Parenting UP! Caregiving adventures with comedian J Smiles

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Parenting UP! Caregiving adventures with comedian J Smiles

J Smiles

126 episodes

1 day ago

The Promenade at Piedmont Park turned into a surge of color, courage, and hope at the Walk to End Alzheimer’s hosted by the Atlanta chapter of the Alzheimer's Association—and we brought our cameras and team to capture it all. From the first cheers to the last hug, we connected with caregivers, researchers, and supporters who refuse to let this disease define our futures. As a media sponsor, Parenting Up! dug into practical takeaways and lifted the voices that make this movement real. We spok...

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The Promenade at Piedmont Park turned into a surge of color, courage, and hope at the Walk to End Alzheimer’s hosted by the Atlanta chapter of the Alzheimer's Association—and we brought our cameras and team to capture it all. From the first cheers to the last hug, we connected with caregivers, researchers, and supporters who refuse to let this disease define our futures. As a media sponsor, Parenting Up! dug into practical takeaways and lifted the voices that make this movement real. We spok...

Show more...

Alternative Health

Health & Fitness,

Episodes (20/126)

Parenting UP! Caregiving adventures with comedian J Smiles

Stories in Our Steps: Walk to End Alzheimer's Recap

The Promenade at Piedmont Park turned into a surge of color, courage, and hope at the Walk to End Alzheimer’s hosted by the Atlanta chapter of the Alzheimer's Association—and we brought our cameras and team to capture it all. From the first cheers to the last hug, we connected with caregivers, researchers, and supporters who refuse to let this disease define our futures. As a media sponsor, Parenting Up! dug into practical takeaways and lifted the voices that make this movement real. We spok...

1 week ago

36 minutes

Parenting UP! Caregiving adventures with comedian J Smiles

5 Year Podcast Anniversary Celebration!

Five years later, the room is louder, the laughs are bigger, and the village is real. We took our microphones into a buzzing anniversary reception at Buckhead Art & Company and let our community speak: caregivers who’ve lost, caregivers who are still in the thick of it, friends who learned how to show up, and pros who stepped in with services, strength, and heart. It wasn’t staged—it was hugs, dance breaks, and testimonies that prove love can outlast timelines and community can carry weig...

3 weeks ago

21 minutes

Parenting UP! Caregiving adventures with comedian J Smiles

We in Detroit Baby! Behind the Scenes of our first tour!

Hey Parenting Up Family! Today's episode is an audio version of a look behind the scenes of our first tour in Detroit! We had an amazing time with Dr. McNeil and the team at the AGREED Grant! You may have listened to the series, but now, we get to give you the story behind this amazing project and how it all came together. You will hear clips from our episodes, an interview with Dr. McNeil, and part of our pre-5 year 'podversary' celebration at EVRY Media Studios. Thank you for ro...

1 month ago

24 minutes

Parenting UP! Caregiving adventures with comedian J Smiles

Unwavering Husband, Caregiver and Advocate - Dan Goerke

What if you could communicate telepathically with someone living with advanced Alzheimer's? Dan Goerke discovered this extraordinary connection with his wife Denise after conventional conversation became impossible. In this episode, Dan reveals how their mental bond transformed his caregiving approach and ultimately led him to become a powerful advocate for Alzheimer's research. Perhaps most touching is Dan's compassionate philosophy: "Let her do it." When Denise would wander the neighborhoo...

1 month ago

46 minutes

Parenting UP! Caregiving adventures with comedian J Smiles

Gas, Guts, and the Golden Sample: A Caregiver Crashout

Ever wondered how far you'd go to care for someone you love? How much dignity you'd sacrifice? I found my answer on the side of I-20 during Atlanta rush hour. When my mother started talking to people who weren't there, walking into walls, and fidgeting constantly, I suspected a UTI—those sneaky infections that can make dementia symptoms appear dramatically worse. After three grueling weeks of attempting to collect a urine sample from my incontinent mother, we finally succeeded. With my preci...

