Bridge the Gap: The Senior Living Podcast

Bridge the Gap Network
Bridge the Gap Network
  • 4.8 (80)
  • Management
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to Bridge the Gap with hosts Lucas McCurdy and Joshua Crisp. A podcast dedicated to informing, educating and influencing the future of housing and services for older adults in senior living.

  1. 3d ago

    The 2026 NIC Fall Preview with Lisa McCracken

    What can senior housing leaders expect from the 2026 NIC Fall conference, and what does the current industry outlook tell us about where the sector is headed? In this special fall-preview episode, Josh and Lucas welcome Lisa McCracken, Head of Research and Analytics at NIC, for a look at the conversations shaping the senior housing industry. Lisa previews sessions focused on capital markets, valuations, economic conditions, development, reinvestment, longevity, wellness, the consumer, and lessons senior housing can learn from the lodging industry. Key Topics Covered The growth and evolution of NIC and its attendee base Why senior housing is attracting new capital and industry participants Capital markets, valuations and transaction activity Economic conditions, interest rates and geopolitical uncertainty Senior housing development and reinvestment Longevity, wellness and changing consumer expectations What senior housing can learn from the lodging sector The evolution of major hospitality brands and third-party management Networking strategies for first-time NIC attendees NIC's industry sentiment index The demographic tailwinds supporting senior housing How industry leaders can use conferences to take the pulse of the market Meet the Hosts: Lucas McCurdy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasmccurdyseniorlivingfan/ Josh Crisp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshcrispsocial/ Connect with Our Guest Lisa McCracken: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-mccracken-62ba78a Learn more about NIC https://fallconference.nic.org Produced by Grit and Gravel Marketing. Become a sponsor of Bridge the Gap.

    The 2026 NIC Fall Preview with Lisa McCracken

  2. Aug 10

    The Importance of Building a Senior Living Legacy | John LaHood

    Growing up on a family farm in rural Georgia, John LaHood never imagined he'd one day help shape both senior living communities and state policy. As CEO of Fellowship Family and a Georgia State Representative, John brings a unique perspective on what it takes to build exceptional communities while advocating for the future of senior housing. John shares the remarkable story of how his grandparents founded their first community, how three generations have expanded the business into one of the Southeast's growing operators, and why new development remains critical despite today's challenging market conditions. The conversation explores innovative community design, workforce development, legislative advocacy, and the importance of creating environments where older adults remain connected to the broader community. Key Ideas: The origins of Fellowship Family and a three-generation legacy Growing from one community to a multi-state operator Why new development still matters despite acquisition opportunities Designing communities that feel connected—not isolated Integrating public amenities into senior living campuses The value of legislative advocacy for operators How policy decisions impact senior living operations Recruiting and retaining exceptional team members Career growth opportunities within senior living The demographic opportunities ahead for the industry Meet the Hosts: Lucas McCurdy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasmccurdyseniorlivingfan/ Cameron Bell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-bell-322143147/ Connect with Our Guest John LaHood: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-lahood-3532a152/ Learn More about The Fellowship Family https://thefellowshipfamily.com/ Produced by Grit and Gravel Marketing. Become a sponsor of Bridge the Gap.

    The Importance of Building a Senior Living Legacy | John LaHood

  3. Aug 3

    How Strong Leadership Drives Exceptional Senior Living Communities | Carrie Boone

    As demand for senior housing continues to outpace supply, operators are preparing for one of the biggest growth opportunities the industry has ever experienced. In this episode of Bridge the Gap, Lucas McCurdy and Cameron Bell sit down with Carrie Boone, Founder of Generation Healthcare Managers, during the NHI Music City Symposium in Nashville. Carrie shares her unique journey from land development into senior living operations, explaining how a single assisted living project became a lifelong passion for serving older adults. The conversation explores the critical role executive directors play in community success, why promoting leaders from within often produces the strongest outcomes, and how family culture has shaped Generation Healthcare Manager’s growth. Key Topics Building a family-oriented senior housing organizationThe importance of executive directors in community successDeveloping leadership from within existing teamsCurrent acquisition and development opportunitiesDemand significantly outpacing senior housing supplyExpansion strategies and future community growthTechnology adoption after COVID-19AI applications in senior living operationsWorkforce development and the future of caregiving Meet the Hosts: Lucas McCurdy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasmccurdyseniorlivingfan/ Cameron Bell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-bell-322143147/ Connect with Our Guest Carrie Boone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-boone-5a3b085a/ Produced by Grit and Gravel Marketing. Become a sponsor of Bridge the Gap.

