This Caregiver Life ™

We welcome Emily Emmons as our guest on today's podcast: Hawaii - Life-Changing For This Caregiver & Her Veteran. Emily, like so many of us, has a number of different roles in life. Emily is first and foremost Emily. She follows her heart. She is a mom, a caregiver to her husband, John, a post 9/11 veteran, she is a lover of animals, farming, living off of the land, a strong advocate for veter...

We are excited to share that this is our 50th episode of “This Caregiver Life” podcast ! After thanking our listeners for tuning in we spent a few minutes giving ourselves virtual high-fives and pats on the back. When we recorded our first podcast, we had no idea we would grow as swiftly as we have since our first episode on January 10, 2019. We have nearly 3,000 listeners , 50 episodes of rich co...

In this episode, we visit with Dr. Liz Barnett who helps individuals and organizations implement an evidence-based communication style called Motivational Interviewing (MI) to enhance their ability to engage and motivate others. Caregiving often challenges communication in a relationship, and that's where MI comes in. Dr. Liz helps us understand how caregivers can modify their communication tactic...

When Mandi Bailey's stepdad, Fred Drinkwater, was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in 2017 it was a fast and furious two years. Every day Fred experienced a decline. Mandi's mom, Susan Drinkwater, struggled to keep up with the demands of the disease. One day they were planning for their golden years and the next day they were planning for how to get through the minutes and hours...

Jenn and Mar took some much needed time away during the month of July. They share the value of taking a pause from the heavy demands of their caregiving responsibilities, work, podcasting, and other activities in life that pull on them. They talk about how it is not easy to take time away for respite or to go on a retreat while living This Caregiver Life yet how powerful it can be to do so. ...

In this episode, Mar & Jenn are joined by Speech-Language Pathologist and Life Coach Tsgoyna Tanzman . She's helped thousands of people transition after stroke and brain injury to the next stages of their lives. Tsgoyna is an expert at helping people find their inner and outer resources using her unique approach that combines traditional and holistic speech therapy along with the life coaching...

In this episode, Mar and Jenn are joined by Raquel Derrick, Founder of Family Operating Base in the last of our 4-part collaboration.  We discuss the complex issues of caregiving we've explored in this series and the takeaways we hope listeners can use in their lives.  We're still working from home. We're still experiencing the COVID-19. Stay at home, don't stay at home, take a million p...

In this episode, Mar and Jenn are joined by Shawn Moore, LMSW, Executive Director and Founder of Caregivers on the Homefront and Raquel Derrick, Founder of Family Operating Base .   We discuss the challenges of caring for yourself while caring for a loved one, and ways we can show ourselves the grace we show others.  What is grace? The definition tells us that it's simple elegance o...

Mar and Jenn are joined by Larry Niesenson , Genworth Financial Chief Commercial Officer, the parent company of CareScout® Caregiver Support Services.  A caregiver for his father who was diagnosed with a brain tumor, Larry is passionate about solving the problems caregivers and employers face in the workforce.  In this episode, we explore those challenges for caregivers and employers. La...

Mar's guest today, Michael Bullen, was a caregiver to his spouse, Lisa, who had an aggressive form of ALS. They were married for twenty-five years. In the last fourteen months of their marriage, they battled an aggressive form of ALS together. Michael is committed to a lifelong ALS awareness campaign that includes the need for treatments, a cure, and kindness to those who have ALS and the people w...

Mar and Jenn are joined by Dan Miller, Wounded Warrior Project Warriors Speak spokesperson, and Raquel Derrick, Founder of Family Operating Base.  In this episode, we explore the complexities of grief and talk about the differences between ambiguous and anticipatory grief.  Some facts about grief: According to a 2005 study by Dr. Katherine Shear, Dr. Ellen Frank, and Patricia Houck, most...

This  Caregiver Life is excited to collaborate with Family Operating Base to produce a 4-episode special highlighting caregiver best practices that anyone can learn from. Each episode will feature Family Operating Base  Founder Raquel Derrick along with a special guest who will share their  ‘Pro Tips’ for overcoming challenges. Our 4-part special will explore the following topics: P...

Mar and Jen review recent #caregiverchaos, doing deep work on self-care, and giving yourself permission to course correct. Show us how you take time for YOU. Post a pic or share a story on social media, tag us, and use the hashtag #selfkindness. You may just win a surprise from This Caregiver Life. Mar recently received a surprise gift box from Bitty & Beau's Coffee: more than just a place to...

