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This bonus episode is a little different… and a whole lot special.

Inside, we’re diving into three powerful pieces of the caregiving experience:

💌 1. Listener Stories That Will Make You Feel Seen

From practical self-care wins… to reimagining overwhelming roles… to color-coding calendars and using systems that save your sanity — you’ll hear real messages from caregivers just like you.
 Their honesty, their wisdom, their struggles, and their victories remind us that none of us are doing this alone.

💛 2. A Personal Update from My Own Caregiving Season

I open up about Denis’ recent inpatient stay, his GI GVHD diagnosis, the advocacy challenges we faced, the guilt of coming home at night instead of staying at the hospital… and the surprising moments that helped me refill my cup in the middle of it all — like handing out Halloween candy and simply allowing myself to be Cathy again for an hour.

☕ 3. A Pep Talk for the “I Have No Choice” Moments

You know the ones:
 Medication schedules. Wound care. Meals. All the tasks you can’t delegate or delete.

In this episode, I walk you through something every caregiver needs to hear:

Even when you can’t change the responsibility… you can change how you carry it.
Small systems, tiny efficiencies, real help from your people — these aren’t chores.
They’re lifelines that protect your energy and help you breathe again.

You’ll hear stories about bubble packs, care binders, alarms, delivery services… and the power of saying “yes” when people offer to help.

And because this episode airs during Thanksgiving week, we’ll also talk about the quiet moments of gratitude that hold us together — even in the hardest seasons.

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Your body whispers before it screams — but as caregivers, we often ignore those whispers until it’s too late. In this heartfelt episode of The Caregiver Cup Podcast, Cathy VandenHeuvel shares personal stories and powerful insights on how to recognize the physical and emotional signals of caregiver burnout. From brain fog and fatigue to irritability and forgetfulness, these clues aren’t failures — they’re your body’s way of saying, “slow down.”

You’ll learn simple ways to check in with yourself daily, find small moments of rest, and listen to your body’s needs without guilt. Because when you honor your body, you protect your health, your joy, and your ability to show up for those you love. 💛☕

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Are you wearing so many hats that you’ve forgotten which one fits? In this heartfelt episode, Cathy shares an honest look at what happens when caregivers juggle too many roles — and how to reshape them without guilt. From hospital laundry rooms to heartfelt lessons about boundaries, you’ll learn how to identify what’s draining your energy, what truly matters, and how to create a caregiving rhythm that feels sustainable (not superhuman).

 🎧 Tune in for real talk, reflection, and hope — because you don’t have to do it all to be doing it well.

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Your cup isn’t empty—it’s just leaking. 💛

In this short 5-minute pep talk, Cathy shares a personal story about her famous pink Yeti cup (yes, the one that keeps disappearing and always finds its way back!) and how it became the perfect reminder for caregivers: sometimes, our energy doesn’t run out—it simply leaks away.

Tune in for a quick burst of encouragement to help you spot where your energy might be slipping and take one small step this week to refill your cup. Because you can’t pour from an empty cup—and you shouldn’t have to. ☕️

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Are you tired of hearing “just take care of yourself” and wondering what that even means as a caregiver? In this episode of The Caregiver Cup Podcast, we’re busting the myth that self-care is all about bubble baths and spa days—and redefining what it really looks like for you.

After eight years of caregiving, I’ve learned the hard way that one-size-fits-all self-care doesn’t work. Real caregiver self-care is practical, personal, and purposeful—and it changes with each season of your journey. I’ll share my own stories of what didn’t work (like manicures that left me still exhausted) and what actually helped me refill my cup (like journaling at Kathy’s House or a slow walk after a long hospital day).

You’ll walk away with a simple framework—the 3 Ps of a Full Cup—to help you create a self-care plan that feels doable, sustainable, and right for you.

💛 Because when you take the time to refill your cup, you show up stronger—for yourself, your loved one, and everyone around you.

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Have you ever felt your energy, patience, and compassion draining away while caring for a loved one? When was the last time you stopped to check what’s left in your own cup?

Welcome to Season 1 of The Caregiver Cup Podcast. This season is all about you—your self-discovery, the many roles you juggle, and your personal health as a caregiver. The statistics are sobering: nearly 41% of caregivers report low overall well-being, and only 23% say their mental health is good. Behind those numbers are real people—like you and me—trying to care for others while holding onto ourselves.

In today’s episode, I’m sharing my own story of walking through my husband’s bone marrow transplant and what it taught me about my “cup.” After 57 days away from home navigating hospital stays and medical crises, my cup was bone dry. Rebuilding wasn’t instant—it felt like climbing a steep hill when I had no energy left. But it reminded me of something powerful: when we learn to pause and honestly check our cup, we give ourselves the chance to rebound, recharge, and find joy again.

This isn’t about perfect caregiving. It’s about finding your rhythm and your way of refilling, protecting, and strengthening your caregiver cup. Join me every Tuesday through December for Season 1 as we walk this journey together—because when you show up as your best self, you become a stronger caregiver, a better advocate, and a healthier you.

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Ready for a fresh start? After more than 260 episodes and navigating through some deeply personal caregiving seasons, I've taken a much-needed pause to reimagine what this podcast can be for you. Now I'm back with renewed energy and a powerful focus: your wellbeing as a caregiver.

