Happy Healthy Caregiver

Christy Byrne Yates is a sandwich generation caregiver, author, and retired school psychologist who worked with young adults with disabilities. In this conversation, Christy shares the wisdom and practical tools she has gathered over years of caregiving and coaching. We talk about her CARES framework — a five-part roadmap for sandwich generation caregivers that covers everything from consciously choosing your caregiving role to enlisting a team, recharging your own batteries, and surrendering the need for perfection and control. That last one is a big one — and Christy gets real about what it means to surrender even when the outcome is not what you wanted or hoped for. We also dig into the very real and sometimes complicated dynamics of managing expectations with siblings, and how the relationships around caregiving can be just as challenging as the caregiving itself. Christy shares her powerful perspective on intentionally choosing your caregiving role as a way to protect and sustain your energy — because how you show up matters as much as what you do. We talk about her favorite mantra, "connection over correction," and how leading with connection first changes everything — whether you are caring for an aging parent, raising children, or navigating any relationship in your life. Show notes with product and resource links: https://bit.ly/HHCPod236 Receive the podcast in your email here: http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal: http://bit.ly/HHCjournal For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth: https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/ The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast: https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Susanna Peace Lovell is a single mother, advocate, and certified professional life coach who has spent over 20 years raising her daughter Arizona, who lives with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, anxiety, and multiple food allergies. She is also a support caregiver for her father, who has undergone several brain procedures — making her caregiving journey multilayered. In this conversation, Susanna shares about how her Taiwanese cultural background shaped her caregiving experience in profound ways and how that silence influenced her path to becoming a fierce advocate for disability families. She gets real about her experience with severe postpartum depression and anxiety, the power of taking life one minute at a time, and how journaling has become like oxygen for her survival and growth, especially on those daunting days. We also talk about her ongoing quest to turn down the noise in her life and the soul care practices, including Reiki and meditation, that keep her grounded. Show notes with product and resource links: https://bit.ly/HHCPod235 Receive the podcast in your email here: http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal: http://bit.ly/HHCjournal For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth: https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/ The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast: https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Tamara Buzyna Adams knows the sandwich generation experience. She spent years caregiving for her father through dementia while continuing to support her aging mother — all while raising two children and navigating a midlife career pivot. In this episode, Tamara shares how exploring family history with a loved one living with dementia can be a powerful tool for connection — sparking moments of clarity, preserving identity, and bringing peace to both the person with dementia and the caregivers. We also get into the deeply relatable emotions around role reversal with aging parents and what it really feels like when the child becomes the caregiver. Tamara shares her experience transitioning a parent to community living, how her family used regular Zoom calls to keep remote family members connected and involved, and the hard-won wisdom she's gained around saying no and setting boundaries as a caregiver. She shares how her passion for genealogy turned into a profession, and the unexpected self-discovery journey that unfolded through translating her grandma’s handwritten journals and her additional research, which led her to write her book, Last Ship to Freedom. And for anyone curious about digging into their own family history, Tamara shares practical advice on how to get started — no experience needed. Show notes with product and resource links: https://bit.ly/HHCPod234 Receive the podcast in your email here: http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal: http://bit.ly/HHCjournal For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth: https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/ The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast: https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Heather Butchen is a care partner for her husband Jeff, who was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson's disease at 51 years old. Over the past decade-plus, Heather has navigated the evolving challenges that come with a progressive disease — and a few years ago, she and Jeff reached a major milestone when he underwent Deep Brain Stimulation surgery, known as DBS. In this episode, Heather shares practical wisdom from her caregiving journey. We talk about how she keeps a dedicated medical journal to stay organized across doctor's appointments and support group meetings, and how those notes proved invaluable when they were ready to explore DBS surgery. Heather also shares how she and Jeff co-founded a Parkinson's support group back in 2014 that is still going strong today. She shares her "do it now" philosophy when it comes to travel, including smart tips for navigating airports with a hidden disability using the Sunflower Lanyard program. She talks candidly about the creativity it takes to keep a care partner engaged in physical activity — and why boxing has been an ideal activity for Jeff. We also get into the tender aspects of their partnership — how they've simplified family gatherings to reduce stress, how they use conversation cards at dinner to reconnect and go deeper after 31 years of marriage, and what it has looked like to rediscover each other as their kids have grown and moved out. And we absolutely talk about Heather's own self-care routines, which include walking catch-ups with friends, Pilates, Mahjong, and her favorite snacks. Show notes with product and resource links: https://bit.ly/HHCPod233 Receive the podcast in your email here: http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal: http://bit.ly/HHCjournal For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth: https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/ The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast: https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

