Shows
Working Caregivers: The Invisible EmployeesBonnie Wattles of Hilarity for Charity: What Caregivers Are Still MissingWe sit down with Bonnie Wattles to unpack what it really looks like to support working caregivers—without the fluff and without the one-size-fits-all mindset. From the origin story behind Hilarity for Charity to the growing (and often invisible) population of caregivers in the workforce, we explore why this conversation matters now more than ever.We also dig into the real-life challenges caregivers face daily—balancing work, family, and emotional stress—and the practical tools, community support, and mindset shifts that can make a meaningful difference. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, unseen, or unsure where to start, t...
2026-04-2230 minWorking Caregivers: The Invisible EmployeesWhy Caregivers Are Often Overlooked at WorkIn this episode, we sit down with Karen Kavanaugh to unpack the real challenges facing working caregivers—and why so many of them still feel invisible. From systemic breakdowns to cultural blind spots, we explore what’s really happening behind the scenes for employees balancing work and caregiving, and why employers can’t afford to ignore it any longer.We also dive into what’s actually working. Karen shares powerful insights from her work with employers across the country, including innovative approaches to supporting caregivers in the workplace. Along the way, we reflect on our own caregiving journeys...
2026-03-2444 minWorking Caregivers: The Invisible EmployeesNavigating the Legal and Practical Challenges After a Cancer DiagnosisIn this episode, we sit down with Monica Bryant, co-founder of Triage Cancer, to talk about the often-overlooked legal and practical challenges that follow a cancer diagnosis. As caregivers and advocates, we explore how navigating health insurance, workplace rights, and treatment logistics can quickly become overwhelming for families already dealing with the emotional weight of cancer. Monica shares how Triage Cancer empowers patients and caregivers with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions and reduce stress.We also discuss the role employers and healthcare providers play in supporting working caregivers, how tools like AI may help...
2026-03-1130 minWorking Caregivers: The Invisible EmployeesSupporting Working Caregivers with Real EmpathyIn this powerful and heart-expanding conversation, we sit down with Claude Silver, Chief Heart Officer at VaynerMedia and author of Be Yourself at Work, to talk about empathy, emotional bravery, and what it really means to lead with heart. We explore how music, mindset, and self-awareness shape leadership—and why the “song in your head” matters more than you think.Most importantly, we dig into what this all means for working caregivers. How do you show up at work when life at home is heavy? How do you lead with compassion without lowering standards? And how can organi...
2026-02-2354 minWorking Caregivers: The Invisible EmployeesHow Pets May Slow Cognitive Decline: What Caregivers and Employers Need to KnowIn this episode, we sit down with two brilliant researchers from Switzerland to explore a topic that instantly resonated with us—the powerful connection between pet ownership, cognitive aging, and caregiving. What started as a conversation about research quickly turned into a deeper discussion about human connection, quality of life, and how everyday relationships—especially with pets—can shape how we age and how we care.We dig into what the research actually shows (and what it doesn’t), why dogs and cats seem to stand out, and how pets can play a role not just for...
2026-02-1032 minWorking Caregivers: The Invisible EmployeesWhat Every Working Caregiver Needs to Know About Home CareIn this episode, we sit down with longtime industry expert and caregiver Scott Greenberg for one of the most honest conversations we’ve had about what caregiving really looks like—especially while working. Scott brings decades of experience in home care, but more importantly, he shares what changed when he unexpectedly became a family caregiver himself. This is a grounded, real-world discussion about independence, denial, emotional toll, and the realities families face when care needs show up fast. We talk openly about affordability, long-distance caregiving, sibling dynamics, and why being proactive—not reactive—can make all the difference. Whether y...
