Empowered Elder Podcast

What can you do today to make things easier for the people you love tomorrow?

Estate planning isn't just about deciding what happens to your assets. It's also about making sure your family isn't left searching for answers during an already difficult time.

In Part 2 of our conversation with Shane Phillips of First Steps Help, we talk about the difference between planning and settlement, why organizing important documents matters, and why both partners should know where the important information is.

We also explore end-of-life conversations, digital tools, and resources that can help families navigate the practical side of loss.

The goal isn't to plan from a place of fear. It's to create clarity, organization, and peace of mind for the people you love.

🎧 Listen to Episode 31 — Part 2 of the Empowered Elder Podcast.

And if this conversation could help someone you know, be generous and share it with them. ❤️

Chapters:00:00 – Introduction: Estate Planning vs. Estate Settlement00:38 – The Stress of Missing Information After a Loss02:54 – Modern After-Loss Care & Digital Document Vaults04:27 – The Origin of the First Steps Book & Concierge Service07:31 – Real-World Solutions: Handling Unique Family Assets09:48 – Planning Ahead vs. Settling an Estate12:26 – Case Study: Complex Estate Settlement Steps13:56 – Organizing Your Affairs: Step-by-Step Guidance16:00 – Starting Crucial Family Conversations Early18:59 – The First Essential Action Step for Families19:59 – Lightning Round: Myths & Key Documents21:42 – Closing Takeaways: Clarity and Peace of Mind
Guests: Shane Phillips, Founder, First Steps Help🌐https://firststepshelp.com/Hosts: 🎙️ Tasha Beckman & Nicole Robilotto The Empowered Elder Podcast — where we talk about home, heart, and the next chapter of life.

What happens financially after someone dies?

Grief is already heavy, but families may also suddenly have to navigate the home, mortgage, debts, life insurance, investments, and important financial documents — often without knowing where to begin.

In Part 1 of this conversation, Shane helps break down some of the financial first steps families may need to consider after a loss, including:

• Securing the home and understanding mortgage obligations

• Knowing which debts need immediate attention

• Gathering important financial documents

• Identifying life insurance and investment accounts

• Understanding beneficiaries and estate planning

• Creating a clearer financial roadmap before a crisis happens

Shane also shares personal experiences that helped shape his work helping families navigate the financial side of loss.

Because preparation doesn't take away the loss — but knowing what to do next can make an overwhelming situation easier to navigate.

Listen to Part 2 for a deeper conversation about information, organization, and why both partners should know where important financial records are before a crisis happens.

In Part 2 of our conversation with Beth Hackett, OT & Certified Metabolic Health Coach, we explore the physical and mental foundations of healthy aging — including strength, nutrition, mobility, independence, resilience, and mindset.

Beth explains why maintaining strength is so important as we age, how muscle loss can affect independence, and simple ways to incorporate strength-building movements into everyday life.

We also talk about protein and nutrition, including practical tips for identifying protein-rich foods and making healthier choices.

Beth gets personal, sharing her own health journey and the health crisis she experienced before 50 — and why her transformation ultimately required more than a diet. It required a shift in mindset.

From changing “I can't” to “How can I?” to understanding difficult emotions, breaking old habits, building new ones, and knowing when to ask for help, Beth offers a powerful reminder that growth doesn't stop with age.

And in our lightning round, she shares quick answers on healthy-aging myths, daily habits, independence, failure, and getting unstuck.

You’re never too old to challenge what you believe is possible.

Guests: Beth Hackett, Occupational Therapist & Certified Metabolic Health Coach, Thrive in Wellness, LLC 🌐https://www.trilivyhealth.com/us/en/c...Hosts: 🎙️ Tasha Beckman & Nicole Robilotto The Empowered Elder Podcast — where we talk about home, heart, and the next chapter of life.

In partnership with Agewise Colorado:https://agewisecolorado.org/blog/empo...🎧 Youtube: https://youtu.be/cjyeG_FGiws?si=KdsnGHJ_NoeLt_kQ🍎 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast...🔗 Visit our website & episode resources:http://bit.ly/EmpoweredElderPodcast

You’re never too old — unless you decide you’re too old.

In Part 1 of our conversation with Beth Hackett, Occupational Therapist and Certified Metabolic Health Coach, we explore the mindset behind healthy aging.

Beth shares her own remarkable journey of losing 355 pounds and explains why lasting change went far beyond weight loss. We talk about limiting beliefs, learning to ask for help, celebrating small wins, building healthy habits, and finding the courage to believe that something different might be possible.

Beth also shares how she applies these lessons with her clients, helping them break big goals into smaller, achievable steps and build the confidence and independence to keep moving forward.

