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The Caregivers Podcast

Dr. Mark Ropeleski

The cost & courage of caring - stories that spark resilience.

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Avg 1 hr 14 min
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#50
Yesterday · 1 hr 10 min
How to Handle Sibling Conflict While Caring for Aging Parents w/ Fern Schumer Chapman
Caring for an aging parent rarely brings adult siblings together the way we imagine. When one sibling carries the daily burden while another steps back—or swoops in at the last minute demanding an equal voice—resentment, grief, and exhaustion quickly take over. This week, Dr. Mark is joined by Fern Schumer Chapman, author of Brothers, Sisters, Strangers, for an unflinching conversation about sibling dynamics during parental decline. Together, they explore why caregiving revives childhood roles, why the opposite of estrangement isn’t reconciliation but peace, and how family caregivers can set clear guardrails to protect their own well-being. Guest Resources: Fern Schumer Chapman: Author of Brothers, Sisters, Strangers: Sibling Estrangement and the Road to Reconciliation Click here to watch a video of this episode. Support Our Guest: ▶️ https://fernschumerchapman.com/ ▶️ https://fernschumerchapman.com/store/ ▶️ https://www.facebook.com/FernSchumerChapmanAuthorPage/ Connect With Us: ▶️ https://linktr.ee/thecaregiverspodcast Buy Us a Coffee: ▶️ https://buymeacoffee.com/thecaregiverspodcast Subscribe to The Caregivers Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts to never miss an episode. If you find these conversations helpful, please leave a review or share this episode with a fellow caregiver. 🔊 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1fLSHPA7ZHbOpvrmcbfcd5?si=2a71d7c4e2e9427c 🔊 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-caregivers-podcast/id1842203665
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#49
August 31 · 1 hr 8 min
Caregiver Survival Mode: Why Food Becomes Your Only Comfort w/ Vanessa Scaringi & Kathryn Garland
In Episode 49 of The Caregivers Podcast, host Dr. Mark Ropeleski sits down with eating disorder specialists and Hungry for Connection authors Vanessa Scaringi and Kathryn Garland. Together, they explore why disordered eating and emotional eating in caregivers are rarely issues of willpower or discipline, but rather signals of survival mode, unmet emotional needs, and deep attachment dynamics. Resources Mentioned: ▶️National Alliance for Eating Disorders: https://www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com/ ▶️Project HEAL: https://www.theprojectheal.org/ ▶️National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA): https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org Click here to watch a video of this episode. Support Our Guests: ▶️Pre-Order "Hungry for Connection": https://www.amazon.com/Hungry-Connection-Relationships-Insecurely-Attached/dp/1648487378 Connect With Us: ▶️ https://linktr.ee/thecaregiverspodcast Buy Us A Coffee: ▶️ https://buymeacoffee.com/thecaregiverspodcast Subscribe to The Caregivers Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts to never miss an episode. If you find these conversations helpful, please leave a review or share this episode with a fellow caregiver. 🔊 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1fLSHPA7ZHbOpvrmcbfcd5?si=2a71d7c4e2e9427c 🔊 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-caregivers-podcast/id1842203665
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#48
August 24 · 1 hr 32 min
"Caregiving Cost Me Everything" — Why Amy Goyer Went Bankrupt Caring for Family
In this episode of The Caregivers Podcast, host Dr. Mark sits down with caregiving expert Amy Goyer to discuss the hidden financial crises that often accompany long-term family caregiving. Drawing from her own experience caring for her parents and sister—which ultimately resulted in personal bankruptcy despite early planning—Amy outlines how daily care decisions compound into major financial strain. This conversation explores the gap between standard retirement planning and the realities of chronic illness, the hidden expenses of aging in place, and practical strategies caregivers can use to protect their own financial future. Click here to watch a video of this episode. Support Our Guest: ▶️ https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/experts/amy-goyer/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@amygoyer ▶️ https://community.aarp.org/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/4342468 ▶️ https://www.instagram.com/amygoyer/ ▶️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/amygoyer/ Connect With Us: ▶️ https://linktr.ee/thecaregiverspodcast Buy Us a Coffee: ▶️ https://buymeacoffee.com/thecaregiverspodcast Subscribe to The Caregivers Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts to never miss an episode. If you find these conversations helpful, please leave a review or share this episode with a fellow caregiver. 🔊 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1fLSHPA7ZHbOpvrmcbfcd5?si=2a71d7c4e2e9427c 🔊 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-caregivers-podcast/id1842203665
