The Next Bit Podcast

In this bite-sized episode of The Next Bit, Hannah McQueen and Mark Leishman sit down with Dr Cheryl Johnson, Lead Geriatrician at Brightly, to break down the early symptoms of dementia, how it differs from normal ageing, and when memory concerns should prompt an assessment. Dr Johnson explains one of the most important concepts in dementia diagnosis: functional impairment - the difference between occasionally forgetting your keys and memory loss that starts affecting daily life. Some of the topics we cover include: + The difference between normal age-related forgetfulness and dementia + Early warning signs families often miss + Why repetitive stories, post-it notes everywhere, and medication mix-ups matter + Why dementia symptoms can begin years before diagnosis and much more! Importantly, this episode offers hope. If you’re worried about memory loss in yourself or a loved one, this episode will help you understand what to look for and what to do next. For more on this topic, listen to the full-length episode: Can You Actually Slow Ageing? Live well and independent for longer. Get your whole of person assessment at www.agebrightly.co.nz The Next Bit Hosts are: Hannah McQueen - Founder of Brightly Mark Leishman - New Zealand TV and Radio Broadcaster Join our community! We love to hear your feedback and questions. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenextbitpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1GiGRA8vEx/?mibextid=wwXIfr TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@thenextbitpodcast YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thenextbitpodcast This podcast was written and produced by the amazing team at PodLab www.podlab.nz

In this bite-sized episode of The Next Bit, Hannah McQueen and Mark Leishman speak with Brightly’s Lead Geriatrician, Dr Cheryl Johnson, about the powerful link between human connection, sense of purpose, and longevity. Drawing on research from the world’s Blue Zones (regions where people live significantly longer and healthier lives), Dr Johnson explains why strong social ties and meaningful roles in the community are key drivers of healthy ageing. You’ll discover: + What Blue Zones are and what they teach us about living longer + Why social connection reduces mortality risk + The science behind loneliness and early death + Why face-to-face interaction is more powerful than texting or emailing + How loss of purpose can accelerate decline after losing a spouse, and so much more! This short episode is a reminder that ageing well isn’t just about diet and exercise - it’s also about connection. For more on this topic, listen to the full-length episode: Can You Actually Slow Ageing? Live well and independent for longer. Get your whole of person assessment at www.agebrightly.co.nz The Next Bit Hosts are: Hannah McQueen - Founder of Brightly Mark Leishman - New Zealand TV and Radio Broadcaster Join our community! We love to hear your feedback and questions. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenextbitpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1GiGRA8vEx/?mibextid=wwXIfr TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@thenextbitpodcast YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thenextbitpodcast This podcast was written and produced by the amazing team at PodLab www.podlab.nz

Can you really slow ageing? Or is it all just social media hype? In this episode, Hannah McQueen (Founder of Brightly) sits down with Dr Cheryl Johnson, Lead Geriatrician at Brightly, to cut through the myths and talk about what actually works when it comes to healthy ageing, dementia prevention, frailty, bone health, and independence in later life. If you’re worried about cognitive decline, falls or how to support ageing parents, this conversation is grounded in real clinical experience: not miracle cures or expensive and unproven supplements. You’ll also learn why prevention is far more powerful than crisis care, and how early intervention can dramatically change outcomes for ageing adults. This is an essential podcast for: + Adults in their 50s, and 60s planning for longevity + Anyone supporting ageing parents + People worried about dementia or memory loss + Those wanting to stay independent longer, and so much more! If you want to age well and not just “live longer” this is definitely the podcast episode for you. Live well and independent for longer. Get your whole of person assessment at www.agebrightly.co.nz The Next Bit Hosts are: Hannah McQueen - Founder of Brightly Mark Leishman - New Zealand TV and Radio Broadcaster Join our community! We love to hear your feedback and questions. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenextbitpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1GiGRA8vEx/?mibextid=wwXIfr TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@thenextbitpodcast YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thenextbitpodcast This podcast was written and produced by the amazing team at PodLab www.podlab.nz

