Happy Healthy Caregiver

She started caregiving at 13, lost her mother at 26, went on to serve in the White House, and built a life that refuses to be defined by loss alone.

In this episode of the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast, I'm joined by Marisa Renee Lee — two-time author, grief advocate, social-impact founder, and a relentless woman.

We cover everything from sneaking breaks into your workday and the lifelong lessons of childhood caregiving, to living with Long COVID, why failing is completely normal, and her genius idea of assigning friends to bring the fun. Plus, her personal mantra, a new puppy, and a Paris trip on the horizon.

This one is for anyone who is looking for peace when life feels uncertain.

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod232

Receive the podcast in your email here:

http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Solo caregiving is tough, and we want to help by sharing four key resource areas for solo caregivers. This episode is extra special Happy Healthy Caregiver episode because I got to collaborate with two women I genuinely admire — Nancy Treaster and Sue Ryan of The Caregiver's Journey. You may recognize their names because both have been guests here on the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast, and I've loved staying connected with them ever since. We even got on a cruise together on the Self-Care at Sea cruise last year.

Nancy and Sue have been friends for over 35 years, and they came together out of their own frustration with the lack of practical, candid guidance for dementia caregivers. Between them, they've navigated caregiving for multiple family members — all while managing demanding careers — and they've turned those hard-won lessons into a nonprofit called The Caregiver’s Journey dedicated to helping other caregivers feel less overwhelmed and more equipped. One of the tools they offer that keeps getting better and better is their Caregiving Roadmap, which was created with dementia caregivers in mind. 

In this episode, we are joining forces to share four resource areas to better support the Solo Caregiver. Whether you are caring for someone with dementia or not, this episode has much to offer.

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod231

Receive the podcast in your email here:

http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Sandwich generation caregiving, burnout, and family coordination—Glenn Shimkus is living it all while caring for five parents, supporting adult children, and running a mission-driven business.

In this episode, Glenn shares practical insights on dividing caregiving responsibilities into “swim lanes,” recognizing his early signs of burnout, and preparing families before a crisis through his company, Prisidio. He also opens up about the routines that keep him grounded, the joy of becoming a first-time grandparent, and the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone—even if that means swimming with whales in open water!

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod230

Receive the podcast in your email here:

http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

What does it really look like when men step into the caregiving role — and why are they so often invisible in the conversation?

Kyle Woody knows firsthand. He cared for his wife through Stage 4 Colon Cancer, even after she asked for a divorce four years into their caregiving journey. Now, he cares for his two sons while working full-time. Drawing on his care experiences, Kyle founded Jack's Caregiver Coalition — an organization dedicated to supporting and strengthening male caregivers.

In this episode of the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast, Kyle shares:

Why men are the most overlooked non-professional caregivers — and what needs to change
His organization's bold mission to strengthen 1 million caregiving men by 2035
What it was like to meet Oprah and share his story as part of her book club
How he navigates the unique experience of co-parenting with his late ex-wife's boyfriend
His go-to self-care strategies: working with a coach, writing letters to himself, asking four morning questions, and rucking

Whether you're a male caregiver who's been going it alone or someone who loves one, this episode is full of honest insight and practical encouragement.

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod229

Receive the podcast in your email here:

http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Dori Martin knows firsthand what true burnout and midlife mayhem feel like. At the busiest time of her life, she was a divorced single mom while caregiving for a parent through end-of-life. Then she started navigating a terminal diagnosis with her second husband — and that's when her body began to shut down. What she discovered changed everything: what many women are told is "just stress, aging, or hormones" is often something much deeper.

In this episode, Dori talks about the invisible weight caregivers carry, why so many are stuck in a state of chronic stress and fight-or-flight, and why not feeling safe in your own body is at the root of so much burnout. She shares small but powerful ways to nurture and reset your nervous system. She even credits a future pacing exercise with leading her and her family (including her husband) to take up scuba diving as a joyful, soul-filling practice — proof that healing can open doors you never expected.

If you're a caregiver who's been running on empty and putting everyone else first, this episode is your permission slip to finally put yourself back on the list.

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod228

Receive the podcast in your email here:

http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW