This episode focused on social isolation and connections. Victor Wang introduced Friendi.fi (pronounced “friendify”) a platform using AI to combat loneliness among older adults, highlighting its success in PACE programs and its mission to scale to millions. Friendi.fi was a spin-out from Care.Coach, Victor’s first startup.

Fernando Dellepiane shared Vermut’s marketplace of activities for older adults, illustrating its success in Spain, partnerships with healthcare companies and plans for expansion into the US.

Christian Ross discussed Happy Talks, a service offering social phone calls and more to older adults to combat loneliness; with memberships ranging from $59 to $189 per month. Noting its impact on mental health and the importance of sentiment analysis and prevention of exploitation.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

Recorded on May 29, 2025, this episode is part of our Social Isolation Series. Speakers are listed in their order of appearance.

Victor Wang, Co-Founder, Friendi.fi; Chairman of the Board, care.coach; co-Founder AgeTech Las Vegas
Friendifi is an AgeTech Collaborative from AARP Portfolio Company

Fernando Dellepiane, CEO and Co-Founder, Vermut App
Vermut won the AgeTech Collaborative™ from AARP pitch competition at VIVE in 2025

Christian Ross, Founder, Happy Talks; AgeTech Atlanta company member, Atlanta Startup Village Co-Host

Resources:
Victor’s Friendi.fi presentation at the Spring 2025 Medicarians conference

Mary Furlong’s 3-5-25 What’s Next Living Longer Better Smarter Podcast with Fernando

Bob Kramer’s mid-May 2025 LinkedIn post on Social Isolation and Intergenerational Connections

We apologize for the technical difficulty with some of Victor Wang’s audio quality during the second half of this show.

BoomerTechTalk.com episode page with additional resources connected to our speakers.

LinkedIn Show Post

Co-Hosts: Linda Sherman and Debbie Howard

We continue to record new Rethinking Aging Club podcasts live on Thursdays. How to join live.

Please follow both of our podcasts including News for the Ages by Rethinking Aging Club.

New episodes on both of our podcasts are usually published the day after they are recorded.

Music: Solemnity written and performed by Richard Sherman

May is National Speech-Language-Hearing Month. Debbie Howard provided an introduction to the hearing topic. Bill Schiffmiller highlighted the shift from traditional hearing aids to more inclusive designs, emphasizing the importance of auditory accessibility. Andy Bellavia spoke about Auracast, hearing aid fashion and the impact of Apple's FDA-approved hearing aid software. Brian Maguire introduced Lexi Hearing's self-fitting over-the-counter hearing aids and Eargo's nearly invisible CIC models that scan for issues like ear wax. Alex Westner added some illuminating commentary.

The discussion also covered the role of technology in reducing stigma and improving accessibility, with a focus on early detection and personalized solutions. The panel emphasized the need for better communication tools and the potential of AI in enhancing hearing care.

Recorded on May 22, 2025, this episode is part of our Hearing and Speech Support as well as our CES Highlights Series (13th in 2025). Speakers are listed in their order of appearance.

Bill Schiffmiller, Founder & Chief Development Officer, Akoio;
Board Member Hearing, Speech & Deaf Center; Forbes columnist

Andrew Bellavia, Founder and consultant, AuraFuturity; Contributor and co-host Hearing Health Matters Website, This Week in Hearing Podcast

Brian Maguire, Chief Commercial Officer (Lead Commercial Growth, Revenue Generation and Performance Marketing for LXE Hearing Brands: Eargo, Lexie, HearX

Special guest comment
Alex Westner, co-Founder and CEO, Xander

Resources:
Bellavia: Forbes, Apple’s AirPods, 9-11-24

PC Magazine, Tiny Eargo 8 Hearing Aids Scan for Issues Messing with Sound Quality (Like Earwax) 5-13-25

Akoio Complementary Research and Guides including: How to Talk to Someone Who Has Hearing Loss, Questions You Should Ask Your Audiologist, Managing Your Soundscapes in the Workplace and more.

We spoke about Hearing Self-care on our 5-20-25 News for the Ages by Rethinking Aging Club podcast with Ray Gordon's AARP article.

BoomerTechTalk.com episode page with additional resources related to this show and our speakers.

LinkedIn Show Post with carousel of photos of our speakers and products

Co-Hosts: Linda Sherman, Debbie Howard and Steve Ewell

Music: Solemnity written and performed by Richard Sherman

We focused on Smart Home for our 12th CES 2025 Highlights show.

Zac Selmon from Brava Home introduced a smart countertop oven that uses coordinated pulses of infrared light for pinpoint fast cooking. Putting a great deal of intelligence in the app in order to make it accessible for low vision and blind users has set the stage for further development.

Melissa Kieling from hyve Security presented a smart delivery pod addressing $20 billion in package theft annually. “At the end of the day, the video doorbell is just going to capture the show of your package being stolen."

Gauve Batta from Glomensio discussed their Firefly smart house number that flashes red and blue when 911 is called, aiding community response during emergencies. Co-founder Drew Timler RN has a background in nursing and emergency services.

These products aim to enhance safety, convenience, and independence for aging individuals.

Recorded on May 15, 2025, this episode is part of our CES Highlights as well as our Smart Home Series. Speakers are listed in their order of appearance.

Zac Selmon, Director of Product Management, Brava Home - Smart Countertop Oven
Brava Home is an AgeTech Collaborative™ from AARP portfolio company

Melissa Kieling, Co-Founder and CEO, hyve Security - hyve smart home solar powered delivery pod

Gaurav (Gauve) Batta, Co-Founder, CEO and Mechanical Engineer,
Glomensio - Firefly home number lighting for emergency services

Debbie Howard's summary of this show.

Press:
Brava Smart Oven Review: A Game-Changer for Blind and Low Vision Cooks 4-19-25 The Blind Life (72K+ subs)

ATC 2-6-25 Brava Home by Mark Ogilbee

Entrepreneur for hyve Security 1-30-25

PC World Glomensio 1-8-25

Other Resources:
Linda mentioned ATC Summit May 7-8 in Washington DC. Her photographic post.

Drew Timler RN, Glomensio co-founder

BoomerTechTalk.com episode page with additional speaker resources.

LinkedIn Show Post with photo carousel of speakers and products at CES 2025

Co-Hosts: Linda Sherman & Debbie Howard

How to join podcast recordings live

Please follow both of our podcasts including News for the Ages by Rethinking Aging Club.

Music: Solemnity written and performed by Richard Sherman