Parenting UP! Caregiving adventures with comedian J Smiles

Caregiving can feel like you’re carrying a whole life on your back, then smiling through it so nobody worries. Today's episode highlights behind the scenes moments at our 2nd day at the 2026 Alter Dementia Summit--fast, powerful conversations that tell the truth about dementia caregiving and Alzheimer’s awareness, especially the parts families don’t always say out loud.

We spoke down with Dr. Fayron Epps to talk about her book, From Faith To Action, and what it really takes to move from belief to daily practice when you’re supporting someone with dementia. She shares how writing became therapy, why her community’s response surprised her, and how honest storytelling can permit other caregivers to finally speak up. Then we get practical with a simple “brain health recipe” you can start right away: monitoring your health, cognitive exercise, physical exercise, and eating right. 

We also dig into youth caregivers, because too many young people are quietly doing caregiver work with zero training and zero emotional support. We talk about how dementia behaviors can affect a child, why adults must explain what’s happening, and how faith communities can be part of real dementia education. Finally, we tackle clinical trials and medical mistrust in the Black community, plus where to look for studies, and we close with a crucial brain health pillar that gets neglected: sleep, and why 7 to 9 hours is not laziness, it’s prevention. 

If this resonates, subscribe, share this with a caregiver you love, and leave a review so more families can find these tools and feel less alone.

EP/Host: J Smiles Comedy

Producer: Mia Hall 

Videographer/Editor: Annelise Udoye

Support the show

"Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!"
IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup
FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup
TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi!
Be sure to leave us a review! 

Dementia doesn’t wait for the “right time,” and neither can we. I’m coming to you from Alter 2026, where Dr. Fayron Epps and her team turn a dementia summit into a real community experience: caregiving conversations, research access, faith-led support, and yes, enough joy to keep us standing when the topic gets heavy.

We get into what makes Alter different, starting with the big idea of training the faith community to understand dementia and Alzheimer’s so they can take accurate information back to their churches. We also talk about the complicated truth behind clinical research and why so many of us hesitate, with history like Tuskegee and Henrietta Lacks still sitting in the room. Then we flip the question: if we’re not represented in the studies, how can anyone build the right precursors, parameters, and treatments for our bodies?

You’ll also hear why the Youth Summit matters for ages 12 to 24, because too many young people are quietly caregiving without the words, science, or support to make sense of what they’re living through. We push brain health as both prevention and power, from sleep and daily habits to food choices that stack the odds in your favor, plus a taste of my hosting set and on-the-ground interviews with partners like Pastor Janet and Herb Caldwell of the Mama Joe Project, streaming on PBS.

If this helped you feel less alone or more ready to act, subscribe, share it with your village, and leave a review so more caregivers can find us. What’s one brain health habit you’re starting this week?

Exec. Producer/Host: J Smiles

Producer: Mia Hall

Editor/Videographer: Annelise Udoye 

Support the show

"Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!"
IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup
FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup
TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi!
Be sure to leave us a review! 

Season seven starts with the part of my story that still catches in my throat, even after 14 years: my dad died, and within months my mom began to fall apart in ways that grief alone couldn’t explain. People around her told me I was overreacting, that it was depression, that it was mourning. I had to trust what I knew about my mother, push for testing, and brace for the avalanche of becoming responsible for her care, her safety, and the life she used to run with ease.

John from Georgia Focus asks the questions a lot of families quietly carry: how do you balance this, how do you keep going, and what does Alzheimer’s caregiving look like when someone can’t reliably tell you what they need? I talk through late stage realities like limited speech, incontinence, assisted walking, and why caregivers can’t wait for “I’m hungry” or “I need help.” We also get honest about the emotional whiplash, the isolation, and the strange moments that become funny later, because humor isn’t disrespectful, it’s survival.

We dig into Alzheimer’s vs dementia, why the terminology matters, and how Parenting Up blends real caregiver stories with the right medical experts, especially clinicians who’ve done caregiving themselves. I also share why I’m cautious about endless research headlines, and what gave us hope after diagnosis: practical changes, including nutrition and treatment, that helped us fight for more good years.

If you care for someone with dementia, or you love someone who does, subscribe, share this with your caregiver group chat, and leave a review so more families can find us when they need it most.

Support the show

"Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!"
IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup
FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup
TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi!
Be sure to leave us a review! 

J Smiles was in Anaheim for the Alzheimer’s Association Community Leaders Summit, surrounded by people who volunteer hard, fundraise harder, and refuse to let dementia be the final word. The surprising part isn’t the scale of the event, it’s the energy. This isn’t a room full of resignation. It’s a room full of strategy, laughter, and a belief that progress is real, even when it comes in tiny steps.

