Bridge The Gap

In this episode of Bridge the Gap, Jim Kovac joins the show to give an exclusive look at this year’s Senior Living 100 Conference, where they’ll tackle why the industry must shift from playing defense to confidently claiming its “longevity advantage.” We dive into the conference theme “The Future Is Personal: Macro Thinking, Micro Intent,” unpacking what it means for leadership, workforce engagement, and resident experience. If you’re an operator, investor, or innovator in senior housing, you won’t want to miss this episode.Key IdeasWhy senior living must move from defense to offenseThe “longevity advantage” as a core value propositionClosing the technology gap in senior housingIntergenerational and mixed-generational housing trendsWellness as strategyMeet the Hosts:Josh Crisp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshcrispsocial/Lucas McCurdy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasmccurdyseniorlivingfan/Connect with Our GuestJim Kovac: https://www.seniorliving100.com/about/about-us Learn More About SL100https://www.senior

The senior living industry is at a pivotal turning point, and this episode of Bridge the Gap captures exactly why. Josh and Lucas sit down with returning guest Traci Taylor-Roberts, newly appointed CEO of Harmony Senior Services, to discuss leadership transitions, portfolio growth, and, most importantly, the changing expectations of today’s senior living customer. From resident advisory boards and technology feedback loops to customization in design and resident-led programming, this conversation highlights how listening to residents is becoming a competitive advantage.Key Topics:Why structure, technology, and people must evolve togetherResident advisory boards as a tool for engagement and innovationHow technology expectations are changing in senior livingDesigning communities with, not just for, residentsWhy the future of senior living is partnership-drivenMeet the Hosts:Josh CrispLucas McCurdyConnect with Our GuestTraci Taylor-RobertsProduced by Grit and Gravel Marketing.Become a sponsor of Bridge the Gap.C

The NIC Spring Conference is heading to Nashville, Tennessee, and this episode of Bridge the Gap offers a deep dive into what you can expect on the conference floor. Josh and Lucas welcome back Amy Peters of NIC to break down the biggest themes driving senior housing today, and how NIC is addressing them. Amy shares how NIC is discussing unprecedented demand, new HUD financing strategies, and scalable solutions that meet both resident and family needs.We DiscussAffordability challenges and the rise of small-home senior living modelsHUD financing and scalable residential care solutionsNavigating state-by-state regulations and Medicaid waiver modelsCMS innovation initiatives and what they mean for senior housingLabor strategies for recruiting, incentivizing, and retaining leadersMeet the Hosts:Josh CrispLucas McCurdyConnect with Our GuestAmy PetersRegister for NIChttps://springconference.nic.org Produced by Grit and Gravel Marketing.Become a sponsor of Bridge the Gap.Connect with BTG on social media:YouTubeInst

In this episode of Bridge the Gap, Keri Moore of 828id goes on a deep dive into how life plan communities (CCRCs) are adapting to today’s market realities. With new senior living development at historic lows and occupancy on the rise, operators are turning to strategic renovations, reprogramming, and interior-led transformations to stay competitive.Keri shares practical insights on maximizing limited capital, from rethinking FF&E investments and flooring strategies to activating underused spaces and creating signature experiences that attract both residents and the broader community. The conversation explores how resident committees influence design decisions in not-for-profit communities, why first impressions matter more than ever, and how specialized senior living design expertise reduces risk while improving outcomes.Key Topics CoveredWhy senior living renovations are outpacing new developmentInterior-led repositioning strategies for life plan communitiesBudget-conscious flooring, furniture, and FF&am

Artificial intelligence is everywhere—but most leaders still aren’t sure how to use it effectively. In this episode of Bridge the Gap, we sit down with Tiffany Karlin and Nate Sundheimer of Wipfli to unpack what it truly means to be an AI-empowered leader in senior living.Rather than focusing solely on tools, Tiffany and Nate emphasize that successful AI adoption starts with a new mindset and self-awareness. They explore why culture, not technology, is the biggest barrier to transformation, how leaders can balance innovation with compliance, and why delegating work to both humans and AI is becoming essential.We unpack:Why AI adoption starts with leadership mindset, not toolsThe concept of the “AI-empowered leader”Delegating work to humans vs. AIOffensive vs. defensive AI strategies in senior livingMeet the Hosts:Josh Crisp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshcrispsocial/Lucas McCurdy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasmccurdyseniorlivingfan/Connect with Our GuestsTiffany Karlin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffan

