Could artificial intelligence be the solution to our eldercare crisis? In this riveting episode, we dive deep into the intersection of technology and compassionate care with Breana Patel, founder and CEO of Owie AI. The statistics are sobering – we're facing a projected shortage of half a million nurses within the next decade while our aging population grows exponentially. But Breana's innovative approach offers a ray of hope in what can seem like an overwhelming challenge. Her company is develo...
Jun 07, 2025•57 min•Season 10Ep. 107
What happens when your caregiving journey is complicated by family betrayal, mental illness, and profound loss? Meet Sheri Smith, a resilient entrepreneur whose life took unexpected turns when faced with both her mother's dementia and her husband's bipolar disorder simultaneously. Sheri's new memoir "Mama Drama: A Journey with Bipolar and Dementia, Finding Light Through Loss and Grief" chronicles her extraordinary path from running a successful catering business and owning an oceanfront castle i...
May 07, 2025•29 min•Season 10Ep. 106
What happens when a former federal judge faces an Alzheimer's diagnosis? For Stephanie Duncan-Peters and her husband Richard James, it becomes an opportunity to showcase remarkable resilience, joy, and a refreshing perspective on living with cognitive change. In Episode 105, Don and I have a deeply moving and uplifting conversation with Stephanie, whose impressive career spans nearly 20 years as a District of Columbia Superior Court judge appointed by President George H.W. Bush. Far from letting...
Apr 03, 2025•42 min•Season 10Ep. 105
In this episode of Love Conquers Alz, Don and I sit down with Kristina Hayes , the inspiring founder of Waltz Through Life. Kristina shares her journey of using dance, movement, and creativity to support individuals and families navigating the challenges of aging, dementia, and caregiving. Through her unique approach, she brings joy, connection, and healing to those who need it most. We explore the power of music, movement, and mindfulness in transforming the caregiving experience. I know how po...
Mar 12, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 10Ep. 104
Imagine your loved one living with Alzheimer's in a place where they could truly feel at home, free from the fear of wandering. This episode shares heartfelt stories of personal experiences, including my own mother's joyful time in a vibrant Los Angeles loft community. Join my co-host, Don Priess and I, as we welcome esteemed guest Dr. Allen Power , a renowned geriatrician, whose compassionate approach to dementia care challenges traditional methods and focuses on creating environments that fost...
Jan 31, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Season 10Ep. 103
Finding the right elder care for your loved ones shouldn't be a stressful challenge. But for most of us it is. Elder care is EXPENSIVE! Yet, families everywhere grapple with the lack of reliable information. Imagine if booking elder care were as easy as booking a hotel. In this episode of Love Conquers Alz, we sit down with Daniel Clarke , the visionary founder of Elderado — which is not a Cadillac or a song by ELO, but rather the perfect name for a groundbreaking web platform designed to help f...
Jan 17, 2025•53 min•Season 10Ep. 102
Navigating the emotional labyrinth of Alzheimer's care can be both heartbreaking and frustrating, especially when personalized care falls by the wayside. Our journey begins with a relatable exploration of these challenges—stories of care facilities that miss the mark on truly understanding their residents, turning beloved family members into mere room numbers. We wrap this poignant narrative with a lighthearted twist, sharing personal anecdotes about how life’s quirks and ailments can be surpris...
Jan 06, 2025•43 min•Season 10Ep. 101
What better way to celebrate our 100th episode than with an interview that truly reflects the definition and the title of our show: Love Conquers Alz. Former Wisconsin Gov. Martin J. Schreiber is an award-winning crusader for Alzheimer's caregivers and persons with dementia and author of the best selling novel, My Two Elaines: Learning, Coping, and Surviving as an Alzheimer’s Caregiver . Since 2016, Marty has been campaigning unlike anything he experienced while in office. Rather than seeking vo...
Dec 15, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 10Ep. 100
Betsy Wurzel started her career as a Talk Show Host at Passionate World Talk Radio and the name of her show was Chatting with Betsy . Betsy is also is an unwavering advocate for Alzheimer's caregivers who shares her own heartfelt experiences caring for her husband, Matt Sloan. Her stories are candid and passionate and truly exemplify the transformative power of love, humor, and community in the difficult landscape of dementia care. Shifting gears, we confront the murky waters of hospice care—a f...
Dec 02, 2024•53 min•Season 9Ep. 99
In Episode 98, Don and I have a fantastic conversation with Dr. Marc Rothman, MD,founder and president of the Dementia Spring Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) venture studio that invests in visual and performing artists and innovators who are changing the prevailing narrative of dementia and bringing joy and creativity to the dementia community through their work. Founded in 2020, the Artist Network now includes over 200 artists and innovators from around the world who are grappling with memor...
