Dan Contreras is a U.S. Army veteran, proud husband, and devoted caregiver to his wife, Teresa. After years of service and leadership with DAV (Disabled American Veterans)—including his role as National Commander—Dan has become a strong advocate for both caregivers and care receivers.
Like many military spouses and family members, Dan didn’t initially see himself as a “caregiver.” That changed when, as a DAV leader, he sought to better understand the DAV’s Caregiver Support Program by completing the onboarding process. Now, he’s on a mission to raise awareness and provide resources for the 70% of veterans who are caring for loved ones.
In this episode of the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast, Dan shares:
The resources DAV offers to support veterans who are also caregiversHow his perspective on self-care has shifted as Teresa’s cancer journey has progressedThe creative outlets he and Teresa enjoy together, including Legos, crafts, and hobbies that bring them joyHow something as simple as a karaoke app helps him relieve stress and recharge
Show notes with product and resource links:
http://bit.ly/HHCPOD216
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
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53:39
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53:39
Caring for 5 Humans and Herself with Kameron Browning
Kameron Browning is a resilient sandwich generation caregiver and single mom from Oklahoma who’s caring for five people besides herself. She’s navigating life between supporting her father, Jim, who lives with Alzheimer’s disease, and raising four children from toddler to teenager. Over the years, Kameron has worn many caregiving hats—remote caregiver, in-home caregiver, and support caregiver—while balancing work and family life. After experiencing caregiver burnout, she’s redefined “self-care” as simply giving her brain a chance to rest, letting go of people-pleasing, tuning out unsolicited advice, and leaning into advocacy, trust, and intuition for herself and those she loves.
Show notes with product and resource links:
http://bit.ly/HHCPod215
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
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1:04:37
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1:04:37
Fulfilling Dreams and Empathic Transitions with P.K. Beville
Even though P.K. Beville is considered an expert in psychology and gerontology, she still felt lost and overwhelmed as a dementia caregiver for her dad. P.K. is the founder of Second Wind Dreams, a pioneering nonprofit that fulfills dreams for older adults and champions dignity, hope, and joy in aging. She is the creator of the internationally acclaimed Virtual Dementia Tour®, a training tool that has helped millions better understand and care for those living with dementia. In 2023, she launched Empathic Transitions to support families during end-stage dementia and is currently certifying the first Dementia Doulas.
In this episode of the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast, we talk about why caring for a loved one in any setting is still tricky, how the phrase ‘I wish’ sparked an uplifting non-profit in the older adult space, where we can find sources for humor and joy, and why the end-of-life experience for those living with dementia is different.
Show notes with product and resource links:
https://bit.ly/HHCPod214
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
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49:45
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49:45
Overcoming Caregiving and Relationship Problems with Barry Jacobs
Our guest is Barry J. Jacobs — he’s a clinical psychologist and author based just outside of Philly who has a real heart for supporting family caregivers. And that passion is personal. Barry’s caregiving journey started young — when he was just 14, his dad was diagnosed with brain cancer and sadly passed away the following year. That experience shaped the direction of his life and career. Later, from 2010 to 2017, Barry stepped into the caregiving role again — this time for his stepfather, who had Alzheimer’s, and his mom, who was living with vascular dementia. He truly understands the emotional rollercoaster that comes with caregiving and has spent his career helping others navigate it with more support and less guilt.
In this episode, we discuss two of his books, co-written with his wife, one on love and relationships after 50, and one focused on addressing common family caregiving questions. We delve deeper into the topics of guilt, family dynamics, and self-care. Barry has much personal and professional wisdom to share, especially when it comes to self-kindness, using more honey and less vinegar, balancing ‘me time’ and ‘we time,’ and spreading ‘You Got This’ confidence throughout the caregiving community.
Show notes with product and resource links:
https://bit.ly/HHCPod213
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
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58:51
From Burnout to Advocacy with Lisa Musselman
Meet Lisa Musselman, a 2025 Elizabeth Dole Foundation Fellow, military caregiver, and passionate advocate for equitable care for veterans and their families. Lisa talks about her caregiving journey supporting her husband Andy, a pre-9/11 Air Force veteran living with ALS, while raising a family and trying to stay afloat herself.
Lisa shares the emotional and physical toll of those early years—missing milestones with her children, struggling to find respite, and putting her own health last. On the brink of burnout, everything changed when skilled nursing entered the home. This support allowed her to rebuild strength through physical therapy, prioritize mental wellness with therapy, and make space for joy through family vacations and visits with friends.
What makes Lisa’s story especially powerful is how she turned adversity into a platform for advocacy. Motivated by a friend’s early encouragement that she would “become a voice” for others impacted by ALS, Lisa now champions policy and support changes for military caregivers across the country. She firmly believes that veteran care should not be determined by zip code—and she’s fighting to make that a reality.
In this inspiring episode, we cover:
The real cost of caregiving on health, time, and familyLisa’s self-care strategies for physical and mental recoveryWhy caregiving support can be life-changing—not just for the veteran, but for the whole familyHow Lisa stepped into her role as a caregiver advocateThe urgent need for fair, accessible veteran care across the U.S.
Lisa’s story will resonate with anyone who has felt isolated or overwhelmed in their caregiving role—and it’s a powerful example of how self-care and advocacy can go hand in hand.
Caring for aging parents or other loved ones while working, raising children, and trying to live your own life? Wondering how to find the time for your personal health & happiness? Welcome to the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast. The show where real family caregivers share how to be happy and healthy while caring for others.
Host and Certified Caregiving Consultant, Elizabeth Miller shares her stories and content and also talks with others who are either current or former family caregivers. Real people who are figuring out how to integrate caregiving with their lives and ready to share what they have learned with you.
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