Episodes

Ever been blindsided by life's cruel surprises? Andrew sure has. A brain aneurysm hit him out of nowhere--at the airport! This episode takes you on a journey as we learn about Andrew's fight for survival, and his journey to r...

Ever thought how our backgrounds and experiences shape the way we give and receive love? What if we could turn learning the language of love into a fun and interactive game? Join us as we engage in a captivating conversation …

Have you ever wondered how artistry intertwines with caregiving? Today, we're chatting with Donna Olivia, a knowledgeable author, retired teacher, and caregiver who's been looking after her mother for 7 years. Brimming with D...

On this episode, J speaks with co-host of the Remember Me Podcast and resilient figure in the caregiving world Maria Kent Beers. Her journey began with a mother diagnosed with Frontal Temporal Dementia (FTD) and ALS, leading...

Often times caregiving comes with surprises. In this episode of the Parenting Up podcast, J talks about when she was having a productive wave, planning her Comedy tour, creating with her staff, and boom —she is notified that ...

Ever found yourself caught in the unexpected whirlwind of caregiving on what you thought was a typical day? Discover how I navigated through night-before-appointment anxiety and carried the weight of overwhelming responsibili...

Amrit's personal journey from being a weed-head to discovering yoga and meditation offers a compelling exploration of self-discovery and the transformative power of coaching. Imagine waking up just 30 minutes earlier than us...

Has the thought of becoming an unexpected caregiver for a LOVED ONE ever crossed your mind? Imagine the journey of a man thrown into this role, tasked with caring for his charismatic and beloved father after his mom dies. Joi...

J Smiles is joined by Jen Hardy, an experienced caregiver, and Alzheimer's awareness advocate, who shares the triumphs and struggles of her unique caregiving experiences. Who knew that saying "no" could be such a powerful to...

Get ready to be amazed and inspired by the incredible Janice Goldmintz, a "super caregiver" who has navigated the unknowns of caregiving for both her parents and her child. Listen in as Janice tells her powerful story of rais...

Did you know that your nose-picking habit might be putting you at risk for dementia? Join J for a fascinating study conducted by Australian scientists, which discovered that excessive nose picking can lead to amyloid beta pla...

Have you ever had neck pain, stomach aches, migraines, TMJ, trouble sleeping -- on top of being a family caregiver? Yeah, haven't we all. What if you heard about a non-Rx, self-sufficient, convenient combat tool? Welp. That i...

How many times have you wondered what to do next when your mom or dad is aging? How many headaches have you had trying to decide if their decline is normal or a problem? Of course, you make the doctor's …

J Smiles and Zetty, Thelma and Louise or Cleo and Frankie, it is hard to separate classic chicks being chased by cops. What happens when your mom directs you to "have fun" with the horsepower in a 5speed while belting …

J Smiles runs into an old friend of Zetty. The problem is this "close" old bestie wants J to promise to tell Zetty a ton of specific memories from sixty years ago (silently - lady my mama doesn't know what …

Mad that caregivers are not getting enough love from the self-help industry, J Smiles sets her sights on acknowledging and creating dynamic groups similar to Myers Briggs, Love Languages and Ancestry-Lineage tests. Family car...

J learns the hard way about shadowing in the world of dementia when Zetty approaches her from the rear and they both end up on the floor. Tuck your earbuds close for a rollercoaster of laughs and heartfelt storytelling. Join …

J was traveling, meeting new friends. While describing what she does back home, Zetty came up. Feeling connected and free, J showed videos of Zetty to this intimate group of newcomers to her life. A single voice exclaims, "J,...

J planned for a nothing Dec 25th. Surely she could at least have a quiet day with Zetty during such a festive time of year. Shortly after breakfast all-hell broke loose. Zilch plan be damned. Z's incontinence had plan of …

When Zetty's trainer and hired caregivers tell J Smiles of her reluctance to step up or onto things, J is perplexed. Why? Zetty has the physical strength, she is in good spirits -- are the caretakers exaggerating? Is this rel...

When Superhero, SUPA-hunk Chris Hemsworth finds out each parent gave him the rare gift of APOE4, J Smiles is blown away. How can THOR, a god of longevity, be 10x more likely to get Alzheimer's? YES - Chris is an …

Patti Davis, US President Ronald Reagan's daughter, joins J for an in-depth conversation about her new book, Floating in the Deep End: How Caregivers Can See Beyond Alzheimer's. Patti shares personal stories of caring for her...

A quick text turns into a caregiver support session. J thinks she is surprising a "brother-cousin" caregiver yet she is the one left shook. Ever the optimist, Smiles decides to embrace the visit even after a dark start. Join ...

J Smiles is a self-proclaimed master napper. This super skill has saved her countless times throughout life. J expects to utilize it frequently during caregiving duty. Until... Exhausted from a live comedy performance, Smiles...