Pretend I Know Nothing About

About Pretend I Know Nothing About

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.”

Publisher

Central Ohio Area Agency On Aging

Category

business · government

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

19 Jun 2023

Latest episode

23 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

56 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   23 Oct 2026

   S5 E3 - How Aging Solutions Foundation Empowers Seniors to Live Independently

   Learn how the Aging Solutions Foundation keeps Central Ohio seniors independent with emergency support for housing, utilities, and daily essentials. If you’ve ever wondered how small gestures can make huge positive changes for older adults, this episode is a must-listen. Katie White sits down with Melissa McMillan, Foundation Manager, to break down how the Aging Solutions Foundation (https://www.coaaa.org/about/aging-solutions-foundation/) fills critical gaps for those aging at home. Offering everything from microwaves to rent relief, and from supply drives to annual celebrations honoring community elders. In This Episode: Get behind-the-scenes insight into how the foundation was started and how its closed application process ensures every dollar meets true need. Learn what types of assistance are available: supply shelves of toiletries and pet goods, targeted inventory items like vacuums or microwaves, and robust one-time cash assistance for rent and utility emergencies. Hear how the annual budget is allocated, which types of grants and fundraising events (like the Gift Drive and State of Aging) power the mission, and the oversight involved in responsible spending. Discover what real impact looks like through 2025–2026 numbers, with over $37,000 distributed in a single year and personal stories from recipients. Find clear, actionable ways you can support independent living for older adults through wishlists, donations, and participating in events. Top Takeaways: The Foundation provides critical, one-time support for older adults and people with disabilities, keeping them safe, healthy, and independent at home. Support includes essential household goods, medical items, rent and utility payments, and supplies that government benefits don’t cover. All assistance requests go through a rigorous, needs-based review, ensuring donations go exactly where they’re needed most. Fundraising events like the annual Gift Drive and the State of Aging celebration offer fun, community-driven ways to contribute and stay involved. 100% of donations directly support services for clients. None goes to overhead. 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! https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/ Copyright 2026 Central Ohio Area Agency On Aging

2. 

   23 Oct 2026

   S5 E2 - How The Volunteer Guardian Program Supports Older Adults in Nursing Homes

   Discover how the Volunteer Guardian Program (https://www.coaaa.org/services/volunteer-guardian-program/) at COAAA connects trained volunteers with older adults in nursing homes needing crucial decision support. Have you ever wondered how volunteers become trusted advocates for isolated older adults? In this episode, Katie White talks with Jane Moog and Wendy Hux, who manage the Volunteer Guardian Program at COAAA, about everything involved. From assessing client needs to training dedicated community members and ensuring quality of life for vulnerable seniors. Whether you’re looking for a meaningful volunteer opportunity, exploring elder advocacy, or simply curious about how guardianship works, you’ll gain practical insight into the impactful work happening every day in central Ohio’s nursing homes. What You’ll Learn: Who the Volunteer Guardian Program serves: Medicaid-eligible older adults in nursing homes with no available family support (03:02). How volunteers are thoroughly vetted, trained, and matched with residents needing decision-making assistance (06:00 and 07:25). Step-by-step overview of the referral, assessment, and court appointment process (04:07, 14:16). Ongoing support and teamwork between staff and volunteers, including advocacy in challenging situations (25:04). The real-life difference made by guardians, with moving stories of improved health, engagement, and quality of life (35:20). 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! https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/ Copyright 2026 Central Ohio Area Agency On Aging

3. 

   2 Mar 2026

   Next Generation MyCare Program

   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. Welcome to "Pretend I Know Nothing." I'm Katie White, your host and the administrator of the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (COAAA). 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. 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. 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. Top 3 Takeaways: Care Integration that Works: 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. Collaboration & Consistency Matter: 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. Teamwork Powers Success: 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. 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! https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/ Copyright 2026 Central Ohio Area Agency On Aging

Who has been a guest on Pretend I Know Nothing About

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Tariq Mohammed
• Dr Holly Dabelko-Schoeny
• Stephanie Andrews
• Kayla Humphrey
• Carrie Oswald

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 25 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

27

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

60