    How Strong Leadership Drives Exceptional Senior Living Communities | Carrie Boone

  4. Jul 27

    The Future of Senior Living Through the Eyes of Young Professionals

    At the NIC Spring Conference in Nashville, Josh and Lucas sit down with two emerging leaders preparing to enter the senior living industry. Listen as these students share their paths into senior living and why they believe the industry offers tremendous opportunities for growth and impact. The conversation explores how young professionals are discovering senior housing, the importance of mentorship, lessons learned from networking at NIC, and innovative care models from around the world. The guests discuss demographic trends, the growing demand for senior living solutions, and the need to attract more students and young professionals into aging services careers. Key Topics How students discover careers in senior livingThe value of NIC's Young Professionals and Scholars programsReal estate opportunities within senior housingHealthcare administration and long-term care leadershipThe role of mentorship in career developmentDemographic trends driving industry growthInnovative memory care village models from EuropeBuilding professional networks early in a careerThe importance of industry awareness among studentsCreating meaningful impact through aging services Meet the Hosts: Josh Crisp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshcrispsocial/ Lucas McCurdy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasmccurdyseniorlivingfan/ Connect with Our Guests Michael Pittenger: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-pittenger-b4a645321/ Michael Giovacco: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-giovacco-75915527a/ Produced by Grit and Gravel Marketing. Become a sponsor of Bridge the Gap.

    The Future of Senior Living Through the Eyes of Young Professionals

  5. Jul 20

    Why Senior Living M&A Is Booming Again | Bobby Guy

    On this episode of Bridge the Gap, hosts Josh and Lucas sit down with Bobby Guy to unpack the massive changes happening across senior living, healthcare investing, and capital markets. Bobby shares why senior housing M&A activity is reaching record levels, how demographic shifts are reshaping the future of senior care, and why the industry desperately needs innovation aimed at the middle market, not just luxury communities. Bobby argues that healthcare innovation requires new access to capital and explains why bringing more public companies into healthcare could transform the industry’s future. Key Ideas: The return of large-scale healthcare and senior living M&AWhy senior housing development is underserved in the middle marketThe demographic realities impacting luxury senior housingHow tax credits and incentives could reshape affordable senior housingAI’s future impact on healthcare operations and patient outcomesWhy public healthcare companies have declined since Sarbanes-OxleyThe relationship between private equity and healthcare innovationHealthcare integration across behavioral health, pharmacy, rehab, and senior livingThe future of capital markets in senior housingRecord-setting healthcare transaction activity in 2026 Meet the Hosts: Josh Crisp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshcrispsocial/ Lucas McCurdy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasmccurdyseniorlivingfan/ Connect with Our Guest Bobby Guy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobby-guy-4a25967/ Learn More about the Polsinelli https://www.polsinelli.com/ Produced by Grit and Gravel Marketing. Become a sponsor of Bridge the Gap.

    Why Senior Living M&A Is Booming Again | Bobby Guy

  6. Jul 13

    How Bethesda Senior Living Is Solving the Middle Market Crisis | Kimberly Erickson