2 months ago

35 minutes

Parenting UP! Caregiving adventures with comedian J Smiles

That's What Friends Are For

Have you ever witnessed someone persevere to no end to maintain a connection with someone they cared about? That's exactly what happened when my mother's DC circle refused to let her disappear after my dad's death. When Betty began bombarding my mother's phone, email, and even her old-school answering machine with messages, I initially dismissed it as an unwelcome intrusion. We were deep in grief, struggling with the aftermath of my dad's passing, and I had no energy for reconnecting with ol...

2 months ago

30 minutes

Parenting UP! Caregiving adventures with comedian J Smiles

KEEN AGING: HOW MODERN ELDERS ARE REWRITING GROWING OLD

In today's episode, we had the great opportunity to speak with an amazing author who is changing the outlook on aging! Dr. Corinne Auman, a care management expert and author of "Keenagers: Telling a New Story About Aging," joins us to challenge the overwhelming negativity surrounding the aging process. Drawing from both professional expertise and personal experience caring for family members with dementia and Parkinson's, Dr. Corinne reveals a profound truth: how we think about aging largely...

3 months ago

45 minutes

Parenting UP! Caregiving adventures with comedian J Smiles

Lights, Camera, Collection: From The Sidelines of Caregiving

Parenting Up family - today's episode is a special one! The worlds of sports memorabilia and caregiving collide in this deeply personal glimpse into my journey to honor my father's extraordinary legacy while navigating the daily challenges of caring for my mother with Alzheimer's. My father, Jock Michael Smith, accomplished something unprecedented - creating the largest sports memorabilia collection in modern history. Not as a full-time collector or dealer, but as a successful attorney...

3 months ago

38 minutes

Parenting UP! Caregiving adventures with comedian J Smiles

Who Caregivers Can Call: Real Life Resources

Welcome to the last episode of our 3 part 'Detroit Cares About Caregivers' Series! What resources actually exist for caregivers, and how do you access them when you need support? This question haunts many people thrust into caregiving roles, often leaving them feeling isolated and overwhelmed. In this episode, we bring together powerhouse resources ready to lighten your load—without emptying your wallet. The biggest revelation? Many people providing significant care don't identify as c...

4 months ago

35 minutes

Parenting UP! Caregiving adventures with comedian J Smiles

White Coat Wisdom: Best Practices for Care Partners

Do you ever feel dismissed or intimidated when advocating for your loved one in medical settings? That ends today. In Episode 2 of our 'Detroit Cares About Caregivers' series, medical providers share the importance of caregivers in the healthcare process. "I may know textbook, but you know your loved one," explains Dr. McNeill, Principal Investigator of the AGREED GWEP Program and the one who invited our team to create this insightful series! Dr. McNeill and her colleagues shared gam...

4 months ago

50 minutes

Parenting UP! Caregiving adventures with comedian J Smiles

Detroit Caregiver Chronicles

Parenting Up family, we are excited to bring you a new 3-part series in partnership with Wayne State University's AGReed grant! In this episode, Detroit caregivers speak with J Smiles about their experiences as caregivers for their loved ones with dementia. They discuss the physical demands, logistics, and emotional stress while also offering self-care strategies to prevent burnout. As always, caregivers also spoke about funny moments with their loved ones that provide levity during the...

5 months ago

48 minutes

Parenting UP! Caregiving adventures with comedian J Smiles

What Caregivers Want Doctors To Know

The void between medical expertise and lived caregiving experience takes center stage in this powerful season finale. Join us as we recap the Alter Dementia Summit 2025! This episode captures the vibrant energy of a gathering that feels simultaneously like a homecoming, family reunion, and professional conference. At its heart is a critical message from caregivers to the medical community: slow down and recognize us as the experts we've become. Through moving testimonials, attendees exp...

5 months ago

26 minutes

Parenting UP! Caregiving adventures with comedian J Smiles

Altering the Perception of Caregivers and Dementia with Dr. Fayron Epps

When Dr. Fayron Epps launched the Altar program, she was told repeatedly that no one would fund research connecting faith and dementia care in the Black community. Fast forward to today, and her groundbreaking initiative has expanded to 23 states, 112 faith communities, and 14 Christian denominations—with millions in funding from government agencies, corporate sponsors, and foundations. What makes this program revolutionary is its dual approach: utilizing the "altar" of the church while "alt...

