Caregivers Like Us Podcast

Episode #43: Caregiving, Communication, and Courage

This heartfelt episode features Ellen Patnaude, a Detroit native, workplace communication coach, caregiver advocate, and author. Ellen shares her emotional and inspiring journey of caring for her mother, Charlotte, through her battle with Lewy Body Dementia. With honesty and compassion, Ellen discusses the challenges of caregiving for aging parents, the emotional toll it takes, and the lessons she learned along the way. She introduces practical tips and strategies for caregivers navigating similar paths, while also advocating for open and honest discussions around caregiving—at home and in the workplace.

About Our Guest:

Professionally, Ellen is a Workplace Communication Coach, working with teams and leaders to improve interactions and foster connection. She is the author of two impactful books, "I Thought You Knew…": Confessions of a Chronic Assumer (2022) and the forthcoming "You’re Not Doing It Right": Loving My Mother Through an Unpredictable Caregiving Journey (May 2024).

What We Discussed in This Episode:

Resources and Links Mentioned:

Takeaways for Caregivers and Leaders:

Don’t Miss This Conversation!

Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if Ellen’s story resonated with you!

Connect With The Hosts:

Become A Guest: https://caregiverslike.us/share-your-journey/ 

On this episode of Caregivers Like Us, we’re joined by the incredible Katrina Prescott—media producer turned caregiver advocate. Katrina’s caregiving story began when she found herself navigating the challenges of caring for her mother with young-onset dementia. That transformative experience led her to become a powerful voice for caregivers everywhere.

Katrina now works as a Caregiver Coach, offering practical, judgment-free support to others tackling the emotional and logistical complexities of caregiving. With her blend of personal experience and professional expertise, Katrina is dedicated to helping caregivers find clarity, connection, and relief on their journeys.

We’ll talk about her web series, Therapeutic Fibbing, which uses creativity and real-life scenarios to educate and connect with dementia caregivers. Plus, she’ll share insights from her new project, Things Not to Say to a Caregiver, a thought-provoking series that uses humor to shed light on real-life caregiving challenges.

Katrina is also the recipient of the prestigious Caregiver Advocacy Award from the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence. And in 2024, she founded the Care Nation Society—a thriving community that brings caregivers together for support, education, and empowerment.

Through her work, Katrina shows us how meaningful, and even joyful, caregiving can be—despite its challenges.

Join us for an inspiring conversation as we explore Katrina’s caregiving philosophy, her actionable strategies, and her mission to transform the world of caregiving, one story at a time.

Tune in to hear:

Connect With Katrina:

Connect With The Hosts:

Don’t miss this empowering episode—because together, caregivers like us can thrive.

Episode #41: Joyfully Grieving

On this powerful episode, we welcome Christi Sumner-Brewer, a life coach, grief recovery specialist, and a woman whose life has been shaped by love, resilience, and hope. Christi opens up about her incredible 30-year journey as a caregiver for her son, who was born with Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (BBS), a rare genetic disorder causing chronic heart, lung, and kidney failure, as well as intellectual disabilities and blindness.

Christi shares her family's story—one marked by immense challenges, but also incredible strength. She talks about the heartbreak of losing her son and the ongoing reality of two of her grandchildren sharing the same genetic syndrome. Through it all, she has made it her mission to not only heal but to help others find their way through grief and adversity.

This episode dives deep into the practices that have sustained Christi through the years, from self-care and counseling to community support and professional training. We explore her heartfelt message of "Joyfully Grieving"—a concept that encourages letting grief coexist with love, gratitude, and forward movement. Christi reminds us that healing is a process, but hope and encouragement can be life’s greatest allies.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

Who Should Listen:

Connect With Hosts:

Join us for an honest, heartfelt conversation about love, loss, and the power of healing. Christi’s story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and a reminder that even in our deepest grief, hope is always within reach.

Episode #40: The Integrity Of Caregiving

This week, we are joined by the dynamic Jeffrey Klubeck — communication professor, author, coach, and founder of Get A Klu, Inc. Jeffrey’s expertise in soft skills development has touched entrepreneurs and high-performance teams in 14 countries across 4 continents. He is the author of The Integrity Game® and the Get A Klu in 52 Soft Skills Book Series.

On this episode, Jeffrey shares his deeply personal caregiving experiences during the pre-vaccine COVID pandemic, when he cared for his parents in their final months, losing them just three weeks apart. With a mix of humor, reflection, and honesty, he dives into the lessons he learned, the strength he found, and the profound impact caregiving has had on his life. Jeffrey also discusses how his professional work in productivity, accountability, and personal growth ties into his caregiving story. He emphasizes the importance of integrity, both in the workplace and in our personal lives, and offers practical insights for caregivers navigating tough emotional and logistical challenges.

Key Takeaways

The Power of Integrity: Jeffrey’s approach to caregiving and professional coaching is grounded in integrity—showing up authentically, whether for a loved one or a client.

Soft Skills and Caregiving: How communication, emotional intelligence, and productivity frameworks can support caregivers during difficult times.

Personal Insights: Jeffrey opens up about balancing caregiving with his career and the lessons that came from caring for his parents during their final days.

Finding Growth in Loss: Despite experiencing immense grief, Jeffrey shares how caregiving led to personal and professional growth.

