Sandwich Stories: Stories From the Sandwich Generation with Lexie Callies

In this heartfelt episode of Sandwich Stories, Lexie Callies opens up about the emotional and financial weight of navigating care decisions for her mother. With honesty and vulnerability, she shares the internal debate many caregivers face: “Am I doing the right thing?” Lexie reflects on memory care, assisted living, private caregivers, and the role of intuition when trying to choose what’s best for your loved one—while still prote...

In this travel-ready episode of Sandwich Stories, Lexie Callies shows listeners two game-changing tools that make vacationing with aging loved ones easier and safer. From a wide, foldable step stool to a no-tools-needed shower seat, she breaks down how both fit neatly into a carry-on—complete with a Mary Poppins-style reveal. It’s full of travel tips, laughter!

Here is the Shower Stool

Here is the Step Stool

Song of the Week: Squi...

In this upbeat episode, Lexie Callies shares a practical tool that makes getting elderly loved ones in and out of the car easier, safer, and more dignified. She walks listeners through her real-world tricks with warmth and humor, even filming a live demo from her SUV! Thank you Tamika!

⁠Here Are The Handles!

Song of the Week: Sunshine Getaway By JD McPherson.

She is you and you are her. One day you wake up and suddenly you look around...

In this episode, host Lexie Callies shares a thoughtful solution she found to preserve her mother’s dignity during mealtimes: beautifully designed, scarf-like clothing protectors that offer both practicality and style. Reflecting on the everyday realities of caregiving, Lexie reminds listeners how small details—like preventing stains—can make a big difference in honoring our loved ones. It’s a heartfelt conversation about respect, ...

On this heartfelt episode of Sandwich Stories, host Lexie Callies sits down with Rachel Kerr to explore one of the most difficult questions we face: How do you keep living when someone you love is dying? Through honest reflection and shared experience, they talk about caregiving, grief, and finding presence and grace during life’s hardest moments.

Rachel shares her experience supporting her husband, John, who was diagnosed with Amyo...

On this episode of Sandwich Stories, host Lexie Callies sits down with, Rachel Kerr for a heartfelt conversation about caregiving, community, and showing up for each other.

Rachel shares her experience supporting her husband, John, who was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells controlling voluntary muscle movem...

On this episode of Sandwich Stories, Lexie Callies shares a personal realization about her mother’s communication struggles—not as a sign of cognitive decline, but often a result of too many distractions. Through a thoughtful conversation with her doctor, Lexie discovers how eye contact, quiet spaces, and simple human touch can significantly improve her mom's ability to focus and engage.

She encourages listeners caring for ...

On this episode of Sandwich Stories, Lexie Callies shares a tender reflection on her 13-year-old son’s wisdom teeth removal and the unexpected emotional gifts it brought—like quality time, playing Nintendo together, and hearing “Mama” again. Through this small disruption, she’s reminded of how fleeting and beautiful parenting moments can be when we slow down and embrace them. It’s a love letter to the small stuff—and to never missi...

On this episode of Sandwich Stories, Lexie Callies reminds us not to overlook the people closest to us—our spouses. Between caregiving, parenting, and daily chaos, it’s easy to fall into roommate mode. But Lexie shares why putting intentional time on the calendar for connection—whether it’s a spa day or a lunch date—can refresh your relationship and remind you both that you still matter.

Song of the Week: Beautiful Day by U2

She is y...

In this summer episode of Sandwich Stories, Lexie Callies shares a heartfelt update about adjusting to summer routines, hiring new caretakers for her mom, and navigating the emotional balance of caregiving with grace and honesty. She talks about overcoming guilt, making space for quality time, and the importance of involving kids in visits with loved ones. It’s a relatable reflection on caregiving, summer chaos, and cherishing fami...

In this heartfelt episode of Sandwich Stories, host Lexie Callies sits down with Melissa Jorgenson of Senior Living Advisors, DFW to talk about navigating the challenges of memory care, senior living transitions, and the vital support offered by the Alzheimer’s Association.

From personal family stories to professional insight, Melissa shares what families need to know when facing tough decisions about dementia, early onset, and car...

In this heartfelt episode of Sandwich Stories, host Lexie Callies sits down with Melissa Jorgenson of Senior Living Advisors, DFW to talk about navigating the challenges of memory care, senior living transitions, and the vital support offered by the Alzheimer’s Association.

From personal family stories to professional insight, Melissa shares what families need to know when facing tough decisions about dementia, early onset, and car...

In this episode of Sandwich Stories, Lexie sits down with Christina Vance of Rise Collective Wellness to explore how food can be a powerful tool for healing, aging well, and navigating the chaos of family life. They discuss anti-inflammatory eating, why meal prep isn’t just about convenience, and how women can nourish themselves without falling back into diet culture. It’s an honest, relatable conversation about making wellness wor...

In this episode of Sandwich Stories, Lexie sits down with Christina Vance of Rise Collective Wellness to explore how food can be a powerful tool for healing, aging well, and navigating the chaos of family life. They discuss anti-inflammatory eating, why meal prep isn’t just about convenience, and how women can nourish themselves without falling back into diet culture. It’s an honest, relatable conversation about making wellness wor...

In this episode of "Sandwich Stories," we put our parent hat on, as we discuss the challenges and experiences of parenting a 13-year-old boy navigating middle school. Lexie highlights the difficulties faced by the child in social settings, particularly due to not having a cell phone, which is a significant means of communication among peers! Sometimes as parents, we have to take a step back, adapt, and reconfigure our thinking! We ...

In this episode of "Sandwich Stories," Lexie discusses the importance of preparing legal documents for children turning 18, such as medical proxies and HIPAA forms, to ensure parents can make decisions in emergencies. She highlights the necessity of these documents for safety and legal reasons, especially when children are away at college or traveling. While it's not something fun to talk about, your kiddos (yes even ...

In this episode of "Sandwich Stories" we are continuing our conversation with Bonnie Alcedo and Erryn Caran Co-Owners of Dusty Gold Estate Sales. We discuss the intricacies of estate sales, highlighting their differences from garage sales and the unique challenges involved in liquidating a lifetime of possessions.

Bonnie and Erryn share personal experiences, insights on the emotional aspects of downsizing, and the importance of eff...

In this episode of "Sandwich Stories" we are talking Bonnie Alcedo and Erryn Caran Co-Owners of Dusty Gold Estate Sales. We discuss the intricacies of estate sales, highlighting their differences from garage sales and the unique challenges involved in liquidating a lifetime of possessions.

Bonnie and Erryn share personal experiences, insights on the emotional aspects of downsizing, and the importance of effective marketing strategi...