February 1, 2025 • 23 mins
Travis and Judy discuss navigating life’s challenges, focusing on resilience and preparedness in the wake of a devastating fire. They share personal stories of loss, emotional coping strategies, and the importance of community support.
• Importance of resilience in facing trauma
• Preparations for unexpected emergencies
• Emotional toll of loss and community impact
• New partnership with Parkinson's Community Los Angeles
• Suggestions for emergency planning and triaging possessions
• Key takeaways for listeners in managing crises
- Co-hosts: Judy Yaras & Travis Robinson
- Editor & Audio Engineer: (EP1-100) Spencer Yaras
- Audio Engineering Intern: Ana MacAller
- Social Media Intern: Ana MacAller
www.INDYpodcast.net
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to I'm Not Dead Yet with Judy and Travis, a
podcast about living anextraordinary life with
extraordinary circumstances.
Welcome to the.
(00:23):
I'm your co-host, TravisRobinson.
I was diagnosed withParkinson's disease at age 35 in
(00:44):
2014.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
And I'm your other co-host, judy Yarris.
My husband, sandy, hadParkinson's disease for 18 years
and I was his care partner.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
Today's episode we're talking about the building
blocks that I have put togetherto restore my old man life.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
Hey Judy, how are you ?
I'm good Travis, I'm good nowthat I'm talking to you.
I've had a stressful car daycar repair day and I know anyone
listening to this that owns avehicle can relate to stuff that
happens with your car beingvery stressful.
My car is relatively new andkind of just stopped on me, so
it was not easy getting the towand it wasted my whole day and
(01:56):
it was a pain in the ass.
Let's face it.
That's what it was.
But I want to really talk toyou today and see how you're
doing.
Last week we let our audienceknow that your house was
destroyed in the Eaton Canyonfire here in Los Angeles and I
know that that presented a lotof challenges for you and Sarah.
(02:21):
And how do you feel about thatnow?
Speaker 1 (02:28):
Um, now it is a process.
You know, I don't think my mindhas changed.
(02:49):
Pain in the ass, yep, but it isjust a pain in the ass and I
(03:20):
have suffered a lot of those.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
Yep, you have Travis.
I mean, I think this is a bigone and you know, uprooting your
life and having to go intotemporary quarters until you can
start rebuilding and gettingsome normalcy, and we know, with
stress and Parkinson's that's aterrible combination.
(03:50):
So I'm curious have yoursymptoms been much worse?
What's been going on with yourPD?
Speaker 1 (04:01):
Not much as I was afraid of.
They were really bad the nightwe evacuated and the next 24
(04:25):
hours or so, but after thatthey've been okay.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
So it was really like that initial shock and the
stress of having to get out, getthe poodles, get the cats, get
a few belongings not much andbeing safe, you know.
So I can understand where thosefirst 48 hours were probably
the worst for you.
But I do know you well, travis,and I'm pretty sure that you've
(05:04):
gone into what I always callthe survival mode and I have
another way of saying that itwould be the fuck you mode that
you're not going to let thisfire take you down.
And you know this is who youare as a person that when these
crazy challenges happen whetherit's something as dramatic as
(05:27):
this or maybe something a littleless dramatic, but still
impacting you in a very big wayyou seem to come through with
still a sense of positivity andresilience.
That, I think, is really.
I mean, I admire you and I knowother people that know you
(05:51):
admire how you've been able tosound like you are intact, and
whether you are or not, we don'tknow it.
If you're not, you put up agood front.
Speaker 1 (06:09):
Thank you.
Yeah, it's mostly true.
I have weathered a few stormsin my day and this one will be
(06:31):
just like the others.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
Yeah, I see that that's how you're approaching it
.
You're not giving it more.
You're not giving it more.
You're not giving it more, andI guess that's it.
You're not giving it moreattention.
Well, you're certainly givingit more attention, but you're
not allowing it to penetrate, totake you down.
Maybe that's the word.
Speaker 1 (07:01):
What's the word?
Speaker 2 (07:21):
It's like it won't penetrate my bubble of how I
feel about myself or about mylife.
Speaker 1 (07:24):
That's really good to hear my life.
Speaker 2 (07:34):
That's really good to hear, just on the periphery,
okay.
So that's wonderful to hear,travis, that you have found a
way to make that happen, and Iwish I could do the same thing
when I'm I mean, certainly todayI did not hold it together very
well and had one or twomeltdowns along the way
throughout the day, and I thinkit was just a combination of all
the stress from the last coupleof weeks and seeing how
(07:59):
everything you know you losingyour house, other friends losing
their homes, people beingupended, you know, and friends
and family and it's just.
It affects us all, you know,those of us that love the people
that we are close to as acommunity we are impacted to.
(08:26):
As a community, we are impactedand anyone I've talked to,
everyone's been feeling tiredand exhausted and they don't
know why they feel so tired orwhy they're so exhausted.
And I think it's this emotionalcrap that we've been holding on
to for the last couple of weeksof just trying to process what
has happened and how we'refeeling and what can we do, and
(08:47):
there isn't really enough we cando.
You know, what can we do.
Are we doing it?
Are we not doing it?
I mean, I think there's so manythings that come into play with
this and I just feel like, youknow, we all do what we can to
make the best of a situationthat is so far from perfect and
(09:10):
so far from what we would likeit to be.
But, with that said, we knowthat life is not a permanent
state and that we're changingall the time, and so this is
just another change in anothermoment in time that we have to
(09:33):
adapt to and know that it's fornow, it's not forever, right,
yeah, and that's what we have toget, to have to get to that
place.
I was reminded of that todayduring my meltdown.
This is just a moment, it's notgoing to last forever.
And you know and it's hard, Ihave to say for myself, I I tell
(09:57):
people this all the time it'shard for me to practice what I
preach.
You know it's not so easy.
I mean, I did some meditationand I still was a basket case.
So I think that it's just kindof what happens.
It's we have to be acceptingand know that, for the moment,
(10:17):
if we're safe now and right now,you and I are safe and I think
that's really good and we'reable to talk about these things
and there's a lot of excitingstuff for us.
It's 2025.
And you and I have made adecision to do something a
little different with the I'mNot Dead podcast.
(10:40):
I'm Not Dead Yet podcast that'swhat we have to say, and I want
to let our listeners know thatwe're now going to be part of
Parkinson's Community, losAngeles, pcla, and I think it's
exciting.
Yeah, we're very excited aboutthis.
And, just for those of you thatknow us well no-transcript yes,
(11:12):
we'll still have those wordsthat are on the no-fly zone, but
even with that, we will findthat.
You know, we can edit them andwe can put bleeps wherever we
need to, so that it won't offendanyone, and we'll give a heads
up with it.
But I think it's exciting forus.
A heads up with it, but I thinkit's exciting for us.
(11:34):
So I'm really looking forwardto this year and we're planning
to have some new guests on theshow and I think that's going to
be very exciting for us andguest hosts as well.
So that'll be kind of cool.
Speaker 1 (12:02):
Yes, we will reveal that soon.
We're having a guest co-hostjoin us.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
Yeah, I think it's going to be kind of a fun year
for us.
We're going to change it up alittle bit and see where it all
flies, and this will be fun.
So that's so much about that.
And for those of you that don'tknow what PCLA is, or
(12:36):
Parkinson's Community LosAngeles, we will.
You can go to the website,pclaorg.
Check it out.
I suggest waiting about twoweeks.
We're launching a new site andthat's going to be exciting, so
we can promote it then andyou'll see what we've been doing
what we're up to and I thinkyou'll find it kind of fun and
(13:00):
different.
