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Caregiving rarely color‑codes itself on our calendars. One day you’re navigating an adoption that looks nothing like the tidy plans you imagined; the next day, you’re juggling a teen’s complex needs alongside aging parents in the hospital. Mandy Horne, a registered nurse and board‑certified health and wellness nurse coach, joins me to share how a late autism diagnosis reframed years of confusion, opened doors to therapies, and restored hope for her family.

We talk about the difference a diagnosis can make—not as a label to hide behind, but as a key to access care, educate a village, and reset expectations. Mandy shares the hard parts without flinching: sleepless nights, aggressive moments where her husband shouldered the physical load, and the invisible cost of running on empty. Then we trace the surprising arc of her son’s senior year, where supervised medication changes and a clear call toward ministry sparked a transformation. His YouTube and TikTok outreach is growing fast, and together they’ve launched “Jesus and Autism,” a candid space for families hungry for encouragement and truth.

Threaded through every chapter is a simple practice: surrender beats striving. We trade perfection for flexible habits—micro‑devotions, worship on the go, and five‑minute breath prayers that fit real life. We explore how to build a supportive church community, why “savor the ordinary day” is a lifeline, and how grace for yourself can be the pivot that keeps a home steady. If you’ve felt sandwiched between generations, if you’re waiting on clarity, or if you need language to explain what your family carries, this story offers both practical steps and a steadying peace.

Listen now, share this with a caregiver who needs it, and leave a review to help others find hope in their own season of caring. Subscribe for more stories, tools, and faith‑filled support.

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A small change in behavior can rewrite a life. When Pat began noticing Don’s unusual decisions, lost words, and shifting patterns, the search for answers led to a Frontotemporal Dementia diagnosis—and a decade-long lesson in love, agency, and faith. We unpack the realities of FTD’s behavioral variant, why it’s often misread in midlife, and how a caregiver’s voice can and should shape care. Pat explains how she learned to opt out of stressful, unhelpful appointments, advocate through atypical medication reactions, and build routines that gave Don dignity. Sometimes the right choice is the one that brings peace, even if it looks different from the standard path.

We also go straight at the grief most caregivers carry but rarely name. Loss begins long before the goodbye. Pat shares how stacked losses overwhelmed her plans and how therapy—and for a season, an antidepressant—helped her function, feel, and keep going. Faith remained a steady thread, from a midnight caregiver post that prepared her for Don’s sudden seizures to the quiet conviction that help would meet her at the moment of need. Along the way, we talk about practical strategies: protecting the caregiver’s health, choosing physicians who see the whole family, and honoring routines that soothe, like Don’s daily mowing that brought calm even on hospice.

The heart of this conversation is freedom from guilt. You can’t alter the disease’s destination, but you can shape the journey. Pat closes with hard-won wisdom on accepting help, inviting community into the home, and measuring success by presence and kindness rather than outcomes. And she offers a hopeful coda: life continues, love expands, and gratitude can return. Listen for validation, guidance, and a gentle nudge toward living without regrets.

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Caregiving rarely unfolds the way we imagine. Catherine joins us to trace a decades-long journey that started in childhood waiting rooms and led to the moment her father was diagnosed with Huntington’s at 80, long after her mother’s dementia and medical challenges had reshaped daily life. What follows is a candid, hope-filled guide to planning one step ahead, inviting family into specific roles, and choosing dignity over control when everything changes faster than your systems can keep up.

We dig into the hard transitions—selling homes, moving parents in, and turning a new house into a familiar haven with small details that calm the nervous system. Catherine shares how “hire for fit, not ability” became a lifeline: the right caregiver isn’t just technically skilled, they connect, ask better questions, bring humor, and meet emotional needs that checklists miss. From entering the world of dementia instead of correcting it, to medication strategies like adding one drug at a time and tracking side effects, you’ll hear practical tactics you can apply today. We also talk about finances with compassion: transition access early, preserve reassuring rituals, and keep dignity at the core.

