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. The Stories We Leave Behind | Intergenerational Connections

    2D AGO

    The Stories We Leave Behind | Intergenerational Connections

    What stories in your family haven’t been told yet? In this episode, Lisa Mars shares how video can become a meaningful way to preserve not just memories, but presence — the voice, personality, and essence of the people we love. For families navigating aging or life transitions, this can be a powerful way to hold onto what matters most. You’ll hear simple ways to begin, even if a loved one feels hesitant, and how everyday conversations can become lasting pieces of family history. In this episode, we talk about: Why family stories are often lost over timeHow video captures more than photos or written memoriesHelping loved ones feel comfortable on cameraSimple, low-pressure ways to start recordingPreserving meaningful moments during life transitions Sometimes, the stories we almost didn’t record become the ones we treasure most. Guests: Lisa Mares, Co-Founder, Maresmedia LLC|Video Strategist/Storyteller, and Content Developer🌐 https://www.maresmedia.online/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: https://app.highnote.io/c/p/249d4ddf/empowered-elder-podcast?cp=link Youtube: https://youtube.com/@empoweredelderpodcast?si=kqtNIsxVq8rtg149

    29 min
  2. Senior Care Advocacy: Choosing the Right Professionals

    APR 6

    Senior Care Advocacy: Choosing the Right Professionals

    What does it really look like to support someone you love… without taking away their independence? In Part 2 of this conversation, we explore the balance between care and autonomy — and why advocacy should feel like partnership, not control. This episode helps families better understand how to make thoughtful, informed decisions while still honoring the person at the center of it all. From clarifying the role of Certified Senior Advisors to making intentional choices around Power of Attorney, this discussion brings structure to situations that often feel emotional and unclear. Key takeaways: Self-advocacy remains essential at every stage of lifeChoosing the right Power of Attorney should be based on ability, not assumptionCredentials and experience matter when building a care teamFamilies benefit from ongoing conversations — not just decisions made in crisisRespecting autonomy is just as important as ensuring safety You don’t have to have all the answers — just a place to start. In partnership with Agewise Colorado:https://agewisecolorado.org/blog/empo...🍎 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast... ▶️ https://youtu.be/As8O_iR1jN8?si=BTlXBkGwTQwKGVbk 🔗 Visit our website & episode resources:https://app.highnote.io/c/p/249d4ddf/...Guests: Kelly O'Connor🌐 https://www.csa.us/ Hosts: 🎙️ Tasha Beckman & Nicole Robilotto The Empowered Elder Podcast — where we talk about home, heart, and the next chapter of life.

    31 min
  3. 5 Things Seniors Should Ask Their Care Team (Episode 17 Part 1)

    MAR 30

    5 Things Seniors Should Ask Their Care Team (Episode 17 Part 1)

    How do you know if you can trust the people helping your family make elder care decisions? In this episode, Certified Senior Advisor Kelly O'Connor breaks down what families should be paying attention to when choosing professional support—from credentials and ethical standards to real-world experience. It’s a conversation that brings clarity to a system that can often feel overwhelming and fragmented. You’ll also hear why so many families only start asking these questions during a crisis—and how planning ahead, even just a few years earlier, can make a meaningful difference in how decisions are made. In this episode, we talk about: What it means to be a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)How to evaluate credentials and professional accountabilityThe importance of ethics in elder care supportKey questions families should ask before hiring helpWhy building a support team early mattersYou deserve guidance you can trust—and the time to choose it thoughtfully. In partnership with Agewise Colorado:https://agewisecolorado.org/blog/empo...🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6CnZ3fF...🍎 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast...🔗 Visit our website & episode resources:https://app.highnote.io/c/p/249d4ddf/...Guests: Kelly O'Connor🌐 https://www.csa.us/ Hosts: 🎙️ Tasha Beckman & Nicole Robilotto The Empowered Elder Podcast — where we talk about home, heart, and the next chapter of life.

    21 min
  4. Part 2: Parkinson’s Caregiving Tips: Supporting Family After Diagnosis

    MAR 23

    Part 2: Parkinson’s Caregiving Tips: Supporting Family After Diagnosis

    Supporting someone with Parkinson’s goes beyond managing symptoms — it involves the entire family. In Episode 16 – Part 2, Polly Dawkins of the Davis Phinney Foundation continues the conversation with a focus on caregiving, communication, and the importance of building support early. This episode highlights how Parkinson’s often includes symptoms that aren’t immediately visible, and why understanding those changes can help families respond with greater patience and clarity. In this episode: • Why caregiver well-being directly impacts the person receiving care• The importance of open, early conversations about future planning• Understanding the “iceberg” of Parkinson’s symptoms• How community, professionals, and resources can support families• Why asking for help is a skill — and a necessary one Caregiving is not meant to be done alone. And having the right support can change the experience for everyone involved. Guests: Polly Dawkins, Executive Director, Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s🌐 https://www.davisphinneyfoundation.orgHosts: 🎙️ 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: https://app.highnote.io/c/p/249d4ddf/empowered-elder-podcast?cp=link Youtube: https://youtube.com/@empoweredelderpodcast?si=kqtNIsxVq8rtg149

    22 min
  5. Episode 16 Part 1: Parkinson's and the Unexpected Truth About Getting Older

