I recorded this episode while quarantining away from my family during my recent bout with Covid. I had a lot of time to think when I was alone. In particular, I spent a lot of time thinking out what it's like being separated from loved ones especially during special occasions. In this episode I share about the feelings I experienced after dropping Linny off to residential treatment on Matt and my 18th wedding anniversary and I also share some self-care strategies that helped me get through that excruciating time.

You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne

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For the past almost 3 years, one of my greatest fears has been about what would happen to my parents if they got COVID. In our family, we pretty much have every single pre-existing condition risk factor on the health concern checklist. So, I have catastrophized a ton of horrific scenarios in my head over the last few years. But now, I know firsthand and no longer have to speculate...because over the Thanksgiving holiday, me, my brother, my nephew and BOTH my parents were stricken by the wretched COVID bug.  For me, it was my second time around!! (Sheesh, I sure hope it's not turning into an annual holiday visitor!)

Anyway, in this week's episode I share with you about my family's most recent COVID health challenge and the lessons I learned along the way. (And don't worry...we're all on the mend!) 

You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne

Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich

The hustle and bustle of the holidays can be chock full of fun and frolicking for many. For me...not so much. In this episode I share less than enthusiastic feelings about the holidays and all that is coming up for me this year. But, fret not, it's not all doom and gloom. List til the end and you'll also also get a couple tips that have helped lessen my stress and stir the holiday joy pot a bit.

You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne

Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich

My friend Kory O'Rourke is an amazing human and an especially bright light in my life. Kory and I crossed paths in the parent support group for the residential mental health program that our children attended. She has been an invaluable source of support and encouragement to me and I am delighted to gift you with her beautiful spirit today! In today's episode you get to be a fly on the wall as we take about pretty much everything--except what we initially set out to talk about!

By profession, Kory is an educator. She has been an adjunct Faculty member in the Undergraduate Teacher Education Center at the University of San Francisco since 2016.  She likes to say that she is "a teacher who teaches teaching to people who want to become teachers"!  In addition, Kory spent fifteen years as a public high school teacher and school leader, with a career-long focus on social-emotional learning, social justice, mindfulness for teachers and students, and student agency. 

She is also a Mindful Schools Certified Mindfulness Instructor (CMI), from the class of 2016.  She previously served as the Head of Program for Mindful Schools where she created programming to help teachers develop a secular mindfulness practice and learn how to share that practice with their students. 

On a personal note, she is a member of the LGBTQ+ community, and has worked in various roles in schools to support LGBTQ+ students and staff; she has initiated and advised Gay-Straight Alliance groups, been the LGBTQ+ liaison for her school at the district level, and been a founding member of her schools’ Trans/Non-Binary Task Force teams.  Ten years ago, Kory began the vital work of becoming an anti-racist educator in earnest, and she continues to actively pursue learning, self-examination, and discomfort as she practices daily the tenants of anti-racist work; she shares this work with her colleagues through creating and leading ABAR professional development and through joining together with them in communities of practice.

Kory's personal journey includes healing from significant childhood trauma. She is dedicated to supporting the increasing awareness of trauma-informed and healing-based practices in education.

In her free time, you can find her reading, playing with words and with clay, embroidering, walking her two misbehaved dogs for long zigzaging walks on the beach, and pouring all of her love into her two children.

UPDATE: On January 21, 2023, my beloved friend Kory suffered an unfathomable tragedy: Her child Keaton passed away. This excruciating loss has devastated Kory and her family. A fund has been created to support Kory's family. If you feel called to you may make a contribution to the fund. CLICK HERE TO DONATE.

As for me...

You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne

Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich

Rena Yudkowsky is a professional memory coach, geriatric social worker and the founder of Memory Matters an online resource that empowers mid-lifers (and beyond) to improve their memory and confidence through proven techniques and strategies.

Rena teaches online memory improvement courses to mid-lifers and seniors. Over the past twenty years, she has served as the director of an Alzheimer's unit in an assisted living facility in Maryland, the director of development at a senior enrichment program in Israel, trainer for dementia caregivers, facilitator of support groups, and international lecturer on aging topics.

