I didn’t know what to expect when I showed up to my first Death Over Drinks event. The name alone was enough to stop me in my tracks—equal parts playful and provocative. But what I found that night was something I didn’t even realize I was looking for: real, meaningful connection. We laughed. We cried. We reflected. And we built something that’s in short supply these days—community.

In this episode, I sit down with Laura Cleminson, the visionary behind the Pre Dead Social Club, to talk about why she created this movement, how it’s grown, and why conversations about death are actually conversations about life.

• 0:00 - How the Pre Dead Social Club began
• 5:41 - Death cafés, mailing lists, and casting a wide net
• 8:49 - What talking about death really means
• 12:05 – How events are structured—and why that matters
• 15:00 - Attracting all ages and backgrounds
• 22:00 - Meeting people where they are
• 28:30 - How to get involved, wherever you are

If you're curious about your own relationship with mortality—or just want to meet new people in a surprisingly joyful setting—head to predeadsocialclub.com to sign up for the newsletter and get involved.

If this episode moved you, share it with someone you care about. Let’s keep these conversations going, because the more we talk about death, the more alive we all feel. Subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts, visit seniorityauthority.org, or get in touch at [email protected].

Are you completely burned out from caregiving? Do you feel like nobody quite understands what you’re going through?

In this heartfelt, wisdom-packed episode, caregiving advocate and author Carol Bradley Bursack joins Cathleen Toomey to talk candidly about the emotional tightrope that family caregivers walk every day. From navigating resistance to preserving dignity, Carol offers gentle, actionable strategies to help you support your loved one without losing yourself in the process.

You’ll learn how to:

• Start difficult conversations without triggering defensiveness
• Avoid the “parenting your parent” trap
• Create a caregiving plan that actually honors autonomy
• Flip the script when someone resists help
• Say “yes” when friends offer support and how to ask for what you really need

Plus, we explore how small self-care rituals can make a huge difference in managing stress and finding your footing as a caregiver. 

🔗 Links 

• Minding Our Elders by Carol Bradley Bursack
• Caregiver Action Network
• Alzheimer’s Association Support Groups
• Better Health While Aging – Dr. Leslie Kernisan
• When Your Aging Parent Needs Help by Dr. Leslie Kernisan

⏰ Timestamps 

• 00:00 - Intro and caregiver statistics  
• 01:11 - Meet Carol Bradley Bursack and her caregiving background  
• 02:00 - Why caregiving for aging adults is uniquely challenging  
• 03:01 - Opening respectful conversations with aging parents  
• 05:26 - Understanding their wishes and planning ahead  
• 09:00 - Why “parenting your parent” is the wrong approach  
• 12:33 - The emotional toll of isolation for caregivers  
• 14:50 - Online support groups and where to find them  
• 17:37 - Reframing resistance to help from aging parents  
• 20:45 - Daily self-care practices that actually work  
• 24:53 - How to accept and direct help from friends  
• 27:30 - Final reflections and caregiver encouragement  
•  

👉 What’s Next?

Feeling the caregiving crunch? Visit seniorityauthority.org for more episodes, expert advice, and resources to help you navigate aging with grace and confidence. 
 

💌 Stay Connected

Have a question about aging you’d love us to tackle in a future episode? Email us at i[email protected]. 

What if retirement isn’t the finish line, but a new beginning you haven’t trained for?

In this powerful episode, host Cathleen Toomey sits down with Harvard Business School professor emerita Dr. Teresa Amabile to explore the surprising truths behind retirement. Based on a decade of research and 200+ interviews, Dr. Amabile challenges the myth that money and health are all you need for a satisfying life post-career. Make sure not to miss this one—we reframe retirement as a phase requiring intention and reflection (and yes… a little work!)

Dr. Teresa Amabile is the Edsel Bryant Ford Professor of Business Administration, Emerita, at Harvard Business School. With a Ph.D. in Psychology from Stanford and over 40 years of research into creativity, motivation, and inner work life, she brings a deep, evidence-based lens to one of life’s biggest transitions: retirement. Her latest book, Retiring: Creating a Life That Works for You, is the result of a decade-long collaborative study with colleagues from MIT, Bentley, and Boston University.

From redefining identity to rebuilding purpose, this conversation is filled with practical insights—and moving personal stories—that reframe retirement as a phase requiring intention and reflection (and yes… a little work!).
 

💬
 What's Next?

• Check out the book Retiring: Creating a Life That Works for You and start exploring what your next chapter could look like. Try journaling about what purpose and identity mean to you—without your current job title.
   

🤝
Stay Connected

• Subscribe to Seniority Authority wherever you get your podcasts: https://pod.link/1556496158
• Follow Cathleen Toomey on LinkedIn
   

Learn more at http://seniorityauthority.org

Is Your Financial Plan Missing Something Big?

What if your retirement plan has a blind spot you didn't know existed?

