Tell Our Stories Podcast

Zachary Shamberg is the Chief of Government Affairs at Saber Healthcare Group.In his role, Zachary leads advocacy strategy and government relations efforts focused on long‑term and post‑acute care, working with policymakers, provider leaders, and industry partners to navigate complex regulatory environments and advance policies that support quality care for seniors.Zachary brings more than a decade of healthcare association leadership experience to his work, most recently serving as President & CEO of the Pennsylvania Health Care Association, where he represented long‑term care providers statewide and led legislative, regulatory, and grassroots advocacy initiatives. His background spans grassroots organizing, lobbying, coalition‑building, and crisis communications, shaped by early roles in political campaigns, legislative offices, and corporate communications in the healthcare sector.We were glad to have him on the Tell Our Stories Podcast to talk about healthcare advocacy, the evolving policy landscape impacting senior care, and the critical role government affairs plays in supporting providers, caregivers, and the people they serve.Visit TellOurStories.com to learn more, and share your story about how senior care impacts you and your loved ones.

WesleyLife Meals On Wheels ⁠ Allison Pendroy is the Chief Operating Officer of WesleyLife, a nationally-recognized expert in aging-services operations.  Pendroy joined WesleyLife in July 2023 as chief operating officer and has played a key role in strengthening operations, supporting communities and services, and advancing organizational priorities across the nonprofit network.  Pendroy is recognized nationally for her leadership in aging services. She served on the NIC Future Leaders Council (2015–2018), contributing to national discussions on industry trends, data transparency, and innovation. She has served as a national conference panelist at events including the Ziegler Finance Conference, Interface Seniors Housing Midwest, HealthTAC, Senior Living Advocacy, and various NIC Bootcamps, and is a graduate of the Drake Executive Leadership Development Program.  Since this episode was recorded, WesleyLife announced that Allison was unanimously slected as the organization's next president and chief executive officer, effective June 1, 2026. We are so thrilled for her and can't wait to see all she will achieve in her new role. ⁠(More on that here). ⁠And—fun fact—Allison is a Mayflower Society descendant, which means she’s been “steering ships” since 1620. With a career that has spanned finance, real estate and operations of senior living, she’s known for turning strategy into action with precision, purpose and heart.   Joining me and Allison on stage is Andy Brown, National Accounts, DS (Andy Brown is a Strategic Account Manager and a National Account Representative at Direct Supply. Andy has legally married three couples within the state of Iowa, as he is an ordained minister from the very prestigious organization "getordained.org". Having a proven eye for great partnerships, bringing people together and strategic thinking, he has also been marrying large customers to the right Direct Supply solutions for over 13 years).Visit ⁠TellOurStories.com⁠ to learn more, and share your story about how senior care impacts you and your loved ones. 

Liz Jensen, PhD, MSN, RN-BC is the Clinical Director at Direct Supply Innovation & Technology Center @MSOE. In her practice she collaborates with leaders in tech, business, academia, and senior care providers on the use of technology to improve caregiving in senior care settings. She developed the SPARK Clinical Collective, bringing clinicians, technology developers, engineers, and product designers together to build, test and pilot innovative solutions that impact the lives of aging people and those caring for them. Dr. Jensen draws from her prior experience as a senior care nurse executive, educator, and direct care nurse to inform her education and advocacy efforts with policy makers, researchers, and investors in senior care. She holds a BSN from Creighton University, MSN from Cardinal Stritch University and PhD in Leadership for the Advancement of Learning & Service from Cardinal Stritch University researching future technology development and investment priorities of nursing executives in long term care.We were glad to have her at the Direct Supply Innovation and Technology Center to talk senior care, innovation, and learn more about the SPARK collective key takeaways. Visit TellOurStories.com to learn more, and share your story about how senior care impacts you and your loved ones.

Congressman Tony Wied represents Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District covering Green Bay, Appleton, up into Door County and more. First elected to Congress in 2024, we were glad to have him stop by the Direct Supply Innovation and Technology Center to talk senior care, innovation, and workforce. Visit Tell Our Stories.com to learn more, and share your story about how senior care impacts you and your loved ones.

On today's episode, hear from conference attendees at the Ohio Health Care Association Conference! Listen in as they describe their own experiences in senior care, as well as what misconceptions they want to see changed.

Join us for a conversation with Stephen Davies, the author of "Granny's Got a Fart Gun: Hilarious and Heartwarming Tales from the Nursing Home" . This book details some of the more memorable interactions and occurrences from his decades of experience in and around nursing homes. Hear about his writing process, the idea for the book, and what messages he hopes it sends.

Welcome to Season 2! On today's episode, we heard from staff and participants at OneGeneration about their intergenerational care program! Offering seniors and kids from 6 weeks to 6 years old a chance to interact with a wide variety of activities, OneGeneration has been leading the way in the intergenerational care space.

Hear from the two minds behind the new docuseries, People Worth Caring About! This series followed host and producer Peter Murphy Lewis as he traveled across Nebraska, working with staff and volunteers at all levels of senior care. Hear how the project got started, some behind-the-scenes stories, and the lasting impact it's leaving on all viewers!

Hear from volunteers, seniors, and the founder of Community Projects for Seniors, a group dedicated to helping low-income seniors fight loneliness and isolation. Hear about their holiday meal delivery programs, where they deliver hot meals to over seven thousand seniors on Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter!

Hear from organizers and participants in the yearly Otterbein Olympics! Listen in as we were joined by medal-winners John, Jane and Dave, and had the chance to learn all about their experiences and the various competitions the Olympics have to offer!

Hear from Frank Bright, the founder of Lifetime Running, a group of runners over 75 who are still running marathons across the country!

Hear from the President of Don't Stop Dreamin', as well as lucky dream recipient Kevin as they detail the car show that went through the parking lot of Kevin's nursing home!

When IndyCar held their Milwaukee Mile race two weeks ago, one lucky winner would be given the chance to do a few laps in the pace car. John Stockbridge, a resident at Luther Manor Independent Living in Wauwatosa, WI was that lucky winner, and got to do a few laps around the track hitting speeds over 140mph! Hear from him and his wife, Pam about their experiences from the day.

Join us as we attended the Ageless Aviation event with Dream Flights, a group that takes senior veterans up for a flight in restored 1943 planes! Hear from seniors and their families fresh off of the flight, as well as the founder and pilot for Dream Flights!

Perfect Pair is a non-profit organization that pairs college students with local seniors in an effort to help them both learn more, make new friends, and help with loneliness in senior care. With more than 70 years between their ages, the pair of Bill and Toya share their story of friendship.

Hear from the Trash Queen herself, Joyce Andrews, about her efforts to clean up beaches and roads in her community in Rhode Island!

Listen in as we hear the story of Scout, the rescue dog who escaped the shelter to move into Meadowbrook Care Facility!

Welcome to the Tell Our Stories Podcast! Listen in to hear what to expect as we're able to share more and more stories from all across senior care!