Caregiver's Compass
By Stephanie Muskat
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Category: Mental Health
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Episodes: 157
Description
This is Caregiver's Compass. An inspirational podcast talking about all things caregiving. Therapist and caregiver Stephanie Muskat takes you through real-life caregiving stories from her own therapeutic experience and gives you the raw and personal on her own caregiving experiences as a young caregiver. Plus hear from tons of incredible experts and caregivers who are living through their day-to-day journeys. It's all here at Caregiver's Compass.
| Episode | Date |
|---|---|
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Caregiving Out Loud: Jessica Guthrie on Race, Resilience, and Advocacy (Episode 150)
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Jul 17, 2026 |
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The Hidden Journey of a Young Carer: Rebekah Gold's Story (Episode 149)
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Jul 10, 2026 |
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Welcome to Season 6!
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Jul 03, 2026 |
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We are back with the most listened-to episodes of season 5! Here is a recap:
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Jan 16, 2026 |
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Navigating a terminal diagnosis and loss of a parent while also caring for young children, with Renee Reina (Episode 147)
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Jan 09, 2026 |
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Giving and receiving care with a disability and working to shift societal caregiving assumptions and beliefs in regards to caregiving with a disability, with Elizabeth Mohler (Episode 146)
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Dec 19, 2025 |
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Using personal pain, grief and insights from the loss of her mother, and later the loss of her father, as a way to support others in their mourning, grief and pain, with Barri Leiner (Episode 145)
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Dec 12, 2025 |
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An extraordinary multi-generational caregiver for several children, including a son with complex medical needs, who has used her experiences for systemic change, advocacy and education, with Elizabeth Marie Chambers (Episode 144)
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Dec 05, 2025 |
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The importance of friendship and community in caregiving and loss (and finding chosen family), with Jacquelyn Shapiro (Episode 143)
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Nov 28, 2025 |
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A remarkable journey of care for multiple family members (including her spouse) as a young parent and using her experiences to shape her career and the caregiving landscape as a whole, with Katie Brandt (Episode 142)
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Nov 21, 2025 |
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The episode on working caregivers, with Christa Haanstra (Episode 141)
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Nov 14, 2025 |
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We have the right to our autonomy and right to live at risk- why is it that institutions or agencies are telling us how to engage in activities of daily life? (Episode 140)
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Nov 07, 2025 |
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Experiencing a Father With Frontotemporal Degeneration as a 7 Year Old Child and Fiercely Advocating for Change and Awareness, with Spencer Cline (Episode 139)
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Oct 31, 2025 |
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The Hidden Truths About Long-Term Care and What it will take to Create a Better Future in the Long-Term Care System with Dr. Vivian Stamatopoulos (Episode 138)
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Oct 24, 2025 |
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Caregiving as a teenager for a mother with Parkinson’s disease and informing her career using technology to help others through caregiving experiences, with Carla Velastegui (Episode 137)
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Oct 17, 2025 |
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The Statistics Behind Caregiver Mental Health: You’re Not Alone (Episode 136)
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Oct 10, 2025 |
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Do I need to change my entire routine to feel better as a caregiver? (Episode 135)
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Oct 03, 2025 |
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What does the research show when it comes to caregiver mental health and is there hope on the horizon, with Dr. Adrianna Shnall (Episode 134)
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Sep 26, 2025 |
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What if I promised the person I care for that I would always keep them at home, yet now I need to move them to a facility or other location, with Jeanette Yates (Episode 133)
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Sep 19, 2025 |
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What is the purpose of a caregiver processing deep emotions in therapy (isn’t it better to just let these things go as life is already so stressful?) (Episode 132)
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Sep 12, 2025 |
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Some of the WILD things people have said to me as a caregiver and following my mom’s passing (Episode 131)
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Sep 05, 2025 |
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From not speaking, to forming a close relationship and caregiving for both his parents (for years), with Charles Morris (Episode 130)
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Aug 29, 2025 |
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The need for a national caregiving strategy in Canada, government-level advocacy and policy change and the hope on the horizon, with James Janeiro (Episode 129)
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Aug 22, 2025 |
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All about the Association of Frontal Temporal Degeneration (AFTD) including what they do, who they help, and where they hope to go next, with Esther Kane and Debbie Elkins (Episode 128)
