When we hear the word dementia, most of us think of loss. Decline. Goodbye. But what if that’s not the full story?

In this conversation, I sit down with Marilyn Raichle, who gently challenges everything we think we know about dementia. After being told her whole life to "walk away" when Alzheimer's came, Marilyn, Marilyn did the opposite. She stayed. And what she discovered changed everything.

What began as resistance and obligation became something deeply meaningful. Through art, presence, and an unexpected partnership with her mother, Marilyn found connection, creativity, and even joy in a place most of us fear. If you’re walking alongside someone with dementia—or holding regret about how you’ve shown up—this conversation will meet you with compassion, perspective, and hope.

What You’ll Learn

• Why shifting from “caregiver” to “care partner” changes everything
• How to connect with someone living with dementia (even when it feels hard)
• The powerful role of art, music, and shared moments in creating connection
• Why “they’re still here” is more than a phrase, it’s a mindset
• How to begin forgiving yourself for what you didn’t know before

Learn more about Marilyn, and get a copy of her book Don't Walk Away, A Care Partner's Journey, here: https://dontwalkaway.net/

Follow Marilyn on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marilyn.raichle

Connect with Marilyn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marilynraichle/ 

Follow Marilyn on Instagram: instagram.com/raichlem/

Resources:

Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/

Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60

Brenda’s Website/Links

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