Bridge the Gap: The Senior Living Podcast

Bridge the Gap Network
Bridge the Gap Network
  • 4.8 (80)
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  • 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. 2d ago

    The Hidden Opportunities in the Senior Housing Middle Market | Will Childs

    Senior housing investment is entering a period of renewed activity, particularly in the middle market. In this episode of Bridge the Gap, Lucas sits down with Will Childs of Senior Housing Services to discuss the forces shaping senior housing transactions, including demographics, capital markets, interest rates, operator performance, and the shortage of new development. Childs explains why middle-market assets are attracting buyers, how operational performance and the capital stack influence transactions, and why properties with excess land can offer additional value-creation opportunities. The conversation also explores the growing challenge of serving seniors who fall between Medicaid-level affordability and higher-end private-pay communities. Topics Covered The current senior housing investment and transaction environment How COVID-era occupancy challenges affected middle-market operators Why pricing for middle-market assets is normalizing The importance of operator experience in senior housing transactions Private equity, family office, and smaller investment-group activity How interest rates may affect cap rates, modeling, and transaction pricing The impact of senior housing demographics and limited new development Value creation through excess land and additional senior living units The growing need for affordable middle-market senior housing Creative approaches to serving middle-market seniors Medicaid reimbursement and legislative approaches Expectations for the senior housing market heading into 2027 Preparing for the NIC conference When senior housing owners should begin conversations about a potential sale Meet the Hosts: Josh Crisp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshcrispsocial/ Lucas McCurdy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasmccurdyseniorlivingfan/ Connect with Our Guest Will Childs: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willchilds Learn More about Senior Housing Services https://seniorhousingservices.com/ Produced by Grit and Gravel Marketing. Become a sponsor of Bridge the Gap.

    The Hidden Opportunities in the Senior Housing Middle Market | Will Childs

  2. Sep 28

    Why Senior Housing’s Supply-Demand Gap Is Getting Bigger | Kyle Gardner

    The senior housing industry is entering a defining period as the first baby boomers reach age 80 in 2026, but the industry's ability to add new supply is moving in the opposite direction. In this episode of Bridge the Gap, Kyle Gardner, COO at NIC MAP, breaks down the latest senior housing market outlook and explains why the gap between future demand and available supply continues to widen. Gardner discusses the demographic wave ahead, including the projected growth of the 80-plus population, and explains why today's strong occupancy and absorption trends make the opportunity especially significant. He also explores the challenges preventing new development, including construction costs, labor constraints, regulatory pressures, and difficult capital markets. Key Topics The widening senior housing supply-demand gap The arrival of the baby boomer demographic wave Five million additional people entering the 80-plus cohort over the next five years Long-term growth of the 80-plus population Senior housing occupancy reaching more than 90% in NIC MAP's primary and secondary market group Four consecutive years of approximately 200-basis-point annual occupancy growth Historic levels of senior housing absorption Why senior housing demand is considered durable and need-based The slowdown in senior housing construction starts Construction costs, labor challenges and regulatory pressures Creative financing and development strategies Community expansions and adding units to existing properties Repositioning and refreshing older senior housing inventory The growing importance of updated resident units How baby boomers may influence senior housing expectations and product design 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 NIC MAP https://www.nicmap.com/ Produced by Grit and Gravel Marketing. Become a sponsor of Bridge the Gap.

    Why Senior Housing’s Supply-Demand Gap Is Getting Bigger | Kyle Gardner

  3. Sep 21

    Who Will Do the Work? AI, Robots & Senior Living’s Future | Signal Debut Pt. 2

    What happens when AI, robotics, computer vision and automation move from the technology world into senior living? In this episode of Bridge the Gap, host and guests Kyle Gardner of NIC MAP, and Jessie Lucci of AllieHealth continue their conversation about whether senior living is ready for the technology coming next. The panel explores how AI is already being adopted, from large language models such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini to camera-based visitor check-ins and fall-detection systems. The conversation then moves from today's tools to the bigger questions: Could robots eventually take over certain operational tasks? Where does technology improve the caregiver and resident experience, and where is the human touch irreplaceable? The guests also discuss how operators should evaluate technology, why interoperability and security matter, and who should sit on a technology buying committee. Key Topics The rapid adoption of AI and large language models AI applications already appearing in senior living communities Camera-based check-in and fall-detection technology The potential role of robotics in senior housing Preserving the human connection in senior living AI's potential to own workflows rather than simply provide software Technology interoperability and data integration Security and intentional technology-stack design Evaluating technology vendors through a senior-living lens Building an effective technology buying committee Including operators and end users in technology decisions Balancing ROI, staff retention, care quality and user experience Why senior living operators should start experimenting with AI now 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.

    Who Will Do the Work? AI, Robots & Senior Living’s Future | Signal Debut Pt. 2

  4. Sep 14

    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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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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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