Shows
Family Tree Food StoriesThe Secret History of Tea: Personal Rituals & Family Stories5,000 Years of Comfort #FoodHistory, British Afternoon @Tea, #SouthernSweetTea & the Rituals That Still Bring Family & Friends Together.Have you ever sat down with your mom or a good friend with absolutely no agenda other than just... being together? Nancy's mom had a word for it: "sharing a cuppa." She and Nancy would drive down to Alice's, their local general store-luncheonette, not because they needed anything, but because that was their girl-time ritual. Their way of making the whole world stop spinning for a little while. Simple.Here's the part that'll get you through... the exact thing...
2026-04-2337 min
Family Tree Food StoriesWhy is Mustard So Special? A Pope, a Secret Recipe, and a 5,000-Year Lie!The food history nobody taught you: pharaohs buried it, a Pope staffed it, Napoleon obsessed over it, and your squeeze bottle is still lying about it.A Pope loved mustard so much that he created a Vatican job, “The Great Mustard Maker,” just to make sure he never ran out. Napoleon loved it so much that he built Dijon's identity around it. And that bright yellow color you've trusted your entire life? That's the color that comes from an entirely different plant! Surprise?In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Love...
2026-04-1626 min
Family Tree Food StoriesThe Family Table That Built Strong Bones Using Real Food and TraditionsBone Deep: Your Grandmother and Mom Really Did Know How to Use Their Kitchen Like a Pharmacy.What does a simple pot of beans simmering on the stove have in common with cutting-edge nutritional science? More than you'd ever expect. In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely share how our moms and grandmas instinctively know how to keep our bodies strong enough to handle a heavy workload.In this episode, Sylvia opens up about her own very personal bone health journey as she’s been undergoing cancer treatment, and a...
2026-03-2640 min
Family Tree Food StoriesNative American Foods the Hidden Roots to What We Eat Today: Secrets Revealed!🌽 Did you know that Native American Foods Sill Influence What You Eat Today? How many of the foods you eat every day have roots in Native American foods and traditions? A lot more than you might realize, so start counting and testing your family and kids now!In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely share a list of indigenous foods, along with their history, traditions, and, yes, even spiritual connections, that influence your breakfast, lunch, dinner, and holiday celebrations today. A few key things you’ll learn in this...
2025-10-0931 min
Family Tree Food StoriesFall Mushroom Show: Shiitake, Truffle Hustles, the People's Mushroom and moreLet’s talk Mushrooms: from Shitake stories, and magic mushrooms, to the People’s “shrooms” and more. This week, we’re talking about foods you probably wouldn’t expect to get too excited about: mushrooms. However, those funky spongy fungi have stories, secrets, and flavors that will give you something different to talk about at your next dinner table conversation. In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely become the Fungi Gals (ha, ha, seriously!) and share fall comfort foods, mushroom myths, and a few “did-they-really-just-say-that?” moments.👍Here are a few extra hints o...
2025-09-2529 min
Family Tree Food StoriesFrom Shrubs to Smokehouses: Old-School Preservation Hacks You’ll Actually Want to TryFermented Nuts, Pickled Eggs & Appalachian Moonshine: How We Preserve More Than Just Food, and Why it's Important. Fall is more than a season—it's a reminder to preserve what matters, from seasonal foods to family recipes passed down through generations. In this richly layered episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, hosts Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely share forgotten preservation techniques, Appalachian food lore, and hands-on kitchen wisdom from past generations. You'll also hear about Sylvia's learned to revive a drunken raccoon, the FDA's ban on sassafras, and some inspiration for pickling and canning. Fr...
2025-09-1835 min
Family Tree Food StoriesSeptember 11 Stories: Food, Memories, and Healing After 9/11, Patriot DayDo you remember where you were on September 11, 2001?How did America come together in the days after the 9/11 terrorist attacks? And why did food—from cornbread to clam chowder—become a powerful symbol of comfort, resilience, and remembrance?In this special Family Tree Food & Stories episode, we reflect on the tragic events of September 11, 2001, and the extraordinary ways people found healing through food. From community kitchens in New York serving first responders, to small-town stories of family meals and final requests, this show explores how 9/11 changed America forever—and how sharing food helped us grieve, unite...
