Everyone Matters: The Power of Truly Human Leadership
Elevate Eldercare
In this week’s episode of Elevate Eldercare, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan welcomes Bob Chapman, CEO of Barry-Wehmiller and a global ambassador for human-centered leadership. Chapman shares how he transformed a struggling $20 million family business into a thriving $4 billion enterprise by embracing a simple but radical idea: leaders have a profound responsibility for the lives entrusted to them. Drawing on decades of experience across industries—including healthcare, government, education, and business—Ryan and Chapman dive into why empathy, listening, and recognition are not...
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From Farm to Future: A Model for Sustainable, Intergenerational Living
Elevate Eldercare
In this episode, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan welcomes Steve Nygren, visionary founder of Serenbe, a pioneering biophilic community outside Atlanta that blends sustainability, wellness, and human connection. Beginning in 1991 as an impromptu farm purchase, Serenbe has become a decades-long experiment in how people can live harmoniously with nature—and with each other. Steve shares his story, which includes a transition from a successful hospitality career to a life dedicated to community building and land preservation. Confronted by the threat of urban sprawl, he turned his private...
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Tech, Tales, and the Power of Connection Through Storytelling
Elevate Eldercare
In the realm of storytelling in the senior living field, few come close to what Jack York has done in his decades-long career as a tech entrepreneur and now professional storyteller. In this episode of Elevate Eldercare, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan welcomes Jack, founder of iN2L and co-founder of Talegate, whose journey from Silicon Valley to the world of eldercare has inspired an industry-wide shift toward recognizing the power of stories and how they foster meaning and connection. In addition to reflecting on his early struggle as a tech founder, Jack shares the pivotal...
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The Power of Stories in Long-Term Care
Elevate Eldercare
In this inspiring episode, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan sits down with Erin Hart and Peter Murphy Lewis, who share how they’re transforming perceptions of long-term care through storytelling and authentic human connection. Erin, who has spent 13 years in long-term care and now works with the Ohio Health Care Association, describes how growing up across the street from her grandmother shaped her lifelong dedication to caregiving. Her personal story and professional mission intersect in powerful ways—advocating for caregivers and restoring pride in their work. Peter, whose...
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Leading With Purpose in Aging Services
Elevate Eldercare
In this episode, Katie Smith Sloan, president and CEO of LeadingAge, sits down with AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan to discuss Katie’s remarkable journey from studying political science to shaping the future of eldercare. Drawing on her early work in the U.S. Senate and at AARP, Katie reflects on how policy and program must work hand in hand to create meaningful, systemic change for older adults. Now leading an association of 5,500 mission-driven organizations, Katie shares how LeadingAge champions innovation, collaboration, and advocacy across the continuum of care—from affordable housing to aging...
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Valuing Older Adults Through Intergenerational Connections and Human-Centered Technology
Elevate Eldercare
In this week’s episode, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan sits down with Nancy Zionts, chief program officer at the Jewish Healthcare Foundation (JHF). In a wide-ranging discussion, the two talk about the importance of valuing older adults, human-centered technology, and intergenerational connections. Zionts shares insights from a study tour to Japan, where she observed innovative practices like virtual reality training for dementia care and stand-up CT machines. Ryan and Zionts discuss integrating experiences with older adults into the curriculum for health professional students, such as having...
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Living Small, Living Well: The Power of the Household Model
Elevate Eldercare
In this episode, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan sits down with Tamar Krebs, founder of VideriAustralia (formerly Group Homes Australia), to explore her remarkable journey transforming aged care through person-centered, household living. From her early experiences in nursing homes to building 26 small-scale homes across Australia, Tamar shares how her vision redefines what it means to age with dignity. Tamar and Susan discuss the household model, where six to 10 residents live in real homes supported by trained teams. Tamar explains how thoughtful design—like central kitchens and adaptable...
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Redefining Eldercare: Data, Independence, and the Future of Aging
Elevate Eldercare
In this week’s episode, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan sits down with Kristen Parsons, who shares her inspiring journey from pediatrics to eldercare and why she is passionate about helping older adults maintain their independence. Now leading operations at Tiffany Village and Kenny’s Pond in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, Kristen highlights how their approach to care and the use of technology are transforming outcomes for residents and staff alike. Susan and Kristen discuss the impact of AMBA, a data-driven platform that provides insights on sleep, activity, and...
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Transforming Healthcare Culture: Why Person-Centered Care Matters
Elevate Eldercare
In this week’s episode, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan welcomes Michael Giuliano, chief operating officer at Planetree International, who shares his inspiring journey from growing up in a family of healthcare professionals to leading a global nonprofit dedicated to advancing person-centered care. Michael reflects on how his father’s medical practice shaped his belief in the power of relationships in healthcare and explains how Planetree’s work—from its origins to its internationally recognized certification program—has transformed outcomes for patients, families, and staff alike. Susan...
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From Data to Daughterhood: Shaping the Future of Eldercare
Elevate Eldercare
In this episode of Elevate Eldercare, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan sits down with Anne Tumlinson, founder and CEO of ATI Advisory, and creator of Daughterhood, to explore her remarkable journey from environmental activism to national healthcare leadership. Anne shares how her early work with U.S. Rep. John Lewis and Sen. Harris Wofford inspired her pivot toward aging and healthcare policy. Her time at the Office of Management and Budget gave her a front-row seat to the complexities of Medicare and Medicaid, particularly in long-term care—a focus that would shape the rest...
info_outlineIn this episode, Susan Ryan sits down with Marcus Engel—speaker, educator, and expert in compassion science—whose powerful survival story has become a catalyst for inspiring more humane, connected workplaces. Through his work, Marcus helps organizations foster environments rooted in empathy, connection, and purpose.
With a Master’s in Narrative Medicine from Columbia University and a teaching role at the University of Notre Dame, Marcus brings a unique blend of storytelling and science to the conversation. He’s spoken at top healthcare institutions, universities, and even the United Nations in celebration of International Nurses Day.
In addition to exploring how Marcus’ personal journey shaped his commitment to compassion, this episode examines what “narrative medicine” is and why it matters in healthcare and beyond, strategies for cultivating compassion in professional settings, and the power of staying connected to mission in high-stress environments.
Connect with Marcus Engel here: https://marcusengel.com/