Happy Healthy Caregiver

Sandwich generation caregiving, burnout, and family coordination—Glenn Shimkus is living it all while caring for five parents, supporting adult children, and running a mission-driven business.

In this episode, Glenn shares practical insights on dividing caregiving responsibilities into “swim lanes,” recognizing his early signs of burnout, and preparing families before a crisis through his company, Prisidio. He also opens up about the routines that keep him grounded, the joy of becoming a first-time grandparent, and the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone—even if that means swimming with whales in open water!

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod230

Receive the podcast in your email here:

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Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

What does it really look like when men step into the caregiving role — and why are they so often invisible in the conversation?

Kyle Woody knows firsthand. He cared for his wife through Stage 4 Colon Cancer, even after she asked for a divorce four years into their caregiving journey. Now, he cares for his two sons while working full-time. Drawing on his care experiences, Kyle founded Jack's Caregiver Coalition — an organization dedicated to supporting and strengthening male caregivers.

In this episode of the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast, Kyle shares:

Why men are the most overlooked non-professional caregivers — and what needs to change
His organization's bold mission to strengthen 1 million caregiving men by 2035
What it was like to meet Oprah and share his story as part of her book club
How he navigates the unique experience of co-parenting with his late ex-wife's boyfriend
His go-to self-care strategies: working with a coach, writing letters to himself, asking four morning questions, and rucking

Whether you're a male caregiver who's been going it alone or someone who loves one, this episode is full of honest insight and practical encouragement.

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod229

Receive the podcast in your email here:

http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Dori Martin knows firsthand what true burnout and midlife mayhem feel like. At the busiest time of her life, she was a divorced single mom while caregiving for a parent through end-of-life. Then she started navigating a terminal diagnosis with her second husband — and that's when her body began to shut down. What she discovered changed everything: what many women are told is "just stress, aging, or hormones" is often something much deeper.

In this episode, Dori talks about the invisible weight caregivers carry, why so many are stuck in a state of chronic stress and fight-or-flight, and why not feeling safe in your own body is at the root of so much burnout. She shares small but powerful ways to nurture and reset your nervous system. She even credits a future pacing exercise with leading her and her family (including her husband) to take up scuba diving as a joyful, soul-filling practice — proof that healing can open doors you never expected.

If you're a caregiver who's been running on empty and putting everyone else first, this episode is your permission slip to finally put yourself back on the list.

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod228

Receive the podcast in your email here:

http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Marilyn Raichle grew up surrounded by Alzheimer’s disease, watching many relatives on both sides of her family develop dementia. Her career in the performing arts took an unexpected turn when she became the primary caregiver for both of her parents living with dementia. What began as a reluctant role became a deeply meaningful journey.

Today, Marilyn channels her caregiving experience into advocacy and creativity. She is the author of Don’t Walk Away, celebrates the creativity of people living with dementia through The Art of Alzheimer’s, and serves as Executive Director of Maude’s Awards for Innovation in Alzheimer’s Care.

In this episode, Marilyn shares insights from her caregiving journey, the power of creativity in dementia care, and how her view of living life changed drastically from an attitude of winning to a new perspective of living in the moment. And, learn why Marilyn baked 2000 cookies in one year and why she says that her mom’s Assisted Living Community became a place where she could relax.

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod227

Receive the podcast in your email here:

http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Tim Otis is a two-time family caregiver whose journey began in childhood when he helped care for his paralyzed mother and later became the primary caregiver for his father, living with Parkinson’s disease. Through these deeply personal experiences, Tim saw how long-term caregiving—though rooted in love—can quietly impact a caregiver’s health, identity, relationships, and career.

In this episode, we discuss the emotional toll of supporting a loved one through serious illness, the ripple effects caregiving has on family dynamics and employment, and why caregivers must be seen as whole people—not just helpers. Tim also shares his desire to create systemic change in how we support caregivers, reflects on his mother’s end-of-life experience, and guides us through a short, restorative reset you can practice anytime.

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod226

Receive the podcast in your email here:

http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW