Summary

What happens when a Grammy-nominated drummer turns his passion for music into a powerful tool for dementia care? Jesse Tillman Pitts joins the show to share how his background in music, his philosophy of immersion, and a deep commitment to leadership are transforming life enrichment in senior living. From redefining engagement to launching global research partnerships, Jesse’s work is grounded in purpose and connection—and he's just getting started.

Guest Bio

Jesse Tillman Pitts is the Regional Director at Angel Senior Living, founder of Aravine Consulting, and author of Living With Purpose: The Tillman Framework for Activities in Senior Living. A two-time Latin Grammy-nominated drummer and producer, Jesse bridges the gap between art and care, using music and immersive engagement strategies to elevate life enrichment for residents—particularly those with dementia. He’s also leading collaborative research on the effects of music in memory care across universities and practitioners globally.

Timestamps:
[01:00] Intro by Matt Reiners
[02:06] Jesse’s winding path from music to senior living
[05:11] How being a husband, musician, and businessman shapes Jesse’s leadership
[10:38] When music became more than background noise—it became a care tool
[12:50] The collaborative research effort on music and dementia care
[17:30] Why this work needs scientific backing, not just feel-good stories
[20:17] Real-world examples of music calming and connecting residents
[25:05] Rethinking what meaningful engagement really means
[30:30] Jesse’s book, and how communities can begin transforming enrichment programs
[34:13] A call for collaboration: Jesse’s research needs operators and communities