HELP! Nobody Told Me

Jasmine Shapiro & Shannon Johnson

Welcome to "HELP! Nobody Told Me..." where we navigate life's transitions with heart and humor. Learn with hosts Jasmine Shapiro and Shannon Johnson, Chicagoland REALTORS® and Senior Real Estate Specialists® with BHHSChicago. Join us as we delve into the world of real estate at different stages of life with an eye on your future, guided by our team including Mindy Leonard, SOS- Super Organized Spaces, a home organizer, and Jordan Kagan, The Man of Silver, specializing in sterling silver, precious metals, coins and watches.

In each episode, we'll bring you insightful interviews with various guests to help you plan for the future, whether it's your own, your parents' or anyone else in your life. From practical advice on navigating real estate transactions to discussions about the emotions that accompany change, we're here to empower and educate you on how to handle the next chapter.

Subscribe and follow wherever you get your podcasts and learn what you need to plan for today!

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108 episodes
Updated July 29

Episodes108

Newest first

May 29, 2025 · 30 min
Preserving Your Mental Health As Your Loved One’s Health Declines
Susan Snyder is a mental health counselor in private practice, providing psychotherapy to individuals, couples, and families. She works collaboratively with her clients to reduce isolation and stress while helping them identify and manage life’s challenges with compassionate and supportive care. In addition to her clinical work, Susan has guided numerous families through the emotional and practical difficulties of a loved one’s declining health. Drawing from both her professional expertise and personal experiences with health challenges and loss, she offers thoughtful recommendations and heartfelt support to those navigating this difficult journey. Subscribe, leave a review and follow us on social media…Join us next Wednesday for another episode of Help! Nobody Told Me… Hosts: Shannon Johnson sjohnson@bhhschicago.com Jasmine Shapiro jshapiro@bhhschicago.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonandjasmine/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonandjasmine Website: https://shannonandjasmine.bhhschicago.com/ Links: https://thecarepartnerproject.org/ https://nationalhealthcouncil.org/ https://Eldercare.gov https://www.hhs.gov/ https://www.aarp.org/ https://alzfdn.org/ sms1782@gmail.com Produced by: Dave Couto with Bright Vox Audio Edited by: Michael Collins
May 21, 2025 · 25 min
Senior Life Resources
Marla serves as Community Outreach Liaison for CJE SeniorLife. Prior to that she held the positions of Volunteer Services Coordinator and Supervisor. Her career path includes healthcare and social work professions leading to her current work in senior services. She has served most of her life leading a variety of volunteers. Marla enjoys the synergy that is created when collegial and community partners collaborate to create and implement projects that are both meaningful and impactful. Subscribe, leave a review and follow us on social media…Join us next Wednesday for another episode of Help! Nobody Told Me… Hosts: Shannon Johnson sjohnson@bhhschicago.com Jasmine Shapiro jshapiro@bhhschicago.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonandjasmine/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonandjasmine Website: https://shannonandjasmine.bhhschicago.com/ Links: https://tamarisknorthshore.com/ Marla.Goldberg@cje.net https://cje.net/ Produced by: Dave Couto with Bright Vox Audio Edited by: Michael Collins
May 14, 2025 · 30 min
Not Just Recruiting People, Connecting People
Amy Ratnow is the founder of ALR Connections. Her path to founding ALR Connections began in 2017 when she recognized a gap in the workforce for women re-entering their careers and small businesses with no HR who needed help. With three young children of her own, she pivoted herself with a mission to bridge the divide between women seeking work-life balance and growing companies in need of good people. Amy’s missions is to empower women to feel confident to get back into to the workplace after life changes. Subscribe, leave a review and follow us on social media…Join us next Wednesday for another episode of Help! Nobody Told Me… Hosts: Shannon Johnson sjohnson@bhhschicago.com Jasmine Shapiro jshapiro@bhhschicago.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonandjasmine/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonandjasmine Website: https://shannonandjasmine.bhhschicago.com/ Links: amy@alrconnections.com https://alrconnections.com/ https://www.instagram.com/alrconnectionsjobs/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/2360389053981235 https://www.linkedin.com/company/alr-connections/ Produced by: Dave Couto with Bright Vox Audio Edited by: Michael Collins
