The 3rd Phase

How can the right furniture help you live comfortably, safely and stylishly at home for years to come? Host Lori Carpenter sits down with Cass Key, Creative Director at Taylor King, to explore furniture for aging in place and the principles of a thoughtfully designed longevity home. They discuss choosing quality, appropriately scaled upholstery; selecting supportive seat heights, arms and cushions; using versatile furniture when downsizing; and balancing timeless neutrals with soft, durable performance fabrics. Cass also shares Taylor King innovations including customizable seating, modern recliners, lifetime-warrantied seat cushions and RestorCore technology. Plus practical advice for designers and homeowners...

What does it take to sell a home filled with 42 years of memories, close a beloved business, and begin a new life in Italy? On this episode of The 3rd Phase, host Lori Carpenter talks with Deborah Main about downsizing after 60, navigating Italy’s elective residency visa process, choosing a welcoming community near Bari, and letting go of possessions and an old identity to make room for a vibrant new chapter. Deborah shares candid lessons about selling a longtime home, preparing complicated paperwork, finding the right support, and embracing retirement abroad—offering practical insight and inspiration for anyone dreaming of m...

What is full-time RV living really like after 60? Host Lori Carpenter welcomes back designer and smartphone photography expert Linda Holt, who shares how selling her Boston home and downsizing to a 250-square-foot, off-grid RV transformed her retirement, routines and sense of identity. Linda offers an honest look at the freedom and challenges of RV life. From limited space, solar power and everyday inconveniences to fuel, maintenance and campground costs all while explaining why mindset, patience and a clear sense of purpose are essential. Whether you’re considering RV retirement, simplifying your life or pursuing a bold new adventure, this co...

In this episode of The 3rd Phase, host Lori Carpenter sits down with renowned couture window treatment expert, educator and travel curator Deb Barrett to explore how to intentionally design a vibrant life after 60. Deb shares how leaving the corporate world for entrepreneurship created greater freedom, why choosing a niche helped shape her success and how learning to say no opened the door to more meaningful opportunities. They discuss redefining success beyond recognition and constant work, navigating retirement, finding inspiration through travel and professional community, and creating lasting memories with children and grandchildren. Whether you are considering a career...

When interior designer Michelle Blemel, founder of Amber Leaf Incorporated, realized her parents could no longer safely navigate the stairs of the two-story home they'd loved for 52 years, she faced one of the toughest projects of her 25-year career, this time as a daughter, not just a professional. In this heartfelt episode of The 3rd Phase with host Lori Carpenter, Michelle shares the emotional and practical journey of moving her active, independent parents to a safe, comfortable main-floor living space while honoring their dignity and autonomy. From designing around her mother's macular degeneration and glare-reducing lighting to curbless showers...

In this episode of The 3rd Phase, host Lori Carpenter sits down with licensed aesthetician and professional skin therapist Susan Sorensen of About Face Skin Therapy to demystify skincare for women over 60. Susan explains why it's never too late to start caring for your skin and breaks down what really happens to mature, menopausal skin — from transepidermal water loss and declining collagen and elastin to the important difference between dryness and dehydration. She shares practical, expert-backed advice on staying hydrated, the ingredients that actually work (ultra-stable vitamin C, niacinamide, retinol and the gentle plant-based alternative bakuchiol), and the treatments wo...

In this episode of The 3rd Phase, host Lori Carpenter sits down with dementia expert and occupational therapy assistant Cody Normoyle to unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in caregiving: the difference between Alzheimer's and dementia. Drawing on more than a decade of clinical experience and her own journey caring for her mother, Cody explains the most common early warning signs of cognitive decline, the everyday habits that support brain health, and what testing and treatment options are actually available today. Most importantly, she shares practical, real-life strategies caregivers can use right now; regulating yourself first, validating before...

What if the most powerful decision you can make for your health, happiness, and financial wellbeing isn't what you eat or how much you exercise it's where you live? In this episode of The 3rd Phase, host Lori Carpenter sits down with Ryan Frederick, CEO and founder of HERE and author of Right Place, Right Time, to explore the concept of Place Planning, a research-backed framework that helps people in the second half of life evaluate how their home and community support four key areas: environment, health, community, and finances. Ryan shares why only 20% of our longevity is determined...

Over 60 million Americans are unpaid caregivers, spending an average of 15+ hours a week supporting aging parents, spouses with illness, or children with special needs — yet the system offers little support and home care agencies charge up to $82,000 a year. In this eye-opening episode, Lori sits down with Neal Shah, CEO of CareYaya, a social-impact healthcare tech startup connecting families directly with vetted, university-enrolled student caregivers at roughly half the cost of traditional agencies. Neal shares his deeply personal journey from hedge fund partner to full-time caregiver for his grandfather with Alzheimer's and his wife through a multi-year cancer battle, an...

In this episode of The 3rd Phase, host Lori Carpenter sits down with Emily Steedman — occupational therapist, entrepreneur, and founder of 10ElevenLife and Longevity Land — to explore what it really takes to live a longer, healthier, and more vibrant life after 60. Emily breaks down the exciting age tech innovations on the horizon from AI-powered brain training and smart home sensors to companion robots and shares the three most impactful lifestyle changes you can make right now, and reveals why grip strength is a powerful predictor of longevity. Whether you're looking to prevent falls, boost brain health through neuroplasticity, or simp...