2026-01-2646 minWorking Caregivers: The Invisible EmployeesVeteran Caregiver Benefits That You Most Likely Do Not Know About With Erika JacobsonIn this episode of Working Caregivers: The Invisible Employees, we’re joined by Erika Jacobson, a VA social worker, lifelong caregiver, and member of the sandwich generation, to unpack what caregiving really looks like inside veteran families. Erika blends professional insight with personal experience to help us understand why so many working caregivers feel isolated—and how support systems can make a real difference.We talk through the VA’s Caregiver Support Programs, benefits many families don’t know exist, and why employers play a critical role in supporting caregivers at work. This episode is packed w...
2026-01-1234 minWorking Caregivers: The Invisible EmployeesGrowing Up Caregiving: The Invisible Journey of Youth CaregiversIn this powerful episode of Working Caregivers: The Invisible Employees, we sit down with the remarkable Dr. Feylyn Lewis, whose caregiving journey began at just 11 years old after her mother experienced life-altering complications from a botched spinal surgery. Dr. Lewis brings a deeply personal, heartfelt perspective to the realities faced by youth caregivers—experiences most adults never even imagine children navigating.Throughout our conversation, Dr. Lewis opens our eyes to the emotional, physical, and invisible labor that young caregivers shoulder and how those early responsibilities shaped the advocate, scholar, and leader she is today. Her st...
2025-12-0832 minWorking Caregivers: The Invisible EmployeesThe Future of Caregiving at Work with Wellthy’s Lindsay Jurist-RosnerLindsay Jurist-Rosner is the Co-Founder and CEO of Wellthy, the market-leading care concierge company transforming how families navigate care for themselves and their loved ones. Two million people currently have access to Wellthy through major employers and health plans—including Best Buy, Cisco, Hilton, and Meta—and the company now employs more than 300 specialists supporting family caregivers every day.Driven by her own 28-year caregiving journey for her mother, Lindsay set out to build the very resource she wished existed. Today, Wellthy is widely recognized for its innovation: in 2023, it earned a spot on Fast Comp...
2025-11-2536 minWorking Caregivers: The Invisible EmployeesAging, Workforce & Caregiving with Expert Robert EspinozaIn this episode, we sit down with Robert Espinoza, a national leader in caregiving, equity, and aging, for a powerful conversation that every HR professional, business leader, and working caregiver needs to hear. With personal stories and deep policy insight, Robert walks us through the systemic gaps in the long-term care system, the challenges facing our care workforce, and the real-life impact of underfunding the care economy. His message is clear: caregiving touches all of us, and we have the power to create change right where we are.We also dive into what a thriving, sustainable care...
2025-11-1139 minWorking Caregivers: The Invisible EmployeesWhy Employers are Missing the Caregiving Crisis with Joseph B. FullerIn this episode, we sit down with Joseph B. Fuller—Harvard Business School professor and co-lead of the Managing the Future of Work initiative—to unpack what most employers are still getting wrong about caregiving and the workforce. Joe brings powerful insights, compelling research, and personal stories that shine a light on why caregiving is a business issue, not just a personal one.From costly turnover in your top-performing talent to invisible presenteeism draining productivity, we explore the real impact of ignoring caregiving needs—and the strategic advantage of doing something about it. Whether you're in HR, leader...
2025-10-2847 minWorking Caregivers: The Invisible EmployeesPatient Advocacy Leader, Caregiving Advocate, & Author Paul WynnIn this episode, we sit down with Paul Wynn, an incredible caregiver advocate, author, and storyteller, to unpack the complex reality of being in the sandwich generation—those caught between raising kids and caring for aging parents. Paul brings heartfelt honesty, practical wisdom, and real-life strategies from his own caregiving journey, while also highlighting the importance of workplace support for caregivers.You’ll hear Paul’s deeply personal caregiving story and learn how he juggled family life, full-time work, and caregiving responsibilities. We explore how progressive employers are beginning to respond, the importance of community and peer suppor...
