In this episode of Engaging Aging, Erin welcomes Gwen Sorley from Play Attention and Silver Minds for an eye-opening conversation about cognitive health, aging, and the incredible neuroplasticity we maintain throughout life. Gwen shares how NASA-inspired neurotechnology is helping older adults strengthen attention, memory, processing speed, and executive function — whether they’re looking to stay sharp, prevent decline, or navigate early cognitive changes.

Together, they explore the emotional side of aging, why cognitive vitality has become the top concern for older adults, and how holistic support — including personalized neurocognitive training, movement, mindfulness, learning, and community — can create meaningful improvements in day-to-day life. Gwen also shares the personal story behind the creation of Silver Minds, and why it’s never too late to change your brain.

If you’ve ever wondered what’s possible for your cognitive health or a loved one’s, this conversation offers science, hope, and practical, empowering next steps.

Connect With Silver Minds

Phone: 📞 828-676-2239 | Website: www.mysilverminds.com [http://www.mysilverminds.com/]
Consultation: https://calendly.com/gsorley/silver-minds-call
Upcoming Webinar Registration to learn more about Silver Minds https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/4717335103103/WN_Wdexw1kXSmKNWGfag-uucA#/registration

It’s Never Too Late: Rewiring the Aging Brain with Silver Minds

In this powerful episode of Engaging Aging, we sit down with Katie Brandt, nationally recognized advocate and Director of Caregiving & Education at the MGH Frontotemporal Disorders Unit.

Katie shares her deeply personal journey—caring for a husband with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a father with Alzheimer’s disease, and raising her young son—all while navigating profound loss. She opens up about carrying what she calls the “grief backpack,” why love should guide every care decision, and the importance of building a strong support system.

This conversation is a reminder that caregivers are never alone, and that even in the hardest seasons, joy and grief can coexist.

✨ Inside this episode:

 * What every family should do right after a diagnosis
 * Why promises around care should be rooted in love, not guilt
 * Practical advocacy tips: documenting changes, speaking up, and getting connected with the right professionals
 * How grief and happiness can exist side-by-side, and what it means to care for yourself as well as your loved one

🔗 Helpful Resources & Links

 * Learn more about Katie Brandt: katibrandt.org | Instagram: @katibrand6 [https://instagram.com/katibrand6] | From Care to Care Podcast (Apple/Spotify)
 * The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD): theaftd.org
 * Alzheimer’s Association: alz.org [https://www.alz.org/] | 24/7 Helpline: 1-800-272-3900
 * MGH Frontotemporal Disorders Unit: massgeneral.org/neurology/ftd-unit

The Grief Backpack: Katie Brandt on Caregiving, FTD, and Finding Strength

In this thought-provoking episode of Engaging Aging, Erin and Lauren open up a powerful conversation about the emerging role of plant medicine in supporting mental health, cognitive health, and overall well-being—especially for older adults. Joined by Reverend Dr. Leah Linder and Reverend Pam Convoy, experts in plant medicine and therapeutic integration, we explore:

 * What plant medicine really is (hint: you may already be using it daily!)
 * How psilocybin microdosing is showing promise for anxiety, depression, PTSD, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and more
 * The importance of addressing root causes, not just symptoms, in aging and mental health
 * Real client success stories, from renewed creativity and calmer moods to improved focus and reduced pain
 * Why quality, safety, and integration practices matter when considering plant medicine

This episode shines a light on both the science and the spirituality of these ancient practices, while breaking down stigma and misconceptions. Whether you’re an older adult, a caregiver, or simply curious, you’ll walk away with new insights into how plant medicine may become part of the future of aging well.

You can learn more at https://www.setasseminary.org

Plant Medicine & Aging: Exploring Microdosing, Healing, & Hope with Setas Seminary

If dementia has touched your life—whether through a recent diagnosis, a loved one’s changing needs, or your work in elder care—this episode is for you.

Erin sits down with Shari Flight of Ember Holistic to explore how a holistic approach can transform dementia care for both the person living with cognitive impairment and those who support them. From recognizing the earliest signs and navigating the moment of diagnosis, to adapting the home environment, fostering engagement, and sustaining caregiver well-being, Shari shares practical tools and heartfelt wisdom.