In this episode of The 3rd Phase, host Lori Carpenter sits down with Danielle Roberts, CEO of Boomer Benefits and bestselling author of 10 Costly Medicare Mistakes You Cannot Afford to Make, to break down the confusing world of Medicare. Danielle explains the differences between Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D, what Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plans are, and why missing your enrollment window can result in costly penalties you'll pay for the rest of your life. Whether you're approaching 65 or helping a loved one navigate their options, this episode is packed with actionable advice on when to start researching...

If you’re in your third phase (60+) and you’ve ever wondered which supplements are actually worth taking—and when to take them—this episode is for you. Lori Carpenter welcomes wellness expert Jana Donohoe back to the show for an actionable conversation on healthy aging, strength training, and recovery, with a focus on the basics that move the needle: protein intake, hydration, sleep, and consistency. Jana breaks down why creatine isn’t just for muscles (and how it may support brain health), how to use collagen and protein powder more effectively, and what “third-party tested” really means when you’re trying...

In this episode of The 3rd Phase Podcast, Lori Carpenter welcomes back Megan Mazzocco, author of The Sleep System, for a deeper dive into nervous system regulation and why it matters even more after 60. Megan breaks down what it means to move out of fight-or-flight and into a calm “social engagement” state, explains how true rest supports brain health, and shares practical tools you can start tonight—like dimming lights at sunset, avoiding screens before bed, using resonance breathing, gentle shaking to reset your system, and a simple “three good things” gratitude practice that can improve sleep. You’ll also hear ho...

Sleep can feel harder after 60, but that does not mean you need less of it. In this episode of The 3rd Phase Podcast, Lori Carpenter talks with sleep expert and author Megan Mazzocco about why sleep changes with age, including deep sleep decline and the “phase advance” shift that can make you sleepy earlier and wake earlier. Megan breaks down how chronotype affects sleep, why movement helps dissipate stress, and how the brain’s glymphatic system supports cognitive health during deep sleep. You will also hear practical, evidence-based tools like sleep banking, short strategic naps, and sensory cues to help r...

Home care can be shockingly expensive, and many families are caught off guard by what Medicare and Medicaid will and will not cover. In this episode of The 3rd Phase Podcast, Lori Carpenter is joined by Alexandria Edwards, founder of The Care Girl Agency in Atlanta, to break down what in-home care really looks like, typical costs (often $30–$45/hour, which can reach $8,000–$10,000 per month), and the key questions to ask when choosing a provider. They also discuss how to plan ahead with essential documents like power of attorney and advance directives, how long-term care insurance works (traditional vs. hybrid opti...

In this episode of The 3rd Phase Podcast, host Lori Carpenter welcomes renowned demographic strategist Bradley Schurman, founder of Human Change and author of The Super Age, for a wide-ranging conversation on the forces reshaping work, wealth, and life in 2026 and beyond. Bradley breaks down why labor shortages are accelerating the need for older workers, how the “longevity economy” creates different opportunities across the 50–64, 65–74, and 75+ markets, and why inclusive products and marketing will win the next decade. They also explore how entrepreneurs can use AI as a true force multiplier, including Bradley’s “three C’s” for adapting to new tech: creati...

What’s new in aging-in-place design, and how can your home stay both beautiful and functional for decades to come? Lori Carpenter is joined by Leslie Carothers (principal at Savour Partnership and a digital marketing leader in the home industry) to recap their favorite finds from KBIS, including a safer-to-enter freestanding bathtub with a built-in sitting edge, sculptural towel warmers that feel like wall art, and practical hardware upgrades that are easier to see and grip as we age. They also dig into smart accessibility solutions like push-button pull-down closet racks and height-adjustable kitchen work surfaces and cabinets from Gr...

In this episode of The 3rd Phase Podcast, host Lori Carpenter explores the question many people face in their 60s and beyond: to retire or unretire. Lori is joined by Bruce Hathaway, a recently retired (and newly “unretired”) lighting industry veteran and former Director of National Sales at Accord Lighting, who shares what led him to step away from corporate life, reflect on work-life balance, and design a next chapter built around creativity, family, and flexibility. Bruce also introduces The Coffee Lamp, a sustainability-driven project that transforms coffee-industry materials into one-of-a-kind lighting pieces, and offers practical perspective on planning for...

Ever dreamed of living in Europe for a month or two while transforming your health? In this inspiring episode, Lori Carpenter sits down with Tony Ashek, a real estate developer from the Netherlands who is creating, along with his partners, the Healthy Village, a groundbreaking wellness resort built on the six pillars of lifestyle as medicine: movement, nutrition, sleep, recovery, stress management, and social connection. Located in the picturesque eastern region of Holland near Arnhem, this luxury well-being vacation resort community features biophilic design, meditation gardens, healthy cooking workshops, and beautiful walkways surrounded by nature and water.

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Are you facing the overwhelming task of downsizing, or dealing with a lifetime of inherited belongings? In this first episode of The 3rd Phase, host Lori Carpenter sits down with IPhone photography educator for interior designers, Linda Holt, who shares her deeply personal journey through not one, but two major downsizing projects.

Linda inherited belongings from three generations—her mother-in-law in the early 1990s, her own mother in 2004, and her great aunt—resulting in decades of accumulated possessions she's now methodically working through as she and her husband prepare for a move in their own 3rd phase. She...