The Sandwich Generation Pod

Being an only child means you learn independence early. You can entertain yourself, make decisions, and figure out anything on your own. But when you land in The Sandwich Generation ? That same independence can start to feel a whole lot like, “Wait… am I supposed to do ALL of this myself?!” In this episode of The Sandwich Generation Pod , Eliesa opens up about the unique reality of being an “only”...

How do we keep laughing when life feels so unbelievably heavy? Between raising the littles, caregiving for our aging parents, grief and the stress, surviving  The Sandwich Generation feels like sometimes humor is the only thing holding it all together! In this episode of The Sandwich Generation Pod , Eliesa Johnson and Robyn Frank welcome nationally acclaimed comedian Susan Rice ( @funnyoldbag ) f...

Why does Assisted Living cost so much? Why does every tour somehow end in a “pub”? And are the communities with the fancy brochures and gourmet desserts actually the best fit for your loved one? In this episode of The Sandwich Generation Pod , Robyn and Eliesa sit down with Melissa Stanton and Molly Mogren Katt of Carefree Cottages of Maplewood for a candid (and surprisingly heated + funny) conver...

Ever have one of those moments where you just want to scream a little? Caregiving can feel like that, especially when well-meaning people say things that completely miss the mark. Those small comments can add up, and before you know it, you’re carrying a kind of loneliness that’s hard to put into words. Whether you’re supporting a loved one through a terminal diagnosis, navigating aging, walking a...

Caregiving in the Sandwich Generation is already a full-contact sport. One minute you’re negotiating with a toddler over broccoli, the next your parents are on the phone… also negotiating, but with guilt trips and passive-aggressive commentary. Cool, cool, cool. So what’s the move when everyone needs something and someone’s being downright difficult? In this episode of The Sandwich Generation Pod...

What is it really like for the Spouses in The Sandwich Generation?! We know it’s emotional for us caregivers, but what is it like on the other side of a relationship? In this episode, Eliesa Johnson and Robyn Frank hand the mic over to their spouses, Nick and EZ, for a refreshingly honest (and occasionally hilarious) take on: What actually irritates them (yes, we go there) How to keep the spark al...

Welcome to Part 2 of our episode on Medical Assistance for Long Term Care in Minnesota. This is a HOT topic and one that deserved some extra time! In this episode, Robyn and Eliesa welcome back Rachel Schromen of Schromen Law, LLC answers more questions and gives practical examples and tips on the strategy and process behind applying for Medical Assistance for Long Term Care. What’s a 5 year look...

What happens when the money runs out? For many Americans, Medical Assistance for Long Term Care is an option that feels almost inevitable. But these were supposed to be ‘The Golden Years’, right? And now you’re telling me I have to live off of $120/month? WHAT?!? Where do you begin? There seem to be SO many rules and so much fine print -  and what is really provided?   In part one of this two-part...

Description: Alright, who else feels overwhelmed by keeping together the paperwork and passwords alone in The Sandwich Generation? Do we go digital with all of this or keep it analog? Yeah, we are asking ourselves the same questions, too! Season 2 of the podcast premiers with this mini-episode where Robyn Frank and Eliesa Johnson tackle one of our greatest challenges: organization. We discuss a sy...

Does it feel like time is fragile with your loved one? We do too. The truth is, none of us know how much or little time we have left with one another. For our Season 1 finale, we don’t just go deep, we go to THERAPY with our friend, Stephanie March . (We highly encourage you to take a read through her popular substack, Pickle .)  Stephanie shares her story - and her personal journey - of saying go...

We can all relate to the chaos of the holiday season and when you’re in The Sandwich Generation, things can feel…extra tricky. You’re packing up the strollers, the walkers and packing diaper bags for both the young and old - ah! Yes! The Holidays! In this episode, hosts Eliesa Johnson and Robyn Frank talk about the hilarious predicaments of the holiday logistics when you’re caregiving, along with...

For caregivers who have watched a loved one decline from the terrible diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Cancer; the question is often asked, “Will this happen to me? Is there anything I can do to prevent this?” If you are in The Sandwich Generation, you also know that finding time for self care is hard ( See Episode 4: Self Care is a SCAM! ). Suddenly we see ourselves shifting - we are sett...

Almost everyone knows someone who has Alzheimer’s Disease. For many of us in The Sandwich Generation, this diagnosis was also the moment we became caregivers for our loved ones. But it’s all so confusing - is it Alzheimer’s? Is it Dementia? How do I bring up this conversation with my parents? Am I genetically dispositioned to get this too? WTF!  In this episode, co-hosts Eliesa Johnson and Robyn F...

Downsizing and moving your aging parents is one of the hardest tasks of all time. Or maybe your loved one has already passed and you are tasked with selling a home and going through a lifetime of belongings. It’s. Brutal. Seriously, it’s the definition of overwhelm. Where do you begin? In this episode, we welcome guest Alli Rubin who is a professional moving manager and a true ‘easy button’ when i...

Have you ever been asked by a friend, “What can I do to help?” and you go blank?! Yeah, us too. Being in The Sandwich Generation is a lot. And it’s oftentimes hard for our friends and ourselves to communicate just how lonely it feels and how much we need our friends. In this episode hosts Robyn Frank and Eliesa Johnson discuss the challenges of maintaining friendships, having the capacity and some...

Raise your hand if you’re a caregiver who has needed to manage your parent’s finances and you think - oh F*ck - this is A LOT more difficult than I expected?!? We think everyone in the room right now feels this way! No matter how full or empty the bank account is, opening the books to your parents finances, managing the cost of care and navigating the emotions of money is a journey that is riddled...

How the f*ck am I supposed to fit in self care? This is a question we ask ourselves all. of. the. Time. (especially while living this ‘sandwiched’ lifestyle). With the algorithms feeding us endless articles about all the ways we ‘should’ be doing self care, frankly, it all feels like a scam.  In this episode, we (Eliesa Johnson and Robyn Frank) open up about the frustrations around taking care of...

Sibling dynamics can be tricky - no matter how loving or estranged you are. Then add in kids, aging parents, living across the country and having to make some big, real-time, decisions together as you begin caregiving for your loved ones. Holy shit - it’s a lot.  In this episode, we welcome Lisa Frank, Robyn’s sister to the show. The Frank sisters talk candidly about the complexities in navigating...

Are you taking care of your young kids and aging parents? Are you feeling like you’re in the messy middle and you don’t know where to go? We felt the same way so we started this podcast ♡ In this episode, we discuss the challenges faced by the sandwich generation, who are simultaneously caring for aging parents and raising young children. Our conversation introduces us, your charming co-hosts, Rob...

“Are you the Power of Attorney?” When shit goes down and a health crisis happens with our aging parents, this is one of the first questions we are asked. But what the hell is a power of attorney and why do we need it? In this episode, Eliesa Johnson and Robyn Frank are joined by (the fantastic) Rachel Schromen of Schromen Law, LLC and we discuss it all. Rachel’s approach to guiding her clients thr...

A quick glimpse of what is to come - Season 1 of The Sandwich Generation Pod will be launching in Mid July 2025. This will be a humorous podcast about caregiving for the young, old, and all of the chaos in between. Hosted by Eliesa Johnson and Robyn Frank ✨ Follow us @thesandwichgenerationpod