May 7, 2025 · 27 min
What You Need to Know About Reverse Mortgages
Josh Orlan, Reverse Mortgage Lender Josh’s mission is helping seniors gain and maintain financial stability. Listen in to find out why reverse mortgages should be a part of your overall financial plan. Check out the benefits of reverse mortgages that you didn’t know about. Subscribe, leave a review and follow us on social media…Join us next Wednesday for another episode of Help! Nobody Told Me… Hosts: Shannon Johnson sjohnson@bhhschicago.com Jasmine Shapiro jshapiro@bhhschicago.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonandjasmine/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonandjasmine Website: https://shannonandjasmine.bhhschicago.com/ Links: Josh.orlan@nafinc.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-orlan-a042a423/ https://www.joshuaorlan.com/ 312-504-8379 Produced by: Dave Couto with Bright Vox Audio Edited by: Michael Collins
Apr 30, 2025 · 23 min
Catching Up with Our Hosts
Our hosts, Shannon & Jasmine, give us an update about what they’ve been up to, what to expect in the spring market, and how they serve their clients. Subscribe, leave a review and follow us on social media…Join us next Wednesday for another episode of Help! Nobody Told Me… Hosts: Shannon Johnson sjohnson@bhhschicago.com Jasmine Shapiro jshapiro@bhhschicago.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonandjasmine/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonandjasmine Website: https://shannonandjasmine.bhhschicago.com/ Links: Produced by: Dave Couto with Bright Vox Audio Edited by: Michael Collins
Apr 23, 2025 · 28 min
Repost - Master Happiness with Marty Jalove
Marty Jalove of Master Happiness is an artist, writer, poet, philosopher, inventor, father, and friend. A euphoric optimist, persistently pursuing his passion of helping hundreds harness happiness. He is a Business Coach, Happiness Instigator, and Motivational Speaker. He helps Small Businesses, Teams, and individuals find focus, feel fulfilled, and have fun! Subscribe, leave a review and follow us on social media…Join us next Wednesday for another episode of Help! Nobody Told Me… Hosts: Shannon Johnson sjohnson@bhhschicago.com Jasmine Shapiro jshapiro@bhhschicago.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonandjasmine/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonandjasmine Website: https://shannonandjasmine.bhhschicago.com/ Links: Phone: 847-513-4717 Email: Smile@MasterHappiness.com Produced by: Dave Couto with Bright Vox Audio Edited by: Michael Collins
Apr 16, 2025 · 36 min
Repost - Do You Have Undiagnosed ADHD?
Jorie Houlihan is a Certified Professional Life Coach, Certified Lifebook Leader, public speaker and ADHD advocate who specializes in working with ADHD women, especially those diagnosed later in life. Having lived with undiagnosed ADHD until the age of 49 she understands these women’s unique challenges, strengths and perspectives. Her goal is to help every ADHD woman embrace their ADHD and how their brains work so that they can begin to live up their full potential with confidence! In this episode we discuss symptoms of ADHD, the impact on executive functioning and how to support those around you with ADHD and much more. Subscribe, leave a review and follow us on social media…Join us next Wednesday for another episode of Help! Nobody Told Me… Hosts: Shannon Johnson sjohnson@bhhschicago.com Jasmine Shapiro jshapiro@bhhschicago.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonandjasmine/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonandjasmine Website: https://shannonandjasmine.bhhschicago.com/ Links: https://www.facebook.com/joriehoulihancll https://www.instagram.com/joriehoulihan https://joriehoulihan.com jorie@joriehoulihan.com Produced by: Dave Couto with Bright Vox Audio Edited by: Michael Collins
Apr 9, 2025 · 27 min
The Mission of The Chicago Furniture Bank
