When the unimaginable becomes your reality, where do you find the strength to move forward? Laura Atkins opens her heart to us, detailing the profound journey as a mother and caregiver to her son, Wyatt, who bravely faced the trials of Coats-Plus syndrome. Through love-laced stories, Laura describes Wyatt's resilience in dealing with no diagnosis, the emotional toll of frequent hospitalizations, and relentless bone fractures. Her voice carries the weight of a mother's love and the unspoken bond of family as she reflects on the joy Wyatt brought to everyone around him, despite his own suffering ..read more

Imagine walking alongside someone with the strength to face a brain tumor diagnosis, heart attacks, and stroke-like symptoms. Today, we're honored to have Diana Derringer join us, sharing her transformative journey as a caregiver, filled with resilience, adaptability, and wisdom. As Diana recounts the complexities of managing memory issues and fatigue, you'll be moved by the reality of what it means to find a new normal after each health crisis. Her narrative is a testament to the power of a strong support system and the remarkable ability to continuously adjust and thrive despite life's chall ..read more

Steve Powell's story is a beautiful example of how love and necessity can spark innovation. Rayna Neises had the honor of discussing Steve's mission to create a world where the elderly and disabled can rise with dignity.  His invention was born from witnessing his own parents' struggles, a challenge he met with a blend of compassion and creativity. Steve Powell recounts the painful reality of his parents' frequent falls and inability to get up on their own due to health issues and its impact. Driven by a divine nudge and his parents' plight, Steve, a creative technology expert, invented ..read more

Navigating the complex currents of caregiving from afar, our guest Liuda, a retired pharmacist with a heart as vast as her experience, invites us into her world of love, loss, and devotion. She talks about the emotional challenges of taking care of family members who are far away.  Liuda shares personal stories of her father's passing, dealing with dementia, and inheriting the care of her brother who lives with a traumatic brain injury.  Through her stories, she shines a light on the difficulties faced by long-distance caregivers. This conversation isn't just about the hurdles; it's ..read more

Experience the courageous story of Yolanda Lucas as she fearlessly shares her heartfelt journey of providing care for her mother for 15 years.  Her path has taken her from the sidelines of support to the forefront of advocacy in the intricate realm of medical care. We talk about how caregiving can reveal personal growth, resilience, and strong family connections. We learn about Yolanda's life, which has been full of challenges, successes, and meaningful moments.  In this soul-stirring episode, we also unwrap the wisdom discovered by Yolanda as she opens up about the profound moments ..read more

When you meet someone who navigates life's hurdles with grace and a smile, you can't help but want to delve into their story. That's precisely what we do with Joan Borton, a disability advocate whose marriage to Jerry—a man living with cerebral palsy—is a beacon of love, faith, and dedication. Joan opens her heart to us, recounting the evolution from their serendipitous meeting to the deepened bond that caregiving has woven into their partnership. She isn't shy about the obstacles: managing a long-distance relationship pre-marriage, financial tightropes, and the emotional whirlwind that comes ..read more

 Althea McIntyre joins host, Rayna Neises, in this episode. She shares her perspective on the connection between caregiving, faith, and personal growth. They delve into the rich tapestry of caregiving, sharing insights from their own experiences with their fathers. From the intense demands of high-need periods to the tranquility of more stable times, exploring the full spectrum of emotions and responsibilities that define the caregiver's role. Contemplating the impact of creating significant moments, such as Althea's life-changing adventure to Aruba alongside her father, which have the p ..read more

Caregiving, in its rawest form, is an odyssey of love, loss, and resilience that can both break and fortify the human spirit. Witness the profound journey of Tammy Marvin as she shares her experiences of bidding a sacred farewell to her mother, father, and sister. Through her sorrow and strength, you'll find solace in the invisible threads of faith and family that hold us together, even as the physical world tries to pull us apart. Tammy's voice resonates with the echoes of a blended family's love, and the episode is laden with moments that reveal the tender balance between joy and challenge ..read more

When Minty Swanson agreed to join me on the podcast, I knew her story would resonate with anyone who has ever loved deeply and fought fiercely. Minty bravely opens up about her role as a caregiver for her husband, Chris, weaving through the complexities of multiple cancer diagnoses during the isolating times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her narrative is a testament to the resilience and humor that can spring from the heaviest of hearts, providing a beacon for those navigating the rough seas of terminal illness within their own families. Our conversation takes us into the heart of caregiving grie ..read more

Join Rayna Neises as she learns about the mission of The Grand Baby Project with Tonja Moon, founder. In this touching episode, Tonja unravels her personal narrative of caring for her dementia-stricken grandmother, revealing the unexpected calming power of lifelike baby dolls and they offer joy and a sense of purpose to those battling with memory loss. As we traverse Tonja's journey, we uncover the triumphs, the struggles, and the surprising response of men with dementia to this therapy. But that's not all. As we delve deeper, the conversation sheds light on the pivotal role of caregivers, th ..read more