Tips from Trestle: The Senior Living Food and Hospitality Podcast

Hosted by Aaron Fish

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Episodes

216

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Tips From Trestle is a podcast focused on discussion about senior living food, hospitality, & the community experience. Hosted by THE Hospitality Executive to the Senior Living Industry Aaron Fish, he shares his thoughts, musings and discussions about food & beverage operations, community & resident experiences, and trends & happenings in the senior living industry. To be considered as a guest for TFT, please send an email to info@trestlehc.com Tips from Trestle is sponsored by: - eMenuCHOICE POS - Clark Pro - DiningRD Trestle Tactics is sponsored by - Gordon Food Service

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60 recent

June 10, 2026Episode 1626 min

The Power of “You’re Right”: Language That Changes Outcomes

In this episode of Tips From Trestle, host Aaron Fish welcomes author, educator, and dementia-care advocate Angela Brigance for a deep dive into the language of leadership in senior living. With more than 30 years of experience across home care, skilled nursing, assisted living, and memory care, Angela brings a unique blend of neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) expertise and real-world operations know-how.Angela explains why “don’t” statements fail our teams, how reframing “short-staffed” as “challenged” unlocks problem-solving, and what happens in the brain when we give clear, positive directions instead of vague corrections. She also shares a simple four-step phrase pattern—starting with “you’re right”—that can defuse upset residents and families while preserving trust in your caregivers.Whether you lead a single community or an entire portfolio, this conversation will help you use intentional language to strengthen culture, improve the resident and family experience, and create more confident frontline leaders. Tune in to learn how changing a few words can completely change your outcomes in senior living food, hospitality, and care.Tips from Trestle is sponsored by:WiseOx: https://bit.ly/TFT_WiseOxAdvantageTrust GPO: https://bit.ly/TFTAdvTrustDining With Dementia: https://bit.ly/TFT_DwD100% Leader: https://bit.ly/TFT_100#TFT515 #SeniorLiving #SeniorLivingLeadership #ElevateTheExperience #SeniorLivingLeadership #DementiaCare #NeuroLinguisticProgramming #LeadershipCommunication #IntentionalLanguage #SeniorLivingPros #MemoryCareMatters #HospitalityLeadership #CaregiverSupport #CultureOfCare #TeamEngagement #ResidentExperience #SeniorCareInnovation #LanguageOfLeadership #TipsFromTrestle #LongTermCare

May 18, 2026Episode 1524 min

City Under a Roof: Why Senior Living Hospitality Is a $2 Million Opportunity | TFT 515

What if your dining room was actually your most powerful sales tool? In Part 2 of our "flip the mic" episode, Kelsey gets Aaron to unpack why the industry's biggest missed opportunity isn't in marketing or technology — it's on the plate.Aaron breaks down:Why dining rooms should be run like restaurants (not "restaurant style")How using hospitality can get a mid-sized operator a gain of nearly $2 Million in additonal revenues annuallyWhy memory care dining is the most neglected — and highest-impact — area in senior livingHow standards actually elevate hospitality instead of killing itThe cap rate math that gets an increase of $1M in asset valueWhether you're an operator, investor, ED, or culinary director, this episode will permanently change how you think about the relationship between hospitality, revenue, and resident experience in senior living.Keywords: senior living dining, memory care hospitality, senior living revenue, assisted living operations, hospitality standards, senior housing investment, dining with dementia, senior living leadership#TFT515 #SeniorLiving #SeniorLivingLeadership #ElevateTheExperience #HospitalityInSeniorLiving #SeniorLivingOperators #ResidentExperience #AssistedLiving #AssetValuation #RevenueGeneration #SeniorHousing #FoodServiceLeadership #ThreeLeggedStool #DiningExperience #SeniorLivingConsulting #HospitalityLeadership #TipsFromTrestle

May 12, 2026Episode 1419 min

Why Senior Living Is a Three-Legged Stool — And Hospitality Is the Leg Nobody's Using | Ep. 514 Pt. 1

