Épisodes

  • #77 - Why Senior Living Marketing Must Think Deeper with Lola Rain
    Sep 24 2025

    Summary

    In this episode of 'From Leads to Leases', host Jerry Vinci engages with senior living strategist Lola Rain to explore the intricacies of marketing within the senior living industry. They discuss the importance of intentional strategy, the impact of branding, the role of events in community engagement, and the challenges of career advancement in the sector. Lola emphasizes the need for effective follow-up strategies post-events, the significance of language in care, and the evolving role of AI in marketing. The conversation highlights the necessity of understanding acquisition costs and the importance of a cohesive marketing approach that resonates with the target audience.


    Learn More:

    • Connect with Lola Rain on LinkedIn


    Takeaways

    • The key to better move-ins is understanding the 'why' behind actions.
    • Strategy in senior living goes beyond marketing and sales.
    • Branding should reflect the true essence of the community.
    • Life enrichment is central to community identity and marketing.
    • Effective event marketing requires early planning and multi-channel promotion.
    • Follow-up strategies are crucial for converting leads post-event.
    • Recognition in the industry can significantly impact personal growth.
    • Career advancement often requires navigating organizational barriers.
    • Understanding acquisition costs is essential for financial planning.
    • Language used in marketing can shape perceptions of care facilities.


    Chapters

    00:00 Welcome to From Leads to Leases - A Senior Living Business Podcast

    02:06 The Importance of Strategy in Senior Living

    05:04 Building a Brand that Resonates

    06:50 Using Resident Testimonials in Brand Building

    08:16 Measuring ROI from Brand Development

    12:13 Event Marketing: Driving Census through Engagement

    19:40 The Power of Recognition in Senior Living

    21:09 Navigating Career Growth and Barriers

    25:24 Marketing ROI: Understanding Acquisition Costs

    28:19 Budgeting and Working Better with Marketing & Sales

    33:47 The Impact of Language in Senior Living

    38:23 AI's Role in Transforming Marketing Strategies


    Keywords

    senior living, marketing strategy, branding, community engagement, event marketing, career advancement, acquisition costs, language in care, AI in marketing



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    47 min
  • #76 - Funding the Future: Smarter Lending for Senior Living Move-Ins with Mark Maimon
    Sep 17 2025

    Summary

    In this episode, Jerry Vinci speaks with Mark Maimon, Senior Vice President at Luminate Bank, about innovative lending tools designed to help families navigate the complexities of financing senior care. They discuss the importance of proper financial advice, the risks associated with selling a home, and alternative financing solutions that can alleviate the financial burden on seniors. Mark emphasizes the need for collaboration with senior living providers and the significance of understanding family dynamics in the financing process. The conversation highlights real-life success stories and the future of financing options for the aging population.


    Learn More

    • Learn more about Luminate Bank and Mark
    • Connect with Mark Maimon on LinkedIn
    • Subscribe to "On the Mark" (Mark's Awesome Podcast!) - where he helps Seniors navigate financial planning and lending options


    Takeaways

    • Proper financial advice is crucial for families navigating senior care.
    • Selling a home can lead to significant financial losses.
    • Alternative financing options can help seniors maintain their homes.
    • Understanding underwriting for seniors is essential for approval.
    • Collaboration with senior living providers can ease the transition for families.
    • The aging population has unprecedented equity in their homes.
    • Changing the narrative around home equity is vital for families.
    • Trust is a key factor in lending, especially for seniors.
    • Legacy planning is important for families when considering financing options.
    • Innovative lending tools can create win-win situations for seniors and communities.


    Chapters

    00:00 Welcome to From Leads to Leases - A Senior Living Business Podcast

    01:36 Mark Maimon - Senior Living Financial & Lending Expert

    04:33 Dangers of Selling Assets without Financial Guidance

    06:42 Financial Products & Solutions for Seniors

    11:28 Senior Living Providers Should Work with Finance Teams

    13:15 Offering Financing Could be a Key Differentiator for Operators

    15:28 Affording Senior Care Options

    18:48 How Sales Teams can Leverage Financial Products

    25:33 Why Families Wait to Consider Financing

    32:10 Future Trends in Financing Senior Living

    34:37 How Financing Helps Senior Living Outcomes

    39:17 How Mark's Podcast is Helping to Further His Mission

    41:29 What Financial Planning Has Taught Mark


    Keywords

    senior care, innovative lending, financial advice, home equity, reverse mortgage, senior living, family dynamics, financing solutions, capital gains tax, aging population


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    46 min
  • #75 - Plan Before the Panic: A Home Care Consultant’s Mission to Protect Families from Crisis
    Sep 10 2025

    Summary

    In this conversation, Lisa Santiago, a home care consultant with extensive experience in senior care, shares her personal journey and insights into the complexities of caregiving. She discusses the emotional and practical challenges families face when navigating care decisions, the importance of early planning, and the misconceptions surrounding aging in place. Lisa emphasizes the need for proactive steps to ensure safety and independence, while also addressing financial considerations and the risks of elder financial abuse. The discussion highlights the systemic challenges in the senior care industry and the importance of building strong relationships with families to support them through difficult transitions.


