In this episode of NIC Chats, recorded live at the 2025 NIC Fall Conference, David Sawyer, founder and CEO of TSO Life joins host Lisa McCracken to share the origins and evolution of TSO Life—a resident insight and experience platform reshaping senior living. Learn about the innovative AI behind TSO Life, built on over 150,000 interviews, and how its personalized approach helps staff better understand and engage with residents at every level of care. Explore topics such as resident data...

NIC Chats was live at the 2025 NIC Fall Conference in Austin as Lisa McCracken, Head of Research & Analytics at NIC sat down with Brett Landrum, CEO of Procare HR, for a candid conversation on growth, innovation, and the future of HR in senior care. Hear pivotal moments from Procare’s ten-year journey, lessons learned, and the evolving landscape of workforce management in the industry. Gain insight into the need for integrated, accountable partnerships in HR services, and learn how ...

Host Lisa McCracken welcomes Lynn Jerath, founder and president of Citrine Investment Group and a Forbes 50 Over 50 honoree, for an engaging conversation about the role of family offices in senior housing investment. Lynn shares her 30-year career journey—from major real estate funds to launching Citrine—and offers an insider’s perspective on what family offices are, how to build relationships with them, and why their flexible approach suits the specialized world of senior housing. ...

Rounding out NIC Chats' value-based care series, Lynne Katzmann, founder and CEO of Juniper Communities, joins host Lisa McCracken for an insightful discussion on one operator’s journey successfully implementing outcomes-driven care models in senior living. Juniper's experience with integrated care offers actionable lessons for other senior living providers seeking to improve outcomes, resident satisfaction, and operational efficiency. Listen to learn: The fundamentals of value-based care and...

Continuing the NIC Chats series focused on value-based care, host Lisa McCracken welcomes Sarah Thomas — AgeTech advisor, and global innovator — for an illuminating deep dive into the transformative role of data and technology in senior living. Hear why value-based care demands a culture shift where data becomes a strategic asset, not just a compliance tool, and why embracing technology is an enabler for delivering personalized, predictive, and efficient care. Gain practical strat...

In this first episode in the NIC Chats series on value-based care, host Lisa McCracken, Head of Research & Analytics at NIC, sits down with Anne Tumlinson, CEO and founder of ATI Advisory, to demystify value-based care in the senior living sector. Together, they break down what value-based care really means and why it matters for operators and residents alike. Tumlinson explains how senior living communities can leverage their unique environments to deliver better health outcomes a...

In this episode of NIC Chats, host Lisa McCracken sits down with Eric Winograd, Chief Economist at AllianceBernstein, to unpack the economic turbulence shaking markets, businesses, and households across the U.S. and beyond. From dramatic policy shifts and new tariffs to the ripple effects on inflation, growth, and consumer confidence, Winograd offers a candid, data-driven look at what’s driving today’s volatility, and what it could mean for senior housing. Highlights include: Why “uncertainty...

What does the future of senior living look like when real estate trends intersect with the needs of a new generation? Host Lisa McCracken sits down with real estate researcher John Burns, CEO of John Burns Research and Consulting, to uncover the surprising ways baby boomers are rewriting the rules of retirement living. Learn why most retirees choose to age in place, the rise of multi-generational living, and the growing popularity of “build-to-rent” communities as flexible options for older a...

Is the caregiver shortage keeping you up at night? You're not alone—and there's a solution. In this episode of NIC Chats, recorded live at the 2025 NIC Spring Conference in San Diego, Lisa McCracken, Head of Research & Analytics at NIC, sits down with Jennifer Adams of Smartlinx to explore how innovative workforce technology is transforming post-acute care. With over 25 years in the industry, Smartlinx offers solutions for solving staffing challenges through smarter scheduling, compliance...

The traditional HR department is undergoing a transformation in senior care. What was once a siloed administrative function is now emerging as a strategic driver of business outcomes—when implemented correctly. This eye-opening conversation with Paul Jarvis from Procare HR explores how senior living and skilled nursing organizations can reimagine their HR functions to directly support broader business goals. Jarvis breaks down how the fragmented approach of disconnected payroll, benefits, an...

