Arun Paul on Redefining Senior Living for the Diaspora
Download MP3"This third stage of life I do believe is when we're at our highest levels... peak powers. You always believe that the best is ahead." — Arun Paul
How do we gracefully care for our aging parents without stripping away their community, serendipity, and human connection? For the South Asian diaspora, traditional joint-family models are colliding with the individualistic, suburban realities of American life—leading to a public health crisis of loneliness.
In this episode of TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING, host Dr. Abhay Dandekar sits down with Arun Paul, the founder and CEO of Priya Living. Drawing from his deep background in the resort and hospitality industry, Arun is completely reimagining intergenerational and senior living for the diaspora.
Arun opens up about his personal journey of trying to keep his aging parents close in San Francisco, the viral "game of telephone" that sparked Priya Living, and why their communities are designed around public courtyards to foster organic connection. We also explore the staggering science of loneliness, why young Desi professionals are moving into these communities, and what our culture urgently needs to unlearn about elder care.
If you are navigating the "sandwich generation" or care deeply about building human connection, please LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE to support the channel!
--------------------------
CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Welcome & Introducing Arun Paul (Priya Living)
04:41 - The "Sandwich Generation" & Starting the Conversation with Aging Parents
10:16 - Individualistic US Suburbs vs. Indian Serendipity & Connection
14:52 - The Viral "Game of Telephone" That Started Priya Living
18:19 - Sponsor Break: Travelopod, Lotus Lane Coffee
18:45 - Physical Design: Courtyards, Public Spaces & Human Connection
22:31 - Why Priya is a "Hospitality Company," Not an Old Age Home
27:42 - How Moving to a Community Can Actually Strengthen Family Bonds
31:12 - Intergenerational Living: Why Young Desis Want to Move In
34:17 - The Science of Loneliness & Speaking 30% Fewer Words Today
37:26 - Sponsor Break: Timberdog Ruffrest
37:56 - What the Diaspora Must Unlearn About Senior Care
41:48 - Redefining the Concept of "Home"
44:16 - Building Trust & Reaching Our "Peak Powers" as We Age
46:17 - Outro & Community Resources
--------------------------
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & KEY TAKEAWAYS:
• Hospitality, Not Healthcare: Why approaching senior living through the lens of a boutique resort—focusing on joy and connection—changes the entire experience.
• The Loneliness Epidemic: Unpacking the physiological impacts of loneliness and the staggering research that we speak 30% fewer words per day than we did 20 years ago.
• Intergenerational Magic: Why Priya Living attracts young diaspora professionals seeking the wisdom, warmth, and "adoption" of elders.
• A Second Childhood: How allowing parents the autonomy to build their own robust social lives liberates both the senior and the adult child.
GUEST & COMMUNITY RESOURCES:
🌐 Explore Priya Living: https://www.priyaliving.com
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:
✈️ Travelopod — Custom, personalized travel experiences for destinations like Africa, Japan, Antarctica, and India: https://vacation.travelopod.com
☕ Lotus Lane Coffee — Rooted in India, Roasted in Columbus:
https://lotuslanecoffee.com
🐶 Timberdog Ruffrest — Versatile portable dog beds for travel and camping:
https://timberdog.com/
Trust Me I Know What I'm Doing | Dr. Abhay Dandekar
A mirror and window for global Indians and South Asians through conversation.
Every week, we share chats with artists, leaders, musicians, chefs, experts, change makers, and innovators from the home and diaspora - sharing their journeys and motivations.
For enquiries 📧 Email : info@abhaydandekar.com
Find us on Instagram/ LinkedIn:
https://www.instagram.com/drabhaydandekar/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/abhaydandekar/
Listen to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform:
🎙️ Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZReYDw6ta5zGuN4iLZ8Pt
🎙️ Apple Podcast : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/trust-me-i-know-what-im-doing/id1635803563?uo=4
🎙️ Amazon Music : https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/acec47fd-da0e-4419-aab9-306503ea49c5
🎙️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrustMeIKnowWhatImDoing
#ArunPaul #PriyaLiving #SeniorLiving #DesiDiaspora #SouthAsianMentalHealth #ElderCare #LonelinessEpidemic #TrustMeIKnowWhatImDoing #AbhayDandekar #IntergenerationalLiving
How do we gracefully care for our aging parents without stripping away their community, serendipity, and human connection? For the South Asian diaspora, traditional joint-family models are colliding with the individualistic, suburban realities of American life—leading to a public health crisis of loneliness.