Most families avoid talking about rest homes…until a crisis forces the decision. In this bite-sized episode, Hannah McQueen and Mark Leishman are joined by Tracy Martin, CE of the Aged Care Association of New Zealand, to discuss why starting the conversation early gives everyone more control. They unpack: - How to gently raise the topic with your parents - The guilt adult children often feel - What happens when families wait too long - Practical ways to prepare without overreacting You don’t need a full plan. You just need a starting point. For more on this topic, check out our earlier episode: The Truth About Rest Homes in New Zealand Thanks for listening to The Next Bit. Live well and independent for longer. Get your whole of person assessment at www.agebrightly.co.nz ------- Aged Care Symposium 2026, 𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲, invites people across aged residential care to speak up, share ideas, and help shape solutions that strengthen practice, teamwork, and resident experience. Built around the theme 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁, 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝘀𝗸, this one-day symposium is about building confidence, sparking new thinking, and recognising the collective wisdom that grows when we learn from one another - whether you’re new to the sector or bring years of experience. 📅 Friday 24 April | 8.30am–4.30pm 📍 Trafalgar Centre Northern Extension, Nelson Open to all RN’s, Clinical Managers and anyone in support and allied health roles. To register, visit the ACA website on aca.org.nz ------- The Next Bit Hosts are: Hannah McQueen - Founder of Brightly Mark Leishman - New Zealand TV and Radio Broadcaster Join our community! We love to hear your feedback and questions. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenextbitpodcast @thenextbitpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1GiGRA8vEx/?mibextid=wwXIfr TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@thenextbitpodcast @thenextbitpodcast YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thenextbitpodcast This podcast was written and produced by the amazing team at PodLab www.podlab.nz

Aging in a city isn’t the same as aging in a rural community - and when care is needed, those differences matter. In this bite-sized episode, Hannah McQueen and Mark Leishman speak with Tracey Martin, CE of the Aged Care Association of New Zealand, about: - Why many aged care admissions begin with an unexpected hospital visit - The added challenges rural families face - How guilt shapes family decisions Where you live shouldn’t determine your care…but often it does. Understanding the system earlier can give families more options when it matters most. Thanks for listening to The Next Bit. Live well and independent for longer. Get your whole of person assessment at www.agebrightly.co.nz -------- Aged Care Symposium 2026, 𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲, invites people across aged residential care to speak up, share ideas, and help shape solutions that strengthen practice, teamwork, and resident experience. Built around the theme 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁, 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝘀𝗸, this one-day symposium is about building confidence, sparking new thinking, and recognising the collective wisdom that grows when we learn from one another - whether you’re new to the sector or bring years of experience. 📅 Friday 24 April | 8.30am–4.30pm 📍 Trafalgar Centre Northern Extension, Nelson Open to all RN’s, Clinical Managers and anyone in support and allied health roles. To register, visit the ACA website on aca.org.nz --------- The Next Bit Hosts are: Hannah McQueen - Founder of Brightly Mark Leishman - New Zealand TV and Radio Broadcaster Join our community! We love to hear your feedback and questions. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenextbitpodcast @thenextbitpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1GiGRA8vEx/?mibextid=wwXIfr TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@thenextbitpodcast @thenextbitpodcast YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thenextbitpodcast This podcast was written and produced by the amazing team at PodLab www.podlab.nz

