The Navigating Solo™ Podcast
 

The Navigating Solo™ Podcast

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Welcome to The Navigating Solo™ Podcast, a dedicated platform where we explore the unique needs and concerns of solo aging with a focus on empowerment, connection, and proactive planning. As a trusted healthcare advocate and national expert in solo aging, I am thrilled to launch this podcast to provide valuable insights, practical advice, and supportive resources for solo agers navigating the complexities and opportunities of aging independently. The Navigating Solo™ Podcast aims to: - Highlight innovative strategies and best practices for creating a fulfilling and secure future as a solo ager. - Equip solo agers with the knowledge and tools to thrive in their later years. - Foster a supportive community where listeners can share experiences and learn from and with one another. - ​​​Offer ​allied professionals interested in learning more about the unique needs and concerns of solo agers in-depth ​understanding​, ​expert ​perspectives​, ​and practical ​advice​ to help meet the needs of their clients and community members. 30 - 45 minute episodes will be released one the first and third Wednesdays of each month! Join Our Mailing List and more: https://navigatingsolo.com/navsolopodcast

We've Been On An Unexpected Break

March 20, 2025

Dear Listeners,

I wanted to share why there haven't been a number of podcast episodes recently. Unfortunately, I had an unexpected medial event in January and my health and recovery have been my focus as I find a new rhythm. 

I am excited there will be new episodes published soon and I hope they will be worth the wait. 

If you have an questions or comments, email us podcast@navigatingsolo.com.

Your Host, Ailene

 

EPISODES

Episodes

Real Solo Aging Stories: Insights from the Inaugural Navigating Solo™ Table Talk

Tuesday Nov 25, 2025

Tuesday Nov 25, 2025

Special Episode: Real Solo Aging Stories — A Panel Conversation

In this special episode of The Navigating Solo™ Podcast, host Ailene Gerhardt brings together four remarkable solo agers for the inaugural Navigating Solo Table Talk. The panelists shared lived experiences that reveal the challenges, resilience, and creativity involved in aging without "traditional" family support structures. Their stories illuminate both the complexity and the empowerment found in navigating life on one’s own terms.

What We Explore in This Conversation

How each panelist discovered the concept of “solo aging”
From caregiving wake-up calls to reading an article that changed everything, each story reveals a moment when awareness shifted.

Building an empowering narrative
Natalie shares how redefining stigmatizing labels helped her reclaim agency. Stephen talks about proudly self-defining as a “solo ager" and building a life that balances planning with joy.

Finding or creating supportive community
Whether through affinity groups, grief-to-growth programs, gym friendships, online networks, or local Villages, connection plays a crucial role in solo aging.

Taking small but meaningful steps toward planning
Stephen highlights the value of “small steps” and “time affluence” post-retirement. Ailene reflects on how “small” looks different for everyone—and that even placing a pen on a desk is a step forward.

The emotional and logistical challenges of paperwork
Natalie recounts the frustration and grief involved in updating beneficiaries when forms assume a spouse and children. Jody describes the difficulty of selecting a fiduciary and navigating a system with limited oversight.

The unpredictability of aging
Jody reminds us that none of us know how we will age—and that even the best plans need flexibility.

Balancing the serious work with joy and exploration
Travel, creativity, comedy, online discovery—even self-driving cars—are part of how this group approaches life with curiosity and humor.

Notable Quotes From the Episode

💬 “I didn’t win the social norm lottery—but I still have life in me.” — Natalie
💬 “I’m not in a midlife crisis—I’m in a midlife chrysalis.” — Stephen
💬 “People have no idea what they’re going to face until it happens.” — Sandra
💬 “It’s impossible to plan for aging perfectly. It’s all a roll of the dice.” — Jody

Why This Episode Matters

Solo aging is diverse, personal, and deeply human. This candid conversation invites listeners to reflect on their own planning, consider new possibilities for support and connection, and feel less alone in the journey.

Connect with Host Ailene Gerhardt, BCPA, CSA:

View this discussion on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@navigatingsolonetwork/videos

Subscribe and follow us for more insightful episodes, and don’t forget to visit navigatingsolo.com for resources, updates, and more!

© 2025, Beacon Patient Solutions LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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Independent Together: Villages and the New Map for Aging in Community

Wednesday Nov 12, 2025

Wednesday Nov 12, 2025

In this episode of The Navigating Solo™ Podcast, host Ailene Gerhardt sits down with Barbara Hughes Sullivan, Executive Director of the Village to Village Network, to explore how the Village Movement is transforming aging in community. Together, they discuss how villages empower older adults, including solo agers, to remain independent while building strong, trusted networks of support. Barbara shares stories from across the country of neighbors helping neighbors, from volunteers creating men’s social programs to villages organizing emergency responses during natural disasters.