In this enlightening episode, host Cathleen Toomey welcomes wealth management experts Tom Sedoric and Casey Snyder of Clove Hitch Advisors to break down the real secrets of retirement success. With decades of experience and national recognition from Forbes, these two know exactly what can derail even the most prepared retiree---and how to fix it.

Tom and Casey dive into the psychology of financial planning, including the dangers of optimism bias and recency bias. They discuss why collaboration with estate planners and accountants is essential, and how to create tax flexibility for a more secure future.

You'll learn:

• Why your plan might not be as resilient as you think
• How to start the financial conversation with your family
• The critical importance of having a written plan
• And how financial advisors themselves can future-proof their businesses

🔗 Links and Resources:

• The Optimism Bias by Tali Sharot
• Humble Dollar
• The Economist
• Bloomberg
• Financial Times
• The New York Times

❓ What's Next?

• What are your views, comments or questions on financial planning for retirement? Share them with us at [email protected]!

🤝🏻 Stay Connected

• Connect with host Cathleen Toomey on LinkedIn
• Find out more on the Seniority Authority website, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram
• Subscribe to Seniority Authority on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

🤝🏻 Timestamps

00:00 - Intro 
02:12 - Common blind spots in financial planning and the importance of anticipating change
04:04 - The role of optimism bias and recency bias in retirement planning
06:16 - Why collaboration with accountants and estate planners is critical
08:22 - Tax flexibility and long-term strategy in light of changing laws
13:18 - The increasing gap between capability and need as we age—and why early conversations matter
17:12 - Exercises to test financial resilience and the dangers of only planning for best-case scenarios
20:11 - How to answer the "How much do I need for retirement?" question
22:14 - The importance of team diversity, continuity, and future-proofing a financial firm
23:00 - Recommended financial media

2023 | 2024 Source: 

Forbes.com

 — Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors ranking was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person, virtual, and telephone due diligence meetings to evaluate each advisor qualitatively, a major component of a ranking algorithm that includes: client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, and firm nominations; as well as quantitative criteria including assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC and are not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client's experience. Neither Steward Partners Investment Solutions, LLC nor its Wealth Managers pay a fee to Forbes or SHOOK Research in exchange for the ranking. For more information, visit 

www.SHOOKresearch.com

.

Fraudsters are getting smarter---and their biggest targets? Older adults. With a staggering $28 billion lost annually to scams, it's time to take action.

In this episode, fraud prevention expert Ron Long shares insights on how scammers operate, why elder financial abuse is skyrocketing, and---most importantly---how to stay safe. Ron has spent years working to protect seniors from fraud, from his early days at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to leading the charge at Stevens & Lee.

What are the most common scams? Who are the perpetrators? And how can you safeguard your finances? Tune in for practical steps, eye-opening stats, and real-world solutions that could save you or a loved one from financial disaster.

*Learn more about the Moonshot Initiative: LinkedIn Page  
*Stevens & Lee -- Financial fraud prevention experts: Website  
*AARP Fraud Watch Network: Website  
*FTC Scam Alerts: Website

Don't miss an episode! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

What steps have you taken to protect yourself or your loved ones from scams? Share your thoughts at [email protected].  

The Moonshot Initiative on LinkedIn -- Learn more about the global effort to combat elder financial abuse. LinkedIn Page
Sstevens & Lee -- Ron Long's firm specializing in financial fraud prevention. Website
* AARP Fraud Watch Network -- AARP's resource for recognizing and preventing scams. Website
* Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Scam Alerts -- Updates on the latest scams targeting consumers. Website

Timestamps for Mentions:

• [00:35:03] -- The Moonshot Initiative on LinkedIn
• [00:37:42] -- Stevens & Lee and their fraud prevention services
• [00:28:00] -- The importance of family passwords to prevent fraud
• [00:21:00] -- The rising use of AI in scams, making them harder to detect

Are you a people pleaser? Do you find yourself apologizing for things you shouldn’t? Ann Leary, New York Times bestselling author, is here to inspire you to rewrite the script. In her newest collection, I Tried Being Nice, Ann shares witty, insightful essays about overcoming lifelong tendencies to people-please, redefining kindness, and embracing the unapologetic freedom of midlife. 

From confrontations with a neighbor (and their unruly dog) to honest reflections on her marriage, parenting, and self-discovery through tennis, Ann discusses the trials and triumphs of finding one’s voice later in life. Find out why she believes post-menopause is her prime and how shedding old habits has transformed her relationships and outlook.

Key Topics:

• The difference between kindness and people-pleasing 
• Why midlife is the perfect time to embrace authenticity 
• Parenting, empty-nesting, and reclaiming your true self 
• How tennis became both a hobby and a metaphor for life 

Join us for a heartfelt conversation that will leave you feeling empowered—and ready to embrace your unapologetic self. 

• Official Website
• Follow Ann on Instagram
• Get her book I Tried Being Nice

Connect with Us:

• Email us at [email protected]
• Visit Seniority Authority on the web
• Follow us on Facebook and Instagram

Subscribe to Seniority Authority on Apple Podcasts or Spotify today! 

