Claim OwnershipRoundtable Talk
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© 2024 Varsity Branding
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Roundtable Talk is a podcast about longevity, senior services marketing and the quality of life as one ages. In each episode, we’ll talk with industry experts and thought leaders about how to solve the many mature market challenges facing our industry today.
25 Episodes
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Longevity isn’t the prize if the years aren’t lived with joy, purpose and real connection. In this episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, Derek talks with Dr. Kerry Burnight, a nationally recognized gerontologist, author of the New York Times bestselling JoySpan, and a longtime leader in aging research, policy and elder abuse prevention.
They unpack why joy is deeper than situational happiness, how many strengths actually improve with age, and why most of the aging experience is shaped more by choices than genes.
Culture doesn’t burn out overnight, it leaks energy through small breakdowns in communication, trust, and everyday civility. In this episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, Derek sits down with Kathy Parry, a corporate energy expert who helps senior living organizations strengthen culture, recharge teams, and reignite purpose.
In their conversation, Derek and Kathy dig into the difference between morale and energy, the early warning signs of a team running out of gas and how leaders’ personal energy sets the tone for the entire culture.
Inventing isn’t just for the young—or the tech-savvy. Brian Fried, accomplished inventor, author, and founder and CEO of Inventor Smart, proves that creativity and innovation can thrive at any age. With more than 15 patents and nearly 20 years of experience coaching inventors, Brian has built a career helping people turn everyday ideas into real-world success stories.
In this episode of Roundtable Talk, Brian shares what inspires older adults to pursue invention later in life and the satisfaction that comes from seeing their ideas come to life. He discusses the biggest myths about inventing, the power of simple problem-solving, and how digital tools like AI and 3D printing are revolutionizing the process.
Agetech is one of the fastest-growing frontiers in innovation, with the potential to transform how older adults live, connect, and thrive. At the center of this movement is Rick Robinson, Vice President and General Manager of the Agetech Collaborative from AARP, who is building a vibrant ecosystem of startups, investors, and enterprises committed to reshaping the future of aging.
In this episode of Roundtable Talk, Rick discusses how the collaborative accelerates startups, drives inclusivity in product design, and helps older adults embrace new technology. He also highlights the promise of AI and embodied devices to ease challenges like social isolation and the caregiver shortage.
On this episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, we sit down with Peter Murphy Lewis, documentary filmmaker and co-creator of People Worth Caring About, a YouTube series that shines a spotlight on caregivers in long-term care communities across the country.
Peter shares how his grandparents’ positive experiences in senior living inspired his work and why focusing on staff stories helps shift public perception. He recalls moving encounters in hospice, lessons about dignity and language, and how storytelling can inspire young people to see caregiving as a calling.
On this episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, we sit down with Bridget Weston, CEO of SCORE, a nonprofit dedicated to mentoring and educating small business owners. Bridget has spent more than 16 years helping lead SCORE’s mission, which has long relied on the expertise of retired and older mentors who bring decades of business experience to the entrepreneurs they serve.
Derek and Bridget discuss how SCORE pairs seasoned professionals with younger entrepreneurs, how older mentors stay engaged and purposeful through volunteering and the role of encore entrepreneurs (age 55+) in starting new ventures.
On this episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, we're joined by Laurie Orlov, a leading expert in aging and technology. As the founder of Aging and Health Technology Watch, Laurie leverages her extensive experience in IT and personal caregiving challenges to offer insights into how technological innovations can enhance the lives of older adults.
In our conversation, Laurie shares her journey to becoming a thought leader in age-related technology. Laurie also discusses the transformative potential of AI in senior care, advocating for proactive technological solutions and greater inclusivity of older adults in product design processes.
As the co-founder of the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing and Care (NIC) and founder of Nexus Insights, Bob Kramer has been called a “disruptive force” in the field, always challenging us to think differently about aging, housing and care.
In the newest episode of Roundtable Talk, Bob challenges the prevailing negative perceptions of aging, describing ageism as a prejudice against our future selves. He also highlights the significant, yet overlooked, potential of older adults in the workforce and addresses the epidemic of loneliness.
On this episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, we sit down with Barbara Sullivan, National Director of the Village to Village Network. With a background in long-term care and nonprofit leadership, Barbara has been a key force behind the village movement, which helps older adults age in place with community support.
Derek and Barbara discuss how villages serve the “missing middle,” the vital role of volunteers, and creative partnerships with senior living, healthcare, and faith-based groups. Barbara also shares how villages combat social isolation and her vision to expand the movement
On this episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, we sit down with Marvell Adams, Jr., a longtime leader in aging services and the founder of W. Lawson, a consulting firm focused on equity and inclusion. He also serves as CEO of Caregiver Action Network, supporting millions of unpaid family caregivers across the country.
