Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver
The Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver podcast offers a candid, unfiltered space to confess the good, the bad, and the ugly of being a caregiver through storytelling, guest interviews, and information sharing. JJ & Natalie are a dynamic duo of sisters supporting their mom living with Parkinson's and a husband who survived cancer. Along with their guests, they discuss their shared experiences in caregiving. Viewers and listeners alike will relate to our reluctance, be affirmed in their ability to be caregivers and gain the courage to confidently step out of the shadows to express their own needs. You are sure to laugh, cry, and everything in between but in the end, all will leave feeling better for the journey and part of the sisterhood of care. So grab your favorite guilty pleasure, and let's get to confessing!
Episodes
188 episodes
The Juggle: Kyle Daquanna’s Journey as a Caregiver, Father, and Advocate
"Life is really short and it changes." - Kyle DaquannaJJ and Natalie sit down with Kyle Daquanna, a male caregiver, as he shares his powerful journey of balancing work, family, and caregiving responsibilities after his father’s stroke. K...
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56:04
Beyond the Uniform: A Military Wife’s Caregiving Journey
"I forgot how to care for myself." - Tara RossIn this powerful episode of Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver, hosts Natalie and JJ welcome guest, Tara Ross to dive deep into the raw realities of caregiving—especially within mi...
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Episode 120
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1:02:59
It’s Complicated! Navigating Caregiving and Difficult Family Relationships
"He needed us more than we needed him." - Nick GaylordThis is a powerful one! Hosts Natalie and JJ sit down with Nick Gaylord to explore the raw realities of caregiving, grief, and complex family dynamics. Nick opens up about the emotion...
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Episode 119
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59:54
The Hidden Struggles of Caregiving and Dangers of Burnout
"I was feeling angry, I was feeling resentful." - Kate WashingtonJJ and Natalie sit down with author Kate Washington to uncover the emotional, financial, and mental health challenges of caregiving. Kate shares her personal journey of car...
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Episode 118
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56:30
A Career in Human Resources, A Calling in Caregiving
"Look for the glimmers in caregiving." - Mark WilsonHosts JJ and Natalie sit down with Mark Wilson, a former corporate executive who left his successful career to become a full-time caregiver after his mother’s Alzheimer’s diagnosi...
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Episode 117
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59:38
Media Producer Turned Caregiving Advocate
"Dementia gave us that gift of closeness." - Katrina PrescottIn this compelling episode of The Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver podcast, hosts JJ and Natalie dive into the world of caregiving with special guest Katrina P...
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Episode 116
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57:02
Cultural Expectations in Caregiving: Family, Sacrifice, and Self-Care
"It's OK not to know everything." - Tracee LoranIn this heartfelt episode of Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver, hosts JJ, Natalie, and Tracee Loran dive into the unexpected twists and turns of caregiving. Tracy shares her dee...
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Episode 115
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54:25
Living a Double Life as a Caregiver
"I finally found my purpose." - Adrienne Marioles🎙️ Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver brings you another raw and relatable episode as hosts Natalie and JJ sit down with Adrienne Marioles, a millennial caregiver with a story t...
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Episode 114
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56:14
The Caregiver’s Balancing Act: Family, Life, and Everything In Between
"Let's not sugarcoat it; it's hard." - Dr. Jacob KendallIn this episode of Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver, JJ and Natalie chat with Dr. Jacob Kendall, who opens up about his life-changing experience as a caregiver after hi...
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Episode 113
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51:22
Triumph Over Grief Through Community Love
"You can bring back the color and the light." - Kelci JagerKelci Jagger shares her powerful and emotional story of overcoming tragic loss and grief through the support of her community and finding power in living in the light. Her incred...
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Episode 112
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48:26
Sister Confessions 2024: Jingle Bells, Leaky Bladders, and Swiss Cake Rolls
In this holiday episode of Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver, we bring humor, honesty, and reflection to our caregiving journey over the last year. Join us as we look back on the highs and lows of caregiving, with no topic off-limit...
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Episode 111
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1:00:45
Turning a Mess into a Message with Christina Keys
Christina Key's life brimmed with success and vitality. But fate had different plans in store for her. An unexpected phone call shattered her idyllic existence, thrusting her into a whirlwind of chaos and uncertainty. As her mother's health hun...
