In this episode, we’re removing the curtain on what caregiving looks like, the real, unfiltered version that most people don’t discuss.

Whether you’ve just stepped into caregiving or been doing it for a while, this one’s for you.

I share stories from my earliest caregiving days when my routines changed completely, sleep disappeared, and I learned what it meant to carry the invisible weight of care.

If you’ve ever wondered why caregiving feels like a full-time job that no one trained you for, this episode will help you feel seen, grounded, and less alone.

✨ Key Takeaways:

* What the day-to-day reality of caregiving actually looks like

* How my routines, relationships, and sense of self changed

* The invisible mental load every caregiver carries

* How I learned to define “success” in caregiving

* Small wins and rhythms that helped me find steadiness again

💡 This episode is for you if…

* You’re stepping into caregiving and want to know what to expect

* You feel stretched thin and unseen in your daily routine

* You’re trying to balance care for others with care for yourself

💬 Let’s Stay Connected:

If today’s episode resonates with you, share it with another caregiver who might need this reminder that they’re not alone.

What’s one part of your daily routine that’s changed since caregiving began? Hit reply or comment below. I’d love to hear your story.

You don’t have to wait for a crisis to realize you’re a caregiver. In fact, many people are caregivers long before they ever use the word.

This episode is all about recognition. We’re exploring how caregiving often starts quietly in small moments of support, advocacy, and showing up for someone else’s well-being. Have you ever wondered, “Does this count?” or “Is this caregiving?” This episode is for you.

I’ll share stories from my journey, especially the moments before, when I didn’t yet call myself a caregiver but was living the role all the same. We’ll also bust myths, walk through different types of caregiving, and help you name this part of your story.

✨ Key Takeaways:

* Signs you may already be a caregiver (even if you don’t call yourself one)

* The early, invisible ways caregiving begins

* Common misconceptions that delay recognition

* Why naming your caregiving role matters

* Awareness is the first step toward preparation and support

💡 This episode is for you if…

* You support a loved one but don’t consider yourself a “caregiver”

* Have you ever wondered if what you’re doing counts

* You’re anticipating future caregiving responsibilities and want to prepare

* You want to understand better the emotional and identity shifts that happen when caregiving begins

💬 Let’s Stay Connected:

I’d love to hear your story, whether you’ve been in this role for years or are starting to identify with it. Leave a comment, message me, or share this episode with someone who might need to hear that their care counts, too.

In this episode we’re talking about one of the most essential and overlooked parts of caregiving: starting the conversation early. Whether your parents or loved ones are still independent or you’re already in the thick of caregiving, this episode is for you.

I share what I wish I’d known, questions to help you begin the conversation, and why planning ahead can reduce stress, build trust, and protect everyone’s peace of mind.

✨ Key Takeaways:

* Why early caregiving conversations matter

* Common reasons we avoid these talks and how to overcome them

* What I’d do differently if I could go back

* Questions to guide meaningful, practical discussions

* How to approach emotional fears and resistance with empathy

💡 This episode is for you if…

* Your parents or loved ones are still independent, but aging

* You’ve stepped into caregiving without a clear roadmap

* You want to plan ahead, but aren’t sure how to begin

💬 Let’s Stay Connected:

Have you had “the talk” yet? If this episode sparks something for you, let me know. If you haven’t had the conversation yet, pick one question from today and gently begin.

In this episode, we're exploring what it means to go beyond the 9-to-5 and how to recognize when it might be time for a career transition. Whether you're craving growth, seeking more meaning, navigating burnout, or simply rethinking what success means, this conversation is for you.

We'll explore the signs that it's time for a shift, the wide range of options beyond traditional employment, and how to make your move with intention. I'll share personal reflections from my career pivots, what worked (and what didn't), and steps to take if you're ready for something new.

✨ Key Takeaways:

* Signs you may be ready to leave your 9-to-5

* Why redefining work doesn't always mean quitting cold turkey

* What a portfolio career is—and how it can expand your impact

* First steps to take before making a leap

* Encouragement and reflection for navigating your "what's next"

💡 This episode is for you if…

* You feel stuck, burned out, or uninspired at work

* You're exploring career pivots, consulting, or entrepreneurship

* You want your career to align with your values and strengths

💬 Let's Stay Connected:

Have you recently shifted out of the 9-to-5? Or are you considering it? I'd love to hear your story. Please send me a message or comment on this post. And if you know someone in a season of "what's next," share this with them.

Welcome to the first official episode of The Prepared Caregiver, a dedicated segment of Between Now and Next. In this episode, we’re laying the foundation by exploring what it truly means to be a caregiver because it’s often misunderstood and deeply personal.