    On this episode of Bridge the Gap, Josh and Lucas sit down with Kimberly Erickson, COO of Bethesda Senior Living, to explore the future of attainable senior housing and the role nonprofit operators can play in serving the growing middle-market population. Kimberly shares insights from her transition from the for-profit sector into nonprofit leadership, highlighting how mission, culture, and compassion shape operational decisions at Bethesda. The conversation dives into middle-market senior living strategies, charitable care programs, affordable housing models, labor and staffing realities, and why culture cannot be reduced to buzzwords or technology platforms. Key Topics The transition from for-profit to nonprofit senior living leadershipWhy middle-market senior housing remains underservedHow Bethesda approaches charitable care and resident affordabilityShared-suite housing models for attainable senior livingLabor challenges and maintaining margins in senior careThe role of PACE partnerships in serving more seniorsWhy culture starts with presence and human connectionLeadership lessons rooted in counseling and faith-based serviceThe importance of staff engagement and emotional intelligenceWhy senior living careers offer purpose-driven opportunities Meet the Hosts: Josh Crisp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshcrispsocial/ Lucas McCurdy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasmccurdyseniorlivingfan/ Connect with Our Guest Kimberly Erickson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-erickson-89a23351 Learn More about Bethesda Senior Living https://www.bethesdaseniorliving.com Produced by Grit and Gravel Marketing. Become a sponsor of Bridge the Gap.

    How Bethesda Senior Living Is Solving the Middle Market Crisis | Kimberly Erickson

  7. Jul 6

    Changing the Narrative on Aging Through Podcasting | Anna Hall

    What if the future of senior living isn't about healthcare—it's about purpose? This week, we welcome Anna Hall, Chief Culture and Community Officer at Front Porch Communities and host of the Front Porch Podcast. Anna shares her journey through more than 25 years in senior living and explains why purpose, belonging, and meaningful relationships are becoming the foundation of the industry's future. Key Ideas: Purpose is a critical component of well-being and healthy aging.Senior living communities are becoming centers of connection, growth, and belonging.Authentic storytelling helps reshape public perceptions of aging.Team member retention is deeply connected to meaningful relationships with residents.Future generations are increasingly seeking purpose-driven careers.Loneliness and social isolation create opportunities for senior living providers to make a profound impact.Aging should be viewed as continued growth rather than decline. Meet the Hosts: Josh Crisp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshcrispsocial/ Lucas McCurdy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasmccurdyseniorlivingfan/ Connect with Our Guest Anna Hall: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annakhall1/ Listen to Anna's Podcast https://frontporch.net/podcast/ Learn More about the Front Porch Communities https://frontporch.net/ Produced by Grit and Gravel Marketing. Become a sponsor of Bridge the Gap.

    Changing the Narrative on Aging Through Podcasting | Anna Hall

  8. Jun 29

    Inside NIC MAP’s AI-Powered Deal Intelligence Platform | Kyle Gardner

    Josh and Lucas sit down with Kyle Gardner from NIC MAP to discuss the evolution of data-driven decision-making in senior housing and the launch of NIC MAP’s new AI-powered underwriting platform: Deal Intelligence. Kyle shares how institutional investors, private equity firms, and lenders are increasingly entering the senior housing market, fueled by improved access to reliable industry data. The conversation explores how NIC MAP’s 20-year data milestone has transformed capital markets, reduced financing costs, and accelerated confidence in the sector. Key Ideas NIC MAP celebrates 20 years of senior housing data collectionExpansion from 31 to 214 markets nationwideWhy institutional capital is rapidly entering senior housingThe impact of data transparency on valuations and cap ratesHow Deal Intelligence automates underwriting workflowsThe role of AI in acquisitions and investment analysisWhy “human-in-the-loop” decision-making still mattersFuture applications of AI for development and operations teamsEmerging trends in proptech and commercial real estate analyticsHow operators can compete with larger acquisition teams Meet the Hosts: Josh Crisp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshcrispsocial/ Lucas McCurdy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasmccurdyseniorlivingfan/ Connect with Our Guest Kyle Gardner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-gardner-nm/ Learn More about the NIC MAP https://www.nicmap.com/ Produced by Grit and Gravel Marketing. Become a sponsor of Bridge the Gap.

    Inside NIC MAP’s AI-Powered Deal Intelligence Platform | Kyle Gardner
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Welcome to Bridge the Gap with hosts Lucas McCurdy and Joshua Crisp. A podcast dedicated to informing, educating and influencing the future of housing and services for older adults in senior living.

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