2025-09-1124 min
Family Tree Food StoriesTrue Crime in the Kitchen: True stories from the kitchen to the table!🍴 Mystery, Murder & Meals: When Food Turns DeadlyCould the food on your plate become a deadly weapon? In this week’s episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy and Sylvia stir up the darker, and questionably juicy side of food culture, history, and culinary revenge—where poisoned banquets, chef scandals, and real-life true-crime stories collide. If you’ve ever wondered about the powerful, sinister-looking side just placed on your plate, this episode is a feast you won’t want to miss.From poisoned pies to power plays in the kitchen, this episode blends food history, true crime...
2025-09-0423 min
Family Tree Food StoriesFood writers Who Changed the Way We Eat: Pepin, Reich, Garten, Clayborn and More!✍️ Ink, Ingredients & the Power of Food WritersWho do you think shapes the way we eat, cook, and talk about food today? Well, you'll find some of the answers in this episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories, as co-hosts Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely reveal the history of food writers and critics—from the Mesopotamian food writers who carved their stories on clay tablets to the story behind how Michelin stars come about and are funded and can make or break a restaurant.Nancy and Sylvia also put the spotlight on legends like Jacques Pépin, who t...
2025-08-2830 min
Family Tree Food StoriesIce Cream: What You Don't Know Will Surprise You!From presidential obsessions to dog treats, how ide cream has made the dog days cool. What do Thomas Jefferson's 18-step ice cream recipe, Fidel Castro's 18-scoop binges, and a failed assassination attempt have in common? They're all part of ice cream's surprisingly scandalous past that Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely share in this week’s episode of Family Tree Food & Stories. This week, we share how ice cream has evolved from when the Egyptian pharaohs made it, to what snow cream is, to how it became so much fun that it was banned on Sundays (yes...
2025-08-0728 min
Family Tree Food StoriesSourdough: Living Truths, History, Stories - Sweet & SourThe Art, Science, History, and Stories of Sourdough: From the Start to NowIn this episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories, we’re rising to a new level with sourdough. What began as an accidental blend of flour and water over 4,500 years ago, sourdough has evolved into a global obsession—and in this episode, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely delve into the rich story of how it all started and its subsequent expansion. From ancient Egyptian brewing methods to quirky pandemic starter names like “Twinkle,” which have been shared around the world, this discussion dishes up wild...
2025-07-3126 min
Family Tree Food StoriesHave Fork will Travel: Vacation Food Finds, Delicious Detours and Tips.When Food Makes the Trip Worth It: Eat Well and Wander, or Travel OftenHave you ever been on a family road trip, staring out the car window, just waiting to see that giant Big Boy sign? You knew it meant one thing—burgers were coming, and they were going to be good.That’s what we, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely, are talking about in this episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories. We’re going back to the days when food made vacations even more fun, from roadside diners and belly clams to tho...
2025-07-1031 min
Family Tree Food StoriesJuly 4th: How Food Sparked More Than One Revolution and IndependenceWhat Do Hot Dogs, Rum, molasses, and a 250-year-old piece of meat have to do with Independence Day?This isn’t your grade school history lesson. This is the Family Tree Food & Stories Independence Day (or July 4th) holiday episode. In this show, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely take a big bite into the real reasons we celebrate with pie-eating contests, backyard grilling, hot dogs, and enough fireworks that, yes, have their own food origins. In this show, you’ll also learn how food has sparked more than one revolution, and how our early colonial forefathers might have...
2025-07-0331 min
Family Tree Food StoriesSummer Camp Food Stories: From Camp Corn to Cooking on a Stick, S'mores, and more!What Kids Really Eat at Camp (And Why They, and We Adults, Love It Too!). A Dive into REAL Summer Camp Cuisine.Have you ever eaten eggs on a stick? Or discovered that the Tootsie Rolls from your camp care package mysteriously disappeared (spoiler: it probably wasn’t a raccoon)? In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely dive headfirst into the weird, and often funny, stories of summer camp and food, both for kids and adults.They’re talking about buffalo balls (can you guess what they are. . . really?), bug juice...
