My Favorite Girl Caregivers Corner Podcast

In this episode, we explore the transformative work of the Big Bend Area Health Education Center (BBAHEC), a non-profit organization founded in 1995 with the mission of improving community health through education and collaboration. Serving 14 counties in the Florida Panhandle, including Taylor, Madison, Jefferson, Leon, Gadsden, Wakulla, Franklin, Gulf, Bay, Calhoun, Liberty, Jackson, Washington, and Holmes Counties, BBAHEC is committed to building thriving, kind, and equitable communities by empowering individuals with the resources they need to achieve optimal health.I am joined by Yolanda Gillette-Carlson, the Outreach Manager/Bilingual Health Educator, who shares the details of BBAHEC’s diverse, free programs, which include diabetes education, tobacco cessation, chronic disease self-management, nutrition education, community fitness classes, and breast cancer education. Additionally, the center offers health insurance navigation services, biometric health screenings, and scholarships for healthcare students. The discussion highlights how BBAHEC’s programs are not only addressing health disparities but also creating lasting positive change across rural and underserved areas.Tune in for an inspiring conversation on how BBAHEC is fostering healthier communities and helping individuals take charge of their well-being across the Florida Panhandle.

In this episode of the My Favorite Girl Caregivers Corner, I welcome a special guest, Savannah Lanza, the CEO of the Kidney Foundation of Florida, to discuss the 2025 Tallahassee Kidney Walk. Tune in as we talk about the significance of the event and how you can get involved. Savannah also shares details on how the Kidney Foundation is working to raise awareness, promote kidney health, and raise funds for research and patient support. Whether you're someone affected by kidney disease, a caregiver, or simply interested in getting involved, this episode offers valuable information and inspiration.Don't miss out on this heartwarming and informative discussion, as we gear up for an event that brings the community together for a great cause!

In this enlightening episode, we dive into the transformative power of music and its profound impact on emotional and mental wellness. Special guest Kristin Spengler, a certified music therapist and Contractor at Healing Hearts Music Therapy, shares her expertise on how music therapy can help individuals process emotions, reduce stress, and promote overall well-being. From healing trauma to managing anxiety, Kristin reveals how the therapeutic use of music can support mental health in ways words alone cannot. Join us as we explore the healing potential of melody, rhythm, and sound, and discover how music can truly be a path to emotional healing.

In this episode, I dive deep into the importance of "respite care" for caregivers. Join me for an insightful conversation with Latasha Davis and Melissa Ward, the owners of Wisdom Adult Day Care Services, LLC, as they share their expertise on providing much-needed relief for those caring for loved ones. With their vast experience in adult day care, Latasha and Melissa discuss the challenges caregivers face, the vital role respite care plays in maintaining both the well-being of caregivers and the quality of care for those they serve, and how Wisdom Adult Day Care Services is helping to fill that gap in the community. Tune in for an enlightening discussion on self-care, support systems, and the power of community in caregiving.

Listen now and discover how respite care can be a true lifeline for caregivers!

Season 5 officially kicked off November 1st, and in the first episode, my guests and I tackled a deeply personal topic: "When Caregiving and Grief Collide." Experiencing the devastating loss of my best friend/sister unexpectedly a year and 5 months ago, shook me to my core. While I appeared to be functioning on the outside, internally, I was grappling with an intense pain that I had never known before. Despite my faith in God, I found myself feeling shattered and unable to stop—particularly because I still had to care for my mom.

If you’ve listened to this podcast at all or have been following my  Caregiver journey, you know I care for my mom who is living with Alzheimer's dementia. Alzheimer's and any other form of dementia is a brain disease. Often, we talk about our physical health, mental health, and even spiritual health, but few people consider or even mention the importance of keeping our brains healthy. On

On this episode of the podcast, I had the honor of sitting down with Kristal Cooley, the Alzheimer's Association Program Manager for Tallahassee, FL and surrounding areas, to discuss the association and the ways in which they are leading the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementias. Kristal shares the different support services and programs offered by the Alzheimer's Association and how those who need the services can obtain them.

The Alzheimer's Association has a 24/7 Support Helpline. If you need help, please reach out by calling 800.272.3900.

Contact Kristal Cooley at [email protected].

On this episode, my guest Andrea LoPiccolo, shares the story of her dear friend being diagnosed with dementia and how it drew her to becoming an Alzheimer's Advocate.

November is National Family Caregivers Appreciation Month and all month long, I'll be sitting down talking with some amazing Caregiver Heros who deserved to be celebrated for the selfless care they are giving to their loved ones. On this episode, I sit down and talk with CherylAnn Haley who is serving her mother, Sandy.