The Caregiver Cup Podcast

Send Cathy a text:) This bonus episode is a little different… and a whole lot special. Inside, we’re diving into three powerful pieces of the caregiving experience: 💌 1. Listener Stories That Will Make You Feel Seen From practical self-care wins… to reimagining overwhelming roles… to color-coding calendars and using systems that save your sanity — you’ll hear real messages from caregivers just li...

Send Cathy a text:) Your body whispers before it screams — but as caregivers, we often ignore those whispers until it’s too late. In this heartfelt episode of The Caregiver Cup Podcast , Cathy VandenHeuvel shares personal stories and powerful insights on how to recognize the physical and emotional signals of caregiver burnout. From brain fog and fatigue to irritability and forgetfulness, these clu...

Send Cathy a text:) Are you wearing so many hats that you’ve forgotten which one fits? In this heartfelt episode, Cathy shares an honest look at what happens when caregivers juggle too many roles — and how to reshape them without guilt. From hospital laundry rooms to heartfelt lessons about boundaries, you’ll learn how to identify what’s draining your energy, what truly matters, and how to create...

Send Cathy a text:) Your cup isn’t empty—it’s just leaking. 💛 In this short 5-minute pep talk, Cathy shares a personal story about her famous pink Yeti cup (yes, the one that keeps disappearing and always finds its way back!) and how it became the perfect reminder for caregivers: sometimes, our energy doesn’t run out—it simply leaks away. Tune in for a quick burst of encouragement to help you spo...

Send Cathy a text:) Are you tired of hearing “just take care of yourself” and wondering what that even means as a caregiver? In this episode of The Caregiver Cup Podcast , we’re busting the myth that self-care is all about bubble baths and spa days—and redefining what it really looks like for you. After eight years of caregiving, I’ve learned the hard way that one-size-fits-all self-care doesn’t w...

Send Cathy a text:) Have you ever felt your energy, patience, and compassion draining away while caring for a loved one? When was the last time you stopped to check what’s left in your own cup? Welcome to Season 1 of The Caregiver Cup Podcast. This season is all about you —your self-discovery, the many roles you juggle, and your personal health as a caregiver. The statistics are sobering: nearly 4...

Send Cathy a text:) Ready for a fresh start? After more than 260 episodes and navigating through some deeply personal caregiving seasons, I've taken a much-needed pause to reimagine what this podcast can be for you. Now I'm back with renewed energy and a powerful focus: your wellbeing as a caregiver. Season One, "What's in Your Cup," is entirely about you—your health, iden...

Send Cathy a text:) Cathy shares a personal update about her absence from the podcast as she takes time to heal and find stillness after eight years of non-stop caregiving, including Denis's recent stem cell transplant recovery. She explains her decision to pause – not quit – the podcast to reconnect with her body, rediscover joy, and learn what it means to simply be rather than constantly do...

Send Cathy a text:) Stepping into a hospital house is entering a world most caregivers never know exists until they're suddenly immersed in it. After 45+ days living at Kathy's House while my husband undergoes stem cell transplant treatment, I've discovered the raw, complex reality of caregiving away from home—and the unexpected community that forms in these spaces of collective vul...

Send Cathy a text:) Have you ever found yourself in the chaos of caregiving thinking, "I can't do this anymore"? That feeling of wanting to give up is universal among caregivers, especially during prolonged challenges and setbacks. When I hit emotional walls during  Denis' stem cell transplant journey, I discovered a powerful truth: our feelings, while real, aren't always...

Send Cathy a text:) Fear, worry, and uncertainty often feel like unwelcome yet permanent companions on the caregiving journey. After receiving a heartfelt message from a listener worried about her husband's upcoming bone marrow transplant, I knew this topic needed addressing – not just for her, but for all of us navigating these turbulent emotional waters. These powerful emotions aren't...

Send Cathy a text:) Ever reached that breaking point where your body simply won't let you power through anymore? That's exactly where I found myself this week as my husband Dennis faced serious complications following his stem cell transplant for cancer. This raw mini-episode takes you through the emotional rollercoaster we experienced—from the joyful bell-ringing ceremony marking Dennis...

