Justin and Allison discuss the ways in which caregiving impacts their physical, emotional, and mental health, what burnout feels like to them, and how supporters can help.

Allison describes the recent battles she has been fighting since learning that Sean's home health supplies are not covered under Medicare. Justin shares the dehumanizing process Sarah went through when applying for disability. Both dig in to what it feels like to fight back against a broken system.

Allison and Justin talk about the difficult reality of being a caregiver for someone with a lifelong chronic illness. They discuss how things felt at the beginning, how they keep going, as well as how people can better support those in these long term caregiving situations.

Special guest, Kyle Woody, Executive Director of Jack's Caregiver Coalition, and Justin talk about the unique challenges faced by men who are caregivers. Kyle also shares the free resources provided by Jack's to male and female caregivers alike.

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Jack's Caregiver Coalition

Man Enough to Care

After more than a year of being at home, Allison and Justin talk about the travel opportunities they have taken this summer, both with and without their spouses. They discuss what it's like to leave their partners and their caregiving responsibilities behind.

Justin and Allison dig into what it feels like to be the physically healthy partner in their relationships, including the grief and struggle they experience when they are able to do things that their spouses cannot.

Allison and Justin talk about their upcoming summer travel plans: Allison with her spouse and Justin without. They cover the challenges and preparation needed for both situations and dig into why they struggle to delegate their caregiving responsibilities.

Justin and Allison talk about how it feels when caregivers are told to find meaning in their hardships and to celebrate and seek well-being through their roles. Spoiler Alert: It doesn't feel good. They discuss what does feel supportive and what kind of spaces they would like to see more of in the caregiving community.

Allison and Justin discuss how, on top of their caregiving responsibilities, they are weighed down with outside pressures, such as feeling the need to advocate on behalf of their spouses' diseases, the constant reminders to take care of themselves, and the new pressures and questions surrounding protocols now that things are starting to open up. They discuss the impact these pressures have on them, what they do to release some of that pressure, and what others can do to help.

Justin and Allison process together how life is changing now that they and their spouses are fully vaccinated. They discuss how and if their caregiving roles will be different as the world opens up as well as what they hope people remember from this time.