What if the biggest problem in senior living isn't the care — it's the culture?In Part 1 of this special role-reversal episode of Tips from Trestle, host Aaron Fish gets interviewed by Trestle Hospitality”s Kelsey Wilkinson — and the result is one of the most candid conversations the show has ever produced. Aaron shares the origin story behind Trestle Hospitality Concepts, including the now-legendary bathroom mirror moment that brought the brand to life. He unpacks the philosophy of "elevating the experience" in senior living and makes the case that the industry has been operating through only two pillars, while it truly is a three-legged stool. This episode is a must-listen for any senior living operator, culinary director, or community leader ready to think differently about how they serve residents.Tips from Trestle is sponsored by:- WiseOx: https://bit.ly/TFT_WiseOx- AdvantageTrust GPO: https://bit.ly/TFTAdvTrust- Dining With Dementia: https://bit.ly/TFT_DwD- 100% Leader: https://bit.ly/TFT_10000:01:30 — Why This Episode Is Different00:02:00 — The Origin Story of Trestle Hospitality Concepts00:04:00 — The Bathroom Mirror Moment00:06:30 — What Trestle Represents00:07:00 — From the Broadmoor to Senior Living00:08:00 — Where "Elevate the Experience" Came From00:09:30 — Every Touchpoint Counts00:10:30 — The Moments That Crystallized the Philosophy00:12:00 — The Pureed Meal Nobody Recognized00:13:30 — When Dining Sells the Apartment00:15:00 — Why Senior Living Resists Hospitality00:16:00 — The Three-Legged Stool Framework00:17:00 — Where the Time Actually Goes00:18:00 — Qualitative vs. Quantitative Metrics#TFT514 #SeniorLiving #SeniorLivingLeadership #ElevateTheExperience #HospitalityInSeniorLiving #SeniorLivingOperators #ResidentExperience #AssistedLiving #AgingWithDignity #SeniorCare #FoodServiceLeadership #ThreeLeggedStool #DiningExperience #SeniorLivingConsulting #HospitalityLeadership #TipsFromTrestle

May 5, 2026Episode 1323 min

Meatloaf Meets Blue Zones

How do you honor meat-and-potato nostalgia while nudging residents toward Blue Zone–style longevity?In this episode of Tips from Trestle, host Aaron Fish sits down with hospitality leader John Baillie Jr. to unpack how Blue Zones principles can transform senior living dining into a true engine for longevity, connection, and joy. They explore what a Blue Zone–inspired menu really looks like in senior living—more beans, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats without taking away beloved meat-and-potatoes comfort foods. John shares practical strategies for introducing plant-forward options, honoring food nostalgia, and using mealtimes as daily rituals to reduce loneliness and build community. From resident ambassadors to staff eating with residents and families joining those first few meals, you’ll hear actionable ideas for operators, chefs, and sales teams who want senior living dining to drive wellness, occupancy, and long-term engagement.Tips from Trestle is sponsored by:- WiseOx: https://bit.ly/TFT_WiseOx- AdvantageTrust GPO: https://bit.ly/TFTAdvTrust- Dining With Dementia: https://bit.ly/TFT_DwD- 100% Leader: https://bit.ly/TFT_100#TFT513 #SeniorLiving #SeniorLivingDining #BlueZones #PlantForward #HealthyAging #FoodAsMedicine #SeniorLivingLeadership #HospitalityDrivenCare #LongevityLifestyle #DiningExperience #SeniorLivingCommunity #CulinaryLeadership #WellnessInAging #FoodAndHospitality #TipsFromTrestle

