Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

Chris MacLellan is an inspiring figure in the world of caregiving. After caring for his partner, Richard, during his battle with a terminal illness, Chris was inspired to establish the Whole Care Network. In this place, caregivers can find support, connection, and understanding. With a strong background in social work and senior care, Chris is well-versed in the challenges caregivers face daily. H...

Erin Galyean's life was deeply affected by the loss of her father and sister to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and she turned her experiences into a powerful mission to help others. Leveraging her 20 years of pharmaceutical industry experience, Erin empowers caregivers to become champions for their loved ones, providing them with the support and guidance they need. As the author of "Badass...

Cathy Sikorski's caregiving journey started with taking care of her beloved grandmother. But as she became the “go-to” person for all her family members and friends who needed help, she realized the complexities of caregiving. In this eye-opening confession, Cathy shares her practical experiences and the importance of having an elder lawyer by your side.  Becoming a caregiver for her nana was...

Healthcare professional Cassie Abel brings over twenty years of experience to our discussion on caregiving's emotional challenges and the guilt that sometimes accompanies them. Cassie's caregiving journey with her mother, Carol, diagnosed with ALS in 2020, has shaped her outlook on caregiving. Carol inspired Cassie's love for healthcare, and when her health began to decline, Cassie...

When Janet Brennend devoted her life to caring for her daughter Leanne, she never expected the incredible twist of fate that would ultimately lead to Leanne's twelve years of independent living. But that was only the beginning of Janet's incredible journey - as she went on to help countless others reach their full potential and live independently, her unwavering commitment to independenc...

Janet Brennend's journey as a caregiver began in childhood, a role she took on out of resilience and strength. But her true empowerment came when her daughter was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, leading her to advocate fiercely for her daughter's rights and those of other caregivers. Janet Brennend's story is filled with unexpected twists and turns, from a hardworking Appalachian fam...

When Licia Thompson began her caregiving journey, she thought she knew what to expect. But little did she know that through the unexpected twists of her father's health journey, she would discover the power of a shared experience and the importance of adapting to life's challenging situations. What will this newfound understanding bring? Licia's journey as a caregiver began when her...

When Debbie Howard returned home to care for her mother, she was expecting just the physical demands of caregiving. Instead, she was thrust into a situation that tested her emotional strength, resilience, and boundaries. But with a newfound respect for her mother's autonomy, Debbie discovered the power of dignity and empowerment in her mother's final days. What did Debbie learn, and how...

Despite growing up in a family where relationships and love were of utmost importance, Amy Goyer never expected her life to take the path of a caregiver. But through her journey, she prioritized self-care and mental health and empowered herself to provide compassionate and empathetic care for her loved ones. Little did she know this choice would lead her to an unexpected twist. In this episode, yo...

In a race against time, JJ, Natalie, and Emilie fight to overcome stigmas, regulations, and rejection to secure a caregiving community for their mom, in order to ensure she receives the best care. "Everyone deserves equal care - be an advocate and fight for what is best for your loved one." JJ, Natalie, and Emilie are three sisters who have experienced the difficult journey of placing th...

JJ, Natalie, and Emilie are sisters who have provided caregiving, either local or long-distance, to their mother since 2011. After a medical crisis in 2019, they realized that their mother could no longer live independently and have since been on a caregiving rollercoaster, having moved their mother five separate times in four years.   The sisters never expected to be caregivers for their mother,...

Nicole Will was 15 years old when her grandma came to live with her family, which marked the beginning of many changes in her life. As her teenage years progressed, Nicole's mom was pulled in many directions between taking care of her children and her mother. Nicole had to work through complicated emotions as she experienced her mom's attention being divided between loved ones. These sam...

Cameron Huddleston’s personal and professional lives collided when her mother was diagnosed at age 65 with Alzheimer's Disease. She was 35 and mother of two young daughters, with a son added later in the journey!  Because her mom was living on her own and Cameron lived closest, she stepped into the role of caregiver.  For the first two years after the diagnosis, her mother continued to live i...

