Time to Talk Podcast

Caring for someone with lung cancer is an immense challenge—but you don't have to face it alone. In this episode of Time to Talk, host Michelle Jobin sits down with Dr. Paul Wheatley-Price, a thoracic medical oncologist and a longtime advocate for lung cancer patients. Dr. Wheatley-Price has walked shoulder to shoulder with patients and families as a clinician, while also facing the realities of lung cancer within his own family. With both professional expertise and personal experience, he offers a unique perspective on supporting caregivers through the highs and lows of treatment.

This conversation explores the emotional weight of caregiving and highlights the critical role of patient advocacy. It sheds light on the realities caregivers face and provides practical advice on finding support. Additionally, we explore the work of Lung Cancer Canada and the vital resources available for those caring for someone with this disease.

For more information about Lung Cancer Canada visit lungcancercanada.ca

For more information on the Ontario Caregiver Organization visit ontariocaregiver.ca

Michelle speaks with Ngozi Iroanyah about her experiences as a caregiver for her father, Felix, who has dementia, and her work with the Alzheimer’s Society of Ontario. Ngozi discusses the challenges faced by caregivers, the importance of improved communication with healthcare providers, and how cultural beliefs influence family approaches to dementia care.

Together, Michelle and Ngozi explore the federal government’s plans for a national caregiver strategy, advocating for policies that offer meaningful financial support, flexible leave options, and culturally informed care. They emphasize the urgent need for equity-focused research and call for a healthcare system that prioritizes cultural safety and humility. This conversation provides both practical insights and a powerful call to action for a more inclusive approach to dementia care.

For more information about the Alzheimer's Society of Ontario visit firstlinkontario.ca

To learn more about Ontario Caregiver Organization visit ontariocaregiver.ca

Michelle Jobin speaks with Sherron and Clovis Grant, parents of an adult son with autism and founders of the Sawubona Afrocentric Circle of Support. Drawing from over 20 years of caregiving experience, they share their journey navigating the unique challenges that Black families face when raising a child with autism.

Clovis reflects on how caring for his younger siblings helped prepare him for the realities of fatherhood. Meanwhile, Sherron opens up about the emotional weight of their son Isiah’s diagnosis and the barriers she faced in advocating for his needs. Together, they discuss balancing family life, addressing misconceptions about disabilities within the Black community, and confronting the cultural stigma that often leaves families feeling isolated.

They also explore the progress made in autism services, the ongoing challenges of affordability, and the racial biases that impact access to education and care.

For more information about Sawubona Afrocentric Circle of Support visit sawubonaacs.org

For more information on the Ontario Caregiver Organization visit ontariocaregiver.ca

Michelle Jobin speaks with Vicki Cochrane, Family Partnership Program Manager at Children’s Mental Health Ontario, about the critical importance of addressing children's mental health and the pivotal role parents play in this conversation. Vicki shares her personal journey as a caregiver, having raised two boys with mental health exceptions who required constant advocacy and support.

Join us for a candid discussion that explores the barriers families encounter when seeking help, including stigma and fear of judgment, and how a supportive, non-judgmental environment can make all the difference. Vicki also advocates for immediate peer support referrals and emphasizes the need for meaningful engagement with families in the mental health sector.

To learn more about Parents for Children’s Mental Health and their services visit family.cmho.org

For more information on the Ontario Caregiver Organization visit ontariocaregiver.ca

Dans cet épisode, vous pouvez entendre Josée Desrochers Leduc, coordonnatrice en éducation pour la Société Alzheimer de Cornwall et Région. Josée nous aide à comprendre le lien entre les troubles neurocognitifs et la communication. Nous explorons les approches à privilégier pour des communications réussies et comment les intégrer dans notre quotidien.

Dans cet épisode, vous pouvez entendre Anne-Sophie Ruest-Paquette, responsable du programme jeunesse à FrancoQueer. Anne-Sophie nous éclaire sur le rôle d’une personne aidante alliée pour un proche appartenant à la communauté 2SLGBTQIA+ et nous aide à démystifier certains des thèmes que les personnes peuvent rencontrer lorsqu'elles soutiennent quelqu’un ayant une identité queer.

Dans cet épisode, vous pouvez entendre Anne-Sophie Ruest-Paquette, qui nous partage ses réflexions sur son rôle d’aidante naturelle auprès de son père 2SLGBTQIA+ vivant avec le diabète. Explorez avec nous les dynamiques familiales, les stratégies pour naviguer l'aidance naturelle avec compassion et résilience, ainsi que les défis du deuil.

Dans cet épisode, vous pouvez entendre Sylvie Lavoie,présidente de la Fondation Hélène Tremblay Lavoie. Elle nous partage son parcours d’aidance naturelle qui l’a conduite à établir une fondation portant le nom de sa mère. La mission de cette fondation est de veiller à ce que les personnes âgées francophones aient accès à des services spécialisés de soins de longue durée en français dans la région du Grand Toronto.

In this episode of Time to Talk, we discuss the remarkable caregiving journey of Usha Shanmugathasan, M.Ed., OCT. and explore the cultural barriers that many immigrant caregivers face.

At the tender age of 12, Usha found herself thrust into the role of caregiver for her mother while also processing the death of her father. We delve into the importance of cultural competence in healthcare and practical strategies for fostering inclusive communication and care.

Usha is also the Project Co-Lead for Cultural Competence toolkits at the SAAAC Autism Centre, where she strives to bridge gaps in understanding and accessibility within educational spaces, ensuring inclusivity and support for all.

Gain valuable advice for caregivers starting their journey and find support systems to navigate the caregiving experience with confidence.

For more information about SAAAC, visit saaac.org.

For more information about Ontario Caregiver Organization and its resources, visit ontariocaregiver.ca.

In this Michelle Jobin sits down with Alison Lawler-Dean, career woman and founder of Papillon, a transformative platform dedicated to guiding families through the complexities of end-of-life care.  

Alison bravely shares her personal journey of living in the sandwich generation — a generation of people caring for their ageing parents while also raising young children. Alison discusses the complexities of caring for both parents while raising her own child, and candidly reflects on the struggles, sacrifices, and invaluable lessons learned along the way. From the pain of losing a parent to the small, tender moments of connection, her story illuminates the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

This episode serves as a beacon of hope for anyone navigating the delicate balance of love, loss, and the relentless pursuit of meaning during life's most challenging moments.

For more information on Papillon and its resources visit www.papillonpassing.com

For more information on the Ontario Caregiver Organization visit ontariocaregiver.ca