    MAR 16

    Episode 16 Part 1: Parkinson's and the Unexpected Truth About Getting Older

    A Parkinson’s diagnosis can feel overwhelming — but it doesn’t mean life stops. In Episode 16 – Part 1, Polly Dawkins, Executive Director of the Davis Phinney Foundation, joins The Empowered Elder Podcast to talk about the foundation’s guiding message: live well today. Rather than focusing only on symptoms or waiting for future treatments, Polly explains how daily habits can support people living with Parkinson’s in meaningful ways. This conversation explores the practical and emotional sides of navigating Parkinson’s — from movement and nutrition to connection and mindset. In this episode: Why short bursts of daily movement can support brain healthThe importance of hydration, nutrition, and social connectionWhy mental rest and mindfulness matterThe emotional realities that often appear early in Parkinson’sHow community and expert care can support long-term well-beingLiving well doesn’t always require big changes. Sometimes it begins with small, intentional choices made today. Guests: Polly Dawkins, Executive Director, Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s 🌐 https://www.davisphinneyfoundation.org 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: https://app.highnote.io/c/p/249d4ddf/empowered-elder-podcast?cp=link Youtube: https://youtube.com/@empoweredelderpodcast?si=kqtNIsxVq8rtg149

    24 min
  6. Why Technology Is So Frustrating for Many Older Adults

    MAR 9

    Why Technology Is So Frustrating for Many Older Adults

    What happens when technology becomes a barrier to independence? For many older adults, everyday tasks now involve navigating devices, apps, and online systems. When technology doesn’t cooperate, it can lead to frustration, embarrassment, and sometimes avoiding important tasks altogether. In this episode of The Empowered Elder Podcast, hosts Tasha Beckman and Nicole Robilotto speak with Steven Cleveland, Co-Founder of Tech Companions, a Denver-based service dedicated to helping older adults gain confidence with technology through patient, compassionate support. Steven shares how simple, respectful guidance can transform technology from a source of stress into a tool that supports independence and connection. In this conversation, we explore: • Why technology has become essential for aging in place• How repeated tech frustration affects confidence and independence• The most common technology challenges older adults face• How patient, non-judgmental support can change the experience• Why empowerment should guide how we introduce new technology Technology doesn’t have to create barriers to living well. With the right support, it can become a bridge to independence, connection, and confidence in the years ahead. Guests: Steven Cleveland, Co-Founder, TechCompanion🌐 https://techcompanions.comHosts: 🎙️ 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: https://app.highnote.io/c/p/249d4ddf/empowered-elder-podcast?cp=link Youtube: https://youtube.com/@empoweredelderpodcast?si=kqtNIsxVq8rtg149

    30 min
  7. The Downsizing Conversation Nobody Wants to Have—Until Now

    MAR 2

    The Downsizing Conversation Nobody Wants to Have—Until Now

    Downsizing and estate cleanouts are rarely just logistical. They’re layered with memory, responsibility, and often grief. In this episode, Marc Agins, President of Grasons of Southwest Denver, joins Tasha Beckman and Nicole Robilotto to talk honestly about what families experience during estate liquidation. From common misconceptions about value to emotional overwhelm, this conversation brings both clarity and compassion to a process many people avoid discussing. You’ll hear: Why 70–75% of estate sale items are everyday household goodsWhat families often throw away that still has valueWhy some treasured collectibles may no longer hold the price they once didHow photographed inventory can protect families during probateThe first practical step to take when considering downsizingMarc describes the journey in one word at the beginning — stress — and one word at the end — relief. If you’re facing decisions about belongings, legacy, or letting go, take this episode slowly. There is a way to move through this that honors both the home and the heart. Guests: Marc Agins, President, Grasons of Southwest Denver 🌐 https://www.grasons.com/southwest-denver/ 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: https://app.highnote.io/c/p/249d4ddf/empowered-elder-podcast?cp=link Youtube: https://youtube.com/@empoweredelderpodcast?si=kqtNIsxVq8rtg149

    39 min
  8. Legacy Organization & After Loss Support: Preparing Families for What Happens After the Loss

    FEB 23

    Legacy Organization & After Loss Support: Preparing Families for What Happens After the Loss

    What really happens after someone dies — beyond the funeral? For many families, the days and months after a loss also bring confusion, paperwork, unanswered questions, and unexpected responsibility. In this episode, we talk with Kylee Bandy, founder of Afterloss Advisors, about what families actually face after someone dies — and why organization is one of the most loving gifts we can leave behind. We discuss: Why a will is important — but not always enoughThe hidden stress of missing passwords and unknown accountsHow probate can stretch longer than expectedWhat “after-loss support” really looks likeThe power of creating a simple legacy directory Whether you’re planning ahead or currently navigating loss, this conversation is about clarity, dignity, and reducing unnecessary burden for the people you love. You don’t have to do everything at once. But you can take one small step today. 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: https://app.highnote.io/c/p/249d4ddf/empowered-elder-podcast?cp=link Youtube: https://youtube.com/@empoweredelderpodcast?si=kqtNIsxVq8rtg149 Guests: Kylee Bandy, Founder, After Loss Advisors🌐 https://afterlossadvisors.com Hosts: 🎙️ Tasha Beckman & Nicole Robilotto The Empowered Elder Podcast — where we talk about home, heart, and the next chapter of life.

    49 min

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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.