Hope for the Caregiver

John Knox of the Opt Institute shared the new study about adoption that his organization commissioned by George Barna. Committed to helping individuals understand the opportunities to choose life and adoption.  So many loving families want to adopt a child - even a special needs child - and we want to help share that opportunity that many mothers may not realize.  "We can't ever give up on the goo...

In the wake of yet another shooting, details emerge of a highly disturbed young man in Highland Park - with problems known to the family, community, and authorities. While the obligatory wrangling over the 2nd amendment and gun control rages on, how can we respond to this and potentially horrific events waiting on the horizon? 

Former governor of Wisconsin Marty Schreiber watched his beloved wife, Elaine, gradually transform from the woman who had gracefully entertained in the Executive Residence to one who no longer recognized him as her husband. In My Two Elaines : Learning, Coping, and Surviving as an Alzheimer's Caregiver , Marty candidly counsels those taking on this caregiving role. More than an account of Marty's...

Rev. Percy McCray Jr. has spent more than 20 years ministering to cancer patients and their caregivers at Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA). He recognizes cancer care ministry as a special calling from God and considers faith a key but often overlooked component of cancer treatment. He now serves as the Director of Faith-Based Programs at CTCA® and provides leadership to the pastoral car...

As caregivers, we can sometimes find a phrase in a song, poem, story, or an old hymn that sticks with us and helps us see a greater truth. Such is the case with this phrase I heard from a hymn so familiar I can almost play it in my sleep - yet this line recently hit me as a great reminder for me as a caregiver.  Brought to you by Legal Shield. www.caregiverlegal.com  

Singer/Songwriter Gary Chapman called the show to discuss Father's Day. From his iconic song FATHER'S EYES to caring for his father, Fatherhood has come to define Gary professionally and personally.  https://www.facebook.com/garychapmanmusic  

Saturday Night Live Alum Jim Breuer remains one of my favorites of all the interviews I've done.  With all the craziness in the world, we could use a laugh - so I'm resharing. Please take a moment to laugh again with us for this heartfelt and hilarious interview www.hopeforthecaregiver.com 

Legendary comedian Milton Berle (Mr. Television) once stated, "Laughter is an instant vacation."  As caregivers, we certainly shed plenty of tears, but do we laugh? Caregivers certainly top the list of those needing an "instant vacation," but few give themselves permission to book the trip. When our life remains so full of harsh realities, how can laughter be appropriate?  In this episode, I invit...

In Uvalde, the shooter's grandmother faced the rage of a troubled grandson and, according to  multiple  reports, a daughter with a history of  drug use.  At least one incident required law enforcement to the home of the shooter's mother – and neighbors and relatives knew of the  turbulent relationship  between son and mother. Mental issues and drug abuse create a toxic brew of chronic impairments...

Author Kate Dreston shares her new book of devotions for those with a loved one facing terminal illness.   

Interviewing a couple who raised two children with Huntington's disease (HD) on my program, they relayed a heartbreaking story where they stood before a judge who clearly didn't understand the nature of HD. After repeated arrests for shoplifting, violent behavior, and other issues, the judge commented from the bench that she felt this was a result of "bad parenting." Unable to address the court or...

I asked Chaplain ( Lt. Colonel ) Michael Frazier, US Army, Ret. to join me for this special Memorial Day edition of Hope for the Caregiver. As the son of a navy chaplain myself, I remain deeply moved by the rich history of Chaplains in the armed forces of the United States. In the opening monologue, I discuss a Memorial moment in scripture that continues to stir my heart, and then Chaplain Frazier...

As a caregiver, do you ever feel you are pushing yourself in the "No Huddle Offense" and not taking time to build a plan - all while the "clock" serves as your enemy?  Well, I know I do. So I talked about this in today's episode.    If you find our podcast meaningful, please consider helping us do more at www.hopeforthecaregiver.com/giving  

I like to talk with fellow caregivers who keep working and doing what brings oxygen to their souls - while caregiving. Such is the case with award-winning novelist Ethan Burroughs. Back with another geopolitical thriller, Burroughs draws upon his extensive career in the middle east to reveal things that will astonish and captivate readers from the West - particularly those struggling to understand...

May Is HD Awareness month, and our guests for this episode were Drs. Elton and Laquita Higgs. The couple adopted a little girl many years ago - who developed Huntington's Disease (HD). One of the most horrific diseases on the planet, HD eventually cost their daughter her life - but not before she had a daughter who also developed the genetic (and terminal) illness. Listen to their inspiring and in...

As caregivers, we regularly feel intense pressure to fix or achieve. Yet, despite our best efforts, many of the circumstances we face seem unyielding. Our self-judgment over things beyond our control often leads to an incorrect verdict of failure. Taking a step away from the caregiving world, consider the "Slap heard around the world" at the 2022 Academy Awards. When Will Smith assaulted Chris Roc...

In my recent interview with Mighty Oaks Foundation's Jeremy Stalnecker, we discussed ways the organization is addressing the intense needs of those who wore - and wear - the uniform. https://www.mightyoaksprograms.org/ "The Mighty Oaks Foundation is committed to serving the brokenhearted by providing intensive peer-based discipleship through a series of programs, outpost meetings, and speaking eve...

Fretting Is Exhausting My high school chemistry teacher's name was, no kidding, Mr. Faile. While a hilarious and exceptional teacher, he made the dreaded (for some) class even more daunting by posting a sign over the chalkboard that read, "Flunk Now and Avoid The Rush." For those born after 1980, a chalkboard was an ancient education device that doubled as a screeching torture machine. That sign s...

Think back on an encounter with an adult overreacting to a situation. Were you caught off-guard; did you feel uncomfortable? A psychiatrist friend of mine shared a phrase he often communicated to his staff: "When you see a patient overreact or act out, always remember there's a story behind that behavior." Adults don't lose self-control in a vacuum – there's a build-up and a story behind their beh...

Following her grueling 10-week hospitalization, my wife, Gracie, joined the show to share her thoughts, and how she felt about my ability at charades while she was intubated. [Spoiler] she wasn't happy! 

From Hope for the Caregiver's national broadcast 04-23-2022 Let's face it; many people don't know what to say when encountering someone struggling with divorce, broken relationships, a tragedy, or other painful realities. Just put it behind you; Don't look in the rearview mirror; That's in the past. While sounding like good advice to keep moving forward, there are times when acknowledging the magn...

Author Leisa Williams called the program from Canberra, Australia, to share her family's journey with Autism. In our conversation, we discussed our shared musical journey and what music means to us as caregivers.  https://www.leisawilliamsauthor.com/ She writes from her heart about her life experiences that have come from the school of hard knocks. Her views are tried and tested from many years of...

Immeasurable Cost A close pastor friend of mine called me after burying his beloved dog. While digging the hole, he wept while angrily reflecting on how much he hated death. The conversation turned to the countless funerals he presided over during his ministry – I played the piano for many of those services. We talked a bit longer about some of the cherished families we ministered to during those...

As a caregiver, what does rest look like to you?  Admittedly, this is a challenge for me - and has been for the entire 35+ years I've been a caregiver.  From our nationally syndicated broadcast on 4/9/2022, I shared that struggle and what I've learned through this journey.  www.hopeforthecaregiver.com 

As a caregiver, do you ever feel disoriented? Of course you do - we all do! We're going to lose our way. But can we get back on track? Can we anchor ourselves against the storms that assail us?  There's a great hymn that speaks to this. I feature that hymn in the B Block of this episode - when I stepped over to the " Caregiver KeyBoard." I discussed this on our April 2, 2022 broadcast.  www.hopefo...