Nov 12, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Season 9Ep. 98
Elopement usually conjures up visions of secret excursions or maybe even the Elvis Chapel in Las Vegas. But elopement is also used to describe what happens when someone with dementia or cognitive loss leaves a safe area, such as a home or care facility, without supervision or awareness of the potential dangers. In dementia care facilities, it is a heartbreaking reality that needs urgent attention. With over 30 years of experience as an occupational-therapist-turned-dementia-coach and 5 years of ...
Oct 26, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Season 9Ep. 97
In honor of Residents’ Rights Month, Don and I, along with our special guest-host, Producer Rick Mountcastle, the former US attorney famed for his role in the Purdue Pharma case, are highlighting the importance of listening to residents who live in our country’s nursing homes, assisted living and board and care facilities. In episode 96, our guest, AARON ADAMS, helps us explore the emotional labyrinth of healthcare navigation which in too many cases isn't always kind. Aaron is a son, author inve...
Oct 03, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 9Ep. 96
How can a system meant to care for our most vulnerable turn into our worst nightmare? Join us as we kick off a special series of Love Conquers Alz episodes, inspired by our soon-to-be-released documentary, "No Country for Old People." We’re honored to have Rick Mountcastle, former U.S. attorney and co-producer of our documentary, with us. Rick offers his eye-opening experiences prosecuting nursing homes for fraud and abuse. Together, we hope to shed light on the urgent need for public awareness ...
Sep 17, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Season 9Ep. 95
What if the shift towards for-profit hospice care models is compromising the quality of your loved one's final days? In this episode, Don and I have a robust conversation on hospice with Penny Hawkins Smith , BSN, RN, CHPN. Hospice Nurse Penny , as she is known to her millions of social media followers, is a nationally certified hospice and palliative care registered nurse with over 17 years of experience with a passion for hospice advocacy and normalizing death and dying. Have you ever wondered...
Aug 18, 2024•1 hr 25 min•Season 9Ep. 94
Can human connection and dignity survive in a profit-driven healthcare system? On this episode of "Love Conquers Alz," we are joined by the talented artist and filmmaker Teace Snyder, who introduces his thought-provoking film " Hold Me ." The film explores the emotionally charged and controversial topic of voluntary euthanasia, focusing on a woman whose job is to comfort individuals in their final moments. Teace shares the poignant inspiration behind the film, highlighting the ambiguous professi...
Jul 28, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 9Ep. 93
In Episode 92, Don and I talked with three prolific writers who have made profound literary contributions to the Dementia community and now pooled their talents and love of poetry to launch a beautiful anthology, “ Poetry For the Dementia Journey ”, that sprung from an online event featuring over 30 poets. (This just may be one of my favorite episodes!!) Marianne Sciucco is not a (dementia) nurse who writes but a writer who happens to be a nurse. Her novel, Blue Hydrangeas, an Alzheimer’s Love S...
Jul 06, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Season 9Ep. 92
Comedian/Filmmaker/Caregiver HEATHER FINK came to filmmaking from comedy. She has been making funny videos since she was a kid growing up in small town New Jersey. After earning a Philosophy degree from The George Washington University, she began NYU's Grad Film program as Writer/Director. Heather has gone on to direct over 35 comedy short and has been featured on MTV, Dr. Phil, TV Guide Magazine and The Washington Post, to name a few. Most currently, she was featured in the LA Times with, as sh...
Jun 15, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 9Ep. 91
SEASON 9 Premiere! Episode 90 features our esteemed guest, Dr. Ethelle Lord, is an author, practitioner, educator, management coach, presenter, mother and grandmother, and a pioneer in the containment of dementia. Spending 21 years in the care of her husband Larry, living with vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s truly motivated Dr. Lord's career path as a Global Dementia Care Shape and the founding president of the International Caregivers Association, a Dementia-Management-Consultant and Creator ...
Jun 02, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 9Ep. 90
“I’m a lawyer by trade, politician by practice, and an academic by accident.” These are the musings of the remarkable, and I have to say, charming, Max Sherman . In Episode 89, we interviewed a young and energetic 89 years old, Max Sherman. Max's life has been significantly influenced by women. But one in particular has shaped who he is today. In 1953 Max was among 4 high school boys conducting a church service at a local jail when he first laid eyes on a Gene Alice, who was there with her fold ...
May 17, 2024•53 min•Season 8Ep. 89
Heeeeeeee’s back! And Don and I couldn’t be happier! Our dear friend and “Senior Care Influencer”, Lance A. Slatton is not only a Writer, Author, and Healthcare professional with over 20 years in the healthcare industry…he is a number one class act and all around nice guy! Oh, and he is also the busiest person I have ever met! I thought I was juggling. Nope. Apparently not. ;) In case you’re not familiar with Lance, here’s just little background on this Care Commander: Lance is a native of Michi...
