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. Elders in a discussion about her trailblazing life and career.

An added motivation for the replay of this episode is that the New York Academy of Medicine recently presented Dr. Elders with the Alma Dea Morani Renaissance Woman Award.

With humor and refreshing honesty, Dr. Elders shares her perspectives on racism, sexism, and all the other "isms" that continue to shape the way health care is provided in the United States. As an elder herself, she also provides insights into what she might want out of the U.S. eldercare landscape and how supports and services might fit into her still-busy life as a widely sought-after and admired public health expert.

Dr. Elders is renowned for breaking barriers and sparking essential conversations throughout her remarkable career. Appointed in 1993 as the 15th Surgeon General of the United States, the first African American and only the second woman to hold that office, Dr. Elders brought unprecedented visibility to issues ranging from adolescent health and reproductive rights to substance use prevention and health education. TIME magazine named her "1994 Woman of the Year" and "One of the 100 Most Influential Women of the 20th Century."

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 responsibility for the lives entrusted to them.

Drawing on decades of experience across industries—including healthcare, government, education, and business—Ryan and Chapman dive into why empathy, listening, and recognition are not "soft skills," but essential human skills that build stronger organizations and healthier communities.

Chapman walks listeners through the pivotal moments that transformed his views of business and leadership, including making business fun, how business shapes lives, and the fact that everyone is someone's precious child.

Learn about the Truly Human Leadership Institute here: https://www.ccoleadership.com/services/develop/leadership-development-training/truly-human-leader-program

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 with each other.

Steve shares his story, which includes a transition from a successful hospitality career to a life dedicated to community building and land preservation. Confronted by the threat of urban sprawl, he turned his private sanctuary into a model for regenerative development. Serenbe's design—complete with centralized mailboxes, shared gardens, trampolines, and a wellness hub housing 27 health providers—embodies the idea that thoughtful design can nurture both people and the planet.

Listeners will hear how biophilic design and new urbanism come together at Serenbe to create a thriving "agrihood" that supports intergenerational living. Nygren advocates for environments that foster mobility, creativity, and vitality at every age.

Steve and Susan also discuss Serenbe's intergenerational housing models and its innovative wellness hub, which offers integrated medical and holistic care—including what may be the nation's only chemical-free pharmacy.

As Serenbe evolves into a think tank for arts, agriculture, and health, Steve invites listeners to reimagine their own neighborhoods and communities.

Find his book, Starting Your Own Backyard: Radical Common Sense Reimagining, here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Start-in-Your-Own-Backyard/Nygren-Steve/9781637747445

Learn more about Serenbe here: https://www.serenbe.com

AgingIN Website

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 of eldercare has inspired an industry-wide shift toward recognizing the power of stories and how they foster meaning and connection.

In addition to reflecting on his early struggle as a tech founder, Jack shares the pivotal experiences that shaped his life's work. Through his latest venture, Talegate, Jack describes the Vintage Voices 100 Tour, an initiative that has culminated in recorded interviews of nearly 150 centenarians.

Jack also discusses the profound intergenerational potential of this work—how connecting high school students with elders to record and share their stories can deepen empathy, preserve history, and change how society views aging.

More about Talegate here: https://talegate4joy.com/

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 the street from her grandmother shaped her lifelong dedication to caregiving. Her personal story and professional mission intersect in powerful ways—advocating for caregivers and restoring pride in their work.

Peter, whose childhood experiences with his grandparents' caregivers left a lasting impression, brings his background in media and storytelling to the eldercare space. His documentary series, "People Worth Caring About," captures genuine caregiver stories that highlight the dignity, skill, and heart within the profession.

In addition to discussing the power of storytelling to move hearts and reshape cultural narratives about aging and care, Erin and Peter highlight how authentic stories can do what data alone cannot—inspire empathy and drive change.

Learn more about the docuseries here: https://peopleworthcaringabout.com/home.

Please visit our website at : https://aginginnovation.org

Thanks to Amba our sponsor: https://www.ambahealth.com/

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 meaningful, systemic change for older adults.

Now leading an association of 5,500 mission-driven organizations, Katie shares how LeadingAge champions innovation, collaboration, and advocacy across the continuum of care—from affordable housing to aging in place. She also tackles the challenges of today's polarized political climate, the impact of government gridlock on providers, and the growing need for public-private partnerships to ensure a sustainable future for aging services.

Katie believes that progress depends not only on policy but on people and stories—keeping human impact at the center of every decision. She calls on leaders to think boldly, share ideas openly, and recruit visionary minds to aging services boards.

Listeners will also get a preview of the upcoming LeadingAge Annual Conference in Boston, featuring keynotes by José Andrés and David Brooks, and opportunities for global learning through the Global Aging Network.

More about LeadingAge here: LeadingAge.org

AgingIN Website

Please visit or sponsor - Amba

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 she observed innovative practices like virtual reality training for dementia care and stand-up CT machines.

Ryan and Zionts discuss integrating experiences with older adults into the curriculum for health professional students, such as having them regularly spend time with elders in the community.

Zionts suggests that reimagining of aging and care by connecting generations, humanizing technology, and reshaping healthcare to honor the dignity, wisdom, and individuality of older adults. She asserts that systems of care, learning, and innovationmust see elders not as problems to solve, but as people to learn from and partners in progress.

Zionts' call to action envisions building a future where aging is valued, technology serves humanity, and every generation learns from and cares for one another.

More about JHF here: https://jhf.org

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 vision redefines what it means to age with dignity.

Tamar and Susan discuss the household model, where six to 10 residents live in real homes supported by trained teams. Tamar explains how thoughtful design—like central kitchens and adaptable spaces—creates meaningful daily life, while technology tools reduce care fatigue without compromising autonomy.

The two also discuss the groundbreaking Rementia program, a dementia retreat designed to empower both individuals living with dementia and their caregivers. Backed by a three-year government grant, the program covers practical and personal aspects of life—food, exercise, sleep, intimacy, and financial planning—helping families reframe what's possible.

Tamar urges listeners to challenge the status quo and make small, intentional changes that improve the lives of older adults. Her story is a powerful reminder that care is designed around people—not institutions—it creates communities where everyone can be seen, valued, and supported.

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 approach to care and the use of technology are transforming outcomes for residents and staff alike.

Susan and Kristen discuss the impact of AMBA, a data-driven platform that provides insights on sleep, activity, and medication management, and how its implementation led to higher occupancy, reduced falls, improved compliance, and greater staff satisfaction.

Finally, Kristen underscores the importance of visionary leadership, staff collaboration, and continuous improvement to create better aging experiences.

Visit our website – https://aginginnovation.org

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 his belief in the power of relationships in healthcare and explains how Planetree's work—from its origins to its internationally recognized certification program—has transformed outcomes for patients, families, and staff alike.

Susan and Michale discuss the proven benefits of person-centered care, including lower hospital readmission rates, higher patient satisfaction, and stronger staff engagement.

Their conversation also touches on the importance of cultural transformation in healthcare organizations and practical ways leaders can foster environments where patients and staff truly feel seen, heard, and valued.

The Planetree Global Person-Centered Care Forum will take place in Baltimore, Oct. 12–15, 2025. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with leaders and innovators from around the world. Find out more here: https://www.planetree.org/.

Visit our website at https://aginginnovation.org/