The Grey Take

Welcome to The Grey Take, the podcast that tackles the messy, complicated, and often unexpected realities of growing older—from the perspective of the adult children navigating it all. If you're having the talk with your parents about assisted living, managing their finances, or trying to convince them that Wi-Fi isn't a conspiracy, this podcast is for you. We offer real conversations, expert insights, and unfiltered stories about helping your parents through this next stage of life, while still trying to keep your own life together. Because when it comes to aging, there's no single answer, no black and white, only The Grey Take.

The Grey Take is a education podcast hosted by Brookdale, with 30 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Brookdale hosts The Grey Take, a education show with 30 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #30

  Hearing Loss, Frustration & Staying Connected

  Sep 29, 202638 minS2

  Hearing loss, hearing aids and healthy aging: what families should know before communication starts breaking down. Audiologist Gina Angley joins hosts MB and Roy to explain what hearing loss can actually look like, why speech may sound muffled even when volume seems fine and why people often wait years after noticing a problem before getting help. Gina also breaks down tinnitus, over-the-counter hearing aids, cochlear implants and the importance of a properly verified hearing-aid fitting. In this episode: Early signs of hearing loss, from louder TVs to trouble in restaurants Why age-related hearing loss often affects clarity before volume What tinnitus is and why it can be connected to hearing loss Why hearing aid stigma and unrealistic expectations can delay care What to know about over-the-counter hearing aids Why real-ear measurements matter when hearing aids are fitted How hearing loss can affect relationships, withdrawal and social connection The connection between hearing health and cognitive health Earwax, Q-tips and what good hearing care should include How to protect your hearing at concerts, sporting events and around firearms How to approach a loved one about getting their hearing tested If you or someone you love is struggling to hear conversations, asking for more repetitions or pulling away from social situations, this episode offers a practical place to start. THE GREY TAKE LISTENER LINE 833-473-9898 Text or Voice: Leave questions or share a story about aging, caregiving, or family dynamics CHAPTERS (00:00) Hearing loss, frustration and staying connected (00:29) Meet audiologist Gina Angley (00:56) How Gina became an audiologist (02:04) What an audiologist actually does (03:10) Early signs of hearing loss (03:59) Tinnitus and what it can sound like (05:51) Why hearing loss affects clarity before volume (06:42) "Normal aging" vs. hearing loss (07:38) Why people wait years to get help (08:45) Hearing aid stigma and changing technology (10:29) Over-the-counter hearing aids: what to know (12:40) The emotional side of hearing loss (16:38) How hearing loss affects spouses and family (18:29) Withdrawal, embarrassment and social isolation (19:46) Communication tips for families (20:18) Getting used to hearing aids (21:33) Real-ear measurements and a proper fitting (25:09) Hearing loss and cognitive health (28:12) Earwax, Q-tips and ear cleaning (29:46) What good hearing care should include (31:50) Protecting your hearing at concerts and around firearms (33:29) The cost of waiting to address hearing loss (34:47) How to talk to a loved one about getting tested RESOURCES Brookdale Senior Living — https://www.brookdale.com Nashville's Hearing & Communication Center on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nashvillehcc Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) — https://www.hearingloss.org FDA: Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids — https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/hearing-aids/otc-hearing-aids-what-you-should-know

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  Episode #28

  Is Your Aging Parent Ready for an Emergency?