April 28, 2026Episode 1231 min

Stop Calling It Soft

In this powerful episode of Tips from Trestle — the senior living food and hospitality podcast — Aaron revisits an amazing convbersation he had with friend of then podcast Joseph Cope, nationally recognized speaker and "The Empathy Guy," to dismantle one of leadership's biggest myths: that empathy is a soft skill. Joseph redefines empathy as a fierce, measurable leadership competency that directly drives employee retention, team morale, and organizational culture. Together, they explore self-empathy, the neuroscience behind stress and creativity, how to hold teams accountable with compassion, and why human connection is the true currency of future business success. Whether you're a senior living executive, culinary director, or mid-level manager, this conversation will challenge you to lead from the inside out. Senior living leadership | empathy in the workplace | employee retention strategiesTips from Trestle is sponsored by:WiseOx: https://bit.ly/TFT_WiseOxAdvantageTrust GPO: https://bit.ly/TFTAdvTrustDining With Dementia: https://bit.ly/TFT_DwD100% Leader: https://bit.ly/TFT_100#TFT512 #EmpathyInLeadership #SeniorLiving #LeadershipDevelopment #TipsFromTrestle #EmployeeRetention #WorkplaceCulture #HumanConnection #SeniorCare #ElderCare #EmpathyAtWork #FierceLeadership #SeniorLivingLeadership #HealthcareLeadership #HospitalityIndustry #MentalHealthAtWork

April 21, 2026Episode 1122 min

KGB, Camels, And Courage: The Traveling Nanas

From KGB interrogations to Bedouin tents in the desert, the Traveling Nanas are living the kind of “retirement” most people only dream about. In this episode of Tips from Trestle, Aaron welcomes Sandy & Ellie - the “Traveling Nanas,” two remarkable older adults who turned loss into a launchpad for adventure. The Traveling Nanas share how they visited roughly 50 countries and all seven continents after 80, from journeys and intrigue on the Trans‑Siberian Railway to dodging check points as war erupted in Syria. Their stories challenge every stereotype about aging, senior living, and long‑term care, proving that curiosity and courage don’t retire. Aaron connects the Traveling Nanas’ bold journeys to everyday senior living operations, exploring how leaders can design truly inspired social experiences, meaningful engagement, and intergenerational programming that pull residents out of the easy chair and back into life.Get their book “Here We Go” here: https://a.co/d/0bCs5gU7Tips from Trestle is sponsored by:WiseOx: https://bit.ly/TFT_WiseOxAdvantageTrust GPO: https://bit.ly/TFTAdvTrustDining With Dementia: https://bit.ly/TFT_DwD100% Leader: https://bit.ly/TFT_100#TFT511 #SeniorLiving #ActiveAging #PositiveAging #SeniorLivingLeadership #SeniorLivingMarketing #ResidentEngagement #IntergenerationalLiving #SeniorLivingFood #SeniorHospitality #TravelingNanas #AgingBoldly #SeniorTravelGoals #LifeAfter80 #LongTermCareInnovation #SeniorLivingCommunity

April 14, 2026Episode 1026 min

Building Cognitive Pathways With LEGO

Tips from Trestle explores transformative senior living through food, hospitality, and community experience. Hosted by Aaron Fish, this episode features guest JP York from the 2054 Institute discussing LEGO Serious Play—an innovative therapeutic intervention for memory care and dementia. Discover how hand-based building activates undamaged brain regions, improving cognition, dexterity, and emotional well-being in seniors. Learn about the hand-brain connection, the four-stage LEGO framework, and real resident stories of breakthrough communication and restored identity. This episode bridges geriatric care innovation with practical, accessible solutions for skilled nursing facilities, memory care communities, and senior living professionals. Perfect for healthcare leaders seeking evidence-based, engagement-focused alternatives to traditional activities. Explore how creative play addresses isolation, purpose, and dignity in senior care environmentsTips from Trestle is sponsored by:WiseOx: https://bit.ly/TFT_WiseOxAdvantageTrust GPO: https://bit.ly/TFTAdvTrustDining With Dementia: https://bit.ly/TFT_DwD100% Leader: https://bit.ly/TFT_100#TFT510 #SeniorLiving #MemoryCare #DementiaCare #GeriatricHealth #TherapeuticActivities #SeniorEngagement #InnovativeHealthcare #CaregiverSupport #MindfulAging #SeniorWellness #HealthcareLeadership #CNAJobs #NursingCareers #SeniorCommunity #CreativeTherapy