    Learn More

    • Connect with Lisa Santiago on LinkedIn
    • Learn more about Caring People


    Takeaways

    • Personal experience shapes caregiving approaches.
    • Families often wait too long to seek help.
    • Planning for care should start early.
    • Aging in place has financial and physical limitations.
    • Medicare does not cover long-term care needs.
    • Elder financial abuse is a significant concern.
    • Community living offers social benefits.
    • Financial planning is crucial for care decisions.
    • Education on care options is lacking.
    • Building relationships with families is essential.


    Chapters

    00:00 Welcome to From Leads to Leases - A Senior Living Business Podcast

    00:52 Meet Lisa Santiago - Home Care Consultant

    03:33 Navigating Care: The Importance of Planning Ahead

    05:06 Understanding the Emotional and Practical Aspects of Caregiving

    06:33 The Challenges of Aging: Conversations Families Avoid

    11:03 The Consequences of Waiting Too Long for Care

    13:38 Aging in Place: Misconceptions and Realities

    18:25 Balancing Independence and Safety in Care

    20:04 The Role of Financial Conversations in Care Planning

    23:15 Resources and Strategies for Budget-Constrained Families

    29:35 Recognizing Elder Financial Abuse

    32:28 When Home Care is No Longer an Option

    34:11 Navigating Care Options for Seniors

    36:38 Addressing Gaps in Senior Care

    39:54 Senior Living Could Help Families Make Decisions Sooner

    43:52 Personal Growth Through Caregiving Conversations


    Keywords

    senior care, caregiving, home care, aging, financial planning, elder abuse, memory care, family dynamics, health risks, proactive planning



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    50 min
  • #74 - What Operators Get Wrong with Recruiting and How to Fix It - With Ira Kerns
    Sep 3 2025

    Summary

    In this episode, Jerry Vinci and Ira Kerns discuss the evolving landscape of recruiting in the senior living industry. They explore the challenges posed by outdated practices, the impact of COVID-19 on staffing, and the changing expectations of the workforce. Kerns emphasizes the importance of listening to top performers, the potential pitfalls of sign-on bonuses, and the need for a strong recruiting brand. They also delve into strategies for retaining staff and the role of AI in enhancing the recruiting process.


    Learn More

    • Connect with Ira Kerns on LinkedIn
    • Learn more about J Ross LA Recruiting


    Takeaways

    • The biggest recruiting problem is outdated thinking.
    • Staffing crisis in senior living is a pressing issue.
    • Leadership roles are equally affected by staffing challenges.
    • COVID-19 has exacerbated staffing issues in the industry.
    • Attracting mission-driven talent is crucial for success.
    • Recruiting efforts must be hyper-local to be effective.
    • A strong brand can attract quality candidates.
    • Sign-on bonuses may create resentment among existing staff.
    • Creating a positive work environment is essential for retention.
    • AI can streamline recruiting but should not replace human interaction.


    Chapters

    00:00 Welcome to From Leads to Leases - A Senior Living Business Podcast

    02:21 The Evolution of Recruiting in Senior Living

    10:44 Changing Workforce Expectations and Challenges

    15:13 What Top Performers can Teach Operators about Recruiting

    17:22 Are Sign-On Bonuses Helpful or Hurtful?

    22:19 Can Bigger Culture Outweigh a Bigger Salary?

    25:39 How to Start Building a Strong Recruitment System

    31:54 Retention Strategies for a Stable Workforce

    39:05 The Role of AI in Recruitment

    44:35 How AI Can Benefit Recruiting and Identifying Top Performers

    46:14 Do Operators Know What Inspires Staff to Stay?


