Senior Resource Contributors
Learn more about the dynamic and diverse group who breathe life into our content. With backgrounds ranging from senior living and Medicare to health, fitness, and retirement planning, our contributors offer a wealth of expertise and knowledge that educates and empowers our readers and listeners!
Ben Taatjes
Podcaster, Retire Repurposed
Ben has been in the financial services industry for nearly two decades. He has worked alongside thousands of families and individuals while owning and operating Taatjes Financial Group, a retirement planning firm in west-central Minnesota. While Ben loves to work with retirees, his passion extends far beyond the numbers. This passion led to the publishing of his first book, Repurposed: The Untold Story of Retirement in America in 2017 as well as co-founding Retire Repurposed in 2019.
Bob Carlson
Writer, Retirement Watch
Bob Carlson is the editor of the monthly newsletter and website Retirement Watch, the monthly video series, Retirement Watch Spotlight, and a weekly free e-letter, Retirement Watch Weekly where he provides independent, objective research covering all the financial issues of retirement and retirement planning.
Bryan Devore
Podcaster, The Bryan Devore Connection
Bryan has been serving the real estate needs of his clients since 2003. Working with both home buyers and home sellers, he ranks in the top ½ of 1% of all Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices agents nationwide. Bryan specializes in guiding seniors who are transitioning from their homes and into smaller homes or senior communities.
Carl Amari
Podcaster, Hollywood 360, Radio Rarities
Carl is the producer and host of Hollywood 360, a 5-hour nationally syndicated nostalgia radio show heard each week on hundreds of radio stations. Carl is an 8-time Audie winner and has produced several award-winning, fully dramatized audio productions including The Twilight Zone Radio Dramas, The Word of Promise Audio Bible, The Word of God Audio New Testament, The Truth & Life Catholic Audio New Testament, The New Adventures of Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer and Fangoria’s Dreadtime Stories Radio Dramas.
Charlyn Fargo
Health and Wellness Writer, Nutrition News
Charlyn Fargo is a registered dietitian and holds a master’s degree in nutrition. She grew up on a central Illinois farm and covers agriculture for the State Journal-Register in Springfield. She holds a degree in journalism from the University of Illinois as well as a degree in food and a master’s in nutrition from Eastern Illinois University, all of which provides her with the knowledge she shares in her weekly column, “Nutrition News.” While growing up, she spent her summers showing Shorthorn cattle. She has a daughter, Katie.
David T. Phillips
Podcaster, Estate Planning Made Easy
David has been a highly recognized consumer advocate for life insurance, annuities, hybrid long-term care insurance, and estate planning for 52 years. He is the author of the bestselling books – Estate Planning Made Easy (third edition), The 10 Most Common Estate Planning Mistakes and How to Avoid Them, Leveraged Care Solutions, The Bombshell Battle Plan, Disinherit the IRS, and his ever-popular book The Family Bank Strategy. David has been a featured speaker at various global investment conferences and a frequent guest on national television including CNN, Fox News, CNBC, Money Talks, and Bloomberg.
David graduated from Brigham Young University. He is an active member of his church and coached the Arizona State University Water Ski Team from 1994 – 2006, winning the National Championship in 2001. David and his wife Jane have been married for 52 years and have four children and 12 grandchildren.
Don Hawkins
Contributing Writer
Don Hawkins, D. Min. is the Chief Content Officer for the Master Life Coach Training Institute and the President/CEO of Encouragement Communications. He hosts the Saturday evening call-in program “Encouragement Live,” and has authored over 25 books including Master Discipleship Today, Friends in Deed, and Never Give Up.
Greta Crank
Contributing Writer
Greta Crank has a background in social work and real estate. Her passions are antiques, piano, flower gardening, and all things Christmas. Married to the love of her life for thirty-two years, she enjoys spending time with her husband and adult children.
Jerrid Sebesta
Podcaster, Retire Repurposed
After spending 12 years as a TV meteorologist, Jerrid changed careers and moved into the financial services industry in 2014. Jerrid has a heart for teaching and continues to utilize his broadcasting background to inspire people to live with more purpose, impact, and freedom. Besides being the co-founder of Retire Repurposed, Jerrid is the Director of Business Development for Taatjes Financial Group.
Jim Miller
Lifestyle Writer, Savvy Senior
Jim Miller is the creator of Savvy Senior, a syndicated information column for older Americans and their families that is published in more than 300 U.S. newspapers and magazines. Jim is also a contributor to NBC’s “Today” show and KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City, and is the author of The Savvy Senior, The Ultimate Guide to Health, Family and Finances for Senior Citizens. Jim is frequently quoted in articles about issues affecting senior citizens and has been featured in numerous national publications, including Time magazine, USA Today and The New York Times. In addition, he has made multiple appearances on CNBC, CNN, Retirement Living Television and national public television.
Lena Armuth
Podcaster, Retirement for Real
Lena Armuth, M.Ed., Candidate for CFP® certification is an Advisor with Sensible Portfolios and host of Retirement for Real, an investment podcast helping retirees make sensible financial decisions in retirement.
