Last year, I had the privilege of joining as a Jury member, award presenter, and speaker. Meeting changemakers and those that reshaping aging care around the globe brings hope to our future, and we still have work to do! I left inspired by the global momentum to rethink how we support aging populations.

Every conversation, every connection, reminded me that “Care and love are universal.”

In this episode, I share a glimpse into our time last year and re-share my interview with the founder, Jerome Pigniez. He shares  about The SilverNight Awards, and the SilverEco & Ageing Well International Festival is an event that unites global leaders to celebrate and advance the cause of aging well. From Paris to Tokyo and now Cannes, this festival has grown to become a gathering for those dedicated to making a difference.

This international festival is a premier event that brings together experts, innovators, and passionate individuals from around the world, dedicated to improving the lives of older adults.

If you're looking to:

• Spark meaningful partnerships
• Inspire and be inspired
• Elevate your work and your network
• Deepen your impact alongside global leaders
• Build global connections across sectors
• Learn from leading voices in aging and eldercare
• Showcase or discover innovations making real impact
• Celebrate those who care—with heart and vision

…then SilverEco 2025 is the place to be.

If you work in aging, caregiving, agetech, innovation, or healthy longevity—this is your invitation.

🌍 SilverEco & Ageing Well International Festival 2025

📅 October 20–21, 2025

📍 Cannes, France🔗 silvereco.org

And yes—submissions are open now for the 2025 SilverEco Awards.

Register HERE: https://silvereco.org/pass/subscribe-festival/?scr=25wg767iv

Learn more HERE: https://www.silvereco.org/festival/en/contact-us/?scr=25wg767iv

Thank you to our Sponsors

HeroGeneration empowers caregivers and families by providing innovative resources, education, and support to navigate the challenges of aging and caregiving with confidence and connection. It's free to start. Join now HERE.

Zinnia TV is a therapeutic dementia care platform that supports caregivers. Creating engaging, dementia-friendly video content to reduce anxiety, spark memories, and provide meaningful moments of connection for individuals living with cognitive challenges and their caregivers. We invite you to use the code GATHER20 for 20% off an annual subscription HERE.

We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts.

Please follow for updates, rate & review!

For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

What if your deepest caregiving experience became the blueprint for changing the system? Dr. Francesca Falzarano was just 14 when her mother was diagnosed with dementia—an experience that shaped not only her identity, but her life’s work.

Now an Assistant Professor of Gerontology at USC and founder of the Falzarano Family Caregiving Lab, Francesca is studying the full arc of caregiving—from diagnosis to grief. In this conversation, she shares how personal loss inspired a research mission, what caregivers actually need (and when), and how technology and storytelling can foster healing and connection.

Whether you're a family caregiver, healthcare professional, or someone walking this journey alongside a loved one, this episode is a powerful reminder that research doesn’t belong in silos—it belongs in real life.

This episode is made possible by our sponsors:

HeroGeneration – offering tools, guidance, and a sense of belonging for caregivers who often feel like they’re navigating alone. Zinnia TV – bringing calm, joy, and meaningful moments to people living with dementia and the ones who love them. Use the code GATHER20 for 20% off your annual subscription.

Thank you for supporting the heart of this conversation. 

We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts.

Please follow for updates, rate & review!

For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

What happens when the roles we’ve known all our lives—daughter, professional, partner—are suddenly eclipsed by one word: caregiver? For so many, caregiving becomes not just a responsibility but an identity. And with that comes the heavy mix of self-sacrifice, emotional resilience, and a quiet grief. But what if there’s another way to see it? What if caregiving could be both a deep act of love and an opportunity to hold onto who we are, to grow, and to even rediscover our power?

Today’s guest, Nikki Nurse, spent 12 years as a full-time caregiver for her mom, who lived with early-onset dementia and Alzheimer’s. That journey shaped not only her days but her entire understanding of empathy, resilience, and what it means to care for someone while still caring for yourself. Nikki’s story is one of navigating grief, finding emotional respite, and redefining what sustainable self-care looks like—not as a luxury, but as a lifeline for caregivers.

In this conversation, we’ll explore the truth behind caregiving and self-sacrifice, what sustainable self-care really looks like, and why permission to be seen is a radical act for caregivers. Nikki will share how to navigate grief and guilt, set boundaries, and even break the generational patterns that tell us caregiving must mean losing ourselves. Nikki shares how AI can help caregivers by easing the mental load—automating tasks, offering reminders, and creating space for what really matters: being present and caring without burning out. We’ll also talk about reclaiming confidence, embracing resilience, and the small, powerful ways caregivers can give themselves flowers—every day.

Follow and connect with Nikki at http://www.alogcabininbrooklyn.com/ and follow her  HERE.

