Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

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Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

Natalie Elliott Handy and JJ Elliott Hill

205 episodes

4 days ago

In August 2023, Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver took an exciting leap across the pond — airing on UK Health Radio and sharing caregiver stories with an international audience for the first time. But there was just one catch… They had 45 minutes or less to tell their story. Unlike their five-part U.S. debut series, the sisters — Natalie, JJ, and Emilie — had to condense years of caregiving, laughter, loss, and growth into one whirlwind episode. So, for National Family Caregivers Month, we...

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Society & Culture,

Health & Fitness,

All content for Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver is the property of Natalie Elliott Handy and JJ Elliott Hill and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

In August 2023, Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver took an exciting leap across the pond — airing on UK Health Radio and sharing caregiver stories with an international audience for the first time. But there was just one catch… They had 45 minutes or less to tell their story. Unlike their five-part U.S. debut series, the sisters — Natalie, JJ, and Emilie — had to condense years of caregiving, laughter, loss, and growth into one whirlwind episode. So, for National Family Caregivers Month, we...

Show more...

Society & Culture,

Health & Fitness,

Episodes (20/205)

Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

The Lost Episode: Looking Back with the Original Reluctant Caregivers

In August 2023, Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver took an exciting leap across the pond — airing on UK Health Radio and sharing caregiver stories with an international audience for the first time. But there was just one catch… They had 45 minutes or less to tell their story. Unlike their five-part U.S. debut series, the sisters — Natalie, JJ, and Emilie — had to condense years of caregiving, laughter, loss, and growth into one whirlwind episode. So, for National Family Caregivers Month, we...

4 days ago

51 minutes

Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

Competing Priorities: Balancing Family, Career and Caregiving

In this episode, Ed DeVaney joins the sisters of "Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver" to share his deeply personal caregiving experience. Raised in a competitive and close-knit Irish Catholic family in Chicago, Ed describes a childhood filled with familial connections and strong influences from his mother, who not only modeled the values of care and perseverance but also became the central figure in his own journey as a caregiver. When Ed moved to North Carolina for a major career opportuni...

1 week ago

52 minutes

Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

Dad, Devotion, and Dancing: Finding Joy in the Hardest Goodbye

This week’s episode focuses on Christopher “Chris” Schuler—his journey as a son, father, and most notably, a devoted caregiver. Chris, adopted from Colombia and raised in a loving, close-knit family in New York, reflects deeply on identity, belonging, and the power of chosen family. His parents’ move to Rhode Island marked a period of even stronger family bonds, which would later prove invaluable when his father was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. The diagnosi...

2 weeks ago

1 hour 1 minute

Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

Not Stuck in the Yuck: Tricia’s Story of Family, Advocacy, and Strength

Tricia Fitzgerald brings a deeply personal and candid perspective to the experiences of long-term caregiving within a family affected by chronic illness. Drawing from over two decades of advocacy and professional work supporting children and families, Tricia’s story is rooted in her own journey—beginning with undiagnosed chronic illness symptoms as a child and culminating in the late discovery of Ankylosing Spondylitis and rheumatoid arthritis in adulthood. These diagnoses not only shap...

3 weeks ago

57 minutes

Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

Disrupting Care: How Neal Shah Is Revolutionizing Support for Families

Neal Shah’s journey, showcases the impact of caregiving on individual lives and the broader healthcare system. Raised in a close-knit immigrant family, Neal's values were shaped early by the examples set by his parents and grandparents. After building an impressive career in finance, a series of personal experiences as a caregiver—first supporting his grandfather through end-of-life care, then facing his wife’s severe illness—transformed his outlook and priorities. He became intimately aware ...

1 month ago

1 hour 8 minutes

Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

When Life Calls: Zack’s Story of Stepping Up for Family and Changing the Caregiving Conversation

Zack Demopoulos’s story begins with his upbringing as the proud son of Greek immigrants, whose journey to the United States instilled in him a deep sense of gratitude, resilience, and responsibility. He shares how his family’s experiences shaped his values and work ethic, from working in his father’s restaurant as a teenager to pursuing higher education and a successful corporate career. Zack’s life took a dramatic turn in 2006 when he was suddenly thrust into the role of caregiver for his fa...

1 month ago

1 hour 3 minutes

Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

Compassion in Action: Donna’s Path from Caregiver to Changemaker

With a lifelong passion for nursing, Donna Steigleder’s journey began in her childhood and evolved into a career in healthcare, where she gained a wealth of experience across various medical settings. Her personal caregiving story started early, as she recognized and advocated for her daughter’s mental health needs at a time when such issues were often dismissed. Despite resistance from family and medical professionals, Donna’s persistence ensured her daughter received the care she needed, ul...

1 month ago

1 hour

Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

The Power of the Pause: Finding Relief in Caregiving with Jenn Fredericks

Jenn Fredericks is the featured guest in this episode, sharing her deeply personal journey as both a long-term patient and a dedicated caregiver. Diagnosed with chronic kidney disease as a teenager, Jenn received her first kidney transplant from her father at age 15, and later a second from her husband’s twin brother. Her life took another challenging turn when her adopted daughter was diagnosed with a brain tumor at the age of eight. Jenn describes the overwhelming responsibilities of managi...

1 month ago

56 minutes

Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

The Power of Three and Twelve: Jason’s Caregiving Blueprint

Jason Binder, the founder of Aware Coaching, is a dedicated husband and father of five. His caregiving journey began unexpectedly when his wife, Tracy, a lively marathon runner and mother, received a diagnosis of glioblastoma, a terminal brain cancer. This news came just weeks after they had moved into their dream farmhouse. Drawing on his background in pharma and his experience as a change agent, Jason quickly mobilized a support network, leveraging both his professional connections and the ...

