This one was a blast. I got to sit down with Cristy Ballard, the Chief Growth Officer at Solstice Senior Living, and let me tell you, she brings it.

Cristy shares her personal story, starting from humble beginnings (we’re talking grocery bagger and lawn care hustle), to becoming a powerhouse CGO in senior living. She’s been through the grind, made the pivots, and now leads with a bigger purpose than just the bottom line.

In this episode, we get into:

• What drives true growth (hint: it’s not just the numbers)

• The evolving meaning of success

• How personal ambition shifts, and why that’s a good thing

• Her real talk on sales, leadership, and helping others win

Cristy’s the leader who’ll hype you up and challenge you to think deeper. We laughed, reflected, and even kinda matched outfits—unplanned, of course.

Whether you're in sales, marketing, leadership, or just someone who wants to do meaningful work, this episode is for you.

🎧 Give it a listen. You’ll walk away inspired, and maybe with a few new growth strategies in your back pocket.

What makes a truly great Executive Director? In this episode, we sit down with industry executive Dan Wolen to break down what it takes to build and elevate this critical leadership role.

We get into the nitty-gritty of:
✅ The key traits that separate a good ED from a great one
✅ How organizations can better support and develop their EDs
✅ The biggest challenges Executive Directors face—and how to tackle them
✅ Why investing in leadership growth leads to long-term success

Whether you're an ED yourself, a leader looking to strengthen your team, or just someone interested in what makes great leadership tick, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

Welcome back to the show! Today, I’m sitting down with someone I’ve known for nearly half my life—Caroline Hourihan, MS, CCC-SLP. Caroline is the Executive Director of Rehabilitation and Home Care Services at Schofield Care, part of the Lineage Care Group, and she’s been making waves in the aging services space.

In this episode, we dive into Caroline’s journey from speech-language pathology to leading rehab and home care services, the challenges facing the industry, and what the future holds for aging care. She shares her insights on leadership, innovation, and why she’s so passionate about making a difference for seniors.

We also reminisce about our college days (including some cold early-morning classes she saved me from), talk about what drew her to this field, and get her take on where home care and rehab are headed.

If you’re in the senior care space, thinking about a career in rehab services, or just love a great conversation about leadership and impact, this one’s for you!

🔹 What We Cover in This Episode:
✔️ Caroline’s unexpected journey into aging services
✔️ The biggest challenges and innovations in home care & rehab
✔️ Advice for leaders in the industry
✔️ The importance of relationships and culture in senior care
✔️ A little Buffalo Bills talk (because, of course)

Don’t miss this insightful conversation with someone who’s not just leading but truly caring in this space.

🎧 Listen now and subscribe for more great conversations!

In this episode of Connecting the Dots, host Matt Reiners sits down with Megan Ulrich, Vice President of Marketing & Public Relations at BHI Senior Living, to discuss her remarkable 20-year journey in senior living. What started as a college internship turned into a lifelong passion, shaping her career as a leader in marketing, innovation, and resident engagement.

Megan shares how senior living has evolved from a clinical, needs-based model to a vibrant, lifestyle-driven experience. She discusses the latest trends, including AI-powered health monitoring, sustainability initiatives, and the demand for personalized, concierge-style services. Plus, you’ll hear about the bold ideas shaping the future of aging—from skydiving seniors to intergenerational communities and even serving robots in dining rooms!

✅ How Megan’s unexpected journey in senior living led her to leadership
✅ The biggest shifts in resident expectations and marketing strategies
✅ How technology and AI are revolutionizing care, safety, and independence
✅ The rise of sustainability, concierge services, and experiential living in senior communities
✅ What the future of senior living could look like in the next 10 years

If you’re in senior living, marketing, or just curious about the future of aging, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

In this episode, I sit down with my friend Mary Gauldin, an absolute powerhouse in the world of memory care, dementia support, and sensory-based learning. With over 20 years of experience in senior living, Mary has dedicated her life to improving the way we engage, support, and care for those living with neurodegenerative diseases.

Mary shares her incredible journey—from starting out as a youth minister to becoming a leading advocate for sensory engagement in dementia care. We talk about how her experiences, including personal connections to Alzheimer’s, have shaped her approach to care, and what led her to launch Mary & Bright, a groundbreaking program designed to bring sensory learning into senior living communities and home care settings.

We dive into some BIG topics, like:
✅ How sensory engagement can activate neuroplasticity and improve quality of life for people with dementia
✅ Why intentional programming matters more than just filling up a calendar
✅ The state of memory care today—where it’s heading and what needs to change
✅ Why Mary believes in revolutionizing care models instead of accepting "the way things have always been"

Plus, Mary drops some powerful stories—like the time a nonverbal resident spontaneously spoke French after a sensory-rich experience. Yeah, this episode is packed with insights, passion, and real talk about the future of dementia care.

If you’re in senior living, caregiving, or just care about better support for older adults, this one is a must-listen! 🎧

🌐 Website: marybrightliving.com
📱 LinkedIn: Mary Gauldin

Welcome back to the show! Today, I’m joined by my friend Rachel Keller—VP of Sales at Serviam Care Network, host of Female Friday, co-host of Good Day Senior Living, and the driving force behind the Women in Leadership series. Basically, she wears a LOT of hats, and somehow, she makes it all look easy.

