Living in the Sandwich Zone

In this episode I share how I approached going back to work after being on leave for 2 1/2 years. Rewind a year or so, and the prospect of returning to work was so daunting that the mere thought of it stirred panicked thoughts in me. I'd painstakingly taken steps to create a daily routine to in which I was able to take care of myself, my family (kids and parents) that was functioning fairly smooth...

In this episode I share about what it's been like getting ready to send my now adult son off to college. Because of all the ups and downs we've gone through as a family navigating mental health issues, it's been extremely important for me to prepare for the "what ifs" that could happen when Zach is away.  In this episode I talk about some of the various forms I've collected to have on hand in...

After a much needed summer hiatus, I am back with you for Season 2 of Living in the Sandwich Zone. In this episode I share a few thought on this major season of transition for me and how I view moving forward into this second half of my life.

Who would have guessed that 6 months ago I would be starting a podcast? In this episode I wrap up Season 1 and look back on how far I've come.  You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich

In this episode I reflect on the transitions happening this summer as well as what I'm doing to stir joy this summer.  **NOTE: This episode was recorded in the wake of the savage killing of Jayland Walker in Akron, Ohio and prior to the terrifying massacre in Highland Park, Chicago. I have addressed these horrifying events in detail in this episode. My heart breaks for the families whose live...

This is Part 2 of my conversation with Dr. Jim Guy, President and Co-Founder of the Headington Institute. In this episode Jim shares reflections on his own experience of Living in the Sandwich Zone--parenting both newborns and colleges students and, at the same time, caring for his aging parents, in-laws and former in-laws as well.  Jim talks about the importance of finding support and wherev...

Caregiving is hard! Inevitably the pressures of helping to care for a loved one and seeing them suffer can result in additional stress. In this episode we talk about the collateral consequence of caregiving: secondary trauma. Dr. Jim Guy shares tips and techniques on how to build resilience and counteract the effects of secondary trauma. Jim is the President and Co-Founder of the Headington Instit...

For anyone struggling with self-harm or watching a loved one struggle with it, it is an excruciating experience. As a parent, witnessing those self-inflicted wounds on my child's body left me distraught and guilt-ridden. I didn't know how to stop it. I felt broken and powerless. A year ago, I couldn't imaging getting to this day.  In this episode we are celebrating Linny's one-year anniversar...

Joelle Danahy has lived through one of the most terrifying tragedies imaginable--a deadly school shooting at her son's high school. In parts 1 and 2 of our conversation Joelle shares her firsthand account of what it was like to survive the horror of the that day in November of 2019.  As we wrapped up, our conversation switched gears. Joelle, a mom of 4 adult children (three big "A" adult...

In Part 2 of my conversation with Joelle Danahy we talk about the tragedy of gun violence and her firsthand experience of living through the devastating school shooting at her son's high school in November, 2019. Joelle, shares what it was like that day for her as a parent as well as the unique relationship she had with Nathaniel Berhow (the shooter) and his family.  Here are some of the reso...

Gun violence is a deadly epidemic in the United States. While most of us only witness these horrific events from the safety of our homes through TV or other news accounts, the majority of us have never had to endure anything remotely close to the terror of an active shooter situation--let alone a school shooting at our child's school.   In this episode, my friend Joelle Danahy shares her harr...

In this episode I share my thoughts on the concept of "holding space" and how important it is to practice this technique especially in moments when your loved ones are suffering and you aren't able to do anything to fix the situation.  You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): https://bit.ly/LITSZ_Club_Sand...

In this episode I share about all the emotions that have been stirring within me as I prepare to see my firstborn graduation from high school in the wake of the unspeakable tragedies our country has seen the past several weeks. I’ve been experiencing a plethora of conflicting emotions: grief, guilt, deep sorrow in the wake of the massacres in Buffalo, Laguna Woods and Uvalde. At the same time, I’v...

For the second week in a row, I dedicate an episode to the victims of a violent massacre.  Yesterday, 19 children and 2 adults were killed in another senseless and unconscionable rampage of gun violence at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. May they Rest In Peace and may we, as a society, take swift and decisive action to end gun violence, save lives and protect our children.

In this episode I share my thoughts and feelings in the wake of the tragic shootings in Buffalo, New York, this past weekend. This episode is dedicated to those who lost their lives this weekend and their loved ones who are trying to figure out a way to live without them.  In memory of Roberta Drury, Margus Morrison, Andre Mackneil, Aaron Salter, Geraldine Talley, Celestine Chaney, Hayward Pa...

In this episode I share about my recent mammogram screening. When the results came back I was left with a choice: Worry or Don't Worry. In this episode you'll hear how the lessons learned from a previous experience helped me make my choice.  You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): https://bit.ly/LITSZ_Clu...

In Part 2 of my conversation with my son Zach, he shares about how he managed his stress during high school and while applying to college. Zach also shares his advice for those getting ready to embark on the college application process.  One book he found to be particularly impactful is The Third Door: The Wild Quest to Uncover How the World's Most Successful People Launched Their Careers . &...

In this episode you get to meet my son, Zach. We talk about his experiences applying to college, how he decided where he wanted to go and how he managed the stress of it all.  You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): https://bit.ly/LITSZ_Club_Sandwich

In this episode, after completing all our the college touring circuit with the May 1st decision deadline right around the corner, I reflect on my thoughts and feelings about sending my son to college.  You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): https://bit.ly/LITSZ_Club_Sandwich

In this 3rd (and final segment) of my conversation with Ellen Wong,  Ellen shares about how she knew it was time to leave her high-powered corporate career to follow her passion of becoming a certified breathwork guide.  In April 2018, Ellen made the leap from her career as an executive creative director in digital marketing to co-create We Are All Daughters., now a Quantum Holistic Heal...

In Part 2 of my conversation with Ellen Wong, she shares with me how she began her breathwork practice, how breathwork works and the healing benefits of embracing a breathwork practice. Ellen (co-creator of We Are All Daughters. and the Woo Knew? Podcast) is a certified breathwork and Quantum Journey guide based in Downtown Los Angeles. In Part 1 of this episode with talk about our reflections gro...

This is Part 1 of my conversation with Ellen Wong. Ellen (co-creator of We Are All Daughters. and the Woo Knew? Podcast) is a certified breathwork and Quantum Journey guide based in Downtown Los Angeles. In Part 1 of this episode with talk about our reflections growing up watching our mothers care for our grandparents and how that impacted us. In April 2018, Ellen made the leap from her career as...

In Part 2 of Navigating Difficult Conversations, Conversation Coach and Geriatric Physical Therapist Julie Crenshaw and I talk about how to know when it’s time for hospice care--one of the most difficult conversations a caregiver will face.  Julie shares her home healthcare experiences and guides us in how to have that conversation with compassion and sensitivity.  You can purchase Julie...

In this episode we talk about the many difficult conversations we are faced with in the Sandwich Zone. My guest, Julie Crenshaw, is a board certified geriatric physical therapist who works in the field of home health care. In Part 1 of our conversation, she shares about how her experiences working as a bra fitter (yes, you read that right!), a collections agent and a physical therapist working wit...

In Part 2 of my conversation with Rachel, we talk more about taking the reigns on our own health and well-being and the importance of self-care. We also share about things we want for our children, caring for our parents and having difficult conversations about death and mortality.  If you'd like to hear more of this conversation, you can find the full recordings of our conversation on Rachel...