As senior living enters a new era of growth, workforce challenges are quickly becoming the industry’s biggest bottleneck. Recorded live from the LeadingAge National Show in Boston, hosts Josh Crisp and Lucas McCurdy sit down with Paul Jarvis, EVP of Sales and Marketing at Procare HR, to unpack what operators must do to prepare for 2026 and beyond.This conversation explores why “getting a little bit better at everything HR-related” can have massive downstream impacts on financial performance, care outcomes, and employee satisfaction. Paul explains how viewing HR as a full employee journey, from application and onboarding to scheduling, retention, and compliance, helps operators scale confidently, especially amid acquisitions and regulatory complexity.This week we cover:Why workforce strategy is becoming senior living’s biggest growth constraintRetention vs. agency staffing and care outcomesPreparing for 100% occupancy scenariosMeet the Hosts:Josh CrispLucas McCurdyConnect with Our GuestPaul JarvisProduced by G

Employee retention remains one of the most pressing challenges in senior living, but according to The Queen of Retention, Cara Silletto, the problem isn’t that “nobody wants to work anymore.” In this episode of Bridge the Gap, Josh Crisp and Lucas McCurdy welcome Cara back to unpack why retention failures are often rooted in leadership, culture, and outdated assumptions. Cara introduces her Employee Retention Ecosystem, a holistic framework that assigns shared responsibility across employees, managers, and executives. Using a simple but powerful gardening analogy, she explains how leaders must individualize care, equip managers, and create environments where people can thrive.This week we discuss:The myth behind “nobody wants to work anymore”The Employee Retention Ecosystem explainedGen Z priorities and mental health realitiesBalancing empathy with accountabilityMeet the Hosts:Josh CrispLucas McCurdyConnect with Our GuestCara SillettoLearn more about the Employee Retention Ecosystememployeeretentionecosystem

In this episode, Josh and Lucas sit down with returning guest Arick Morton, CEO of NIC MAP Arick shares key takeaways from his conference session, including the widening mismatch between senior housing supply and demand, rising occupancy across nearly every market, and what these trends mean for life plan and nonprofit communities. In this episode, we cover:Senior housing occupancy approaching the 90% thresholdLife plan communities and nonprofit sector growthExpansion, renovation, and satellite campus strategiesNIC MAP’s expanded markets and AI-driven analyticsMeet the Hosts:Josh CrispLucas McCurdyConnect with Our GuestArick MortonProduced by Solinity Marketing.Sponsored by Aline, NIC MAP, Procare HR, Sage, Hamilton CapTel, Service Master, The Bridge Group Construction and Solinity. Become a sponsor of Bridge the Gap.Connect with BTG on social media:YouTubeInstagramFacebookTwitterLinkedInTikTok

In this special Christmas episode closing out Season 8 of Bridge the Gap, Josh and Lucas reflect on eight years of conversations that have helped shape the senior living industry. From humble beginnings to nearly 600 episodes and millions of impressions, they look back on the relationships, stories, and mission that continue to drive the platform forward.In this episode, we discuss:The missional “why” behind senior living leadershipEntrepreneurship and family-driven roots in senior housingTechnology and AI’s growing role in the industryLearning from industry thought leaders and conferencesMeet the Hosts:Josh Crisp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshcrispsocial/ Lucas McCurdy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasmccurdyseniorlivingfan/ Produced by Solinity Marketing.Sponsored by Aline, NIC MAP, Procare HR, Sage, Hamilton CapTel, Service Master, The Bridge Group Construction and Solinity. Become a sponsor of Bridge the Gap.Connect with BTG on social media:YouTubeInstagramFacebookTwitterLinkedInTikTok

In this episode of Bridge the Gap, Josh and Lucas sit down with Ashley Luchsinger of Aline at the LeadingAge conference in Boston to explore how AI and CRM innovation are reshaping senior living sales and operations. Ashley shares insights into Aline’s evolving mission of “elevating aging,” driven by new leadership, a renewed focus on customer alignment, and the launch of a customer advisory board. The conversation dives deep into the concept of zero-click discovery, where prospects increasingly gather information through AI summaries before ever visiting a community’s website. Ashley explains how this shift is changing the prospect journey, emphasizing quality over quantity of leads and the need for smarter follow-up strategies.This week we discuss: The role of customer advisory boards in product developmentZero-click discovery and AI-driven search behaviorHow AI is reshaping the senior living prospect journeyDriving ROI through smarter sales prioritizationBest practices for adopting new technology in s

