Parenting UP! Caregiving adventures with comedian J Smiles

Did you know that your nose-picking habit might be putting you at risk for dementia? Join J for a fascinating study conducted by Australian scientists, which discovered that excessive nose picking can lead to amyloid beta plaques on your brain - a precursor to Alzheimer's disease. UGH!! In this eye-opening episode, J Smiles shares anecdotes spanning three generations of nose excavation. Since...

Have you ever had neck pain, stomach aches, migraines, TMJ, trouble sleeping -- on top of being a family caregiver? Yeah, haven't we all. What if you heard about a non-Rx, self-sufficient, convenient combat tool? Welp. That is what Lauren Fonvielle and J Smiles discuss, Emotional Freedom Technique (Tapping).   Anxiety and panic attacks led Lauren on a pilgrimage for better. Now this "tap...

How many times have you wondered what to do next when your mom or dad is aging? How many headaches have you had trying to decide if their decline is normal or a problem? Of course, you make the doctor's appointment. But what questions do you ask? And how hard do you push your parent into modifying major components of his or her life? Look no further, Star Bradbury has a guide for to YOU &quot...

J Smiles and Zetty, Thelma and Louise or Cleo and Frankie, it is hard to separate classic chicks being chased by cops.  What happens when your mom directs you to "have fun" with the horsepower in a 5speed while belting out rock tunes? Take a ride down memory lane with J Smiles as she figures out why National Institutes of Health suggests positive reminiscing for mental health.  Join Alzh...

J Smiles runs into an old friend of Zetty. The problem is this "close" old bestie wants J to promise to tell Zetty a ton of specific memories from sixty years ago (silently - lady my mama doesn't know what day it is). Trying not to be rude goes wrong and J is stuck in quandary. Yell fire while ditching the conversation or bite her lip by entertaining the notion that Zetty will &quot...

Mad that caregivers are not getting enough love from the self-help industry, J Smiles sets her sights on acknowledging and creating dynamic groups similar to Myers Briggs, Love Languages and Ancestry-Lineage tests. Family caregivers exhibit remarkable above average traits day in and day out. Wouldn't it be nice to identify your super power and intentionally lead with it? Better yet, know how...

J learns the hard way about shadowing in the world of dementia when Zetty approaches her from the rear and they both end up on the floor. Tuck your earbuds close for a rollercoaster of laughs and heartfelt storytelling. Join Alzheimer's favorite duo for another journey of heavy reality sprinkled love and laugher. Catch J's signature SNUGGLE UP ending for provocative take aways. Support t...

J was traveling, meeting new friends. While describing what she does back home, Zetty came up. Feeling connected and free, J showed videos of Zetty to this intimate group of newcomers to her life. A single voice exclaims, "J, your mom does not have ALZ." Startled and intrigued, J leans in and a very uncommon conversation ensues. No ALZ? Listening and learning, teaching and advising J Smi...

J planned for a nothing Dec 25th. Surely she could at least have a quiet day with Zetty during such a festive time of year. Shortly after breakfast all-hell broke loose. Zilch plan be damned. Z's incontinence had plan of its own.  But it is NOT shower day, dammit!!! Stuck between a rock and a very soft, smelly space, J tries to regroup and salvage her already bleak Christmas hopes. Join Alzhe...

When Zetty's trainer and hired caregivers tell J Smiles of her reluctance to step up or onto things, J is perplexed. Why? Zetty has the physical strength, she is in good spirits -- are the caretakers exaggerating? Is this related to ALZ? Maybe Zetty is taking advantage of them. J is determined to get some answers because remodeling the house feels overwhelming. Expert advice from Home Care As...

When Superhero, SUPA-hunk Chris Hemsworth finds out each parent gave him the rare gift of APOE4, J Smiles is blown away. How can THOR, a god of longevity, be 10x more likely to get Alzheimer's? YES - Chris is an actor. THOR is a fictional character. The collision of the two allowed the medical discovery which could save Chris' life.  J taps into National Geographic's Limitless, a do...

Patti Davis, US President Ronald Reagan's daughter, joins J for an in-depth conversation about her new book, Floating in the Deep End: How Caregivers Can See Beyond Alzheimer's. Patti shares personal stories of caring for her dad and becoming a caregiver saved her life. J digs into Patti's experience running a support group for caregivers after her dad's death. The honesty abou...