    Keywords

    senior living, recruiting, staffing crisis, COVID-19, workforce expectations, employee retention, sign-on bonuses, recruiting brand, work environment, AI in recruiting

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    51 min
  • #73 - Designing for Dignity: How Smart Interior Design Is Transforming Senior Living
    Aug 27 2025

    Summary

    In this episode, Jerry Vinci speaks with Marcy Sagel, founder of MSA Interiors, about the transformative power of thoughtful design in senior living. They discuss how design can enhance tenant satisfaction, support aging in place, and drive business results. Marcy shares her journey in interior design, the launch of her new venture Designer Bank aimed at bridging knowledge gaps in the industry, and the importance of creating spaces that feel like home for older adults. The conversation also touches on the evolution of senior living design, common missteps in development, and the significance of measuring design impact on occupancy and retention rates. Marcy emphasizes the need for innovative design solutions that prioritize dignity, functionality, and connection for seniors.


    Learn More:

    • Connect with Marcy Sagel
    • Learn more about MSA Interiors


    Takeaways

    • Thoughtful design can significantly enhance tenant satisfaction.
    • The launch of Designer Bank aims to fill knowledge gaps in design education.
    • Senior living design should feel residential, not institutional.
    • Lighting is crucial for senior living spaces to enhance functionality.
    • Design must consider the unique needs of seniors, especially in memory care.
    • Common missteps in senior living development include inefficient layouts.
    • Designing for dignity is essential in creating senior living environments.
    • Innovative technology can improve connectivity for seniors.
    • Understanding the end-of-life care needs is vital in senior living design.
    • The future of senior living will focus on integrating technology and thoughtful design.


    Chapters

    00:00 Welcome to From Leads to Leases - A Senior Living Business Podcast

    01:37 Marcy Sagel's Interior Design Journey and Vision

    03:33 What is Designer Bank?

    06:31 Bridging the Knowledge Gap in Design Education

    09:33 Transitioning from Residential to Commercial Design

    10:46 How Redlining Cabinets Changed the Course of Marcy's Career

    13:13 Evolving Senior Living Design

    16:24 Enhancing Senior Living Units for Comfort

    18:06 Measuring Design Impact on ROI

    21:05 Research and Community Input when Planning Interior Design

    24:22 Common Missteps in Senior Living Development

    25:55 Designing for the End Game

    29:53 Understanding Long-Term Care Needs

    33:25 Design Elements for Dignity and Safety

    35:51 Innovations in Senior Living Interiors


    Keywords

    senior living, interior design, community design, aging in place, thoughtful design, commercial design, senior care, design impact, memory care, design innovations

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    41 min
  • #72 - You’re Not Just Bringing a Glass of Water: Redefining Service in Long-Term Care with Petra Marquart
    Aug 20 2025

    Summary

    In this episode of 'From Leads to Leases', host Jerry Vinci speaks with Petra Marquart, an expert in customer service training for the long-term care industry. They discuss Petra's journey from performing on stage to advocating for compassionate service in senior care. The conversation delves into the philosophy behind the See Me Training program, which emphasizes the importance of seeing and respecting residents as individuals. Petra shares insights on leadership, culture, and the critical role of self-esteem in caregiving. The episode concludes with practical advice for leaders looking to transform their communities and foster a culture of care.


    Learn More

    • Connect with Petra Marquart on LinkedIn
    • Hire Petra for a Keynote Appearance
    • Learn more about See Me Training


    Takeaways

    • Customer service should be a philosophy, not a checklist.
    • The See Me Training focuses on seeing and respecting individuals.
    • Leadership directly influences the culture of care.
    • Self-esteem in caregivers affects the quality of service.
    • Training must be ongoing and integrated into the culture.
    • Great service is about how residents feel about themselves.
    • Leaders should model the behaviors they want to see.
    • Empowerment and dignity are crucial for residents and staff.
    • Hiring the right people is essential for maintaining culture.
    • Transforming culture requires patience, investment, and commitment.


    Chapters

    00:00 Welcome to From Leads to Leases - A Senior Living Business Podcast

    01:46 Petra Marquart - Keynote Speaker, Author, and Trainer

    02:31 How Petra Found Herself in Senior Living Customer Service Training

    05:35 How a Crisis Helped Shape Petra's Customer Service Program

    12:30 See Me Training's Core Philosophy

    14:25 What Senior Living Customer Service is Really All About

    19:57 The Correlation Between Staffing Shortages and Subpar Service

    29:28 Great Customer Service Starts with Great Culture

    36:57 Are They Residents or Are They Customers?

