Happy Healthy Caregiver

Dori Martin knows firsthand what true burnout and midlife mayhem feel like. At the busiest time of her life, she was a divorced single mom while caregiving for a parent through end-of-life. Then she started navigating a terminal diagnosis with her second husband — and that's when her body began to shut down. What she discovered changed everything: what many women are told is "just stress, aging, or hormones" is often something much deeper.

In this episode, Dori talks about the invisible weight caregivers carry, why so many are stuck in a state of chronic stress and fight-or-flight, and why not feeling safe in your own body is at the root of so much burnout. She shares small but powerful ways to nurture and reset your nervous system. She even credits a future pacing exercise with leading her and her family (including her husband) to take up scuba diving as a joyful, soul-filling practice — proof that healing can open doors you never expected.

If you're a caregiver who's been running on empty and putting everyone else first, this episode is your permission slip to finally put yourself back on the list.

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod228

Receive the podcast in your email here:

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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

Marilyn Raichle grew up surrounded by Alzheimer’s disease, watching many relatives on both sides of her family develop dementia. Her career in the performing arts took an unexpected turn when she became the primary caregiver for both of her parents living with dementia. What began as a reluctant role became a deeply meaningful journey.

Today, Marilyn channels her caregiving experience into advocacy and creativity. She is the author of Don’t Walk Away, celebrates the creativity of people living with dementia through The Art of Alzheimer’s, and serves as Executive Director of Maude’s Awards for Innovation in Alzheimer’s Care.

In this episode, Marilyn shares insights from her caregiving journey, the power of creativity in dementia care, and how her view of living life changed drastically from an attitude of winning to a new perspective of living in the moment. And, learn why Marilyn baked 2000 cookies in one year and why she says that her mom’s Assisted Living Community became a place where she could relax.

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod227

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

Tim Otis is a two-time family caregiver whose journey began in childhood when he helped care for his paralyzed mother and later became the primary caregiver for his father, living with Parkinson’s disease. Through these deeply personal experiences, Tim saw how long-term caregiving—though rooted in love—can quietly impact a caregiver’s health, identity, relationships, and career.

In this episode, we discuss the emotional toll of supporting a loved one through serious illness, the ripple effects caregiving has on family dynamics and employment, and why caregivers must be seen as whole people—not just helpers. Tim also shares his desire to create systemic change in how we support caregivers, reflects on his mother’s end-of-life experience, and guides us through a short, restorative reset you can practice anytime.

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod226

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

After spending more than a decade as the primary caregiver for her mother, living with vascular dementia, Rosanne Corcoran dedicates her work to supporting and empowering family caregivers nationwide. She is a leading voice with Daughterhood, host of Daughterhood the Podcast, and was named a 2024 Advocate for Aging by Next Avenue and the American Society on Aging.

In this episode, Rosanne shares practical wisdom on accepting help from community and support networks so that you can carve out time to be off the caregiving clock and learn that it’s ok to share uncomfortable feelings outside your family. We also talk about aging well, navigating in-home dementia care, seeking everyday joy, and what true self-care can look like when caregivers finally take time for themselves.

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod225

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

Betsy Hicks-Russ, Director of the nonprofit Autism Odyssey, shares what it takes to navigate caregiving when your child has high support needs. Drawing on her over three decades of experience as a family caregiver, Betsy discusses overcoming significant obstacles, letting go of victimhood, and choosing to try new things—even when the path forward feels uncertain.

In this episode, we explore the powerful gut-to-brain connection and why good nutrition matters for caregivers and care recipients alike. Betsy also reflects on how caregiving has changed over time, comparing today’s information overload with earlier days of lower-tech living and stronger local community connections. Plus, we explore the joy of discovering shared interests with our care recipients—such as a love of Grateful Dead music and nature—and how these shared joys can deepen connection and resilience in caregiving relationships.

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod224

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 sandwich generation caregiver Brendan Kelso, who shares his journey caring for his mom with Alzheimer’s while also supporting his son with ASD. Brendan discusses embracing vulnerability and how therapeutic writing—even just 15 minutes a day—helps him process the messy parts of life and the mental traffic that shows up at night when sleep feels impossible.

You’ll learn how creativity weaves through Brendan’s caregiving life—from thrifting books with his son to run an eBay bookstore, to adapting extended plays into child-friendly experiences, to writing a debut mystery-thriller inspired by his mother’s Alzheimer’s journey, and even transforming her former tiny home into a brick-and-mortar bookstore. We also dive into the importance of saying no, accessing California caregiver support, and finding meaningful ways to adapt when life doesn’t go as planned.

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod223

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

Kathy Stein spent decades as the legal guardian and devoted advocate for her younger autistic brother, Ed. After Ed’s passing in 2024, Kathy and her siblings chose to donate his brain to scientific research—a powerful act of love that supports future breakthroughs in autism and neurodegenerative disorder understanding and leaves a powerful legacy in Ed’s memory.

In this episode, Kathy shares what lifelong advocacy really looks like, how compartmentalizing your day can protect your energy, and why navigating state-by-state care systems can be so challenging for families. She also walks us through the brain donation process, her idea for a “compassion pill,” and the creative way she stays active through her beloved “big box walking” routine.

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod222

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

As the navigator for her daughter’s rare disease and a Yale-trained physician, Dr. Maggie Kang, uses her personal and professional training to guide other parents through the healthcare system, helping them turn health challenges into leadership. She is a passionate advocate, TEDx speaker, and contributor to HuffPost and Psychology Today. 

In this episode, we explore how caregivers can reclaim agency for themselves and their loved ones, move beyond cycles of suffering or self-comfort, and take meaningful action—especially within the rare disease community. We also discuss the grief that accompanies losing our pre-caregiving life and how to intentionally create a vibrant, empowered “new normal.” And, you’ll learn why fresh parsley is one of Maggie’s go-to self-care strategies.

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod221

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

Jeanette Yates spent decades caring for her mother — an experience that inspired her to write a book and host a podcast helping adult children caring for aging parents feel good, not guilty. 

In this episode of the Happy Healthy Caregiver Podcast, Jeanette and Elizabeth explore two powerful emotions that every caregiver faces: guilt and grief. Together, they unpack how to let go of perfectionism, embrace self-compassion, and find peace in “good enough” caregiving.

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod220

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

When Eric Levitan saw his parents’ health decline from afar, he set out to better understand how to impact healthy aging for his family and others. He founded Vivo, a company dedicated to helping older adults stay active and independent.

In this episode, we dive into the four cornerstones of healthy aging, fall prevention, and how to make healthy habits stick—plus accessible, fun ways to add strength training into daily life. Eric also shares insights on remote caregiving, the growing AgeTech initiative, talking with loved ones about senior living, and why challenging experiences can strengthen both the body and the mind.

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod219

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