The Drake Insights Podcast

In this episode of The Drake Insights Podcast, Natasha Drake is joined by Bryan Reynolds, co-founder of Authority Agent, to break down the top 5 content mistakes senior living communities are making on their websites—and how they’re costing you leads, conversions and move-ins. With the rise of AI search, evolving algorithms, and changing buyer behavior, your website is no longer just a top-of-funnel tool—it’s the entire decision-making journey. And if your content isn’t strategic, you’re losing prospects before they ever reach out. If you’re responsible for occupancy, marketing, or growth, this episode is a must-listen. To learn more, visit Drake Strategic at https://www.drakestrategic.com/ or Authority Agent at https://authority-agent.com/home  Full YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/LzwF82w6bZA 

In Episode 32 of The Drake Insights Podcast, host Natasha Drake is joined by her longtime colleague and friend, Lorie Dancy, RN, MSN and Founder of Concierge Care Network, for a thoughtful and story-driven conversation about the gap in care management across senior care. With more than 30 years in nursing — from ICU to home care to senior living leadership — and after walking through the aging journey with her own parents, Lorie has seen firsthand what families assume exists… and what’s often missing. This episode blends lived experience with industry insight and challenges us to rethink what real care should look like — for families and for our entire senior care system. Because if no one is overseeing the whole picture… who is? To learn more, visit Drake Strategic at https://www.drakestrategic.com/ or Concierge Care Network at https://www.conciergecarenet.com/  Full YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/JXrmO-BZJZo 

In Episode 31 of The Drake Insights Podcast, host Natasha Drake is joined by Rick Whittington, President of Whittington Consulting, to break down a brand-new national research study that reveals a massive perception gap in senior living—one that’s quietly impacting occupancy, lead quality, and trust We unpack why the majority of older adults don’t believe they’ll ever need senior living, how cost misconceptions are shaping decisions long before sales ever gets involved, and why most families are researching digitally during moments of stress and crisis—often late at night, when no one is available to help. If you work in senior living sales, marketing, leadership, or operations, this episode will fundamentally change how you think about: Who your real competition is How prospects actually make decisions What today’s seniors and caregivers are looking for online And why doing “what’s always worked” may no longer be enough 👉 The full research study is available to download at https://seniorcaregrowth.com/ To learn more, visit Drake Strategic at https://www.drakestrategic.com/ or Whittington Consulting at https://www.rickwhittington.com/  Full YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/9KeT3S4vYLE 

In Episode 30 of The Drake Insights Podcast, host Natasha Drake sits down with Joe Soltis, CEO of ChoiceLocal, to uncover how AI is rapidly transforming senior living marketing, sales, and occupancy growth. Together, we dig into a core belief of this show: innovation and empathy can coexist—and they must coexist because they are the future of senior living. Joe breaks down the real AI innovations senior living operators need to understand NOW, from AI-driven SEO that shortens results from 6 months to 90 days, to empathetic AI-powered speed-to-lead responses, to data-driven lookalike modeling that improves lead quality and reduces wasted spend. If you’re a senior living operator, marketer, or sales leader, this episode is a must-watch to stay ahead of the competition. To learn more, visit Drake Strategic at https://www.drakestrategic.com/ or ChoiceLocal at https://choicelocal.com/  Full YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/DBUXaZ36c-w 

What happens when AI meets one of the most human industries in the world—senior living? Live from LeadingAge 2025 Boston, host Natasha Drake of The Drake Insights Podcast asks industry leaders a bold question: Is AI helping us be more human—or is it dehumanizing our field? Hear real stories from executives, marketers, and care professionals across the industry sharing how AI is transforming the way we connect, serve, and care. Discover how senior living leaders are learning to automate the mundane and elevate the meaningful. This special episode features insights from leaders across the senior living industry. Hear how professionals across marketing, operations, and clinical care are using AI to automate the mundane and elevate the meaningful—helping teams refocus on what truly matters: human connection. Listen now to hear how innovation is reshaping human connection in senior living. To learn more, visit Drake Strategic at https://www.drakestrategic.com/  Full YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/6dhFRz0AOB0 