In this episode of NIC Chats, Lisa McCracken sits down with Ryan Novaczyk, CEO of New Perspective Senior Living, to explore his insights as an operator in the senior living industry pursuing a growth strategy. Novaczyk shares a personal story of how his grandmother's struggle with Alzheimer's inspired him and his father to create a better living environment for seniors. He discusses how his family's experience led to the founding of New Perspective, which now operates 42 communities acr...

Is the aging population a golden opportunity for entrepreneurs? Hear from an expert in the world of AgeTech and longevity investing, Abby Miller Levy, managing partner and founder of Primetime Partners, a venture fund focused on aging and longevity. In this illuminating episode of NIC Chats, host Lisa McCracken unlocks the secrets of what investors look for in companies and products focused on the aging population. Drawing from her experience as co-founder of a wellness company, Miller Levy r...

Sean Kelly, President and CEO of Front Porch, one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit senior living providers, joins the NIC Chats podcast to discuss the evolving landscape of senior living. Sean shares his unique journey into the industry, reflecting on childhood experiences that shaped his perspective on community and intergenerational connections. He offers insights into the changing needs and expectations of baby boomers, emphasizing the importance of engagement, purpose, and community...

In this episode of NIC Chats, host Lisa McCracken welcomes Jim Lydiard, Chief Strategic Advisor for Pine Park Health, to discuss value-based care in senior living. Jim shares his journey from a personal connection with senior care to becoming a leader in healthcare innovation. The conversation delves into the complexities of value-based care, comparing ACO and Medicare Advantage models, and exploring the evolution of healthcare partnerships in senior living communities. The episode offers val...

How can senior housing operators position themselves for success in the evolving healthcare landscape? Hear insights on this and more from Dianne Munevar, Vice President of Healthcare Strategy at NORC at the University of Chicago. In conversation with Lisa McCracken, Dianne shares her professional journey and her passion for developing public policies that improve the lives of vulnerable populations, particularly older adults. The discussion centers on the groundbreaking research conduc...

In this episode of NIC Chats, recorded live at the NIC Fall Conference in Washington DC, host Lisa McCracken interviews ProCare HR’s Brett Landrum, founder and co-CEO, and Paul Jarvis, head of sales and marketing. The conversation explores ProCare's evolution from a foundational HR services provider to a data-driven solutions company for HR in the senior care industry. Landrum and Jarvis discuss the transformative role of data analytics in workforce management, highlighting the importance of ...

Has the labor market reached a tipping point? And, why is healthcare one of the few sectors with employment numbers still below pre-pandemic peaks? Listen in as Paul Ashworth, Chief North America Economist for Capital Economics joins Lisa McCracken on the NIC Chats podcast to answer these questions and more. As they discuss current economic trends, learn why Ashworth thinks the U.S. economy is in a Goldilocks period, but what challenges might be looming as we head into 2025. You’ll also hear ...

Fresh off the release of his new book, A Culture of Promise, Fee Stubblefield, Founder and CEO of The Springs Living, joins Lisa McCracken on a new episode of the NIC Chats podcast. Listen in as Fee shares his motivation for writing the book and what he’s learned about the importance of culture in an organization. Want to join the conversation? Follow NIC on LinkedIn. We want to hear from you! Let us know what you think of NIC Chats by giving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherev...

Live from the 2024 NIC Spring Conference, listen in as Lisa McCracken, Head of Research & Analytics at NIC, sits down with Brett Landrum, Procare HR Founder and Co-CEO. Landrum expands on the capabilities that allow Procare HR to help operators deliver better quality of care, resident satisfaction, and financial results. Joining the discussion was Susie Koenig, Founder & CEO of healthcare management and consulting services firm SAK Healthcare. In today’s environment, with some senior ...

Listen in as Beth Mace, Senior Advisor at NIC, sits down with Zach Bowyer, Senior Managing Director and head of living sectors at Cushman and Wakefield to discuss today’s capital markets, including the intersection of property market fundamentals and capital market pressure as well as how current conditions are affecting valuations and investment strategies. From discussing distressed properties and buyer profiles to exploring the inflection point at which the industry finds itself, thi...