Speaker 1 (13:09):
Yes, and you won't be able to keep adventure with me.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
So I was thinking, travis, you know, if you could
come up with maybe three lessonsyou have learned from this
experience in the last two weeks, or three takeaways that you
would want to give to peoplewith PD.
What would they be?
(13:36):
Maybe there's more than three,but you know I hate putting you
on the spot with this, but youknow are there a couple things
that come to mind for you.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
Yes, like always, be prepared, be prepared, have your
shit together and really don'tput it off, because having DD is
(14:22):
no excuse, and the fire did notgive a damn that I had had
symptoms that day.
It came anyway, so that is mynumber one thing.
Speaker 2 (14:51):
So what does that look like?
Like get your shit together.
So what is the shit we'retalking about?
Is it your PD shit, yourmedications, your assistive
devices?
What kind of stuff are youtalking about?
Speaker 1 (15:07):
Your plan should know what you're going to take and
be ready to leave your house in10 minutes.
Wow, full stop.
Speaker 2 (15:31):
That's pretty intense .
I mean 10 minutes, I'm thinkingabout that.
To have that ready would bepretty intense.
I mean 10 minutes, I'm thinkingabout that.
To have that ready would bepretty hard.
Speaker 1 (15:42):
What you get if the sheriff comes to evacuate.
You is 10 minutes and if youcan carry it out, then it does
(16:08):
not go.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
Right, right, that's amazing.
Okay, I think we should thinkabout that, like what are the
things in 10 minutes?
That's a pretty big ask to comeup with that, yeah.
Speaker 1 (16:30):
And I also want to recognize that it's impossible
to save everything, so you'vegot to do triage and be
(16:58):
selective.
This process is so much easierif you think about it calmly.
And this plan when you'realready fucked.
Speaker 2 (17:46):
I think that makes a lot of sense.
To do that, you know, to planit when you aren't in a rush,
when you don't have theemergency, but get ready.
Think about how you'd get outof your house if you have kids.
You know what would you takefor your kids.
You know what do you take foryour kids.
You know what do you take foryour pets.
A lot of people left withoutdog food or cat food or you know
(18:08):
all the sometimes there weremedicines that animals need and
people left without that.
People left without their ownmeds, you know.
So I think having thatemergency backup bag with meds
in there is probably a greatidea.
And then right, and then turnaround and you just have to be
(18:31):
cognizant that every few monthsyou have to rotate those
medications, right?
Yes, you know, that's a goodone.
I like that.
But I like this idea of beingmethodical, taking your time and
doing it.
When?
Why didn't I grab this?
Speaker 1 (19:09):
Oh shit, I should have grabbed that.
Speaker 2 (19:15):
Yeah, it's hard, and I think to different people the
valuables are different things.
People, the valuables aredifferent things.
You know, it could be a photoor a picture that a child made,
or an item that a kid made, andfor someone else it can be a
priceless object that they maybebought on a trip as something
(19:39):
to remember that trip by.
So I think there's so manydifferent ways to view it as to
what is valuable to you tothings that are practical and
(20:08):
things that are valuable andthings that are sentimental.
Speaker 1 (20:21):
You don't want to leave without all of one
category or you'll find yourselfwith a bunch of precious
(20:44):
keepsakes and no spare underwear.
Speaker 2 (20:52):
Is there anything else you can think of Travis?
Those were two really good ones.
To me that's pretty good.
We don't have to go any furtherwith it.
Speaker 1 (21:03):
Keep a list of all your possessions, even if it's
walk through your house,videotaping on your phone.
(21:29):
You will have much betterchance of remembering everything
.
Speaker 2 (21:43):
That's another really good suggestion.
I like that, even just takingphotographs of each room, of
certain things.
If you have valuables,certainly with artwork things
like that, it could be veryhelpful.
I could see that would be agood one.
Yes, well, that's good.
(22:04):
Well, that's good.
Well, travis, I know that youwant to continue to share your
story.
