In Sickness

By Allison Breininger and Justin BajemaMedicine Health & Fitness Mental Health

In Sickness episodes

September 09, 2025 116: Caregiver Recovery After a Crisis
After a summer full of surgeries and hospitalizations for her husband, Allison reflects on what it felt like in the days and weeks after those crises as she recovered from all they went through. She and Justin share what those moments can feel like, what they have found to be helpful, and how supporters can help.

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Join us for an online support group related to this episode on Monday, September 15, from 6:00-7:15pm CT. Register Here!
54 min
August 26, 2025 115: Chronic Conditions, Caregiving, and Suicidal Ideation
In this episode, Allison and Justin speak with Alec Wendelboe, Education and Outreach Coordinator for the MN Brain Injury Alliance and MN Stroke Association about how people living with chronic conditions and those who are caregiving have a higher likelihood of experiencing suicidal ideation. They discuss why this is, what that may look and feel like, and where to get support.

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MN Brain Injury Alliance

MN Stroke Association

Resource Facilitation Program

Mental Health First Aid

988 Lifeline

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Join us for an online support group related to this episode on Thursday, September 4, from 6:00-7:15pm CT. Register Here!

1 hr 1 min
August 12, 2025 114:The Pros and Cons of Having Pets While Caregiving
Justin and Allison both care not only for their spouses, but also pets in their homes. In this episode, they talk about the process of deciding to add pets to their families and the ups and downs they've experienced since, specifically related to their caregiving role.
54 min
July 01, 2025 113: Family Dynamics: A Conversation with Jessica Kim - Former Caregiver and Co-Founder of ianacare
Jessica Kim was the primary caregiver for her mother with pancreatic cancer and later her father with congestive heart failure, both of whom lived their final years in her home. In this conversation, Jessica shares how these two caregiving scenarios impacted her life, family, and home, how she managed her relationship with her siblings throughout, and how this role inspired her to create ianacare.

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ianacare.com

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Join us for an online support group related to this episode on Monday July 7 from 6:00-7:15om CT. Register Here!
1 hr
June 17, 2025 112: I'm Supposed to be the Strong One
The first line of the "I'm Part of the Story" song written by Priscilla Momah for The Negative Space "I'm supposed to be the strong one that rises up when the storm comes," inspired this conversation in which Justin and Allison talk about how caregivers commonly feel or are told that they need to be strong.
50 min
June 03, 2025 111: The Healing Power of Sound with Priscilla Momah
Priscilla Momah is a soul-nourishing song weaver who supports healing and community through the power of sound and music. In this episode, she talks with Justin and Allison about how music and sound can support caregivers and those they are caring for.

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www.cocowombwellness.com

Sound Medicine

The Healing Power of Sound

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Join us for an online support group related to this episode on Monday, June 9 from 6:00-7:15om CT. Register Here!

50 min
May 20, 2025 110: Would You Choose This Path?
In this episode, Allison and Justin discuss what their lives may have looked like if their partners had not ever gotten sick, the good things that have come from being on this path, and the parts they would never have chosen to experience.

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Join us for an online support group related to this episode on Tuesday May 27 from 6:00-7:15om CT. Register Here!
49 min
May 06, 2025 109: When Caregiving Makes Us Feel Unanchored
Becoming a caregiver can flip life on its head, upending so much of what we thought we knew and could count on. In this episode, Justin and Allison talk about all the ways caregiving has left them feeling dizzy and unmoored over the years and present some strategies they have found to be helpful.

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Join us for an online support group related to this episode on Monday, May 12 from 6:00-7:15om CT. Register Here!

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insickness.care | thenegativespace.life
51 min
April 22, 2025 108: A Conversation with Kelly Lang, Author of "The Miracle Child: Traumatic Brain Injury and Me"
A terrible car accident left Kelly Lang and her young daughter with Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). In this episode, she shares what happened and what it has been like parenting a child with a TBI while living with one herself.

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substack Instagram Kelly Lundin Lang Facebook The Miracle Child Facebook Page LinkedIn The Miracle Child The Miracle Child: Traumatic Brain Injury and Me
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Join us for an online support group related to this episode on Thursday, May 1 from 6:00-7:15 CT. Register Here!

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insickness.care | thenegativespace.life
53 min
April 08, 2025 107: The Impact of Caregiving on Our Hobbies
The time, energy, and money that is involved with caregiving can often mean that hobbies a caregiver used to enjoy are no longer available to them. In this episode, Allison and Justin talk about hobbies they used to have, ones that are new since becoming caregivers, and ones that have been adapted. Also included are clips and quotes from caregivers of all kinds who submitted their thoughts on this topic.

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Join us for an online support group related to this episode on Monday, April 14 from 6:00-7:15 CT. Register Here!
49 min

About In Sickness

From the publisher's feed

Listen in as Allison Breininger and Justin Bajema, millennial caregivers for their chronically ill spouses, speak honestly about what life is like when there are more days spent in sickness than in…