In Episode 28 of The Drake Insights Podcast, host Natasha Drake welcomes the powerhouse team behind Sabal Strategy — CEO Maribeth Jenkins, strategist Angela Hamilton, and data/CRM expert Natalie Groeger — to uncover how data-driven strategy is reshaping senior living marketing. Together, they break down real-world case studies, including how a small memory care community turned zero direct mail responses into 70+ RSVPs and sales-qualified leads using highly targeted data, omnichannel marketing, and a smarter approach to audience modeling. From CRM clean-up and AI integration to exact-match digital audiences and personalized event marketing, this episode dives deep into what it takes to create campaigns that actually work. If you work in senior living marketing, sales, or strategy, this episode is a must-watch for learning how to maximize results with a modest budget and a modern approach. To learn more, visit Drake Strategic at https://www.drakestrategic.com/ or Sabal Strategy at https://sabalstrategy.com/  Full YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/gJ6XjPT_JV0 

In Episode 27 of The Drake Insights Podcast, host Natasha Drake shares her guest appearance on Matt Reiners’ Connecting the Dots podcast — a powerful conversation on what senior living operators should truly expect from their marketing partners. With decades of experience across operations, community sales, and agency work, Natasha shares her 7 must-haves for a marketing partnership that drives real results — not just leads. From honest data conversations and budget transparency to building strategic marketing plans and leveraging AI tools, she covers it all. Perfect for anyone in senior living marketing, operations, or business development, this episode offers practical advice you can apply today. To learn more, visit Drake Strategic at https://www.drakestrategic.com/  Full YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/KjoyKRn4yss 

In Episode 26 of The Drake Insights Podcast, host Natasha Drake sits down with Kiera DesChamps—sales strategist, entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and newly published author of "After the Tour: Guiding Prospects from Interest to Action". Kiera shares her journey from higher education and non-profit leadership into senior living consulting, where she helps accelerate the sales cycle by bridging the gap between prospects, families, and sales teams. She explains how her unique approach helps operators and sales professionals listen for key “logistical cues,” build authentic partnerships, and provide real solutions that move prospects from interest to action. This conversation is full of practical strategies for sales leaders, senior living operators, and entrepreneurs looking to grow with authenticity and impact. Get your copy of Kiera’s book - After the Tour – KD Consulting Group, LLC To learn more, visit Drake Strategic at https://www.drakestrategic.com/ or KD Consulting Group at https://kdconsults.com/  Full YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/jgk1zxuW0Vk 

In Episode 25 of The Drake Insights Podcast, host Natasha Drake sits down with Matt Reiners, Chief Growth Officer at Parasol Alliance and host of the Connecting the Dots podcast, to explore how AI is transforming both professional workflows and daily life. Matt shares his decade-long background in senior living, how he discovered the power of AI tools like ChatGPT, and why he believes automation should “eliminate the mundane to elevate the meaningful.” Matt also looks ahead to the rise of AI agents that proactively research, personalize outreach, and handle tasks in the background — creating more time for the human work that really matters. If you’ve been curious about how to make AI work for you — whether in your job, your home, or both — this episode offers practical tools, mindsets, and real-world examples to get you started. To learn more, visit Drake Strategic at https://www.drakestrategic.com/ or Parasol Alliance at https://www.parasolalliance.com/  Full YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/FBdBdS1NwKs 