Send Cathy a text:) What happens when your support just isn't helping? When encouragement falls flat? When your loved one withdraws completely? These are the unspoken challenges of caregiving that leave us feeling helpless and questioning our effectiveness. Drawing from my current experience supporting my husband through his transplant journey, I share the raw reality of watching him struggle...

Send Cathy a text:) Emotional support isn't just something we provide as caregivers—it's often the most exhausting yet invisible part of our role. When our loved ones are in pain, frustrated, or losing hope, we become their cheerleaders, their comforters, and their gentle push to keep going, sometimes when we barely have enough emotional energy for ourselves. This episode explores what e...

Send Cathy a text:) Caregiving seasons constantly shift, and finding your rhythm during these transitions can make all the difference between barely surviving and maintaining your wellbeing. This episode explores how creating meaningful routines becomes your anchor when everything else feels unpredictable. Cathy opens up about her current reality as her husband Denis undergoes a stem cell transpla...

Send Cathy a text:) Have you ever felt completely lost in a hospital, frantically searching for your loved one while juggling bags, security badges, and your own mounting anxiety? In this raw and surprisingly humorous episode, I take you through my first chaotic days at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, where what should have been a straightforward procedure for my husband Dennis turned into a maze...

Send Cathy a text:) When elephants sense danger, they form a protective circle with the most vulnerable in the center—a powerful metaphor for how caregivers need their own support systems. Drawing inspiration from this natural phenomenon, I explore the emotional barriers that prevent us from building our own protective circles while sharing my personal journey preparing for my husband Dennis'...

Send Cathy a text:) Ever catch yourself saying "I'm fine" when you're anything but? As caregivers, we often hide behind these white lies, putting on a brave face while secretly exhausted, frustrated, or on the verge of tears. This episode dives deep into the concept of toxic positivity—that harmful tendency to suppress our authentic emotions behind a mask of forced cheerfulness...

Send Cathy a text:) Grace might seem like a lofty concept, but for caregivers, it's the lifeline we desperately need when drowning in overwhelming responsibilities, emotional turmoil, and crushing self-expectations. Drawing wisdom from Jamie Kern Lima's book "Worthy," this episode explores how caregivers can transform their relationship with mistakes, imperfections, and regrets...

Send Cathy a text:) Have you ever felt your body physically react to stress before your mind could even process what was happening? That moment when your skin flushes hot, your heart races, and your shoulders tighten into knots—all while your thoughts spin "like a blender on high"? When an unexpected hospital notification arrived detailing fifteen pre-transplant appointments for my husba...

Send Cathy a text:) Caregiving often leads to profound isolation, a reality I experienced firsthand during my husband Dennis's first stem cell transplant. With his second transplant approaching, I'm determined to transform potential loneliness into connection and community. This episode explores the hidden costs of caregiver isolation, backed by sobering statistics: 61% of family caregiv...

Send Cathy a text:) Caregiving transforms us in ways we rarely anticipate. The journey from those first overwhelming days to developing confidence and systems is filled with valuable lessons—if we take time to recognize them. Have you ever stopped to consider everything you've learned since becoming a caregiver? From mastering nursing skills without formal training to becoming an amateur phar...

Send Cathy a text:) What happens when caregiving becomes too much? The tragic story of Gene Hackman and wife, Betsy serves as a powerful wake-up call for all of us who care for loved ones. Caregiving often appears as an act of pure love and dedication, but behind closed doors, many caregivers struggle with exhaustion, isolation, and overwhelming responsibility that can lead to crisis. This deeply...

Send Cathy a text:) Caregiving is an endlessly demanding role, often leading to burnout and stress. Yet, amidst these challenges, there's a transformative practice that can change everything—the 10-10 method. This episode introduces caregivers to the concept of dedicating just 10% of their mornings and evenings to self-care. By carving out these small blocks of time, caregivers can recharge,...

Send Cathy a text:) After years of caregiving on high drive, I finally took a break—and it was harder than I expected. Slowing down felt foreign, and for the first time, I realized how much I had been running on stress and urgency. In this episode, I’m sharing my personal journey of stepping back, finding clarity, and learning to balance my well-being with caregiving. Can you take a break without...