Then caregiving interrupts everything. While she was learning about Alzheimer’s advocacy and dementia research, she get a text from Zetty's caregiver about a scary symptom and a sudden drop in alertness. 

In today's episode, we also dig into prevention and brain health in plain language. You’ll hear about Brain Health at Work, how TrialMatch helps people find clinical trials, and a powerful story from the U.S. POINTER study showing measurable improvement through lifestyle changes alone. We talk about movement, food, sleep, social connection, and health monitoring, plus why isolation is a real risk factor. And we name the urgency of reaching the Black community, where Alzheimer’s hits at about twice the rate, with better awareness and participation in research.

If you need a dose of hope that still feels honest, this one is for you. Subscribe for more, share it with a caregiver who needs backup, and leave a review so more families can find the show.

Exec Producer/Host: J Smiles 

Producer: Mia Hall 

Editor: Annelise Udoye

Support the show

"Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!"
IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup
FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup
TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi!
Be sure to leave us a review! 

Caregiving doesn’t just “get hard” over time. Sometimes it detonates your life overnight, and you’re left rebuilding your health, your career, and your family rules while dementia keeps moving the goalposts. That’s why this conversation with Jesse Jackson Jr. hits so deep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. had J Smiles as well as two other guests talk honestly about what it costs to care for a parent when the system quietly depends on your free labor, then acts surprised when families burn out.

We get into the chaos that follows when an untrained family caregiver becomes the care team, the administrator, the advocate, and the safety officer all at once. We also name what people don’t want to say out loud: the denial that delays a diagnosis, the isolation that makes you feel like you’re losing your mind, and the health risks that come with nonstop stress and no sleep.

We don’t stay in despair. J explains how comedy became a lifeline and why humor can be real caregiver self-care, not a distraction. Jesse Jackson, Jr. and Atiba also dig into boundaries, privacy, and what happens when outsiders try to turn a family’s tragedy into content. Then we turn toward solutions with a clear call for caregiver support policy: mental health care, protections that help caregivers keep their jobs, and legislation that treats family caregiving like the essential work it is. If you’ve ever wondered why so many caregivers leave the workforce, Jay’s “brain drain” insight will stay with you.

If this resonates, subscribe, share this with someone who’s caring for a parent, and leave a review so more families can find it. What kind of support would make the biggest difference for caregivers where you live?

**Today's episode includes clips from The Jesse Jackson Jr. Show, originally recorded on December 10, 2025. 

Support the show

"Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!"
IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup
FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup
TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi!
Be sure to leave us a review! 

Forget the bubble-bath checklist. We dig into a practical, body-first approach to caregiver self-care that actually holds under pressure: better sleep, objective stress data, scaled movement, protected solitude, and preventive health that keeps you in the game. I share how a therapist’s tough wake-up call led me to a sleep study, what “daytime sleepiness” really means on the road, and how an oral appliance changed my oxygen, sleep quality, and mornings. We explore why you can feel exhausted after a “full night” and what it takes to make sleep count when you’re balancing the relentless demands of caregiving.

From there, we talk tools that don’t hijack your attention. The Oura Ring has been a quiet revolution for tracking sleep stages, HRV, and recovery without another screen buzzing on your wrist. Seeing stress in numbers helped me shift workouts, add breathwork, and take short walks that actually bring my system down rather than push it over the edge. Movement becomes strategic: on good days, run or lift; on strained days, yoga, stretching, or a slow ride. Ten minutes can change the tone of an entire afternoon.

We also get honest about solitude. As an introvert in a loud, hands-on role, scheduled quiet time is non-negotiable. Thirty minutes in a dark room, no texts, no talk, can reset a nervous system that’s been on high alert for years. And we round it out with annual checkups, lab work, mammograms, and eye exams—the dashboard lights for the most important machine you own. The theme is simple: personalize your self-care to your body’s weak links, measure what matters, and treat maintenance like mission-critical safety. If you’ve ever felt unseen by generic advice, this conversation hands you a tighter, smarter playbook.

If this helped, subscribe, share it with a caregiver who needs backup, and leave a review so more folks can find us. Your story might be the nudge someone else needs.

Support the show

"Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!"
IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup
FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup
TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi!
Be sure to leave us a review! 

In today's Season Finale, we recap our experience at Battle for the Brain 2026! 

We pulled up at the Coca-Cola Roxy for Battle for the Brain—Daughters Against Alzheimer's lip sync showdown, where corporate teams, cheerleaders, and neighbors channel pure joy into serious funding for Alzheimer’s research at Emory. 