No one plans to move into residential aged care. Most admissions happen after a fall, illness, or sudden health decline. In this bite-sized episode, Hannah McQueen and Mark Leishman speak with Tracey Martin, CE of the Aged Care Association of New Zealand, about: - What typically triggers entry into a rest home - Why the best time to talk about it is before it’s needed - The difference between retirement living and residential care - The guilt adult children often carry - Why knowing the process early gives you more choice later You don’t need all the answers. You just need to start the conversation. For more on this topic, listen to our episode: The Truth About Rest Homes in New Zealand Live well and independent for longer. Get your whole of person assessment at www.agebrightly.co.nz ------- Aged Care Symposium 2026, 𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲, invites people across aged residential care to speak up, share ideas, and help shape solutions that strengthen practice, teamwork, and resident experience. Built around the theme 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁, 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝘀𝗸, this one-day symposium is about building confidence, sparking new thinking, and recognising the collective wisdom that grows when we learn from one another - whether you’re new to the sector or bring years of experience. 📅 Friday 24 April | 8.30am–4.30pm 📍 Trafalgar Centre Northern Extension, Nelson Open to all RN’s, Clinical Managers and anyone in support and allied health roles. To register, visit the ACA website on aca.org.nz -------- The Next Bit Hosts are: Hannah McQueen - Founder of Brightly Mark Leishman - New Zealand TV and Radio Broadcaster Join our community! We love to hear your feedback and questions. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenextbitpodcast @thenextbitpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1GiGRA8vEx/?mibextid=wwXIfr TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@thenextbitpodcast @thenextbitpodcast YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thenextbitpodcast This podcast was written and produced by the amazing team at PodLab www.podlab.nz

In this episode, Hannah McQueen and Marc Leishman sit down with Tracey Martin, CE of Aged Care Association NZ, to explain how rest homes really work in New Zealand. They cover needs assessments, subsidies, bed shortages, dementia care, hospital-level care, EPOA (enduring power of attorney) stress, and the financial realities families aren’t prepared for. This is a practical, honest guide to understanding the aged-care system before crisis hits. Live well and independent for longer. Get your whole-of-person assessment at www.agebrightly.co.nz --------- Aged Care Symposium 2026, 𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲, invites people across aged residential care to speak up, share ideas, and help shape solutions that strengthen practice, teamwork, and resident experience. Built around the theme 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁, 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝘀𝗸, this one-day symposium is about building confidence, sparking new thinking, and recognising the collective wisdom that grows when we learn from one another - whether you’re new to the sector or bring years of experience. 📅 Friday 24 April | 8.30am–4.30pm 📍 Trafalgar Centre Northern Extension, Nelson Open to all RN’s, Clinical Managers and anyone in support and allied health roles. To register, visit the ACA website on aca.org.nz --------- Hosts: Hannah McQueen — Founder of Brightly Mark Leishman — NZ TV & Radio Broadcaster Join the community: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenextbitpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1GiGRA8vEx/?mibextid=wwXIfr TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thenextbitpodcast YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thenextbitpodcast Produced by PodLab — www.podlab.nz

In this incredibly personal episode, Hannah McQueen sits down with Girvan Roberts to share the story that inspired Age Brightly. Girvan reflects on supporting her mother Annette through dementia, falls, and hospitalisation, navigating EPOA (enduring power of attorney) responsibilities, sibling dynamics, community care, and the emotional toll of anticipatory grief. If you’ve supported an aging parent, this episode will resonate. Live well and independent for longer. Get your whole-of-person assessment at https://www.agebrightly.co.nz Hosts: Hannah McQueen — Founder of Brightly Mark Leishman — NZ TV & Radio Broadcaster Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenextbitpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1GiGRA8vEx/?mibextid=wwXIfr TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thenextbitpodcast YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thenextbitpodcast Produced by PodLab — www.podlab.nz

You’re Ageing: The Next Bit Podcast Is For You is the first episode of The Next Bit, a podcast by New Zealanders for New Zealanders about staying independent and well as you grow older. Hannah McQueen (Founder of EnableMe, now Brightly) and Mark Leishman unpack why aging challenges often become crises: early warning signs like falls risk, frailty, and medication issues are missed until it’s too late. Hannah & Mark introduce Brightly, a geriatrician-led health programme designed to detect decline early and help keep people out of hospital and rest homes for longer. If you’re over 55, or supporting someone who is, this conversation is for you. Live well and independent for longer. Get your whole-of-person assessment at www.agebrightly.co.nz The Next Bit hosts: Hannah McQueen — Founder of Brightly Mark Leishman — New Zealand TV & Radio Broadcaster Join our community: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenextbitpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1GiGRA8vEx/?mibextid=wwXIfr TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thenextbitpodcast YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thenextbitpodcast Written and produced by PodLab — www.podlab.nz