2025-06-2627 min
Family Tree Food StoriesDog Food Secrets: A $5K Collar, Razor Blade, Underwear, and Other Edible TemptationsMan's Best Friend: Crazy Dog Stories You've Got to Love~Hold onto your leashes— because this episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories is going to the dogs in the best (and most hilarious) way possible. Join Nancy May, Sylvia Lovely, and The Mighty Quinn as they all dig into the meaty, messy, and downright outrageous history of what our four-legged friends, our dogs, eat, need to eat to stay healthy, and have eaten—from prehistoric wolf scraps to gourmet meal kits and, yes... even cotton balls soaked in olive oil.Nancy and Sylvia bring on a ve...
2025-06-1931 min
Family Tree Food StoriesFather's Day Traditions New and Ancient, Including $100 Ice Cubes for Dad!This one's for you (and yep, your dad too) — it's the Family Tree Food & Stories Father’s Day 2025 special. Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely are back, talking all things dad while the grill’s heating up and a cold one is cracking open. They're dishing out a full plate of stories, oddball traditions, and yes — lots of meat talk. Because let’s be real: dads + grills = primal joy.This episode serves up everything from barbecue stats and big green eggs to a 4,000-year-old Father’s Day message carved into a stone tablet (seriously). There’s also a side of laught...
2025-06-1229 min
Family Tree Food StoriesUntold Stories of a Farmers' Market: Secrets, Scandals & Fresh FoodThe Farmer’s Market Hustle: What They Don’t Want You to Know, and Why.What do Boston’s Little Italy, bourbon-pickled beans, heirloom tomatoes, and escaped snails have in common with today's farmers' markets? Well, you're about to hear the answer and more in this next episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories! Nancy May and Sylvia roll up their sleeves and dig deep into the quirky, gritty, and delicious history and evolution of farmers’ markets. From 1600s bartering stalls to today’s “authentic-ish” local setups, they explore the wild world of what it really means to buy fresh and...
2025-05-2927 min
Family Tree Food StoriesHot Dogs, Heroism, and Burgoo: Memorial Day Foods History and Surprising StoriesWhat does watermelon have to do with Memorial Day? And how many pounds of hot dogs do we consume over Memorial Day weekend?In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely take you from old Civil War battlefields to your backyard barbecue. You’ll discover the surprising origins of the Memorial Day holiday when it was first known as Decoration Day, explore the wartime roots of today’s most iconic summer foods—like hot dogs, cornbread, and SPAM—and even a shared story of how Nancy almost grilled a bunch of baby...
2025-05-2225 min
Family Tree Food StoriesThe Bourbon Episode: Buffalo Trails, Wild Whiskey, Moonshine Memories and Family TraditionsAged to Perfection: The Bourbon Episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories!Ever wondered how bourbon became such a staple in old-fashioned American family gatherings and even recipes? In this episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories, co-hosts Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely take you on a journey through the rich history and personal family stories of bourbon.Here they'll take you on a journey of some very interesting "spirited" origins of iconic distilleries like Buffalo Trace, delve into the differences between bourbon and whiskey, and share some personal tales—like that time someone tried to smuggle ho...
2025-05-1529 min
Family Tree Food StoriesWhat happens when God helps buy a cow?Food, Faith & Acts of Kindness: Father Jim's Spiritual JourneyHave you ever considered how deeply food connects to our spiritual lives? In this episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely sit down with Father Jim Sichko, a priest, who tells an extraordinary story of how food became an important part of his ministry. Father Jim shares the story of his mother's weekly tradition of cooking meals for garbage collectors, whom she served at the family's formal dining room table. Everyone was welcome as family to their table. On one afternoon, Father Jim...
2025-04-1742 min
Family Tree Food StoriesAnd Enchanted and "Eggstra" Special Easter StoryA Story for Tracie, and What to do With Leftover Easter Egg Shells.What do a five-year-old’s Easter tale, a magical sugar egg, and a kitchen full of hard-boiled chaos have in common? They’re all part of one rather unforgettable spring food-related memory — a story of how love, loss, and a little imagination helped one family hold on to hope.In this episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories, co-host Nancy May shares a personal story from her childhood, when she was trying to make sense of her younger sister Tracie’s illness. You’ll hear th...