Amber Wilborne is a Southwest Virginia native, and business owner and has been married to Tim, the love of her life, and served as an amazing supporter during her caregiver journey. They have two teenage children and co-own their business. Amber is a member of her local Rotary club and serves communities worldwide. She also served as a caregiver to her mother, who fought breast cancer for over 24...

Joy Loverde is an Italian-American author, speaker, and caregiving expert. She has cared for over 10 people in her life, from her parents to ex-spouses and coworkers, and is a master at delegating, setting boundaries, and communicating. Joy Loverde learned the importance of delegating, setting boundaries, and getting out of the middle of other people's relationships. When her elderly parents...

When Robin Weeks' father and brother were both diagnosed with terminal illnesses in 2011 and 2012, she stepped up to care for her mother, sacrificing her own career and financial well-being to provide a sense of comfort and compassion in her mother's final years. "Caring for my mother was probably the most profound feeling of compassion I think I've ever had in my life. I don&a...

When Anne Kenny, a self-proclaimed workaholic physician, is forced to confront her mother's dementia and her own depression, she must learn how to balance her needs with her mother's care while navigating a difficult family dynamic. "If you're doing the work, it's not going to get worse; it's going to get better. It may not feel great all the time, but it gets better....

Kristina Driscoll is an inspiring mother, wife, caregiver, podcaster, and Board of Directors member of Sanctuary One, an animal rescue organization in Oregon. She launched her podcast She's Brave in 2023 and helps women find their path to become brave, resilient, and live their most authentic lives. "If I can do it, you can do it too. I always had faith that God was going to take care of...

After her daughter calls in a care emergency, Kimberly Whiter is forced to choose between her career and caring for the father of her children, who experienced a life-threatening health incident. Was there a choice? She chose both! Ultimately this decision would challenge her identity and redefine her definition of care. "My crisis response is I start operationalizing. So I go calm. I literal...

In this episode, we’re talking with Consuela Marshall, who supported her mother, alongside her siblings, for years before she eventually went and moved her into a small, assisted living home.  But this wasn’t just any home!  It was an assisted living home that she started in preparation for her mother’s eventual move.  Consuela talks with the sisters about her experience caring for her mother, loc...

Have you ever thought, “When God calls my number, am I really going to step up to the challenge? YES!”   The youngest of three Elliott sisters, Emilie has always been a natural born caregiver.  From early childhood, caring for baby dolls and animals, to adulthood where she operated her own daycare center, and ultimately serving as mom to three amazing children, her passion for caring for others ha...

Welcome to the Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver Podcast! Have you ever thought, “Caregiving can’t really be that hard, right?”   In this episode we’re talking with Kandis Draw, a daughter, sister, caregiver and so much more.   The sisters talk with Kandis about how she was thrown into the caregiving world at 30 years old after her mother's stage 4 cancer diagnosis. On the same day, she be...

Have you ever thought, “How can anyone do this alone?  There’s got to be a better way!”   In this episode we’re talking with Mike George, a father, husband and caregiver, who shares how he and his wife recognized they had to create a way to support their son with disabilities and be there for their children and themselves. And that’s what they did!   Over time, using their caregiver support formul...

Have you ever thought, “I don’t live nearby but my sibling does.  Yeah, they’ve got it.  But shouldn’t I do more?”   In this episode we’re talking with Laurette Foggini, a daughter, sister, caregiver and so much more.  Laurette Foggini has worked in eldercare for 14 years assisting 100’s of families throughout Northern California.  Her qualifications and certifications are numerous and include Cer...

Have you ever thought, “I don’t have a choice? It’s my responsibility. I’m the oldest.”   In this episode, we’re talking with JJ Elliott Hill, the oldest of the trio of sisters.  She’s the peacekeeper.  The responsible one ensuring Natalie and Emilie remained alive. A seasoned executive and business owner, JJ’s career path had her spend her first 17 years in the finance industry and the most recen...