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Aug 15, 2025 |
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Do I even need a power of attorney document and/or advanced directives? (Episode 127)
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Aug 08, 2025 |
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People no longer visit the person I care for (Episode 126)
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Aug 01, 2025 |
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The gaps in dementia and aging care in Canada, a defined dementia pathway and the path forward, with Dr. Saskia Sivananthan (Episode 125)
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Jul 25, 2025 |
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Strain and conflict we can experience in a romantic relationship while also caregiving for a parent, child, sibling or other family member, with Barry Jacobs and Julie Mayer (Episode 124)
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Jul 18, 2025 |
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Talking all about ANGER and resentment in caregiving (Episode 123)
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Jul 11, 2025 |
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Guilt for not being able to do ‘it all’ while caring for multiple people and balancing other responsibilities (Episode 122)
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Jul 04, 2025 |
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From caring for her mom with frontotemporal dementia, to creating a film and advocating to normalize the caregiving experience, with Katie Prentiss (Episode 121)
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Jun 27, 2025 |
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Guilt about moving someone to a facility when you promised them you would always keep them at ‘home’, with Susanne White (Episode 120)
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Jun 20, 2025 |
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Being questioned about your involvement as a caregiver (Episode 119)
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Jun 13, 2025 |
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WE ARE BACK FOR SEASON 5!
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Jun 06, 2025 |
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TOP episodes of season 4!
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Nov 01, 2024 |
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Debunking the common misconceptions behind ‘palliative care’ and advocating for awareness about palliative care and MAID, with Dr. Samantha Winemaker (Episode 117)
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Oct 25, 2024 |
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Dementia prevention, women’s brain health and the power to improve your health NOW and for the future, with Lynn Posluns (Episode 116)
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Oct 18, 2024 |
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Caregiving while balancing a career at the same time (Episode 115)
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Oct 11, 2024 |
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Let’s talk about the nursing home transition… (Episode 114)
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Oct 04, 2024 |
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Who is the CEO behind the Ontario Caregiver Organization and how is the OCO working with caregivers to provide the diverse support they need when they need it? With Amy Coupal (Episode 113)
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Sep 27, 2024 |
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Caregiving and navigating the healthcare system with both a neurotypical child and a child with autism and a rare genetic disease AND recognizing the true need for self-care along the way after extreme burnout, with Nicole Dauz (Episode 112)
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Sep 20, 2024 |
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Holidays and events are so hard since the loss of/ changes have transpired in my loved one (Episode 111)
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Sep 13, 2024 |
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I really wish I had a sibling to help me in my caregiving (Episode 110)
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Sep 06, 2024 |
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Pushing forward, breaking boundaries and achieving an outstanding career in modeling while caring for her mother with early onset FTD, with Nicole Petrie (Episode 109)
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Aug 30, 2024 |
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Moving countries and caregiving for her grandmother with cancer and her mom with dementia as an only child, and the lessons learned along the way, with Katrina Prescott (Episode 108)
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Aug 23, 2024 |
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Becoming more aware of our thoughts as caregivers, with Jessica Smith (Episode 107)
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Aug 16, 2024 |
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Let’s talk about the driver’s license (Episode 106)
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Aug 09, 2024 |
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What exactly is Caregiver Burnout? (Episode 105)
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Aug 02, 2024 |
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Parenting after the devastating loss of an infant- continuing to care while growing a successful business and determining her own needs in processing substantial grief- with Caitlin Melvin (Episode 104)
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Jul 26, 2024 |
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Finding herself again after substantial loss: continuing on and locating meaning after a long chapter as a care partner to both parents- with Patti LaFleur (Episode 103)
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Jul 19, 2024 |
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Using music and art as a method of coping and growth while caregiving for her spouse with Lewy body dementia - with Mary Lou Falcone (Episode 102)
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Jul 12, 2024 |
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I no longer want to engage in sex or intimacy with my partner who I care for (Episode 101)
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Jul 05, 2024 |
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An informative look at our ‘crumbling’ healthcare system, its shortcomings , achievements and what we need to focus on shifting to benefit the future of our caregivers and those they care for- with André Picard (Episode 100)
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Jun 28, 2024 |
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How caregiving for 3 family members concurrently drove her to create innovative tools for other caregivers, with Debbie Compton (Episode 99)
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Jun 21, 2024 |
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Exploring potentially unknown networks of support and community, mitigating feelings of isolation and loneliness and fostering connection by using the Atlas CareMap- with Rajiv Mehta (Episode 98)
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Jun 14, 2024 |
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Examining our expectations of respite care: setting ourselves up for success when it comes to maximizing our respite experiences and outcomes (Episode 97)
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Jun 07, 2024 |
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Learning from significant burnout- how incorporating care for self (even in the smallest ways) is a necessity when it comes to caregiving and grief, with Nikki Nurse (Episode 96)
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May 31, 2024 |
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Yes, eating disorders can very much be related to caregiving- with Kyla Fox (Episode 95)
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May 24, 2024 |
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Supporting Family Caregivers in Healthcare Through Research, Education and in Practice with Dr. Jasneet Parmar (Episode 94)
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May 17, 2024 |
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‘My parent has poor health habits but refuses any of my support or suggestions for change’ (Episode 93)
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May 10, 2024 |
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How to Care for the Caregiver (Episode 92)
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May 03, 2024 |
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Top 5 episodes of season 3!
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Jan 05, 2024 |
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The Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence, advocating for change in the caregiving landscape, and balancing life as a mom and caregiver to others, with Liv Mendelsohn (episode 91)
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Dec 29, 2023 |
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Creating change in dementia through Montessori based strategies, with Rev Katie Norris (episode 90)
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Dec 22, 2023 |
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Navigating sibling relationships while providing 12 years of intensive care to a parent -learning how to process this and make amends with the siblings over time- with Rosanne Corcoran (episode 89)
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Dec 15, 2023 |
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What does a mom of 3, a business owner and a therapist do for self-care and balance (Stephanie’s ‘self-care’ routine)? (episode 88)
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Dec 08, 2023 |
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Family and friends who used to show up, stopped coming to visit when my loved one was diagnosed (episode 87)
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Dec 01, 2023 |
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The shock of becoming a caregiver while already working as a psychologist in the healthcare system and finding true joy in the smallest moments as a caregiver of a daughter with a life limiting illness- with Dr. Naomi Saperia (episode 86)
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Nov 24, 2023 |
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Getting raw and personal about all forms of parental guilt and how to cope with this very strong and real emotion- with Kelly Polci (episode 85)
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Nov 17, 2023 |
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Our healthcare system is broken: case examples of how our healthcare system fails to support the patient and family caregiver, increasing caregiver stress, anxiety and burnout (episode 84)
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Nov 10, 2023 |
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I do not have control, predictability or answers when it comes to my loved one with dementia (episode 83)
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Nov 03, 2023 |
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Gaps in the healthcare system, its impact on caregivers and the road to positive change, with Dr. Nathan Stall (Episode 82)
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Oct 27, 2023 |
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The many forms of GRIEF in caregiving, with Wendy Williams (Episode 81)
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Oct 20, 2023 |
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I am OVERWHELMED- I provide care to not one, but TWO parents (Episode 80)
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Oct 13, 2023 |
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Strange occurrences that happened to me while my grandmother was passing away…and following her passing- is there more to life than we know? (Episode 79)
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Oct 06, 2023 |
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‘I kept my husband’s diagnosis a secret from others for many years’ - personal growth and developing a deep self-awareness while getting through the extremely difficult process of caregiving for a spouse with multiple system atrophy, with Julia Freifeld (
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Sep 29, 2023 |
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The real barriers in accessing the healthcare system as caregivers and patients, particularly when it comes to disability, language barriers and marginalization- with Courtney Sas (episode 77)
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Sep 22, 2023 |
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What is life like after caregiving? Exploring the grief and shifts in life after losing a loved one and raising awareness about the dying process itself- with Brian Smith (episode 76)