  Sep 1, 202633 minS2

  Severe weather and aging in place: what every family should know before the weather emergency hits. Chief Meteorologist Danielle Breezy of WKRN News 2 in Nashville and Brookdale District Director of Operations Bethany Johnson join hosts Suzie and Roy to talk through what families, caregivers and senior living communities can do before, during and after severe weather. Danielle explains the real difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning and how a trusted weather app can save precious minutes. Bethany shares how Brookdale communities prepare residents for natural disasters year-round, including how her team, based in Florida, evacuated more than 1,200 residents during Hurricanes Helene and Milton. In this episode: The difference between a watch and a warning (and why it matters) What belongs in an emergency go-bag, including medications, pet supplies and a helmet How to start a severe weather conversation with aging parents without overwhelming them How often to practice an emergency plan What Brookdale does behind the scenes to support residents during a severe weather event If you're caring for an aging parent, living in a senior living community or just trying to get your own household ready for the next natrual disaster, this episode is for you. THE GREY TAKE LISTENER LINE Subscribe to The Grey Take and text or call your story to 833-473-9898. CHAPTERS (00:00) Intro & guest introductions (00:25) Danielle's background in weather (01:00) Bethany's role leading senior communities through emergencies (03:04) How Danielle Breezy got her (actual) last name (04:51) The biggest mistake families make before severe weather (04:54) Watch vs. Warning: the difference that matters most (07:34) Why you should download your meteorologist's app (08:19) Bethany's first steps when severe weather is on the way (09:27) Finding a trusted source without getting overwhelmed (11:58) The tornado that changed how Danielle covers storms (15:04) What Brookdale does behind the scenes for residents (17:53) What older adults need beyond the basics, like medication (20:17) What belongs in an emergency prepardness go-bag (22:12) Talking to aging parents about a severe weather plan (23:34) How often families should practice their plan (24:32) Where to shelter without a basement, and why helmets help (27:35) How Brookdale prepares staff to shelter residents in place (29:08) Staying calm and decisive when a warning comes (30:36) When preparedness made the difference: Brookdale's hurricane evacuation (32:15) Three things to do this week to get ready (34:31) Recap: find your source, set alerts, make a plan RESOURCES Brookdale Senior Living — https://www.brookdale.com WKRN News 2 (Nashville) — https://www.wkrn.com Download the FEMA App for alerts — https://www.ready.gov/fema-app Buy a NOAA Weather Radio — https://www.weather.gov/nwr Turn on Wireless Emergency Alerts — https://www.ready.gov/alerts Danielle Breezy on Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/daniellebreezytv Danielle Breezy on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/daniellebreezytv/ Danielle Breezy on TikTok — https://www.tiktok.com/@daniellebreezytv WKRN on YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/@WKRNTV

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  Episode #26

  Why, It's Never Too Late to Learn Something New

  Aug 4, 202646 minS2

  Lifelong learning and aging: why it's never too late to grow, learn or start something new. Bestselling author and speaker David McNally joins hosts MB and Roy to challenge the idea that learning and growth slow down as we age. David enrolled as a freshman at the University of Minnesota at 72 and has written five books, including his latest, 'If You're Alive, Your Mission on Earth Isn't Finished. He speaks around the world about staying vital in the later chapters of life. He also shares his experience as a two-time caregiver and what helped him rebuild after loss. In this episode: Why we assume learning slows with age (and why it doesn't have to). The difference between retiring from a career and retiring from life. What a friend's struggle with "relevance" reveals about purpose. Why the Mayo Clinic points to social connection as a key to longevity. How to trade a "bucket list" for a "one day I'm going to" list. What it's really like to go back to school in your 70s. Whether you're thinking about your own next chapter or supporting an aging parent who feels stuck, this conversation is a hopeful, practical place to start. The Grey Take Listener Line 833-473-9898 — Text or Voice: Leave questions or share a story about aging, caregiving, or family dynamics CHAPTERS (00:00) It's never too late to learn something new (01:19) Meet David McNally (02:30) From "Even Eagles Need a Push" to a new mission (03:00) Does learning really slow down with age? (03:45) Retiring from a career vs. retiring from life (05:10) Mindset: "ancient awful" or "isn't that amazing" (06:56) The dissonance many feel after retirement (07:29) The friend who had everything but lost his relevance (10:00) The questions to ask when you feel stuck (12:08) Why social connection is a key to longevity (14:00) David's journey as a two-time caregiver (15:36) "Don't try to find purpose yet - survive" (18:39) A 40-year morning ritual and the "bully thoughts" (20:45) Trade your bucket list for a "one day I'm going to" list (21:52) Going back to college (25:20) Becoming a freshman and meeting Lauren (28:34) "How do you want to feel?" (32:38) Age is not the enemy, stagnation is (37:14) Peer coaching and why you should reach out (38:33) Don't live by the "shoulds" (41:49) Where to find David McNally (44:03) MB and Roy's takeaways RESOURCES Brookdale Senior Living — https://www.brookdale.com David McNally (speaking, books, new online learning program) — https://www.davidmcnally.com If You're Alive, Your Mission on Earth Isn't Finished by David McNally — https://www.amazon.com/dp/163489717X Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes (OLLI) — noncredit learning for adults 50+ at 120+ universities — https://www.osherfoundation.org Road Scholar — educational travel and learning programs for older adults — https://www.roadscholar.org David McNally on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/mcnallyinspires David McNally on Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/people/David-McNally-The-Inspired-Elder/61576291708939/ David McNally on YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/@TheInspiredElder