A quick text turns into a caregiver support session. J thinks she is surprising a "brother-cousin" caregiver yet she is the one left shook. Ever the optimist, Smiles decides to embrace the visit even after a dark start. Join J as she explains all the emotions of visiting a caregiver in the thick of it. As always J's signature SNUGGLE UP ending, offering provocative take aways. FOLLO...

J Smiles is a self-proclaimed master napper. This super skill has saved her countless times throughout life. J expects to utilize it frequently during caregiving duty. Until... Exhausted from a live comedy performance, Smiles attempts to catch a quick nap while on-shift with Zetty.  One problem, Zetty keeps interrupting. Foggy and frustrated, J has to figure out how to manage the moment. Expert Po...

J Smiles, hired to perform an entire 60 minute comedy set on caregiving content feels slimy when the audience demands juicer jokes. Does telling the dirty truth about Zetty's dark ALZ  moments on stage make J a snitch? In a flash protecting Z is at odds with performing. The responsibilities of caregiving often interrupt J's schedule but this is the first time her stage-life is at stake....

J Smiles cannot believe that her tried and true girlfriend get-a-way failed to rejuvenate her. She planned, packed and even peeled off a few pounds for that new swimsuit. The weather - perfect. Crew - solid. Sand and sun steady remedies. How in the world did this happen? Caregivers must vacation, yes.  The goal is to be refreshed and relaxed afterwards. Is there a better way, a newer way -- a diff...

J is flying solo in this rare glimpse of her questioning if she can continue caregiving. WOW! She is stunned by the source of her "quitting" stress. Listen to hear what put her on the edge and how she digested fact vs fiction. The fan fave SNUGGLE UP at the end gives PARENTING UP nuggets. 📰 Parenting UP! Newsletter SIGN UP: http://www.jsmilescomedy.com 📲 Instagram: Parenting UP! https:...

J Smiles is floored by an anonymous email inquiring if she is Yvette's daughter. Yvette, Zetty's legal name, is her mom but who is this phantom typer and why are they looking for J? Unable to ask Zetty about the sender, J becomes an internal detective hoping to uncover if this is valid, fraud or a mean catfish prank. Smiles realizes much more is at stake when sender ask if Zetty is dead....

Sleep is bitting your favorite caregiver's butt again. This time, J Smiles is getting ample rest but not reaping the rewards. Unprepared for these moments of exhaustion, listen as J details mishaps with Zetty, work and random daily activities. Searching for answers uncovers ah-has and oh-nos galore. All genders should Snuggle Up closely! We want to hear your comments  & future topic sugge...

Zetty, the co-star of the podcast, attempts to lead several groundbreaking conversations but the "N" word continues to arise leaving J Smiles stymied. Snuggle Up to hear another saga of ALZ's favorite DUO. We want to hear your comments  & future topic suggestions: TEXT a purple heart   "💜" (then follow prompts to tell us) +1 (404)  737 - 1449 📰 Parenting UP! Newslett...

J Smiles is caught off guard when Zetty initiates a conversation with an unknown, handsome man. Is it flirting? Sounds like it. But how does Zetty remember such social etiquette when she cannot recall her birthday? J shares what experts say about sex drive & ALZ too. She even scratches the legal land of consent --- when does consent get murky for the spouse or life partner of an ALZ sufferer?...

"Dying with Dignity" laws  allow what is commonly called assisted suicide. ALZ and dementia do not qualify. J Smiles is not happy about this but as usual she finds away to add sparkle to a sour situation and slides in a few solutions for our community. Snuggle UP for how J plans to beat the system and why author Amy Bloom impacted this episode. For Episode Comments & Future Topic Sug...

What happens when you are doing your REAL income-earning, bills-paying job and unexpectedly you MUST give eyeball care to your LO? This unnerving experience is shared by J Smiles. She secured "help" for Zetty because J had a "live" performance. In the blink of any eye, Smiles was left without that "coverage" --- can she do her comedy show  and care for her mom, should...

Experts say that Alzheimer's does not erode music memories. Filled with excitement, J Smiles and Zetty prepare for a night out on the town for a concert. Not just any concert, two of Zetty's favorite bands of ALL-TIMES. J gets caught up treating it like a wedding or prom. Fancy appointments, new outfits -- that's when the wheels start to fall off the bus. Snuggle UP to hear how our...

Many caregivers coverup or hide their LO's ALZ. J hopes to eradicate the necessity to do that by starting this conversation and continuing to shed light on the facts of ALZ. J Smiles admits it was hard to "go public" with Zetty's ALZ diagnosis. Some kinda way she makes us laugh again. She digs into why family caregivers may struggle with when to share this sensitive information...