In Episode 24 of The Drake Insights Podcast, host Natasha Drake welcomes Morgan Lamphere, founder of Lauren Rose Senior Advisors, for a powerful conversation on navigating today’s uncertainty in senior living sales. With over 20 years of industry experience, Morgan shares the frontline challenges sales teams face—from media-driven fear to financial hesitations—and how to coach through it with empathy, strategy, and real-life tools. They explore how to build trust in a skeptical market, train teams to handle objections with confidence, and leverage financial tools like MyLifeSite to sell the value of Life Plan communities. Plus, Morgan shares her personal story behind founding her company—and how her mom’s journey inspired it all. Whether you’re a sales leader, marketer, or operator in senior living, this episode is packed with practical tips, mindset shifts, and inspiration to help your team connect with today’s (and tomorrow’s) senior living prospects. To learn more, visit Drake Strategic at https://www.drakestrategic.com/ or Lauren Rose Senior Advisors at https://www.lrsainc.com/  Full YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/uWax1Gjmdbk 

In Episode 23 of The Drake Insights Podcast, host Natasha Drake of Drake Strategic is joined by Tripp Higgins, President of MyLifeSite and senior living sales veteran. They dig into how financial data tools like MoneyGauge are transforming senior living sales, not just by improving conversions but by arming sales and marketing teams with powerful data insights. Tripp shares how MoneyGauge is more than a financial calculator — it’s a self-service tool that helps prospects understand affordability while helping communities qualify leads and optimize marketing spend. With real-world examples and best practices, the episode explores how leveraging data can shape smarter pricing, guide marketing strategies, and make life easier for sales teams. Whether you're a sales director, operator, or marketer, this episode offers a fresh take on how to drive occupancy with confidence and clarity. To learn more, visit Drake Strategic at https://www.drakestrategic.com/ or MyLifeSite at https://mylifesite.net/  Full YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/tO4E5p0o_TY 

In Episode 22 of The Drake Insights Podcast, host Natasha Drake sits down with senior living industry veteran, video expert, and senior care advocate Christie Freeze to explore how sales and referral models in senior living need to evolve—and how we can start that change today. Christie shares her journey from frontline sales to founding CARE by Christie, a revolutionary model that helps families navigate aging care through education, empowerment, and relationship-first guidance. Together, Natasha and Christie discuss how current sales structures are outdated, why collaboration with so-called "competitors" is critical, and how leveraging everyday community professionals—from roofers to realtors—can unlock powerful new referral networks. Whether you're a sales leader, operator, marketer, or advocate for aging adults, this episode is packed with insights that challenge the status quo and offer real, replicable solutions. To learn more, visit Drake Strategic at https://www.drakestrategic.com/, CARE by Christie at https://www.carebychristie.com/ or Heart Legacy at https://heartlegacy.com/ 

In Episode 21 of The Drake Insights Podcast, host Natasha Drake and senior living expert Andrew Gall discuss a controversial yet crucial topic: the integration of clinical and care teams into the sales and marketing process in senior living communities. Gall, a customer success manager from PointClickCare with extensive experience in senior living operations, sales, and marketing, emphasizes the growing disconnect between the promises made during the sales process and the actual care delivered to residents. This disconnect often leads to resident dissatisfaction and high turnover rates. The conversation highlights the necessity for a shift towards a proactive care model that involves clinical teams from the outset. This approach not only eases the concerns of potential residents and their families, especially the boomer generation seeking transparency, but also contributes to better resident outcomes and community stability. The discussion centers around "value-based care" and how operationalizing it and adopting technologies can be a solution to key challenges in the industry. They further explores the role of technology in achieving these goals. This episode provides valuable insights for senior living operators, sales and marketing professionals, and anyone interested in the evolving landscape of senior care. To learn more, visit Drake Strategic at https://www.drakestrategic.com/ or PointClickCare at https://pointclickcare.com/ 