Elle Ullum of the Chicago Furniture Bank. The mission of the Chicago Furniture Bank is to provide dignity, stability and comfort to Chicagoans that face poverty by allowing clients to handpick an entire home's worth of furnishings for free. Everyone should be able to sleep in a bed, share a family meal at a kitchen table, and enjoy the comfort of a furnished home. The Chicago Furniture Bank is a nonprofit organization, founded in July of 2018, that serves as an intermediary between Chicagoans who have extra furniture and those who need it. They provide furnishing packages to their clients that include beds, couches, armchairs, dressers, desks, end tables, coffee tables, kitchen tables + chairs, dish ware, rugs, lamps, artwork, mirrors, and more. Subscribe, leave a review and follow us on social media…Join us next Wednesday for another episode of Help! Nobody Told Me… Hosts: Shannon Johnson sjohnson@bhhschicago.com Jordan Kagan jordan@themanofsilver.net 847-668-5442 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonandjasmine/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonandjasmine Website: https://shannonandjasmine.bhhschicago.com/ https://themanofsilver.net/ Links: https://www.chicagofurniturebank.org/ donate@chicagofurniturebank.org eullum@gmail.com (312) 752-0211 https://www.facebook.com/chicagofurniturebank/ https://www.instagram.com/chicago_furniture_bank/ Produced by: Dave Couto with Bright Vox Audio Edited by: Michael Collins
Apr 2, 2025 · 38 min
Aging Better with the Right Help
Elline Eliasoff is a Gerontologist, Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Kinesiotherapist, and a balance and fall prevention specialist. Her extensive experience spans acute care rehabilitation, sub-acute care, and home health settings. She serves as an Aging Life Care Professional and Geriatric Care Manager, offering personalized support and guidance to older adults and their families. Elline runs a boutique practice, Elite Rehabilitation and Care Management, where she combines her expertise to provide comprehensive care and management solutions tailored to the unique needs of her clients. Subscribe, leave a review and follow us on social media…Join us next Wednesday for another episode of Help! Nobody Told Me… Hosts: Shannon Johnson sjohnson@bhhschicago.com Jordan Kagan jordan@themanofsilver.net 847-668-5442 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonandjasmine/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonandjasmine Website: https://shannonandjasmine.bhhschicago.com/ https://themanofsilver.net/ Links: ellinecmt@gmail.com 847-962-9155 https://www.linkedin.com/in/elline https://ellineeliasoff.com/ Produced by: Dave Couto with Bright Vox Audio Edited by: Michael Collins
Mar 26, 2025 · 32 min
Advocating for Senior Rights and Dignity
Rob Nimmer is the Owner of Oasis Senior Advisors, Chicago North. He is a Certified Senior Living Advisor and Certified Dementia Practitioner. His passion for senior advocacy began over 25 years ago when caring for his aging grandmother. As the years went on, he has learned how our healthcare and financial systems are broken for older adults. This realization has led him to be extremely vocal in advocating for the rights and dignity of seniors. After spending many years in the marketing field (much of that time within healthcare), he is proud and delighted to turn the above passion into his life's work. Rob believes it is a distinct privilege to help older adults, and their families find safe and suitable senior living options. He is extremely humbled and proud to help families navigate the road to senior living, connect them with resources, and ensure their loved ones can continue to thrive. Subscribe, leave a review and follow us on social media…Join us next Wednesday for another episode of Help! Nobody Told Me… Hosts: Shannon Johnson sjohnson@bhhschicago.com Jasmine Shapiro jshapiro@bhhschicago.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonandjasmine/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonandjasmine Website: https://shannonandjasmine.bhhschicago.com/ Links: https://www.oasissenioradvisors.com/chicago-north/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertnimmer/ rnimmer@youroasisadvisor.com 847-401-0055 Produced by: Dave Couto with Bright Vox Audio Edited by: Michael Collins
Mar 19, 2025 · 31 min
Could Video Games Benefit Seniors?
