In Part I, Dr. Leanne Clark-Shirley of the American Society on Aging (ASA) outlined the broad vision for aging in America. ASA has been a steady voice in the national conversation on aging since 1954. Today, under Dr. Clark-Shirley’s leadership as President and CEO, the organization is shaping what many call the “North Star” for practitioners in the field. With more than 4,000 members spanning health, housing, caregiving, technology, academia, philanthropy, and government, ASA convenes and is committed to reimagining how America grows older. 

Here in Part II, we focus on how retirees, families, and communities can begin to take action.

Where to Learn More

• About ASA: asaging.org/about
• On Aging Conference: asaging.org/on-aging
• On Aging Institute: asaging.org/on-aging-institute
• Generations Journal: generations.asaging.org
• Local MPA Resources: Missouri
• National MPA Resources: https://multisectorplanforaging.org/map 

The American Society on Aging (ASA) has been a steady voice in the national conversation on aging since 1954. Today, under the leadership of President and CEO Dr. Leanne Clark-Shirley, the organization is shaping what many call the “North Star” for practitioners in the field. With more than 4,000 members representing health, housing, caregiving, technology, academia, philanthropy, and government, ASA convenes and equips a multidisciplinary network committed to reimagining how America grows older.

On today's episode of The Retirement Insiders, host Tony Kalinowski and co-host/producer David Alexander sat down with Dr. Clark-Shirley for a two-part discussion. Part I explores her personal journey into the field, ASA’s mission, and why demographic change is making collaboration more urgent than ever.

Where to Learn More

• About ASA: asaging.org/about
• On Aging Conference: asaging.org/on-aging
• On Aging Institute: asaging.org/on-aging-institute
• Generations Journal: generations.asaging.org
• Local MPA Resources: Missouri
• National MPA Resources: https://multisectorplanforaging.org/map 

Recent October 9th Ageism Awareness Day 

Host Tony Kalinowski and Co-Host and Producer David Alexander continue the conversation with Eric Camfield of Altar Fly Fishing. Part I traced Eric’s path from the Yankees to the pastorate to founding Altar, why these retreats are not vacations, and how a weekly pause improved Tony’s effectiveness. In Part II, we examine the always “on” culture and what Eric calls soul thresholds, the daily cadence of an Altar retreat, the life mapping and Soul 360 tools, and why he prefers the term “redeployment” over retirement. The episode includes concrete stories of change and a clear plan for keeping the work going after the retreat.

Connect: Tony Kalinowski

View Podcast Website: Here

Learn more about Eric: altarflyfishing.org

Podcast Producer: David Alexander 

Former Yankees player Eric Camfield traded the baseball field for fly fishing and soul care. Now the founder of Altar Fly Fishing, Camfield helps leaders pause, reflect, and reset through retreats that combine solitude, group reflection, and spiritual rhythm. These experiences are not escapes but intentional spaces for restoration.

Host Tony Kalinowski shares his firsthand experience at Altar’s retreats, which have grown into yearlong programs blending spiritual practices, leadership coaching, and holistic health.

Camfield’s journey spans pro sports, church leadership, and executive coaching. His mission is to help leaders hear themselves think and lead from a place of health.

• Connect: Tony Kalinowski
• View Podcast Website: Here
• Learn more about Eric: altarflyfishing.org
• Podcast Producer: David Alexander 

In Part II of Navigating Senior Care, the focus shifts from helping our parents to preparing for our own future care. Host Tony Kalinowski and co-host David Alexander are joined again by Brad and Christy Brewer, co-authors of Home to Home: The Step-by-Step Senior Housing Guide, to discuss how early planning can help prevent stress and confusion later in life.

Brad, a Residential Assisted Living Specialist and Vice President of Aspen Valley Senior Homes, and Christy, a Licensed Administrator and geriatric Speech-Language Pathologist with 27 years of experience, offer a practical look at what it means to age with a plan. From financial considerations and government programs to facility tours and family conversations, they walk listeners through what to know and where to start.

Tony opens up about his father’s struggle with burnout while caring for his mother, and the toll it took on their family. That story frames a broader question many are starting to ask in their fifties and sixties: How do we make thoughtful choices today so our children won’t carry the same burden tomorrow?

Brad and Christy share insights from their work at Aspen Valley, including the value of purpose, social connection, and small daily routines that support dignity and well-being.

Whether you are supporting loved ones now or thinking about what your own later years should look like, this episode offers timely and useful guidance to start the conversation and take action with care.

Connect: Tony Kalinowski
View Podcast Website: Here
Learn More About Brad & Christy:  www.aspenvalleyseniorhomes.com

Book: Home to Home Local Edition: The Step by Step Senior Housing Guide 

Podcast Producer: David Alexander 

When caring for aging parents, the heart often wrestles with the head, and the weight of those decisions can feel overwhelming. In this deeply personal episode of The Retirement Insiders, host Tony Kalinowski and co-host David Alexander open the door to a conversation many families are quietly navigating behind closed doors.

Joining them are Brad and Christy Brewer, a husband and wife team bringing decades of expertise to senior care. Christy, a Licensed Residential Care Administrator and Speech-Language Pathologist with 27 years of experience specializing in geriatrics, and Brad, a Residential Assisted Living Specialist with a background in hospital administration and real estate investment, co-founded Aspen Valley Senior Homes to offer a more personal, compassionate alternative for aging adults. Together, they co-authored Home to Home: The Step-by-Step Senior Housing Guide to help families plan with clarity and confidence.

