Dan Contreras is a U.S. Army veteran, proud husband, and devoted caregiver to his wife, Teresa. After years of service and leadership with DAV (Disabled American Veterans)—including his role as National Commander—Dan has become a strong advocate for both caregivers and care receivers.

Like many military spouses and family members, Dan didn’t initially see himself as a “caregiver.” That changed when, as a DAV leader, he sought to better understand the DAV’s Caregiver Support Program by completing the onboarding process. Now, he’s on a mission to raise awareness and provide resources for the 70% of veterans who are caring for loved ones.

In this episode of the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast, Dan shares:

• The resources DAV offers to support veterans who are also caregivers
• How his perspective on self-care has shifted as Teresa’s cancer journey has progressed
• The creative outlets he and Teresa enjoy together, including Legos, crafts, and hobbies that bring them joy
• How something as simple as a karaoke app helps him relieve stress and recharge

Show notes with product and resource links:

http://bit.ly/HHCPOD216

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Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

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https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

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Kameron Browning is a resilient sandwich generation caregiver and single mom from Oklahoma who’s caring for five people besides herself. She’s navigating life between supporting her father, Jim, who lives with Alzheimer’s disease, and raising four children from toddler to teenager. Over the years, Kameron has worn many caregiving hats—remote caregiver, in-home caregiver, and support caregiver—while balancing work and family life. After experiencing caregiver burnout, she’s redefined “self-care” as simply giving her brain a chance to rest, letting go of people-pleasing, tuning out unsolicited advice, and leaning into advocacy, trust, and intuition for herself and those she loves.

Show notes with product and resource links:

http://bit.ly/HHCPod215

Receive the podcast in your email here:

http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Even though P.K. Beville is considered an expert in psychology and gerontology, she still felt lost and overwhelmed as a dementia caregiver for her dad. P.K. is the founder of Second Wind Dreams, a pioneering nonprofit that fulfills dreams for older adults and champions dignity, hope, and joy in aging. She is the creator of the internationally acclaimed Virtual Dementia Tour®, a training tool that has helped millions better understand and care for those living with dementia. In 2023, she launched Empathic Transitions to support families during end-stage dementia and is currently certifying the first Dementia Doulas.

In this episode of the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast, we talk about why caring for a loved one in any setting is still tricky, how the phrase ‘I wish’ sparked an uplifting non-profit in the older adult space, where we can find sources for humor and joy, and why the end-of-life experience for those living with dementia is different. 

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod214

Receive the podcast in your email here:

http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Our guest is Barry J. Jacobs — he’s a clinical psychologist and author based just outside of Philly who has a real heart for supporting family caregivers. And that passion is personal. Barry’s caregiving journey started young — when he was just 14, his dad was diagnosed with brain cancer and sadly passed away the following year. That experience shaped the direction of his life and career. Later, from 2010 to 2017, Barry stepped into the caregiving role again — this time for his stepfather, who had Alzheimer’s, and his mom, who was living with vascular dementia. He truly understands the emotional rollercoaster that comes with caregiving and has spent his career helping others navigate it with more support and less guilt. 

In this episode, we discuss two of his books, co-written with his wife, one on love and relationships after 50, and one focused on addressing common family caregiving questions. We delve deeper into the topics of guilt, family dynamics, and self-care. Barry has much personal and professional wisdom to share, especially when it comes to self-kindness, using more honey and less vinegar, balancing ‘me time’ and ‘we time,’ and spreading ‘You Got This’ confidence throughout the caregiving community.

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod213

Receive the podcast in your email here:

http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Meet Lisa Musselman, a 2025 Elizabeth Dole Foundation Fellow, military caregiver, and passionate advocate for equitable care for veterans and their families. Lisa talks about her caregiving journey supporting her husband Andy, a pre-9/11 Air Force veteran living with ALS, while raising a family and trying to stay afloat herself.

Lisa shares the emotional and physical toll of those early years—missing milestones with her children, struggling to find respite, and putting her own health last. On the brink of burnout, everything changed when skilled nursing entered the home. This support allowed her to rebuild strength through physical therapy, prioritize mental wellness with therapy, and make space for joy through family vacations and visits with friends.

