Elder Law & Advocacy: The Conversation

Scams are becoming more sophisticated, more personalized, and more difficult to detect.   In this episode of Elder Law & Advocacy: The Conversation, Jaime Levine sits down with Dr. Ariana Mirian, PhD, co-founder of BeeSafe AI and researcher specializing in human-centered cybersecurity, to discuss how artificial intelligence is transforming fraud and scams. From pig butchering scams to highly personalized trust-based schemes, scammers are leveraging AI and new technologies to create more convincing attacks than ever before. As these tactics evolve, traditional warning signs and cybersecurity advice must evolve as well. Dr. Mirian shares insights from her research on how scammers build trust over time, why modern fraud schemes are so effective, and the practical cybersecurity strategies individuals can use to better protect themselves. The conversation also explores the growing impact of AI on fraud prevention, online safety, consumer protection, and digital trust. If you're interested in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, fraud prevention, or protecting yourself and your loved ones from online scams, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

For over three decades, Paul Downey has been one of the leading voices for older adults in San Diego County. In this episode of Elder Law & Advocacy: The Conversation, Jaime Levine sits down with Paul Downey, former CEO of Serving Seniors and now Chief Advocacy Officer at the San Diego Seniors Community Foundation, to discuss his career journey, the growing challenges facing low-income older adults, and the future of senior services in San Diego. Paul helped transform Serving Seniors into a nationally recognized organization supporting older adults through affordable housing, daily meals, healthcare access, case management, and social support services. Today, the organization delivers more than 1.5 million meals annually and operates more than 500 units of affordable senior housing across San Diego County. The conversation explores affordable senior housing, nonprofit leadership, and what it takes to keep vulnerable seniors healthy, independent, and connected to their communities. Paul reflects on his own journey from broadcast journalism into nonprofit leadership, and the mission that has driven his work advocating for older adults for more than 30 years. If you are interested in senior care, affordable housing, aging services, or nonprofit leadership, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Navigating tax issues can be overwhelming, especially for low-income individuals and families facing financial hardship. In this episode of Elder Law & Advocacy: The Conversation, Jaime Levine sits down with Shahin Rahimi, Senior Managing Attorney at the Legal Aid Society of San Diego, to discuss his work helping vulnerable communities resolve tax disputes and access critical legal support. Shahin leads the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) assisting clients with IRS debt, tax controversies, and other financial legal challenges. He shares how his immigrant background, professional mentorship, and passion for public service ultimately led him to a career in nonprofit law. Together, they explore the realities facing low-income taxpayers, the importance of legal aid services, and how advocacy can help individuals regain financial stability and access justice. If you are interested in legal aid, tax law, consumer advocacy, or community-focused legal work, this episode offers valuable insight into the impact of public interest law in San Diego.

Staying on top of legislation is critical to protecting older adults and consumers, but it is not easy to do so.   In this episode of Elder Law & Advocacy: The Conversation, Jaime Levine sits down with attorney Caleb Logan to discuss his experience with California legislation and his creation of a new bill-tracking platform featured on the Elder Law & Advocacy website.   Caleb has spent years working on legislative efforts designed to protect consumers and older adults, often in collaboration with organizations like the California Low Income Consumer Coalition (CLICC). His work has focused on advancing policies that better safeguard vulnerable older adults.   In this conversation, Caleb shares what inspired him to build the bill tracking platform, how it works, and why it is an important tool for attorneys, advocates, and anyone following elder law and consumer protection legislation in California.   They also discuss the broader legislative landscape, how bills move through the system, and why staying informed is essential for effective advocacy. If you are a legal professional, advocate, or anyone interested in elder law and consumer protection, this episode offers valuable insight into how legislation shapes real-world outcomes.