Listen to her podcast with CARE-isma HERE.

Thank you to our Sponsors

HeroGeneration empowers caregivers and families. It's free to start. Join now HERE.

Share your caregiver story HERE!

Zinnia TV is a therapeutic dementia care platform that supports caregivers. We invite you to use the code GATHER20 for 20% off an annual subscription HERE.

We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts.

Please follow for updates, rate & review!

For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

What caregiving really asks of us—emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

What happens inside us when we’re called to care for someone we love? Beneath the to-do lists and the sleepless nights lives an unspoken truth: caregiving changes us. It can strip us down, reshape our identity, and ask us to find meaning in all of it.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Barry J. Jacobs—a clinical psychologist, family therapist, and longtime caregiver himself. He’s the author of The Emotional Survival Guide for Caregivers and the upcoming AARP Caregiver Answer Book. Barry brings decades of insight into what it really means to show up for others while trying to hold onto yourself.

We talk about the emotional toll of caregiving, the guilt that lingers, and the loneliness that can come when no one sees what you’re carrying. Barry shares real, practical ways to manage anxiety, protect your identity, and build resilience. We also explore what a truly supportive healthcare system could look like—and how caregivers can begin to advocate for themselves.

This is an episode for anyone in the thick of it, anyone who’s quietly unraveling and rebuilding, and anyone who just needs to hear: you’re not alone.

Thank you to our sponsors!

HeroGeneration empowers caregivers and families by providing innovative resources, education, and support to navigate the challenges of aging and caregiving with confidence and connection. It's free to start. Join now HERE.

Zinnia TV is a therapeutic dementia care platform that supports caregivers. creates engaging, dementia-friendly video content to reduce anxiety, spark memories, and provide meaningful moments of connection for individuals living with cognitive challenges and their caregivers. We invite you to use the code GATHER20 for 20% off an annual subscription HERE.

We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts.

Please follow for updates, rate & review!

For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

We’re told that aging is about loss. About slowing down. About limits. But what if we’ve got it all wrong?

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Charlotte Yeh — a trailblazer in healthcare, a former emergency physician, and now the Chief Experience Officer at Cherish. With over three decades of experience, including former Chief Medical Officer at AARP and now Yeh Innovation, Charlotte brings a deeply human perspective: that aging can be a time of growth, connection, and purpose.

Together, we explore the myths and truths around getting older. We ask: how can we shift the narrative from decline to vitality? From isolation to community? From fear to intention?

Dr. Yeh shares profound insights on emotional well-being, the quiet epidemic of loneliness, and how technology — when used wisely — can measure what really matters. This is a conversation about agency, resilience, and how we can all age not just gracefully, but powerfully.

Because aging isn’t something that happens to us — it’s something we can choose to do with meaning.

Thank you to our sponsors:

HeroGeneration – Empowering caregivers and families with free tools, resources, and a supportive community to navigate aging with confidence and connection. Sign up HERE.

Zinnia TV – A therapeutic platform for dementia care, offering calming, connection-centered video content. Use code GATHER20 for 20% off an annual subscription. Sign up HERE. 

U.S. News & World Report announced its 2025 Best Senior Living ratings, naming 1,894 communities based on 450,000+ survey responses. In this episode, Liz Pearce, Product Director for Senior Living, joins us to share how the rankings are created, what families should know, and how these ratings help older adults and caregivers find trusted, compassionate senior living options nationwide.

Learn more about U.S. News & World Report HERE. 

Thank you to our Sponsors

HeroGeneration empowers caregivers and families by providing innovative resources, education, and support to navigate the challenges of aging and caregiving with confidence and connection. It's free to start. Join now HERE.

Zinnia TV is a therapeutic dementia care platform that supports caregivers. We invite you to use the code GATHER20 for 20% off an annual subscription HERE.

We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts.

Please follow for updates, rate & review!

For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

What do we do when someone we love says no to the very thing we believe will help them most?

When care is met with resistance, it can feel frustrating and heartbreaking—especially when dementia is part of the story. In this episode, we unpack the topic of refusals of care in dementia: why they happen, what’s really behind the resistance, and how we can respond with more compassion and less fear.

Joining me is award-winning dementia care educator Adria Thompson, founder of Be Light Care Consulting. With over nine years of experience as a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist, Adria shares practical strategies for decreasing refusals of care through communication, environment, and truly knowing the person behind the diagnosis.

We recorded this conversation at the Silver Eco Festival in Cannes, France, where Adria was recognized internationally for her work and we spoke on a panel together with Dementia Darling, Carrie Aalberts.

Whether you're a professional or family caregiver, you’ll walk away with insights you can use today—and a renewed sense of hope.