This week on Bridge the Gap, Josh and Lucas sit down with Traci Bild, Chief Visionary Officer at Bild & Co. Traci shares actionable insights on how senior living operators can redefine sales, optimize marketing, and fill communities faster with a segmented approach. Learn why the traditional salesperson role may be disappearing, how to manage leads efficiently, reduce burnout, and leverage technology and outsourced solutions for maximum occupancy.This week we cover:Why traditional sales in senior living is no longer enoughHow marketing has evolved faster than salesSegmented sales models and outsourced solutionsStorytelling, brand identity, and influencer marketing for senior livingMeet the Hosts:Josh Crisp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshcrispsocial/ Lucas McCurdy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasmccurdyseniorlivingfan/ Connect with Our GuestTraci BildHear Traci on BTG Network.Produced by Solinity Marketing.Sponsored by Aline, NIC MAP, Procare HR, Sage, Hamilton CapTel, Service Master, Th

In this episode of Bridge the Gap, we sit down with returning guest and industry leader Heather Tussing, President of The Aspenwood Company, to explore what it takes to build thriving, scalable, luxury senior living communities. Heather shares updates from her three-year leadership journey: from launching successful urban infill developments in Nashville and Charlotte to expanding through acquisitions and third-party management.This week, we cover:How Aspenwood transformed a strong company into a market-leading cultureBuilding authentic sales relationships long before a community opensSupporting high-performing teams and reinforcing culture at scaleStrategic refreshes and CapEx planning for luxury senior living assetsMaintaining brand standards across developments and acquisitionsMeet the Hosts:Josh CrispLucas McCurdyConnect with Our GuestHeather TussingProduced by Solinity Marketing.Sponsored by Aline, NIC MAP, Procare HR, Sage, Hamilton CapTel, Service Master, The Bridge Group Construction and Solinity

This week, Josh and Lucas sit down with Lina Ren, an emerging leader in senior living whose journey into the industry has moved at remarkable speed. Lina shares how her graduate studies at USC, a personal family experience with dementia, and a pivotal scholarship opportunity through NIC opened doors she didn’t even realize existed, ultimately connecting her with Cima Senior Living, where she now serves as an analyst. The conversation explores generational misconceptions about senior housing, the power of mentorship and networking, the role of technology in shaping the future of senior living, and the workforce challenges facing the industry. This week, we share:The role of NIC scholarships in shaping career pathwaysThe gaps between public perception and the realities of senior housingThe growing role of AI and emerging technologies in care environmentsHow the industry can attract younger talentMeet the Hosts:Josh CrispLucas McCurdyConnect with Our GuestLina RenLearn more about the NIC Sponsorship Progra

In this episode of Bridge the Gap, Josh and Lucas sit down with Jessica Wesley, Head of Vayyar Care North America, to explore how technology is transforming senior living. She discusses the evolution of senior care expectations, why technology has shifted from a “nice to have” to a “must have,” and how Vayyar’s sensor-based platform helps communities improve care outcomes, support staff, drive census growth, and deliver peace of mind for families. On this episode, we cover:  The role of data in helping operators make timely, informed decisionsImproving staff workflows and reducing technology intimidationDriving census growth and delivering measurable ROIMeet the Hosts:Josh Crisp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshcrispsocial/ Lucas McCurdy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasmccurdyseniorlivingfan/ Connect with Our GuestJessica Wesley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-heck-wesley-2325702a/ Produced by Solinity Marketing.Become a sponsor of Bridge the Gap.This episode was recorded at th

In this episode, we sit down with Josh Studzinski, Chief Growth Officer at CarePredict, to explore how data-driven technology and AI are reshaping the senior living industry. We discuss how operators can evaluate, implement, and measure the ROI of technology solutions—and why success starts with aligning organizational goals from the top down.In this episode, we cover:Defining ROI and aligning metrics for successful tech implementationOvercoming “analysis paralysis” when evaluating new toolsUsing real-time data to enhance caregiver responsivenessHow CarePredict helps communities identify and adjust care needs earlyMeet the Hosts:Josh Crisp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshcrispsocial/Lucas McCurdy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasmccurdyseniorlivingfan/Connect with Our GuestJosh Studzinski (Chief Growth Officer, CarePredict): https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshstudzinski/ This episode was recorded at the 2025 LeadingAge annual meetingProduced by Solinity Marketing.Sponsored by Aline, NIC MAP, Procare