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#47
August 17 · 1 hr 19 min
Why Toxic Families Punish the Caregiver w/ Amy Vasterling
When a caregiver finally sees dysfunctional family dynamics clearly, the realization can feel both liberating and devastating. Understanding the dysfunction does not automatically wake up the rest of the family—and often, the system protects itself by pushing back through guilt, manipulation, and criticism. In this episode, Dr. Mark Ropeleski welcomes back Amy Vasterling to examine the real cost of getting free from unhealthy family systems. Together, they explore why reliable family members get trapped as default caregivers, how to handle criticism from relatives who do not show up, and how to continue providing care without disappearing into the role. Click here to watch a video of this episode. Support Our Guest: ▶️"Know": https://mybook.to/knowbyamyvasterling ▶️ https://linktr.ee/amyvasterling ▶️ https://amyvasterling.com Connect With Us: ▶️ https://linktr.ee/thecaregiverspodcast Buy Us A Coffee: ▶️ https://buymeacoffee.com/thecaregiverspodcast Subscribe to The Caregivers Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts to never miss an episode. If you find these conversations helpful, please leave a review or share this episode with a fellow caregiver. 🔊 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1fLSHPA7ZHbOpvrmcbfcd5?si=2a71d7c4e2e9427c 🔊 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-caregivers-podcast/id1842203665
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#46
August 10 · 56 min
How to Plan for Aging Alone w/ Dr. Sara Zeff Geber
This week, Dr. Mark sits down with Dr. Sara Zeff Geber, a leading voice and author on the topic of solo aging. Together, they discuss what it truly means to age without reliable family support, debunk common myths surrounding solo agers, and explain why independence alone cannot replace a structured care plan. From creating advance healthcare directives and selecting younger decision-making proxies to leveraging professional fiduciaries, congregate living, and community resources like the PACE program, Dr. Geber offers practical strategies for navigating older adulthood with confidence and purpose. Click here to watch a video of this episode. Support Our Guest: ▶️ https://sarazeffgeber.com/ ▶️ https://sarazeffgeber.com/books/ Connect With Us: ▶️ https://linktr.ee/thecaregiverspodcast ▶️ https://buymeacoffee.com/thecaregiverspodcast Subscribe to The Caregivers Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts to never miss an episode. If you find these conversations helpful, please leave a review or share this episode with a fellow caregiver. 🔊 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1fLSHPA7ZHbOpvrmcbfcd5?si=2a71d7c4e2e9427c 🔊 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-caregivers-podcast/id1842203665
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#45
August 3 · 1 hr 30 min
The Untold Truth About Nursing Homes w/ Chrystal Moran
This week, host Dr. Mark sits down with long-term care nurse, patient advocate, and public voice Nurse Chrystal Moran. Together, they pull back the curtain on the unseen realities inside long-term care facilities. From extreme nurse-to-patient staffing ratios (sometimes reaching 54:1 or higher) to the hidden financial and management decisions shaping bedside care, Chrystal shares a candid look at the friction between frightened families and overworked healthcare workers. Learn how to distinguish between management failures and individual care issues, what critical questions to ask when touring facilities, and how families and nurses can partner together to advocate for the quality care every resident deserves. Click here to watch a video of this episode. Support Our Guest: ▶️ https://linktr.ee/chrystalmoran Connect With Us: ▶️ https://linktr.ee/thecaregiverspodcast Buy Us a Coffee: ▶️ https://buymeacoffee.com/thecaregiverspodcast Subscribe to The Caregivers Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts to never miss an episode. If you find these conversations helpful, please leave a review or share this episode with a fellow caregiver. 🔊 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1fLSHPA7ZHbOpvrmcbfcd5?si=2a71d7c4e2e9427c 🔊 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-caregivers-podcast/id1842203665
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#44
July 27 · 1 hr 33 min
Caregiving Through Addiction w/ Dr. Nicole Kosanke