Tony shares his own experience walking alongside his mother through Alzheimer’s and the toll it took on his family, raising questions many listeners may find all too familiar: How do we help our parents navigate this season with dignity? And how do we spare our own children from carrying the same emotional burden someday?

Through powerful stories, practical steps, and honest conversation, Brad and Christy guide listeners through the first stages of senior care planning, showing that with the right support, families can approach these transitions with wisdom, strength, and grace.

This is Part I of a two-part conversation. In Part II, we will shift the focus to preparing for our own future care, ensuring that the decisions we make today can lift the burden from the next generation tomorrow.

Connect: Tony Kalinowski
View Podcast Website: Here
Learn More About Brad & Christy:  www.aspenvalleyseniorhomes.com

Book: Home to Home Local Edition: The Step by Step Senior Housing Guide 

Podcast Producer: David Alexander 

Finding the right financial adviser can make all the difference in securing a successful retirement. But with so many options, how do you know who to trust? In this Key Insights Today (KIT) episode, Co-Host and Producer David Alexander sits down with Tony Kalinowski, a seasoned financial expert with over 30 years of experience, to uncover the essential steps to choosing the right adviser and building a solid retirement strategy.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
- What to look for in a fiduciary financial adviser and why it matters
- The biggest financial mistakes people make in their 50s and how to avoid them
- How to create a realistic retirement plan that aligns with your goals and lifestyle
- The best tools and strategies to track your financial health over time
- Why some retirees choose to work part-time, not for money, but for purpose

Tony shares real-world examples to help you assess your financial situation, make informed decisions, and confidently prepare for retirement. Whether you’re just starting your financial journey in your 30s, navigating mid-life planning in your 50s, or fine-tuning your retirement strategy in your 60s and beyond, this episode is packed with expert guidance for every stage of life.

Connect: Tony Kalinowski
View Podcast Website: Here
Podcast Producer: David Alexander 

Discover how Skip Vaccarello, Silicon Valley pioneer and author of Finding God in Silicon Valley, integrates faith and innovation into a purposeful retirement. Host Tony Kalinowski and Co-Host David Alexander explore Skip’s journey from VisiCorp to founding the Silicon Valley Prayer Breakfast and mentoring the next generation. Learn his actionable advice for transitioning from career success to a fulfilling retirement centered on faith, family, and community. Don’t miss this episode packed with insights to inspire your next chapter!

Guest: Skip Vaccarello
View Book:  Finding God in Silicon Valley
Connect: Tony Kalinowski
View Podcast Website: Here
Podcast Producer: David Alexander 

Happy New Year! Join The Retirement Insiders as we celebrate the most inspiring moments of the show in 2024. This special episode takes you through some of the year’s highlights, starting with Jeff Chosid’s story of wandering the streets of Paris and embracing a life of curiosity and intention. Later, we heard from leaders at Road Scholar, who shared how group travel fosters connection and transforms retirement into a time of growth and exploration.

From Tony Kalinowski’s heartfelt reflections on family values from his father to Brad Budde's journey from NFL star to empowering seniors as a Physical Therapist, this year has been a treasure trove of wisdom and practical advice. As we look back, we’re reminded that retirement isn’t an end, it’s the start of a meaningful new chapter filled with purpose and adventure!

Connect: Tony Kalinowski

View Podcast Website: Here

Podcast Producer: David Alexander 

Welcome back to The Retirement Insiders, where we uncover the secrets to a vibrant and purposeful retirement. In this special Part II episode, we continue our insightful discussion with Dr. Daniel Zimmerman, Senior Vice President and Chief Science Advisor at Reinsurance Group of America (RGA) and Managing Director of the Longer Life Foundation.

Building on Part I, where we explored life expectancy and the state of healthcare, Part II dives deeper into the mental and social aspects of longevity, the lasting effects of COVID-19, and practical ways to enhance both healthspan and quality of life. Dr. Zimmerman draws on his extensive experience as a board-certified physician and his leadership in insurance medicine to provide a comprehensive look at the connections between physical health, mental wellness, and social engagement.

Dr. Zimmerman shares compelling insights on topics such as how social connections impact our longevity, the growing understanding of long COVID, and the role of lifestyle factors—like exercise, diet, and even hobbies like pickleball—in promoting a longer, healthier life. He also discusses groundbreaking research supported by the Longer Life Foundation, offering practical strategies for retirees to take control of their health and well-being.

Whether you’re nearing retirement or fully embracing it, this episode provides actionable guidance to help you maximize your years in good health. Listen now to discover how to make retirement the beginning of a fulfilling and dynamic phase of life. 

Resources & Research Mentioned: 

The Path to Longevity: How to Reach 100 with the Health and Stamina of a 40-Year-Old by Dr. Luigi Fontana. 

For listeners interested in learning more, Dr. Zimmerman referenced The Path to Longevity: How to Reach 100 with the Health and Stamina of a 40-Year-Old by Dr. Luigi Fontana. This book discusses the research conducted on caloric restriction and its potential health benefits. The work was supported by the Longer Life Foundation at Washington University.

Purchase book here. 

Learn more about Longer Life Foundation at www.longerlife.org

Connect: Tony Kalinowski

View Podcast Website: Here

Podcast Producer: David Alexander