2025-10-1432 minWorking Caregivers: The Invisible EmployeesNavigating Millennial Caregiving with Dr. Rachael Piltch-LoebIn this episode, we sit down with the incredible Dr. Rachael Piltch-Loeb, author of The Millennial Caregiver, to explore the complex intersection of caregiving, career, and life as a member of the millennial generation. Rachael shares her deeply personal journey of becoming a caregiver for her father who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s while she was simultaneously raising a newborn and advancing her academic career. It’s a raw, real, and deeply insightful conversation that so many millennial caregivers will relate to—whether you're in the thick of it or just starting out.Together, we unpack the em...
2025-09-3037 min
Confessions of a Reluctant CaregiverWhen Life Calls: Zack’s Story of Stepping Up for Family and Changing the Caregiving ConversationZack 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 father after a major stroke, all while balancing a demanding job and a young family of his o...
2025-09-301h 03Working Caregivers: The Invisible EmployeesCaregiving, WOOP, and the Emotional Load: A Conversation with Dr. Joan MoninIn this episode, we sit down with the amazing Dr. Joan Monin from Yale University to talk about the real, raw, and often overlooked emotional weight of caregiving—especially for those of us juggling careers, kids, and aging parents. Joan not only brings a wealth of research and experience in public health, but also shares her personal journey as a daughter navigating her mom’s dementia diagnosis. This one hits close to home.We unpack the psychological barriers that prevent caregivers from getting the support they need, the tension of being a “pre-caregiver,” and how to manage stress b...
2025-09-1647 minWorking Caregivers: The Invisible EmployeesHow AI Can Revolutionize Caregiving & Empower Families – With Breana PatelIn this episode, we (Selma and Zack) sit down with the brilliant Breana Patel to unpack one of the most pressing challenges facing our society today: the silver tsunami. With a rapidly aging population and a dwindling caregiver workforce, Breana shares how AI-powered solutions can make caregiving not only safer and more effective for patients but also far more manageable for caregivers—especially those of us juggling full-time work and family responsibilities. From her personal caregiving story to the development of a powerful, privacy-first platform built to support long-term care facilities, Breana offers us a hopeful vision for the fu...
2025-08-2830 minWorking Caregivers: The Invisible EmployeesGrief, Caregiving, and the Power of Connection – with Leslie WeirichIn this heartfelt episode, we sit down with our friend and grief advocate, Leslie Weirich, whose decades-long journey through caregiving and loss has shaped her mission to bring hope and understanding to others. From caring for aging parents and siblings to navigating unimaginable personal tragedies, Leslie’s story offers both powerful perspective and practical wisdom for anyone touched by grief or the caregiving experience.We explore the parallels between caregiving and grief, the importance of creating supportive workplaces, and why connection truly is protection. Leslie shares the inspiration behind her book The Gift of Grief, along with ca...
2025-08-1235 minWorking Caregivers: The Invisible EmployeesCare with Dignity: Fighting for Change with Filmmaker Susie Singer CarterIn this episode, we sit down with our brilliant friend and caregiving champion, Susie Singer Carter. Susie doesn’t just tell stories—she lives them with heart, humor, and relentless honesty. We talk about the raw truths of caregiving, especially for those dealing with Alzheimer’s and long-term care systems. Susie shares how caring for her mother, Norma, transformed her life and ignited her mission to advocate for others through storytelling.We also dive into her new docu-series No Country for Old People, a bold exposé on the failures in nursing home care and the urgent need for ref...
2025-07-2937 minWorking Caregivers: The Invisible EmployeesCaring Out Loud: Rosanne Corcoran on Dementia, Daughterhood & Making Caregivers VisibleHey folks, Selma and Zack here! In this episode, we sit down with the incredible Rosanne Corcoran—a powerhouse advocate, seasoned dementia caregiver, and host of the Daughterhood the Podcast. Rosanne opens up about her 12-year journey caring for her mom through vascular dementia and how it shaped not only her life but her mission to build a community of support for caregivers everywhere. We dive deep into the challenges working caregivers face and how employers and policymakers can—and should—step up to support them. Rosanne also gives us a peek behind the curtain of Daughterhood, the warm, empowe...