2 months ago

58 minutes

Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

Boundaries, Faith, and Family: Lessons from Jenifer Massie’s Caregiving Journey

From a young age, Jenifer Massie was immersed in a culture of service, beginning with volunteering in her school’s “gramps and grannies” program and extending to caring for her own family members. Her caregiving roles evolved over the years, from supporting her grandmother and great aunt to becoming a “sandwich caregiver” while raising her own children. Jenifer’s approach to caregiving was shaped by her family’s tradition of stepping in where needed, often without formal discussions, and by h...

2 months ago

1 hour

Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

Surviving the Grief Buffet: Angela’s Journey Through Caregiving and Loss

Over the course of several years, Angela Ibarra faced a series of profound losses, including her husband, her mother, her job, and eventually her father. Her caregiving journey began early, shaped by a childhood spent supporting a sister with muscular dystrophy and later intensified as she became the primary caregiver for her mother, who suffered from Alzheimer’s. Angela candidly shares the emotional toll of watching her mother’s personality change, the exhaustion of managing her care, and th...

2 months ago

1 hour 6 minutes

Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

Did Mom Drop Acid? Navigating Dementia and Family Dynamics

Michelle Cain’s journey as a caregiver began when her mother was diagnosed with Lewy Body dementia during the pandemic, a time already fraught with uncertainty and stress. At 47, Michelle found herself in the “sandwich generation,” balancing the needs of her own family—her husband and two sons—with the increasing demands of caring for her mother. The diagnosis came as a shock, and Michelle quickly had to navigate the complexities of her mother’s delusions, the challenges of finding appropriat...

2 months ago

57 minutes

Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

The Power of Family: Navigating ALS Across Generations

The story of Mollie and Maureen powerfully illustrates the emotional depth and complexities of family caregiving when ALS profoundly impacts a household. Maureen, a pediatric nurse from Philadelphia, took on the primary caregiving role for her mother after her father's death. This decision was driven by both her medical background and a deep sense of love and responsibility. She skillfully managed the demands of her career, family, and caregiving, coordinating her siblings and extended family...

2 months ago

57 minutes

Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

Confessions of a Young Widow: Rising Above Grief

Shannon Traphagen became a caregiver at 43 when her husband Mike was diagnosed with incurable brain cancer. Their 14-month battle was fraught with heartbreak, including losing an adoption opportunity just before his diagnosis. Despite the challenges, Shannon showed remarkable strength, focusing on Mike's care while managing her own health and emotions. Her experience highlights the emotional challenges of caregiving for young couples facing medical crises. Shannon and Mike's relationship stay...

3 months ago

57 minutes

Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

Not What We Signed Up For: Embracing an Unexpected Path

When Rachel Shapiro’s daughter suffered a severe stroke just before her second birthday, Rachel and her husband were told their child might not survive. Despite the devastating prognosis, they refused to give up, navigating a complex medical journey that transformed their family's life. Their daughter now lives with significant medical needs, requiring a tracheostomy and ventilator support, which initially seemed overwhelming to Rachel. What makes Rachel's story remarkable is her determinatio...

4 months ago

1 hour 1 minute

Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

Surviving, Thriving, and Loving Again

Stacy Ryan’s powerful story is a testament to love, resilience, and the human capacity to heal after profound loss. Her journey began with her own cancer diagnosis at 45, which she survived, followed by her husband John’s battle with cancer that ultimately claimed his life in December 2020. Throughout their cancer journey, they demonstrated an extraordinary partnership, supporting each other with deep love and commitment, facing each challenge together with grace and vulnerability. Afte...

4 months ago

1 hour

Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

Love Creatively: A Caregiver's Colorful Journey

This week, Ari Medrano delivers a powerful testament to the depth and complexity of caregiving. As a Mexican immigrant who came to the United States at age one, Ari's approach to caregiving is deeply rooted in her family's values of service, love, and compassion. Throughout the episode, she shares multiple experiences of caregiving, including caring for her cousin with bone cancer, a homeless woman named Teresa, her brother who was a victim of a violent crime, and her mother during critical h...

5 months ago

59 minutes

Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

The Sandwich Generation Survival Guide

Julia Mayer, a clinical psychologist, shares her extensive caregiving journey spanning nine years, which involved caring for her father after her mother's unexpected passing and then supporting her husband Barry's mother, Jean, and stepfather, Steve. After her mother died during a heart surgery recovery, Julia and her siblings stepped in to care for their father, with her older brother taking the primary caregiver role while Julia provided weekend relief. Her father passed away about 15 month...

5 months ago

56 minutes

Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

Forever Caregiver: The Lucas Project & Life Beyond Loss

"I became a forever parent caregiver." - Jesse Ronne What happens when caregiving, loss, and love collide? Jess Ronnie, writer, speaker, podcaster, and founder of The Lucas Project, brings her powerful story to the mic, offering a moving look into parenting a child with special needs, enduring grief, and building a future rooted in compassion and advocacy. Jess opens up about the emotional and physical toll of raising her son Lucas, who has profound special needs, while managing life as a "fo...

5 months ago

52 minutes

Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

“And Other Duties Assigned”: When caregiving is unexpectedly added to your Job Description

"I felt this sense of odd FOMO." - Taylor Fix Meet Taylor Fix, a remarkable caregiver whose journey began in childhood. Growing up in a close-knit family, caregiving was second nature. But it wasn’t until she became a farmhand and full-time caregiver for Bill, an elderly man she bonded deeply with, that Taylor truly stepped into her calling. 💬 Join us as Taylor opens up about: Becoming a youth caregiver and how it shaped her identityThe emotional and mental toll of caregivingNavigating family...

5 months ago

1 hour 2 minutes