The boomer generation is poised to redefine senior living, presenting both a massive challenge and a significant opportunity for the industry. In Episode 20 of The Drake Insights Podcast, host Natasha Drake, along with industry veterans Lauren Messmer and Mike Brindley from Solutions Advisors, explores the critical question: Is senior living truly prepared for this demographic shift? They delve into the widening gap between current offerings and the evolving needs and desires of boomers, discussing the urgent need for innovation and adaptation across all aspects of senior living. From rethinking physical plants and unbundling services to creating communities that foster purpose and engagement, the conversation tackles tough questions about traditional models, financial structures, and sales and marketing strategies. Join Natasha, Lauren, and Mike as they examine the future of senior living and the critical steps providers must take to thrive in the coming boomer wave, including leveraging technology, prioritizing transparency, and creating a culture of purpose to attract and retain this dynamic generation. To learn more, visit Drake Strategic at https://www.drakestrategic.com/ or Solutions Advisors at https://solutions-advisors.com/  This is the Drake Insights Podcast, your weekly dose of cutting-edge senior living marketing insights. Your host, Natasha Drake from Drake Strategic, will bring you bold ideas, proven strategies, and inspiring stories – straight from the experts – to help you dominate in today’s competitive market. Tune in each episode for actionable tips and insider secrets to outsmart the competition and future-proof your success. So tune in and let's conquer the senior living marketing landscape together!  @DrakeStrategic  https://www.drakestrategic.com/ 

In Episode 19 of The Drake Insights Podcast, host Natasha Drake of Drake Strategic sits down with Andrew Miller, co-founder of Workshop Digital, to unravel the latest digital trends reshaping the senior living marketing landscape. Tune in as we explore how artificial intelligence (AI), personalization and voice search are transforming SEO, paid search, and content marketing strategies. Join Natasha and Andrew as they delve into these critical trends and provide actionable insights to help senior living communities thrive in the evolving digital world. To learn more, visit Drake Strategic at https://www.drakestrategic.com/ or Workshop Digital at https://www.workshopdigital.com/ This is the Drake Insights Podcast, your weekly dose of cutting-edge senior living marketing insights. Your host, Natasha Drake from Drake Strategic, will bring you bold ideas, proven strategies, and inspiring stories – straight from the experts – to help you dominate in today’s competitive market. Tune in each episode for actionable tips and insider secrets to outsmart the competition and future-proof your success. So tune in and let's conquer the senior living marketing landscape together!  @DrakeStrategic  https://www.drakestrategic.com/ 

In Episode 18 of The Drake Insights Podcast, host Natasha Drake delves into the evolving landscape of senior living sales, exploring the challenges and opportunities that sales teams face in today's dynamic market. Guest speaker Kelly Singleton Myers of KJB Sales Consulting, a seasoned sales expert and author of "The More You Know, The More You Close: The Power of Curiosity-Driven Sales," offers valuable insights on navigating the changing dynamics of customer interactions, the impact of technology, and the importance of adapting sales strategies to meet the needs of today's discerning prospects. This insightful conversation provides valuable guidance for senior living sales professionals and leaders on how to navigate the complexities of the modern sales landscape, adapt to changing customer expectations, and ultimately achieve greater success in today's competitive market. To learn more, visit Drake Strategic at https://www.drakestrategic.com/ or KJB Sales Consulting at https://kjbsalesconsulting.com/  This is the Drake Insights Podcast, your weekly dose of cutting-edge senior living marketing insights. Your host, Natasha Drake from Drake Strategic, will bring you bold ideas, proven strategies, and inspiring stories – straight from the experts – to help you dominate in today’s competitive market. Tune in each episode for actionable tips and insider secrets to outsmart the competition and future-proof your success. So tune in and let's conquer the senior living marketing landscape together!  @DrakeStrategic  https://www.drakestrategic.com/ 