You want to continue to bethere for people that have PD to
see how you get through thechallenges and to offer support
(22:25):
for them in the best waypossible, and I know I'm truly
appreciative that you are doingthis, and I'm sure there's many
of our listeners feel the sameway, and I'm just glad to see
that we can do it.
We can still get together andtalk and share your story.
Speaker 1 (22:52):
Yes, Okay, that's a round thing.
Welcome to I'm Not Dead Yet with Judy and Travis, a
podcast about living anextraordinary life with
extraordinary circumstances.
Welcome to the.
(00:23):
I'm your co-host, TravisRobinson.
I was diagnosed withParkinson's disease at age 35 in
(00:44):
2014.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
And I'm your other co-host, judy Yarris.
My husband, sandy, hadParkinson's disease for 18 years
and I was his care partner.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
Today's episode we're talking about the building
blocks that I have put togetherto restore my old man life.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
Hey Judy, how are you ?
I'm good Travis, I'm good nowthat I'm talking to you.
I've had a stressful car daycar repair day and I know anyone
listening to this that owns avehicle can relate to stuff that
happens with your car beingvery stressful.
My car is relatively new andkind of just stopped on me, so
it was not easy getting the towand it wasted my whole day and
(01:56):
it was a pain in the ass.
Let's face it.
That's what it was.
But I want to really talk toyou today and see how you're
doing.
Last week we let our audienceknow that your house was
destroyed in the Eaton Canyonfire here in Los Angeles and I
know that that presented a lotof challenges for you and Sarah.
(02:21):
And how do you feel about thatnow?
Speaker 1 (02:28):
Um, now it is a process.
You know, I don't think my mindhas changed.
(02:49):
Pain in the ass, yep, but it isjust a pain in the ass and I
(03:20):
have suffered a lot of those.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
Yep, you have Travis.
I mean, I think this is a bigone and you know, uprooting your
life and having to go intotemporary quarters until you can
start rebuilding and gettingsome normalcy, and we know, with
stress and Parkinson's that's aterrible combination.
(03:50):
So I'm curious have yoursymptoms been much worse?
What's been going on with yourPD?
Speaker 1 (04:01):
Not much as I was afraid of.
They were really bad the nightwe evacuated and the next 24
(04:25):
hours or so, but after thatthey've been okay.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
So it was really like that initial shock and the
stress of having to get out, getthe poodles, get the cats, get
a few belongings not much andbeing safe, you know.
So I can understand where thosefirst 48 hours were probably
the worst for you.
But I do know you well, travis,and I'm pretty sure that you've
(05:04):
gone into what I always callthe survival mode and I have
another way of saying that itwould be the fuck you mode that
you're not going to let thisfire take you down.
And you know this is who youare as a person that when these
crazy challenges happen whetherit's something as dramatic as
(05:27):
this or maybe something a littleless dramatic, but still
impacting you in a very big wayyou seem to come through with
still a sense of positivity andresilience.
That, I think, is really.
I mean, I admire you and I knowother people that know you
(05:51):
admire how you've been able tosound like you are intact, and
whether you are or not, we don'tknow it.
If you're not, you put up agood front.
Speaker 1 (06:09):
Thank you.
Yeah, it's mostly true.
I have weathered a few stormsin my day and this one will be
(06:31):
just like the others.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
Yeah, I see that that's how you're approaching it
.
You're not giving it more.
You're not giving it more.
You're not giving it more, andI guess that's it.
You're not giving it moreattention.
Well, you're certainly givingit more attention, but you're
not allowing it to penetrate, totake you down.
Maybe that's the word.
Speaker 1 (07:01):
What's the word?
Speaker 2 (07:21):
It's like it won't penetrate my bubble of how I
feel about myself or about mylife.
Speaker 1 (07:24):
That's really good to hear my life.
Speaker 2 (07:34):
That's really good to hear, just on the periphery,
okay.