Whether you’ve found yourself unexpectedly in a caregiving role or preparing for one in the future, today’s conversation highlights the different types of caregiving, how roles evolve over time, and the emotional weight of showing up for someone you love. I also share my own caregiving journey, including early experiences that began in childhood, and the lessons I’ve learned the hard way, like why self-care isn’t selfish and why legal preparation can’t wait.

✨ Key Takeaways:

* The many forms caregiving can take, from short-term to long-distance to full-time

* How caregiving evolves with time, diagnoses, and life transitions

* Personal reflections on caregiving as a child, teen, and adult

* Misconceptions caregivers often face and the truths I’ve uncovered

* What I wish I knew earlier (and what I want you to know now)

💡 This episode is for you if…

* You’re a caregiver, whether full-time, part-time, or supporting from a distance

* You’re preparing for a caregiving role and want to be proactive

* Have you ever felt isolated, overwhelmed, or invisible in your caregiving journey

💬 Let’s Stay Connected: If this episode resonates, comment or share your caregiving experience—I’d love to hear your story. You’re not alone. This space is for you.

In this episode of Between Now and Next, I’m sharing the full story of how I landed where I am today, because it was not a straight line. From childhood dreams of becoming a doctor to falling into marketing, consulting, and eventually project management, my path has been shaped by caregiving, burnout, and a deep desire for meaningful work.

You’ll hear how tracking my parents’ medical records as a teen unknowingly developed my strengths in organization, communication, and strategic thinking. How freelancing opened the door to entrepreneurship. How burnout nudged me toward a new field. And how I found clarity by trusting my skills even when I didn’t have the whole plan figured out.

✨ Key Takeaways:

* Why I left the medical field behind and how caregiving still shaped my future

* How freelancing and imposter syndrome shaped my early career

* The pivot from marketing into consulting, then project management

* How burnout became a turning point

* Encouragement for anyone navigating a career change

💡 This episode is for you if…

* You’re unsure how your past experiences connect to your next step

* You’re navigating burnout or feeling stuck in your current role

* You want to hear a real, honest story about changing careers without a “perfect plan”

💬 Let’s Stay Connected: If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend or leave a comment with your own career story. I’d love to know what’s one lesson you’ve learned from an unexpected career detour?

Welcome to an intro episode of Between Now and Next. In this first full episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the story behind the show. I’ll share what led me to start this podcast, why this space matters, and how I hope it supports you, especially if you’re navigating caregiving, career change, or a season of “what’s next?”

Reflecting on the past six years, I discuss the recurring themes in my life: resilience, organization, strategic thinking, and how I realized my experience as a caregiver profoundly shaped them. I’ll walk you through how I saw my personal story and professional strengths as more connected than I ever realized and why that clarity made me pause, reset, and build something more intentional.

✨ Key Takeaways:

* Why I created Between Now and Next

* How caregiving shaped my skills, values, and direction

* The importance of stillness in gaining clarity

* What you can expect from this podcast moving forward

* A gentle reminder that your story, your skills, and your seasons are connected

💡 This episode is for you if…

* You’re feeling called to create something new from your lived experience

* You’re navigating transition and seeking meaning in the “middle”

* You want a podcast that honors complexity, clarity, and growth

💬 Let’s Stay Connected: If something in today’s episode resonated with you, subscribe, leave a review, or share it with someone you care about. I’m so glad you’re here.

Hi,

I'm proud (and a little nervous!) to introduce Between Now and Next — a podcast for those balancing caregiving, career shifts, and personal reinvention.

This show is for those navigating the messy, meaningful middle between what was and what's next. Whether you're managing responsibilities, rethinking your career, or simply trying to find your footing during a season of change, you deserve a space that honors your complexity, not just your progress.

Each episode offers real stories, thoughtful conversations, and expert insights to help you take your next best step, with clarity, grace, and intention.

I created this space from experience. For over 15 years, I was the primary caregiver for both of my parents, all while going to school, building my career, and navigating life pivots of my own. Along the way, I picked up a few nicknames: "Pivot Patty" and "The Strategic Planner." If there's one thing I've learned, it's embracing change with grit and heart.

If anyone knows how layered life can be, it's me — and I want you to feel less alone as you navigate yours.

That's what this space is about: thriving in transition — not just by focusing on what's next, but by learning how to move through now with purpose and care.

🗓️ New episodes will be released 2 to 3 times monthly as I get my footing on Substack. I hope you'll subscribe, share, and walk with me through these conversations.

Thanks for listening,

Tessa