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Sep 15, 2023 |
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I am providing care to a loved one alongside someone that I have a negative relationship with and I am finding this very difficult. Help! (episode 75)
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Sep 08, 2023 |
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I feel so overwhelmed/burnt out caregiving from afar but also GUILTY because I am not physically involved on a daily basis, while so many others are (episode 74)
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Sep 01, 2023 |
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Working through cultural shifts and adversity, marginalization and extreme life changes while caring for a parent and children, with Roxanne Francis (Episode 73)
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Aug 25, 2023 |
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The real, raw reality of having a mother with FTD, and the scientific advancements surrounding the diagnosis, with Jacquelyn Shapiro (Episode 72)
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Aug 18, 2023 |
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The people who had supported me through my caregiving journey are no longer around me (unspoken caregiving grief) (Episode 71)
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Aug 11, 2023 |
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Help! I feel invisible as a caregiver in the healthcare system (Episode 70)
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Aug 04, 2023 |
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On changing her career in dementia care and staying true to herself and her mental health, with Carrie Aalberts (Episode 69)
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Jul 28, 2023 |
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How incorporating mindfulness in her daily life shaped her journey as a caregiver for her mom, with Jessica Smith (Episode 68)
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Jul 21, 2023 |
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‘Life Hacks’ (you may not have thought about) to reduce your daily stress as a caregiver (Episode 67)
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Jul 14, 2023 |
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WELCOME to Season 3!
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Jul 07, 2023 |
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TOP FIVE episodes of Season 2!
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Dec 30, 2022 |
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Navigating the post-partum period after losing a parent/ parental figure- with postpartum coach Jaquie Dason (Episode 66)
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Dec 23, 2022 |
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Becoming a Memory Coach and Helping Those with Memory Concerns Improve their Memory- with Francine Waskavitz (Episode 65)
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Dec 16, 2022 |
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Getting Through University and Applying to Graduate School as a Caregiver (Episode 64)
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Dec 09, 2022 |
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How Could Therapy Possibly Help Me As A Caregiver (Episode 63)
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Dec 02, 2022 |
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From speech language pathologist to capturing the dementia caregiver world by storm- with Adria Thompson (Episode 62)
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Nov 25, 2022 |
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Living a meaningful legacy: sharing positivity and uplifting others after losing a parent with an FTD diagnosis (with Lisa Sonshine) (Episode 61)
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Nov 18, 2022 |
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I feel extreme guilt about wishing that my situation would just end (Episode 60)
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Nov 11, 2022 |
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How life has progressed since my mom’s initial diagnosis (memory, functioning and how I have navigated coping after having my own children without her by my side) (Episode 59)
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Nov 04, 2022 |
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Managing postpartum mental health while caring for 1+ children and/or another family member- with Kelly Polci (MSW,RSW) (Episode 58)
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Oct 28, 2022 |
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From inpatient nurse to caregiving consultant- how losing her job and burning out resulted in finding a daily passion for helping others- With Karen Lake (Episode 57)
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Oct 21, 2022 |
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‘I don’t feel as though my loved one can be cared for at home anymore’ how to proceed when this real situation presents itself (and raises all the guilt, shame and fear) (an anonymous case scenario) (Episode 56)
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Oct 14, 2022 |
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How I Reacted to my Mom’s FTD Diagnosis and the Corresponding Emotions (Initially and as Time Progressed) (Episode 55)
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Oct 07, 2022 |
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‘My Life Completely Changed When my Boyfriend was Assaulted and Suddenly Faced a Traumatic Brain Injury’- caregiving after a very sudden and traumatic life shift, with Katherine Smith. (Episode 54)
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Sep 30, 2022 |
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The Non-Traditional Caregiver- Providing Emotional Support and Assisting Loved Ones in Who are Physically and Emotionally Isolated (Episode 53)
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Sep 23, 2022 |
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The Importance of Sleep on Mental Health and Maintaining Overall Balance, with Sleep Consultant Andria Gordon (Episode 52)
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Sep 16, 2022 |
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When People Question your Abilities as a Caregiver (Episode 51)
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Sep 09, 2022 |
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How My Dad First Reacted to my Mom’s FTD Diagnosis (Episode 50)