So that's wonderful to hear,travis, that you have found a
way to make that happen, and Iwish I could do the same thing
when I'm I mean, certainly todayI did not hold it together very
well and had one or twomeltdowns along the way
throughout the day, and I thinkit was just a combination of all
the stress from the last coupleof weeks and seeing how
(07:59):
everything you know you losingyour house, other friends losing
their homes, people beingupended, you know, and friends
and family and it's just.
It affects us all, you know,those of us that love the people
that we are close to as acommunity we are impacted to.
(08:26):
As a community, we are impactedand anyone I've talked to,
everyone's been feeling tiredand exhausted and they don't
know why they feel so tired orwhy they're so exhausted.
And I think it's this emotionalcrap that we've been holding on
to for the last couple of weeksof just trying to process what
has happened and how we'refeeling and what can we do, and
(08:47):
there isn't really enough we cando.
You know, what can we do.
Are we doing it?
Are we not doing it?
I mean, I think there's so manythings that come into play with
this and I just feel like, youknow, we all do what we can to
make the best of a situationthat is so far from perfect and
(09:10):
so far from what we would likeit to be.
But, with that said, we knowthat life is not a permanent
state and that we're changingall the time, and so this is
just another change in anothermoment in time that we have to
(09:33):
adapt to and know that it's fornow, it's not forever, right,
yeah, and that's what we have toget, to have to get to that
place.
I was reminded of that todayduring my meltdown.
This is just a moment, it's notgoing to last forever.
And you know and it's hard, Ihave to say for myself, I I tell
(09:57):
people this all the time it'shard for me to practice what I
preach.
You know it's not so easy.
I mean, I did some meditationand I still was a basket case.
So I think that it's just kindof what happens.
It's we have to be acceptingand know that, for the moment,
(10:17):
if we're safe now and right now,you and I are safe and I think
that's really good and we'reable to talk about these things
and there's a lot of excitingstuff for us.
It's 2025.
And you and I have made adecision to do something a
little different with the I'mNot Dead podcast.
(10:40):
I'm Not Dead Yet podcast that'swhat we have to say, and I want
to let our listeners know thatwe're now going to be part of
Parkinson's Community, losAngeles, pcla, and I think it's
exciting.
Yeah, we're very excited aboutthis.
And, just for those of you thatknow us well no-transcript yes,
(11:12):
we'll still have those wordsthat are on the no-fly zone, but
even with that, we will findthat.
You know, we can edit them andwe can put bleeps wherever we
need to, so that it won't offendanyone, and we'll give a heads
up with it.
But I think it's exciting forus.
A heads up with it, but I thinkit's exciting for us.
(11:34):
So I'm really looking forwardto this year and we're planning
to have some new guests on theshow and I think that's going to
be very exciting for us andguest hosts as well.
So that'll be kind of cool.
Speaker 1 (12:02):
Yes, we will reveal that soon.
We're having a guest co-hostjoin us.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
Yeah, I think it's going to be kind of a fun year
for us.
We're going to change it up alittle bit and see where it all
flies, and this will be fun.
So that's so much about that.
And for those of you that don'tknow what PCLA is, or
(12:36):
Parkinson's Community LosAngeles, we will.
You can go to the website,pclaorg.
Check it out.
I suggest waiting about twoweeks.
We're launching a new site andthat's going to be exciting, so
we can promote it then andyou'll see what we've been doing
what we're up to and I thinkyou'll find it kind of fun and
(13:00):
different.
Speaker 1 (13:09):
Yes, and you won't be able to keep adventure with me.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
So I was thinking, travis, you know, if you could
come up with maybe three lessonsyou have learned from this
experience in the last two weeks, or three takeaways that you
would want to give to peoplewith PD.
What would they be?
(13:36):
Maybe there's more than three,but you know I hate putting you
on the spot with this, but youknow are there a couple things
that come to mind for you.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
Yes, like always, be prepared, be prepared, have your
shit together and really don'tput it off, because having DD is
(14:22):
no excuse, and the fire did notgive a damn that I had had
symptoms that day.