April 6, 2026Episode 922 min

From Intentions to Inclusion

In this episode of Tips from Trestle, Aaron sits down with Sadiya Abjani, Director of Learning and Instructional Design at SAGE, to explore how senior living organizations can better serve LGBTQ+ older adults through inclusive leadership, cultural competency, and person-centered care. Sadiya brings 15 years of training and curriculum design experience, deep expertise in LGBTQ+ aging, diversity and equity, and a track record of training more than 80,000 people across multiple learning environments. The conversation covers inclusive marketing, non-discrimination language, intake forms, hiring, staff retention, chosen family, and the practical steps leaders can take to create safer, more affirming senior living communities. This episode is essential for senior living operators, executive directors, healthcare leaders, and hospitality professionals who want to improve resident experience, strengthen workplace culture, and deliver equitable care that truly reflects every community they serve.Tips from Trestle is sponsored by:WiseOx: https://bit.ly/TFT_WiseOxAdvantageTrust GPO: https://bit.ly/TFTAdvTrustDining With Dementia: https://bit.ly/TFT_DwD100% Leader: https://bit.ly/TFT_100#TFT509 #SeniorLiving #LGBTQSeniors #InclusiveCare #SadiyaAbjani #SAGE #HealthcareLeadership #ResidentExperience #CulturalCompetency #PersonCenteredCare #AgingServices #HealthEquity #InclusiveLeadership #ElderCare #LGBTQAging #SeniorLivingLeadership

March 31, 2026Episode 823 min

Culture Eats Strategy Alive

What does it really take to build a thriving culture in senior living — and can it actually move the needle on census, retention, and resident satisfaction? In this episode of Tips from Trestle, host Aaron Fish sits down with Kathy Rainwater-Roe of Phoenix Senior Living, recorded live at the Georgia Senior Living Association Conference. Kathy's session, Building a Positive Culture in Today's Evolving Senior Living, is a masterclass in human-centered leadership. From high-fiving second-shift staff at the front door to living your mission statement beyond the frame on the wall, Kathy unpacks how open communication, genuine appreciation, and consistent empathy create cultures where staff stay, residents thrive, and census grows. If you lead a senior living community, this conversation is your blueprint for sustainable, measurable culture change.Tips from Trestle is sponsored by:WiseOx: https://bit.ly/TFT_WiseOxBen E Keith Foods: https://bit.ly/TFT_BEKAdvantageTrust GPO: https://bit.ly/TFTAdvTrust#TFT508 #SeniorLiving #WorkplaceCulture #SeniorCare #LeadershipDevelopment #AssistedLiving #StaffRetention #ResidentExperience #ElderCare #SeniorLivingLeadership #PositiveCulture #HealthcareLeadership #CaregiverAppreciation #AgingInAmerica #SeniorLivingMarketing #EmployeeEngagement #ElevateTheExperience

March 24, 2026Episode 732 min

Beyond Contracts to Culinary Culture

In this episode of Tips from Trestle, host Aaron Fish sits down with John Claytor, Assistant Vice President of Food and Nutrition at Health Trust Group, for a forward-looking conversation on senior living dining in 2026 and beyond. They unpack how Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs) can go far beyond pricing contracts to deliver culinary training, real-time purchasing dashboards, capital equipment strategy, and labor-saving solutions. John shares expert insights on navigating food cost inflation, protein supply disruptions, tariff pressures, and the power of flexible menu planning. The episode also explores the untapped white space of extending senior living dining services into the broader community — from home health partnerships to ghost kitchen concepts. If you manage food service in senior living, this episode is your 2026 strategic roadmap.Tips from Trestle is sponsored by:WiseOx: https://bit.ly/TFT_WiseOxBen E Keith Foods: https://bit.ly/TFT_BEKAdvantageTrust GPO: https://bit.ly/TFTAdvTrust#TFT507 #SeniorLiving #SeniorLivingDining #ElderCare #FoodService #SeniorCare #DiningInnovation #GPO #FoodInflation #HealthcareFood #CulinaryLeadership #SmartKitchen #FoodAsMedicine #AssistedLiving #SeniorLivingLeadership #HospitalityInSeniorLiving #ElevateTheExperience