In this episode, Rachel shares her journey from broadcast journalism to senior living sales leadership, how she balances her many roles, and why personal branding has been a game-changer for her career. We talk about the power of storytelling, the importance of showing up authentically on LinkedIn, and why more professionals (especially women!) should be putting themselves out there. Plus, she lets me bring up—yet again—the time she strategically blocked my booth at a conference. (It’s fine. I’m totally over it. Maybe.)

We also dive into:
✔️ The common traits of successful women leaders
✔️ The rise of influencer marketing in B2B and senior living
✔️ How networking and relationship-building can change your career
✔️ Serviam’s big announcement and how they’re tackling financial barriers for move-ins

If you’re looking for inspiration on building your personal brand, standing out in your industry, and making meaningful connections, this is the episode for you.

🔗 Connect with Rachel Keller: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelschisler/

🎧 Listen now and let us know what resonated most with you!

In this episode, I sit down with Kelly Singleton Myers, Founder and Chief Vision Officer at KJB Sales Consulting, to talk about something that doesn’t always get enough attention in sales—empathy and curiosity.

Kelly is a powerhouse in the senior living industry. She’s spent decades helping teams rethink the sales process, shifting the focus from “always be closing” to “always be connecting.” She’s also the author ofThe More You Know, The More You Close, a book all about using curiosity, trust, and authentic relationships to drive sales success.

Link to Book - Amazon.

We dive into:
✔️ How trust-based selling changes the game in senior living
✔️ Why speed to lead is important—but patience matters just as much
✔️ The biggest mistakes sales teams make and how to fix them
✔️ How AI and tech can support (not replace!) human connection
✔️ What the best salespeople do differently to build real relationships with families

Kelly brings a wealth of experience and some game-changing insights on how sales teams can create better experiences for both prospective residents and their families.

If you’re in senior living sales, marketing, or leadership, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!

What if senior living felt less like a downgrade… and more like an upgrade?

In this episode, I sit down with Lorne Schechter, a veteran in the senior living industry who’s bringing a fresh, luxury-driven approach to how we think about aging. Imagine moving into a sprawling estate, complete with high-end finishes, a world-class culinary experience, and personalized care—that’s the vision Lorne is bringing to life.

We dive into:
✅ How his 26 years in senior living led him to create this innovative concept
✅ Why small, intimate communities are the future of senior housing
✅ The importance of white-glove service and top-tier amenities for aging adults
✅ The biggest challenges in converting mansions into boutique-style senior communities
✅ How this model is helping families feel more connected while giving residents a true sense of independence

If you’ve ever wondered what the next evolution of senior living looks like—or if you just want a glimpse into a truly game-changing idea—you won’t want to miss this conversation.

🚀 Listen now and rethink what it means to age in style!

Welcome back to Connecting the Dots: Senior Living Success! In this episode, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with my friend and one of the brightest lights in the senior living industry, Amy Silva-Magalhaes, Chief Operating Officer at Bristal Assisted Living. Over the course of our conversation, Amy shares her incredible journey from a hospitality career to becoming a dynamic leader in senior living—and all the life lessons she’s picked up along the way.

Amy dives into what it’s like to juggle the chaos of a demanding leadership role with the joy (and challenges) of motherhood. She opens up about her philosophy of “swaying” rather than striving for the mythical work-life balance, and how she keeps things grounded with self-care routines that actually work. Spoiler alert: it’s not all spa days—sometimes, it’s just about asking your kids what matters most that week.

We also talk about the power of authenticity in leadership. Amy shares why staying true to your personal brand is key, how to trust your gut (even when people doubt it), and why celebrating both professional and personal wins can help you stay the course. Her insights are raw, relatable, and packed with practical advice for anyone navigating the twists and turns of leadership and life.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Whether you’re a seasoned senior living professional or someone looking for inspiration to balance it all, this conversation will leave you motivated and smiling. Trust me, Amy’s energy and insights are not to be missed.

Thank you, Amy, for joining me and for all the heart and hustle you bring to this industry. You’re one of a kind, and it was an honor to finally have you on the podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to rate, review, and share it with someone who could use a little inspiration in their day. And as always, thanks for tuning in!

In this podcast episode, I’m joined by the incredible Frances Reaves—elder law attorney, Medicaid specialist, president of Parent Your Parents, and author of the thought-provoking new book, Boomers Booming: How to Thrive After 65 and Have Great Sex.

Link to Book Here.

Frances brings her sharp wit, personal stories, and unmatched expertise to discuss what it truly means to thrive in your golden years. From navigating complex elder care decisions to the importance of estate planning (yes, even if you think you’ll live forever), Frances shares practical advice for seniors, families, and caregivers alike.

We dive into her own journey, sparked by caring for her parents during their later years, and how those experiences led her to build a business focused on empowering families through education and preparation. Along the way, Frances offers her no-nonsense take on everything from long-term care insurance to the importance of social connections, physical health, and yes—staying active in every sense of the word.

Whether you’re a senior looking to reclaim your vitality, a caregiver navigating tough decisions, or a senior living operator hoping to understand the needs of aging boomers better, this conversation is full of gems that you don’t want to miss.

About Frances Reeves:
Frances Reeves is an elder law attorney, president of Parent Your Parents, and author of Boomers Booming: How to Thrive After 65 and Have Great Sex. Her mission is to educate and empower families navigating the challenges of aging and elder care. Her work and advocacy have helped countless seniors and their loved ones thrive during life’s later chapters.

🎧 Tune in now to hear Frances’ inspiring and humorous take on aging, and walk away with actionable insights to apply today.