She started caregiving at 13, lost her mother at 26, went on to serve in the White House, and built a life that refuses to be defined by loss alone. In this episode of the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast, I'm joined by Marisa Renee Lee — two-time author, grief advocate, social-impact founder, and a relentless woman. We cover everything from sneaking breaks into your workday and the lifelong lessons of childhood caregiving, to living with Long COVID, why failing is completely normal, and her genius idea of assigning friends to bring the fun. Plus, her personal mantra, a new puppy, and a Paris trip on the horizon. This one is for anyone who is looking for peace when life feels uncertain. Show notes with product and resource links: https://bit.ly/HHCPod232 Receive the podcast in your email here: http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal: http://bit.ly/HHCjournal For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth: https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/ The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast: https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Solo caregiving is tough, and we want to help by sharing four key resource areas for solo caregivers. This episode is extra special Happy Healthy Caregiver episode because I got to collaborate with two women I genuinely admire — Nancy Treaster and Sue Ryan of The Caregiver's Journey. You may recognize their names because both have been guests here on the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast, and I've loved staying connected with them ever since. We even got on a cruise together on the Self-Care at Sea cruise last year. Nancy and Sue have been friends for over 35 years, and they came together out of their own frustration with the lack of practical, candid guidance for dementia caregivers. Between them, they've navigated caregiving for multiple family members — all while managing demanding careers — and they've turned those hard-won lessons into a nonprofit called The Caregiver’s Journey dedicated to helping other caregivers feel less overwhelmed and more equipped. One of the tools they offer that keeps getting better and better is their Caregiving Roadmap, which was created with dementia caregivers in mind. In this episode, we are joining forces to share four resource areas to better support the Solo Caregiver. Whether you are caring for someone with dementia or not, this episode has much to offer. Show notes with product and resource links: https://bit.ly/HHCPod231 Receive the podcast in your email here: http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal: http://bit.ly/HHCjournal For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth: https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/ The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast: https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Sandwich generation caregiving, burnout, and family coordination—Glenn Shimkus is living it all while caring for five parents, supporting adult children, and running a mission-driven business. In this episode, Glenn shares practical insights on dividing caregiving responsibilities into “swim lanes,” recognizing his early signs of burnout, and preparing families before a crisis through his company, Prisidio. He also opens up about the routines that keep him grounded, the joy of becoming a first-time grandparent, and the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone—even if that means swimming with whales in open water! Show notes with product and resource links: https://bit.ly/HHCPod230 Receive the podcast in your email here: http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal: http://bit.ly/HHCjournal For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth: https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/ The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast: https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

What does it really look like when men step into the caregiving role — and why are they so often invisible in the conversation? Kyle Woody knows firsthand. He cared for his wife through Stage 4 Colon Cancer, even after she asked for a divorce four years into their caregiving journey. Now, he cares for his two sons while working full-time. Drawing on his care experiences, Kyle founded Jack's Caregiver Coalition — an organization dedicated to supporting and strengthening male caregivers. In this episode of the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast, Kyle shares: Why men are the most overlooked non-professional caregivers — and what needs to change His organization's bold mission to strengthen 1 million caregiving men by 2035 What it was like to meet Oprah and share his story as part of her book club How he navigates the unique experience of co-parenting with his late ex-wife's boyfriend His go-to self-care strategies: working with a coach, writing letters to himself, asking four morning questions, and rucking Whether you're a male caregiver who's been going it alone or someone who loves one, this episode is full of honest insight and practical encouragement. Show notes with product and resource links: https://bit.ly/HHCPod229 Receive the podcast in your email here: http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal: http://bit.ly/HHCjournal For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth: https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/ The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast: https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Dori Martin knows firsthand what true burnout and midlife mayhem feel like. At the busiest time of her life, she was a divorced single mom while caregiving for a parent through end-of-life. Then she started navigating a terminal diagnosis with her second husband — and that's when her body began to shut down. What she discovered changed everything: what many women are told is "just stress, aging, or hormones" is often something much deeper. In this episode, Dori talks about the invisible weight caregivers carry, why so many are stuck in a state of chronic stress and fight-or-flight, and why not feeling safe in your own body is at the root of so much burnout. She shares small but powerful ways to nurture and reset your nervous system. She even credits a future pacing exercise with leading her and her family (including her husband) to take up scuba diving as a joyful, soul-filling practice — proof that healing can open doors you never expected. If you're a caregiver who's been running on empty and putting everyone else first, this episode is your permission slip to finally put yourself back on the list. Show notes with product and resource