5 months ago

45 minutes

Parenting UP! Caregiving adventures with comedian J Smiles

Caregiving: Motherhood In Disguise

Motherhood takes many forms, and caregiving might be the most overlooked version. This Mother's Day episode challenges us to reconsider who deserves celebration and recognition. The numbers tell a striking story: Americans spent $33 billion on Mother's Day last year, showering traditional mothers with gifts and attention. Meanwhile, family caregivers perform somewhat similar work—often with many challenges—yet receive little acknowledgment. As caregivers, we embody the very definition of mot...

6 months ago

29 minutes

Parenting UP! Caregiving adventures with comedian J Smiles

Yes, And Caregiving: The Improv Act You Didn’t Audition For

When a loved one develops dementia, our instinct is often to correct their misperceptions and pull them back to our reality. But what if there's a more compassionate, effective approach hiding in an unlikely place – Improv? In today's episode, we speak with Dr. Candace Kemp and Amanda Lee Williams about their research showing how improv principles can transform Dementia care. At the heart of their approach is the fundamental improv concept of "yes, and" – accepting whatever reality is presen...

6 months ago

40 minutes

Parenting UP! Caregiving adventures with comedian J Smiles

Old People Deserve Different: Don't Just Rip the Bandaid Off!

When a loved one ages beyond typical medical concerns into what Dr. Warren Wong calls "the decade of frailty," everything changes—including how we should approach their care. In this episode, geriatrician Dr. Wong reveals why elder care requires specialized knowledge that many family doctors don't possess. Have you ever wondered why traditional medical appointments focus almost exclusively on disease management rather than your aging loved one's changing abilities? Dr. Wong explains how geri...

7 months ago

47 minutes

Parenting UP! Caregiving adventures with comedian J Smiles

Caregiving & Commerce: The Delicate Balance

Happy Women's History Month! On this episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Mrs. Aisha Taylor Issah, who founded TheSistahShop.com, an e-commerce store featuring all Black Women Owned Businesses. We filmed this episode a couple of weeks before she closed the doors of her brick-and-mortar store in Atlanta, Georgia, and had the chance to learn more about her caregiving journey. Tune in for laughs and real talk about caring for a parent living with Dementia while also balanci...

7 months ago

36 minutes

Parenting UP! Caregiving adventures with comedian J Smiles

Comedy Cares: Improv's Role in Caregiving

Audio family! We shot this episode on location at Dad's Garage, but we made sure to include our listeners to get insight on what we learned. This episode explores the transformative power of improvisational comedy in dementia caregiving. We dive into an inspiring gathering connecting science and creativity, highlighting how humor can enhance communication and understanding in caregiving. In this episode, expect: • Overview of the "Improving Care Through Improv" program • Insights...

8 months ago

28 minutes

Parenting UP! Caregiving adventures with comedian J Smiles

SUCCESSFUL CAREGIVING WITHOUT SELF-SACRIFICE

We had a great time connecting with Author Karen Weaver, author of Reaching Up For Comfort. She has been a caregiver for her late husband, late mom, and late father, though she has also volunteered with her church, neighbors, centers, and more. In this episode, Karen shares stories of triumph, overcoming, funny moments and self-care. Her book and website offer reflections and questions that will help caregivers get through the journey of taking care of their loved ones. Learn more about...

8 months ago

47 minutes

Parenting UP! Caregiving adventures with comedian J Smiles

CREATING, CAPTURING AND KEEPING MEMORIES WITH ALZHEIMER'S

Join us as we speak with Omar Alvarez about volunteering with elders, his grandfather, and Puerto Rican culture, and how each of these played a part in helping him develop KINNECT! Kinnect is a family legacy app that helps preserve family stories, making it easy to keep and share memories for generations.As a family caregiver, grandson, and person who had close friends who unfortunately lost their lives at an early age, Omar wanted to create a way for people to preserve their photos, videos a...

9 months ago

52 minutes