How to Start Difficult Conversations With Aging Parents With Maria Garceffa (Ep. 115)
Having Difficult Conversations With Aging Parents: How To Start And What To Say
In this episode of the WealthStyle Podcast, Iván Watanabe and Evan Wohl are joined by psychotherapist Maria Graceffa to explore how families can approach difficult conversations with aging parents around estate planning, healthcare decisions, and end-of-life wishes.
The discussion focuses less on financial details and more on communication, timing, and emotional awareness. Maria shares why topics that feel taboo are often the most important to address, and how understanding your audience matters just as much as having the right information. The conversation covers practical guidance on aligning with siblings before approaching parents, choosing the right messenger, and framing discussions as invitations rather than directives.
Listeners will also learn what language to avoid, how silence can create space for trust, and what to do when conversations become emotional or go off track. This episode offers thoughtful, real-world insight for anyone navigating multi-generational planning conversations and wanting to protect family relationships while creating clarity for the future.
Key takeaways:
- Why avoiding “taboo” topics like death, inheritance, and long-term care often creates more stress than clarity
- How aligning with siblings and choosing the right messenger matters more than having the most expertise
- How to frame conversations as invitations, not directives, using open-ended questions that preserve a parent’s sense of control
- What language and timing to avoid, and how pauses and silence can reduce defensiveness and build trust
- Why these discussions work best as an ongoing dialogue rather than a one-time conversation
- And more!
Listen to this episode of the WealthStyle Podcast and subscribe to stay connected to conversations that move your wealth and lifestyle forward, always forward.
Connect with Iván Watanabe:
- Opus Private Client, LLC
- iwatanabe@opus-pc.com
- LinkedIn: Iván Watanabe
- YouTube: OPUS Private Client, LLC
Connect with Evan Wohl:
Connect with Maria Graceffa:
About Our Guest:
Maria Graceffa is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York and Connecticut. She earned her degree in Psychological Counseling from Teachers College, Columbia University, and is known for being an exceptional listener—a professional secret-keeper, in the best colloquial sense.
Maria is a seasoned clinician, creating a supportive space where clients can heal their vulnerabilities. She communicates directly—no BS—while always leading with gentle compassion. Her work focuses on helping clients process old hurts, develop new and adaptive belief systems, and build healthier behavior patterns that support lasting change. She helps folks have the hard conversations to get unstuck within family, work, and overall life. Maria is further specialized, offering EMDR and couples counseling.
Outside of the therapy room, Maria is a real sports-ball-Mom, with gear, goggles, nets, and balls for every season. She also shares her days with a senior pup who still performs daily auditions for Cirque du Soleil, keeping life both grounded and entertaining.
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