links: https://bit.ly/HHCPod228 Receive the podcast in your email here: http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal: http://bit.ly/HHCjournal For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth: https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/ The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast: https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Marilyn Raichle grew up surrounded by Alzheimer’s disease, watching many relatives on both sides of her family develop dementia. Her career in the performing arts took an unexpected turn when she became the primary caregiver for both of her parents living with dementia. What began as a reluctant role became a deeply meaningful journey. Today, Marilyn channels her caregiving experience into advocacy and creativity. She is the author of Don’t Walk Away , celebrates the creativity of people living with dementia through The Art of Alzheimer’s , and serves as Executive Director of Maude’s Awards for Innovation in Alzheimer’s Care. In this episode, Marilyn shares insights from her caregiving journey, the power of creativity in dementia care, and how her view of living life changed drastically from an attitude of winning to a new perspective of living in the moment. And, learn why Marilyn baked 2000 cookies in one year and why she says that her mom’s Assisted Living Community became a place where she could relax. Show notes with product and resource links: https://bit.ly/HHCPod227 Receive the podcast in your email here: http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal: http://bit.ly/HHCjournal For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth: https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/ The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast: https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Tim Otis is a two-time family caregiver whose journey began in childhood when he helped care for his paralyzed mother and later became the primary caregiver for his father, living with Parkinson’s disease. Through these deeply personal experiences, Tim saw how long-term caregiving—though rooted in love—can quietly impact a caregiver’s health, identity, relationships, and career. In this episode, we discuss the emotional toll of supporting a loved one through serious illness, the ripple effects caregiving has on family dynamics and employment, and why caregivers must be seen as whole people—not just helpers. Tim also shares his desire to create systemic change in how we support caregivers, reflects on his mother’s end-of-life experience, and guides us through a short, restorative reset you can practice anytime. Show notes with product and resource links: https://bit.ly/HHCPod226 Receive the podcast in your email here: http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal: http://bit.ly/HHCjournal For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth: https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/ The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast: https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

After spending more than a decade as the primary caregiver for her mother, living with vascular dementia, Rosanne Corcoran dedicates her work to supporting and empowering family caregivers nationwide. She is a leading voice with Daughterhood, host of Daughterhood the Podcast, and was named a 2024 Advocate for Aging by Next Avenue and the American Society on Aging. In this episode, Rosanne shares practical wisdom on accepting help from community and support networks so that you can carve out time to be off the caregiving clock and learn that it’s ok to share uncomfortable feelings outside your family. We also talk about aging well, navigating in-home dementia care, seeking everyday joy, and what true self-care can look like when caregivers finally take time for themselves. Show notes with product and resource links: https://bit.ly/HHCPod225 Receive the podcast in your email here: http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal: http://bit.ly/HHCjournal For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth: https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/ The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast: https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Betsy Hicks-Russ, Director of the nonprofit Autism Odyssey, shares what it takes to navigate caregiving when your child has high support needs. Drawing on her over three decades of experience as a family caregiver, Betsy discusses overcoming significant obstacles, letting go of victimhood, and choosing to try new things—even when the path forward feels uncertain. In this episode, we explore the powerful gut-to-brain connection and why good nutrition matters for caregivers and care recipients alike. Betsy also reflects on how caregiving has changed over time, comparing today’s information overload with earlier days of lower-tech living and stronger local community connections. Plus, we explore the joy of discovering shared interests with our care recipients—such as a love of Grateful Dead music and nature—and how these shared joys can deepen connection and resilience in caregiving relationships. Show notes with product and resource links: https://bit.ly/HHCPod224 Receive the podcast in your email here: http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal: http://bit.ly/HHCjournal For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth: https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/ The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast: https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Meet sandwich generation caregiver Brendan Kelso, who shares his journey caring for his mom with Alzheimer’s while also supporting his son with ASD. Brendan discusses embracing vulnerability and how therapeutic writing—even just 15 minutes a day—helps him process the messy parts of life and the mental traffic that shows up at night when sleep feels impossible. You’ll learn how creativity weaves through Brendan’s caregiving life—from thrifting books with his son to run an eBay bookstore, to adapting extended plays into child-friendly experiences, to writing a debut mystery-thriller inspired by his mother’s Alzheimer’s journey, and even transforming her former tiny home into a brick-and-mortar bookstore. We also dive into the importance of saying no, accessing California caregiver support, and finding meaningful ways to adapt when life doesn’t go as planned. Show notes with product and resource links: https://bit.ly/HHCPod223 Receive the podcast in your email here: http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal: http://bit.ly/HHCjournal For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth: https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/ The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast: https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Kathy Stein spent decades as the legal guardian and devoted advocate for her younger autistic brother, Ed. After Ed’s passing in 2024, Kathy and her siblings chose to donate his brain to scientific research—a powerful act of love that supports future breakthroughs in autism and neurodegenerative disorder understanding and leaves a powerful legacy in Ed’s memory. In this episode, Kathy shares what lifelong advocacy really looks like, how compartmentalizing your day can protect your energy, and why navigating state-by-state care systems can be so challenging for families. She also walks us through the brain donation process, her idea for a “compassion pill,” and the creative way she stays active through her beloved “big box walking” routine. Show notes with product and resource links: https://bit.ly/HHCPod222 Receive the podcast in your email here: http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal: http://bit.ly/HHCjournal For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth: https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/ The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast: https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

As the navigator for her daughter’s rare disease and a Yale-trained physician, Dr. Maggie Kang, uses her personal and professional training to guide other parents through the healthcare system, helping them turn health challenges into leadership. She is a passionate advocate, TEDx speaker, and contributor to HuffPost and Psychology Today. In this episode, we explore how caregivers can reclaim agency for themselves and their loved ones, move beyond cycles of suffering or self-comfort, and take meaningful action—especially within the rare disease community. We also discuss the grief that accompanies losing our pre-caregiving life and how to intentionally create a vibrant, empowered “new normal.” And, you’ll learn why fresh parsley is one of Maggie’s go-to self-care strategies. Show notes with product and resource links: https://bit.ly/HHCPod221 Receive the podcast in your email here: http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal: http://bit.ly/HHCjournal For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth: https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/ The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast: https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Jeanette Yates spent decades caring for her mother — an experience that inspired her to write a book and host a podcast helping adult children caring for aging parents feel good, not guilty . In this episode of the Happy Healthy Caregiver Podcast, Jeanette and Elizabeth explore two powerful emotions that every caregiver faces: guilt and grief. Together, they unpack how to let go of perfectionism, embrace self-compassion, and find peace in “good enough” caregiving. Show notes with product and resource links: https://bit.ly/HHCPod220 Receive the podcast in your email here: http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal: http://bit.ly/HHCjournal For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth: https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/ The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast: https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

When Eric Levitan saw his parents’ health decline from afar, he set out to better understand how to impact healthy aging for his family and others. He founded Vivo, a company dedicated to helping older adults stay active and independent. In this episode, we dive into the four cornerstones of healthy aging, fall prevention, and how to make healthy habits stick—plus accessible, fun ways to add strength training into daily life. Eric also shares insights on remote caregiving, the growing AgeTech initiative, talking with loved ones about senior living, and why challenging experiences can strengthen both the body and the mind. Show notes with product and resource links: https://bit.ly/HHCPod219 Receive the podcast in your email here: http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal: http://bit.ly/HHCjournal For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth: https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/ The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast: https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Nancy Treaster, a retired software industry executive turned Certified Caregiving Consultant, co-founded The Caregiver’s Journey with longtime friend Sue Ryan after both personally faced the challenges of dementia caregiving for multiple family members. Nancy has supported her father through Parkinson’s, her father-in-law through Alzheimer’s, and her husband through Frontotemporal Dementia. Drawing on her professional background and personal experience, Nancy offers a compassionate yet practical approach that empowers family caregivers to face their caregiving journey with confidence, fewer surprises, and more effective solutions. In this episode, we talk about the difference between palliative care and hospice care —and why both are often underutilized. Nancy also shares insights on the stages of grief (including a unique concept called “drip grief”), her love of travel, the power of podcasting, and how caregivers can access an interactive roadmap filled with practical tools and resources to guide them on their caregiving journey. Show notes with product and resource links: http://bit.ly/HHCPod218 Receive the podcast in your email here: http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal: http://bit.ly/HHCjournal For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth: https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/ The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast: https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Brian Stifel cared for his brother and continues to provide care and support for his mom. He is a corporate executive, husband, and proud father of three. In this episode of the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast, we discuss real-life caregiver challenges, including dating while caregiving, the myth of work-life balance, online safety concerns, and finding joy in each day. Even on tough days, Brian says he can string together a few of these “hot dog moments!” Show notes with product and resource links: http://bit.ly/HHCPod217 Receive the podcast in your email here: http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal: http://bit.ly/HHCjournal For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth: https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/ The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast: https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW