In Sickness
Listen in as Allison Breininger and Justin Bajema, millennial caregivers for their chronically ill spouses, speak honestly about what life is like when there are more days spent in sickness than in health.
Episodes
Rodolfo Nieto and Aaron Shipp were both spousal caregivers whose roles ended in different ways over the last two years. In this episode, we talk with them about the aftereffects of caregiving on their physical health, emotional wellbeing, nervous system, and sense of identity.
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Join us for an online support group related to this episode on Tuesday, October 6, from 6:00-7:15pm CT. Register Here!
Being in public spaces, with inquisitive young children, or even out and about in our neighborhood with our loved one can cause us to see them through different eyes. In this episode, Jenna and Allison talk about times this has happened in their caregiving lives and the good and the hard that has come from it.
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Join us for an online support group related to this episode on Monday, September 21, from 6:00-7:15pm CT. Register Her...
The decision of how much to share about a loved one's illness publicly or even with family is a personal one that can have both positive and negative outcomes. The situation can be even more complex when the caregiver and the person being cared for have differing opinions on the matter. In this episode, Allison and Jenna dig into these nuances and share how they have handled this in their own caregiving lives.
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Caregiving tasks, while important, can begin to feel repetitive and mundane, making each day feel like the one before. In this episode, Jenna and Allison discuss the hamster wheel of caregiving, how it can lead to feelings of frustration or numbness, and how to find moments of joy amidst the routine.
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Join us for an online support group related to this episode on Monday, August 17, from 6:00-7:15pm CT. Register Here!
In this episode, the hosts discuss the formal and informal ways respite care can look for caregivers, the challenges caregivers may face in accessing those services, and the impact on caregiver health and wellbeing if they don't take breaks.
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Join us for an online support group related to this episode on Sunday, August 2, from 6:00-7:15pm CT. Register Here!
In this episode, Justin and Allison speak with remote caregivers Natasha Ray-Heideker and Klaus Unger, who share their individual stories of providing care for family members living across the ocean. Natasha lives in Germany while caregiving for her father in Colorado and Klaus lives in Minnesota and cares for his mother who lives in Germany. They describe what this version of caregiving looks and feels like and the benefits and ch...
Research shows that there is a direct correlation between caregiver distress, depression, and physical strain and patient rates of hospitalization and even mortality. In this episode, Allison and Justin talk about the vicious cycle of the caregiving role causing these symptoms but then how the symptoms themselves can make caregiving more challenging. They also dig into what, if anything, can be done to prevent caregiver burnout.
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In this beautiful conversation with Jill Thompson of Inheritance of Hope, Justin and Allison learn about what it means to build and leave behind a legacy. Jill shares both the concept and power behind legacy and concrete strategies for how to leave things for our loved ones once we're gone, such as legacy videos or songs. This meaningful discussion is one for all of us to take in and consider, regardless of our stage in life.
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In this episode, Allison and Justin share ways that they have used humor as a tool for themselves and with their loved ones during hard times. They also share stories and ideas that were submitted by listeners.
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Join us for an online support group related to this episode on Monday, March 23 , from 6:00-7:15pm CT. Register Here!
When we're caring for someone, our moods and feelings can become intertwined. In this episode Justin and Allison discuss what it's like when witnessing the suffering of their partners impacts their mood, when their own moods rub off on their loved ones, and how emotions can feel contagious.
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Join us for an online support group related to this episode on Sunday, March 8, from 6:00-7:15pm CT. Register Here!
When the person you're caring for has a rare disease, there can be extra layers of hardship and complexity starting with the challenge of finding a diagnosis. In this episode, Allison shares with Justin what it has been like to care for her husband whose disease is rare and the two discuss what this type of caregiving can look like.
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Join us for an online support group related to this episode on Sunday, February 15, from 6:00-7:...
In this episode, Allison shares with Justin what life is currently like in her community with the presence of 2000+ ICE agents, how this intersects with her reality as a caregiver, and how it feels to live in this moment while also preparing for Sean's upcoming surgery.
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Join us for an online support group related to this episode on Sunday, January 25, from 6:00-7:15pm CT. Register Here!
At the start of a new year, it's common for people to reflect on the highlights of the last twelve months and to set goals for the year ahead. For caregivers, moments like these can be a stark reminder that their lives are very different from those of their peers. In this episode, Justin and Allison talk about what it's like to see their friends' highlight reels and how it feels to move into another year of caregiving.
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On January 1, 2026, Minnesota will become the thirteenth state to offer Paid Family Leave. In this episode, Allison and Justin talk with Cathy McLeer from AARP about how this new law benefits caregivers, how we can support other states in adopting this law, and other ways AARP supports caregivers of all ages.
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PFML for caregivers in Minnesota
Caregivers frequently find themselves needing to make split second decisions that are, in some cases, matters of life and death. In this episode, Justin and Allison talk about decisions they have had to make, the role their personality types play in those moments, and how supporters can help.
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Join us for an online support group related to this episode on Sunday, December 14, from 6:00-7:15pm CT. Register Here!
Allison's mom, Barbara, plays an active role in supporting Allison's entire family, from joining them at the ER to helping with household tasks to providing emotional support. In this episode, Justin and Allison talk with her about what this looks like on a daily basis, how it feels to witness her daughter go through hard things, and how this third ring role is often unseen.
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Justin and Allison came together on stage at CaregiverCON in Minneapolis on November 1, 2025 for a live recording of this episode. They discussed how they met and the impact of finding friendships and support within the caregiving community.
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Join us for an online support group related to this episode on Tuesday, November 18, from 6:00-7:15pm CT. Register Here!
There are moments in caregiving - an appointment, scan or biopsy results, an accident, etc. - that send our lives down a new path. In this episode, Justin and Allison talk about crossroads moments they've experienced, what it can feel like when you know those moments are looming, and how supporters can help.
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Join us for an online support group related to this episode on Wednesday, November 5, from 6:00-7:15pm CT. Register Here...
Allison and Justin have a frank conversation about what it feels like now that their caregiving lives are at such different stages: with Allison enduring ongoing crises and Justin no longer considering himself an active caregiver. They also discuss what they have heard from caregivers whose loved one has passed away about the grief they have experienced at no longer feeling at home with their caregiver friends.
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Justin and Allison have each been caregiving for more than a decade. In this episode, they talk about how things have changed for them as they've gotten older, learned things about themselves and the health care system, and had countless experiences, both positive and negative.
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Join us for an online support group related to this episode on Wednesday, October 1, from 6:00-7:15pm CT. Register Here!
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