We discuss why seeing the person beyond the diagnosis matters, how to preserve independence through “doing with” instead of “doing for,” and why planning ahead can ease the emotional, logistical, and financial toll of the dementia journey.

Whether you’re an older adult, a family caregiver, or a professional in aging services, you’ll walk away with hope, clarity, and tangible steps to help keep the spark alive—no matter where you are in the journey.

Connect with Ember Holistic:
🌐 Website: www.emberholistic.com
📧 Email: info@emberholistic.com
📱 Social Media: @EmberHolisticCareLLC on all platforms

Finding the Spark: Holistic Approaches to Dementia Care with Ember Holistic

What if the behaviors we often see in older adults—resistance to change, anxiety, denial, even people-pleasing—aren’t just personality traits, but protective nervous system responses?

In this powerful and heart-expanding episode of Engaging Aging, Erin sits down with Elisabeth Kristof—founder of NeuroSomatic Intelligence [https://neurosomaticintelligence.com/dovetailcompanies] and Brain-Based Wellness [https://brainbased-wellness.com/membership/?aff=dovetailcompanies]—to explore how nervous system healing transforms the aging journey for older adults, caregivers, and professionals.

Together, they unpack:

 * Why behaviors like fawning and freeze are misunderstood survival patterns
 * How sensory deficits and trauma impact balance, memory, and mood later in life
 * Why so many nurses and caregivers are stuck in burnout—and how to break the cycle
 * How tiny daily practices (even 1–2 minutes!) can create profound, lasting change
 * Why healing yourself is the first step to truly supporting others

Whether you’re a care provider, an older adult, or simply someone who wants to age with more clarity, confidence, and peace—this episode will open your eyes and soften your heart.

✨ Learn more and get started:
🧠 Brain-Based Wellness Membership [https://brainbased-wellness.com/membership/?aff=dovetailcompanies]
🎓 NSI Professional Certification Course [https://neurosomaticintelligence.com/dovetailcompanies]

Rewiring the Aging Brain: Nervous System Healing with Elisabeth Kristof

In this powerful episode of Engaging Aging, Lauren Watts sits down with Curtis Peterson, National Director of Sales at the Society of Certified Senior Advisors (CSA)®, for an honest and insightful look at what it really means to serve older adults with integrity.

Together, they explore:

 * Why the (CSA)® designation is more than just a credential—and why it should be the baseline for professionals in the aging space
 * The ethical risks of stepping outside your scope (especially in real estate and senior living referrals)
 * How to build a trusted, multidisciplinary network to better support older adults
 * The growing wave of real estate agents becoming (CSA)® designees—and how it’s transforming the industry
 * What older adults and their families should look for when vetting professionals

Whether you're a real estate agent, care manager, financial advisor—or simply passionate about aging well—this episode will challenge you to elevate your standards, deepen your knowledge, and recommit to putting the older adult first.

🔗 Learn more at www.csa.us [https://www.csa.us/]

Raising the Bar: Why Becoming a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)® Is the Gold Standard in Aging Services

Feeling stuck, uncertain, or disconnected from your purpose? In this inspiring conversation, coach and author Kimberly Napier joins Engaging Aging to share how older adults and caregivers can reconnect with themselves, gain clarity, and dare to choose what they truly want next. Through personal stories and practical mindset tools, Kimberly reminds us: you have all the answers—you just need space to listen.

Connect with Kimberly:
Download her free book and explore coaching programs at www.kimberlynapier.com [http://www.kimberlynapier.com/]
Follow her on Instagram @kimberly_napier [https://www.instagram.com/kimberly_napier]

Finding What’s Next with Kimberly Napier

Welcome to Part 4 of our four-part series, How to Sell Your Longtime Home for Top Dollar with Ease. In this heartfelt episode, Lauren Watts focuses on a critical—but often overlooked—element of the home-selling journey: partnership.

Selling your home isn’t just about real estate. It’s about transition, emotion, and letting go of a chapter filled with decades of memories. Lauren explains why this journey shouldn't—and truly can't—be done alone.