This week, Dr. Mark is joined by clinical psychologist Dr. Nicole Kosanke to discuss the complex reality of loving someone with an addiction. Unlike other forms of caregiving, addiction often introduces broken trust, impossible questions, and the fear of enabling. Dr. Kosanke breaks down the CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training) and Invitation to Change models, providing actionable advice for families feeling overwhelmed by crisis. This episode explores how caregivers can establish boundaries, role-model healthy behaviors, and prioritize their own well-being without abandoning their loved ones. Click here to watch a video of this episode. Support Our Guest: ▶️ https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Addiction-Science-Kindness-People/dp/1476709483?_encoding=UTF8 ▶️ https://motivationandchange.com/ Connect With Us: ▶️ https://linktr.ee/thecaregiverspodcast Subscribe to The Caregivers Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts to never miss an episode. If you find these conversations helpful, please leave a review or share this episode with a fellow caregiver. 🔊 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1fLSHPA7ZHbOpvrmcbfcd5?si=2a71d7c4e2e9427c 🔊 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-caregivers-podcast/id1842203665
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#43
July 20 · 1 hr 26 min
Terrified of Losing Your Parents? w/ Angela Caldwell
This week, Dr. Mark is joined by licensed marriage and family therapist Angela Caldwell to explore one of the most profound unspoken challenges adult children face: losing a parent. Together, they unpack the psychological weight of anticipatory grief before active caregiving even begins, the struggle to initiate difficult end-of-life conversations, and the emotional realities - from deep grief to unexpected relief - that follow a parent's death. Click here to watch a video of this episode. Support Our Guest: ▶️ https://www.angelacaldwell.com/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@angelacaldwell ▶️ https://caldwellfamilyinstitute.com/ Connect With Us: ▶️ https://linktr.ee/thecaregiverspodcast Subscribe to The Caregivers Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts to never miss an episode. If you find these conversations helpful, please leave a review or share this episode with a fellow caregiver. 🔊 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1fLSHPA7ZHbOpvrmcbfcd5?si=2a71d7c4e2e9427c 🔊 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-caregivers-podcast/id1842203665
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#42
July 13 · 1 hr 11 min
Loving Someone Who Wants to Die w/ Dr. Stacey Freedenthal
What changes for a caregiver when day-to-day worry transforms into the terrifying question: "Does the person I love still want to be here?" This week, Dr. Mark Ropeleski sits down with therapist, author, and associate professor Dr. Stacey Freedenthal to explore the immense, unspoken toll of loving someone who has lost the will to live. This heavy but profoundly necessary conversation dives into the heart of caregiver hypervigilance—from checking bedrooms every morning to reading every unanswered text as a warning sign. Dr. Freedenthal introduces the practice of "Brave Listening" (asking the questions whose answers you fear) and explains how caregivers can navigate complex emotions like trauma, anxiety, and even hidden anger without losing themselves entirely to the role. Together, they challenge the cultural myth that love can cure everything and discuss how a caregiver can reconcile with their own human limitations. Click here to watch a video of this episode. Support Our Guest: ▶️https://staceyfreedenthal.com/ ▶️https://speakingofsuicide.com ▶️https://www.amazon.com/stores/Stacey-Freedenthal/author/B00B0GJBEY? Connect With Us: ▶️ https://linktr.ee/thecaregiverspodcast Buy Us a Coffee: ▶️ https://buymeacoffee.com/thecaregiverspodcast Subscribe to The Caregivers Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts to never miss an episode. If you find these conversations helpful, please leave a review or share this episode with a fellow caregiver. 🔊 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1fLSHPA7ZHbOpvrmcbfcd5?si=2a71d7c4e2e9427c 🔊 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-caregivers-podcast/id1842203665 🚨 Emergency Resources & Support If you or someone you love is currently in crisis or struggling with thoughts of suicide, please know that you are not alone and real-time help is available. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988. It is completely free, confidential, and available 24/7 across North America. Safety Planning Template: Visit suicidesafetyplan.com to access a free template to talk through warning signs and environmental safety with your loved one.
