Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

“Never say never in  your journey.” - Eleni Paris

Natalie and JJ sit down with Eleni Paris, a licensed therapist and devoted mom, as she shares her deeply personal journey raising her daughter Sophia, who has cognitive and speech impairments.

Eleni opens up about navigating cultural expectations, emotional burnout, and the realities of parenting a child with developmental delays—all while juggling her professional identity. From the ...

"He chose to keep living." - Amy Shaw

When life takes an unexpected turn, how do you find the strength to carry on? JJ and Nat sit down with Amy Shaw to share her deeply moving story raising a large family, including children with special needs, and navigating the heartbreaking journey of her husband Brian’s terminal illness.

From the first signs of illness to the devastating diagnosis of brain cancer, Amy opens up about th...

"You have to be ready to roll with it." - Alfredo Botello

Stepping into the role of caregiver isn’t always a choice, it’s a journey filled with love, loss, and unexpected lessons. J.J. and Natalie welcome novelist and screenwriter, Alfredo Botello to open up about caring for his mother after his stepfather’s passing and navigating the challenges of Alzheimer’s and assisted living.

🔹 Key Takeaways:
 ✅ The emotional toll...

"I wanted to make the most of it." - Dona Kim Murphey

Caregiving is never just about one person, it’s about family, culture, and community. Natalie and J.J. sit down with Dr. Dona Kim Murphey, neurologist and caregiver, to explore the deeply personal and often unspoken challenges of caregiving.

From cultural expectations to the emotional and relational toll caregiving takes, this conversation dives into what it truly means ...

"I suffered from caregiver fatigue." - Maureen Elias

Maureen shares her journey from a structured military career to the unpredictable world of caregiving. As a mother of children on the autism spectrum, she opens up about the challenges and triumphs of parenting, the impact of military life on family dynamics, and the importance of advocacy and community support. Through personal stories of resilience, she highlights the ...

"Life is really short and it changes." - Kyle Daquanna

JJ and Natalie sit down with Kyle Daquanna, a male caregiver, as he shares his powerful journey of balancing work, family, and caregiving responsibilities after his father’s stroke. Kyle opens up about the emotional and logistical challenges of caregiving, the impact of family dynamics, and the difficult medical decisions caregivers face. The discussion highlights the ...

"I forgot how to care for myself." - Tara Ross

In this powerful episode of Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver, hosts Natalie and JJ welcome guest, Tara Ross to dive deep into the raw realities of caregiving—especially within military families. Tara opens up about her journey from falling in love with John, a dedicated Navy submariner, to facing the life-altering challenges of his traumatic brain injury.

This emotional con...

"He needed us more than we needed him." - Nick Gaylord

This is a powerful one! Hosts Natalie and JJ sit down with Nick Gaylord to explore the raw realities of caregiving, grief, and complex family dynamics. Nick opens up about the emotional toll of caring for his father, the struggles of managing a difficult relationship, and the conflicting emotions of loss, relief, and anger after his passing.

This heartfelt conversation ...

"I was feeling angry, I was feeling resentful." - Kate Washington

JJ and Natalie sit down with author Kate Washington to uncover the emotional, financial, and mental health challenges of caregiving. Kate shares her personal journey of caring for both her mother and husband, revealing the unseen struggles caregivers face, from healthcare system hurdles to burnout and grief. Kate and the sisters, JJ and Natalie reflect on th...

"Look for the glimmers in caregiving." - Mark Wilson

Hosts JJ  and Natalie sit down with Mark Wilson, a former corporate executive who left his successful career to become a full-time caregiver after his mother’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

🔹 Mark’s Caregiving Journey – The emotional transition from executive to caregiver
🔹 Building a Support System – How to create a strong caregiving team
🔹 Lessons in Love & Conn...

"Dementia gave us that gift of closeness." - Katrina Prescott

In this compelling episode of The Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver podcast, hosts JJ and Natalie dive into the world of caregiving with special guest Katrina Prescott, a media producer turned caregiving advocate. 🌟

Katrina opens up about her unexpected journey into caregiving, starting at a young age, and shares invaluable lessons on overcoming the emot...

"It's OK not to know everything." - Tracee Loran

In this heartfelt episode of Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver, hosts JJ, Natalie, and Tracee Loran dive into the unexpected twists and turns of caregiving. Tracy shares her deeply personal story of stepping into the caregiver role for her grandmother after a serious fall, shedding light on:

💡 Family dynamics & cultural expectations
💡 Balancing independence ...

"I finally found my purpose." - Adrienne Marioles

🎙️ Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver brings you another raw and relatable episode as hosts Natalie and JJ sit down with Adrienne Marioles, a millennial caregiver with a story that’s equal parts inspiring and real. Adrienne opens up about her leap from the hustle and bustle of New York City to the emotional rollercoaster of caring for her mom, who’s battling Parkinson’s ...

"Let's not sugarcoat it; it's hard." - Dr. Jacob Kendall

In this episode of Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver, JJ and Natalie chat with Dr. Jacob Kendall, who opens up about his life-changing experience as a caregiver after his father’s health crisis. It’s a conversation filled with heartfelt stories, relatable struggles, and powerful insights into the rollercoaster of caregiving.

Jacob shares what it’s really ...

"You can bring back the color and the light." - Kelci Jager

Kelci Jagger shares her powerful and emotional story of overcoming tragic loss and grief through the support of her community and finding power in living in the light. Her incredible journey chronicles a series of tragic events including a dangerous accident with her two sons and her husband’s heart-breaking leukemia diagnosis. Losing a loved one can be one of the...

In this holiday episode of Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver, we bring humor, honesty, and reflection to our caregiving journey over the last year. Join us as we look back on the highs and lows of caregiving, with no topic off-limits!

Natalie discusses the launch of our new Care Forward initiative, which connects individuals in need with local resources, while JJ shares a heartwarming moment baking brownies with our mom—a reminde...

Christina Key's life brimmed with success and vitality. But fate had different plans in store for her. An unexpected phone call shattered her idyllic existence, thrusting her into a whirlwind of chaos and uncertainty. As her mother's health hung in the balance, Christina's role transformed from a thriving tech professional to a devoted caregiver.

Little did she know, this was just the beginning of a journey that would...

Charisma Sydnor's path crossed with Cole's at a rehab center following his teenage spinal cord injury; their professional rapport blossomed into romance and they wed in 2020. Taking over from his mother, Charisma adapted to the comprehensive caregiver role, focusing on fostering independence for Cole while ensuring their connection thrives beyond her caregiving responsibilities. They openly celebrate their life together o...

This week’s episode gives us a powerful and insightful look into the life of Aditya Akella, a 16-year-old caregiver for his younger brother with autism. Aditya's story is one of resilience, responsibility, and a deep commitment to his family. From navigating cultural differences in caregiving between India and England to balancing his academic and social life, Aditya's experiences offer a rare and valuable perspective on ...