Season One, "What's in Your Cup," is entirely about you—your health, identity, energy, and emotional wellbeing. Because here's the truth that often gets overlooked: caregiving is not just about what you give; it's about how you refill, protect, and care for your own cup. As Emma Hemming Willis wisely notes in her book "The Unexpected Journey, "Caregiving asks everything of us, yet somehow we must find ways to keep something for ourselves."   When nearly 60% of caregivers report their health worsening due to caregiving responsibilities, this conversation isn't just important—it's essential.

Every Tuesday from October 7th through December 8th, 2025, you'll receive six core episodes filled with real talk, self-discovery tools, and practical strategies, plus bonus content including mini pep talks and journaling prompts between episodes. We'll kick off with "Refilled and Reimagined: What's in Your Cup Today," setting the foundation for your journey back to yourself. Whether you're new here or have been listening since day one, this season is your invitation to pause, breathe, and reconnect with what makes you whole. Because when you show up as your best self, you become a stronger caregiver, advocate, and healthier human being. Mark your calendar, grab your favorite drink, and let's rediscover what belongs in your cup—together.

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Cathy shares a personal update about her absence from the podcast as she takes time to heal and find stillness after eight years of non-stop caregiving, including Denis's recent stem cell transplant recovery. She explains her decision to pause – not quit – the podcast to reconnect with her body, rediscover joy, and learn what it means to simply be rather than constantly do.

• Operating at high speed for almost eight years through caregiving, loss, podcasting, and creating
• Realized she had forgotten what stillness felt like and couldn't sit still or pause
• Gave herself permission in mid-June to just be – no schedule, pressure, or podcast deadlines
• Currently in a healing season trying to figure out what joy and energy feel like in her body again
• Denis is okay, Cathy is okay, and she will return when the time is right
• Misses the podcast community and interactions with listeners
• Encouragement for others who may be in seasons of stillness, burnout, or discovery

Thank you for being in this with me. You are part of what makes this community feel like home, so take care, take good care of yourself, and I'll talk to you real soon.

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Stepping into a hospital house is entering a world most caregivers never know exists until they're suddenly immersed in it. After 45+ days living at Kathy's House while my husband undergoes stem cell transplant treatment, I've discovered the raw, complex reality of caregiving away from home—and the unexpected community that forms in these spaces of collective vulnerability.

Between the shared kitchens where caregivers exchange whispered stories over coffee, the laundry rooms where tears and laughter flow equally, and the quiet corners where we all seek momentary solitude, these medical housing communities become more than just places to sleep near the hospital. They become lifelines of support when everything familiar has been stripped away.

The daily rhythm at Kathy's House constantly shifts between early morning hospital visits, meal preparation in communal spaces, finding moments for essential self-care, and navigating the practical logistics of living in an unfamiliar city. From discovering the safest grocery stores to handling car maintenance between appointments, caregiving doesn't pause for real-world responsibilities. Through it all, fellow caregivers become unexpected sources of strength—offering to wash your dishes when you're exhausted or simply sharing knowing glances across the dining room during community meals.

What I've learned most profoundly is how caregiving transforms across different settings. Hospital caregiving focuses on advocacy and emotional support, while hospital house caregiving blends direct care with creating normalcy in an abnormal situation. The weight of homesickness—missing my garden, my pets, my own bed—is balanced by the deep connections formed with others walking similar paths. Through bringing small comforts from home, establishing new routines, and embracing micro-connections with fellow caregivers, I've discovered you can create a sense of belonging even in the midst of medical uncertainty.

If you've experienced hospital house living or extended caregiving away from home, I'd love to hear your story. What small comforts did you bring to create a sense of home? How did you maintain your own well-being while supporting someone else's healing? Send me a text—because sharing these hidden caregiving journeys reminds us all that even in our most isolating moments, we're never truly alone.

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Have you ever found yourself in the chaos of caregiving thinking, "I can't do this anymore"? That feeling of wanting to give up is universal among caregivers, especially during prolonged challenges and setbacks.

When I hit emotional walls during  Denis' stem cell transplant journey, I discovered a powerful truth: our feelings, while real, aren't always factual. We might feel like everything is falling apart, but distinguishing between emotional reactions and objective reality can be our anchor in stormy times. I've developed a simple practice called "the what, the why, and the check-in" to navigate overwhelming moments. First, I acknowledge what I'm feeling without judgment. Then I examine the facts of the situation, separating what I know for certain from what my fears are projecting. Finally, I identify one small action I can take today to move forward - whether that's talking to a doctor, taking a reflective walk, or practicing gratitude.

Think of yourself as either a sailor holding onto your compass during a storm or a farmer tending your field regardless of weather conditions. Your caregiving journey requires attention and care every day, not because it's easy but because it matters. Your "storm plan" might look different from your regular routine, but maintaining some structure helps you stay grounded when everything feels chaotic. Ask yourself: Where have your feelings been steering you lately? When have you felt tempted to abandon your plan? What does holding onto your focus during difficult times look like for you? 

You're stronger than you feel in your hardest moments. You don't need to feel strong to be strong - you just need to keep going one step, one breath, one moment at a time. Bookmark this episode for those days when giving up seems like the only option. Remember, we're not alone in this journey. Together, we can show up as our best selves, even through the storms.

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