Between Now And Next Podcast

If you are the one who is there, showing up every day, holding all the information, making the calls, managing the communication, and you're doing most of it without consistent nearby support, this episode is for you. We're talking about what it actually means to carry the invisible load of caregiving alone, what that costs you emotionally and practically, and what support can actually l...

Caregiving doesn't wait for a convenient moment. It doesn't check in with your career, your timeline, or the life you were in the middle of building. It just arrives. And for a lot of people, it arrives before they ever feel ready, before their savings make sense, before their kids are grown, before they've finished school or figured out who they are yet. Or after all of that, it st...

Not every caregiving story starts from a place of closeness. For many of us, caregiving happens within relationships that are already carrying the weight of unresolved history, emotional distance, or a family dynamic that was complicated long before anyone needed care. In this episode, we're talking about what it actually looks like to navigate caregiving inside those relationships. That mean...

You've started the conversation. Now what? What should you actually ask? In this episode, I share my experience learning my parents' wishes by listening and watching, and the cost of not having things documented legally. I walk through 6 essential categories of questions that can help you prepare and reduce future stress. You'll learn what questions to ask in each category, why each...

In this episode, I share my experience trying to have these (health, aging, end of life) conversations with my parents: what made them hard, the cost of not having legal documentation, and how to approach them imperfectly. Key Takeaway: Pick one conversation prompt this week and try it to open the door with your loved one or even friend (if you want to try it on someone else, non-family first).  T...

You know what to expect when searching for resources (from Episode 16). Now, how do you actually find them? In this episode, I walk you through a step-by-step guide: search strategies that work, 12 key resource types to look for, bonus methods (Facebook groups, YouTube, nonprofits), and how to evaluate whether a resource is a good fit. You'll also learn: How to search • What to look for on we...

Finding caregiving resources sounds straightforward, but it's actually one of the most frustrating parts of caregiving. In this episode, I share how I first learned about resources (through hospital social workers during discharge), the challenges I faced, and what I wish someone had told me upfront. The 6 challenges I faced:  Not understanding each resource individually  Getting situational...

How do you know when your loved one needs help? It's rarely one dramatic moment. More often, it's a series of small changes you notice over time . . . a hesitation where there used to be confidence, a struggle with something that used to be easy, a shift in who they are. In this episode, I share my experience recognizing when my parents needed help across different seasons of caregiving....

Caregiving feels isolating for many reasons - but one of the most overlooked is this: not having the language to find help. When you don't know what to search for, what to ask for, or how to describe what you need, support feels out of reach even when it exists. In this episode, I share how becoming a caregiver without the right vocabulary cost me time, clarity, and peace - and how learning t...

Many caregivers quietly face how overwhelming and disorienting a new year can feel when life’s demands continue without pause. While the world is celebrating “fresh starts,” planning goals, and posting vision boards, caregivers are often carrying the same responsibilities, the same unpredictability, and the same emotional load into January. For many years, that was my reality too. This conversatio...

When caregiving ends, life becomes quiet in ways you can’t prepare for. The calls stop. The appointments end. The rhythm you’ve lived by for years disappears. In this episode, I talk about what that silence felt like for me, the relief, the grief, and the long road toward rediscovering who I am outside of caregiving. I share the lessons that came after the crisis: how to rebuild routines that cent...

No one talks about the middle of caregiving, the long, steady stretch between crisis and closure. When the emergencies have slowed, but the end isn’t near either. When every day looks the same, and the quiet feels heavy. When you start to wonder if you’re doing enough, even though you’re doing everything. In this episode, I share what that middle season looked like for me when life stopped moving...

In this episode, I open up about the messy overlap of work and caregiving, studying in hospital cafeterias, taking doctors’ calls between meetings, and trying to perform “fine” while privately falling apart. I share what I wish I’d known earlier: how to identify the support you actually need, how to start the conversation at work, and why accepting help is not a credibility risk, it’s sustainabili...

In this episode, we’re discussing the hidden structure behind caregiving, not the medical charts or paperwork, but the systems, rhythms, and habits that keep you steady when life feels unpredictable. Whether you’re new to caregiving or have been doing it for years, this conversation is about how to develop your practice of care, the mix of organization, mindset, and repetition that helps you show...

In this episode, we’ll discuss one of caregiving's most complex and freeing parts: asking for help. Whether you’re a solo caregiver, part of a family trying to coordinate responsibilities, or somewhere in between, this episode explores how to build the support system you need (and deserve). I share how I learned to move from doing it all myself to inviting others in, even when it felt uncomfo...

In this episode, we’re removing the curtain on what caregiving looks like, the real, unfiltered version that most people don’t discuss. Whether you’ve just stepped into caregiving or been doing it for a while, this one’s for you. I share stories from my earliest caregiving days when my routines changed completely, sleep disappeared, and I learned what it meant to carry the invisible weight of care...

You don’t have to wait for a crisis to realize you’re a caregiver. In fact, many people are caregivers long before they ever use the word. This episode is all about recognition . We’re exploring how caregiving often starts quietly in small moments of support, advocacy, and showing up for someone else’s well-being. Have you ever wondered, “Does this count?” or “Is this caregiving?” This episode is...

In this episode we’re talking about one of the most essential and overlooked parts of caregiving: starting the conversation early . Whether your parents or loved ones are still independent or you’re already in the thick of caregiving, this episode is for you. I share what I wish I’d known, questions to help you begin the conversation, and why planning ahead can reduce stress, build trust, and prot...

In this episode, we're exploring what it means to go beyond the 9-to-5 and how to recognize when it might be time for a career transition. Whether you're craving growth, seeking more meaning, navigating burnout, or simply rethinking what success means, this conversation is for you. We'll explore the signs that it's time for a shift, the wide range of options beyond traditional...

Welcome to the first official episode of The Prepared Caregiver , a dedicated segment of Between Now and Next . In this episode, we’re laying the foundation by exploring what it truly means to be a caregiver because it’s often misunderstood and deeply personal. Whether you’ve found yourself unexpectedly in a caregiving role or preparing for one in the future, today’s conversation highlights the di...

In this episode of Between Now and Next, I’m sharing the full story of how I landed where I am today, because it was not a straight line. From childhood dreams of becoming a doctor to falling into marketing, consulting, and eventually project management, my path has been shaped by caregiving, burnout, and a deep desire for meaningful work. You’ll hear how tracking my parents’ medical records as a...

Welcome to an intro episode of Between Now and Next. In this first full episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the story behind the show. I’ll share what led me to start this podcast, why this space matters, and how I hope it supports you, especially if you’re navigating caregiving, career change, or a season of “what’s next?” Reflecting on the past six years, I discuss the recurring themes in m...

Hi, I'm proud (and a little nervous!) to introduce Between Now and Next — a podcast for those balancing caregiving, career shifts, and personal reinvention. This show is for those navigating the messy, meaningful middle between what was and what's next. Whether you're managing responsibilities, rethinking your career, or simply trying to find your footing during a season of change,...