They also unpack why “I’m not ready yet” can delay access to vital community connections, how villages rigorously vet service providers, and why partnerships with local organizations, from assisted livings to contractors, help expand reach and safety.

Barbara offers insight into how new villages form, what’s next for the national movement, and how listeners can get involved or start one in their own area.

Key Takeaways

  • The Village Model connects older adults to community-driven services and social engagement.

  • Villages play a vital role for solo agers, providing both safety nets and belonging.

  • “I’m not ready yet” often shifts quickly, having a Plan B matters.

  • Vetting, peer-to-peer trust, and volunteerism are the backbone of successful villages.

  • New models like hub-and-spoke structures and regional incubators make villages more scalable.

  • The Village to Village Network’s Healthy Aging in Villages research and 2025 national census will map the movement’s next phase.

About Our Guest:
Barbara Sullivan is the Executive Director of the Village to Village Network (VtVN), the national organization supporting more than 300 Villages across the U.S. and internationally. Under her leadership, VtVN fosters innovation, mentorship, and collaboration within the grassroots movement helping older adults age in community with confidence and connection.

Resources & Links

If you are curious about starting or joining a Village, or how community models like these can support your solo aging journey, explore the Village to Village Network map and resources, and visit NavigatingSolo.com for more episodes and guidance on planning for an independent, connected future.

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Connect with The Village to Village Movement:

Connect with Host Ailene Gerhardt, BCPA, CSA:

View this discussion on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@navigatingsolonetwork/videos

Subscribe and follow us for more insightful episodes, and don’t forget to visit navigatingsolo.com for resources, updates, and more!

© 2025, Beacon Patient Solutions LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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When the Advocate Becomes the Patient: A Personal Reflection with Ailene Gerhardt

Wednesday May 21, 2025

Wednesday May 21, 2025

In this deeply personal solo episode of The Navigating Solo™ Podcast, host Ailene Gerhardt, board-certified patient advocate and founder of the Navigating Solo™ Network, shares what it’s been like to shift from supporting others through health challenges to facing a health challenges of her own.

Ailene reflects on the emotional and physical toll of multiple diagnoses, hospitalizations, and ongoing treatments—all while living independently. She speaks candidly about the loss of routine, the disruption to her work, and the vulnerability of stepping into the role of patient after years of advocating for others.

Through sharing her story, Ailene explores:

  • The blurred line between professional advocate and patient

  • How illness can challenge identity and sense of control

  • The critical importance of compassionate, person-centered care

  • What it means to be present for yourself when your life feels upended

  • How asking for help and acknowledging limitations can be acts of strength

This episode is a reminder that behind every diagnosis is a whole person—and that even those who guide others through healthcare systems need support too.

Resources & Links:

Connect with Host Ailene Gerhardt, BCPA, CSA:

View this discussion on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@navigatingsolonetwork/videos

Subscribe and follow us for more insightful episodes, and don’t forget to visit navigatingsolo.com for resources, updates, and more!

© 2025, Beacon Patient Solutions LLC. All Rights Reserved.

If this episode resonates with you, please consider sharing it with someone who may need to hear it. And don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review.

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Living Longer, Planning Smarter with Cathleen Toomey

Wednesday Apr 02, 2025

Wednesday Apr 02, 2025

In this insightful episode of The Navigating Solo™ Podcast, host Ailene Gerhardt sits down with Cathleen Toomey, host of the podcast Seniority Authority to discuss all things aging! They dive into the evolving landscape of solo aging, exploring how living longer presents both unique opportunities and challenges. Cathleen shares insights on the importance of social connection and community involvement as we age, highlighting how volunteering and small acts of kindness can build meaningful relationships and improve well-being.

They also discuss the impact of negative self-talk and the barriers it can create when trying to form new connections, as well as practical ways to overcome these challenges by stepping slightly out of our comfort zones. Additionally, we address common misconceptions about solo aging, especially around living arrangements like continuing care retirement communities, assisted living, and memory care.

Tune in to gain practical tips for embracing longevity with intention and planning, and learn why social connection remains a vital component of healthy solo aging.

Books and Websites Mentioned During This Episode:

Websites:

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Connect with Cathleen Toomey:

  • Website: seniorityauthority.org
  • Email: info@seniorityauthority.org
  • Facebook: SeniorityAuthority
  • LinkedIn: cathleen-toomey-8889531
  • Podcast: seniorityauthority.org

Connect with Host Ailene Gerhardt, BCPA, CSA:

View this discussion on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@navigatingsolonetwork/videos

Subscribe and follow us for more insightful episodes, and don’t forget to visit navigatingsolo.com for resources, updates, and more!

© 2025, Beacon Patient Solutions LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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