Thank you to our sponsors: HeroGeneration – free tools and support for caregiving families. Join HERE. Zinnia TV – meaningful moments for dementia care. Use code GATHER20 for 20% off HERE.

Please follow for updates, rate & review!

For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

What if the people we care for had the microphone? What if—before we create another policy, schedule a medication, or make assumptions about what’s “best”—we paused and simply asked: What do you want? How does this feel? What matters most to you today? In a world where caregiving often centers on doing for, we sometimes forget the power of simply being with. This episode is an invitation to slow down and listen to the voices that often go unheard—the ones on the receiving care.

Today, I’m sharing a conversation that is deeply personal and one that I've been wanting to have for some time. I sat down with four incredible residents from the Trails of Orono, an Ebenezer assisted living community. Mike D is 88 and carries stories from a rich life full of meaning. Gary J, who just turned 86 on March 30th, brings warmth and wisdom to every word. Marie H celebrated her 103rd birthday on March 27th—yes, 103!—and Lucia A, at 93, offers reflections that are both grounded and generous. These conversations aren't about statistics or systems. They're about humanity—what it feels like to age, to receive care, to be seen, to be missed, to be remembered.

You’ll hear about their life, what brings them joy, how they feel well cared for and what it feels like to transition to being cared for. We talk about dignity, loss, autonomy, surprise, and love. And we ask the question at the heart of it all: How can we truly care well for people if we don’t know what they are thinking, feeling, and needing? These voices—Mike, Gary, Marie, and Lucia—are the heartbeat of this episode. It’s my hope that by listening to their stories, we’ll become better listeners, better caregivers, and better humans.

Thank you to our Sponsors

HeroGeneration empowers caregivers and families by providing innovative resources, education, and support to navigate the challenges of aging and caregiving with confidence and connection. It's free to start. Join now HERE.

Zinnia TV is a therapeutic dementia care platform that supports caregivers. creates engaging, dementia-friendly video content to reduce anxiety, spark memories, and provide meaningful moments of connection for individuals living with cognitive challenges and their caregivers. We invite you to use the code GATHER20 for 20% off an annual subscription HERE.

Please follow for updates, rate & review!

For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

Thank you to our sponsors HeroGeneration and Zinnia! 

What would you do if someone you loved needed care—and the system meant to help only left you feeling more lost?

When Christie Stukenholtz set out to find care for her grandmother, she never imagined the overwhelming maze she’d have to navigate. No clear answers. No trusted guide. Just frustration. That experience lit a fire in her—and from it, Senior Care Finder was born.

We explore:

• What families really need when facing senior care decisions
• How to quickly find trusted care options without the overwhelm
• The untold burden of the “sandwich generation”—and how to manage it
• Why transparency and access are reshaping the caregiving landscape

Whether you're stepping into a caregiving role or supporting someone who is, this conversation will leave you informed, empowered, and inspired by what’s possible when purpose meets innovation.

Thank you to our Sponsors

HeroGeneration empowers caregivers and families by providing innovative resources, education, and support to navigate the challenges of aging and caregiving with confidence and connection. It's free to start. Join now HERE.

Zinnia TV is a therapeutic dementia care platform that supports caregivers. creates engaging, dementia-friendly video content to reduce anxiety, spark memories, and provide meaningful moments of connection for individuals living with cognitive challenges and their caregivers. We invite you to use the code GATHER20 for 20% off an annual subscription HERE.

We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts.

Please follow for updates, rate & review!

For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com

In this episode, we sit down with Norman Harris, a licensed nursing home administrator, founder of Comfort Measures Consulting, and host of The Let’s Get Comfy Podcast. His journey started at just 8 years old, volunteering in nursing homes with his grandmother. Now, he’s on a mission to revolutionize elder care, advocate for caregivers, and inject energy, purpose, and fun into an industry that desperately needs it.

Norman shares: ✅ The power of advocacy in healthcare and why caregivers need champions ✅ How to make caregiving “cool” and elevate healthcare professionals as leaders ✅ The challenges families face in senior care—and how to navigate them ✅ His journey from business to finding purpose in care

This conversation is for anyone navigating healthcare decisions, working in caregiving, or looking for inspiration on leading with heart. 

Thank you to our Sponsors

HeroGeneration empowers caregivers and families by providing innovative resources, education, and support to navigate the challenges of aging and caregiving with confidence and connection. It's free to start. Join now HERE.

Zinnia TV is a therapeutic dementia care platform that supports caregivers. creates engaging, dementia-friendly video content to reduce anxiety, spark memories, and provide meaningful moments of connection for individuals living with cognitive challenges and their caregivers. We invite you to use the code GATHER20 for 20% off an annual subscription HERE.

We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts.

Please follow for updates, rate & review!

For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com