Roundtable Talk

Varsity Branding
  • 5.0 (3)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Roundtable Talk is a podcast about longevity, senior services marketing and the quality of life as one ages. In each episode, we’ll talk with industry experts and thought leaders about how to solve the many mature market challenges facing our industry today.

Episodes

  1. DEC 17

    EP 25 / Dr. Kerry Burnight / America’s Gerontologist and Champion of Joyful Aging

    Longevity isn’t the prize if the years aren’t lived with joy, purpose and real connection. In this episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, Derek talks with Dr. Kerry Burnight, a nationally recognized gerontologist, author of the New York Times bestselling JoySpan, and a longtime leader in aging research, policy and elder abuse prevention. They unpack why joy is deeper than situational happiness, how many strengths actually improve with age, and why most of the aging experience is shaped more by choices than genes.

    54 min

  2. NOV 4

    EP 24 / Kathy Parry / Corporate energy expert helping senior living teams thrive

    Culture doesn’t burn out overnight, it leaks energy through small breakdowns in communication, trust, and everyday civility. In this episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, Derek sits down with Kathy Parry, a corporate energy expert who helps senior living organizations strengthen culture, recharge teams, and reignite purpose. In their conversation, Derek and Kathy dig into the difference between morale and energy, the early warning signs of a team running out of gas and how leaders’ personal energy sets the tone for the entire culture.

    50 min

  3. OCT 23

    EP 23 / Brian Fried / Inventor, author and champion for lifelong creativity

    Inventing isn’t just for the young—or the tech-savvy. Brian Fried, accomplished inventor, author, and founder and CEO of Inventor Smart, proves that creativity and innovation can thrive at any age. With more than 15 patents and nearly 20 years of experience coaching inventors, Brian has built a career helping people turn everyday ideas into real-world success stories. In this episode of Roundtable Talk, Brian shares what inspires older adults to pursue invention later in life and the satisfaction that comes from seeing their ideas come to life. He discusses the biggest myths about inventing, the power of simple problem-solving, and how digital tools like AI and 3D printing are revolutionizing the process.

    46 min

  4. OCT 1

    EP 22 / Rick Robinson / Innovator and champion for aging better through technology

    Agetech is one of the fastest-growing frontiers in innovation, with the potential to transform how older adults live, connect, and thrive. At the center of this movement is Rick Robinson, Vice President and General Manager of the Agetech Collaborative from AARP, who is building a vibrant ecosystem of startups, investors, and enterprises committed to reshaping the future of aging. In this episode of Roundtable Talk, Rick discusses how the collaborative accelerates startups, drives inclusivity in product design, and helps older adults embrace new technology. He also highlights the promise of AI and embodied devices to ease challenges like social isolation and the caregiver shortage.

    1h 6m

  5. SEP 11

    EP 21 / Peter Murphy Lewis / Filmmaker, storyteller and advocate for the heroes of long-term care

    On this episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, we sit down with Peter Murphy Lewis, documentary filmmaker and co-creator of People Worth Caring About, a YouTube series that shines a spotlight on caregivers in long-term care communities across the country. Peter shares how his grandparents’ positive experiences in senior living inspired his work and why focusing on staff stories helps shift public perception. He recalls moving encounters in hospice, lessons about dignity and language, and how storytelling can inspire young people to see caregiving as a calling.

    48 min

  6. AUG 27

    EP 20 / Bridget Weston / CEO of SCORE and Champion for Retired & Older Adult Mentors

    On this episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, we sit down with Bridget Weston, CEO of SCORE, a nonprofit dedicated to mentoring and educating small business owners. Bridget has spent more than 16 years helping lead SCORE’s mission, which has long relied on the expertise of retired and older mentors who bring decades of business experience to the entrepreneurs they serve. Derek and Bridget discuss how SCORE pairs seasoned professionals with younger entrepreneurs, how older mentors stay engaged and purposeful through volunteering and the role of encore entrepreneurs (age 55+) in starting new ventures.

    37 min

  7. AUG 14

    EP 19 / Laurie Orlov / Advocate for Tech-Enhanced Aging and Independence

    On this episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, we're joined by Laurie Orlov, a leading expert in aging and technology. As the founder of Aging and Health Technology Watch, Laurie leverages her extensive experience in IT and personal caregiving challenges to offer insights into how technological innovations can enhance the lives of older adults. In our conversation, Laurie shares her journey to becoming a thought leader in age-related technology. Laurie also discusses the transformative potential of AI in senior care, advocating for proactive technological solutions and greater inclusivity of older adults in product design processes.

    43 min

  8. JUL 31

    EP 18 / Bob Kramer / Disruptive force in aging and senior living transformation

    As the co-founder of the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing and Care (NIC) and founder of Nexus Insights, Bob Kramer has been called a “disruptive force” in the field, always challenging us to think differently about aging, housing and care. In the newest episode of Roundtable Talk, Bob challenges the prevailing negative perceptions of aging, describing ageism as a prejudice against our future selves. He also highlights the significant, yet overlooked, potential of older adults in the workforce and addresses the epidemic of loneliness.

    1h 1m

  9. JUL 17

    EP 17 / Barbara Sullivan / Leading voice in the Village Movement

    On this episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, we sit down with Barbara Sullivan, National Director of the Village to Village Network. With a background in long-term care and nonprofit leadership, Barbara has been a key force behind the village movement, which helps older adults age in place with community support. Derek and Barbara discuss how villages serve the “missing middle,” the vital role of volunteers, and creative partnerships with senior living, healthcare, and faith-based groups. Barbara also shares how villages combat social isolation and her vision to expand the movement

    57 min

  10. JUL 2

    EP 16 / Marvell Adams Jr. / Senior living leader and advocate for equity, inclusion & caregiver support

    On this episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, we sit down with Marvell Adams, Jr., a longtime leader in aging services and the founder of W. Lawson, a consulting firm focused on equity and inclusion. He also serves as CEO of Caregiver Action Network, supporting millions of unpaid family caregivers across the country. Marvell shares how the Longevity and Inclusion Alliance Fellows Program helps leaders embed belonging into aging services. He also discusses the emotional realities of caregiving, the importance of succession planning, and why the future of senior living must be more inclusive, intergenerational, and community-connected.

    1h 15m
  • 10 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Roundtable Talk is a podcast about longevity, senior services marketing and the quality of life as one ages. In each episode, we’ll talk with industry experts and thought leaders about how to solve the many mature market challenges facing our industry today.

Information

  • Creator
    Varsity Branding
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 Varsity Branding
  • Show Website
    Roundtable Talk