Family dynamics get real here. Catherine explains how she “threw away the scale” of who did most, invited relatives into clear roles they could sustain, and let go of bitterness when help didn’t show. Woven through is a steady rhythm of faith—listening, being known, and following the next right step—that turns midnight crises into moments of presence and care. If you’re navigating aging parents, juggling distance, or staring down another unexpected change, this conversation offers grounded wisdom, gentle humor, and tools you can trust.

If this resonates, follow the show, share it with someone who needs encouragement, and leave a review to help other caregivers find these stories and strategies.

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What happens when the child you love suddenly can’t face the day—and the usual fixes don’t work? We open up about a mother’s unseen caregiving: guiding her son through anxiety and depression after a cross-country move collided with the uncertainty of COVID. The story moves beyond clichés, touching the raw places—shame when friends don’t understand, judgment from well-meaning people, and the weary loop of doing “all the right things” without a breakthrough—until a quiet yes to counseling, community, and a carefully chosen low-dose medication turned the tide.

We talk candidly about how faith and mental health care can work together, not against each other. You’ll hear what it looks like to advocate at school, track real progress, and hold steady when improvement comes in fits and starts. The spiritual arc is honest and personal: praying on the closet floor, realizing God loves the caregiver as much as the child, and releasing control with the words, “I’m writing his testimony—stop trying to steal the pen.” Along the way, small markers of hope begin to shine: a safe church home, notes from attentive teachers, an eighth-grade tribute to kindness, and a seventh-grade “Waymaker” testimony that reframed the pain with purpose.

If you’re navigating child anxiety, caregiver burnout, or the gray space between prayer and practical help, this conversation offers tools and comfort: how to discern when chemistry is part of the problem, why persistence in seeking support matters, and how a simple nightly gratitude practice can re-anchor a family. We also share Shelli’s upcoming Bible study, “Rise: How to Get Back Up After Life Knocks You Down,” built on Ezra 10:4 and designed to help you take the next faithful step from the valley to solid ground.

If this spoke to you, follow the show, share it with someone who needs hope today, and leave a review so others can find these stories of quiet, steady resilience.

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What if the hardest season of your life became the place where wonder returned, marriage deepened, and purpose took root? That’s the heart of our conversation with caregiver and author Cathy Bennett, who spent nine years walking alongside her husband Michael through ALS—and found a new kind of faith and community in the process.

We open with the practical realities few outsiders see: the wheelchair, the Hoyer lift, the accessible van, the heavy “operator” tasks you never trained for but learn because love insists. Then we sit with the isolation that caregiving often creates—especially when a pandemic narrows your world—and we name why generic advice isn’t enough. Cathy explains how faith and solidarity among caregivers change the emotional math, easing the bitterness that can grow when you carry the load alone. She shares a powerful arc of belief as Michael, a lifelong tinkerer and nature buff, reconnects with God through the complexity and design he saw on screen. Along the way, marriage is reshaped by humility and gratitude; two driven people learn surrender and find their bond unexpectedly better, not smaller.

There are vivid moments of provision—a long-stalled cabin sale clearing the way to build an accessible home at exactly the right time—and there’s the quieter provision of a new calling. Cathy begins to write in the margins of caregiving, eventually crafting a devotional organized around fifty emotions caregivers know by heart. She launches a faith-based caregiver community where short devotions and prayer meet the needs of time-pressed listeners, offering daily encouragement without fluff. We also get practical: how to invite people into your real life so they can truly help, why worship music can reset the hardest hour of the day, and how to “tighten the loop between guilt and grace” after inevitable slip-ups.

If you’re caring for a spouse, parent, or friend—or supporting someone who is—you’ll find a rich mix of story, strategy, and hope. Subscribe, share this episode with a caregiver who needs strength for today, and leave a review to help others discover these stories of faith, resilience, and real-world care.

