Shows
Love Conquers AlzALZ AUTHORS: A Decade of Stories that Change CultureThis episode launches Season 10 of Love Conquers Alz 🎙️! And fittingly, we’re celebrating the 10th anniversary of Alz Authors, the global community changing the dementia narrative one book at a time. Hosts My co-host, Don Priess and I sit down with Marianne Sciucco and Christy Byrne Yates to reflect on a decade of impact — from books to podcasts to their brand-new film festival.What began as a one-month blog has grown into a worldwide network of 400+ storytellers sharing authentic experiences of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Together we...
2025-08-2450 min
Love Conquers AlzNICOLE àBECKETT: Hero Generation - The Digital Cavalry has Arrived!Every caregiver knows the feeling—overwhelmed by endless to-do lists, struggling to coordinate help from well-meaning family members, and searching desperately for reliable information at 3 AM. Nicole àBeckett lived this reality when she lost both parents in her thirties, emerging from what she calls "the washing machine" of caregiving determined to create a solution.As co-founder of Hero Generation, Nicole has built what many caregivers only dream of: a comprehensive platform that organizes the chaos. In this candid conversation, she reveals how the platform's three pillars—organization, resources, and community—transform the caregiving experience. The system allows users t...
2025-07-3050 min
Love Conquers AlzRICHARD ROUTMAN: We Need to Talk About What's Happening to Our EldersAlzheimer's and elder care demand our attention not just because millions endure them, but because the systems that are supposed to protect our most vulnerable are fundamentally broken. In light of the upcoming release of our documentary, No Country For Old People; a Nursing Home Exposé, August 1st on Amazon, my producing partner and today's guest host, Rick Mountcastle (whose work prosecuting Purdue Pharma was dramatized in Hulu's "Dopesick") and I are turning our focus on elder abuse. In this powerful episode, we're joined by Richard Routman, whose 14-year career at the Department of Health and Human Se...
2025-07-0757 min
Love Conquers AlzSTEPHANIE DUNCAN‐PETERS & RICHARD JAMES:Life After an Alzheimer's Diagnosis & the Blue-Footed Booby BluesWhat 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 her diagnosis define her, Stephanie has recently published a children's book, "The Blue-Footed Booby Blues," about a dancing bird who lo...
2025-04-0341 min
Love Conquers AlzKRISTINA HAYES: Step by Step - Using Dance to Navigate DementiaIn 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 powerful dance has been in my life. It truly is my form of meditation. The healing power of music a...
2025-03-121h 01
Love Conquers AlzDR. ALLEN POWER: Reimagining Dementia Care with Compassion and CommunityImagine 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 foster contentment and security for those affected by Alzheimer's.We venture into the transformative journey of Dr. Power, who moved...
2025-02-011h 10
Love Conquers AlzDANIEL CLARK: For Transparency in Elder Care - First Stop ELDERadoFinding 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 families compare over 1,400 long-term care and retirement homes across Ont...
2025-01-1753 min
Love Conquers AlzDR. MARC ROTHMAN: Transforming Caregiving and the Perception of Dementia Through the ArtsIn 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 memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias in their work. New artist Spotlights are shared every week on the Dementia Spring website. (Including ou...
2024-11-121h 20
Love Conquers AlzAARON ADAMS: Caregiver and Author - A Son's Harrowing Journey Through Our Broken Healthcare SystemIn 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 inventor and former caregiver for his father, Thomas Adams, was a robust 75-year old. After treatment for hea...
2024-10-031h 06
Love Conquers AlzHOSPICE NURSE PENNY HAWKINS SMITH: UNRAVELING HOSPICE CARE & NORMALIZING DEATH AND DYING ONE VIDEO AT A TIMEWhat 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 how hospice care is funded and what services are actually covered? We b...
2024-08-181h 24
Love Conquers AlzPOETRY FOR THE DEMENTIA JOURNEY: Marianne Sciucco, Ann Campanella Sue Fagalde LickIn 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 Story, is a testament to the power of love in the face of this hea...
2024-07-071h 13
Love Conquers AlzHEATHER FINK: COMEDIAN/FILMMAKER/CAREGIVER - Surviving QuicksandComedian/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 she said in her post on X, her “my most depressing interview and pull...
2024-06-151h 01
Love Conquers AlzDR ETHELLE LORD - Learn about Transactional Dementia Intelligence: A Systemic Model of Dementia CareSEASON 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 of the “Transactional Dementia Intelligence” or TDI business model of dementia care, a WHOLE SYSTEM which includes management, training, care, and coaching. She has also autho...
2024-06-021h 06
Love Conquers AlzMAX SHERMAN: Former Texas Senator/Author of “Releasing the Butterfly: A Love Affair in Four Acts” -A Caregiver's Story and Journey“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 up field organ. And their love affair stil...