2025-07-1534 minWorking Caregivers: The Invisible EmployeesSelf-Preservation and the Power of the Small Moment with Charlotte BayalaThis week, we sit down with the incredible Charlotte Bayala, host of the Cancer Caregivers Podcast and a nominee for the International Women's Podcast Awards. Charlotte brings raw honesty, heartfelt wisdom, and a refreshing sense of humor to a conversation every caregiver needs to hear. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, unseen, or just in need of a reset, Charlotte offers a powerful reframing of what it really means to take care of yourself—and why she prefers the term "self-preservation" over "self-care."From the invisible weight of caregiving to finding joy in unexpected moments, Charlotte shares her...
2025-06-1728 minWorking Caregivers: The Invisible EmployeesThe Caregiver Identity Crisis: Why Naming It Matters with Dr. Barry J. JacobsIn this episode, we’re joined by the incredible Dr. Barry J. Jacobs, clinical psychologist, author, and former journalist, to explore the essential but often overlooked world of working caregivers. From his early experience caring for a parent to supporting his own mother and stepfather through dementia, Barry brings both deep personal insight and professional expertise to the conversation. Together, we discuss what it means to be a caregiver, the emotional and logistical challenges involved, and how workplaces can better support their caregiving employees.We also dive into Barry’s newest resource, The AARP Caregiver Answer Book, co-a...
2025-06-0336 minWorking Caregivers: The Invisible EmployeesThe Beautiful Side of Caregiving: Living with Meaning as a Working CaregiverIn this episode, we sit down with the incredibly inspiring Ebony Travis Tichenor, a powerhouse advocate for working caregivers and someone who truly lives her life out loud. Ebony shares her deeply personal and powerful 17-year caregiving journey for her mother, all while balancing a full-time career and a full heart. We dive into what caregiving really looks like behind the scenes — the highs, the heartaches, and the healing — and how vulnerability has become one of her biggest strengths.We talk about the unspoken emotional toll that working caregivers face and how important it is to find your...
2025-05-2023 minWorking Caregivers: The Invisible EmployeesHow Harry & David Champions Their Working CaregiversIn this powerful episode, we sit down with Rhonda Klug from Harry & David to talk about the often invisible and deeply personal journey of working caregivers. From supporting her parents through dialysis and COPD to leading real cultural change within her organization, Rhonda shares her firsthand experience that sparked a company-wide movement of support and empathy. She takes us behind the scenes of how Harry & David and the broader 1-800-Flowers family are creating a more compassionate workplace for employees who are balancing caregiving responsibilities with their careers.We explore how Rhonda transformed her lived experience into...
2025-05-0630 minWorking Caregivers: The Invisible EmployeesElder Law, Medicaid Planning & Caregiver Chaos – with Eric Goldberg & Clelia PergolaIf you're a working caregiver—or if you support them—you need to hear this one. In this episode, we sit down with elder law experts (and longtime friends of the show) Eric Goldberg and Clelia Pergola from the NJ Elder Law Center. Together, they drop some serious knowledge on navigating Medicaid, protecting assets, and creating real systems of support for families in crisis.This conversation gets personal, gets practical, and—most importantly—gets to the heart of what caregivers are up against. We dive into everything from care coordination and legal documentation to family dynamics, generational friction...
2025-04-2243 minWorking Caregivers: The Invisible EmployeesBeing a Caregiver Spouse: The Power of Community with the Well Spouse Association and Bob MastrogiovanniIn this heartfelt and deeply insightful episode, we sit down with Bob Mastrogiovanni, a devoted husband, retired IRS professional, and co-president of the Well Spouse Association. Bob opens up about his powerful caregiving journey for his late wife Kathleen, who battled multiple sclerosis for decades. From the moment of diagnosis just two years into their marriage, Bob shares how their love, resilience, and adaptability helped them navigate the emotional and practical challenges of being a caregiving couple.Together, we unpack the unique experiences of caregiver spouses—those caring for their life partners—and explore how this journey diff...
2025-04-0829 min