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Do you ever feel weighed down by guilt as a caregiver—second-guessing your choices, comparing yourself to others, or wondering if you’ve done enough? In this heartfelt episode of A Season of Caring Podcast, Rayna Neises gently reminds us that faith and guilt do not belong together.

Guilt shadows many caregivers, whispering that they're not doing enough or that needing rest makes them selfish. This burden weighs heavily on already exhausted hearts, creating distance from the very grace needed most during challenging seasons.

Drawing from Romans 8:1, "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus," we explore why faith and guilt don't belong together. When guilt creeps in—whether from losing patience, feeling inadequate, or believing you should somehow do more—it's essential to recognize this isn't God's voice. While conviction gently draws us toward growth, guilt traps us in shame. The key question becomes: "Does this thought bring me closer to God's love or push me farther away?"

Like autumn leaves that must eventually fall, guilt needs release. Caregiving has its seasons—intense periods, waiting times, and eventually seasons of loss. In each one, God provides specific grace for that moment. Rather than dwelling on yesterday's perceived failures or tomorrow's worries, focus on the present where divine grace meets you exactly as you are. I've created a free Fall Seasonal Rest Rhythm mini-series with three guided audio practices to help you pause, breathe, and remember God's presence even in overwhelming moments. These simple tools remind you that you're more than the guilt you carry, and that peace is available in every season. Download this free resource at aseasonofcaring.com/fallrest and take a step toward living with the freedom God intends for you—even in your season of caring.

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What happens when a healthcare professional becomes the patient, then becomes a family caregiver? Manjeet Singh's remarkable journey offers a powerful perspective on caregiving that few can provide.

Manjeet joins us to share his transformative path from being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at age 20 and losing his colon to becoming a registered nurse with over 15 years of critical care experience. His story takes a deeply personal turn as he recounts caring for his mother during her battle with a rare brain tumor—a seven-month journey that reinforced his belief that caregiving requires both professional skill and profound love.

"We cannot pour from an empty cup," Manjeet reminds us, highlighting the paradox that caregivers face: dedicating themselves to others often at the expense of their own wellbeing. Drawing from his professional expertise and personal experience, he introduces his revolutionary S.L.E.E.P framework—a practical approach to holistic wellness covering Sleep, Limits (boundaries), Vitality, circadian rhythm, and hydration. What makes his approach so valuable is its simplicity and integration with natural rhythms, making it accessible even within the constraints of demanding caregiving roles.

The conversation takes a spiritual turn as Manjeet shares the intimate moments of reading scripture and holding his mother's hand during her final days. These poignant memories underscore his philosophy that caregiving isn't just about completing tasks but about being present with genuine love—echoing Mother Teresa's wisdom that "it's not how much you do, but how much love you put into doing." For caregivers struggling with burnout or losing sight of purpose, this perspective offers renewed meaning and connection.

Ready to transform your caregiving journey? Manjeet is offering podcast listeners free access to his wellness program for up to five family members at healthcareheroes.global. Listen now to discover how to care deeply for others while nurturing your own wellbeing.

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What happens when a self-described "overachiever" and "fixer" faces the uncontrollable challenges of caring for multiple loved ones with serious illnesses? Jackie Freeman's powerful story reveals the beautiful transformation that can occur when we release our grip on control and embrace faithful presence instead.

Jackie grew up believing she could handle anything life threw her way. As she puts it, she was raised during the height of the feminist movement with the message that she could "bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan" – essentially managing everything through sheer determination and competence. This mindset met its match when her husband was diagnosed with brain cancer (surviving seven years beyond his six-month prognosis) while she simultaneously supported her father through Alzheimer's disease.

Through raw honesty and surprising humor, Jackie shares the profound shift from believing "everything was mine to do" to recognizing her limitations and finding strength in surrender. One of her most beautiful insights comes from what caregivers at her father's memory care facility called "Perry's Time" – the practice of giving her father space to process information at his own pace rather than rushing him. This approach transformed not just her father's care but Jackie's entire philosophy of caregiving.