We walk you through the night: teams that rehearse like Broadway hopefuls, a set list that jumps from the 50s to the 2000s, and a crowd that refuses to leave their seats. You’ll hear from Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders Ava and Caitlin on why dancing for a cause hits different, a guest who came to support his wife’s team and stayed for the mission, and an auctioneer who can sell anything while honoring his grandmother’s memory. 

Underneath the glitter sits the engine: Daughters Against Alzheimer’s and Emory’s world-class research teams. We dig into why steady, annual funding matters—grants are planned years ahead, early bets need breathing room, and breakthroughs often come from calculated risks that don’t fit tidy boxes. 

Come for the music, stay for the mission, and leave with a clearer sense of how joy, science, and community can move mountains. If this episode moves you, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more people find the fight. What song would your crew lip-sync to for a cure?

Visit BattlefortheBrain.org for more information and to attend next year. 

Executive Producer/Host: J Smiles

Producer: Mia Hall 

Editor: Annelise Udoye

Support the show

"Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!"
IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup
FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup
TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi!
Be sure to leave us a review! 

In today's episode, you will hear all that went on for Alzheimer's Advocacy at the Georgia State Capital in Atlanta. We showed up with facts, handwritten notes, and a clear ask: allocate $2 million for caregiver support programs that keep families afloat and reduce avoidable health costs. 

That number might seem small until you compare it to what families already contribute—775 million hours of unpaid care in Georgia, valued at $13 billion. When you see that gap, the request becomes a refund on dignity.

What brought the day to life were the people behind the statistics. Meet Ross: two years into an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, a former long-term care insurance pro who now leans on the very coverage he once sold. He can’t work in the same way, but he’s found a new job—advocating, educating, and showing up for others who wake to the same reality. 

We walked offices, delivered fact sheets, and invited representatives to a simple lunch. We also learned a powerful truth repeated on both sides of the aisle: lawmakers want to hear from us. They need the lived details—how mornings fall apart without rest, how training prevents injuries, how a navigator can keep a family from burning out. Data sets the stage, but stories decide the scene. 

Many thanks to the Alzheimer's Association of Georgia for inviting us. Visit Alz.org for more information. 

If you’re caring, cared for, or simply care, your voice can shift policy. Share the episode, bring a friend into the conversation, and tell your representative what support would change your week. Subscribe, leave a review, and send this to someone who needs strength today.

Executive Producer/Host: J Smiles

Producer/Videographer: Mia Hall

Editor: Annelise Udoye

Support the show

"Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!"
IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup
FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup
TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi!
Be sure to leave us a review! 

The honest part of caregiving isn’t just the long nights and endless appointments—it’s realizing you’ve become the project manager for a situation nobody trained you for. Family Caregivers take that and turn it into a plan, starting with the meds that don’t help or flat-out make things worse. In this episode, you’ll learn how to loop back to the exact prescriber with clear reports, and why your pharmacist may be your most valuable teammate for catching dangerous drug interactions.

We also clear up a major confusion between Dementia and Alzheimer’s. Then we hit the wallet questions with straight talk. Can you get paid as a Family Caregiver? 

Family drama? Trade wishful thinking for structure. We talk about real solutions for issues with family and village members who may not agree or want to contribute to care.  And for the fear you carry—what if I get this too—we offer a path forward.

If this conversation helps, subscribe and share it with someone in your care village. Leave a quick review to help other caregivers find this resource, and tell us: what’s the one question that keeps popping up on your journey?

Support the show

"Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!"
IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup
FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup
TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi!
Be sure to leave us a review! 

Caregiving comes with a stack of questions that rarely fit into neat answers—and that’s exactly where we go in this episode. 

We open up about the moments no one posts: the dark days, the quick resets that actually help, and the honest boundary decisions when history with a parent or partner is painful. If you’ve ever wondered how to stay steady, how to stop resenting the wrong things, or how anyone “does it all,” you’re in the right place.

I share the mindset tools that keep me functional—gratitude micro-resets, contrast memories that remind me we’ve made progress, and the simple practice of wearing one hat at a time. We talk about caring for someone you don’t love and how shifting roles, sharing duties, or bringing in professional help can be an act of integrity, not abandonment. We also tackle the hot-button topic of resentment: why it belongs with broken systems and scarce resources, not with a person living with dementia who didn’t choose this path.

If you’re a family caregiver, a professional, or a friend trying to show up better, this conversation blends real talk with usable strategies. Subscribe, share with someone who needs it, and send us your caregiving questions. Your question may shape our next deep dive.

Support the show

"Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!"
IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup
FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup
TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi!
Be sure to leave us a review!