Dear Encourager: The Podcast

Caregivers are often the quiet heroes—showing up day after day with strength, compassion, and dedication. But behind that strength can be fatigue, stress, and emotional overwhelm. The truth is: caregiving can take a toll on your mental and emotional well-being. Seeking help doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re recognizing that you are human, too. When caregivers receive support, they are b...

Tonight we revisit Suicide Awareness and the Holidays! The holidays can be a beautiful time…but they can also be incredibly heavy. While many celebrate with family, warmth, and connection, others are navigating: Silent battles with depression Grief that resurfaces with every memory Financial stress Family conflict Loneliness, rejection, or feeling unseen Trauma triggers tied to this season ✨ Suic...

Caregiving can be a profound and rewarding experience, but it also comes with its own set of challenges and emotional burdens. In a recent podcast episode, hosts Keesha and Vanessa explore the critical importance of establishing a strong support system and care team for caregivers. This discussion sheds light on the emotional toll of caregiving and offers practical strategies to help caregivers av...

Holiday Stress: The holiday season is often filled with joy, but it can also bring about a unique set of stressors. From the pressure of preparing holiday meals to the emotional weight of family gatherings, many individuals find themselves overwhelmed. Vanessa highlights how the absence of loved ones, whether due to distance or loss, can exacerbate feelings of loneliness and anxiety during this ti...

Dr. Kiel—Family Nurse Practitioner, health coach, and founder of Heart & Soul Health —breaks down what it means to truly protect your heart . From faith to fitness, mindset to medicine, she shares simple, powerful steps to lower blood pressure and live with intention. 💚 Listen now and start caring for your heart today. #HealthyLiving #HeartHealth #Podcast #DearEncourager #PreventionMatters

Tonight's Episode: Healthcare from the Nurse's Lens In this conversation, Dr. Logan Smith shares her journey from retail to healthcare, driven by a passion for patient advocacy. She emphasizes the importance of speaking up for patients and caregivers, creating safe spaces for dialogue, and the challenges faced in the healthcare system. Dr. Smith discusses the need for future caregivers to...

In this conversation, Keesha and Vanessa chat with Neasel Conner, a licensed therapist and founder of Beyond the Happy, to discuss the complexities of anxiety, particularly among caregivers and those with chronic illnesses. They explore how anxiety manifests, the importance of self-care, and practical techniques for managing anxiety. The discussion highlights the significance of mental health awar...

In this conversation, Vanessa and Keesha discuss the critical need for caregivers to have a strong support system and care team. They explore the emotional challenges caregivers face, including feelings of resentment and burnout, and emphasize the importance of taking breaks and seeking help. The discussion also highlights the role of respite care in providing caregivers with necessary time to rec...

In this compelling episode, we delve into the often-overlooked world of male caregivers, exploring the unique challenges they face. Through personal stories and insightful discussions, we uncover the emotional and practical hurdles that men encounter in caregiving roles. Join us as we highlight the importance of support systems and the need for open conversations about the struggles and triumphs o...

Join us as we delve into the heartfelt story behind the founding of Dear Encourager. Discover how Keesha's personal health challenges and Vanessa's caregiving experiences inspired them to create a supportive community for chronic illness warriors and caregivers. Learn about their mission to provide a safe space for sharing, venting, and finding strength in shared experiences. Tune in to he...

In this episode, we explore the inspiring story behind the founding of Dear Encourager. Discover how Keisha's personal health challenges and Vanessa's caregiving experiences led them to create a supportive community for individuals with chronic illnesses and their caregivers. Discover their mission to create a safe space for sharing, venting, and finding strength in shared experiences. Tun...

In this week’s episode, we’re sitting down with our dear sister and JOY Coach, Raquel Johnson, to talk about something many of us forget to prioritize—joy. Especially for caregivers, joy can feel out of reach. But Raquel reminded us that it’s not lost—it’s just waiting to be reclaimed. Keywords#joy #caregiving #mentalhealthawareness #selfcare #selfcarematters #sparkjoy #podcast #selfcarematters #s...

This week, we’re joined by Pastor Gaylon Clark for a real conversation about men’s mental health, vulnerability, and emotional well-being. We explore why so many men struggle in silence, how faith and community offer support, and what it means to truly show up for the men we love—without trying to fix them. Chapters 00:00 The Importance of Vulnerability 02:04 Encouraging Open Communication 04:48 D...

Dr. Bettina Bunton joins us to talk about why therapy is essential—even for pastors. We explore how faith , healing , and mental health work together, and why the church must be a safe space for vulnerability , support groups , and emotional well-being —especially in the wake of COVID-19 . If you’ve been carrying more than you show, this one’s for you. 💛 Subscribe & share with someone who nee...

Yoli Campos-Smith joins us for a real, eye-opening convo about what hospice care actually means. It’s not giving up—it’s choosing peace, support, and dignity. If you’re caring for a loved one or navigating hard decisions, this one’s for you.

In this conversation, we talk about how Dear Encourager came to be and the heart behind its mission. It’s a space we created to support people living with long-term health challenges—and just as importantly, the caregivers walking alongside them. We open up about our own journeys, the power of community, and why raising mental health awareness, especially among men, matters so much to us. At the c...

In this episode, we’re diving into something that matters deeply to us—mental health and how it uniquely impacts us women. We talk about the real signs of mental overload, the pressure to do it all, and how important it is to develop healthy coping skills and lean on community support. We’ve both been there—running on empty, feeling guilty for resting, and trying to carry more than we should. But...

In this episode, Keesha and Vanessa shine a light on senior mental health, exploring the differences between dementia, Alzheimer’s, and mental illness. They discuss the importance of accurate diagnosis, caregiver support, and creating a personal information book to help families stay prepared. The conversation offers emotional support, self-care tools, and community resources for those navigating...

We often chalk it up to age. They’re moving slower. They’re more quiet. They’re keeping to themselves. But sometimes, what we think is “just getting older” is actually depression in disguise . In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode, Keesha and Vanessa sit down to talk about elder depression —what it looks like, why it’s so often overlooked, and how we can become more attentive to the silent suf...

In this episode, Vanessa Scott and Keesha Nix discuss the critical importance of mental health awareness, particularly in the nursing profession. They explore the unique challenges nurses face, especially in the wake of COVID-19, and the prevalence of burnout and compassion fatigue. The discussion emphasizes the need for self-care, therapy, and creating healthy boundaries to support mental well-be...

In this conversation, Vanessa emphasizes the importance of mental health awareness, especially in the context of ongoing societal challenges such as the economy and the residual effects of COVID-19. She discusses the definition of mental health, the steps to maintain it, the stigma surrounding mental health issues, and introduces the ABCs of mental health as a framework for individuals to acknowle...