June 26, 2020 • 10 mins
Today we hear from Mary, who has to watch her sister battle brain cancer from afar; Carol, a childcare center director who’s now fighting to keep her industry afloat; and Greg, who recently underwent stem cell treatment for lymphoma. To share your story—and to potentially be featured on an upcoming episode—leave us a voicemail at 909-713-8995.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
I'm Danny Shapiro, and this is the way we live now.
Each Friday, We're going to turn the show over to
our listeners. We want to hear your stories. This is
how we connect with each other by sharing the way
we live now. If you have a story, please do
call us. You'll hear our number at the end of
this episode. Our first message today is from Mary in Pennsylvania.
(00:30):
Just before the pandemic hit, Mary's extended family was rocked
by a terrifying diagnosis. They learned her sister we need
immediate treatment for an aggressive form of brain cancer. Why
am Mary? I flew to California in Lake January for
(00:50):
a bridle shower from my niece. As soon as I landed,
I discovered my sister, the mother of the bride, She's
being diagnosed with the terrible glee last Doma. The showers canceled,
but I'm grateful to be present for her biopsy and diagnosis.
Back home now, or at least February, we're all still
planning to travel to California for the wedding, which is
(01:12):
scheduled for the end of March. By the end of February,
the coronavirus storm clouds are gathering. I'm thinking I'm going
to have to drive out west in the next weeks.
The entire country is shutting down, the wedding is canceled,
and my sister cannot even have the comfort of her
immediate family around her for the brain surgery and the
(01:35):
beginning of radiation and chemo. Thankfully, she does have the
most wonderful husband a woman could have during such a
terrible time. They are their own little unit, along with
their sweet dog. It's been painful though, not to be present.
She also has another daughter who's literally tapped in Brooklyn
(01:56):
and hasn't seen her mother'sness Christmas. One of your guests
spoke about how triggered some of us are by all
the isolation. The sadness is at times unbearable. Thank you
for listening, Danny. I love the show so much. Our
second caller today is Carol, a childcare center director, fighting
to ensure that childcare workers get the support they need
(02:19):
and the respect they deserve when everyone gets back to work. Hi, Danny,
thank you so much for doing this podcast. My name
is Carol, and I am a childcare director. I'm an
early childhood teacher and so during COVID my childcare center
closed down. It closed down actually on March thirteenth, and
(02:42):
my teachers and I all started zooming with children. We
didn't have a lot of essential workers at our center.
We had a lot of teachers and professors, and so
they were all trying to work from home, and we
had this window into the lives of children and families,
and we were singing songs and telling stories and doing
(03:02):
things experiments over zoom. It was such a strange world.
We were very resistant because, um, you know, we believe
children should not be on screens. We believe they should
be outside getting bessy and playing with one another. So
that was a big adjustment, and then our hearts were
breaking for these families and families who need us, um
(03:23):
and who are trying to work and don't have our
essential service, don't have our our support. I am so
hopeful that dependent that will reveal how important childcare is
to work fundily balanced to women's rights, to family wellness,
(03:46):
to the health of children. That childcare is a right. Um,
it's what all of us need, UM in a healthy society.
It's us to lead the reopening. And now we're getting
ready to reopen, and we're wondering, you know, how do
(04:06):
we care for children with masks? What will it be
like if children can't your smiles? Will we develop the
new ways of being together. We're not ready to abandon
our philosophy of early education and care. We're going to
stay close to children, but social distancing that's such a
(04:28):
strange concept and really doesn't work in childcare. UM. We're
trying to look for some face masks and other adapted
ways that we can follow guidelines and still be close
to children and still support families who are trying to
get back into the workforce. And the other thing has
(04:48):
happened through the pandemic is we've had a huge advocacy effort.
Do We've connected with UM so many childcare workers across
the state, and we are trying to reveal the the
worth of child care and care in general, everyone who
(05:10):
cares for for children, for elders, for people with disabilities, UM,
how does our society value these people? Many of us
around the state in the nation are really where real
childcare won't survive the pandemic. There are so many childcare
centers who don't have a margin and they are going
(05:33):
struggling with reopening. It's going to cost more to reopen.
We have to have lower ratios, less capacity, more supplies,
and this is going to mean that we can't take
in the revenue. And parents are already paying too much
for child care. Childcare care is costing some families equal
(05:55):
to what a cause education costs. Something radical has to
happen or how us to be uh National Universal Care
Act that recognizes childcare and care in general as a
human right, as a public good. It's going to be
(06:16):
interesting to see how we come out on the other
side of this pandemic, how we emerge, how families survive
without these sort of invisible infrastructures like childcare, who have
been so under recognized and underfunded. So that's been a big,
(06:38):
huge learning curve with me during the pandemic, is becoming
an advocate, trying to speak about what I do and
to help our legislators and our governors understanding childcare needs
to bail out. We're going to open. If we're going
to say our economy, then we have to say childcare.
(07:01):
Child care will save us. But we've got to say childcare.
Thank you, Danny, thank you for all the work you're doing.