2025-04-0312 min
Family Tree Food StoriesCamping, Cooking & Unexpected Traditions From Candy Sticks to Fire Smoked Biscuits and moreLearn to discover traditions you might not even know you've got! In this episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories, Nancy May, co-host, helps her guests Heather Dyer and Erin Walker of the Three Kitchen's Podcast discover that they have been unwittingly nurturing new family food traditions. Throughout the episode, they uncover in subtle yet significant ways that their treasured memories—like old-fashioned savory, sweet, sticky candy sticks at roadside gift shops or planning comforting meals around a campfire—have seamlessly woven into the fabric of their lives. By retracing their steps through family camping experiences, Erin...
2025-03-2731 min
Family Tree Food StoriesVernal Equinox Foods: The Jelly Bean Diet, Muskrat, and Beer Are on This MenuSpring Food Traditions You'll Want to EatIn this next episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories co-hosts Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely explore rather different and interesting springtime traditions, sharing some foods that you might never have heard about before.Have you ever wondered if jelly beans could be part of a balanced diet? Or are you curious about the story behind white asparagus that led to a carpool mishap? And what on earth do muskrats, alligators, and beer have to do with Lent?Nancy and Sylvia delve into the world of spring foods...
2025-03-2030 min
Family Tree Food StoriesSt. Patrick's Day Traditions: Drowning Shamrocks, Smart Salmon, and TikTok Trends.The Ultimate Guide to Irish Traditions Worth Knowing ThisSt. Patrick's DayJoin Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely for a fun-filled St. Patrick's Day special on Family Tree, Food & Stories! This episode takes you beyond the green beer and shamrock decorations to explore different traditions that make Irish culture and St. Patrick’s Day unique.☘️Ever heard of "drowning the shamrock"? You’ll learn about this quirky tradition: place a shamrock in the bottom of your beer mug, drink it down, and then toss this good lucky charm over your shoulder. Just try not to s...
2025-03-1324 min
Family Tree Food StoriesReefers, Frozen Peas, and TV dinners: Chilly Stories & InnovationsThis is a Chilling Episode about Food, Family and Refrigeration:Join Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely as they take you on a cool adventure through the history of refrigeration in this episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories about the "Refrigeration Revolution: From Ice Blocks and Straw to TV Dinners." As with each episode, there's always a wild food and family story, but in this show, you'll also learn some really cool things,s including how refrigeration changed food storage, from ice blocks and caves to quick freezing and frozen foods. Nancy and Sylvia also share...
2025-03-0626 min
Family Tree Food StoriesLove, Lust, and Food Stories: Unveiling Valentine's Day SecretsDive into a decadent world of desire as Family Tree, Food & Stories hosts Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely unwrap the mysteries behind Valentine's Day's most seductive treats. Join chocolate expert Norma Taylor as she reveals how to get thousands of chocolate-covered strawberries out to lusting customers.Nancy and Sylvia dive under the covers to reveal some interesting and lesser-known history and traditions of how those silk heart-shaped chocolate boxes even include a little black lace. Remember those innocent candy conversation hearts? Perhaps they were the precursor to modern-day text messaging. What do you think? This ep...
2025-02-1332 min
Family Tree Food StoriesA 36 Year Hunt For the Perfect Cake: Can you help us solve this mystery?How Our Hunt For The BEST Cake Keeps Us on The Road!🥕 What if a single bite could change your life? In this Family Tree, Food & Stories episode, you’re invited to join Nancy and Bob on a 36-year quest to rediscover the flavor that made their wedding day even more sweet. A delicious and magical carrot cake from a special bakery in Fairfield, Connecticut, their quest to recreate that perfect bite has taken them from New York to Florida, California to Canada, and beyond. Their quest has done more than taking these two on shunpike road trips. ...
2025-01-3006 min
Family Tree Food StoriesInaugural Balls: From Washington to Trump, Turtle Soup to Sliders and more!What Might be Cooking at President Trump's Inaugural Ball? Lessons from presidential plates past and present.🎙️In this episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories, co-hosts Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely dish up a banquet of stories and foods that have graced inaugural balls throughout U.S. history. From George Washington’s solitary dining to Lincoln's midnight chaos, this episode reveals how these menus reflect presidential personalities, American culture, and even our own family mealtime tastes. You'll learn about the quirks of Chester Arthur’s Rhode Island eel, Dolly Madison’s introduction of fancy ice cream, and even how turtle...
