Reconsidering

Episode 46: Liz O'Donnell on caring for elderly parents


Listen Later

We don’t talk enough about caregiving. Especially the kind that unfolds quietly while juggling jobs, parenting, and the slow, disorienting decline of aging parents. But Liz O’Donnell is changing that.


In this deeply moving episode, Liz—founder of Working Daughter and author of the book by the same name—shares her story of navigating career ambition, caregiving chaos, and emotional survival after receiving a double diagnosis for both of her parents. What followed was a crash course in elder care, systemic gaps, and radical acceptance.

In this episode we discuss:

  • How to show up at work when your personal life is falling apart

  • Why letting go of guilt is one of the most challenging acts a caregiver can embrace

  • What caregiving reveals about family roles, unspoken expectations, and sibling dynamics

  • Why our culture still stigmatizes elder care—and how we can start the right conversations now

    Liz’s story isn’t just about hardship. It’s also about grace, humor, and the unexpected gift of showing up fully for those we love.


    Show notes and resources:

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    ReconsideringBy Meredith Black, Bob Baxley, Aarron Walter

    • 5
    • 5
    • 5
    • 5
    • 5

    5

    52 ratings


    More shows like Reconsidering

    View all
    The Knowledge Project by Shane Parrish

    The Knowledge Project

    2,697 Listeners

    Untangle by Untangle

    Untangle

    838 Listeners

    Good Life Project by Jonathan Fields / Acast

    Good Life Project

    3,376 Listeners

    The Rich Roll Podcast by Rich Roll

    The Rich Roll Podcast

    11,927 Listeners

    On Being with Krista Tippett by On Being Studios

    On Being with Krista Tippett

    10,155 Listeners

    10% Happier with Dan Harris by 10% Happier

    10% Happier with Dan Harris

    12,772 Listeners

    The Daily by The New York Times

    The Daily

    113,199 Listeners

    Everything Happens with Kate Bowler by Everything Happens Studios

    Everything Happens with Kate Bowler

    5,089 Listeners

    The Science of Happiness by PRX and Greater Good Science Center

    The Science of Happiness

    1,913 Listeners

    Worklife with Adam Grant by TED

    Worklife with Adam Grant

    9,141 Listeners

    Guy Kawasaki's Remarkable People by Guy Kawasaki

    Guy Kawasaki's Remarkable People

    651 Listeners

    A Bit of Optimism by Simon Sinek

    A Bit of Optimism

    2,210 Listeners

    ReThinking by TED

    ReThinking

    618 Listeners

    A Slight Change of Plans by Pushkin Industries

    A Slight Change of Plans

    2,084 Listeners

    The Mel Robbins Podcast by Mel Robbins

    The Mel Robbins Podcast

    21,131 Listeners