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Sep 02, 2022 |
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What is Palliative Care and Does Palliation Mean that My Loved One is Dying? (with Hospice Executive Director, Nadine Persaud)-Episode 49
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Aug 26, 2022 |
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GUILT in Caregiving- how it arises, how to manage it, and the differences between guilt vs. shame (with Wendy Williams) (Episode 48)
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Aug 19, 2022 |
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How Do I Know if I am a Caregiver (Demystifying the Definition of a Caregiver and the Stigma Associated With It/ Identifying as a Caregiver When Society Says You Are Not) (Episode 47)
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Aug 12, 2022 |
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The LONG Journey to my Mom’s FTD Diagnosis (Episode 46)
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Aug 05, 2022 |
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The importance of locating a licensed clinician when it comes to navigating mental health support AND art therapy with Licensed Mental Health Counselor And Registered Art Therapist, Erica Curcio (Episode 45)
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Jul 29, 2022 |
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How to navigate parenting and supporting children who are exposed to a family member experiencing a neurological or physical shift- with behaviour consultant, Cori Stern (Episode 44)
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Jul 22, 2022 |
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Caring for an aging family member while in the ‘sandwich’ also caring for children (Episode 43)
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Jul 15, 2022 |
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Caring for a parent that you have a trauma history with (Episode 42)
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Jul 08, 2022 |
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Something was very wrong- the changes I started to recognize prior to my mom's diagnosis (Episode 41)
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Jul 01, 2022 |
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Our TOP FIVE episodes from season one that you don’t want to miss!
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Apr 15, 2022 |
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Stephanie had a baby & BIG upcoming podcast updates! (Episode 40)
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Apr 08, 2022 |
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Moving from Across the World to Care for a Parent with Cognitive Decline and Turning Experienced Gaps in Caregiving into a Career- with Anna Cantor (Episode 39)
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Apr 01, 2022 |
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Accessing Mental Health Supports and Navigating the Healthcare System as a Caregiver from a Marginalized Group/ Community in North America- With Natacha Pennycooke (Episode 38)
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Mar 25, 2022 |
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Spreading Alzheimer's Awareness and Continuing a Legacy Following a Grandparent's Diagnosis- with Roxanne Santiago (Episode 37)
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Mar 18, 2022 |
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How to Incorporate Exercise and Movement into a Daily Routine, Even When Chronic Illness or Aging is of Concern, and the Benefits to Movement and Exercise on the Brain and the Body- with Sarah Pludwinski (Episode 36)
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Mar 11, 2022 |
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Managing Travel/ Vacations as a Caregiver- Navigating the Stress Associated with Leaving your Loved One Temporarily and Establishing Care While You Are Away (Episode 35)
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Mar 04, 2022 |
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Voluntarily Caring for a Loved One and Experiencing Caregiving as a Gift Providing Meaning in Daily Life- with Kris McCabe (Episode 34)
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Feb 25, 2022 |
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Caring for 2 Parents Simultaneously as an Only Child and Starting a Family Without a Mother or Father by Your Side- with Lani Lipson (Episode 33)
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Feb 18, 2022 |
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The research behind systemic barriers in accessing social and physical supports for children and their caregivers following surgery for epilepsy and how we can look to improve the healthcare system- with professor Lucy Lach (Part 2) (Episode 32)
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Feb 11, 2022 |
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The research behind systemic barriers in accessing social and physical supports for children and their caregivers following surgery for epilepsy and how we can look to improve the healthcare system- with professor Lucy Lach (Part 1) (Episode 31)
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Feb 11, 2022 |
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Trauma as a result of caregiving (particularly as a result of caring for a child with a disability) with Donna Thomson (Part 2) (Episode 30)
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Jan 28, 2022 |
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Trauma as a result of caregiving (particularly as a result of caring for a child with a disability) with Donna Thomson (Part 1) (Episode 29)
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Jan 21, 2022 |
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Saying 'No' during caregiving when you are at your wits' end- a real case example of a primary caregiver with a loved one admitted to hospital. (Episode 28)
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Jan 14, 2022 |
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'What do I do when a family member/ friend keeps contacting me about their 'trivial concerns' while I am navigating crises? This is very frustrating to me.' (Episode 27)
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Jan 07, 2022 |
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The Journey After Caregiving- what happens once caregiving ends? The grief, happiness and everything in between once you are no longer caring for a loved one- with Adrienne Glusman (Episode 26).
