’wiched generation

Birthday anniversaries can feel like a celebration and a bruise at the same time. In this episode, Julie shares the story of planning a memory-rich meal for her mom’s birthday—meatballs and all—and how her dad’s unexpected reaction reshaped the night. With insights aligned to Johns Hopkins’ note on “anniversary spinning” and VA guidance for difficult dates, she offers simple practices for holding...

Season 3 of Wiched Generation kicks off with a reality check — and a reset. Julie reflects on how caregiving, parenting, and personal reinvention collide, and why time has become the most valuable thing we own. She shares new data, personal lessons, and a roadmap for what’s ahead this season — from AI’s role in the caregiving workforce to redefining self-care when everything feels out of control....

In the season finale of Wiched Generation, Julie reflects on what happens when caregiving collides with every other part of life—divorce, parenting, family conflict, work, and grief. Drawing on her own recent experiences, she shares the tools that have helped her manage chaos: resiliency training, gratitude practices, exercise, therapy, and the small joys that remind us we’re still living. This ep...

Summer isn’t always carefree when you’re in the thick of caregiving. In this episode, Julie explores what the season looks like for those juggling kids, aging parents, and careers — all while navigating the heat, disrupted routines, and the emotional toll it can take. From the story of one summer she had to take time off to manage her mother’s dehydration to the staggering stat that over 62% of ca...

Sibling rivalry doesn’t always end in childhood—and when aging parents need care, old roles, resentments, and family politics come roaring back. In this episode, Julie explores how perceptions of favoritism, unspoken expectations, and long-simmering sibling dynamics can complicate caregiving. Backed by research and lived experience, this is a candid look at why one sibling often ends up doing the...

Siblings and caregiving—it’s complicated. In this episode, I unpack the emotional terrain of caring for a parent alongside, or in tension with, a sibling. Sparked by the Netflix series Sirens, we explore how family roles, old rivalries, and uneven expectations show up when a parent’s health declines. I share my own story navigating sibling estrangement, chasing connection, and ultimately choosing...

In this episode of wiched generation, host Julie Viola reflects on the power of grace—grace for ourselves, for those we care for, and for the people around us who may not fully understand what caregiving demands. Drawing from personal moments and hard-earned perspective, Julie shares how letting go of expectations (like always sending birthday cards or staying perfectly healthy) helped her survive...

In this deeply personal episode, Julie reflects on life after caregiving—what it feels like to emerge on the “other side” of loss, grief, and intense responsibility. A year after her mother’s passing, she shares the emotional complexities of stepping out of survival mode and into a life that feels unfamiliar. From recalibrating relationships and reclaiming personal health to redefining joy and dai...

In this special episode of Wiched Generation, Julie sits down with her longtime friend and resiliency coach, Mark McGarry—founder of the Learn to Surf mindset. Together, they explore how to build emotional resilience when life keeps coming at you, especially during caregiving, parenting, and big professional leaps. Mark breaks down what it means to truly practice resilience, shares the neuroscienc...

Caregiving can take a serious toll on your body—weight changes, fatigue, and feeling like you don’t recognize yourself. In this episode of Wiched Generation, Julie gets real about the physical and mental impacts of caregiving and shares practical tips for taking small, meaningful steps to feel more like yourself again. From reassessing coping mechanisms to building flexible routines, this episode...

In this special episode of Wiched Generation, host Julie Viola reflects on the one-year anniversary of her mom’s passing—a milestone marked not just by grief, but by a commitment to living with purpose. Julie shares how caregiving changed her role from being the one cared for to the one providing care, and how that flip shaped her perspective on life. Through honest stories of comforting her mom,...

When caregiving scrambles your world, community can be the life raft that keeps you afloat. In this episode of Wiched Generation, host Julie Viola shares how community shaped her life long before she became a caregiver—and how it saved her during some of her hardest days. Julie explores why building (or rebuilding) a support network is essential when you're sandwiched between caring for kids and a...

  In this episode of Wiched Generation, host Julie Viola returns to the basics—what exactly is the Sandwich Generation, why it matters, and most importantly, what helps when you’re feeling stretched too thin. Whether you're caring for aging parents, raising kids, or doing both at once, this episode offers a reset and a few practical lifelines. Julie breaks down three key strategies that helped her...

When people say, “Let me know what you need,” it’s always well-intentioned. But the reality? A grieving person often has no idea what they need in the moment. It’s too overwhelming to decide... so let us help on episode 2. Susie Shaw and Julie Viola talk about supporting friends managing grief, how to manage your own grief, ideas (funny and serious) on how to chip in on the grief experience- your...

In this powerful episode of 'wiched generation, host Julie Viola dives into the hidden struggles of grief, resilience, and responsibility through the story of NBA superstar Jimmy Butler. As revealed in Netflix’s Starting 5, Butler lost his father during the 2023-24 season, forcing him to navigate deep personal loss while the world expected him to keep performing at the highest level—something so m...

In this episode of 'Wiched Generation, Julie Viola explores the controversial yet compelling world of gossip. While often dismissed as cruel or shallow, gossip plays a surprising role in building social bonds and navigating complex relationships. Drawing on insights from the Yale Daily News and NBC News, Julie examines the fine line between healthy and harmful gossip. Whether you’re managing the d...

In this heartfelt episode of 'wiched generation, host Julie Viola is joined by licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Allison Flynn to explore the complexities of navigating the holiday season as part of the Sandwich Generation. Together, they discuss the joys and challenges of balancing caregiving, parenting, and grief during a time often associated with tradition and togetherness. Allison, a mom of...

In this episode, “What About Your Friends?”, we’re talking about the incredible support that friendships provide—whether they’re lifelong friends who know our history, newer friends who see us in our current reality, or those we’ve met along this specific journey of being sandwiched between caring for parents and raising children. We will provide tools to leverage in your journey, talk about norma...

In the pilot episode of 'wiched generation, host Julie Viola shares her deeply personal journey as part of the Sandwich Generation—juggling her career, raising young children, and caring for her mother through the late stages of dementia. Julie opens up about her decision to leave a successful corporate career to prioritize caregiving, the challenges she faced, and the lessons she learned about vu...