2025-01-1628 min
Family Tree Food StoriesNew Year's 2025, Good Luck/Bad Luck Foods and Crazy Leftover To-Dos!Could There be Gold in that Pork Roast and Doom in the Chicken? New Year's Foods to eat for an extra plateful of good luck. Welcome to 2025! In this special New Year’s edition of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely kick off the year with some quirky traditions.🎉 Did you know eating chicken 🐔 on New Year’s could potentially give you a bowl of bad luck? Or that a sauerkraut shred might be the key to riches? In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, we're spilling the beans (and the sauerkraut...
2025-01-0226 min
Family Tree Food StoriesHow to Eat Your Leftover Christmas Tree: For Real!How to Eat Your Christmas Tree and Create a Deliciously Unusual Holiday Tradition 🎄What do you do with a leftover Christmas tree? Toss it? Compost it? Nope—how about eating it? Yes, you heard that right! In this Family Tree, Food & Stories episode, we’re setting the table with a new way to turn your bedazzled Christmas tree into a gourmet treat.From sweet pine syrups to pine needle tea, baking with your tree's bark (and a treat you can bite), and even pine-infused ice cream, Nancy May, co-host of Family Tree, Food & Stories explains how to...
2024-12-2614 min
Family Tree Food StoriesHoliday Cheer and Weird Food Traditions: From Fruitcake to Santa's Secret Flying SauceFrom Stinky Food Stuck in a Tree to Finger Licking Christmas Traditions in Japan: This holiday episode will have you asking for a second helping.🎄✨What’s the story behind the quirky German Christmas pickle? And why do families in Japan celebrate the holidays by licking their fingers? Join co-hosts Nancy May and Sylvia Sylvia Lovely as they dive into the heart (and stomach) of Christmas and family food traditions in this holiday episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories.In this show, they share everything from Martha Stewart-inspired table settings to Southern comfort recipes. Have you eve...
2024-12-1924 min
Family Tree Food StoriesThe Luckiest Pig on Ravioli Mountain: The TRUE Story!What's the best way to make pasta? It's all in the drying.🍷🍝What do an old kitchen table, a cozy wood-burning fireplace, and a lucky (and we mean lucky) pig have in common? They’re all part of this next episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories, where Nancy May and show guest Bobby Hedglin-Taylor, a man of many hats, dive into some rich country Italian family-food stories rooted in the heart of Pennsylvania. Nancy and Bobby share some preview moments from his forthcoming book “Escape to Ravioli Mountain: A Memoir in Food.” Bobby’s experience in the kitchen w...
2024-12-0522 min
Family Tree Food Stories12 Surprising Thanksgiving Traditions to Know about, Learn and TrySurprising Ways to Give More Thanks and Create a Better Thanksgiving Together. Join co-hosts Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely in this next episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories, which focuses on Thanksgiving secrets, traditions, history, and more. Ever wonder why presidents pardon turkeys? Or why cranberry sauce sparks family feuds? This Family Tree Food & Stories episode reveals the quirky history and hidden stories behind America's favorite feast day.You'll learn the details behind: The real story behind presidential turkey pardonsWhy that cranberry sauce debate matters more than you thinkAncient traditions that shaped modern c...
2024-11-2125 min
Family Tree Food StoriesStrange Connections: Tailgating, Hot Dogs, Adam & Eve, AppleFrom Adam and Eve's First Bit to Tailgating, Hot Dog Pie, and More: Pull your chair up to the table and listen in to this next episode. What do hot dogs, tailgating, and a centuries-old food tradition have in common? More than you might think! In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely, your co-hosts, take you on an unexpected journey through the quirky, funny, and interesting ways food has brought us together.... even from the day of Adam and Eve! Now, there's a food story! Tune into this next...