Take care. Today's final messages from Greg. Greg, who lives
in the suburbs of Denver with his wife, had recently
undergone treatment for lymphoma. Now he's trying to stay safe
and sane in a world that is even more dangerous
than usual for immuno compromised people like himself. Hi, my
(07:26):
name is Greg, and I live out in Denver, Colorado,
or in a suburb Denver, Colorado. And just prior to
the pandemic that UM, I had gone through a stem
cell transplant for a really aggressive form of lymphoma and
was basically at home just starting to come back to
work kind of in a telework status. UM My wife
(07:49):
and I both worked for the government, federal government here
in Denver, and I was just starting to do some
kind of back to work, uh. And I was also
just starting to exercise again, and you know, then the
pandemic basically shifting down a lot of that UM I
(08:12):
UH stay connected by I do a lot of I
do a lot of telework with my um with my
government colleagues, but really the connection that I have is
through my Zen center. I practiced Zen here in Denver,
and we have a lot of online and other virtual
ways of practicing UM my life and I would get
(08:35):
outside a lot. Um. There's you know, some really great
walking trails around which keeps us both fit and also
connected to our neighborhood. UM. But I think the thing
that was really kind of telling for us anyway, is
is how we stay connected with our friends and family.
We've had some zoom um family get together. There's we've
(09:00):
had some zoom neighborhood things and birthday celebrations. UM. And
you know that's not as satisfying obviously as being in person,
but we really, I think that it's as good as
we can do right now. And we're looking forward to
the pandemic being over. UM. And I'm really looking forward
to the pandemic being over because you know, in a
(09:22):
state of uh somewhat diminished health and resistance to diseases,
this is a pretty scary time. And honestly, you know,
having times with family and friends and my Zen center
and my work colleagues have really kind of helped keep
us grounded. And I'm looking forward to, uh hopefully a
(09:42):
brighter future. So that's the way I'm living now. Give
my name is Greg, and uh, I just really appreciate
your show. I listened to it all the time. When
I'm out walking, take care of my Thanks for listening
to the Way We Live Now. Tell us the way
you're living now. We want to hear call us on.
(10:06):
You might want to get a pen for this nine
O nine one three eight that's nine O nine seven
three eight nine nine five and record your story and
we might just use it on the pod. Also, you
can join our Facebook group at facebook dot com slash
groups slash the Way We Live Now Pod. We are
(10:28):
creating a community here and we would love for you
to join us. You can find me on Instagram at
Danny Ryder. The Way We Live Now is a production
of I Heart Radio. It's produced by a Low Brulante.
Bethan Macaluso is executive producer. Special thanks to Tristan McNeil
and Tyler Klang. For more podcasts from my Heart Radio,
visit the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever
(10:50):
you get your podcasts.
I'm Danny Shapiro, and this is the way we live now.
Each Friday, We're going to turn the show over to
our listeners. We want to hear your stories. This is
how we connect with each other by sharing the way
we live now. If you have a story, please do
call us. You'll hear our number at the end of
this episode. Our first message today is from Mary in Pennsylvania.
(00:30):
Just before the pandemic hit, Mary's extended family was rocked
by a terrifying diagnosis. They learned her sister we need
immediate treatment for an aggressive form of brain cancer. Why
am Mary? I flew to California in Lake January for
(00:50):
a bridle shower from my niece. As soon as I landed,
I discovered my sister, the mother of the bride, She's
being diagnosed with the terrible glee last Doma. The showers canceled,
but I'm grateful to be present for her biopsy and diagnosis.
Back home now, or at least February, we're all still
planning to travel to California for the wedding, which is
(01:12):
scheduled for the end of March. By the end of February,
the coronavirus storm clouds are gathering. I'm thinking I'm going
to have to drive out west in the next weeks.
The entire country is shutting down, the wedding is canceled,
and my sister cannot even have the comfort of her
immediate family around her for the brain surgery and the
(01:35):
beginning of radiation and chemo. Thankfully, she does have the
most wonderful husband a woman could have during such a
terrible time. They are their own little unit, along with
their sweet dog. It's been painful though, not to be present.
She also has another daughter who's literally tapped in Brooklyn
(01:56):
and hasn't seen her mother'sness Christmas. One of your guests
spoke about how triggered some of us are by all
the isolation. The sadness is at times unbearable. Thank you
for listening, Danny. I love the show so much. Our
second caller today is Carol, a childcare center director, fighting
to ensure that childcare workers get the support they need
(02:19):
and the respect they deserve when everyone gets back to work. Hi, Danny,
thank you so much for doing this podcast. My name
is Carol, and I am a childcare director. I'm an
early childhood teacher and so during COVID my childcare center
closed down. It closed down actually on March thirteenth, and
(02:42):
my teachers and I all started zooming with children. We
didn't have a lot of essential workers at our center.
We had a lot of teachers and professors, and so
they were all trying to work from home, and we
had this window into the lives of children and families,
and we were singing songs and telling stories and doing
(03:02):
things experiments over zoom. It was such a strange world.