Raquel Derrick, Ph. D., of Family Operating Base, joined Mary to share with our listeners how we are partnering in a four-part series.  Family Operating Base, FOB – Community, is an effort created by Raquel: When I first envisioned the FOB, it was to be a brick-and-mortar place of community support for military-connected families. Recent times have called me to revisit and revamp my idea. Aft...

Mar interviews her husband, Tom, about his interest in oil painting. Talent v Effort. Mar and Tom have been married for nearly forty years. Tom had encephalitis in 1993. She has been caring for him since then. To know them is to know they are partners in life, and for life. Spouses first, caregiver, and care recipient second.  Encephalitis, a brain infection, impacted Tom's working memory and...

Mar and Jen catch up, 21st century-style, and discuss all the ways we can tell stories. Mar shares how her love of photography has been affected by limited travel, exploring the ups and downs of adjusting our hobbies to meet current lifestyle restrictions. Learn more about Mary's journey through life behind the lens and read evergreen blog articles at: http://www.maryhahnward.com/   Jenn...

Jenn & Mar check in with each other as the COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders continue.  We talk about the self-care medical professionals practice, as exampled in an episode of Mar’s favorite tv show NEW AMSTERDAM, and we discuss the pros and cons of mentoring other caregivers. Have an idea for our podcast? Want to share your thoughts with our listeners LIVE?  We'd love to hear from y...

Jenn & Mar check in with each other as the COVID-19 Crisis Progresses. On a scale of 1-10, where are you? Use these links to explore the resources from today's show: Meditation is the beginning of mindfulness. Get started with guided meditation by Tara Brach: https://www.tarabrach.com/guided-meditation-basic-meditations/ Download the Calm App: www.calm.com Read Brené Brown's "Gifts of Imperfec...

The COVID-19 crisis has impacted millions across the globe. For caregivers, this time is uncertain and frightening. In this episode, Mar and Jenn discuss the effects of the Coronavirus on their families and ways anyone living this caregiver life can try to cope.  To listen to Episdoe 11: Worse Case Scenario, find a link to your favorite platform here: https://anchor.fm/thiscaregiverlife/episo...

March is Brain Injury Awareness and we're focusing our efforts on increasing awareness of traumatic brain injury and the challenge. Throughout the month, Mar and Jenn will speak with experts working in the field of TBI, provide strategies for coping and share resources to educate the community. In this episode of This Caregiver Life, we are joined by Alex Balbir, Ph. D .  Alex serves as the I...

Dr. Norman joins us on this podcast to share her impactful work in the field of Traumatic Brain Injury, TBI, rehabilitation. To say it is work is a misnomer. It is Dr. Norman's passion in life. When speaking with her it is easy to absorb her love for what she does every day for those with TBI's. Not surprisingly Dr. Norman also gives of her time in a volunteer capacity by serving on the board of T...

Judi Logan joins us on this podcast, Hold on to Hope. Judi's son, Justin, was in a terrible accident in which he flipped his pick-up truck. Justin suffered a serious traumatic brain injury, TBI. He was in a coma for two and a half weeks. Judi shares with us the powerful story of becoming a caregiver to her 17-year-old son.  Visit us on social media: facebook.com/thiscaregiverlife twitter.com/...

Sherri Piper joins us on the podcast. Sherri is married for 25 years to her husband Jay. They have four sons. Sherri has been a caregiver to her husband for six years. Among his other injuries, he has a mild traumatic brain injury, TBI. She is the executive assistant for TBI Warrior Foundation . TBI Warrior Foundation is our sponsor for this episode. What does Sherri do for fun? She is a backgroun...

Dr. Quinard Webb, a physical therapist, works closely with TBI Warrior Foundation. He provides physical therapy to TBI Warrior Foundation clients. He also participates in their caregiver training workshops. Dr. Webb is a wealth of information on rehabilitation and wellness. He shares with us ideas on how to prevent injury for the caregiver through the concept of self-regulation.  Dr. Webb has...

The month of March is Brain Injury Awareness Month. Meet Crystal Holdipp who cares for her mom with a brain injury as a result of a stroke. Crystal's caregiving extends to her dad as well. Her dad is battling cancer. She is an amazing young woman.  Currently, Crystal is doing advocacy work for persons who have disabilities and impairments through Inspire Bermuda and works on their leadership...