    40:01 Residents Hold a Silent Fear of Retaliation

    47:03 The Disconnect Between What Leaders Say and Actually Do

    53:20 Service Leadership in Practice

    57:19 How Leaders Can Identify Low Self-Esteem in Caregivers

    01:02:27 First Steps to Transforming Culture in Your Community


    Keywords

    senior living, customer service, long-term care, leadership, empowerment, training, culture, See Me Training, Petra Marquart, caregiving



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    1 h et 9 min
  • #71 - AI Governance Over AI Hype: Benjamin Exstrom on the Real Challenges of AI in Senior Living Tech
    Aug 13 2025

    Summary

    In this episode of From Leads to Leases, host Jerry Vinci speaks with Benjamin Ekstrom, Senior Vice President of IT at Sincere Senior Living, about the critical role of AI governance in the senior living industry. They discuss the importance of understanding the difference between automation and AI, the challenges of balancing innovation with compliance, and the need to modernize outdated technology infrastructure. Benjamin shares insights on managing IT support across generations, the role of robotics, and the impact of quantum computing on cybersecurity. The conversation emphasizes a people-first approach to technology and the potential for innovation to enhance employee retention in the healthcare space.


    Learn More

    • Connect with Benjamin Exstrom on LinkedIn
    • Learn more about Sinceri Senior Living


    Takeaways

    • AI governance is more important than AI capability.
    • Automation is a subset of AI, not the same.
    • Balancing innovation with compliance is a major challenge.
    • Tech is now a necessary capital investment.
    • Managing IT support is often invisible labor.
    • Robots can help fill workforce gaps but require oversight.
    • There's a significant gap in mid-level IT talent.
    • Quantum computing will revolutionize encryption methods.
    • A people-first approach to tech is essential.
    • Innovation can lead to improved employee retention.


    Chapters

    00:00 Welcome to CCR Growth's - Senior LIving Business Podcast

    01:38 Benjamin Ekstrom - Senior Living IT Expert

    02:29 AI Governance: The New Frontier

    03:58 Misconceptions Between Automation and AI

    05:33 Dangers of Generative AI Tools in Senior Living

    07:33 Managing IT Support in Senior Living

    09:40 Integrating Tech for Staff and Residents

    10:40 The Role of Robots in Modern Workplaces

    12:01 Bridging the Generational Talent Gap

    15:31 The Demand for IT Talent

    18:38 Quantum Computing and Cybersecurity

    20:35 The Value of Analog in a Digital World

    22:08 Tech Adoption: Early vs. Late

    22:33 Human-Centric Technology Design

    24:09 Proactive Planning for Future Tech

    26:43 Innovation and Job Security


    Keywords

    AI governance, automation, senior living, technology infrastructure, cybersecurity, generational talent gap, smart technology, employee retention, digital transformation, healthcare compliance



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    36 min
  • #70 - Scaling Smarter: Why the Future of Marketing Is Lean, Human, and Expert-Led with Kent Lewis
    Aug 6 2025

    Summary

    In this episode, Jerry Vinci speaks with Kent Lewis about the evolution of digital marketing, the impact of AI, and the future of SEO and paid media. They discuss the importance of lean marketing teams, user-centered design, and conversion rate optimization in the senior living industry. Kent shares insights on how AI serves as a force multiplier for businesses and emphasizes the need for marketers to adapt to the rapidly changing landscape.


    Learn More

    • Check out NextNW - a new era of Northwest marketing
    • Read Kent's thought leader content or book him for a speaking engagement on his website
    • Connect with Kent J. Lewis on LinkedIn


    Takeaways

    • AI is transforming the marketing landscape, making processes more efficient.
    • Digital marketing evolves rapidly due to the experimental nature of marketers.
    • AI acts as a force multiplier, enhancing productivity and output.
    • Conversion rate optimization can significantly impact revenue.
    • Lean marketing teams are more agile and effective in today's environment.
    • User-centered design is essential for effective marketing strategies.
    • Data-driven decision making is crucial for success in marketing.
    • SEO is not dead; it is evolving with AI integration.
    • Paid media will increasingly rely on automation and AI.
    • Versatile skill sets are becoming more valuable in marketing teams.


    Chapters

    00:00 Welcome to From Leads to Leases - a Senior Living Marketing Podcast

    02:26 The Evolution of Digital Marketing

    06:46 AI as a Game Changer in Marketing

    11:57 Is AI the Silver Bullet for Marketers

    15:11 The Future of SEO and AI

    19:15 Will Paid Media Be Automated?

    22:55 Downsizing the Agency Footprint

    35:05 Doubling Conversions

    37:12 Why Senior Living Websites Leak Leads

    39:21 What is Senior Living is Missing?

    41:31 How Senior Living Can Leverage Data


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    42 min