When it comes to aging and caregiving, clarity ahead of time can make all the difference.

In this first episode of our on-going series, Building Your Team, we introduce one of the most overlooked and valuable professionals in aging in place, the occupational therapist.

Dr. Brandy Archie, OTD, OTR/L, CLIPP, occupational therapist and founder of Ask Samie, joins us to explain:

• What occupational therapy actually is
 • When it makes sense to get an OT evaluation
 • The difference between reactive and proactive home assessments
 • How OTs help reduce fall risk and improve daily independence
 • What certifications to look for when hiring an OT
 • How to access occupational therapy through insurance or private pay

If you are helping a parent stay safely at home, or hoping to plan ahead before you are in a crisis, this conversation will help you understand when and why occupational therapy belongs on your team.

Resources Mentioned: 

AskSamie - AskSAMIE is a digital health ecosystem that connects older adults and those with a disability to expert guidance from occupational therapists to make daily living easier. We do this by empowering them both with vetted adaptive equipment, services, and resources that are specific and available 24/7 through SAMIE, our AI tool.

For aging in place specialists, look for certifications such as:

•  Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) 
• Certified Living In Place Professional (CLIPP)

In this episode of the Sandwich Bread Podcast, Tom Kaminski is joined again by Danny Schwartze, CEO of Your Cyber Life, to continue their conversation on cybersecurity — this time with a specific focus on aging parents and elders.

Building on the fundamentals covered in the prior episode, Tom and Danny walk through practical, realistic steps families can take to reduce the risk of fraud, identity theft, and scams targeting older adults. The discussion covers both technical safeguards and behavioral changes, with an emphasis on solutions that are effective without being overwhelming.

Topics covered include credit freezes, securing key accounts, document shredding, social media risks, AI-powered scam calls, and the importance of trusted contacts. While the focus is on elders, many of these strategies apply just as much to younger families and caregivers navigating an increasingly sophisticated cyber threat landscape.

Resources discussed in this episode include: 

• NetCetera
• Your Cyber Life Login  PIN 3803
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC) – Identity Theft & Scam Resources
  Federal Bureau of Investigation – Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
  Report cybercrime and learn about emerging scam trends.
• Credit Freeze Information*
  • Experian
  • Equifax
  • TransUnion

*you do NOT need a paid subscription to freeze your credit with any of these credit reporting agencies

Helping aging parents stay safe at home often feels overwhelming, especially when families wait until a fall or health crisis forces decisions.

In this episode, Tom Kaminski, CFP®️, is joined by occupational therapist Emilia Bourland,  OTR, ECHM, to talk about how families can take a proactive approach to aging in place. Emilia explains what occupational therapy really is, how home environments impact safety and independence, and which areas of the home deserve the most attention as we age.

They also cover realistic caregiving considerations, including dementia, the limits of family caregiving, and how to think about the financial side of home modifications and long-term care. The episode wraps with a clear, four-step framework families can use to start planning now rather than reacting later.

All of the resources discussed in today’s conversation are linked below.

Resources mentioned

• CareLab Podcast
  
  
• Ask SAMIE
  Virtual occupational therapy assessments and aging-in-place support
  
  
• Rosarium Health
  Occupational therapy assessments and guidance on benefits and home modifications
  
  
• USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology
  Executive Certificate of Home Modification graduate directory
  
  
• LumaLink
  Voice concierge connecting people to aging-in-place and senior support services
  
  
• What Do I Do When...An Occupational Therapist’s Guide to Solving Daily Dementia Care Problems by Emilia Bourland
  This daily guide to dementia care gives practical tips and strategies for common challenges like eating, bathing, dressing, grooming, sleeping, wandering, agitation/aggression, fall prevention, and more
  
  

Cybersecurity has quietly become part of everyday life, whether we like it or not. In this episode, Tom Kaminski is joined by Danny Schwartze, CEO of Your Cyber Life, to talk through practical, real-world steps families can take to better protect themselves online.

