Empowered Elder Podcast

Mama Bear Team

Aging doesn’t come with a manual — but it does come with questions. The Empowered Elder Podcast connects adults and families with trusted professionals and real answers to help navigate the aging journey wisely, confidently, and with peace of mind. Through empowering conversations, practical guidance, and heartfelt stories, we transform uncertainty into confidence — because aging is a journey you don’t have to walk alone.

  1. Beth Blacker: Your Next Chapter Doesn't Have an Expiration Date #PART2

    Jun 22

    Beth Blacker: Your Next Chapter Doesn't Have an Expiration Date #PART2

    Downsizing is rarely about the stuff. More often, it's about the memories attached to it, the life it represents, and the uncertainty that can come with change. In Part 2 of our conversation, Beth Blacker explores the emotional realities of downsizing, the importance of starting before a crisis occurs, and how families can approach these transitions with greater patience and understanding. She shares practical strategies for preserving meaningful memories, creating safer living environments, and reducing the stress that often accompanies major life decisions. Beth also discusses the stigma many people feel when asking for help and why professional organizers can play an important role in supporting older adults, caregivers, and neurodivergent individuals through periods of transition. If you're wondering where to begin, Beth offers a reassuring reminder: you don't have to do everything at once. Small steps taken today can create more choices, more calm, and more confidence for tomorrow. In partnership with Agewise Colorado:https://agewisecolorado.org/blog/empowered-elder-podcasts/🍎 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/empowered-elder-podcast/id1862896231 Youtube: https://youtube.com/@empoweredelderpodcast?si=kqtNIsxVq8rtg149🔗 Visit our website & episode resources:http://bit.ly/EmpoweredElderPodcastGuests: Beth Blacker, Chief of Chaos To Calm / It's Just Stuff🌐 https://www.itsjuststuff.co/?utm_source=chatgpt.comHosts: 🎙️ Tasha Beckman & Nicole Robilotto The Empowered Elder Podcast — where we talk about home, heart, and the next chapter of life.

    39 min
  2. From Chaos to Calm: Letting Go of Clutter and Supporting Compassionate Elder Transitions

    Jun 15

    From Chaos to Calm: Letting Go of Clutter and Supporting Compassionate Elder Transitions

    What happens when a lifetime of memories fills every shelf, closet, and drawer? In this thoughtful conversation, Beth Blacker, Chief of Chaos To Calm / It's Just Stuff, shares why downsizing can feel so much bigger than simply sorting through belongings. For many older adults, possessions represent stories, relationships, accomplishments, and identity. Together, we explore how clutter can affect safety, decision-making, and emotional well-being, especially during major life transitions. Sharon also shares practical strategies for starting the process early, preserving memories without keeping everything, and supporting loved ones without pressure or judgment. If you're helping an aging parent, planning a future move, or simply wondering where to begin, this episode offers a compassionate reminder: you don't have to do it all at once, and you don't have to do it alone. Thank you for spending this time with us. We hope this conversation brings a little more clarity, confidence, and peace to your journey. Guests: Beth Blacker, Chief of Chaos To Calm / It's Just Stuff 🌐 https://www.itsjuststuff.co/?utm_sour... Hosts: 🎙️ Tasha Beckman & Nicole Robilotto The Empowered Elder Podcast — where we talk about home, heart, and the next chapter of life. In partnership with Agewise Colorado: https://agewisecolorado.org/blog/empowered-elder-podcasts/ 🍎 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/empowered-elder-podcast/id1862896231 🔗 Visit our website & episode resources: http://bit.ly/EmpoweredElderPodcast Youtube: https://youtube.com/@empoweredelderpodcast?si=kqtNIsxVq8rtg149

    31 min
  3. Staying Safe or Staying Too Long? Navigating Independence, Safety, and the Decision to Move

    Jun 8

    Staying Safe or Staying Too Long? Navigating Independence, Safety, and the Decision to Move

    What does it really mean to age with dignity and independence? In this episode, Audrey Krebs, founder of Aging Services Consultants, shares what she's learned from years of helping older adults and their families navigate the realities of aging. From recognizing early warning signs to understanding available support services, Audrey offers practical guidance that can help families make informed decisions before a crisis occurs. We also explore the emotional side of accepting help, why social connection is essential for overall well-being, and how simple adaptations can help older adults remain independent longer. If you've been wondering how to support a parent, prepare for future aging needs, or start conversations that feel difficult, this episode is filled with thoughtful insights and encouragement. You're not expected to have all the answers. Sometimes the most important step is simply starting the conversation. Guests: 🌐 Audrey A. KrebsFounder, Aging Services Consultants, LLCHosts: 🎙️ Tasha Beckman & Nicole Robilotto The Empowered Elder Podcast — where we talk about home, heart, and the next chapter of life. In partnership with Agewise Colorado: https://agewisecolorado.org/blog/empowered-elder-podcasts/ 🍎 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/empowered-elder-podcast/id1862896231 🔗 Visit our website & episode resources: http://bit.ly/EmpoweredElderPodcast Youtube: https://youtube.com/@empoweredelderpodcast?si=kqtNIsxVq8rtg149

    49 min
  4. When was the last time you talked about your future plans with your family?

    Jun 1

    When was the last time you talked about your future plans with your family?