What makes Lisa’s story especially powerful is how she turned adversity into a platform for advocacy. Motivated by a friend’s early encouragement that she would “become a voice” for others impacted by ALS, Lisa now champions policy and support changes for military caregivers across the country. She firmly believes that veteran care should not be determined by zip code—and she’s fighting to make that a reality.

In this inspiring episode, we cover:

1. The real cost of caregiving on health, time, and family
2. Lisa’s self-care strategies for physical and mental recovery
3. Why caregiving support can be life-changing—not just for the veteran, but for the whole family
4. How Lisa stepped into her role as a caregiver advocate
5. The urgent need for fair, accessible veteran care across the U.S.

Lisa’s story will resonate with anyone who has felt isolated or overwhelmed in their caregiving role—and it’s a powerful example of how self-care and advocacy can go hand in hand.

Katie Prentiss is a mother of four, a former professional photographer, and a current filmmaker. When her mother was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), Katie stepped into the role of primary caregiver, balancing her family, business, and her mom’s care. This life-changing experience opened her eyes to the preciousness of life, motivating her to make a bold midlife career pivot into acting and producing.

In this episode, Katie shares details about her latest full-length feature film, which she describes as a heartfelt love letter to family caregivers. She shares about how caregiving shaped her personal and professional journey, and how she found acceptance, growth, and healing through what she calls the law of contraction and expansion. Tune in to discover how this powerful concept can help caregivers navigate every stage of the caregiving journey with resilience, purpose, and moxie.

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod211

Receive the podcast in your email here:

http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

J Smiles has been a caregiver to her mom living with Alzheimer’s and NPH for over 13 years—an unexpected journey that began after her father’s sudden passing. Once a globe-trotting consultant who could barely keep a plant alive, J found herself overwhelmed and facing serious health issues just 18 months into caregiving. A wake-up call from her doctor led her to explore self-care through stand-up comedy.

In this episode, J shares how comedy became her lifeline, helping her cope, advocate for caregivers, and bring joy to others walking a similar path.

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod210

Receive the podcast in your email here:

http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Patty Webster is no stranger to caregiving—she helped care for her mom at the end of her life and now supports her sister, who’s the primary caregiver for their dad.

In this episode of the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast, Patty shares how her personal experience fuels her passion for The Conversation Project, a movement helping families talk openly about end-of-life wishes. We chat about why these conversations matter, how to start them, and how they can bring families closer. It's real, relatable, and something every caregiver should hear. We also talk about how to not be a ‘swooper’ as a remote support caregiver, why it’s important to infuse fun in caregiving visits, and why grace is essential for all members of the care team.

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod209

Receive the podcast in your email here:

http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Meet Scott Lien, a working family caregiver and member of the sandwich generation, who navigated the loss of four parents and in-laws over twelve years. His caregiving journey, combined with his extensive tech background, inspired him to co-found GrandPad, a user-friendly platform designed to keep seniors connected and engaged.

In this episode of the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast, Scott and I dive into practical ways families and society can combat senior isolation and loneliness. We also explore the unexpected benefits—such as reducing elder fraud and financial scams—and how fostering meaningful connections can help us all live without regrets.

Plus, Scott shares wisdom from the “super seniors” he works with and reveals his secrets to ensuring joy in every day.

And…stay tuned for how you can take advantage of an exclusive GrandPad offer for the HHC Community!

Imagine stepping into a marriage knowing you're immediately going to become a full-time caregiver. That was Hope Cross's reality when her husband, Steve, was diagnosed with ALS while they were dating. For nine years, she cared for him up until his passing, and it was a journey filled with love, challenges, and deep emotions. Hope has openly shared the raw and unfiltered sides of caregiving, offering a rare glimpse into the realities many face, but sometimes don't discuss.

In this episode, Hope shares how she navigated life after loss, rediscovering herself and ultimately launching a therapy practice focusing on family caregiving, trauma, PTSD, grief and anxiety. We also explore the powerful role of art, nature, friendships, writing, and even our own noses in the healing process.

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod207

Receive the podcast in your email here:

http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW