 2025

This week, Josh and Lucas sit down with Lina Ren, an emerging leader in senior living whose journey into the industry has moved at remarkable speed. Lina shares how her graduate studies at USC, a personal family experience with dementia, and a pivotal scholarship opportunity through NIC opened doors she didn’t even realize existed, ultimately connecting her with Cima Senior Living, where she now serves as an analyst. The conversation explores generational misconceptions about senior housing, the power of mentorship and networking, the role of technology in shaping the future of senior living, and the workforce challenges facing the industry. 

This week, we share:

• The role of NIC scholarships in shaping career pathways
• The gaps between public perception and the realities of senior housing
• The growing role of AI and emerging technologies in care environments
• How the industry can attract younger talent

Meet the Hosts:

Josh Crisp

Lucas McCurdy



Connect with Our Guest

Lina Ren

Learn more about the NIC Sponsorship Program

Produced by Solinity Marketing.

Sponsored by Aline, NIC MAP, Procare HR, Sage, Hamilton CapTel, Service Master, The Bridge Group Construction and Solinity.

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This episode was recorded at the NIC Fall Conference

In this episode of Bridge the Gap, Josh and Lucas sit down with Jessica Wesley, Head of Vayyar Care North America, to explore how technology is transforming senior living. She discusses the evolution of senior care expectations, why technology has shifted from a “nice to have” to a “must have,” and how Vayyar’s sensor-based platform helps communities improve care outcomes, support staff, drive census growth, and deliver peace of mind for families. On this episode, we cover:  

• The role of data in helping operators make timely, informed decisions
• Improving staff workflows and reducing technology intimidation
• Driving census growth and delivering measurable ROI

Meet the Hosts:

Josh Crisp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshcrispsocial/ 

Lucas McCurdy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasmccurdyseniorlivingfan/ 

Connect with Our Guest

Jessica Wesley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-heck-wesley-2325702a/ 

Produced by Solinity Marketing.

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This episode was recorded at the NIC Fall Conference

Sponsored by Aline, NIC MAP, Procare HR, Sage, Hamilton CapTel, Service Master, The Bridge Group Construction and Solinity.

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In this episode, we sit down with Josh Studzinski, Chief Growth Officer at CarePredict, to explore how data-driven technology and AI are reshaping the senior living industry. We discuss how operators can evaluate, implement, and measure the ROI of technology solutions—and why success starts with aligning organizational goals from the top down.

In this episode, we cover:

• Defining ROI and aligning metrics for successful tech implementation
• Overcoming “analysis paralysis” when evaluating new tools
• Using real-time data to enhance caregiver responsiveness
• How CarePredict helps communities identify and adjust care needs early

Meet the Hosts:

Josh Crisp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshcrispsocial/

Lucas McCurdy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasmccurdyseniorlivingfan/

Connect with Our Guest

Josh Studzinski (Chief Growth Officer, CarePredict): https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshstudzinski/ 

This episode was recorded at the 2025 LeadingAge annual meeting

Produced by Solinity Marketing.

Sponsored by Aline, NIC MAP, Procare HR, Sage, Hamilton CapTel, Service Master, The Bridge Group Construction and Solinity.

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This week, we welcome back returning guest David Schless, President of ASHA, to preview the 2026 ASHA Annual Meeting, taking place January 26–28 at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix.

As ASHA celebrates 35 years of shaping the senior housing industry, David shares what members can expect from this milestone event

You will get an exclusive look at:

• The economic outlook and what’s driving optimism across the industry.
• A keynote presentation by Matt Slaughter, Dean of the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth.
• CEO and capital markets panels, technology and AI discussions, and a workforce-focused initiative.
• A case study led by Arnie Whitman showcasing the transformation of a Tennessee community.

Whether you’re a senior housing operator, investor, developer, or industry advocate, this episode highlights why ASHA remains one of the most respected voices in senior living leadership and collaboration.

Meet the Hosts:

Josh Crisp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshcrispsocial/

Lucas McCurdy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasmccurdyseniorlivingfan/

Connect with our Guests:

David Schless (President of ASHA): https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-schless-9b752931/

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In this episode of Bridge the Gap, BTG Ambassador and FSLA Board Member Damon Thomas, Senior VP of Operations at Providence Senior Living, joins the show. Damon shares practical insights on smooth senior living operations, leadership evolution, and the importance of culture in smaller, regional organizations. From his “daily alignment” meetings to managing the ever-present “top ten” list, Damon reveals how consistency and intentionality build thriving communities.

Sponsored by Aline, NIC MAP, Procare HR, Sage, Hamilton CapTel, Service Master, The Bridge Group Construction and Solinity.

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Produced by Solinity Marketing.

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Meet the Hosts:

Lucas McCurdy, @SeniorLivingFan Owner, The Bridge Group Construction; Senior Living Construction Renovation, CapEx, and Reposition. 

Joshua Crisp, Founder and CEO, Solinity; Senior Living Development, Management, Marketing and Consulting.

This week, we’re sitting down with Kelly Arduino and Brandon Christopherson of Wipfli, a leading accounting and consulting firm, to discuss growth strategies and the latest market updates. Together, they unpack how today’s market forces like tariffs, interest rates, and tax reforms are influencing M&A in senior living.

Produced by Solinity Marketing.

Sponsored by Aline, NIC MAP, Procare HR, Sage, Hamilton CapTel, Service Master, The Bridge Group Construction and Solinity.

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Meet the Hosts:

Lucas McCurdy, @SeniorLivingFan Owner, The Bridge Group Construction; Senior Living Construction Renovation, CapEx, and Reposition. 

Joshua Crisp, Founder and CEO, Solinity; Senior Living Development, Management, Marketing and Consulting.