In Episode 17 of The Drake Insights Podcast, host Natasha Drake explores the power of professionally designed model apartments in senior living communities. Guests Sasha Davis from Model55 and Brigitte Specht from KJB Consulting discuss how professional model design can enhance the sales process, improve conversion rates, and justify higher pricing. By investing in high-quality models, communities can elevate their brand, attract prospective residents, and ultimately drive business success. To learn more, visit Drake Strategic at https://www.drakestrategic.com/ or Model55 at https://model55.com/ This is the Drake Insights Podcast, your weekly dose of cutting-edge senior living marketing insights. Your host, Natasha Drake from Drake Strategic, will bring you bold ideas, proven strategies, and inspiring stories – straight from the experts – to help you dominate in today’s competitive market. Tune in each episode for actionable tips and insider secrets to outsmart the competition and future-proof your success. So tune in and let's conquer the senior living marketing landscape together!  @DrakeStrategic  https://www.drakestrategic.com/ 

In Episode 16 of The Drake Insights Podcast, host Natasha Drake shares a comprehensive case study of revitalizing a senior living community's marketing strategy during the fourth quarter without increasing the budget. The episode emphasizes that small, strategic adjustments can significantly improve marketing results without major budget increases, especially in the fourth quarter. This case study demonstrates the power of data-driven decision-making and strategic marketing planning. To learn more, visit Drake Strategic at https://www.drakestrategic.com/  This is the Drake Insights Podcast, your weekly dose of cutting-edge senior living marketing insights. Your host, Natasha Drake from Drake Strategic, will bring you bold ideas, proven strategies, and inspiring stories – straight from the experts – to help you dominate in today’s competitive market. Tune in each episode for actionable tips and insider secrets to outsmart the competition and future-proof your success. So tune in and let's conquer the senior living marketing landscape together!  @DrakeStrategic  https://www.drakestrategic.com/ 

Episode 15 of The Drake Insights Podcast focuses on the future of senior living, with host Natasha Drake interviewing various attendees from the LeadingAge Annual Conference 2024 in Nashville. The guests share their top 3 words and insights on what they see as the future for the senior living industry. The podcast highlights the excitement and uncertainty around the future of senior living, with industry leaders grappling with the best ways to evolve and improve the senior living experience. To learn more, visit Drake Strategic at https://www.drakestrategic.com/  This is the Drake Insights Podcast, your weekly dose of cutting-edge senior living marketing insights. Your host, Natasha Drake from Drake Strategic, will bring you bold ideas, proven strategies, and inspiring stories – straight from the experts – to help you dominate in today’s competitive market. Tune in each episode for actionable tips and insider secrets to outsmart the competition and future-proof your success. So tune in and let's conquer the senior living marketing landscape together!  @DrakeStrategic  https://www.drakestrategic.com/ 

Episode 14 of The Drake Insights Podcast dives into the importance of data-driven marketing strategies for senior living communities. Statistician and data science expert, Allison Olson, emphasizes that by leveraging existing data and moving beyond generalized personas, communities can hyper-target their ideal audience and improve their marketing ROI. By implementing these strategies, enhance your lead generation, increase conversion rates, and achieve your marketing goals.

Episode 13 of The Drake Insights Podcast dives into the implications of the Google Leak and the ongoing DOJ case to uncover the truths of what this means for you and SEO best practices. Expert guest Shannon Schmidt, digital strategy lead at Epic Notion, discusses key takeaways from the leaked information and offers actionable advice for SEO strategies and optimizing websites.

Episode 12 of The Drake Insights Podcast emphasizes that August marks a critical time for senior living communities to focus on goal setting and budget planning for the upcoming year. She outlines essential steps for creating a comprehensive budget, including setting realistic goals, optimizing marketing efforts, and investing in digital and conversion initiatives. She urges take proactive steps now.

On Episode 11 of The Drake Insights Podcast, we are joined by senior living digital expert Matt Mesenger. Listen as he reveals powerful strategies to maximize your return on ad spend. Learn how to target the right audience, structure your campaigns for optimal results, and leverage valuable CRM data to deliver a seamless experience for potential residents. By implementing these strategic tips, you can attract more qualified leads and get the most out of your senior living marketing dollars. To learn more, visit Drake Strategic at https://www.drakestrategic.com/ Full YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/GxHhDUmppY0 

On Episode 10 of The Drake Insights Podcast, we are joined by Mary Greer of Engrain. Listen to learn more about how the power of interactive sales tools, like those offered by Engrain, can increase website engagement, qualified leads and ultimately increased conversions and deposits. In todays digital world, it is imperative we are bringing these tools to the forefront of our sales offices and websites to empower prospects while also providing key planning insights for the sales team. 