Currently, she is the memory coach for an international anti-aging clinic where she does 1:1 coaching and Is working on a comprehensive program to prevent dementia.

She is super passionate about her mission of helping those 50 + to age more healthfully, both physically and cognitively as she empowers them to believe in their own memory with confidence and grace.

To learn more about Rena and Memory Matters, check out her website at  www.renayudkowsky.com. 

Her signature course coming soon so click this link to join or find out more: www.renayudkowsky.com/signature-course

Rena also has a unique, informative and empowering membership program called Remembership that can help you take charge of your memory.Find out more about that program here: renayudkowsky.com/remembership/

Finally, the Memory Matters Facebook group is a great place to learn more tips and tricks for mid-lifers and seniors. You can join Rena’s Facebook group here: https://cutt.ly/memorymatters

You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne

Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich

You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne

Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich

After a week of emotional ups and downs after my dad's recent hospitalization, I share a little progress report on my self-care efforts. I also let you know how our family meeting went where we discussed what we'll do in future if we're faced with another medical crisis and the decision of whether to call 911. 

You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne

Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich

As a family we were faced this week with making the difficult decision about whether or not to call 911 for my almost 87-year old dad who was experiencing chest pain.  My dad has a long history of cardiac issues for which nothing more can be done and has also told us he does not want heroic life-saving steps taken to prolong his life. In this episode I share my thoughts and feelings about going through this emotional decision. 

You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne

Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich

Ok, somebody pinch me!!! In this episode y'all get to hear about how my two-day self-care immersion field trip led to an epic encounter with podcast phenom Cathy Heller (who you've heard me talk about a bazillion times by now) and the Sprinkles Cupcake founder Candace Nelson. IT WAS MAGICAL!!!

After a few months of being back at work, I could feel the overwhelm swirling. I recognized the feeling and knew I needed to give myself a little TLC. **Cue the magic!** As it so happened, I got a little wink from the Universe, and saw that Cathy Heller, my podcast instructor,  was hosting a 2-day live event featuring a bevy of amazing guests including Amy Purdy (of Paralympic and Dancing with the Stars fame), Candace Nelson and musical guests The Rescues and multi-platinum singer/songwriter Andy Grammer. So I decided to treat myself and take last Thursday and Friday off of work to go to this event.

To say it was amazing would be a colossal understatement! It was EPIC!!! Just listen and you'll see!

You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne

Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich

In Part 2 of our conversation, Matt shares what eventually led to his bipolar diagnosis. He talks about what symptoms he experienced (particularly at work) that ultimately led him to the point of sitting down with a District Attorney and ultimately going to jail. We talk about our society's emphasis on hyper-productivity how that can lead to manic signs indicative of bipolar disorder often going unrecognized. We delve into the difficult emotions of guilt and shame that Matt has faced throughout his journey, how he has dealt with the pain his family has endured resulting from his bipolar behavior and how he has embraced forgiveness with others and most importantly for himself. 

You can follow Matt on Instagram at @themattmaclean and you can click here to find and subscribe to his podcast The Recombobulated Life.

For any lawyers out there needing wellness support, click here to find a listing of Lawyer Assistance Programs by state.

You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne

Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich

In today’s episode I talk about something I have not shared before in this podcast: bipolar disorder.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, bipolar disorder (sometimes referred to as manic-depressive disorder) is characterized by dramatic shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels that affect a person’s ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. It’s estimated that over 46 million people in the world have bipolar disorder. My dad is one of them.

In this episode, my guest Matt MacLean shares his experiences as someone diagnosed with bipolar disorder.  We talk about what led up to Matt’s diagnosis, his journey and the impact of his diagnosis on his loved ones. I also share about my experiences caregiving for my dad who also is diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

You can find Matt on Instagram at @themattmaclean and you can click here The Recombobulated Life.

For any lawyers needing wellness support click this link to find  Lawyer Assistance Programs by state.

You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne

Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich