Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

“Caregiving never ends. No, it never stops.” - Natalie and JJ  Caregiving is a journey—full of love, lessons, and let’s be honest, a few laughs along the way. In this candid conversation, we dive into the realities of caregiving: navigating skilled nursing facilities, managing emotional and financial stress, and finding strength in community. We’re also sharing what’s in store for 2025 and beyond....

“I was in therapy, that was a lifeline.” - Allyson Schrier This is a powerful one! Natalie and JJ sit down with Allyson Schrier as she opens up about her deeply personal and emotional journey caring for her husband, who was diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). Allison candidly shares the early signs of FTD, the heartbreaking misdiagnosis, and the uphill battle of navigating a complex heal...

“Never say never in  your journey.” - Eleni Paris Natalie and JJ sit down with Eleni Paris, a licensed therapist and devoted mom, as she shares her deeply personal journey raising her daughter Sophia, who has cognitive and speech impairments. Eleni opens up about navigating cultural expectations, emotional burnout, and the realities of parenting a child with developmental delays—all while juggling...

"He chose to keep living." - Amy Shaw When life takes an unexpected turn, how do you find the strength to carry on? JJ and Nat sit down with Amy Shaw to share her deeply moving story raising a large family, including children with special needs, and navigating the heartbreaking journey of her husband Brian’s terminal illness. From the first signs of illness to the devastating diagnosis o...

"You have to be ready to roll with it." - Alfredo Botello Stepping into the role of caregiver isn’t always a choice, it’s a journey filled with love, loss, and unexpected lessons. J.J. and Natalie welcome novelist and screenwriter, Alfredo Botello to open up about caring for his mother after his stepfather’s passing and navigating the challenges of Alzheimer’s and assisted living. 🔹 Key...

"I wanted to make the most of it." - Dona Kim Murphey Caregiving is never just about one person, it’s about family, culture, and community. Natalie and J.J. sit down with Dr. Dona Kim Murphey, neurologist and caregiver, to explore the deeply personal and often unspoken challenges of caregiving. From cultural expectations to the emotional and relational toll caregiving takes, this convers...

"I suffered from caregiver fatigue." - Maureen Elias Maureen shares her journey from a structured military career to the unpredictable world of caregiving. As a mother of children on the autism spectrum, she opens up about the challenges and triumphs of parenting, the impact of military life on family dynamics, and the importance of advocacy and community support. Through personal storie...

"Life is really short and it changes." - Kyle Daquanna JJ and Natalie sit down with Kyle Daquanna, a male caregiver, as he shares his powerful journey of balancing work, family, and caregiving responsibilities after his father’s stroke. Kyle opens up about the emotional and logistical challenges of caregiving, the impact of family dynamics, and the difficult medical decisions caregivers...

"I forgot how to care for myself." - Tara Ross In this powerful episode of Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver , hosts Natalie and JJ welcome guest, Tara Ross to dive deep into the raw realities of caregiving—especially within military families. Tara opens up about her journey from falling in love with John, a dedicated Navy submariner, to facing the life-altering challenges of his trau...

"He needed us more than we needed him." - Nick Gaylord This is a powerful one! Hosts Natalie and JJ sit down with Nick Gaylord to explore the raw realities of caregiving, grief, and complex family dynamics. Nick opens up about the emotional toll of caring for his father, the struggles of managing a difficult relationship, and the conflicting emotions of loss, relief, and anger after his...

"I was feeling angry, I was feeling resentful." - Kate Washington JJ and Natalie sit down with author Kate Washington to uncover the emotional, financial, and mental health challenges of caregiving. Kate shares her personal journey of caring for both her mother and husband, revealing the unseen struggles caregivers face, from healthcare system hurdles to burnout and grief. Kate and the s...

"Look for the glimmers in caregiving." - Mark Wilson Hosts JJ  and Natalie sit down with Mark Wilson, a former corporate executive who left his successful career to become a full-time caregiver after his mother’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis. 🔹 Mark’s Caregiving Journey – The emotional transition from executive to caregiver 🔹 Building a Support System – How to create a strong caregiving team...

"Dementia gave us that gift of closeness." - Katrina Prescott In this compelling episode of The Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver podcast, hosts JJ and Natalie dive into the world of caregiving with special guest Katrina Prescott, a media producer turned caregiving advocate. 🌟 Katrina opens up about her unexpected journey into caregiving, starting at a young age, and shares invaluabl...

"It's OK not to know everything." - Tracee Loran In this heartfelt episode of Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver , hosts JJ, Natalie, and Tracee Loran dive into the unexpected twists and turns of caregiving. Tracy shares her deeply personal story of stepping into the caregiver role for her grandmother after a serious fall, shedding light on: 💡 Family dynamics & cultural expec...

"I finally found my purpose." - Adrienne Marioles 🎙️ Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver brings you another raw and relatable episode as hosts Natalie and JJ sit down with Adrienne Marioles, a millennial caregiver with a story that’s equal parts inspiring and real. Adrienne opens up about her leap from the hustle and bustle of New York City to the emotional rollercoaster of caring for h...

"Let's not sugarcoat it; it's hard." - Dr. Jacob Kendall In this episode of Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver , JJ and Natalie chat with Dr. Jacob Kendall, who opens up about his life-changing experience as a caregiver after his father’s health crisis. It’s a conversation filled with heartfelt stories, relatable struggles, and powerful insights into the rollercoaster of care...

"You can bring back the color and the light." - Kelci Jager Kelci Jagger shares her powerful and emotional story of overcoming tragic loss and grief through the support of her community and finding power in living in the light. Her incredible journey chronicles a series of tragic events including a dangerous accident with her two sons and her husband’s heart-breaking leukemia diagnosis....

Christina Key's life brimmed with success and vitality. But fate had different plans in store for her. An unexpected phone call shattered her idyllic existence, thrusting her into a whirlwind of chaos and uncertainty. As her mother's health hung in the balance, Christina's role transformed from a thriving tech professional to a devoted caregiver. Little did she know, this was just t...

Charisma Sydnor's path crossed with Cole's at a rehab center following his teenage spinal cord injury; their professional rapport blossomed into romance and they wed in 2020. Taking over from his mother, Charisma adapted to the comprehensive caregiver role, focusing on fostering independence for Cole while ensuring their connection thrives beyond her caregiving responsibilities. They ope...

This week’s episode gives us a powerful and insightful look into the life of Aditya Akella, a 16-year-old caregiver for his younger brother with autism. Aditya's story is one of resilience, responsibility, and a deep commitment to his family. From navigating cultural differences in caregiving between India and England to balancing his academic and social life, Aditya's experiences offer...

Marty Schreiber has dedicated his life to advocating for Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers. As the former governor of Wisconsin and author of the acclaimed memoir "My Two Elaine's", Marty draws from his own deeply personal experience as a caregiver for his wife of 61 years, Elaine. For eight years, Marty cared for Elaine in their home as her Alzheimer's progressed,...

Kendall Cloeter's passion for affordable housing and community revitalization shines through in her work with the Renovation Alliance. As a self-described "social worker by trade," Kendall brings a deep understanding of the challenges low-income homeowners face in the Roanoke Valley and a commitment to making a difference. Under Kendall's leadership, the Renovation Alliance has...

Thom Deleuw's story reflects dedication and a father's love. After a 34-year career in law enforcement, Thom found his true purpose when his son, Jack, had a serious motorcycle accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down. Thom became Jack's full-time caregiver, viewing it as a "willing obligation" that highlights their strong bond. Thom's journey has been mar...

This week’s educational episode showcases the incredible work of Semper Fi and America's Fund, an organization that has been providing vital support to service members, veterans, and their families for over 20 years. At the heart of this organization is Sondria Saylor, the Executive Vice President, whose personal connection to the military community runs deep. Sondria's connection to the...

Crystal Lane's story is one of faith, determination, and an unwavering commitment to supporting her husband, JP, a retired Army Specialist who lost both his legs in an IED explosion in Afghanistan. Despite their challenges, Crystal and JP's journey is a testament to the power of love and determination. At just 22 years old, Crystal met JP at a gym in San Antonio, where he was recovering...