Lisa Wolf
Podcaster, Hollywood 360, Radio Rarities
Lisa is the co-host of Hollywood 360. Lisa interviews actors, writers, producers, and directors in her “Celebrity Interview” segment, plays entertainment trivia contests with listeners during “Beat The Host” and offers the latest in showbiz and celebrity news with “Star Gazing”. Lisa was a cast member in a professional musical theater company for 14 years before making the transition into print, commercials, television, film and voice-overs.
Lori La Bey
Podcaster, Alzheimer’s Speaks
Lori La Bey is a passionate and inspiring keynote speaker and the founder of Alzheimer’s Speaks, a Minnesota-based advocacy group and media outlet making an international impact by providing education and support for those dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
Marilyn Murray Willison
Lifestyle Writer, Positive Aging
Marilyn Murray Willison, a UCLA graduate, is a six-time award-winning author and former international journalist, who has a unique perspective when it comes to the complicated issues regarding America’s seniors. Her byline has appeared in over 25 publications on both sides of the Atlantic, and her opinion pieces, personality profiles and celebrity interviews have reached millions of readers.
Since 1984, Willison has lived with multiple sclerosis, which has given her a unique perspective on dealing with the myriad challenges that accompany a disability. As former health and fitness editor for the Los Angeles Times syndicate, Willison brings both a personal and professional background to her columns for seniors.
As a wife, mother and grandmother, Willison approaches aging with an optimistic curiosity and an undisguised enthusiasm. Visit her website at www.marilynwillison.com.
Meredith Chen
Podcaster & Health and Wellness Writer, Senior Fitness with Meredith
Meredith Chen is an AFAA-certified personal and group fitness trainer and the host of the popular YouTube channel and podcast, Senior Fitness with Meredith. She has been training for over 15 years, has been endorsed by healthcare professionals and physical therapists, and has shadowed top industry experts to continuously create the best and safest content for her viewers and participants.
Robert Fowler
Contributing Writer
Robert Fowler is a retired blogger, previously the President of Retirement Media Inc. He has visited numerous 55+ Active Adult Communities over the years, sharing his experiences along the way with readers.
Scott LaFee
Health and Wellness Writer, Wellnews
Scott LaFee is a viviparous, omnivorous, longitudinally symmetrical carbon-based male biped and staff member of The San Diego Union-Tribune. Since 1992, he has been the chief writer for Quest, the paper’s award-winning weekly science section, where he covers all manner of scientific news and features, from the inner workings of the brain to the physical nature of “nothingness” — the stuff between stuff.
He is married with two young sons, whom he coaches in soccer and swimming when not explaining why dead spiders’ legs curl up (failed hydraulics) or how 8 feet of DNA can be squeezed into every cell (very carefully).
LaFee lives in La Mesa, Calif., with his hominid family and their several nonhuman pets: two tortoises, three fire-bellied toads, a rat, a rabbit, and a dog named Dave.
Tom Margenau
Writer, Social Security and You
Tom Margenau worked for 32 years in a variety of positions for the Social Security Administration before retiring in 2005. For many years, he was the director of SSA’s public information office at the agency’s headquarters in Baltimore, Md. In that post, he was the chief editor for more than 100 informational publications produced by SSA.
He also was SSA’s deputy press officer for several years, serving in that position as a chief spokesman for the Social Security Administration. Prior to that, he was a speechwriter for the Commissioner of Social Security. Before he moved to SSA’s headquarters, he worked for 12 years in Social Security field offices around the country, where he processed Social Security claims while writing Social Security columns for local newspapers.
He has written the “Social Security and You ” column for national syndication since 1997. Margenau graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1971. He is married and has two grown children and five grandchildren.
Toni King
Podcaster & Writer, Medicare Moments
Toni King is an author, columnist, and radio and TV personality who specializes in Medicare, Social Security, and long-term care planning. Toni has devoted her life and career to putting Medicare into “people terms” with the help of her books, consultations, workshops, and website.
Wendy Jones
Podcaster, Conversations on Aging
Wendy Jones is the Founder and CEO of Next Steps 4 Seniors, an organization dedicated to helping families find the appropriate living community for their loved ones while helping individuals maintain their independence and dignity while aging. For her efforts, she has been selected by Corporate Magazine as one of the Top 20 Most Successful Women Leaders of 2022; selected six consecutive years into the Senior Citizens Hall of Fame; and has been recognized four straight years with the “Best of Rochester” Award. In 2017 Wendy founded Next Steps 4 Seniors Foundation, a non-profit, faith-based 501(c)3 to reach older, lower-income adults who need spiritual, financial, and physical assistance. Wendy hosts a popular weekly radio program on WDTK-AM titled Next Steps 4 Seniors, sharing resources and information with listeners to prepare as they age or for life with an aging parent or loved one. Wendy graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a degree in Business Administration and advanced to Director of Marketing positions at various pharmaceutical and healthcare companies. She works tirelessly to raise funds for her Foundation and other local non-profit organizations while sitting on the boards of several hospitals. Wendy is guided by her strong faith in every step she takes. She believes faith is the substance of things hoped for and evidence of things not seen. She lives in Rochester Hills, MI with her patient husband and two children.