Taylor Wells is a Senior Creative Strategist at Twitch, the top livestreaming platform in the world with an emphasis on gaming content. He brings a lifelong love of video games and technology to his work and his personal life. Taylor is discussing the cognitive, emotional and even physical benefits of videos games on seniors, demystifying gaming for an older audience. Subscribe, leave a review and follow us on social media…Join us next Wednesday for another episode of Help! Nobody Told Me… Hosts: Shannon Johnson sjohnson@bhhschicago.com Mindy Leonard mindy@superorganizedspaces.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonandjasmine/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonandjasmine Website: https://shannonandjasmine.bhhschicago.com/ https://www.facebook.com/mindy.leonard.5 https://www.instagram.com/superorganizedspaces/ Links: www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-wells-b4a1746a taylordwells123@gmail.com Produced by: Dave Couto with Bright Vox Audio Edited by: Michael Collins
Mar 12, 2025 · 29 min
Answering Your Mortgage Questions
Sam Sharp is a seasoned loan originator, licensed in 40+ states, who has funded over $2.5 billion in loans. Sam and his team are a true full service mortgage lender well equipped to handle your business seamlessly from start to finish while providing an elevated standard that clients and partners have come to appreciate. Their goal is to make your mortgage experience Straightforward and Easy. Subscribe, leave a review and follow us on social media…Join us next Wednesday for another episode of Help! Nobody Told Me… Hosts: Shannon Johnson sjohnson@bhhschicago.com Jasmine Shapiro jshapiro@bhhschicago.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonandjasmine/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonandjasmine Website: https://shannonandjasmine.bhhschicago.com/ Links: ssharp@rate.com 312-217-4030 773-290-0455 https://www.linkedin.com/in/samsharpgr https://www.facebook.com/SamSharpGuarenteedRate https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS_G1TbzZ2-x#9DuPewfyKA https://www.instagram.com/samsharpgr/ Produced by: Dave Couto with Bright Vox Audio Edited by: Michael Collins
Mar 5, 2025 · 37 min
Real Estate Tips from Our Favorite Attorney
Matthew Howeth is an Illinois licensed attorney specializing in residential and commercial real estate transactions. Matthew is the owner of Howeth Law LLC and has over a decade of experience practicing in Lake, Cook, McHenry, DuPage, Kane and Will counties. Matthew and his team help hundreds of individuals, families and companies buy and sell real estate each year by emphasizing thorough guidance and consistent communication. Subscribe, leave a review and follow us on social media…Join us next Wednesday for another episode of Help! Nobody Told Me… Hosts: Shannon Johnson sjohnson@bhhschicago.com Jasmine Shapiro jshapiro@bhhschicago.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonandjasmine/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonandjasmine Website: https://shannonandjasmine.bhhschicago.com/ Links: https://www.howethlawllc.com/ Produced by: Dave Couto with Bright Vox Audio Edited by: Michael Collins
Feb 26, 2025 · 31 min
Avoiding Online Scams
Officer Richard Rash is the Community Relations Supervisor with the Northbrook Police in Northbrook, IL. Rich has 30 years of Law Enforcement experience. He has worked in Patrol, Traffic Division, Detective Bureau as the Background Investigator, Patrol Sergeant / Field Training Supervisor, and now as a Community Relations Supervisor. As well as an Adjunct Professor at the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy (College of Dupage). He and his community engagement officer, Amanda Yeager, present safety guidelines to the community regarding online and phone scams, distractions or ruses used to commit a burglary, catfishing and more. Subscribe, leave a review and follow us on social media…Join us next Wednesday for another episode of Help! Nobody Told Me #onlinescams #phonescams #northbrookpoliceil #securityforseniors #fraud #catfishing #seniorresourceteam #shannonandjasminehomes #helpnobodytoldme #bhhs_chicago #bhhschicago_lakeforest Hosts: Shannon Johnson sjohnson@bhhschicago.com Jasmine Shapiro jshapiro@bhhschicago.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonandjasmine/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonandjasmine Website: https://shannonandjasmine.bhhschicago.com/ Links: · https://www.facebook.com/NorthbrookPoliceIL • Richard.Rash@Northbrook.il.us • 847-664-4427 Produced by: Dave Couto with Bright Vox Audio Edited by: Michael Collins
Feb 20, 2025 · 31 min
UPDATE - Misconceptions of a Divorce Attorney
UPDATED VERSION - Apologies for the inconvenience Candace L. Meyers a family law and divorce partner at Beermann LLP. She has been practicing exclusive family law for twenty years. She is passionate about her role as an advocate. Her goal is to guide her clients through what is oftentimes the most challenging experience of their lives. In her practice, Ms. Meyers handles a variety of family law cases, including complex parenting rights and responsibility disputes and extensive asset tracing. She represents her clients through cooperative means, including mediation and negotiation or litigation as needed. Ms. Meyers is also trained in collaborative law. She is intently focused on empowering her clients by educating them on the divorce process and guiding them toward the most favorable results. Subscribe, leave a review and follow us on social media…Join us next Wednesday for another episode of Help! Nobody Told Me… Hosts: Shannon Johnson sjohnson@bhhschicago.com Jasmine Shapiro jshapiro@bhhschicago.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonandjasmine/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonandjasmine Website: shannonandjasmine.bhhschicago.com Links: clmeyers@beermannlaw.com 312-621-1219 Produced by: Dave Couto with Bright Vox Audio Edited by: Michael Collins
Feb 5, 2025 · 30 min
Home Inspections – What You Really Need To Know
Jamie Dunsing is a 2nd generation home inspector and is the owner of Dunsing Inspections, a home and commercial building inspection company that has been in business for over 40 years. Jamie has personally been an inspector for 35 years. He is joined by Dunsing’s marketing director, Kristin Marsden. Subscribe, leave a review and follow us on social media…Join us next Wednesday for another episode of Help! Nobody Told Me… Hosts: Shannon Johnson sjohnson@bhhschicago.com Jasmine Shapiro jshapiro@bhhschicago.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonandjasmine/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonandjasmine Website: shannonandjasmine.bhhschicago.com Links: jamie@dunsing.com or office@dunsing.com 847-367-0782 Produced by: Dave Couto with Bright Vox Audio Edited by: Michael Collins
Jan 29, 2025 · 33 min
Are VA Loans Really That Complicated???