This week, we welcome back returning guest David Schless, President of ASHA, to preview the 2026 ASHA Annual Meeting, taking place January 26–28 at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix.As ASHA celebrates 35 years of shaping the senior housing industry, David shares what members can expect from this milestone eventYou will get an exclusive look at:The economic outlook and what’s driving optimism across the industry.A keynote presentation by Matt Slaughter, Dean of the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth.CEO and capital markets panels, technology and AI discussions, and a workforce-focused initiative.A case study led by Arnie Whitman showcasing the transformation of a Tennessee community.Whether you’re a senior housing operator, investor, developer, or industry advocate, this episode highlights why ASHA remains one of the most respected voices in senior living leadership and collaboration.Meet the Hosts:Josh Crisp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshcrispsocial/Lucas McCurdy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasmccurdyse

In this episode of Bridge the Gap, BTG Ambassador and FSLA Board Member Damon Thomas, Senior VP of Operations at Providence Senior Living, joins the show. Damon shares practical insights on smooth senior living operations, leadership evolution, and the importance of culture in smaller, regional organizations. From his “daily alignment” meetings to managing the ever-present “top ten” list, Damon reveals how consistency and intentionality build thriving communities. Sponsored by Aline, NIC MAP, Procare HR, Sage, Hamilton CapTel, Service Master, The Bridge Group Construction and Solinity. Become a sponsor of the Bridge the Gap Network.Produced by Solinity Marketing.Connect with BTG on social media:YouTubeInstagramFacebookTwitterLinkedInTikTokMeet the Hosts:Lucas McCurdy, @SeniorLivingFan Owner, The Bridge Group Construction; Senior Living Construction Renovation, CapEx, and Reposition. Joshua Crisp, Founder and CEO, Solinity; Senior Living Development, Management, Marketing and Cons

This week, we’re sitting down with Kelly Arduino and Brandon Christopherson of Wipfli, a leading accounting and consulting firm, to discuss growth strategies and the latest market updates. Together, they unpack how today’s market forces like tariffs, interest rates, and tax reforms are influencing M&A in senior living.Produced by Solinity Marketing.Sponsored by Aline, NIC MAP, Procare HR, Sage, Hamilton CapTel, Service Master, The Bridge Group Construction and Solinity. Apply to become a Bridge the Gap Ambassador.Connect with BTG on social media:YouTubeInstagramFacebookTwitterLinkedInTikTokMeet the Hosts:Lucas McCurdy, @SeniorLivingFan Owner, The Bridge Group Construction; Senior Living Construction Renovation, CapEx, and Reposition. Joshua Crisp, Founder and CEO, Solinity; Senior Living Development, Management, Marketing and Consulting.

Senior housing is evolving, and data is leading the way. In this episode, Arick Morton and Kyle Gardner of NIC MAP Vision join the show to unpack the most pressing trends shaping senior living, from record-high demand and limited supply to how AI and analytics are transforming investment and operational strategies. Discover how NIC MAP’s newest innovation, Rate Intelligence, is empowering operators and investors with transparent, building-level data and insights never before available in the industry.This episode was recorded at the NIC Fall Conference 2025.Produced by Solinity Marketing.Sponsored by Aline, NIC MAP, Procare HR, Sage, Hamilton CapTel, Service Master, The Bridge Group Construction and Solinity. Become a sponsor of the Bridge the Gap Network.Connect with BTG on social media:YouTubeInstagramFacebookTwitterLinkedInTikTokMeet the Hosts:Lucas McCurdy, @SeniorLivingFan Owner, The Bridge Group Construction; Senior Living Construction Renovation, CapEx, and Reposition. Joshua Crisp,

Finding the right senior living community can be overwhelming for families and challenging for operators. In this episode of Bridge the Gap, returning guest David Hopkins, owner of Assisted Living Locators, shares how his placement services approach connects seniors with communities that truly fit their needs, builds trust between families and operators, and streamlines the decision-making process.Sponsored by Aline, NIC MAP, Procare HR, Sage, Hamilton CapTel, Service Master, The Bridge Group Construction and Solinity. Produced by Solinity Marketing.Become a sponsor of the Bridge the Gap Network.This episode was recorded at the 2025 FSLA conference.Connect with BTG on social media:YouTubeInstagramFacebookTwitterLinkedInTikTokMeet the Hosts:Lucas McCurdy, @SeniorLivingFan Owner, The Bridge Group Construction; Senior Living Construction Renovation, CapEx, and Reposition. Joshua Crisp, Founder and CEO, Solinity; Senior Living Development, Management, Marketing and Consulting.