In Good Company Podcast: Age Better

Homelessness is often talked about in headlines and statistics, but far less often do we hear the real stories behind how people end up there. In this episode of In Good Company, Spencer Ernst sits down with Jason Hynson, Executive Director of Victory Mission and Ministry in Springfield, Missouri, to have an honest and deeply human conversation about poverty, addiction, trauma, and the difficult question many people struggle with: ...

In this episode of In Good Company, we sit down with Dr. Cody Hooten, a physical therapist with Haven Home Health & Hospice, to talk about what truly determines whether someone stays active and independent as they age.

Dr. Hooten has worked with patients across both outpatient clinics and home health settings, giving him a unique perspective on the habits, lifestyle choices, and daily routines that separate people who remain st...

Medicare fraud is one of the fastest growing scams targeting older adults, and many people do not realize it is happening until it is too late. In this episode of In Good Company, we break down how Medicare fraud and identity theft actually happen, the warning signs to watch for, and the simple steps you can take to protect your personal information while exploring Medicare Advantage or prescription drug plans. Most brokers and Med...

In this special episode, we visited the Senior Fair in Branson, Missouri, where community members gathered for a day focused on healthier living. The event offered free resources including vision and hearing exams, blood pressure and sugar testing, wellness information, and even some great food. Everything was designed to help seniors stay active, informed, and connected to helpful services in the community. https://www.facebook.co...

Reverse Mortgages: Smart Retirement Strategy or Financial Time Bomb? Reverse mortgages are often marketed as a simple way to “unlock your home equity” and stay in the house you love — with no monthly mortgage payments. But what’s the real story? In this episode of In Good Company, Spencer Ernst breaks down the truth about reverse mortgages — without the hype, without the fear tactics, and without the late-night commercial spin. We ...

In this special episode, we’re bringing you inspiring voices and powerful stories from the KY3 Women’s Show, held at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds in Springfield, Missouri on March 7, 2026. This annual event brings together hundreds of local businesses, nonprofits, healthcare professionals, and community leaders for a full day dedicated to connection, education, and empowerment. From health and wellness experts to community advocate...

Healthcare decisions should be made by patients and physicians. But today, millions of treatments are delayed because of a process most patients never see: prior authorization. In this episode of In Good Company, we explore the growing impact of prior authorization denials and why the system may be harming patients. The data tells a powerful story. More than 80% of prior authorization appeals are successful, yet only a small fracti...

In this eye-opening episode of In Good Company, we unpack a truth that most people don’t realize until it’s too late: having a will is just the beginning of protecting your family’s future. 💡 Today’s guest is an expert in estate planning who reveals the critical steps most people overlook — and why relying on a will alone can leave your loved ones vulnerable, even if you think your affairs are in order. From trusts and powers of a...

Gen X grew up raising themselves. They were the latchkey kids. The independent ones. The generation that learned resilience early — figuring out homework, friendships, and disappointments without someone stepping in to fix it. Now they’re raising children in a completely different world. And caring for aging parents at the same time. In this episode, we unpack the unique psychological and emotional pressure facing Gen X — the gener...

What do people really misunderstand about hospice? What are families actually afraid of when they say, “We’re not ready”? And what would professionals want you to hear before a crisis hits? In this special episode of In Good Company, we spoke with more than a dozen attendees at the End-of-Life Care Summit in Springfield, Missouri, asking them to respond as if they were talking to a family member, not a clinician. The result is hone...

Is your brain really declining after 50… or has it simply changed its operating system? In this episode of In Good Company, Spencer Ernst challenges one of the most persistent myths about aging: that learning gets harder because your brain is “slowing down.” The truth is far more encouraging. Your brain isn’t shutting down. It’s remodeling. Drawing from neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and research like the Scaffolding Theory of...

Scammers are getting smarter. More convincing. More aggressive. And they are targeting everyday Americans using phone calls, texts, social media, and even Artificial Intelligence. In this episode of In Good Company, we break down the four red flags that nearly every scam has in common — and how recognizing them could protect your money, your Social Security number, and your family. You will learn: ✔️ How scammers impersonate Social...

No one talks about this part. While you’re managing medications, appointments, sleepless nights, and impossible decisions… your own body is absorbing the stress. 📉 Caregivers have a 23% higher risk of mortality than non-caregivers the same age. 🧠 Up to 70% report clinically significant depressive symptoms. 😴 Sleep disruption, chronic stress, weight gain, burnout — it adds up. And when the doctor asks, “How are you doing?” You sa...

What does dying really look and sound like — and why are families so often unprepared for it? In this powerful conversation, Dr. Debra Parker Oliver — a nationally recognized hospice researcher, former hospice founder, and author — shares what she learned not just through decades of research, but through living hospice care three times: as a wife, a daughter, and a caregiver. Dr. Oliver pulls back the curtain on the parts of dying ...

Dr. Amanda Altobell is the Director of Ethics at Mercy Springfield, where she helps patients, families, and care teams navigate some of the most emotionally complex moments in health care. Trained as both a clinician and ethicist, her work is deeply shaped by hands-on hospice experience, a death and dying fellowship, and her own personal journey supporting loved ones through the end of life. In this powerful conversation, Dr. Altob...

What does hospice really look like — and why do so many families misunderstand it?

In this episode of In Good Company, we sit down with Kim Therriault, Director of Hospice at Haven Home Health and Hospice, whose decades-long career has been shaped by one defining belief: people deserve choice, dignity, and a voice at the end of life.

Kim shares the pivotal moment that changed how she practices hospice ca...

In this episode of In Good Company, we’re joined by Dr. Will Vincel, a general dentist at Ozarks Preferred Dental Group in Springfield, Missouri, and an adjunct assistant professor at Kansas City University College of Dental Medicine. With much of his practice focused on older adults, Dr. Vincel shares a patient-first approach centered on listening, conservative care, and clear communication.

We discuss why slowing down matters in ...

Alzheimer’s disease affects millions of families—but many people don’t realize how much progress depends on advocacy, education, and public policy.

In this episode of In Good Company, we’re joined by Marcia Rauwerdink, a longtime volunteer advocate and board member with the Alzheimer’s Association, to discuss:

• The real impact of Alzheimer’s on families and caregivers

• Why advocacy and legislation matter in the fight against ...

In this powerful and deeply moving episode, we sit down with Camelia Jacob, founder and CEO of Jacob’s Ladder, Jacob’s Houses, and Jacob’s Care Center—alongside Luchiia Lebed, manager and integral part of the mission. Together, they share the incredible story behind a network of intimate, faith-led end-of-life homes where compassion isn’t just a value… it’s the culture. What began as a leap of faith—sparked by prayer, purpose, and ...