1. 02:00 - Exploring Ann’s Writing Journey
2. 10:08 - Inspiration Behind I Tried Being Nice
3. 13:01 - Empty Nest Adventures
4. 19:45 - Life Lessons from the Tennis Court

24:03 - Breaking Free from People-Pleasing

The science regarding living longer is no longer just about genes---it's about the choices we make every day. In this episode, host Cathleen Toomey welcomes Maddy Dychtwald, award-winning author, speaker, and co-founder of Age Wave, to discuss her groundbreaking research and insights from her latest book, Ageless Aging: A Woman's Guide to Increasing Healthspan, Brainspan, and Lifespan.

Maddy reveals how women, who outlive men on average, often face unique challenges in maintaining their health and independence. She shares actionable strategies for managing inflammation, improving balance, and even boosting brain health with practical hacks like the "Flamingo Test" and an anti-inflammatory diet.

Tune in to learn:

• Why health is the "new affluence" and how it impacts everything from finances to fulfillment.
• The surprising link between hydration, circadian rhythms, and cognitive function.
• Why strength training is a game-changer for women over 60---and how it's never too late to rebuild muscle mass.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone eager to take control of their health and redefine what it means to age well.

What are your views, comments, or questions on aging gracefully and living healthier longer? Share them with us at [email protected]!

• Connect with our host Cathleen Toomey on LinkedIn
• You can also find Seniority Authority on Facebook, on Instagram, or connect with us on our website.

Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere you get your podcasts.

1. The Shift in Aging Demographics (00:00:36 -- 00:03:00)  

2. Health as the New Affluence (00:06:33 -- 00:07:54)  

3. The Role of Lifestyle in Longevity (00:05:03 -- 00:06:09)  

4. Practical Aging Hacks: Diet and Exercise (00:13:00 -- 00:21:15)  

5. Brain Health and Cognitive Decline (00:23:00 -- 00:25:54)  

6. Harnessing Probiotics and Hydration (00:26:00 -- 00:27:09)

Aging gracefully means navigating through years of accumulated possessions and deciding what truly matters. But this process can feel completely unmanageable and emotionally overwhelming—deciding what to do with a lifetime of possessions can definitely be complicated.

On this episode, we’re joined by Matt Paxton, who you may have seen on the fascinating show Hoarders. He is a decluttering expert, author, and host of Legacy List. In our conversation today, we dive into the emotional and practical aspects of downsizing. Matt shares insights from his latest book, "Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff," guiding listeners through a transformative process that honors their past while making room for the future.

What's Next?

• Got stories, questions, or insights about decluttering and downsizing? We'd love to hear from you at [email protected]!

Stay Connected

• Connect with Cathleen Toomey on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Seniority Authority on our website! Plus, follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
• Subscribe to Seniority Authority on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.

Sometimes all you need is a helping hand! Today, we sit down with Felicia Greenfield, an advocate for dementia caregiving support, to delve into the transformative power of mentorship for caregivers. Felicia shares the origin and impact of a pioneering program designed at the Penn Memory Center, which pairs experienced caregivers (mentors) with those newly navigating the caregiving journey (mentees).

The program, rooted in compassion and shared experience, offers practical guidance, emotional support, and a sense of community, demonstrating the profound difference mentorship can make in the lives of caregivers and their loved ones. Felicia discusses the program's setup, its successes, and how it addresses the unique challenges caregivers face, from dealing with the diagnosis to finding joy in the caregiving journey.

• Penn Memory Center's website
• Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers (ADRC) directory (To find an ADRC in your area)

What's Next?

• Share your caregiving stories, questions, or insights with us at [email protected]!

• Connect with Cathleen Toomey on LinkedIn
• Explore more about Seniority Authority on our website, Facebook, or Instagram.
• Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.

Join us as we uncover the invaluable role mentorship plays in the caregiving experience, highlighting the importance of support, understanding, and shared wisdom.

In this transformative episode of Seniority Authority, we sit down with Adam Felts, Research Associate at the MIT AgeLab, to dive into the complexities of caregiving in today's aging society. Adam shares invaluable insights from his groundbreaking research on family caregiving, revealing the challenges and triumphs of those caring for older adults. Together, we explore the implications of our longer life spans on caregiving dynamics and the crucial role of planning and support for caregivers.

Key Discussion Points:

• The increasing prevalence of caregiving responsibilities among middle-aged adults.
• The financial, emotional, and physical impacts of caregiving.
• Strategies for balancing caregiving with personal and professional life.
• The significance of planning for long-term care and available resources for caregivers.

What's Next?

What are your thoughts or experiences with caregiving? Do you have strategies or stories to share? Reach out to us at [email protected]!

Stay Connected

• Connect with Cathleen Toomey on LinkedIn
• Discover more about Seniority Authority on our website. Find us on Facebook and Instagram.

Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform.