Pretend I Know Nothing About is a podcast about the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging staff and programs. Each episode features staff from COAAA sharing about their role at the agency, how they got here, the committees they serve on, challenges in their work, and ideas for the future. To learn more about the inception and goal, check out the trailer episode “Welcome to Pretend I Know Nothing About.”

Pretend I Know Nothing About
Claim This Podcastby Central Ohio Area Agency On Aging
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Podcast Overview
Pretend I Know Nothing About is a podcast about the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging staff and programs. Each episode features staff from COAAA sharing about their role at the agency, how they got here, the committees they serve on, challenges in their work, and ideas for the future. To learn more about the inception and goal, check out the trailer episode “Welcome to Pretend I Know Nothing About.”
Language
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Publishing Since
6/19/2023
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Recent Episodes

March 2, 2026
Next Generation MyCare Program
<p>In this episode, I’m joined by two of my incredible colleagues, Rita Crow and Sarah Hall, as we unravel the story behind the Next Generation MyCare Program.</p><p>Welcome to "Pretend I Know Nothing." I'm Katie White, your host and the administrator of the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (COAAA).</p><p>Together, we’ll share how we navigated the transition from the original MyCare Ohio demonstration project to this brand new, statewide initiative. Drawing from our years of experience in case management, program leadership, and serving some of Ohio’s most vulnerable populations, we’ll give you an honest, behind-the-scenes look at all the planning, problem-solving, and teamwork that went into launching Next Generation MyCare Program.</p><p>You’ll hear how Area Agencies on Aging—like ours—play a crucial role in this work, how collaborating with managed care organizations has changed the landscape, and what it really takes to roll out a massive change like this without leaving people behind.</p><p>You don’t need to know anything about healthcare or managed care to follow along; we break it all down, and we’re excited to share what we’ve learned along the way.</p><p><strong>Top 3 Takeaways:</strong></p><ol><li data-list="bullet"><span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"></span><strong>Care Integration that Works:</strong> By uniting Medicare and Medicaid services under a single managed care plan, Ohio’s AAAs have streamlined access to care, closed coverage gaps, and delivered tailored support for some of the state’s most vulnerable populations.</li><li data-list="bullet"><span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"></span><strong>Collaboration & Consistency Matter:</strong> Developing statewide standards—through extensive committee work and contract negotiations—has ensured that every member receives a consistent level of service, no matter where they live or which managed care plan they’re on.</li><li data-list="bullet"><span class="ql-ui" contenteditable="false"></span><strong>Teamwork Powers Success:</strong> The culture of collaboration, adaptability, and putting members first sets the AAAs apart. From specialized staff roles to ongoing feedback loops, everyone works together—across units, across counties—to keep people safe, healthy, and at home.</li></ol><br/><p>Let me know what you think of this podcast, as well as any ideas you have for an episode. Email me at kwhite@coaaa.org!</p><p>https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/</p><p>Copyright 2026 Central Ohio Area Agency On Aging</p>

November 17, 2025
S4 E6 - Service Coordination
<p>If you’ve ever wondered how older adults can age in place safely and with dignity, or what keeps things running in affordable housing buildings, this episode shines a light on the heartbeat of those communities—and on the people working quietly behind the scenes to make it happen.</p><p>I’m sitting down with Michelle Missler, President and CEO of the American Association of Service Coordinators, and Ellen Carey, supervisor at COAAA, for an honest conversation about service coordination—what it is, why it matters, and why most people haven’t heard of it. </p><p>You’ll hear more about my guests’ experiences working in affordable housing and aging services. We break down what a typical day looks like for a service coordinator: it’s a whole mix of connecting residents to benefits, offering wellness programs, managing emergencies, and building deep relationships within their communities.</p><p>Michelle Missler shares how advocacy at the national level is helping improve pay, recognition, and support for service coordinators everywhere. Ellen Carey gives us a glimpse into the daily realities on the ground, from juggling multiple needs to partnering with local organizations. </p><p><strong>Here are 3 key takeaways for anyone passionate about aging services, housing, or community support:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Service Coordinators Are Relationship Builders:</strong> The heartbeat of affordable housing, service coordinators form essential connections with residents, helping bridge gaps to benefits, healthcare, and community resources. Their work is personal, proactive, and absolutely vital for helping people age in place.</li><li><strong>Funding & Advocacy Remain Critical:</strong> From HUD grants to creative local partnerships, sustaining service coordination is a major challenge. Recent advocacy is driving real progress, including better pay and deeper support structures – but continued investment is needed at every level.</li><li><strong>Standardized Tools & Training Make A Difference:</strong> Systems like Ask Online and comprehensive training programs from professional associations are leveling up what service coordinators can deliver, amplifying their impact across hundreds of buildings nationwide.</li></ul><br/><p>Moments</p><p>00:00 Service Coordinator Advocacy and Support</p><p>05:24 Proactive Senior Case Manager</p><p>06:43 Community Support and Coordination</p><p>10:04 Community Programs and Partnerships</p><p>15:16 "Salary Survey and Advocacy Plan"</p><p>18:22 Service Coordinator Funding Methods</p><p>20:23 Funding Models for Service Coordinators</p><p>23:04 Advocating for Timely HUD Funding</p><p>26:39 "Funding Service Coordination Innovations"</p><p>31:41 Ask Membership Benefits Summary</p><p>35:27 "Service Coordination Data Evolution"</p><p>36:58 Building Partnerships for Community Needs</p><p>41:39 Ellen's Remarkable Crisis Coordination</p><p>45:54 Essence of Relationship Building</p><p>49:32 "Aging Autonomously in Community"</p><p>51:17 Service Coordination Appreciation Remarks</p><p>Let me know what you think of this podcast, as well as any ideas you have for an episode. Email me at kwhite@coaaa.org!</p><p>Copyright 2025 Central Ohio Area Agency On Aging </p><p>https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/</p>

October 21, 2025
S4 E5 - Shallow Rental Subsidy Pilot Program
<p>Curious about innovative approaches to address housing insecurity for older adults? You won't want to miss this discussion!</p><p>I sit down with Dr. Katie Calhoun (Assistant Professor, OSU College of Social Work) and Marisa Sheldon (Director, Age Friendly Columbus & Franklin County and the Age Friendly Innovation Center) to talk about the regional <a href="https://www.coaaa.org/cms/29-cat-newsletter/383-newsletter-2024-fall-shallowsubsidy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Shallow Subsidy Pilot Program</a> and what we've learned about housing instability among older adults in Central Ohio.</p><p>We kick things off by exploring Dr. Calhoun's background in Denver, where she researched housing stability and worked on the Denver Basic Income Project, which tested guaranteed income as a tool for reducing homelessness. Bringing these experiences to Columbus, she joined forces with our Age-Friendly Innovation Center team and leveraged new data from the Central Ohio Regional Assessment on Aging, revealing a concerning rise in housing cost burdens among adults 50 and older in our region.</p><p>We discuss the creation of the Shallow Subsidy Pilot: a program offering a modest but sustained rent subsidy to low-income older renters, aiming to help them remain housed while they await long-term support, such as housing vouchers. </p><p>I walk you through the careful process of designing and launching this pilot—including the crucial role of our COAAA housing staff, collaboration across community organizations, and a randomized controlled evaluation to truly measure the impact.</p><p>Together, we unpack findings from both quantitative data and powerful participant interviews. The trends show improvements in housing affordability, financial well-being, and mental health, with a notable reduction in emergency department visits among subsidy recipients. At the same time, we underline the unique challenges older adults face, especially those paying far more than half their income on housing, and highlight the importance of choice, dignity, and "aging in the right place." We also reflect on learnings from the staff-focused implementation analysis and discuss how community-driven projects can shape next steps.</p><p><strong>Moments</strong></p><p>00:00 "Income Support to Combat Homelessness"</p><p>05:36 "PhD Research on Elder Homelessness"</p><p>07:39 Housing & Homelessness Conversations</p><p>11:49 Randomized Trial Evaluating Subsidy Impact</p><p>15:41 Randomized Trial Participant Process</p><p>17:46 Measuring Housing Intervention Outcomes</p><p>21:18 "Shallow Subsidies Empower Housing Choice"</p><p>23:03 Housing Costs and Financial Well-Being</p><p>28:27 "Shuttle Subsidy Cuts ED Visits"</p><p>31:05 Refining Housing Cost Burden Insights</p><p>34:16 Implementation Assessment Using CFIR Framework</p><p>38:21 "Tension for Change Drives Action"</p><p>39:45 "Overhauling Housing Support Systems"</p><p>42:47 "Money as Community Support"</p><p><strong>Here are 5 keys you’ll pick up from this episode:</strong></p><ol><li><strong>Shallow Subsidies 101:</strong> What they are, what they do, and why they’re a game-changer for people on fixed incomes.</li><li><strong>Behind the Science:</strong> How randomized control trials work, and why having a placebo group is both tough and crucial for real results.</li><li><strong>The Real Impact:</strong> Hear about direct benefits, from being able to buy “extras” (think: a haircut, a mattress, or a treat for a granddaughter) to fewer ER visits.</li><li><strong>Housing Is More Than a Roof:</strong> Learn why stability and choice in living situations give older adults more autonomy, dignity, and connection to their communities.</li><li><strong>Lessons Learned:</strong> Why piloting something new doesn’t guarantee instant success—and why asking tough questions helps build a better future (plus, the COAAA team's fearless commitment to doing just that!).</li></ol><br/><p>Let me know what you think of...
54 total episodes available
Recent guests on Pretend I Know Nothing About
Guests from recent episodes — sign up to see every guest that has ever appeared on this show.
Tariq Mohammed
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Dr Holly Dabelko-Schoeny
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Stephanie Andrews
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Kayla Humphrey
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Carrie Oswald
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Anna Tobin
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Melissa Owens
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Michelle Rice
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Heidi Webster
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Jeremy Diaz
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