A Season of Caring Podcast

Steve Powell's story is a beautiful example of how love and necessity can spark innovation. Rayna Neises had the honor of discussing Steve's mission to create a world where the elderly and disabled can rise with dignity.  His invention was born from witnessing his own parents' struggles, a challenge he met with a blend of compassion and creativity.

Steve Powell recounts the painful reality of his parents&apo...

Navigating the complex currents of caregiving from afar, our guest Liuda, a retired pharmacist with a heart as vast as her experience, invites us into her world of love, loss, and devotion. She talks about the emotional challenges of taking care of family members who are far away.  Liuda shares personal stories of her father's passing, dealing with dementia, and inheriting the care of her brother who lives with a traumatic bra...

Terri Liggins' journey from Las Vegas back home to Columbus, Ohio, was not just a change in location, but the start of her caregiving story that she passionately shares with us on the Season of Caring podcast. Losing her father, taking care of her mother, and dealing with life during a global pandemic is a story that many of us can relate to. Terri openly shares the challenges and unexpected blessings of caring for a loved one...

Experience the courageous story of Yolanda Lucas as she fearlessly shares her heartfelt journey of providing care for her mother for 15 years.  Her path has taken her from the sidelines of support to the forefront of advocacy in the intricate realm of medical care. We talk about how caregiving can reveal personal growth, resilience, and strong family connections. We learn about Yolanda's life, which has been full of challenges...

When you meet someone who navigates life's hurdles with grace and a smile, you can't help but want to delve into their story. That's precisely what we do with Joan Borton, a disability advocate whose marriage to Jerry—a man living with cerebral palsy—is a beacon of love, faith, and dedication. Joan opens her heart to us, recounting the evolution from their serendipitous meeting to the deepened bond that caregiving ha...

 Althea McIntyre joins host, Rayna Neises, in this episode. She shares her perspective on the connection between caregiving, faith, and personal growth. They delve into the rich tapestry of caregiving, sharing insights from their own experiences with their fathers. From the intense demands of high-need periods to the tranquility of more stable times, exploring the full spectrum of emotions and responsibilities that define the careg...

Caregiving, in its rawest form, is an odyssey of love, loss, and resilience that can both break and fortify the human spirit. Witness the profound journey of Tammy Marvin as she shares her experiences of bidding a sacred farewell to her mother, father, and sister. Through her sorrow and strength, you'll find solace in the invisible threads of faith and family that hold us together, even as the physical world tries to pull us a...

When Minty Swanson agreed to join me on the podcast, I knew her story would resonate with anyone who has ever loved deeply and fought fiercely. Minty bravely opens up about her role as a caregiver for her husband, Chris, weaving through the complexities of multiple cancer diagnoses during the isolating times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her narrative is a testament to the resilience and humor that can spring from the heaviest of heart...

Join Rayna Neises as she learns about the mission of The Grand Baby Project with Tonja Moon, founder. In this touching episode, Tonja unravels her personal narrative of caring for her dementia-stricken grandmother, revealing the unexpected calming power of lifelike baby dolls and they offer joy and a sense of purpose to those battling with memory loss. As we traverse Tonja's journey, we uncover the triumphs, the struggles, and...

Ever found yourself in the middle of a caregiving journey, feeling overwhelmed, yet strangely blessed? You are not alone. Join me, Rayna Neises, as I welcome Peggy Bode, a fellow caregiver who sheds light on the complexities, challenges, and rewards of caring for loved ones - specifically, in-laws. Peggy shares a memorable tale about her father-in-law's unique love language - giving treats. This story and others serve as refre...

When it comes to caregiving, every journey is unique and filled with its own set of challenges. Imagine being the primary caregiver for a loved one battling with health issues like cancer and a vagus nerve condition. That’s the story of our guest today, Pamela Durand, who courageously took on these demanding responsibilities. Her experiences and insights, including the difficult decision of taking away her father’s driving privileg...

Have you ever wondered what it's like to care for a loved one with dementia while raising you kids? Join us as Jill Pietroburgo shares her heartwarming journey of caring for her mother and raising her children. Jill, an early childhood special education and co-founder of Eagles Wings Ministry, gracefully and lovingly navigates the complexities of dementia caregiving. She offers a unique perspective on the challenges and succes...

Do you find yourself struggling with the complex dynamics of caregiving? Meet Lil Glamben, someone who knows firsthand how caregiving can change and strain a relationship. Lil faced numerous challenges while caring for her mother and stepfather during her own menopause journey. Despite facing challenges, she approached them with unwavering faith, which led her to not only overcome them, but also experience profound personal growth ...

Have you ever felt the weight of the world on your shoulders while caring for a loved one suffering from a debilitating disease? Dr. George Ackerman knows that feeling all too well. He opens his heart and shares his personal journey of caregiving for his late mother, Sharon, who battled both Parkinson's and dementia. His poignant narrative about the challenges he faced in ensuring proper medication and making the difficult dec...

Ever grappled with the emotional rollercoaster of being a caregiver? Join me for an enlightening chat with Gaylynn Green about her experience caring for her mother with Alzheimer’s. Gaylynn talks about her initial fears when she started noticing her mother's dementia symptoms. She also shares her struggles to make her concerns understood by her mother's doctor. Challenges of caregiving from afar led to moving her to Gayly...

What happens when a strong-willed single mother becomes the caregiver for her father? How does that journey, full of emotional roller coasters and challenging realities, transform her life? In this episode, we are introduced to Tenita Abraham, a dedicated daughter who embarked on this journey of caregiving. Tenita's story is not just about caregiving but also a testament to love, faith, and resilience - a story that will tug a...

Imagine the peace of mind that comes with being prepared for the inevitable. Christy Byrne Yates, an educational psychologist, author, speaker, coach, and consultant, shares how her parents' careful planning for their later years gave her the valuable gift of preparedness. Christy explains how being prepared helped her transition into the role of caregiver for her parents, who both had dementia, and how it affected her and her...

The challenges of Alzheimer's care can be complicated, but our engaging conversation with Jennifer Fink will shed some light on this often daunting journey. Hear her heartwarming and sometimes hilarious tales of caring for her mom, including the mystery of the black sports bra. Fink, a beacon of support in the Alzheimer’s community through her podcast, Fading Memories, opens up about the difficulties and joys of her caregiving...