The Whole Caregiver Podcast

Navigating Early Adulthood with Epilepsy

In this enlightening episode, hosts Erna Alfred-Liousas and Megan Thomas-Hebdon welcome a special guest, Erin Cebreros, Megan's older sister, to discuss the journey of living with epilepsy. Erin shares her personal experiences dealing with epilepsy, a condition she developed as a young adult amidst family trauma. Through her story, Erin explores themes of resilience, emotional processing, and the importance of acceptance in managing chronic illness.
Erin's narrative highlights her battles with epilepsy and the impact it had on her life aspirations, independence, and family dynamics. From lost opportunities to unexpected challenges, Erin provides insight into the emotional and physical demands of chronic illness, while emphasizing the power of communication and self-awareness in overcoming obstacles.
Listeners will gain valuable advice on supporting loved ones with epilepsy, understanding the condition, and the importance of discussing health openly. Erin's wisdom and experiences serve as a beacon of hope and strength, showcasing how individuals can navigate life's hurdles while maintaining a focus on personal wellness and acceptance.
Purple Day is March 26, 2025. Please join us in wearing purple and raising awareness for epilepsy. 
If you want to understand more about epilepsy, check out this link. 

Teachers and Caregivers as Partners

In this episode, Erna Alfred-Liousas and Megan Thomas Hebdon welcome a special guest, Caitie Thomas, a dedicated second-grade teacher. Caitie shares her journey and offers a glimpse into the challenges teachers face in low-income schools, from crowded classrooms to policy hurdles. She emphasizes the importance of viewing education as a team effort between teachers and parents/caregivers. The conversation emphasizes the need for understanding and support from parents/caregivers, highlighting the dedication teachers have towards their students' well-being and education. The episode also explores the essential role of advocacy and communication in fostering an environment where every child can thrive.
Caitie mentions this John Green quote:
"Public education does not exist for the benefit of students or the benefit of their parents. It exists for the benefit of the social order.We have discovered as a species that it is useful to have an educated population. You do not need to be a student or have a child who is a student to benefit from public education. Every second of every day of your life, you benefit from public education."
Megan mentions this book:
The Teachers: A Year Inside America's Most Vulnerable, Important Profession by Alexandra Robbins
 

Embracing Self-Compassion: Turning Love Inward for Caregivers

In this episode, Erna and Megan delve into the essence of self-compassion, particularly for family caregivers. Drawing on Megan's nurse coaching training and the influential work of Dr. Kristin Neff, they explore practical love and kindness toward oneself, especially crucial for those who dedicate their lives to caring for others.
The discussion unveils the RAIN framework—Recognize, Allow, Investigate, Nurture—as a guide to channel compassion inward, alongside engaging with emotions rather than dismissing them. Megan and Erna share personal stories and insights into overcoming cultural and personal barriers to self-kindness. 
Listeners are encouraged to advocate fiercely for themselves, just as they would for their loved ones, and to recognize their inherent worth, independent of external validation. With relatable anecdotes and a sprinkle of humor, this episode invites caregivers to honor their own inner wisdom and embrace the transformative power of self-compassion.
Here are some resources about self-compassion and Dr. Kristin Neff's work:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/finding-true-refuge/202001/radical-self-compassion
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11U0h0DPu7k
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUMF5R7DoOA
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvtZBUSplr4
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVgb9yXeVCY
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCUGj3H_86g
 
Here is information about Dr. Becky Kennedy's work--Good Inside: https://www.goodinside.com/about/

Happy National Caregivers Day!

Welcome to a special episode dedicated to National Caregivers Day, hosted by Megan and Erna. This episode sheds light on the importance of both formal and informal caregivers and their invaluable contributions to families, communities, and society.
Discover the origins of this special day, established to recognize the dedication of caregivers across the U.S., and learn about the positive impact they have, not only on the healthcare system but also in providing continuous, loving care to those in need.
Join us as we discuss the ways to participate in National Caregivers Day, whether by supporting caregivers through gestures of gratitude or simply holding space for their experiences. In this episode, we highlight the significance of acknowledging the immense hard work done by caregivers and the need for community support and appreciation.
Learn more: https://caregiverdoc.com/national-caregivers-day/