In this episode of TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING, host Dr. Abhay Dandekar sits down with Arun Paul, the founder and CEO of Priya Living. Drawing from his deep background in the resort and hospitality industry, Arun is completely reimagining intergenerational and senior living for the diaspora.
Arun opens up about his personal journey of trying to keep his aging parents close in San Francisco, the viral "game of telephone" that sparked Priya Living, and why their communities are designed around public courtyards to foster organic connection. We also explore the staggering science of loneliness, why young Desi professionals are moving into these communities, and what our culture urgently needs to unlearn about elder care.
If you are navigating the "sandwich generation" or care deeply about building human connection, please LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE to support the channel!
--------------------------
CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Welcome & Introducing Arun Paul (Priya Living)
04:41 - The "Sandwich Generation" & Starting the Conversation with Aging Parents
10:16 - Individualistic US Suburbs vs. Indian Serendipity & Connection
14:52 - The Viral "Game of Telephone" That Started Priya Living
18:19 - Sponsor Break: Travelopod, Lotus Lane Coffee
18:45 - Physical Design: Courtyards, Public Spaces & Human Connection
22:31 - Why Priya is a "Hospitality Company," Not an Old Age Home
27:42 - How Moving to a Community Can Actually Strengthen Family Bonds
31:12 - Intergenerational Living: Why Young Desis Want to Move In
34:17 - The Science of Loneliness & Speaking 30% Fewer Words Today
37:26 - Sponsor Break: Timberdog Ruffrest
37:56 - What the Diaspora Must Unlearn About Senior Care
41:48 - Redefining the Concept of "Home"
44:16 - Building Trust & Reaching Our "Peak Powers" as We Age
46:17 - Outro & Community Resources
--------------------------
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & KEY TAKEAWAYS:
• Hospitality, Not Healthcare: Why approaching senior living through the lens of a boutique resort—focusing on joy and connection—changes the entire experience.
• The Loneliness Epidemic: Unpacking the physiological impacts of loneliness and the staggering research that we speak 30% fewer words per day than we did 20 years ago.
• Intergenerational Magic: Why Priya Living attracts young diaspora professionals seeking the wisdom, warmth, and "adoption" of elders.
• A Second Childhood: How allowing parents the autonomy to build their own robust social lives liberates both the senior and the adult child.
GUEST & COMMUNITY RESOURCES:
🌐 Explore Priya Living: https://www.priyaliving.com
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:
✈️ Travelopod — Custom, personalized travel experiences for destinations like Africa, Japan, Antarctica, and India: https://vacation.travelopod.com
☕ Lotus Lane Coffee — Rooted in India, Roasted in Columbus:
https://lotuslanecoffee.com
🐶 Timberdog Ruffrest — Versatile portable dog beds for travel and camping:
https://timberdog.com/
Trust Me I Know What I'm Doing | Dr. Abhay Dandekar
A mirror and window for global Indians and South Asians through conversation.
Every week, we share chats with artists, leaders, musicians, chefs, experts, change makers, and innovators from the home and diaspora - sharing their journeys and motivations.
For enquiries 📧 Email : info@abhaydandekar.com
Find us on Instagram/ LinkedIn:
https://www.instagram.com/drabhaydandekar/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/abhaydandekar/
Listen to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform:
🎙️ Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZReYDw6ta5zGuN4iLZ8Pt
🎙️ Apple Podcast : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/trust-me-i-know-what-im-doing/id1635803563?uo=4
🎙️ Amazon Music : https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/acec47fd-da0e-4419-aab9-306503ea49c5
🎙️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrustMeIKnowWhatImDoing
#ArunPaul #PriyaLiving #SeniorLiving #DesiDiaspora #SouthAsianMentalHealth #ElderCare #LonelinessEpidemic #TrustMeIKnowWhatImDoing #AbhayDandekar #IntergenerationalLiving
