Comments made to caregivers can range from insensitive and hurtful to validating and supportive. In this episode, Allison and Justin highlight quotes shared by listeners while talking about how powerful words, or the lack thereof, can be.

In recent weeks, Justin and Allison's families have had opportunities to travel, celebrate milestone birthdays, and attend weddings and a county fair - all events that are full of extra layers when caregiving. In this episode, they discuss what it's like to prepare for, live through, and recover from special occasions as caregivers.

Caregivers of all kinds can slip into the role of nurse and lose sight of the real relationship they have with their loved one, whether that's a partner, child, parent, or friend. In this episode, Allison and Justin talk about creative ways to find moments of connection even when you're homebound or low on energy.

While caring for a loved one, caregivers can have experiences that lead to trauma. In this episode, Justin and Allison talk with Dr. Megan Voss about how trauma can manifest itself, what to do if it does, and ways to begin to process it even as we continue caregiving.

Taking Charge of Your Survivorship

Research tells us that caregivers are at a higher risk of physical ailments and chronic conditions than their non-caregiving peers. In this episode, Allison and Justin dig into the reasons behind these statistics and offer some realistic strategies for caregivers and their supporters.

It's a cultural norm to reply that we're "fine" when asked how we're doing, even if that isn't always an accurate answer. Caregivers find themselves hiding behind the "I'm fine!" mask even more often than others. In this episode, Justin and Allison discuss the reasons why, how caregivers can begin to say how they really are, and what supporters can do to help.

Even as they do so much for their loved ones, a common feeling experienced by caregivers is guilt. In this episode, Justin and Allison talk about feeling as if they are never doing enough, about how comparison can be dangerous, and the role that guilt plays in their caregiving lives.

After living with depression and anxiety for many years, Justin recently began a thirty-six day regimen of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). In this episode he shares how he came to the decision to try this course of treatment, what it's been like so far, and how it has felt to be the one in need of care.

Special guest, Liz Naylor, mother of four children with myotonic muscular dystrophy and Founding Executive Director of My-Vida, joins Allison and Justin to talk about what caregiving looks like from the parent perspective.