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Episode 41
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1:00:24
Unexpected! Finding True Love in Caregiving
Charisma Sydnor's path crossed with Cole's at a rehab center following his teenage spinal cord injury; their professional rapport blossomed into romance and they wed in 2020. Taking over from his mother, Charisma adapted to the comprehensive ca...
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Episode 65
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52:10
Caregiving Wisdom Beyond His Years: Lessons from a 16-Year-Old Trailblazer
This week’s episode gives us a powerful and insightful look into the life of Aditya Akella, a 16-year-old caregiver for his younger brother with autism. Aditya's story is one of resilience, responsibility, and a deep commitment to his family. F...
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Episode 92
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46:44
When "I Do" Means Caring Through Illness: A Story of Devotion
Marty Schreiber has dedicated his life to advocating for Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers. As the former governor of Wisconsin and author of the acclaimed memoir "My Two Elaine's", Marty draws from his own deeply personal experience as...
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Episode 64
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53:20
Renovating Lives: How Renovation Alliance is Transforming Lives through Home Renovation
Kendall Cloeter's passion for affordable housing and community revitalization shines through in her work with the Renovation Alliance. As a self-described "social worker by trade," Kendall brings a deep understanding of the challenges low-incom...
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32:00
Unbreakable Bond: How a Father's Love Transcends Adversity
Thom Deleuw's story reflects dedication and a father's love. After a 34-year career in law enforcement, Thom found his true purpose when his son, Jack, had a serious motorcycle accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down. Thom became J...
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Episode 106
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52:20
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Honoring Heroes: Semper Fi and America's Fund's Lifetime of Support
This week’s educational episode showcases the incredible work of Semper Fi and America's Fund, an organization that has been providing vital support to service members, veterans, and their families for over 20 years. At the heart of this organi...
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26:37
Caregiving as a Calling: Crystal's Unwavering Commitment to Serving Her Hero
Crystal Lane's story is one of faith, determination, and an unwavering commitment to supporting her husband, JP, a retired Army Specialist who lost both his legs in an IED explosion in Afghanistan. Despite their challenges, Crystal and JP's jou...
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Episode 105
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57:44
From Four Kinds to One Community: The Rosalynn Carter Institute's Holistic Approach to Supporting Caregivers
Established in 1987 by former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, the Rosalynn Carter Institute promotes the health, strength, and resilience of caregivers at every stage of their journey. As Mandy Barr, a caregiver coach and engagement specialist at t...
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47:28
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Overcoming Adversity Together: A Navy Chaplain's Unwavering Support for His Wounded Warrior Wife
As a senior Navy Chaplain, Bob Evan's calling has always been to serve and care for others, whether it was his troops, fellow service members, or the wounded warriors he encountered. When his fiancée, Gretchen, was severely injured by a mortar ...
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Episode 104
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59:37
Navigating the Challenges: PsychArmor's Comprehensive Training for Caregivers
This week, our episode highlights the vital work of PsychArmor, an organization dedicated to transforming how society engages with veterans and service members. Led by Dr. Tina Atherall, PsychArmor's mission is to provide education, training, a...
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43:56
Lessons in Resilience, Vulnerability, and the Art of Care
Qwynn Galloway-Salazar is the heart and soul of this week’s Heroes Caring for Heroes episode. As an Army veteran, end-of-life doula, and the founder of In Their Honor, Qwynn has dedicated over two decades to elevating the quality of life for mi...
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Episode 103
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55:33
Unlocking VA Benefits: A Insider's Guide to Caregiver, Family, and Survivor Support
This week’s special educational episode shines a spotlight on the incredible work being done by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to support caregivers, families, and survivors of veterans. In this educational episode, Maureen Elias,...
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53:18
The Millennial Caregiver: Balancing Dreams and Responsibilities
Angelena Taylor's caregiving journey began quite unexpectedly at the age of 28 when her father, Benjamin, experienced a stroke. This event marked the start of her role as a caregiver, which she took on with dedication and focus. As a daughter a...
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Episode 102
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58:19