From fraud texts and phishing emails to AI-driven scams, this conversation focuses on building awareness and putting simple safeguards in place without feeling overwhelmed. This episode is designed for families who want to strengthen their digital defenses, with a follow-up episode planned that will focus specifically on cybersecurity support for aging parents.

Resources discussed in this episode include: 

• NetCetera
• Your Cyber Life Login  PIN 3803

When elder law planning is delayed, families often find themselves in crisis mode.

In this episode, Tom Kaminski and elder law attorney Maureen Lester discuss common elder law “horror stories,” what actually goes wrong when planning happens too late, and how families can avoid these outcomes. They cover outdated estate documents, guardianship proceedings, and the financial and emotional costs of court involvement.

The conversation also highlights positive planning strategies, including care contracts, Medicaid considerations, and how clearly defining roles among siblings can reduce conflict. Maureen shares practical ways families can start conversations early and take small but meaningful steps before a crisis occurs.

This episode offers realistic guidance for navigating aging, caregiving responsibilities, and long-term care decisions.

What is elder law, and why does traditional estate planning often fall short as parents age?

In this episode, Tom Kaminski is joined by elder law attorney Maureen Lester to break down the role of elder law, how it differs from standard estate planning, and why it becomes essential once health, cognition, and caregiving enter the picture.

Maureen explains how elder law focuses not just on asset transfer, but on long-term care planning, decision-making authority, and protecting vulnerable adults. Together, they discuss common misconceptions families have, why early planning matters, and how professionals can work together to better support aging parents and their adult children.

This episode lays the groundwork for understanding the legal realities families face as they move into the later stages of life.

Open enrollment for Medicare ends on December 7. If you are caring for aging parents, supporting multiple generations, or approaching age 65 yourself, this episode will help you get clarity fast. Our guest is Grant George from Medicare Done Professionally. He explains Medicare in simple and practical terms. We cover what Parts A, B, C and D actually do, how to compare employer or retiree plans with Medicare, and the biggest mistakes people make during open enrollment.

Grant also walks through enrollment timelines, advisor compensation, red flags to watch for, and the best practices families should follow each fall. If you are navigating Medicare for the first time or helping a parent make decisions, this episode gives you the education you need to move forward with confidence.

Guest: Grant George, Medicare Done Professionally
 Website: www.mdprs.com

In this episode, Tom talks with financial planner Danielle Seurkamp about what the “sandwich generation” means in practical terms. Instead of a demographic, it is a season of life when someone supports younger and older generations at the same time.

Danielle shares her experience caring for her grandmother through illness and cognitive decline. She discusses the financial and logistical tasks she took on, the family dynamics involved, and the learning curve that many caregivers face when support needs increase quickly.

Tom and Danielle discuss:
 • How they define the sandwich or caretaker generation
 • Why caregiving often begins suddenly
 • The strain that comes with increased responsibility
 • Danielle’s real-world caregiving story
 • The importance of documents and planning
 • The role of trusted professionals
 • First steps for new or stressed caregivers

This episode offers a helpful foundation for anyone navigating caregiving and financial planning.

Click here to Download the free Caregiver Contact List

 Learn more about Danielle at https://www.wellspentplanning.com/

In this episode, Tom explains how to approach open enrollment with clarity and confidence. He covers retirement plan deferrals, health insurance comparisons, FSAs, disability coverage, life insurance, and lesser known benefits that can save or cost you real money. A simple, structured guide to help you get the most value from your employer benefits.

Episode 1.0 introduces The Sandwich Bread Pod and the purpose behind it. Tom Kaminski, CFP®, shares his background, why he launched this show, and what it really means to be part of the Sandwich Generation. This episode sets the foundation for honest conversations about multigenerational life, real financial pressure, and the responsibilities that come with supporting parents, raising kids, and managing your own goals.