Because healthy aging isn't about perfection. It's about continuing to learn, grow, adapt, and live the life you want to live.

In this episode:

00:00 – Beth's journey into occupational therapy02:42 – Losing 355 pounds and changing her health journey03:39 – OT vs. PT: What's the difference?08:10 – You're never too old10:20 – Why mindset comes first11:48 – The importance of asking for help13:10 – Vulnerability and moving past fear15:13 – Always having something to work toward16:02 – Taking care of yourself so you can care for others18:04 – Why mindset matters when life gets difficult18:47 – What healthy aging means to Beth19:01 – Gratitude and celebrating small wins21:20 – The “gratitude sandwich”22:28 – Redefining what a win looks like23:41 – Breaking big goals into smaller steps24:34 – Always having something to work toward26:33 – Knowledge is power26:43 – Moving from “I can't” to “what might I be able to do?”

Guests: Beth Hackett, Occupational Therapist & Certified Metabolic Health Coach, Thrive in Wellness, LLC 🌐https://www.trilivyhealth.com/us/en/coach/1013192728Hosts: 🎙️ Tasha Beckman & Nicole Robilotto The Empowered Elder Podcast — where we talk about home, heart, and the next chapter of life.

In partnership with Agewise Colorado:https://agewisecolorado.org/blog/empowered-elder-podcasts/🍎 Apple:

https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/empowered-elder-podcast/id1862896231

▶️ Youtube:

https://youtu.be/bQoWyCBAEtM

🔗 Visit our website & episode resources:http://bit.ly/EmpoweredElderPodcast

How do you know if your financial advisor is truly the right fit?

What retirement mistakes should you avoid after 50? And what financial questions should you be asking before making major decisions?

In Part 2 of our conversation with Sharon Starkey, we get practical about financial planning, retirement, aging, and protecting your financial future.

Sharon shares the financial advisor red flags people shouldn't ignore—from feeling dismissed or unheard to having calls go unanswered or being told what to do without a meaningful recommendation.

We also talk about common retirement mistakes, the importance of saving consistently, tax questions to bring to your financial advisor, and why having the right professional network can make navigating Social Security and other complicated systems easier.

Plus, Sharon explains why financial planning should be a judgment-free experience and why something as simple as having a will and power of attorney can make a huge difference for your family.

Whether you're over 50, approaching retirement, already retired, or helping an aging parent navigate finances, this conversation is about more than money.

It's about confidence, clarity, independence—and ultimately, peace of mind.

In this episode:00:00 – Introduction & The Philosophy of Empowered Planning01:53 – Longevity in Financial Relationships06:36 – Empowering Independence and Freedom10:32 – Identifying Subtle Red Flags13:19 – Navigating Systemic Hurdles17:28 – Breaking Down the Financial Planning Process25:15 – Overcoming Judgment and Financial Shame29:34 – The Lightning Round & OutroIn partnership with Agewise Colorado:https://agewisecolorado.org/blog/empo...▶️ Youtube: https://youtu.be/nrKn_SQyT6g?si=9ORpoZCjnaLD0FCW🍎 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast...🔗 Visit our website & episode resources:http://bit.ly/EmpoweredElderPodcastGuests: Sharon Starkey, Financial Advisor🌐https://www.highlandswmg.com/Hosts: 🎙️ Tasha Beckman & Nicole Robilotto The Empowered Elder Podcast — where we talk about home, heart, and the next chapter of life.

As parents get older, financial planning can become about much more than investments and numbers.

It can become about independence, family dynamics, changing needs, and making sure the person you love can continue living with dignity.

In this episode, Sharon Starkey, CFP and CDFA, shares more than 30 years of experience helping retirees, widows, and older adults navigate their finances. She talks about subtle changes that may signal someone needs help, including repeated questions, overdrawn accounts, changes in grooming, and difficulty understanding things they once knew well.

Tasha and Nicole also explore the importance of planning ahead — from Power of Attorney and beneficiary designations to wills, gifting, and building a retirement plan well before the transition actually happens.

The truth is, these conversations aren't always easy. But having them while everyone is healthy and capable can give families more choices later.

In partnership with Agewise Colorado:https://agewisecolorado.org/blog/empowered-elder-podcasts/▶️ Youtube: https://youtu.be/ydjT6RCts2g🍎 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/empowered-elder-podcast/id1862896231🔗 Visit our website & episode resources:http://bit.ly/EmpoweredElderPodcastGuests: Sharon Starkey, Financial Advisor🌐https://www.highlandswmg.com/Hosts: 🎙️ Tasha Beckman & Nicole Robilotto The Empowered Elder Podcast — where we talk about home, heart, and the next chapter of life.