2024-11-0715 min
Family Tree Food StoriesDining with Ghosts: Table for two please... you and the Ghost that is.Ghosts that belly up to the bar and join you at the table. What might happen next?Why do so many ghost stories start at the dinner table? In this special Halloween edition, Nancy May, co-host of Family Tree Food & Stories, joins forces with her and Sylvia’s friend and fellow podcaster, Leo York (AKA James), from The 13th Floor, to investigate the haunted pasts of America’s most iconic restaurants. From offering meat pies to appease mischievous spirits to ghostly figures that still roam Boston’s historic Union Oyster House, you’ll learn where some of our favo...
2024-10-3121 min
Family Tree Food StoriesWild Food and Backyard Feasts - The Magic of a Small TownRecipes From My 90-Year-Old Mom, and so Much More! With our special guest, Freda Meriwether. In this episode of the Family Tree, Food & Stories podcast, Co-Host Sylvia Lovely reconnects with her good friend, Freda Meriwether, who shares captivating and colorful food tales of her 90-year-old mother, Gloria Polly Medea Rice. The conversation spans Gloria's rich reputation as a 'character' in her community and her renowned recipes, particularly some that required a mad dash to grab it first in the backyard! Freda recounts their family's traditions, the small-town love and support Gloria receives, and the importance...
2024-10-2418 min
Family Tree Food StoriesLuck, Love, and Food: Bizarre Family Food SuperstitionsAre there such things as lucky foods?Have you ever wondered why your mom always tossed salt over her shoulder, whether it spilled or not? Or why did your grandmother say NEVER to cut spaghetti noodles? In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, co-hosts Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely pull the kitchen curtain back on some of the weird and most interesting food superstitions that still sneak into our family gatherings today. 🍀🍔From the mysterious practice of keeping stinky fish scales in your wallet to the ancient art of using pasta-chewing shadows to predict your f...
2024-10-1324 min
Family Tree Food StoriesThe Dish That Defined a Life!Favorite Final Food and that Important StoryWhat unexpected request could transform a bittersweet farewell into a heartwarming celebration of life? Tune in to discover a touching tale that reveals the powerful bond between family, a daughter, a stranger, love, and the foods that bring us back home.Episode Summary:In our inaugural episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories, co-host Nancy May recounts a deeply moving experience during her father Stuart's final days. Amidst heartfelt conversations and emotional farewells, an unexpected request from Stuart unveils a touching and unforgettable moment. Join us to...
2024-10-1305 min
Family Tree Food StoriesWhat Food Stories are on Your Plate?What Do Hot Dogs and Adam & Eve Have in Common? More Than You Think!”In this debut episode of Family Tree Food and Stories, co-hosts Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely kick off the show with surprising food traditions and stories that connect us with family and friends. How do hot dogs, candy corn, Adam and Eve, and the Civil War be linked? The answers might surprise you as Nancy and Sylvia reveal the unexpected ties between these foods and our shared family histories, with a blend of humor, nostalgia, and a little bit of history. Lea...
2024-10-1216 min
Eldercare SuccessHospice with mom: It's different each time. This is what happened.Hospice Round #3: What's different this time?Before we jump into this episode of Eldercare Success, I'd like to share that I've been going through a bit of a rough patch. For every faithful follower and listener to this show, I'd like to give you my sincere thanks. Just knowing you're out there listening, doing well—or trying to—gives me the strength to continue moving forward, too.Just because someone is known as an "expert" caregiver and care advisor doesn't mean that every day is sunny for us. But, instinctively, I think you know that.
2024-08-2817 min
Eldercare SuccessWhat Hospice is like: A personal caregiver's experience shared.What's it like to make a hospice decision? The path ahead, Part #1 of a very personal and shared experience. In this gripping episode of Eldercare Success, your host, Nancy May, bares her soul, recounting her raw and personal journey through her first experience with hospice care for her father. From the agonizing decision-making process to the final moments of her dad's life, Nancy takes listeners on a rollercoaster of emotions, challenging preconceptions about end-of-life care. With unexpected twists, touching moments, and even a dash of humor, this episode promises to change how you view hospice...
