By Marlana Dant and Krystal Scharon
Featuring insights from Stephen Bungay, Senior Director of Sales at Schlegal Villages
At this year’s Senior Living Executive Conference (SLEC), attendees will have the opportunity to experience something truly different, a session that goes beyond strategy and operations and instead taps into the heart of why senior living exists: human connection.
The Green Bench: A Decade of Wisdom and the Road Home is more than a documentary screening. It’s a powerful exploration of storytelling, legacy, and the profound impact of listening.
Ahead of the conference, we sat down with Stephen Bungay, Senior Director of Sales at Schlegel Villages, to discuss the origins of The Green Bench and what audiences can expect from this moving presentation.
To get a preview of the experience, you can watch the official trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chz5cnoTZhM
From a Simple Bench to a Movement
More than a decade ago, The Green Bench began as a simple idea: place a bench in a community space and invite someone to sit down and share their story.
“It wasn’t fancy,” Bungay shared. “It was just an opportunity for connection.”
What started as a grassroots initiative quickly evolved. Residents became storytellers. Conversations turned into a podcast. And now, on its 10-year anniversary, those stories have been brought to life through a professionally produced documentary, one that captures deeply personal moments while representing the collective experiences of older adults everywhere.
Importantly, Bungay emphasizes that The Green Bench is not about branding or ownership.
“There’s no secret sauce here,” he said. “Our goal is for everyone to have their own version of a ‘green bench,’ whatever that looks like in their community. It’s about creating space for stories to be shared.”
The “Road Home” and the Resident Journey
A central theme of the documentary is the idea of the “road home,” a concept that resonates deeply in senior living.
“For many residents, this move is likely their last,” Bungay explained. “That gives us an incredible responsibility and opportunity to make it meaningful.”
Rather than focusing solely on amenities or services, Bungay advocates for a more human-centered approach: understanding who residents are before they arrive.
“When you know someone’s story, you can help them feel at home in a way that goes far beyond the physical environment,” he said.
A Moment That Stays With You
While the documentary features several powerful stories, one moment in particular left a lasting impression on Bungay.
It follows a resident named Joan, who was able to return to her hometown in Newfoundland. During the trip, she visited her parents’ graves, a moment filled with reflection, closure, and deep emotion.
“She knew it would likely be her last time there,” Bungay said. “Being part of that experience, it’s something I’ll never forget.”
It’s moments like these that underscore the importance of storytelling, not just as a tool for engagement, but as a way to honor legacy.
Storytelling as a Foundation for Trust
Bungay’s perspective is shaped by his unique career path, which began in recreation before transitioning into sales leadership. That foundation continues to influence how he approaches relationships with residents and families today.
“In senior living, this is one of the most emotional decisions a family will ever make,” he said. “You can’t build trust by just listing amenities. You build it by listening.”
At Schlegel Villages, that philosophy shows everything from detailed resident “ME” forms to hiring practices that prioritize empathy and connection over traditional sales experience.
“We hire people who genuinely care, recreation therapists, caregivers, and people who know how to connect,” Bungay explained.
Elevating Resident Voice
At its core, The Green Bench is about giving residents a voice and ensuring that voice is heard. For leaders looking to bring this mindset into their own organizations, Bungay offers a simple but powerful piece of advice:
“Know people’s names, know their stories, and know their superpowers.”
What to Expect at SLEC
During the SLEC session, attendees will experience a screening of The Green Bench documentary, followed by a discussion on how to bring similar storytelling initiatives into their own communities.
In a fitting extension of the program’s mission, a physical green bench featured in the film will also be gifted to a local senior living community in Nashville, creating a lasting legacy beyond the conference itself.