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#41
July 7 · 1 hr 1 min
The Truth About Caregiver Resentment w/ Elaine Sanchez
This week, Dr. Mark discusses one of the most difficult emotions for caregivers to admit: resentment. He is joined by Elaine K. Sanchez, founder of caregiverhelp.com and author of Letters from Madelyn, to explore why this feeling builds when caregivers are isolated, overwhelmed, and unsupported. Elaine shares her expertise on how to navigate the complex emotions of caregiving without feeling like a moral failure. The conversation covers the difference between fleeting anger and long-term resentment, the guilt associated with feeling relief, and the necessity of establishing firm boundaries. Listeners will also learn a practical three-step approach—awareness, acceptance, and action—to help process heavy emotions and discover how to practice "creative indifference" to protect their own well-being. About Our Guest: Elaine K. Sanchez is an author, speaker, and co-founder of CaregiverHelp.com, an online caregiver support program. Her keynotes and workshops are based on her unflinchingly honest and surprisingly funny book, “Letters from Madelyn, Chronicles of a Caregiver.” Click here to watch a video of this episode. Support Our Guest: ▶️ https://caregiverhelp.com/about/ ▶️ Buy Elaine's Book: https://www.amazon.ca/Letters-Madelyn-Chronicles-Elaine-Sanchez/dp/1608081664 Connect With Us: ▶️ https://linktr.ee/thecaregiverspodcast Buy Us a Coffee: ▶️ https://buymeacoffee.com/thecaregiverspodcast Subscribe to The Caregivers Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts to never miss an episode. If you find these conversations helpful, please leave a review or share this episode with a fellow caregiver. 🔊 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1fLSHPA7ZHbOpvrmcbfcd5?si=2a71d7c4e2e9427c 🔊 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-caregivers-podcast/id1842203665
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#40
June 29 · 1 hr 19 min
Financial Caregiving 101: The Legal "Permission Slips" You Need Right Now w/ Beth Pinsker
In this episode of The Caregivers Podcast, host Dr. Mark Ropeleski sits down with certified financial planner, personal finance journalist, and author Beth Pinsker to unpack one of the least discussed yet most challenging aspects of looking after a loved one: financial caregiving. Whether you are quietly stepping in to help an aging parent sort through bills, managing an unexpected legal crisis, or navigating complex estate planning within a blended family, this conversation provides a practical roadmap. Beth shares both her professional expertise and raw, lived experience caring for her own mother to help you protect your family's assets, preserve your loved one's dignity, and manage the intense emotional dynamics that arise when money and family mix. Click here to watch a video of this episode. Support Our Guest: ▶️ Sign up for Beth's newsletter and source list: http://eepurl.com/iMvxOI ▶️ Order "My Mother's Money" now: https://bethpinsker.com/ ▶️ https://bsky.app/profile/bethpinsker.bsky.social ▶️ https://www.instagram.com/bethpinsker_cfp/ ▶️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bpinsker/ Connect With Us: ▶️ https://linktr.ee/thecaregiverspodcast ▶️ Buy us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/thecaregiverspodcast Subscribe to The Caregivers Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts to never miss an episode. If you find these conversations helpful, please leave a review or share this episode with a fellow caregiver. 🔊 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1fLSHPA7ZHbOpvrmcbfcd5?si=2a71d7c4e2e9427c 🔊 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-caregivers-podcast/id1842203665
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#39
June 22 · 1 hr 22 min
Caregiving in a Broken Family w/ Angela Caldwell
This week, Dr. Mark sits down with Angela Caldwell, a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in high-conflict families. Together, they discuss the emotional toll of caregiving within a fractured family, how to coordinate care when siblings strongly disagree, and strategies for protecting yourself from caregiver resentment and complicated grief. If you are the person trying to keep care moving while managing difficult family dynamics, this conversation is for you. Click here to watch a video of this episode. Support Our Guest: ▶️ https://www.angelacaldwell.com/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@angelacaldwell ▶️ https://caldwellfamilyinstitute.com/ Connect With Us: ▶️ https://linktr.ee/thecaregiverspodcast Subscribe to The Caregivers Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts to never miss an episode. If you find these conversations helpful, please leave a review or share this episode with a fellow caregiver. 🔊 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1fLSHPA7ZHbOpvrmcbfcd5?si=2a71d7c4e2e9427c 🔊 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-caregivers-podcast/id1842203665