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Dec 31, 2021 |
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'Stay out of it - you are caring at a distance'- Living as a long-distance daughter and exploring the myths when it comes to long distance caregiving and the differences between caring at a distance vs. caring for a loved one at close proximity: with Laur
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Dec 24, 2021 |
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Channeling Grief into Helping Others (in a Very Big Way)- Creating a Podcast and Growing an Incredible Support Community After Navigating the Stressful World of FTD and ALS, With Remember Me's Maria Kent Beers. (Episode 24)
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Dec 17, 2021 |
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Comparing yourself and your life to others around you? This may be just the episode you need. (Episode 23)
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Dec 10, 2021 |
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Navigating the Holidays as a Parent Caring for an Aging Loved One (in the sandwich generation) (Episode 22)
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Dec 03, 2021 |
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Author Brandon Burke on How Caring for his Father Shifted His Career and Entire Meaning of Life (Episode 21)
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Nov 26, 2021 |
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“Help! My Mom is Not Eating!” -Navigating the Dietetic Needs of a Loved One with Dementia with Registered Dietitian Molly Robinson (Episode 20)
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Nov 19, 2021 |
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It is SO hard for me to ask for help as a caregiver. What do I do? (Episode 19)
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Nov 12, 2021 |
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What Exactly Can Therapy Do For Caregivers (Episode 18)
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Nov 05, 2021 |
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Music Therapy in Caregiving and Dementia Care- with Music Therapist Karla Wilson (Episode 17)
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Oct 29, 2021 |
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The Benefits of an Adult Day Program and Locating an Excellent Facility- with Carrie Aalberts (Episode 16)
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Oct 22, 2021 |
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Substitute Decision Makers, Powers of Attorney and Legal Matters in Caregiving- with Family Health Lawyer Lisa Feldstein (Episode 15)
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Oct 15, 2021 |
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My 27 Year Caregiving Journey'- balancing care for a bipolar husband, two special needs children and a mother with complex medical needs (Episode 14)
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Oct 08, 2021 |
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I Am Grieving But My Loved One Is Still Alive- The Ongoing Cycles of Grief During Caregiving (Episode 13)
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Oct 01, 2021 |
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Managing a Business While Caring for Others- With Business Coach, Lianne Kim (Episode 12)
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Sep 24, 2021 |
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Relationship expert Allison Villa explores how to navigate difficulties in romantic relationships that can arise when a partner is a caregiver (Episode 11)
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Sep 17, 2021 |
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How do I stay hopeful during such low and difficult times? (Episode 10)
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Sep 10, 2021 |
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Managing Caregiver’s Guilt (Episode 09)
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Sep 03, 2021 |
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Turning Lemons Into Lemonade: How a former caregiver transformed his difficult experiences into a meaningful second career- with Bill Cohen (Episode 08)
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Aug 27, 2021 |
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The Power of a True Care Partnership- with Patti LaFleur (Episode 07)
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Aug 20, 2021 |
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Is it Normal to Feel THIS Overwhelmed as a Caregiver? (Episode 06)
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Aug 13, 2021 |
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Role Shifts in the Family System: Chaos and upheaval in the family and navigating breaks in family dynamics as a result of a loved one’s diagnosis (Episode 05)
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Aug 06, 2021 |
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The INTENSIVE Caregiver: Caring for a Spouse, Working as a Professor and Parenting a Young Child - With Brian Smith (Episode 04)
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Jul 30, 2021 |
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The Incredible Impact of Art Therapy - With Erica Curcio (Episode 03)
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Jul 23, 2021 |
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Therapists Are Caregivers Too (Episode 02)
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Jul 16, 2021 |
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Welcome to Caregiver's Compass!
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Jul 09, 2021 |
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Caregiver's Compass
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Jul 06, 2021 |