Summary

In this episode of From Leads to Leases, host Jerry Vinci speaks with Melissa Hannah Fritz, creator and host of Inside Senior Living, a PBS docu-series that aims to educate families about senior living options. Melissa shares her journey of creating the show, the challenges faced in the senior living industry, and the importance of storytelling in connecting with families. The conversation covers the need for honest conversations about aging, the role of media in shaping perceptions, and the future of senior living content. Melissa also discusses her upcoming keynote at SMASH 2025 and the actionable steps for industry leaders to innovate and connect with prospects.

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Learn More

• Watch Inside Senior Living on PBS
• Learn more about Inside Senior Living show
• Connect with Melissa Hannah Fritz on LinkedIn
• Catch Melissa's Keynote at SMASH 2025

Takeaways

• The show aims to spark conversations about senior living.
• Families often wait until a crisis to explore senior living options.
• Television can effectively educate the public about senior living.
• Building trust is crucial in the senior living industry.
• The aging population presents a significant challenge for senior living.
• Storytelling is essential in sales and marketing for senior living.
• Empathy and vulnerability can enhance connections with prospects.
• The middle market in senior living is a growing concern.
• Innovative solutions are needed to address the senior living crisis.
• The importance of attracting talent to the senior living industry.

Chapters

00:00 From Leads to Leases - A Senior Living Business Podcast

01:52 Welcome to Melissa Hannah Fritz - Host & Creator of Inside Senior Living

03:02 Conceptualizing Inside Senior Living TV

09:29 What is Slowing Down the Senior Living Sales Process

11:32 Building Trust Through Public Media

13:37 Funding Challenges and Future Directions

16:49 The Potential of Commercial Platforms

20:20 Celebrating Achievements and Future Goals

22:24 Navigating the Show Pitch Process

25:08 The Growing Demand for Senior Living Content

27:34 Changing Perceptions of Aging and Senior Living

30:51 Innovative Approaches in Season Two

32:32 The 30 in 30 Campaign: A New Initiative

35:23 Addressing the Senior Living Crisis

38:25 Bridging the Middle Market Gap

41:39 How Operators Should Leverage Storytelling

44:22 Storytelling Compels Action

50:16 Keynote Insights and Call to Action

Keywords

senior living, Inside Senior Living, PBS, aging, family conversations, education, trust, Emmy nominations, storytelling, sales strategies