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#38
June 15 · 49 min
Do You Owe Your Parents Care If They Hurt You? w/ Dr. Joshua Coleman
What happens when an estranged parent becomes sick, dependent, or close to death? In this episode of The Caregivers Podcast, Dr. Mark Ropeleski speaks with Dr. Joshua Coleman, clinical psychologist and author of The Rules of Estrangement: Why Adult Children Cut Ties and How to Heal the Conflict, about family estrangement, caregiving, guilt, boundaries, and end-of-life decisions. They discuss why adult children cut ties with parents, how abuse, neglect, divorce, mental illness, addiction, and old family roles can shape estrangement, and what happens when caregiving responsibilities suddenly return during illness or terminal decline. This conversation is for caregivers, adult children, siblings, grandparents, and families facing difficult questions like: Do I owe care to a parent who hurt me? Can I help without reopening the relationship? How do siblings make decisions when they remember the family differently? Is reconciliation possible near the end of life? How do I set boundaries without being consumed by guilt? If you are navigating caregiving, estrangement, hospice, aging parents, or complicated family dynamics, this episode offers a thoughtful look at how to make decisions you can live with later. Click here to watch a video of this episode. Support Our Guest: ▶️ Rules of Estrangement: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/622584/rules-of-estrangement-by-joshua-coleman-phd/ ▶️ https://www.drjoshuacoleman.com Connect With Us: ▶️ https://linktr.ee/thecaregiverspodcast Subscribe to The Caregivers Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts to never miss an episode. If you find these conversations helpful, please leave a review or share this episode with a fellow caregiver. 🔊 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1fLSHPA7ZHbOpvrmcbfcd5?si=2a71d7c4e2e9427c 🔊 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-caregivers-podcast/id1842203665
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#37
June 8 · 55 min
Self-care: The Impact of Endometriosis w/ Dr. Laura Katz
In this week's episode, Dr. Mark is joined by clinical health and rehabilitation psychologist Dr. Laura Katz (co-founder of Endometriosis 360 and assistant professor at McMaster University) for a deeply honest conversation about endometriosis. Endometriosis affects roughly 1 in 10 women and girls of reproductive age, yet it is frequently minimized as "bad cramps" or a minor period issue. Dr. Katz breaks down the systemic load of living with this chronic condition, the psychological toll of multi-year diagnostic delays, and how the unpredictability of flare-ups reshapes intimacy, work, parenting, and everyday life. Referenced Video: https://www.tiktok.com/@brutamerica/video/7646491172503948558 Recommended Reading Mentioned in this Episode: ▶️ "The Way Out" by Alan Gordon Support Our Guest: ▶️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlaurakatz/ ▶️ Endometriosis 360: https://endometriosis360.ca/ Connect With Us: ▶️ https://linktr.ee/thecaregiverspodcast Subscribe to The Caregivers Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts to never miss an episode. If you find these conversations helpful, please leave a review or share this episode with a fellow caregiver. 🔊 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1fLSHPA7ZHbOpvrmcbfcd5?si=2a71d7c4e2e9427c 🔊 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-caregivers-podcast/id1842203665
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#36
June 1 · 1 hr 33 min
Caregiving Killed Our Marriage w/ Kate Washington
In this week's episode, Dr. Mark sits down for a deeply moving, brutally honest conversation with returning guest Kate Washington. Kate is a writer and former caregiver whose reality was completely upended when her former husband was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer, shifting their dynamic from equal partners to nurse and patient. Kate opens up about the invisible mental load of caregiving, the erosion of physical and emotional intimacy, and the free-floating resentment that surfaces when your life is no longer your own. She also shares the immense guilt and social anxiety she faced when choosing to step away from her marriage years after the initial crisis passed—not out of selfishness, but as an act of survival. If you have ever felt completely invisible, isolated, or burnt out while looking after a loved one, this episode is a powerful reminder that you are not carrying this weight alone. Click here to watch a video of this episode. About Our Guest: Kate Washington is the author of Already Toast: Caregiving and Burnout In America (Beacon Press, 2021) and a frequent speaker on the systemic challenges facing family caregivers. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, TIME, HuffPost, Eater, and many other publications. Her second book, Midstream: A Life Remade in 50 Swims, is forthcoming July 7, 2026. She holds a Ph.D. from Stanford University and lives in Sacramento with her two daughters, one very friendly dog, and one very unfriendly cat. Support Our Guest: ▶️ Website: https://www.kawashington.com/ ▶️ Pre-Order Kate's new book, Midstream: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/816937/midstream-by-kate-washington/ ▶️ Buy Kate's book, Already Toast: Caregiving and Burnout in America: https://www.kawashington.com/already-toast ▶️ X: @washingtonkate Connect With Us: ▶️ https://linktr.ee/thecaregiverspodcast Subscribe to The Caregivers Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts to never miss an episode. If you find these conversations helpful, please leave a review or share this episode with a fellow caregiver. 🔊 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1fLSHPA7ZHbOpvrmcbfcd5?si=2a71d7c4e2e9427c 🔊 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-caregivers-podcast/id1842203665
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#35
May 25 · 1 hr 36 min
The Complete Guide to Hospice Care w/ Les Harp
In this weeks episode, Dr. Mark Ropeleski sits down with hospice nurse, clinical educator, and content creator Les Harp (@thathospiceguy). After unexpectedly becoming a caregiver and losing two wives to cancer, Les turned his profound personal grief into a life mission to educate families and healthcare professionals about the reality of end-of-life care. In this deeply moving and honest conversation, Dr. Mark and Les dismantle the biggest myths surrounding hospice, discuss how to handle shifting goals of care, and explore the heavy emotional toll - including anticipatory grief and burnout - carried by family caregivers. Whether your family is currently navigating an end-of-life diagnosis or you simply want to understand this inevitable stage of life with more humanity and less fear, this episode is for you. Click here to watch a video of this episode. Support Our Guest: ▶️ TikTok: that.hospice.guy ▶️ IG: that_hospice_guy ▶️ YouTube: ThatHospiceGuy ▶️ Facebook: That Hospice Guy (https://www.facebook.com/p/That-Hospice-Guy-61584427606316/) Connect With Us: ▶️ https://linktr.ee/thecaregiverspodcast Subscribe to The Caregivers Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts to never miss an episode. If you find these conversations helpful, please leave a review or share this episode with a fellow caregiver. Listen: 🔊 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1fLSHPA7ZHbOpvrmcbfcd5?si=2a71d7c4e2e9427c 🔊 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-caregivers-podcast/id1842203665
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#34
May 19 · 55 min
"Promise Me You’ll Never Put Me in a Home”: When Families Face Long-Term Care w/ Janice Martin
In this episode of The Caregivers Podcast, host Dr. Mark Ropeleski sits down with senior living expert Janice Martin to unpack the hidden traps families fall into during this challenging stage. From navigating the guilt of a "never put me in a home" promise to managing intense sibling friction over inheritance versus care costs, this conversation brings to light the realities families are often afraid to say out loud. We also explore the practical side of senior housing: baseline costs, level-of-care price thresholds, resident rights regarding personal habits, intimacy in care facilities, and how to recognize the tipping point of true caregiver burnout. Click here to watch a video of this episode. Support Our Guest: ▶️ Book a call, buy a book, & more: https://stan.store/seniorliaison ▶️ The Complete Guide To Assisted Living: https://amzn.to/4u3Cnb4 ▶️ The Journey To Assisted Living: Expectation vs. Reality: https://amzn.to/3P1lCi1 Connect With Us: ▶️ https://linktr.ee/thecaregiverspodcast Subscribe to The Caregivers Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts to never miss an episode. If you find these conversations helpful, please leave a review or share this episode with a fellow caregiver. 🔊 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1fLSHPA7ZHbOpvrmcbfcd5?si=2a71d7c4e2e9427c 🔊 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-caregivers-podcast/id1842203665
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#33
May 8 · 59 min
Setting Boundaries Without the Guilt: A Caregiver's Guide to Healing w/ Greg Fougere