Marvell shares how the Longevity and Inclusion Alliance Fellows Program helps leaders embed belonging into aging services. He also discusses the emotional realities of caregiving, the importance of succession planning, and why the future of senior living must be more inclusive, intergenerational, and community-connected.
On this episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, we sit down with Dr. Linda Fried, a world-renowned geriatrician, public health expert, and Dean of Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. A pioneer in the science of healthy aging and frailty, Dr. Fried has dedicated her career to understanding how we can build systems and communities that support longer, healthier, and more purposeful lives.
Derek and Dr. Fried explore the medical realities of frailty, why physical activity is the best prevention strategy, and how public health systems must evolve to meet the needs of an aging population.
On this episode of Roundtable Talk, Dr. Tom Kamber, founder of Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) and Senior Planet, shares how he's helping older adults thrive through digital connection, education, and empowerment.
He discusses the evolution of OATS, the power of community-centered tech education, and how tools like smart homes, AI, and telehealth are reshaping what it means to age well in the digital era.
On this episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, we sit down with Dr. Louise Aronson, a nationally recognized geriatrician, educator, and the bestselling author of Elderhood. As a professor of medicine at UCSF and a leading voice in aging and eldercare, Dr. Aronson challenges cultural and medical assumptions about growing older and advocates for a more nuanced, inclusive view of elderhood.
Derek and Dr. Aronson discuss why aging should be seen as a diverse, decades-long life stage. She highlights the impact of ageism in healthcare, the value of intergenerational programs, and the need for better training and broader reforms to help older adults live fully.
On this episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, we sit down with Andrew Carle, a nationally recognized expert in senior living and the founder of UniversityRetirementCommunities.com. With more than three decades in the field, Andrew has served as a senior living executive, educator, and consultant. Today, he continues to lead innovation as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University.
In his conversation with Roundtable Talk host Derek Dunham, Andrew shares how university retirement communities (URCs) are reshaping the future of aging. He also breaks down his five-point framework for successful URCs and his theory that URCs could even slow or reverse aspects of aging by tapping into powerful college-era memories.
On this episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, we sit down with Larry Carlson, retired president and CEO of United Methodist Communities. With over 45 years of experience in senior living, Larry is known for pioneering person-directed care, integrating cutting-edge technology, and reimagining dementia care.
Derek and Larry explore the evolution of senior living, how AI and tech tools have transformed operations and improved staff workflows and why the industry must embrace innovation or risk falling behind.
On this episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, we sit down with Terry Farrell, acclaimed actress and sci-fi icon best known for her role as Jadzia Dax on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Reggie on Becker. With a career spanning modeling, television, and film, Terry brings a unique perspective on aging, reinvention, and staying grounded in an image-driven industry.
Derek and Terry talk about her approach to aging, her break from acting to raise her son, and why she's stepping back into the industry. She opens up about embracing authenticity, the influence of Star Trek, and how representation in entertainment is evolving.
On this episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, we sit down with Scott Townsley, a senior living strategist and consultant with over 35 years of experience in the industry. As the founder of Third Age and Trilogy Consulting, Scott has advised countless organizations on navigating change, embracing innovation and preparing for the future of aging services.
Derek and Scott explore the challenges facing senior living today, how the traditional governance model is failing and how senior living providers can rethink their approach to data and business models to remain relevant.
On this episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, we sit down with Dr. Robyn Stone, a nationally recognized expert in aging policy and long-term care. As Senior Vice President of Research at LeadingAge and Co-Director of the LeadingAge LTSS Center, she has spent decades bridging the gap between policy, research, and real-world solutions to improve aging services.
Derek and Dr. Stone discuss the workforce crisis in long-term care, the challenges of educating consumers about aging services, and the role of technology in supporting caregivers. She also reflects on her decades in the field, offering insights on how change happens—slowly, but steadily.
On this episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, we sit down with Dr. David Katz, a leading expert in nutrition, wellness, and longevity. As the Founding Director of the Yale Prevention Research Center, Dr. Katz has spent his career helping people live longer, healthier lives.
Derek and Dr. Katz dive into his insights on aging, disease prevention, and the power of lifestyle medicine. Plus, we discuss his thought-provoking article, “Rage at Aging,” and why he believes we should be fighting for better health spans, not just longer life spans.
As the Senior Director of Lifelong University Engagement at Mirabella at Arizona State University, Lindsey Beagley works at the intersection of higher education and senior living. Mirabella at Arizona State University is a retirement community on ASU’s Tempe campus, offering residents full access to the university's resources, including classes, cultural events, and facilities.
In this episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, Derek and Lindsey talk about lifelong learning, intergenerational connections, life in the Peace Corps and what she’s looking forward to as she ages.
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