2024-08-1408 min
Eldercare SuccessHospice Care Decisions: Making the Tough Calls In the Beginning (Part 1)What happens when you sign a parent into or up for Hospice care services? In this deeply moving and informative episode of the Eldercare Success podcast, we dive into the challenging world of hospice care. This is the first part of a two-part series designed to provide comfort and clarity during one of life's most difficult times. Your host, Nancy May shares valuable insights into the hospice industry, highlighting both its compassionate mission and the complexities of its for-profit and non-profit models. By shedding light on personal experiences and offering practical advice, this episode aims to make...
2024-08-0722 min
Eldercare SuccessCaregiver Blues: Beating them before they beat you.Caregiving Blues: Beating Them Before They Beat You and Your Parents, too!In this episode of Eldercare Success, Nancy May delves into a topic that resonates deeply with nearly every caregiver at some point in time - battling depression while caring for aging parents. Renowned for her insightful guidance and compassionate approach, Nancy tackles the emotional toll of caregiving with practical, uplifting advice.Why Listen?For anyone feeling the weight of caregiving, this episode is a must-listen. Nancy blends some rather personal anecdotes with expert advice to offer strategies that not only uplift c...
2024-07-3116 min
Eldercare SuccessImportance Keeping Up Appearances in Dementia Care: looking good and feeling good counts.Why it's Important to Help Mom and Dad Maintaining Appearance, Even if They have Dementia! In this next episode of Eldercare Sucess, Nancy May addresses an issue few mention: why looking good is important, even if your parent or loved one has dementia. 💇♀️Ever wonder why it's crucial to keep our parents with dementia looking and feeling their best, even on their toughest days? This episode dives into the profound impact of appearance and self-esteem on their overall well-being. Tune in to learn why a simple haircut or a stylish outfit can make a world of differ...
2024-07-1710 min
Eldercare SuccessTop 10 ingenious tips For when Dad's lost his hearing aids! Can You Hear Me Now?Tracking Lost Hearing Aids: Tips and SolutionsWelcome to another episode of "Doing it Best with Eldercare Success," titled "Can You Hear Me Now?" In this episode, your host and family senior care expert, Nancy May, dives into the all-too-common issue of lost hearing aids and gives you practical solutions to keep those costly devices safe. From simple low-cost solutions that might remind you of your own camp days to more costly high-tech options and Bluetooth trackers, Nancy shares valuable tips to help you and your loved ones avoid the frustration and expense of losing hearing aids.
2024-07-0316 min
Eldercare SuccessCan You Lose Who You Are: Caregiver Codependency HelpCan you become Co-Dependent on the Caregiving Role? What's that about?In this episode of 'Doing It Best with Eldercare Success,' host Nancy May addresses the profound challenges and emotional journey faced by those caring for multiple elderly family members and what happens when our “job” in caring for them is over. Have you identified so much with being a caregiver that you become stuck in knowing who you really are? How do you move forward? How do you get the right support from friends and family? When is their support detrimental to your own well-being?Nan...
2024-06-2641 min
Eldercare SuccessTop Creative Shopping Hacks for Caregivers: :How to Find Solutions from Unexpected PlacesBest Places to Find Creative, Low-cost Solutions for Caregiving Challenges.Welcome to another episode of "Doing it Best with Eldercare Success." I'm your host, Nancy, and today we're talking about creative shopping solutions to make caregiving easier and more enjoyable, even fun! Today, we'll explore how to think outside the box and find innovative tools in unexpected places, whether you're at a hardware store, a grocery store, or even your favorite ice cream shop. This episode is packed with practical tips and ideas to help you be more resourceful, save money, and solve everyday caregiving challenges creatively...
2024-06-1912 min
Eldercare SuccessTop 10 Great and Unique Father's Day Gift Ideas For an Elderly Dad: That Don't Cost a Lot!10 Heartfelt Last-Minute, Money-Saving, Father's Day Gift Ideas for Your Elderly Dad! 🎁👴 Are you struggling to find the perfect Father's Day gift for your elderly dad, who says he has everything? Whether you’re dealing with the challenge of finding something special or just looking for a new way to show your love, we’ve got you covered.In this special episode of Eldercare Success, Nancy May shares her top 10 creative and thoughtful gift ideas that will bring a smile to your dad's face and create lasting memories, for you, dad, and even mom too..