It came anyway, so that is mynumber one thing.
Speaker 2 (14:51):
So what does that look like?
Like get your shit together.
So what is the shit we'retalking about?
Is it your PD shit, yourmedications, your assistive
devices?
What kind of stuff are youtalking about?
Speaker 1 (15:07):
Your plan should know what you're going to take and
be ready to leave your house in10 minutes.
Wow, full stop.
Speaker 2 (15:31):
That's pretty intense .
I mean 10 minutes, I'm thinkingabout that.
To have that ready would bepretty intense.
I mean 10 minutes, I'm thinkingabout that.
To have that ready would bepretty hard.
Speaker 1 (15:42):
What you get if the sheriff comes to evacuate.
You is 10 minutes and if youcan carry it out, then it does
(16:08):
not go.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
Right, right, that's amazing.
Okay, I think we should thinkabout that, like what are the
things in 10 minutes?
That's a pretty big ask to comeup with that, yeah.
Speaker 1 (16:30):
And I also want to recognize that it's impossible
to save everything, so you'vegot to do triage and be
(16:58):
selective.
This process is so much easierif you think about it calmly.
And this plan when you'realready fucked.
Speaker 2 (17:46):
I think that makes a lot of sense.
To do that, you know, to planit when you aren't in a rush,
when you don't have theemergency, but get ready.
Think about how you'd get outof your house if you have kids.
You know what would you takefor your kids.
You know what do you take foryour kids.
You know what do you take foryour pets.
A lot of people left withoutdog food or cat food or you know
(18:08):
all the sometimes there weremedicines that animals need and
people left without that.
People left without their ownmeds, you know.
So I think having thatemergency backup bag with meds
in there is probably a greatidea.
And then right, and then turnaround and you just have to be
(18:31):
cognizant that every few monthsyou have to rotate those
medications, right?
Yes, you know, that's a goodone.
I like that.
But I like this idea of beingmethodical, taking your time and
doing it.
When?
Why didn't I grab this?
Speaker 1 (19:09):
Oh shit, I should have grabbed that.
Speaker 2 (19:15):
Yeah, it's hard, and I think to different people the
valuables are different things.
People, the valuables aredifferent things.
You know, it could be a photoor a picture that a child made,
or an item that a kid made, andfor someone else it can be a
priceless object that they maybebought on a trip as something
(19:39):
to remember that trip by.
So I think there's so manydifferent ways to view it as to
what is valuable to you tothings that are practical and
(20:08):
things that are valuable andthings that are sentimental.
Speaker 1 (20:21):
You don't want to leave without all of one
category or you'll find yourselfwith a bunch of precious
(20:44):
keepsakes and no spare underwear.
Speaker 2 (20:52):
Is there anything else you can think of Travis?
Those were two really good ones.
To me that's pretty good.
We don't have to go any furtherwith it.
Speaker 1 (21:03):
Keep a list of all your possessions, even if it's
walk through your house,videotaping on your phone.
(21:29):
You will have much betterchance of remembering everything
.
Speaker 2 (21:43):
That's another really good suggestion.
I like that, even just takingphotographs of each room, of
certain things.
If you have valuables,certainly with artwork things
like that, it could be veryhelpful.
I could see that would be agood one.
Yes, well, that's good.
(22:04):
Well, that's good.
Well, travis, I know that youwant to continue to share your
story.
You want to continue to bethere for people that have PD to
see how you get through thechallenges and to offer support
(22:25):
for them in the best waypossible, and I know I'm truly
appreciative that you are doingthis, and I'm sure there's many
of our listeners feel the sameway, and I'm just glad to see
that we can do it.
We can still get together andtalk and share your story.
Speaker 1 (22:52):
Yes, Okay, that's a round thing.
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On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!