Episode 9 of The Drake Insights Podcast dives into senior living community website reviews. Host Natasha Drake emphasizes the importance of a website as a crucial first impression. Learn the top 5 tips on how to do a review of your community's website to ensure you are attracting and converting qualified leads into prospects and residents. She then breaks down each tip into specific strategies, ideas and interactive tools you can use. 

On Episode 8 of The Drake Insights Podcast, we are joined by Angela Green Urbaczewski, founder of RevOppAI. Listen to learn more about how to use the power of AI to transform data into business growth and ROI, make strategic decisions and help improve the prospect and customer journey. She urges listeners to not underestimate the power of AI tools to be used not only to improve customer experience, but for ongoing development and training of team members. 

On Episode 7, we are joined by Sarah Eggers, Senior Living SEO Specialist. Listen to learn more about her top senior living SEO strategies for you to take charge of your organic rankings to increase your overall website conversions.  This is the Drake Insights Podcast, your weekly dose of cutting-edge senior living marketing insights. Your host, Natasha Drake from Drake Strategic, will bring you bold ideas, proven strategies, and inspiring stories – straight from the experts.

Join your host, Natasha Drake, from Drake Strategic for her Three Tips in 3 Minutes for April. On Episode 6, learn the top three tactics and strategies you must be doing in your marketing plan to help increase your results. This is the Drake Insights Podcast, your weekly dose of cutting-edge senior living marketing insights. Your host, Natasha Drake from Drake Strategic, will bring you bold ideas, proven strategies, and inspiring stories – straight from the experts.

On today's Episode 5, learn more about strategic marketing event planning for senior living, understanding the four different types of events and how and when to do them effectively tying them to your strengths and differentiators.  This is the Drake Insights Podcast, your weekly dose of cutting-edge senior living marketing insights. Your host, Natasha Drake from Drake Strategic, will bring you bold ideas, proven strategies, and inspiring stories – straight from the experts.

On Episode 4 we are joined by Maribeth Jenkins from the The Sabal Group. Listen to learn more about the latest strategies and techniques to better target and segment your audience list for both direct and digital marketing. This is the Drake Insights Podcast, your weekly dose of cutting-edge senior living marketing insights. Your host, Natasha Drake from Drake Strategic, will bring you bold ideas, proven strategies, and inspiring stories – straight from the experts.

On Episode 3, learn best practices on how to identify your true strengths and differentiators through a SOAR analysis process and how then to use them to set yourself apart from the competition. This is the Drake Insights Podcast, your weekly dose of cutting-edge senior living marketing insights. Your host, Natasha Drake from Drake Strategic, will bring you bold ideas, proven strategies, and inspiring stories – straight from the experts.

Join your host, Natasha Drake, from Drake Strategic for her Three Tips in 3 Minutes for February. On today's episode, learn best practices on her top 3 tips at the end of January and how to ensure and plan for a successful first quarter. This is the Drake Insights Podcast, your weekly dose of cutting-edge senior living marketing insights. Your host, Natasha Drake from Drake Strategic, will bring you bold ideas, proven strategies, and inspiring stories – straight from the experts.

Join your host, Natasha Drake, from Drake Strategic for her first video podcast episode with an introduction to the Drake Insights podcast. Learn more about Natasha, her company Drake Strategic and her new podcast Drake Insights. This is the Drake Insights Podcast, your weekly dose of cutting-edge senior living marketing insights. Your host, Natasha Drake from Drake Strategic, will bring you bold ideas, proven strategies, and inspiring stories, straight from the experts.