Parenting UP! Caregiving adventures with comedian J Smiles

When a loved one develops dementia, our instinct is often to correct their misperceptions and pull them back to our reality. But what if there's a more compassionate, effective approach hiding in an unlikely place – Improv?

In today's episode, we speak with Dr. Candace Kemp and Amanda Lee Williams about their research showing how improv principles can transform Dementia care. At the heart of their approach is the...

When a loved one ages beyond typical medical concerns into what Dr. Warren Wong calls "the decade of frailty," everything changes—including how we should approach their care. In this episode, geriatrician Dr. Wong reveals why elder care requires specialized knowledge that many family doctors don't possess.

Have you ever wondered why traditional medical appointments focus almost exclusively on disease managem...

Happy Women's History Month! 

On this episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Mrs. Aisha Taylor Issah, who founded TheSistahShop.com, an e-commerce store featuring all Black Women Owned Businesses.  We filmed this episode a couple of weeks before she closed the doors of her brick-and-mortar store in Atlanta, Georgia, and had the chance to learn more about her caregiving journey. Tune in for laughs and real talk ...

Audio family! We shot this episode on location at Dad's Garage, but we made sure to include our listeners to get insight on what we learned. This episode explores the transformative power of improvisational comedy in dementia caregiving. We dive into an inspiring gathering connecting science and creativity, highlighting how humor can enhance communication and understanding in caregiving.

In this episode, expect: 

• Ove...

We had a great time connecting with Author Karen Weaver, author of Reaching Up For Comfort. She has been a caregiver for her late husband, late mom, and late father, though she has also volunteered with her church, neighbors, centers, and more. 

In this episode, Karen shares stories of triumph, overcoming, funny moments and self-care. Her book and website offer reflections and questions that will help caregivers get through the jour...

Join us as we speak with Omar Alvarez about volunteering with elders, his grandfather, and Puerto Rican culture, and how each of these played a part in helping him develop KINNECT! Kinnect is a family legacy app that helps preserve family stories, making it easy to keep and share memories for generations.

As a family caregiver, grandson, and person who had close friends who unfortunately lost their lives at an early age, O...

In honor of Delta Sigma Theta's Founder’s Day, look back with us on the care of Zetty’s phenomenal line sisters from Hampton University! See how they all rallied to find out what happened to their ‘Kitty Boo’ and to make sure they sent her the love and care from their hearts.

If you don't know, both J Smiles and Zetty are proud members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, founded on January 13, 1913!

Parenting Up! family, thank you for another amazing year!

We hit some major milestones, surpassing 100 episodes and 100 subscribers on YouTube, plus had some incredible episodes with memorable guests and we could not have done it without you.

Many thanks to NPR radio for featuring us and Hilarity for Charity for naming us one of the top three podcasts! We appreciate every review, like, comment, and share. Get re...

We know that you may think Zetty was from the south and surely was known for some famous recipes we grew up enjoying - but that's not exactly what I remember about my mom during the holidays. Zetty may not have been baking holiday treats, but one thing she did make sure to do was go shopping for her loved ones - and take me and my cousins with her. 

Join me as I reminisce on out-of-the-ordinary shopping adventures wit...

Discover how love, laughter, and resilience can transform the caregiving experience in our latest episode, where we celebrate a remarkable milestone for our Parenting Up! community—being named one of the top three podcasts of the year by Hilarity for Charity! This recognition is a testament to the incredible dedication of our listeners and caregivers like Shina, who joins us to share her journey.

As we continue celebratin...

Happy National Family Caregivers Month!
 
That's right - in today's episode, we celebrate family caregivers and give tips on better supporting us! Whether it's helping out with everyday tasks, or reading articles that you think about sending us, before you forward our way - I just wanted to share some tips and tools you can use as the friend of a caregiver, or as a caregiver yourself.

This month, at...

In this episode, J Smiles talks about Zetty's life before she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Zetty, or better known to her friends as 'T.Y.' was passionate about voting and instilled in J a great sense of responsibility for exercising her civil rights and responsibilities.

From being mentored by Dr. Martin Luther King himself, to meeting her future husband while debating about politics, Zetty was all ...

Join us as we chat with the multi-talented Rodney Perry, who combines the art of comedy with the heartfelt caregiving journey. Rodney opens up about his personal comedy experiences and providing care for his family, from following in the footsteps of his idol Eddie Murphy to sharing the spotlight with him in "Coming to America 2." Through the lens of humor, we explore the impact caregivers have and uncover how family care...

In this episode, we sit down with fan-favorite, comedian Kelly Kellz. Known for her side-splitting stand-up and hilarious videos online, Kelly isn't just funny—she’s real. Kelly opens up about her life beyond the laughs, sharing her love for her family, maternal influences, the ups and downs of having the gift of comedy, and how transparency heals.   

J Smiles dives deep with Kelly as she talks about her journey helping her gra...

Welcome to our new series - Comedians Care! First up we have multi-talented comedienne Cocoa Brown!

Ever wondered how humor can become a lifeline when facing life's toughest challenges? Cocoa Brown shares her personal journey of balancing comedy and caregiving. Cocoa's parents unfortunately faced devastating health issues, including early onset dementia, diabetes, and cancer, nonetheless, she was able to find wa...

Join us as we speak with the incomparable Dr. Tina, a member of the sandwich generation. In this episode, we dive into the science and emotional toll of caregiving, highlighting the struggles and the small victories that make it all worthwhile.

From managing medications and doctor appointments to maintaining our mental health, the responsibilities of caregiving are immense. Dr. Tina offers invaluable insights into the need...

Can you imagine juggling a caregiving routine for a parent with Alzheimer's while preparing for a last-minute TV comedy appearance? That's the reality I faced as I navigated a whirlwind of chaos, laughter, and heartfelt moments. With help from my incredible teams, I managed to balance podcast production and the meticulous caregiving of my mom. Through all the craziness, I learned the vital importance of resilience, adapta...

What if you suddenly found yourself in a role you never imagined, caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's? Join me as I share my unexpected journey from an accomplished career in engineering, law, and activism to becoming a full-time caregiver for my mother, Zetty. Despite my professional background, caregiving was never part of my life plan.

Through humor and raw honesty, I share the emotional and physical weight of...

Have you ever felt the frustration of juggling caregiving with everyday life hassles? Well, you're not alone. Today, we hear the life-changing story of family caregiver, Sheri Atwood, who turned daily annoyances into an innovative creation. I share my deeply personal experience of caring for my mother with Alzheimer's, shedding light on the urgency of early detection and the complex world of family dynamics. Sheri joins u...