2024-05-1853 min
Love Conquers AlzLANCE A. SLATTON: Senior Care Influence & Author of The All Home Care Matters Official Family Caregivers' GuideHeeeeeeee’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 Michigan, and the Senior Case Manager at Enriched Lif...
2024-05-0253 min
Love Conquers AlzCINDY 'N CHRISTINA HARDIN WEISS: Adaptive Equipment Gurus Making Caregiving Safe and Sound📣 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 years of expert knowledge and hands on experi...
2024-04-2447 min
Love Conquers AlzDR. MITCH CLIONSKY - Dementia Prevention: Using Your Head to Save Your BrainDon 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 to dementia, he evaluates ADHD, concussions, and a variety of neurological conditions. From years of patient data, D...
2024-03-1255 min
Love Conquers AlzCHRISTINA KEYS: Turning a Mess into a Powerful MessageIf 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 Christina was bankrupt, financially, emotionally, mentally, and physically. And suddenly she was faced with a diagnosis of her own. Her...
2024-02-1651 min
Love Conquers AlzDR. GEORGE ACKERMAN, Ph.D., J.D., MBA: From Tragedy to Advocacy for Parkinson's AwarenessIn 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 George and his family.ORDER YOUR WRIST BANDS HERE: https://www.togetherforsharon.com/con...P...
2024-01-1549 min
Love Conquers AlzPIPPA KELLY: The Creative Caregiver ConnectionIn 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 others, she also shares her thoughts and experiences on her popular, Covid-born podcast “Well I know Now…So Much More...
2023-12-141h 20
Love Conquers AlzMARY LOU FALCONE: I Didn't See it Coming: Scenes of Love, Loss, and Lewy Body DementiaMy 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, Philadelphia Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic. Then combining communication skills with her background as a perfor...
2023-11-161h 01
Love Conquers AlzJACKLYN RYAN: Author of Bestseller "Caregivers Scaretakers" - Exposing Fraud in Senior CareSeason 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 riddledwith problems. What can adult children do to protect their parents from abuse and financial theft and also protect their inheritance and peace of mind from unscrupulous caregivers?Just like all of us, Jacklyn was instantly faced with a heart-wrenching time in life when her parents were...
2023-11-051h 02
Love Conquers AlzSTEPHAN JACKMAN - CEO ALZAMEND NEURO : New Lithium-based Drug that Offers Alzheimer's Patients Hope.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 diseases and psychiatric disorders, through advanced research and development.Their current pipeline consists of two novel therapeutic drug candidates, AL001 – a p...
2023-10-021h 01
Love Conquers AlzMARIA KENT BEERS: Remember Me Podcast + Community for Frontotemporal Dementias - Accept the GoodIn 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 merchandising for 7 years. After losing her beloved mother, Amalia to FTD in 2020, Maria had a...
2023-09-141h 03
Love Conquers AlzASHTON APPLEWHITE (TED Speaker/Spokesperson For Anti-Ageism): AGEISM IS BAD FOR YOUR HEALTHMy co-host, Don Priess, and I had the distinct pleasure of speaking with, Ashton Applewhite, the internationally acclaimed spokesperson for the emerging movement to raise awareness of ageism and to dismantle it. A co-founder of the Old School Anti-Ageism Clearinghouse, she has been recognized by the New York Times, The New Yorker, National Public Radio, and the American Society on Aging as an expert on ageism. She speaks widely at venues that have included the TED main stage and the United Nations, has written for Harper’s, the Guardian, and the New York Times, and is the voice of Yo...
2023-08-2656 min
Love Conquers AlzLANCE A. SLATTON: 2023 “50 Under 50” Honoree - Redefining Caregiving“Anything is possible if you have the desire and passion to make it happen.” That is the mantra of our Episode 76 guest, Lance A. Slatton. Tirelessly dedicated to giving back, Lance has become a standout in the healthcare industry. A native of Michigan, he is a Senior Case Manager at Enriched Life Home Care Services, a leading care provider. His wealth of knowledge and experience, along with his innovative approach to providing care, has led to his award-winning home care company being named Michigan’s top-rated service over the past five years.But Lance is commit...
2023-07-281h 18
Love Conquers AlzBETTINA MORROW - Everything You Wanted to Know About Adult Protective Services (But were afraid to ask!)If you have ever wondered just what the role of Adult Protective Services truly is, when should you contact them, what kinds of investigations they make, and how much power do they actually have when it comes to protecting your loved one or any vulnerable adult, then this is required listening! (Even if you have never wondered, I recommend this show!) My co-host, Don Priess, and I had an incredibly candid and enlightening conversation with Bettina Morrow, currently the Supervisor of Adult Protective Services in Jefferson County, Colorado.Bettina shares her invaluable, honest pers...
2023-07-101h 17