A Season of Caring Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Your loved one's behavior isn't the source of your stress—your reaction to it is." This powerful insight forms the foundation of Rick Henkin's transformative approach to dementia caregiving, which he shares in this deeply moving episode. When Rick's wife Sonia was diagnosed with Alzheimer's at 65, their world shifted dramatically. From her developing...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a personal health transformation becomes the unexpected preparation for a life-altering caregiving journey? Christine Trimpe's story powerfully demonstrates how God works ahead of our awareness to equip us for challenges we can't yet imagine. Christine candidly shares the moment that changed everything - standing breathless on a Rocky Mountain trail, un...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when caregiving transforms you so completely that it redirects your life's purpose? Susan Stern's remarkable journey takes us through two decades of caring for both parents—first as a long-distance caregiver for her father during his 10-year cancer battle, then as primary caregiver for her mother through a decade of Alzheimer's.  The conversation reveal...

Send us Fan Mail Grace transforms the caregiver journey from a pursuit of perfection to a path of authentic love and service. When our inner critic shouts that we've fallen short - that we should be more patient, more organized, more everything - grace gently reminds us we're human, doing sacred work one imperfect day at a time. My own journey began at 16 when my mom was diagnosed with A...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a medical professional becomes the primary caregiver for their own parent? Dr. Melissa Glass, a doctorate trained registered nurse and John Maxwell certified coach, takes us through her profound journey of caring for her mother during the pandemic's darkest days. The caregiver journey often begins unexpectedly. For Dr. Glass, it started with long-distance ca...

Send us Fan Mail Mary Beth Powers never expected to become a caregiver during what should have been her freedom-filled empty nester years. Instead, she found herself stretched between caring for her husband with Meniere's disease at home and her mother-in-law who lived 45 minutes away. The physical distance created practical challenges that were amplified during COVID when quarantine protocol...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when God orchestrates seemingly unrelated events into a beautiful tapestry of purpose? Joy Kotz  unexpectedly became her father's primary caregiver, especially given their emotionally distant relationship and his age. Yet in this powerful conversation, she reveals how three months of caregiving during her father's final days transformed both her heart and th...

Send us Fan Mail Ramona Torres never expected to become her father's primary caregiver, yet when Angel (known to most as Manuel or Manny) fell and broke his femur bone in Puerto Rico, Ramona's life transformed as she welcomed him into her Pennsylvania home for what would become the final 15 months of his journey. With remarkable candor, Ramona shares the profound words her father spoke t...

Send us Fan Mail Dive into the world of caregiving with our latest episode as we explore the essential practice of reflection. Discover how stepping back and reassessing experiences can radically transform your perspective as a caregiver. In this episode, we share personal stories, practical strategies, and insights that reveal how reflection can foster growth, gratitude, and adaptability in daily...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for an enlightening conversation with Debbie Compton, a veteran caregiver and advocate, as she unpacks the emotional complexities of caregiving for loved ones with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and vascular dementia. Through personal anecdotes and powerful insights, Debbie shares her transformative journey from a successful business career to a passionate caregiver, highlighti...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine being on a journey where love, divine guidance, and ice cream are your compass. That's exactly what Sue Ryan experienced throughout her caregiving path. With over 40 years of personal caregiving and a strong background in enterprise software, Sue joins us to share her incredible story. From caring for her grandmother, father, and husband, Sue managed to balance these...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a mother's love and faith intersect with caregiving challenges? Meet Tracey Glenn, a devoted caregiver and author, who beautifully shares her journey of caring for her daughter Kaylee, who battles the rare DYRK1A syndrome. Tracey opens up about the trials and triumphs of navigating late diagnoses, osteoporosis, and hip fractures while ensuring Kaylee's...

Send us Fan Mail How do you navigate caregiving when your life takes an unexpected turn? Join me, Rayna Neises, as I chat with Carol Leathem, who found herself in this exact situation a decade ago. When her husband, a pastor, faced mental health challenges, Carol stepped into the role of caregiver, redefining her identity and reshaping her life. Our conversation explores these identity shifts and...

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Send us Fan Mail When Steve Powell became the default caregiver for his mother, he never imagined his journey would lead to a groundbreaking innovation in elder care. His story, fueled by love and necessity, reveals how personal experience can be a powerful catalyst for change. Discover how Steve's transition from tech entrepreneur to advocate for the elderly and disabled inspired him to crea...

Send us Fan Mail Can you imagine navigating the challenges of caregiving while maintaining a deep and loving relationship? Join us as we sit down with Joan Borton, a remarkable family caregiver, writer, and disability advocate, whose journey with her husband Jerry, who was born with cerebral palsy, is nothing short of inspiring. From their first connection at disability conferences to building a l...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine walking alongside someone with the strength to face a brain tumor diagnosis, heart attacks, and stroke-like symptoms. Today, we’re honored to have Diana Derringer join us, sharing her transformative journey as a caregiver, filled with resilience, adaptability, and wisdom. As Diana recounts the complexities of managing memory issues and fatigue, you’ll be moved by the reali...

Send us Fan Mail Our latest episode shares the touching story of Sandra Kaiser, an Alzheimer's advocate and caregiver. Her experiences with family members facing dementia reveal the unexpected blessings and challenges of caregiving. Sandra shares her poignant story of supporting her mother, brother, aunt, and uncles through their struggles, emphasizing the power of family resilience and the i...

Send us Fan Mail Cindy Morton-Egger takes us on an emotional journey through her nearly 40-year experience as a caregiver, sharing insights that resonate with anyone who is navigating the complexities of caring for loved ones. Through her stories, Cindy opens up about the trials she faced while caring for her mother, particularly during the turbulent period following a family divorce and the loss...

Send us Fan Mail Discover the heartwarming and challenging journey of Tracee Loran, a New York City-based writer, actress, and producer, who beautifully balances her vibrant city life with the profound responsibility of caring for her 97-year-old grandmother in Mississippi. Tracee's story is rich with insights on the evolving dynamics of caregiving, as she and her mother alternate six-month s...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine taking on the profound responsibility of caregiving in your mid-20s, facing the daunting challenges of supporting loved ones through cancer, Alzheimer's, and mental health struggles. That's exactly what Debra Lee did, and in our latest episode, she shares the heartwarming and sometimes heart-wrenching experiences of her caregiving journey. From the delicate art o...

Send us Fan Mail What if letting go of expectations could bring you peace and resilience during the most challenging times? Join us as we explore this concept with Lani Almanza, who has navigated an extensive caregiving journey—from caring for her son who passed from a brain tumor to caring for her parents.  Lani’s heartfelt story offers invaluable insights into the emotional and physical demands...

Send us Fan Mail What if you were suddenly tasked with balancing the care of your aging parents, your spouse, and your children all at once? Join us as we unravel the compelling story of Ruthie Gray, from hospital visits to homeschooling her daughters, Ruthie’s unwavering faith and resilience transformed her into the primary advocate for her family's medical needs. Her journey is a testament...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of 'A Season of Caring Podcast,' host Rayna Neises interviews Mark Applegate, a family caregiver with a passion for supporting those affected by dementia. Mark shares his experiences caring for his mother, who battled dementia for 14 years, offering poignant stories and insights into the ups and downs of caregiving.  They discuss dealing with genetic pred...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when faith, flexibility, and family intertwine in the challenging role of caregiving? Judy Bone, an inspiring author, speaker, and Christian image consultant, joins us to share her powerful journey of moving closer to her 95-year-old mother and mother-in-law to provide the care they needed. Judy recounts her experiences of relocating, transitioning her mother to an as...