Aging in Grace

About Aging in Grace

Aging in Grace is a weekly 30-minute podcast that brings together the voices of those on the front lines as well as those behind the scenes, who are working to make aging in America more humane, more just, and more sustainable. From caregivers and residents to executives, researchers and policy analysts, our guests explore the forces that impact the quality of care older adults receive: workforce shortages, economic pressures, technological shifts, and government policy decisions. This podcast is about listening and asking hard questions. And it’s about speaking up — for the staff, for the f

Publisher

Witlingo

Category

health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

2 Aug 2025

Latest episode

13 Dec 2025

Latest episodes

20 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   13 Dec 2025

   Episode #20 - Katie Martin - On Food Banks and Pantries: Part Two

   In this episode, we sit down with Katie Martin, a leading food security expert and author, to unpack a hard truth: hunger in America is not a temporary crisis—it’s a chronic, policy-driven condition.We begin with the recent federal government shutdown and its real-world consequences, including the threat to SNAP benefits for more than 40 million Americans. From there, the conversation widens to examine why food insecurity persists in one of the wealthiest countries in history, despite massive food waste and decades of charitable effort.Katie explains how hunger is the result of structural choices—stagnant wages, rising living costs, fragmented social safety nets, and policies that prioritize gatekeeping over dignity. We explore why calling the charitable food system an “emergency” response is misleading when it has existed for over 50 years, and how this framing prevents long-term solutions.The episode also compares the U.S. approach with countries like Brazil, which have dramatically reduced food insecurity through universal programs, guaranteed income supports, and streamlined access—showing that large-scale progress is possible with political will.We discuss:- SNAP, WIC, and why benefits often fall short- Federal vs. state roles in food assistance- The myth of widespread fraud- The “working poor” and the benefits cliff- Why dignity, choice, and trust matter in food access- How income inequality and market failures drive hungerThis is a wide-ranging, grounded conversation about food, poverty, policy, and what it would actually take to solve hunger—rather than manage it.

2. 

   13 Dec 2025

   Episode #19 - Katie Martin - On Food Banks and Pantries: Part One

   In this episode, we sit down with Katie Martin, a leading food security expert and author, to unpack a hard truth: hunger in America is not a temporary crisis—it’s a chronic, policy-driven condition.We begin with the recent federal government shutdown and its real-world consequences, including the threat to SNAP benefits for more than 40 million Americans. From there, the conversation widens to examine why food insecurity persists in one of the wealthiest countries in history, despite massive food waste and decades of charitable effort.Katie explains how hunger is the result of structural choices—stagnant wages, rising living costs, fragmented social safety nets, and policies that prioritize gatekeeping over dignity. We explore why calling the charitable food system an “emergency” response is misleading when it has existed for over 50 years, and how this framing prevents long-term solutions.The episode also compares the U.S. approach with countries like Brazil, which have dramatically reduced food insecurity through universal programs, guaranteed income supports, and streamlined access—showing that large-scale progress is possible with political will.We discuss:- SNAP, WIC, and why benefits often fall short- Federal vs. state roles in food assistance- The myth of widespread fraud- The “working poor” and the benefits cliff- Why dignity, choice, and trust matter in food access- How income inequality and market failures drive hungerThis is a wide-ranging, grounded conversation about food, poverty, policy, and what it would actually take to solve hunger—rather than manage it.

3. 

   25 Nov 2025

   Episode #18 - On Launching The FirstAccess Foundation: Part Two

   In this special episode of Aging in Grace, we bring together three frontline Service Coordinators — Charneice Clap (NC), Jessica Harris (MD), and Samantha Culver (OH) — all founding members of the newly launched First Access Foundation. They share powerful, firsthand insight into the daily realities of supporting seniors living in independent, affordable housing communities.The conversation digs into:• What Service Coordinators actually do — advocate, resource-connect, problem-solve, motivate, comfort, and often step in like family.• The hidden crisis of food insecurity among seniors, and why ensuring access to nutritious food is inseparable from healthy aging and independent living.• The real difference between independent living, assisted living, and nursing homes — and why so many seniors fight to avoid institutional care.• How rising rents, limited budgets, and lack of funding force coordinators to be creative, persistent, and deeply resourceful.• The emotional and moral weight of the job: wearing “many hats,” navigating emergencies, and serving as a lifeline for people who may have no one else.• Why investing in Service Coordinators saves states tens of thousands of dollars per senior per year by keeping residents safely aging in place.• Moments of solidarity, encouragement, and shared purpose among coordinators who often feel unseen despite the magnitude of their impact.This episode highlights both the quiet heroism of Service Coordinators and the urgent need to equip them with the resources they deserve.

Contact Aging in Grace

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.