2024-06-1218 min
Eldercare SuccessWant to Get Paid to Care for Your Aging Parent: Here's How!How do you get paid to care for Mom & Dad? In this episode of Eeldercare Success, your host, Nancy, explores an essential and practical topic for many families: getting paid to care for your elderly parent at home.Here, Nancy breaks down the basics, discussing the basic difference between Medicare and Medicaid qualifications and how these programs can impact your ability to receive financial support as a caregiver. Discover how states like California, New York, Texas, and Massachusetts offer robust programs to support family caregivers, with payments ranging from $8 to $19 per hour, depending on the...
2024-06-0518 min
Eldercare SuccessHow Packrat Dad's Stuff Can Help You.Packrat Dad to the Rescue!The best gift your parents can give you is a list of where things go.What happens when your parents keep piling up the papers and never toss things away? In this episode of Eldercare Success, your host, Nancy May discussed how a parent’s packrat habits can work to your advantage in taking over caregiving responsibilities. Nancy also dives into the challenges of packing and moving, especially when dealing with multiple households and inheriting items from parents. It also highlights the value of a list of where everything is and...
2024-05-2919 min
Eldercare SuccessGetting Mom & Dad to Accept Help. Tips and More!Riding the Road of Eldercare: Balancing Independence and SupportEver feel like you're walking on eggshells trying to help your aging parents? Your Eldercare Success host, Nancy May, gets it. In this episode of Eldercare Success, she ditches the usual dry advice. She takes you on a surprising ride, comparing navigating eldercare to her own early experiences of riding a motorcycle.As tough as it may be, respecting her parents' need for independence while ensuring their safety is a delicate dance that can be done well—for them and you. This episode shares practical tips, sp...
2024-05-2222 min
Eldercare SuccessSix Red Flags EVERY Caregiver Needs to Know About Care FacilitiesNavigating the Maze of Senior Care: 6 Red Flags You MUST KnowIs your parent or loved one considering a move to a care facility? Are they already residing in one? Your Eldercare Success host, Nancy May, gives you an eye-opening podcast episode with guest Justine Bykowski, a gerontology expert who has spent much of her career working with the University of Michigan Health System. This episode sheds light on the often-overlooked issues that can severely impact the well-being of care facility residents – our parents and loved ones. You’ll also learn about the six red flags...
2024-05-0855 min
Eldercare SuccessIncontinence Happens Dad! Managing Dignity, a Daughter's JourneyNavigating Dignity and Incontinence: A Daughter's JourneyThis episode of Eldercare Success dives deep into this daughter's personal, and sometimes humorous journey as she navigates the challenges of assisting her father with accepting that he needs to use incontinence underwear. Nancy May, your host, openly shares her, and her Dad’s personal experiences, including both missteps and successful strategies, revealing the complexities of caregiving with empathy and authenticity. From employing unconventional methods like acupuncture to confronting somewhat embarrassing medical appointments, this episode of Eldercare Success addresses the delicate balance of maintaining dignity and the practical re...
2024-05-0112 min
Eldercare SuccessWords as Bridges: voices on care, helping others, and words that healWords as BridgesIn this episode of Eldercare Success," host Nancy May talks with sits Dallin Candland, in a conversation that veers into the less explored corridors of caregiving, and the healing power of poetry. Dallin shares his personal journey through hardship and how he turned to poetry as a means to understand and express his emotions, providing solace not just for himself but for others grappling with their own challenges. This episode shines a light on the unique perspective of the next generation of caregivers, the universality of the expected, and the unexpected, and the power...
2024-04-1028 min
Eldercare SuccessMDs Behind Closed Doors: The Medical Decisions You Weren't Part OfHow Tragedy Strikes: The Heartbreaking Truth About Medical Decisions in EldercareIn this episode of Eldercare Sccess, Host, Nancy May bravely shares her family's harrowing experience with the eldercare system, a cautionary tale that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about protecting your loved ones.With raw honesty and gut-wrenching detail, Nancy exposes the devastating consequences of unchecked medical decisions made without her family's knowledge or consent. Her tragedy unfolds like a nightmare, revealing the harsh reality of a system that can fail even the most vigilant caregivers.But this...
2024-04-0316 min