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  Episode #25

  Osteoporosis: What Families Should Know

  Jul 21, 202640 minS2

  Bone health, osteoporosis and aging: how to stay strong, steady and independent. Physical therapist Dr. Lisa Moore joins hosts MB and Roy to explain what osteoporosis really means, why bone density matters and how fracture prevention connects to strength, balance, posture, nutrition and confidence. She also shares when to ask about a DEXA scan, why calcium and protein matter and how resistance training and dynamic balance work can help protect mobility as we age. In this episode: What osteoporosis is and why fractures are the real concern When to think about bone density testing How calcium, vitamin D, protein and lifestyle affect bone health Why strength training, balance training, posture and impact exercise matter How to support a loved one without nagging them Why staying mobile helps keep your world from getting smaller CHAPTERS (00:00) Why bone health matters as we age (00:37) Meet Dr. Lisa Moore (02:01) When to get a bone density test (02:58) What osteoporosis actually means (04:49) Why fractures are the real concern (06:04) How a diagnosis can create fear (07:19) Moving through the fear bridge (09:21) Nutrition and lifestyle for stronger bones (12:04) Why protein matters for aging (15:34) The Brickhouse Bones approach (18:34) Why getting off the floor matters (19:26) When to work with a specialist (21:27) Managing osteoporosis day to day (25:25) Supporting a loved one without nagging (30:53) Bone health exercises that help The Grey Take Listener Line 833-473-9898 — Text or Voice: Leave questions or share a story about aging, caregiving or family dynamics RESOURCES Brookdale Senior Living Dr. Lisa Moore

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  Episode #24

  Mom, Dad, We're Taking Your Keys (and Other Hard Conversations)

  Jul 7, 202642 minS2

  Caregiving and aging parents: how to know when it's time to step in. When an aging parent begins needing help with driving, living alone, home safety or daily decisions, families often face one of the hardest parts of caregiving: knowing when to step in without taking away dignity or independence. In this episode of The Grey Take, hosts MB and Suzie talk with Donna Cella and Jodi Jackson, registered nurses and case managers with ElderCare, about how families can navigate aging, healthcare decisions, care management, caregiver stress, driving safety and the emotional weight adult children carry when roles begin to change. Donna and Jodi explain why caregiving rarely begins with a clear plan. Often, families are thrown into it after a fall, diagnosis, hospitalization, chronic illness or a moment when everyone realizes something has shifted. They also explain the role of care managers and how a neutral advocate can help families make safer, clearer and less reactive decisions. In this episode: How to know when an aging loved one may need more support Why conversations about driving, safety and independence are so emotional How to start hard caregiving conversations before a crisis Why care managers can help reduce family tension Practical resources for driving evaluations, home safety, fall detection and aging at home Why caregivers need more support at work and in their own lives If you are caring for an aging parent, supporting a loved one living with dementia or Alzheimer's, navigating senior living decisions or trying to preserve independence while keeping someone safe, this episode is for you. Subscribe to The Grey Take for more honest conversations about aging, caregiving, senior living, family dynamics and the decisions that shape later life. CHAPTERS 0:31 — Meet Donna Cella and Jodi Jackson 0:56 — From ICU Nurse to Care Advocate 2:35 — Jodi's Path Into Care Management 5:15 — Helping Families Navigate Aging and Healthcare 7:42 — Caring for the Caregiver 10:34 — The Hidden Workplace Cost of Caregiving 13:10 — Talking About the Car Keys Before Crisis 15:06 — Protecting Independence Without Ignoring Risk 18:38 — Bringing in Doctors and Neutral Experts 20:15 — Home Safety, Monitoring and Compromise 23:08 — Fall Detection and Caregiver Peace of Mind 26:34 — Planning Before the Crisis 28:42 — The Question Every Family Should Ask 33:06 — Mediating Difficult Family Decisions 39:03 — Finding Care Management Support Near You The Grey Take Listener Line 833-473-9898 Text or Voice: Leave questions or share a story about aging, caregiving, or family dynamics RESOURCES Brookdale Senior Living Care Managers / Aging Life Care Professionals Find an Aging Life Care Professional Vanderbilt Driver Rehabilitation Program Vanderbilt Pi Beta Phi Rehabilitation Center CCRC / Continuing Care Retirement Community ElderCare on Instagram ElderCare on Facebook ElderCare on LinkedIn

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