    Preparing for the future isn't always easy. Conversations about aging, finances, health changes, and asking for help can feel deeply personal—and sometimes uncomfortable. In Part 2 of this discussion, physical therapist Larissa Ellis and financial planner Annie Garland explore why proactive planning can make all the difference. From understanding future care needs to organizing financial information and building a trusted network of professionals, they share practical ways to prepare before decisions become urgent. The conversation also touches on the emotional side of planning—vulnerability, independence, and the challenges many families face when discussing change. It's a thoughtful reminder that planning ahead isn't about expecting the worst; it's about creating more choices for the future. Wherever you are in your aging journey—whether for yourself or someone you love—we hope this episode helps you feel a little more informed, supported, and empowered. In partnership with Agewise Colorado:https://agewisecolorado.org/blog/empo... Youtube: https://youtube.com/@empoweredelderpodcast?si=kqtNIsxVq8rtg149 🍎 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast...🔗 Visit our website & episode resources:http://bit.ly/EmpoweredElderPodcastGuests: Annie Garland, Certified Financial Planner with WealthClarityLarissa Ellis PT, DPTDoctor of Physical Therapy🌐 https://www.wealthclarity.com/Hosts: 🎙️ Tasha Beckman & Nicole Robilotto The Empowered Elder Podcast — where we talk about home, heart, and the next chapter of life.

    28 min
  5. Falls Aren't Just Physical — They're a Financial Crisis for Your Family #PART1

    May 25

    Falls Aren't Just Physical — They're a Financial Crisis for Your Family #PART1

    Falls are the leading cause of injury for adults 65 and older... and one in four will experience one this year. But what most families don't see coming is how quickly a single fall can unravel everything: health, housing, finances, and plans that took years to build.In this episode, Tasha and Nicole are joined by financial planner Annie Garland and physical therapist Larissa Ellis, PT, DPT for a grounded, practical conversation about how families can get ahead of this risk. From removing tripping hazards at home to the surprising link between social isolation and dementia-related falls, Larissa shares what proactive physical therapy can do — before a fall ever happens. Annie walks through how to build fall-related healthcare costs into a financial plan, why estate documents need to be updated more often than people think, and how financial fraud often follows a health crisis.Key takeaways: an annual PT check-in is a smart baseline for older adults; estate planning documents older than 10 years likely need a review; advisors and adult children should have permission to communicate with each other; and for those without nearby family, professional care managers can fill critical gaps.If you've been putting off "the conversation" — about safety, finances, or planning — this episode is a gentle, practical place to start. You don't have to wait for a crisis to act.In partnership with Agewise Colorado:https://agewisecolorado.org/blog/empo...🍎 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast... ▶️ Youtube: https://youtube.com/@empoweredelderpodcast?si=kqtNIsxVq8rtg149🔗 Visit our website & episode resources:http://bit.ly/EmpoweredElderPodcastGuests: Annie Garland, Certified Financial Planner with WealthClarityLarissa Ellis PT, DPTDoctor of Physical Therapy🌐 https://www.wealthclarity.com/Hosts: 🎙️ Tasha Beckman & Nicole Robilotto The Empowered Elder Podcast — where we talk about home, heart, and the next chapter of life.

    34 min
  6. The Future of Geriatrics: Breaking Down Barriers in Elder Support: #PART1

    May 11

    The Future of Geriatrics: Breaking Down Barriers in Elder Support: #PART1

    Have you ever stopped to think about what it actually feels like for an older adult inside an emergency room? The noise is relentless. The lights are harsh. The wait feels endless. And for someone already managing memory changes, mobility challenges, or the quiet exhaustion of being cared for — it can be genuinely disorienting and scary. Most traditional ERs weren't designed with older adults in mind. But that conversation is finally happening. In Part 1 of this episode, Dr. Holly Buschhorn (she/her) takes us inside the world of geriatric emergency care — what's changing, why it matters, and how age-friendly ER programs are reshaping the way older adults receive care. Less chaos. More compassion. More dignity. And if you've never heard of these programs before, you're not alone. Most families haven't — until they need them. If you're caring for an aging parent, a grandparent, or any older loved one, this episode will give you a new lens on emergency care and the confidence to advocate for the people you love. Part 1 is ready when you are. Hit play. #EmpoweredElderPodcast #CaregivingSupport #AgingParents #GeriatricCare #SeniorHealth Guests: 🌐Dr. Holly Buschhorn (she/her)Chief of the Emergency DepartmentWestern Colorado Health Care System (WCHCS), VAHosts: 🎙️ Tasha Beckman & Nicole Robilotto The Empowered Elder Podcast — where we talk about home, heart, and the next chapter of life. In partnership with Agewise Colorado:https://agewisecolorado.org/blog/empowered-elder-podcasts/🍎 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/empowered-elder-podcast/id1862896231 ▶️ Youtube: https://youtube.com/@empoweredelderpodcast?si=FYCTyh4N-QwaEUgT🔗 Visit our website & episode resources:http://bit.ly/EmpoweredElderPodcast

    29 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Aging doesn’t come with a manual — but it does come with questions. The Empowered Elder Podcast connects adults and families with trusted professionals and real answers to help navigate the aging journey wisely, confidently, and with peace of mind. Through empowering conversations, practical guidance, and heartfelt stories, we transform uncertainty into confidence — because aging is a journey you don’t have to walk alone.