The conversation explores practical wisdom for the overwhelmed caregiver: creating a medical notebook, finding small moments for spiritual renewal, accepting help from others, and discovering unexpected blessings even in loss. Jackie's perspective on hospice care is particularly enlightening, framing it not as "giving up" but as embracing support that allows both patient and family to live fully in whatever time remains.

Most movingly, Jackie reveals how caregiving ironically healed her marriage by reversing their love languages – her husband, whose love language had been acts of service, was now receiving service, while Jackie, who valued quality time, was now giving service. This role reversal created deeper understanding between them and opened space for meaningful connection even amid tremendous challenges.

Whether you're currently caregiving or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers hope that even in our most difficult seasons, we can find purpose, connection, and unexpected grace. Connect with Jackie's resources and books at JackieFreemanAuthor.com.

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What happens when caregiving forces you to confront your most painful memories? For Susie Lewis, caring for her parents became an unexpected journey toward freedom and healing.

Susie shares the contrasting experiences of caring for her mother with terminal cancer for 30 days in her mother's home, and later having her father live with her and her husband for four and a half years. While these seasons brought their unique challenges, they also offered profound gifts of restoration and growth.

The conversation takes a powerful turn as Susie reveals how caring for her father—who had inflicted "almost every form of abuse" during her childhood—triggered past trauma but ultimately led to deeper healing. When a physical therapist's simple statement about her father not being able to be left alone triggered feelings of being trapped, Susie found herself having a breakdown. This crisis opened the door to Christian counseling and addressing wounds she'd carried for decades.

Through beautiful anecdotes—like learning to crochet with her dying mother and laughing together when her mother became tangled in pools of yellow yarn—Susie illustrates how caregiving's difficulties are often intertwined with its most precious gifts. That final crocheted basket remains one of her most treasured possessions, and the skill has allowed her to create baby blankets for all fourteen of her grandchildren.

For those currently walking the caregiving path, Susie offers wisdom earned through experience: write down memories you think you'll never forget, and prioritize simple forms of self-care. "If you do not take care of yourself, you cannot take care of your loved one," she emphasizes, suggesting that even ten minutes outside walking and praying can provide essential renewal.

Listen now to discover how staying the course through caregiving's challenges can lead to unexpected freedom, healing, and the fulfillment of honoring parents in profound ways. Susie's story reminds us that God weaves relationships into our lives precisely when we need them—often before we even know we'll need them.

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"Who am I outside of caregiving?" This question haunts many family caregivers as they navigate the all-consuming journey of caring for a loved one. Drawing from my personal experience of caring for my father with Alzheimer's for 14 years, I unpack the struggle to maintain our sense of self when someone else's needs dominate our days and decisions.

Caregiving has a way of rewriting your identity without permission. Suddenly, you're an advocate, a nurse, a scheduler, and an emotional support system—but somewhere in that transformation, crucial parts of yourself can slip away unnoticed. I share how I realized I had stopped journaling, reading before bed, and connecting with friends—not just activities I'd lost, but pieces of my identity quietly disappearing.

The path to reclaiming and protecting your identity starts with confronting the myths that trap us: the belief that doing anything less than everything means we're failing; the notion that we should just press pause on ourselves until caregiving ends; and the guilt that whispers self-care is selfish. These lies keep us from the truth—that we are whole people whose worth transcends our caregiving role.

Through practical strategies like creating a personal manifesto based on core values, establishing healthy boundaries, and dedicating even five minutes a week to nurturing dreams, caregivers can maintain connection with their authentic selves. Remember, caregiving doesn't define you—it's a season in your life, not the entirety of who you are.

Whether you're in the thick of caregiving or transitioning to life afterward, your story continues to unfold. Download the free core values worksheet from our show notes at seasonofcaring.com/podcast and begin reconnecting with the heart of who you are today. Your identity matters, your dreams still have purpose, and you are so much more than the care you provide.