Senior living has changed—and families have more options than they may realize.

In Part 2 of our conversation with Hani Pullen, senior advisor and advocate, we explore how families can navigate today's senior living options and find a community that can support their loved one through different stages of aging.

Hani shares how she screens communities before families tour, the questions families often don't think to ask, and how a senior advisor can help make the process less overwhelming.

We also talk about common misconceptions around senior advisors, what families should have in place before a crisis, and why sometimes the best first step is simply taking a breath and focusing on what needs to happen next.

In partnership with Agewise Colorado:https://agewisecolorado.org/blog/empo...▶️ Youtube: https://youtu.be/nkzrC7gP2Jk?si=5Ws0TdWohcrO-ChW

🍎 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast...🔗 Visit our website & episode resources:http://bit.ly/EmpoweredElderPodcastGuests: Hani Pullen, Senior Advisor and Advocate, All About Seniors🌐 https://allaboutseniorsinc.net/Hosts: 🎙️ Tasha Beckman & Nicole Robilotto The Empowered Elder Podcast — where we talk about home, heart, and the next chapter of life.

What happens when senior care decisions have to be made in the middle of a crisis?

In this episode, Hani Pullen, a senior referral advisor and former social worker, shares why planning ahead can make all the difference. We talk about recognizing when a loved one may need additional support, evaluating senior living options, aging in place, and creating a Plan A and Plan B before a crisis happens.

Because informed decisions are easier to make when you have time to make them.

In partnership with Agewise Colorado:https://agewisecolorado.org/blog/empo...▶️ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EmpoweredElderPodcast🍎 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast...🔗 Visit our website & episode resources:http://bit.ly/EmpoweredElderPodcastGuests: Hani Pullen, Senior Advisor and Advocate, All About Seniors🌐 https://allaboutseniorsinc.net/Hosts: 🎙️ Tasha Beckman & Nicole Robilotto The Empowered Elder Podcast — where we talk about home, heart, and the next chapter of life.

Artificial intelligence is changing the landscape of fraud, but technology isn't the only challenge.

Fear, embarrassment, and silence often keep people from asking for help when they need it most.

In Part 2 of this conversation, Mark Fetterhoff, Program Manager of AARP ElderWatch, shares practical steps to protect your financial accounts, improve online safety, and respond quickly if you become the target of a scam. From two-factor authentication and public Wi-Fi safety to fraud alerts and credit freezes, this episode is filled with simple actions anyone can take.

Just as importantly, we discuss why creating judgment-free conversations with older adults can help families recognize scams sooner and support one another with confidence instead of fear.

No matter where you are in your journey, we hope this conversation reminds you that knowledge, preparation, and open communication are some of the strongest tools we have.

In partnership with Agewise Colorado:https://agewisecolorado.org/blog/empo...🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6CnZ3fF...🍎 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast...🔗 Visit our website & episode resources:http://bit.ly/EmpoweredElderPodcastGuests: Mark Fetterhoff, Program Manager, AARP ElderWatch🌐 https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-frau...Hosts: 🎙️ Tasha Beckman & Nicole Robilotto The Empowered Elder Podcast — where we talk about home, heart, and the next chapter of life.

Scams are constantly evolving, and they're becoming harder to recognize.

In this episode, Mark Fetterhoff, Program Manager of AARP ElderWatch, shares why financial fraud isn't just a technology issue—it's a people issue.

Together, we explore the most common scams targeting older adults, why these schemes are so effective, and practical ways to protect yourself without living in fear. From home repair fraud and romance scams to identity theft and spoofed phone calls, Mark offers clear, actionable advice that anyone can use.

Whether you're an older adult, caring for an aging parent, or supporting a loved one, this conversation is a reminder that awareness, preparation, and trusted conversations are some of the strongest tools we have.

Thanks for listening. We hope this episode leaves you feeling more informed, more confident, and reminded that you don't have to navigate these challenges alone.

In partnership with Agewise Colorado:https://agewisecolorado.org/blog/empowered-elder-podcasts/🍎 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/empowered-elder-podcast/id1862896231

▶️ Youtube: https://youtu.be/irHc6d0v8Bw

🔗 Visit our website & episode resources:http://bit.ly/EmpoweredElderPodcastGuests: Mark Fetterhoff, Program Manager, AARP ElderWatch🌐 https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/helpline/Hosts: 🎙️ Tasha Beckman & Nicole Robilotto The Empowered Elder Podcast — where we talk about home, heart, and the next chapter of life.