Bridge The Gap

Senior living design is evolving rapidly, and architects like Rocky Berg are helping shape what the future looks like. In this episode of Bridge the Gap, Josh and Lucas sit down with Rocky, Principal, Director of Business Development at Three Architecture, to discuss how senior housing design is shifting to meet the expectations of the boomer generation. This conversation explores how thoughtful design can elevate the resident experience while balancing operational efficiency and financial realities.Key Topics CoveredHow senior living development is beginning to accelerate againThe influence of hospitality design on modern senior living communitiesWhy food and dining experiences play a major role in community designHow technology, lighting, and acoustics are improving resident experiencesTrends toward larger residential units and open floor plansMeet the Hosts:Josh Crisp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshcrispsocial/Lucas McCurdy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasmccurdyseniorlivingfan/Connect with Our GuestRo

What if senior living felt like home, not just looked like it? In this episode of Bridge the Gap, Josh and Lucas sit down with George Kutnerian of Wellpointe Inc. to explore their fast-growing residential care home model. With over 67 locations across California, George shares how small, six-resident homes are reshaping the future of assisted living by prioritizing intimacy and personalization. If you’re interested in the future of aging, this episode offers a powerful look at what’s next.Key IdeasWhat defines a residential care home vs. traditional assisted livingScaling a fragmented model to 67 locationsCapital challenges and educating lenders on a new asset classStaffing advantages with higher caregiver-to-resident ratiosWorkforce retention through benefits, career ladders, and support programsMeet the Hosts:Josh Crisp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshcrispsocial/ Lucas McCurdy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasmccurdyseniorlivingfan/ Connect with Our GuestGeorge Kutnerian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geor

SHOWNOTES:Senior housing has officially moved beyond recovery and into its next growth phase, and the data proves it.In this episode of Bridge the Gap, hosts Josh Crisp and Lucas McCurdy welcome back Arick Morton, CEO of NIC MAP, to break down the latest trends shaping the senior living industry. They also discuss why senior housing is currently the top-performing real estate asset class, how investors are viewing the sector, and why developers willing to move forward today may be positioned for exceptional returns as demographic demand accelerates.Key Topics CoveredThe 20-year evolution of NIC MAP and its role in institutionalizing senior housingCurrent occupancy and rent growth trends across the industryThe impact of historic lows in new constructionHow AI and data analytics are accelerating investment decisionsWhy senior housing is now the best-performing real estate asset clasMeet the Hosts:Josh Crisp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshcrispsocial/ Lucas McCurdy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasmccurdyseni

What does disciplined growth look like in today’s senior housing market?In this episode of Bridge the Gap, Todd Marsh, CEO of Triple Crown Senior Living, shares how his team is scaling smarter in 2026 and beyond. After a season of rapid growth, Triple Crown hit pause to refocus on operational excellence before accelerating growth again. If you’re an operator, investor, or developer in senior living, then don’t miss this important conversation.Key Topics Lessons learned from growing too quicklyScaling from 1 to 10 communities, and why they pausedGround-up development vs. value-add acquisitionsDemographic demand vs. supply constraintsAdvice for young professionals entering senior livingMeet the Hosts:Josh Crisp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshcrispsocial/Lucas McCurdy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasmccurdyseniorlivingfan/Connect with Our GuestTodd Marsh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-marsh-08a39410 Produced by Grit and Gravel Marketing.Become a sponsor of Bridge the Gap.Connect with BTG on social media:Y

The senior living referral system is at an inflection point, and Greg Mason of SilverAssist believes it’s time for a fundamental shift. In this episode of Bridge the Gap, Greg shares the vision behind SilverAssist’s acquisition of Caring.com and how the move expands their digital reach while transforming how families experience the transition into senior living. If you’re an operator frustrated with legacy referral models, or a professional navigating care transitions, this episode offers a compelling look at what’s next.Key Topics CoveredThe acquisition of Caring.com and what it means for the industryIntegrating digital reach with local senior advisorsThe importance of ADL matching and community fitFinancial consultation as a core part of senior placementVeteran benefits and alternative funding optionsMeet the Hosts:Josh Crisp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshcrispsocial/Lucas McCurdy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasmccurdyseniorlivingfan/Connect with Our GuestGreg Mason: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-m

How do you scale a senior living organization without losing the heart behind your mission? This week, Tim Bryant of StoryPoint Group discusses their 1440 philosophy, a daily reminder that there are 1,440 minutes in every day to create the absolute best experience in every interaction, for every person. The conversation also explores the senior living industry’s recovery and advice for emerging leaders in senior living. If you care about scaling with purpose and ensuring every life truly counts, this episode delivers the insights you need.Key Topics CoveredThe meaning behind StoryPoint’s “1440” leadership mantraWhy StoryPoint is an employee-first organizationThe importance of regional density and market controlHow culture drives performance and scalabilityAdapting to the next generation of residentsMeet the Hosts:Josh Crisp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshcrispsocial/Lucas McCurdy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasmccurdyseniorlivingfan/Connect with Our GuestTim Bryant: https://www.storypoint.com/Produced by

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