May 02, 2024•53 min•Season 8Ep. 88
📣 New Love Conquers Alz Episode #87 ! Don Priess and I were so excited to talk to Christina ‘n Cindy Hardin-Weiss WEISS (https://adaptiveequipmentcorner.com), the founders of Adaptive Equipment and Caregiving Corner, IMHO - THE best place to go for educational and instructional videos and home medical equipment product reviews for professional caregivers, families caring for a loved one, and older adults who want to age in place. We are such HUGE fans of these ladies. Cindy and Christina bring ...
Apr 24, 2024•48 min•Season 8Ep. 87
Advocate. Leader. Caregiver. Jenny Abeling is dedicated to helping those in need, through the complexities of long-term care. Currently she is the Governor’s Commissioner on Senior Services, working tirelessly to raise up senior related needs across the State of Oregon. Formerly the Essential Worker Healthcare Trust Director, Jenny led a first in the nation approach to lift Long -Term Care workers by supporting their health and wellness. Now she has launched JennyAbeling.com , where she provides...
Apr 03, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 8Ep. 86
Don and I both agree that Episode 85 (wow!), ranks as one of our favorites to date. Our amazing guest, Dr. Mitchell Clionsky is a board certified neuropsychologist with more than 30 years of clinical experience and has treated more than 20,000 patients with cognitive problems. Dr. Clionsky understands the toll of memory disorders as both a caring professional and as the son of his mother Muriel, who died in 2008 from dementia. Dr. Clionsky holds staff privileges on four hospitals and in addition...
Mar 12, 2024•56 min•Season 8Ep. 85
If you don't know the preeminent caregiving champion, Christina Keys, you're in for a valuable treat! Christina was living her best life, enjoying a successful career, she was financially and spiritually healthy and happy - when in 2013 her beloved mother suffered a devastating stroke and was given a 1% chance to live. In a blink of an eye Christina went from care-free career woman to full-time caregiver. With Christina’s dogged and loving support, her mother survived - but after 4 years Christi...
Feb 16, 2024•51 min•Season 8Ep. 84
In Episode 83, Don and I had a heartfelt and informative conversation with Dr. George Ackerman who started the movement Together for Sharon to honor his late mother Sharon Riff Ackerman, who succumbed to complications from Parkinson's Disease and Alzheimer's Disease on January 1, 2020. George is an absolutely tireless #advocate for those who suffer with PD and their families and has an unending hope for a cure. Come join us and learn about this important movement and why this is so important to ...
Jan 15, 2024•50 min•Season 8Ep. 83
In Episode 82, Don and I had a fantastic conversation (no surprise) with UK’s own PIPPA KELLY . Author, podcast host, award-winning blogger, contributor to numerous national newspapers and magazines, Pippa has truly made a name for herself in the dementia and elder care universe. It was Pippa’s own personal journey with her mother, who battled vascular dementia for 10 years, that shaped her creativity and launched her career. A prolific writer for the Huffington Post, The Guardian and many other...
Dec 14, 2023•1 hr 21 min•Season 8Ep. 82
My co-host , Don, and I have been blessed with so many amazing guests, but truth be told, our 81st guest, Mary Lou Falcone , ranks as one of our very favorites!! We fell in love with this EXTRAORDINARY woman and we have no doubt you will, too. For over 50 years, Mary helped guide the careers of celebrated artists – Van Cliburn, Gustavo Dudamel, Renée Fleming, Sir Georg Solti, James Taylor – and advised many institutions including Carnegie Hall, Chicago Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Philade...
Nov 16, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Season 8Ep. 81
Season 8 kicks off with episode 80 - a MUST LISTEN to show featuring JACKLYN RYAN - a sought-after speaker, consultant, workshop presenter, and best-selling author of the gut-wrenching book, “ CareGivers, ScareTakers - Exposing Fraud In Senior Care ”. With an aging population, families are struggling with dependable, trusted care. This process is riddled with problems. What can adult children do to protect their parents from abuse and financial theft and also protect their inheritance and peace ...
Nov 05, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Season 8Ep. 80
In Episode 79, my co-host, Don Priess, and I had an enlightening conversation with Stephan Jackman, the CEO of Alzamend Neuro, a clinical stage biotech company committed to “Making Alzheimer’s Just a Memory™.” Stephan shared information about the new lithium-based drug that offers Alzheimer's patients hope. Stephan is laser focused on his mission to rapidly develop and market safe and effective treatments that address the unmet needs of those living with Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative d...
Oct 02, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Season 7Ep. 79
In episode 78, Don and I had a fantastic conversation with the warm-hearted and incredibly delightful, Maria Kent Beers. Maria, along with her partner, Rachael Martinez, is the co-founder and co-host of the Remember Me Podcast + Community . Maria has always had a love of radio and editing, receiving a TV Production Degree from Boston University where she was a host of BU In The Morning Radio Show. She also spent time at MTV Radio as an intern in NYC before falling into the world of fashion merch...
Sep 14, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Season 7Ep. 78
