The Meritage Project

At its heart, senior living is about people — visionary leaders, passionate team members, inspiring residents, and devoted family members. Behind every title is a person with a story worth hearing. Through authentic conversations, we get to know the people who are shaping the future of exceptional senior living. Blending voices. Creating legacy. This is The Meritage Project.

The Meritage Project is a business podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 13 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts The Meritage Project, a business show with 13 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #12

  Behind the Problem Solver: John Shafaee

  Sep 14, 202656 minS1

  Behind every title is a person, with a story worth hearing. In this episode of The Meritage Project, host Phil Lord sits down with John Shafaee, Founder and CEO of ALIS, to explore the personal experiences behind more than 20 years of innovation in senior living. John reflects on immigrating to the United States from Iran at eight years old and becoming a translator and problem-solver for his parents—an early responsibility that shaped his relentless drive to help others. He shares how an unexpected introduction to senior living revealed both the complexity of caring for another person and the opportunity for technology to make that work easier without diminishing its humanity. Throughout the conversation, John discusses the mentors, co-founders and family members whose voices continue to challenge and inspire him; the lessons he learned while building ALIS through persistence and sweat equity; and why listening to customers fundamentally changed the direction of the company. He also offers a thoughtful perspective on artificial intelligence, where it can give valuable time back to community teams and where human judgment, connection and care must always remain at the center. With honesty and vulnerability, John reflects on the personal cost of building a company, the importance of prioritizing the people we love and the legacy he hopes to leave: one defined not by money or power, but by seeing people, elevating others and keeping the path open for those who follow. Thank you to our sponsor, ALIS: https://www.go-alis.com/

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  Episode #11

  Behind the Next-Gen Leader: Liz Dreifuss

  Aug 3, 202642 minS1

  Behind every title is a person, with a story worth hearing. In this episode of The Meritage Project, host Phil Lord sits down with Liz Dreifuss, Executive Director of Modena Cherry Creek, whose connection to senior living began before she could even walk. Raised alongside the residents and team members at the communities her mother led, Liz initially resisted following the same path. But after beginning her first job as a senior living server at 16, studying human development, family sciences and gerontology, and gaining experience across a variety of community roles, she discovered a calling of her own. Liz reflects on the leap that brought her from St. Louis to Denver, the lessons she has learned through failure and the leadership principles that guide her today—from proactive communication and self-awareness to authenticity and showing up for her team. She also shares her commitment to developing the next generation of senior living leaders, what residents have taught her about forgiveness and the legacy she hopes to build by working hard, having fun and helping others feel supported and confident. Thank you to our sponsor, ALIS: https://www.go-alis.com/

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  Episode #10

  Behind the AI Entrepreneur: Raphael Rubens

  Jul 19, 202650 minS1

  Behind every title is a person, with a story worth hearing. In this episode of The Meritage Project , host Phil Lord sits down with Raphael Rubens, co-founder and CEO of Candid , to explore the experiences that shaped his entrepreneurial journey and vision for the future of senior living. Raphael reflects on growing up in Amsterdam, the profound influence of his grandmother—a Holocaust survivor—and the winding path that took him from dreams of becoming a professional soccer player to hospitality, real estate and entrepreneurship. He shares how his grandmother’s desire to preserve her life story inspired the earliest version of his company and ultimately led him to move into a senior living community for two months to better understand the lives of residents and team members. Throughout the conversation, Raphael shares the lessons he gained from living alongside residents, the importance of maintaining purpose at every age and how listening closely helped Candid evolve from an AI-powered biography platform into a hiring solution for senior living operators. He also offers a thoughtful perspective on the future of AI, its potential to reduce administrative burdens and how technology can create more time for meaningful human connection. With curiosity and candor, Raphael discusses his commitment to building technology that helps people find meaningful work, improves the care residents receive and leaves a lasting social impact on the industry. Thank you to our sponsor, ALIS: https://www.go-alis.com/

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  Episode #9

  Behind the Maverick: Kim Smith

  Jun 1, 202644 minS1

  <p>Behind every title is a person, with a story worth hearing. In this episode of The Meritage Project, host Phil Lord sits down with Solera’s Vice President of Operations, Kim Smith, to explore the experiences that have defined her remarkable career and leadership philosophy.</p><p>Kim reflects on the lessons instilled by her father, her years on Capitol Hill, and the entrepreneurial chapter she built with her family in New Mexico. She shares the pivotal decision to leave behind a successful business and familiar life to pursue an unexpected opportunity in senior living—one that ultimately became her...

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  Episode #8

  Behind the Experience Curator: Jess Tougeron

  May 3, 202641 minS1

  <p>Behind every title is a person, with a story worth hearing. In this episode of The Meritage Project, host Phil Lord sits down with Solera’s newest Executive Director, Jess Tougeron — a leader whose path from retail and hospitality to senior living is rooted in connection and purpose.</p><p>Jess reflects on her early influences, the experiences that shaped her leadership, and the unexpected transition that led her to senior living. What began as a career shift quickly became a calling — one centered on creating joy, building relationships, and honoring each resident’s story.</p><p>Along the way, her...

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