Remembering Together

In Episode 15 of Remembering Together, we sit down with Chris Gerardi, a man who once dedicated his life to helping seniors age with dignity, many of whom were living with dementia. As the former owner of Home Helpers, Chris spent years supporting families through one of life’s most difficult journeys. Now, Chris is facing a diagnosis he knows all too well: very early stage Alzheimer’s disease. But this is not a story of defeat. It’s a story of perspective, resilience, and an unrelenting fight to change the trajectory of what this diagnosis means, not just for himself, but for his family and for others walking a similar path. Chris shares what it’s like to go from caregiver to patient, how his past experience shapes his mindset today, and the intentional ways he’s choosing to survive, and thrive through it all. This episode is raw, inspiring, and a powerful reminder that even in the face of Alzheimer’s, there is still purpose, strength, and life to be lived.

In this episode of Remembering Together, we sit down with Brandon Ayers of Legacy & Life Law to explore two critical topics that often feel overwhelming for families: Medicare and asset protection.As we walk alongside loved ones facing Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, planning ahead becomes more than just a financial decision, it becomes an act of care. Brandon shares his expertise in a way that is practical, and deeply relevant, helping listeners better understand how Medicare works, what it does (and doesn’t) cover, and why asset protection planning is so important.Whether you’re currently navigating care decisions or simply want to be prepared for the future, this episode offers valuable insights to help you protect what matters most.

On Episode 13- Matt Harrold talks with our 2 guests, Marla Goldberg and Cathy Samatas from CJE SeniorLife about what their company does to support everything Alzheimer's and Dementia. Listen to learn more about their amazing training program called Dementia Reality that uses VR Training modules to educate and make caretakers do their job better.

Episode 12 is a milestone for Remembering Together.In this special episode, we’re honored to welcome Delia Jervier, Region Vice President & Executive Director, and Kate Shea, Vice President of Development with the Alzheimer's Association – Illinois Chapter.Together, they offer a timely and compelling look at the current state of Alzheimer’s research, care, and support, and why this moment in the fight against the disease matters more than ever. They also share their deeply personal connections to Alzheimer’s, and how those experiences fuel the passion, purpose, and impact behind their work.As we mark our 12th episode, this conversation serves as both a reflection on how far we’ve come, and a powerful call to stay engaged, informed, and united in the mission to end Alzheimer’s.This is an episode you won’t want to miss.

On this episode, Mary Fedorowski with AVOA Health talk about her years of experience in the healthcare industry. She shares her insights on why early intervention is so important when it comes to caring for your loved ones, especially those aging loved ones.

In Episode 10 of Remembering Together, we welcome Jennifer Lazansky, who brings 17 years of experience in the memory care field. Jennifer shares valuable insights on how families and loved ones can navigate the challenges of Alzheimer's and othr forms of dementia. From understanding the emotional journey to practical strategies for support, this episode offers guidance and hope for anyone touched by memory loss.

In this episode of Remembering Together, we sit down with three of LMJ’s Lost Souls’ longtime supporters and dedicated Team Advocates, Betsy Skibinski, Susan Brushaber, and Cathie Cook. Each of these incredible women shares not only their history with the organization but also their deeply personal connections to the cause.Their stories highlight why they’ve chosen to stand beside LMJ’s Lost Souls in the fight against Alzheimer’s, how the mission resonates with their own experiences, and what fuels their ongoing commitment to raising awareness, support, and hope.Join us for a heartfelt conversation that reminds us why we remember together, because every story matters, every memory counts, and no one should face Alzheimer’s alone.

On today's podcast we have Angelique Kalnes, Founder of Lucid Laces joining us to discuss her personal experience caring for her mother who is currently battling Alzheimer's. In this real account of what family members go through, we hear how it has affected Angelique. She will also be sharing information about her business and how it will be supporting LMJ's Lost Souls in the future.

We’re honored to welcome renowned neurologist Dr. Darren R. Gitelman to this episode of Remembering Together, a podcast by LMJ’s Lost Souls – Alzheimer’s Fund.Dr. Gitelman brings decades of expertise in Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, and in this powerful conversation, he shares insights on early detection, breakthroughs in research, and what gives him hope for the future of brain health.Whether you’re a caregiver, advocate, or simply want to learn more, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

On this episode, Andrea Hernandez with Assisting Hands Schaumburg/Park Ridge talked about the importance of 1 on 1 care for memory care patients along the importance in fitness for mental health.  With more than 7 years in the field, Andrea offers a wealth of knowledge and experience in working with memory care patients.

Matt Harrold is joined by Eric Sirota, a New Jersey based Composer, writer Scientist with a personal connection to Alzheimer's Disease. Eric is a research scientist by day and a musical writer by night. Eric has a very personal experience with Alzheimer’s.  He used this experience to write a musical centered around Alzheimer’s. Listen to learn more about his transformation.

In Episode 4 of Remembering Together, Matt was joined by Dr. Stephanie Grunewald who is a psychologist and founder of Ancorio. Stephanie shared her personal experience of her mother passing away from early onset Alzheimer’s. Stephanie also talked about how her mother’s experience transformed her life to start a second business in her mom’s memory where she donates a portion of sales to LMJ’s Lost Souls. Bring a tissue or two to hear about Stephanie’s story and her plans for the future and supporting this disease.

In this episode of Remembering Together, Matt Harrold was joined by Caroline Hecht- partner at Buckley Fine, LLC and Mike May- certified financial planner at OSAIC Financial to discuss the importance of planning for your future.  Caroline and Mike both have personal experiences with Alzheimer’s and dementia through their families.  Both are true experts in their fields and LMJ’s appreciates them sharing their knowledge with our audience on how to properly plan, and what to think about with aging family members.

In episode #2 of Remembering Together, we're joined by Michael Larson, VP and GM of the Schaumburg Boomers Baseball team. Michael shares insights into his career journey and how it has inspired his deep commitment to philanthropy. He opens up about his personal and professional "why" behind his dedication to charitable work and the impact it brings.

Learn more about the who and why behind LMJ’s Lost Souls. We have a mission to be a part of finding an END to ALZHEIMER’S. Learn more about the 3 board members and some of the great local programs we have put in place so far for this non profit.