You’ll learn:

 * Why trying to go it alone often leads to overwhelm and costly mistakes
 * The trusted professionals you should bring into your circle, from financial advisors to estate planning attorneys to transition specialists
 * How to avoid common pitfalls like selling before knowing where you're going
 * The importance of legal and financial readiness before listing
 * Why your real estate experience should reflect your values, not just market data

✨ Feeling overwhelmed? We've got you.
Watch our complimentary e-webinar for deeper support:
👉 www.dovetailcompanies.com/webinar

📞 Connect with Us
Whether you're just getting started or already in the thick of planning, we're here to help.
🌐 Visit www.dovetailcompanies.com [https://www.dovetailcompanies.com/]
📧 Email info@dovetailcompanies.com
📱 Call 617-227-1600

At Dovetail, we believe real estate is personal. Let’s do this with heart.

The Power of Partnership – Step 4 of Selling Your Longtime Home

Welcome to Part 3 of our four-part series, How to Sell Your Longtime Home for Top Dollar with Ease. In this episode, Lauren Watts takes you behind the scenes of one of the most important (and often misunderstood) steps in the home selling process: pricing.

Pricing your home isn’t about picking a number and crossing your fingers—it’s a strategic decision that can make or break your sale. Lauren walks you through the four key factors that influence your home’s value:

 1. Condition – What buyers see (and don’t) affects what they’ll pay
 2. Local Market Data – Why your zip code matters more than national headlines
 3. Current Economic Conditions – How interest rates, job markets, and the economy play a role
 4. Marketing Strategy – From staging to photography to timing, how you market matters

Whether your home is turnkey or needs some love, this episode gives you the insider knowledge to price with confidence, attract serious buyers, and retain negotiating power throughout the process.

✨ Want to go deeper?
Watch our free e-webinar:
👉 www.dovetailcompanies.com/webinar

📞 Let’s Talk!
We're here to help guide you every step of the way. Visit www.dovetailcompanies.com [https://www.dovetailcompanies.com/], email info@dovetailcompanies.com, or call us at 617-227-1600.

We’ll even connect you with one of our trusted, Dovetail-approved agents nationwide if you’re outside our service area.

Pricing With Purpose – Step 3 of Selling Your Longtime Home

Welcome to Part 2 of our four-part series, How to Sell Your Longtime Home for Top Dollar with Ease. In this solo episode, Erin dives deep into the importance of preparation—and why this crucial step can make or break your sale.

From first impressions to strategic updates, Erin shares how even small investments in preparing your home can result in significantly higher offers, smoother showings, and a better overall experience for everyone involved. Whether you have a move-in ready gem or a legacy fixer, this episode will help you see your home through a buyer's eyes—and make empowered, profitable decisions.

🏠 Erin also walks you through four common home types:

 * Move-In Ready Gem
 * Well-Loved Haven
 * Time-Worn Treasure
 * Legacy Fixer

You’ll learn which updates matter most, how to protect your equity, and how Dovetail’s proven method ensures your interests stay at the center of every decision.

✨ Want to go deeper?
Watch our free e-webinar:
👉 www.dovetailcompanies.com/webinar

📞 Need support from a team that gets it?
Visit www.dovetailcompanies.com [https://www.dovetailcompanies.com/], email info@dovetailcompanies.com, or call us at 617-227-1600.
We’re here to help you navigate this next chapter with clarity, compassion, and confidence.

Preparation is Power – Step 2 of Selling Your Longtime Home

What if you could elevate your real estate business—earning more and making a meaningful impact—by compassionately serving senior clients?

Welcome to Listing with a Mission, where hosts Erin, Lauren, and Juli of Dovetail Companies, the industry’s leading experts in guiding older adults through life’s major transitions, reveal the powerful strategies that have transformed their business.

Join us as we pull back the curtain on real-life stories and actionable insights that will empower you to triple your listings, boost your income, and build a business that truly aligns with your values and vision.

Get ready to transform your real estate career and make a difference like never before.

Visit their industry-disrupting digital course page here. [https://www.dovetailcompanies.com/courses/listing-with-a-mission]

Listing with a Mission

Engaging Aging: As age-well advocates, Erin DiCarlo and Lauren Watts shed light on topics that help older adults live their best lives. From highlighting their client’s real-life stories to sharing wisdom from many years working in the senior living industry. Join Erin and Lauren as they demystify the realities of aging and showcase the silver linings that occur later in life.

Dovetail Companies

Shows