Some stories are spoken. Others are lived so powerfully they outshine words. Karen Wilson joins us to share how a 17-year caregiving journey with her mother—through cancer, stroke, COPD, and chronic pain—became a living curriculum for resilience, presence, and protective love. When a stroke silenced her mother’s speech, gestures and energy did the talking, teaching Karen to pour hope, choose her words with care, and treat gratitude as a daily state, not a polite reaction.

We go deep on the mindset that sustains caregivers and anyone navigating long seasons of stress: how to make a life while making a living, why productivity can’t replace purpose, and the role of consistent, simple wellness habits that actually stick. Karen opens her toolkit for advocacy inside hospitals and rehabs—health care proxies, durable power of attorney, reading treatment plans, and partnering with social workers—so you can push for better outcomes without burning bridges. If you’ve ever felt dismissed by “baseline” talk or boxed in by algorithms, this conversation offers language and strategy to stay strong and collaborative.

Journaling threads it all together. Karen shares how themed journaling—anchored by words like Enough or Not Yet—helped her step back from crisis, process emotion, and return to presence. It’s a practical, accessible way to manage caregiver burnout, reduce anxiety, and reclaim clarity. Along the way we reflect on loss, legacy, and the seeds mothers plant that keep blooming long after they’re gone. Expect tangible tools, honest encouragement, and a gentle push to redefine success around love, laughter, and learning.

If you’re a caregiver, midlife listener, or anyone rebuilding after hardship, this one is for you. Tap play, share it with someone who needs strength today, and if it resonates, subscribe and leave a review so more people can find these conversations.

Website

https://www.bykarenwilson.com/ -

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