About Jeffrey Klubeck

Jeffrey Klubeck is an un-retired professor of communication at San Diego State University and a world-class coach. He is the founder of Get A Klu, Inc., a company specializing in productivity and accountability for small businesses and solo-preneurs. Known for his fast-paced and humor-filled speaking style, Jeffrey challenges audiences to look within and take ownership of their personal and professional growth.

His books, The Integrity Game® and the Get A Klu in 52 Soft Skills Book Series, provide actionable frameworks for developing essential skills, building trust, and achieving success.

Connect with Jeffrey Klubeck

Website: www.theintegritygame.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/getaklu/

Email: [email protected]

Follow: Jeffrey shares thought-provoking content on integrity, soft skills, and personal growth across his channels—stay connected for more insights!

Connect With Hosts:

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://caregiverslike.us/

Become A Guest: https://caregiverslike.us/share-your-journey/

Don’t miss this heartfelt and insightful episode! Listen now and join the conversation about caregiving, personal growth, and the integrity it takes to show up when it matters most

Episode #39: Transformative Journey in Caregiving & Love

In this heartfelt episode of the Caregivers Like Us podcast, we sit down with Connie Lape, an inspirational speaker, Journey Coach, and dedicated caregiver. Connie shares her profound journey of transformation as a caregiver for her husband, who has Parkinson's Disease. Her story is a testament to the power of love, respect, and personal growth, showcasing how she evolved from a controlling caregiver to a supportive partner.

Key Discussion Points:

Connect with Connie Lape:

Connect With Hosts:

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://caregiverslike.us/

Become A Guest: https://caregiverslike.us/share-your-journey/

Join us for an inspiring conversation that offers valuable insights for caregivers seeking to balance their roles with compassion and understanding. Tune in to hear Connie's journey of transformative love and growth!

Episode 37: Personal Growth and Self-Love

Danielle Butler is a dedicated real estate investor and agent based in Oahu. With a deep focus on personal growth, self-love, and understanding the importance of boundaries, Danielle is committed to building a legacy that allows her to thrive both professionally and personally. Her journey is deeply rooted in her role as a lifelong caregiver, a responsibility she has embraced since childhood.

Join us as Danielle shares the ups and downs of her caregiving journey, offering valuable insights and advice for those in similar situations. Her story is one of resilience and compassion, and she is excited to connect with our listeners and provide inspiration for overcoming life’s challenges.

Personal Growth and Self-Love: Danielle discusses her approach to personal development and how self-love has been pivotal in her journey. She emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries to protect her well-being while pursuing her goals.

Building a Legacy: Learn about Danielle's vision for creating a legacy that supports her family and allows her to lead a fulfilling life. She shares insights into how her career in real estate aligns with these aspirations.

Caregiving Journey: Danielle opens up about her experiences caring for her mother, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when Danielle was just 14. Hear about the challenges and triumphs she faced while managing her mother's care and stabilizing her after a major episode last year.

Handling Family Affairs: From managing her grandparents' affairs after their passing to navigating probate, Danielle has been the pillar of support for her family. She shares what helped her endure these responsibilities and the lessons learned along the way.

Connect With Danielle Butler

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +1 808-450-4502

http://www.pineapplehi.com/team/danielle-butler

https://www.facebook.com/danielle.butler.988

Connect With Hosts:

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://caregiverslike.us/

Become A Guest: https://caregiverslike.us/share-your-journey/

Don't miss this episode with Danielle Butler as she brings her unique perspective on balancing personal growth with the responsibilities of caregiving, all while building a life that she loves.

🎉 Exciting News for Caregivers Everywhere! 🎉

We are absolutely thrilled to announce the much-anticipated return of the "Caregivers Like Us" podcast with Episode 36! After a hiatus, we are back and more committed than ever to serving and supporting our incredible community of caregivers. We’ve missed you all and can’t wait to reconnect and share new stories, insights, and resources that truly resonate with your experiences.

We promise episodes filled with inspiring stories that capture the essence of caregiving. Each episode will bring you closer to a community that understands the unique challenges and triumphs you face every day. We’ve lined up experts ready to share valuable insights and practical advice to help you navigate your caregiving journey with confidence and compassion.

At "Caregivers Like Us," we believe in the power of connection and the strength that comes from knowing you’re not alone. Our podcast is more than just a series of episodes; it’s a gathering place where caregivers can find solace, encouragement, and a sense of belonging. Whether you’re a long-time listener or new to our community, we welcome you with open arms and hearts.

We invite you to visit our website, where you can reconnect with our caring family and explore resources tailored just for you. Let’s continue this journey together, uplifting and supporting one another every step of the way.

Thank you for your patience, your dedication, and for being such an integral part of our community. We are beyond grateful for your support and can’t wait to embark on this exciting new chapter with you. Here’s to sharing more stories, learning from one another, and celebrating the incredible work you do each day.

See you soon on the "Caregivers Like Us" podcast! 💖

Director and producer King B brings his vulnerability and rawness. Opening up about depression after the loss of a loved one. Promoting his upcoming "Mental the movie" and how you can be strong as you move forward in life.

Pastor Lisa Roseman has a miraculous story and amazing experiences while honoring her mother's journey through cancer. Enlightening us on how the book "The Highest of Care" was born.