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. 4d ago

    Is Senior Living Ready for AI Technology? | Signal Debut Pt. 1

    Senior living is entering an unprecedented period of demand, but operators are also facing persistent labor challenges, tight margins, and technology systems that often haven't kept pace with the complexity of the business. In this special of Bridge the Gap, Lucas joins Kyle Gardner of NIC MAP and Jessie Lucci of AllieHealth to explore whether senior living is actually ready for the next wave of technology and AI. The conversation covers rising senior housing occupancy, the coming wave of demand from aging baby boomers, constrained new construction, workforce competition, technology adoption, and the importance of building tools that genuinely solve operators' most urgent problems. Key Topics Senior housing occupancy and the current market outlook The growing demand created by the aging baby boomer population The gap between senior housing demand and new construction Labor competition and workforce shortages Why senior living technology adoption has historically been slow The challenges of implementing technology for frontline workers Why technology must be simple and easy to adopt The importance of integrations between software systems Balancing mission, margin, and technology investment Measuring technology's impact on the bottom line Using technology to give caregivers more time with residents Meet the Hosts: Lucas McCurdy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasmccurdyseniorlivingfan/ Kyle Gardner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-gardner-nm Jessie Lucci: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessielucci Produced by Grit and Gravel Marketing. Become a sponsor of Bridge the Gap.

    Is Senior Living Ready for AI Technology? | Signal Debut Pt. 1

  2. Sep 7

    Why Culture Is the Competitive Advantage in Senior Living | Tana Gall

    After more than three decades in senior living, Tana Gall has witnessed nearly every evolution the industry has experienced. She reflects on what has remained constant throughout her 32-year career: the importance of creating communities where residents truly feel at home. The discussion explores how senior living operators can prepare for today's growing demand by designing communities that balance consistency with local character. Tana explains why every community should have its own unique personality while maintaining a strong organizational culture. She also shares how thoughtful design, meaningful amenities, and exceptional team members combine to create memorable resident experiences. Key IdeasTana Gall's 32-year journey in senior livingBuilding lasting organizational cultureWhy local community identity mattersDesigning communities around resident experienceCreating welcoming environments beyond beautiful buildingsThe post-pandemic senior living landscapeSupply and demand trends across the industryReimagining existing communitiesThe evolving expectations of today's older adultsRecruiting and retaining purpose-driven team members 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 Tana Gall: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tana-gall-53988b4/ Learn More About the Granger Cobb Institute for Business of Aging https://www.btgvoice.com/full-episode/429-nancy-swanger-senior-living-careers-education-granger-cobb-institute Produced by Grit and Gravel Marketing. Become a sponsor of Bridge the Gap.

    Why Culture Is the Competitive Advantage in Senior Living | Tana Gall

  3. Aug 31

    How Senior Housing Is Preparing for the Next Generation of Growth | Cameron Bell

    Cameron and Lucas reflect on one of the industry's largest gatherings to date, featuring record attendance, meaningful collaboration, and an inspiring keynote from Daymond John. The conversation explores how senior housing continues evolving beyond traditional investment models, with increasing emphasis on strategic partnerships, operational support, data-driven decision-making, and workforce development. The discussion also addresses why attracting young professionals may become one of senior housing's greatest competitive advantages. Rather than focusing solely on capital, today's industry leaders are finding new ways to support operators. Key Ideas Evolution from traditional triple-net leasing toward SHOP partnershipsDevelopment challenges amid growing housing demandThe $840 billion investment gap facing senior housingStrengthening operator relationships beyond capitalUsing data to improve operational performanceIndustry collaboration and transparencyHiring the next generation of senior housing leadersWhy Gen Z is increasingly interested in senior living careers Meet the Hosts: Lucas McCurdy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasmccurdyseniorlivingfan/ Cameron Bell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-bell-322143147/ Learn More About NHI https://www.nhireit.com/ Produced by Grit and Gravel Marketing. Become a sponsor of Bridge the Gap.

    How Senior Housing Is Preparing for the Next Generation of Growth | Cameron Bell

  4. Aug 24

    How to Prepare for the Senior Housing Demand Surge | Kevin Oakley

    As senior housing enters one of its most significant growth periods in decades, how should operators prepare for unprecedented demand? In this episode of Bridge the Gap, hosts Lucas and guest co-host Cameron speak with Kevin Oakley, CFO of Maxwell Group, about the demographic wave reshaping senior living, why occupancy continues to climb, and how operators must evolve to meet changing consumer expectations. Kevin explains how Maxwell Group is balancing strategic growth with its people-first culture while investing in new development opportunities, including active adult communities and cottage-style neighborhoods. The conversation explores the challenges of rising construction costs, labor retention, regional market preferences, and why understanding what residents actually want is becoming the industry's competitive advantage. Key Ideas Current senior housing occupancy trends and demographic tailwindsAcquisition versus new development strategiesActive adult and cottage-style housing growthWhy regional preferences matter in senior housing developmentLabor retention and building a strong organizational cultureCreating a people-first organizationMission versus margin in senior livingBalancing financial performance with resident experienceFuture opportunities across the Southeast 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 Kevin Oakley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oakleykevin/ Produced by Grit and Gravel Marketing. Become a sponsor of Bridge the Gap.

    How to Prepare for the Senior Housing Demand Surge | Kevin Oakley

  5. Aug 17

    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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
See All (200)

4.8
out of 5
80 Ratings

About

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.

Information

More From Bridge the Gap Network

You Might Also Like