We were very resistant because, um, you know, we believe
children should not be on screens. We believe they should
be outside getting bessy and playing with one another. So
that was a big adjustment, and then our hearts were
breaking for these families and families who need us, um
(03:23):
and who are trying to work and don't have our
essential service, don't have our our support. I am so
hopeful that dependent that will reveal how important childcare is
to work fundily balanced to women's rights, to family wellness,
(03:46):
to the health of children. That childcare is a right. Um,
it's what all of us need, UM in a healthy society.
It's us to lead the reopening. And now we're getting
ready to reopen, and we're wondering, you know, how do
(04:06):
we care for children with masks? What will it be
like if children can't your smiles? Will we develop the
new ways of being together. We're not ready to abandon
our philosophy of early education and care. We're going to
stay close to children, but social distancing that's such a
(04:28):
strange concept and really doesn't work in childcare. UM. We're
trying to look for some face masks and other adapted
ways that we can follow guidelines and still be close
to children and still support families who are trying to
get back into the workforce. And the other thing has
(04:48):
happened through the pandemic is we've had a huge advocacy effort.
Do We've connected with UM so many childcare workers across
the state, and we are trying to reveal the the
worth of child care and care in general, everyone who
(05:10):
cares for for children, for elders, for people with disabilities, UM,
how does our society value these people? Many of us
around the state in the nation are really where real
childcare won't survive the pandemic. There are so many childcare
centers who don't have a margin and they are going
(05:33):
struggling with reopening. It's going to cost more to reopen.
We have to have lower ratios, less capacity, more supplies,
and this is going to mean that we can't take
in the revenue. And parents are already paying too much
for child care. Childcare care is costing some families equal
(05:55):
to what a cause education costs. Something radical has to
happen or how us to be uh National Universal Care
Act that recognizes childcare and care in general as a
human right, as a public good. It's going to be
(06:16):
interesting to see how we come out on the other
side of this pandemic, how we emerge, how families survive
without these sort of invisible infrastructures like childcare, who have
been so under recognized and underfunded. So that's been a big,
(06:38):
huge learning curve with me during the pandemic, is becoming
an advocate, trying to speak about what I do and
to help our legislators and our governors understanding childcare needs
to bail out. We're going to open. If we're going
to say our economy, then we have to say childcare.
(07:01):
Child care will save us. But we've got to say childcare.
Thank you, Danny, thank you for all the work you're doing.
Take care. Today's final messages from Greg. Greg, who lives
in the suburbs of Denver with his wife, had recently
undergone treatment for lymphoma. Now he's trying to stay safe
and sane in a world that is even more dangerous
than usual for immuno compromised people like himself. Hi, my
(07:26):
name is Greg, and I live out in Denver, Colorado,
or in a suburb Denver, Colorado. And just prior to
the pandemic that UM, I had gone through a stem
cell transplant for a really aggressive form of lymphoma and
was basically at home just starting to come back to
work kind of in a telework status. UM My wife
(07:49):
and I both worked for the government, federal government here
in Denver, and I was just starting to do some
kind of back to work, uh. And I was also
just starting to exercise again, and you know, then the
pandemic basically shifting down a lot of that UM I
(08:12):
UH stay connected by I do a lot of I
do a lot of telework with my um with my
government colleagues, but really the connection that I have is
through my Zen center. I practiced Zen here in Denver,
and we have a lot of online and other virtual
ways of practicing UM my life and I would get
(08:35):
outside a lot. Um. There's you know, some really great
walking trails around which keeps us both fit and also
connected to our neighborhood. UM. But I think the thing
that was really kind of telling for us anyway, is
is how we stay connected with our friends and family.
We've had some zoom um family get together. There's we've
(09:00):
had some zoom neighborhood things and birthday celebrations. UM. And
you know that's not as satisfying obviously as being in person,
but we really, I think that it's as good as
we can do right now. And we're looking forward to
the pandemic being over. UM. And I'm really looking forward
to the pandemic being over because you know, in a
(09:22):
state of uh somewhat diminished health and resistance to diseases,
this is a pretty scary time. And honestly, you know,
having times with family and friends and my Zen center
and my work colleagues have really kind of helped keep
us grounded. And I'm looking forward to, uh hopefully a
(09:42):
brighter future. So that's the way I'm living now. Give
my name is Greg, and uh, I just really appreciate
your show. I listened to it all the time. When
I'm out walking, take care of my Thanks for listening
to the Way We Live Now. Tell us the way
you're living now. We want to hear call us on.
(10:06):
You might want to get a pen for this nine
O nine one three eight that's nine O nine seven
three eight nine nine five and record your story and
we might just use it on the pod. Also, you
can join our Facebook group at facebook dot com slash
groups slash the Way We Live Now Pod. We are
(10:28):
creating a community here and we would love for you
to join us. You can find me on Instagram at
Danny Ryder. The Way We Live Now is a production
of I Heart Radio. It's produced by a Low Brulante.
Bethan Macaluso is executive producer. Special thanks to Tristan McNeil
and Tyler Klang. For more podcasts from my Heart Radio,
visit the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever
(10:50):
you get your podcasts.
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