Ever wonder what happens when the person keeping everything together… falls apart? Spoiler: it’s not good. This week, we’re diving into the unpaid, undervalued, and often invisible labor of caregiving—who does it, who’s burning out, and why society pretends it's not happening until it’s too late. From Gene Hackman & Betsy Arakawa’s story to Bruce Willis’s wife Emma Hemming Willis calling out caregiving burnout, we break down the brutal reality of care work. Also: why home health workers make less than fast food employees, why women are expected to handle it all, and why we’re all one crisis away from disaster. Oh, and The Sims somehow makes an appearance. You’re welcome.
💬 In This Episode, We Cover:
✔️ The caregiving crisis—why it’s invisible until it’s a full-blown emergency
✔️ Who’s checking in on the people keeping us alive? (Spoiler: no one)
✔️ The disgusting wages home health workers are paid (Louisiana: $8.76/hr. What??)
✔️ How COVID normalized exhaustion, burnout, and pretending to be okay
✔️ Why men “don’t need” care… or do they just refuse to admit it?
✔️ Does hyper-individualism kill us faster? Let’s discuss.
Mentioned in this Episode:
Bruce Willis’s Wife on Caregiving Burnout: The Guardian
Gene Hackman & Betsy Arakawa Case: New York Times
Home Health Worker Pay in the U.S.: PHI National Report
Women Leaving the Workforce in 2020: Brookings Study
Jessica Slice’s Book on Disability & Caregiving: Unfit Parent, Available for Pre-Order! Find it here
Dr. Han Ren on Moral Dissonance in Care Work: Instagram
Mia Birdsong’s Book on Community & Care: How We Show Up – Get it here
Support the Pod & Join the Community!
Join our Patreon! Get bonus episodes, extra resources, and our book club → patreon.com/timetoleanpod
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DM us your thoughts, rants, or caregiving horror stories. We read them all!
Reminder: If you know someone who’s always holding everything together—check on them today. Seriously.
🚨 Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Nothing in this episode should be taken as medical, mental health, or legal advice. Time to Lean is not a replacement for therapy, professional medical treatment, or individualized support. If you're struggling, please reach out to a licensed professional. 🚨
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