Caregiving is often framed through the lens of love and duty, but what happens when it becomes an old survival role? In this episode, Dr. Mark Ropeleski sits down with trauma-informed coach Greg Fougere to explore the deep-rooted family patterns, nervous system responses, and "self-abandonment" that often drive the default caregiver. We dive into the concept of parentification - where children become the emotional regulators for their parents - and how these childhood adaptations create a "survival mode" baseline that leads to extreme burnout in adulthood. If you’ve ever felt like you can’t keep going but you also can't stop, this conversation is for you. Click here to watch a video of this episode. Support Our Guest: ▶️Website: https://healoutloud.info ▶️Book a call: https://start.healoutloud.info/simple-book-call-appt ▶️TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@greg.healoutloud ▶️Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greg.healoutloud/ ▶️YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Greg.HealOutLoud ▶️Email: greg@healoutloud.info Connect With Us: ▶️ https://linktr.ee/thecaregiverspodcast Subscribe to The Caregivers Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts to never miss an episode. If you find these conversations helpful, please leave a review or share this episode with a fellow caregiver. 🔊 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1fLSHPA7ZHbOpvrmcbfcd5?si=2a71d7c4e2e9427c 🔊 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-caregivers-podcast/id1842203665
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#32
May 1 · 1 hr 13 min
The Hidden Family Dynamics That Break Caregivers | Amy Vasterling on Narcissism and Care
Are you a family caregiver who feels trapped by unfair family dynamics? In this episode of The Caregivers Podcast, Dr. Mark Ropeleski welcomes author Amy Vasterling to discuss how family conditioning can strip away a caregiver’s identity. Amy shares insights from her book, Know, explaining why boundaries are often treated as betrayal in enmeshed families and how caregivers can reclaim their inner truth. The conversation dives deep into the difference between The Model (social and family control) and The Knowing (our innate truth). Amy and Dr. Mark explore the unique challenges faced by Highly Sensitive People (HSP) in caregiving roles, the hidden control within enabling behaviors like worry and guilt, and practical strategies for navigating siblings who refuse to share the load. If you have ever felt like the family scapegoat or struggle with the false moral standard of total sacrifice, this episode provides the language and tools you need to find safety and choice again. Click here to watch a video of this episode. About Our Guest Amy Vasterling is an author and researcher who helps individuals reclaim their inner truth from social and family conditioning. Her book, Know: Where the Status Quo Ends and You Come to Life, offers a handhold for those navigating complex emotional systems. Support Amy ▶️"Know": https://mybook.to/knowbyamyvasterling ▶️ https://linktr.ee/amyvasterling ▶️ https://amyvasterling.com Connect With Us ▶️ https://linktr.ee/thecaregiverspodcast Subscribe to The Caregivers Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts to never miss an episode. If you find these conversations helpful, please leave a review or share this episode with a fellow caregiver. 🔊 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1fLSHPA7ZHbOpvrmcbfcd5?si=2a71d7c4e2e9427c 🔊 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-caregivers-podcast/id1842203665
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#31
April 24 · 1 hr
Is It Time For Assisted Living? w/ Janice Martin
When is it truly time to transition a parent or loved one into assisted living? In this episode of The Caregivers Podcast, Dr. Mark Ropeleski sits down with senior placement expert Janice Martin to pull back the curtain on the elder care industry. From navigating the 72-hour Medicare discharge crisis to the staggering reality of home care costs (which can exceed $21,000/month), Janice provides a roadmap for families feeling overwhelmed and guilty. We explore how to identify the subtle red flags of decline, how to choose a facility based on care rather than pretty furniture, and why the phrase "I love you too much to let you live like this" is the most powerful tool in a caregiver's arsenal. Click here to watch a video of this episode. Support Janice: ▶️ Book a call, buy a book, & more: https://stan.store/seniorliaison ▶️ The Complete Guide To Assisted Living: https://amzn.to/4u3Cnb4 ▶️ The Journey To Assisted Living: Expectation vs. Reality: https://amzn.to/3P1lCi1 ▶️ https://www.instagram.com/Senior.liaison ▶️ https://www.tiktok.com/@Seniorliaisoncfl ▶️ https://www.facebook.com/janice.senior.liaison Follow us: ▶️ https://linktr.ee/thecaregiverspodcast Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts: 🔊 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1fLSHPA7ZHbOpvrmcbfcd5?si=2a71d7c4e2e9427c 🔊 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-caregivers-podcast/id1842203665
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