David Piatek, Military Relocation Professional and Instructor for the National Association of REALTORS. David is an army veteran that specializes in helping military members and their families use the VA loan across the country. David is with his client (and Shannon & Jasmine’s client) and retired Army Master Sergeant, Adam Shaw. Adam served in Iraq, Afghanistan as well as multiple other countries. After retiring from the army, he started working for a steel company in Deerfield, IL as a logistics manager. He is also the emcee for the Chicago Memorial Day Parade and Veterans Day ceremony. Subscribe, leave a review and follow us on social media…Join us next Wednesday for another episode of Help! Nobody Told Me… Hosts: Shannon Johnson sjohnson@bhhschicago.com Jasmine Shapiro jshapiro@bhhschicago.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonandjasmine/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonandjasmine Website: shannonandjasmine.bhhschicago.com Links: david@watermanbank.com 202-875-1010 https://www.youtube.com/@vahousingeducation https://bit.ly/VA_Appointment Produced by: Dave Couto with Bright Vox Audio Edited by: Michael Collins
Jan 22, 2025 · 25 min
Transitioning Into Senior Care
Ronda Parmacek is a senior living concierge with Senior Living Specialists. She has been in the field of senior living for over 17 years. Ronda’s experience originally was working inside the communities. It was there she learned what made a community work at a quality level. She now offers seniors and their families free services to assist them in finding the most ideal senior living community that best fits each seniors’ unique medical needs. Subscribe, leave a review and follow us on social media…Join us next Wednesday for another episode of Help! Nobody Told Me… Hosts: Shannon Johnson sjohnson@bhhschicago.com Jasmine Shapiro jshapiro@bhhschicago.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonandjasmine/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonandjasmine Website: shannonandjasmine.bhhschicago.com Links: www.seniorlivingspecialists.com Ronda@seniorlivingspecialistschicago.com 224.619.6466 Produced by: Dave Couto with Bright Vox Audio Edited by: Michael Collins
Jan 15, 2025 · 30 min
Declutter Your Life
Mindy Leonard is the owner of Super Organized Spaces/SOS. SOS helps people feel better in their homes by decluttering, purging and organizing. They also help people wit staging, packing a unpacking when moving. SOS focuses on creating functional, efficient and personalized spaces for each one of their clients. Subscribe, leave a review and follow us on social media…Join us next Wednesday for another episode of Help! Nobody Told Me… Hosts: Shannon Johnson sjohnson@bhhschicago.com Jasmine Shapiro jshapiro@bhhschicago.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonandjasmine/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonandjasmine Website: shannonandjasmine.bhhschicago.com Links: mindy@superorganizedspaces.com superorganizedspace.com @superorganizedspaces on Instagram 847-651-3829 Produced by: Dave Couto with Bright Vox Audio Edited by: Michael Collins
Jan 8, 2025 · 28 min
Master Happiness with Marty Jalove
Marty Jalove of Master Happiness is an artist, writer, poet, philosopher, inventor, father, and friend. A euphoric optimist, persistently pursuing his passion of helping hundreds harness happiness. He is a Business Coach, Happiness Instigator, and Motivational Speaker. He helps Small Businesses, Teams, and individuals find focus, feel fulfilled, and have fun! Subscribe, leave a review and follow us on social media…Join us next Wednesday for another episode of Help! Nobody Told Me… Hosts: Shannon Johnson sjohnson@bhhschicago.com Jasmine Shapiro jshapiro@bhhschicago.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonandjasmine/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonandjasmine Website: shannonandjasmine.bhhschicago.com Links: Phone: 847-513-4717 Email: Smile@MasterHappiness.com Produced by: Dave Couto with Bright Vox Audio Edited by: Michael Collins