Balancing Engineering and Empathy: A Father's Journey in Caregiving

Join hosts Erna and Megan in a conversation with special guest Matt Hebdon. As an associate professor and professional engineer, Matt ventures beyond his academic role to share his deeply personal journey as a caregiver. In this episode, we explore the dual focus on partner caregivers and Rare Disease Month, shedding light on the unique challenges faced by families.
Matt, Megan's husband, reflects on the complexities of managing a career, family, and caregiving responsibilities, particularly with two children diagnosed with rare diseases. Through candid discussions, Matt reveals the emotional and practical growth experienced while navigating the healthcare system, insurance challenges, and the weight of caregiving responsibilities.
The episode delves into the nuanced dynamics of a partnership tested by health crises and emphasizes the strength found in shared resilience and support. Matt emphasizes the need for teamwork in caregiving roles and the significance of asking for help when needed. The conversation concludes with Matt's valuable advice for caregivers including balancing individual coping mechanisms with collective family support and underscoring the importance of empathy, adaptability, and community involvement in caregiving journeys.
 

Navigating Financial Well-Being for Family Caregivers

In this enlightening episode of The Whole Caregiver, hosts Erna and Megan dive deep into the essential topic of financial well-being for family caregivers. Through personal anecdotes and professional insights, Erna shares her experience with financial planning while managing her mother’s care, offering practical advice on balancing caregiving responsibilities with personal financial health. 
Listen in as they explore the importance of having open conversations with loved ones about financial matters and the necessity of thinking ahead to safeguard your own financial future. The discussion also highlights the value of enlisting professional help, such as accountants and elder care attorneys, to manage caregiver finances effectively.
Erna and Megan emphasize that preparation is key to self-care, urging caregivers to prioritize their own financial needs alongside those of the people they care for. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who finds themselves in the caregiving role, offering invaluable resources and support to maintain financial balance and overall well-being.
Here are some resources to support caregivers with their financial responsibilities:
https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_considering-a-financial-caregiver-know-your-options_guide_2021-05.pdf
 
https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/financial-legal/info-2020/managing-someone-elses-money.html
 
https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/financial-legal/info-2020/caregivers-legal-checklist.html
 
https://www.caringinfo.org/planning/financial-matters/how-to-provide-financial-caregiving/
 
https://www.schwab.com/schwabsafe/financial-caregiving-101

To Caregivers In LA

In this short episode, Erna and Megan reach out to listeners, particularly those in the Los Angeles area, who are facing dire circumstances due to recent wildfires. They express solidarity and offer support, sharing their thoughts and prayers with those affected. 
This page is a good place to start for area resources and how to assist those needing support. Please see additional resources below:
California Wildfire Resources 2025 
The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection 
SoCal Wildfires: How You Can Help 

Navigating Financial Wellbeing: A Focus on Megan's Research

Welcome to a new episode of The Whole Caregiver, where hosts Erna and Megan kick off the New Year 2025 with a critical discussion on financial well-being. This episode is part one of a two-part series focusing on the financial challenges faced by caregivers. Megan shares her personal journey into caregiving research, driven by her own experiences during the Great Recession, emphasizing the intersection of health, caregiving, and financial stress.
The conversation delves into Megan's research findings, highlighting the lack of structural support in the U.S. for unpaid caregiving roles. The discussion also touches on the broader societal issues such as essential workers, gender norms, socioeconomic disparities, and the cultural undervaluing of care work that compound financial difficulties for caregivers. Whether it's through advocating for paid family leave or supporting fellow caregivers, Erna and Megan encourage listeners to explore ways to alleviate the financial burdens in caregiving.
Tune in to uncover insights and practical approaches to support caregivers financially and stay tuned for the continuation of this important discussion in the next episode. 
Check out this article for an example of Megan's academic work: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10365074/
Check out Moms First for advocacy opportunities related to care work and mothers: https://momsfirst.us/our-work/

Memories and Moments: The Heartfelt Journey of Caregiving During the Holidays

Join hosts Megan and Erna on "The Whole Caregiver" podcast as they reminisce about holiday caregiving memories. In this episode, they share personal stories and reflections, highlighting the challenges and rewards of caregiving during the festive season.
Listen as Erna shares memorable moments from her family traditions, including key experiences with her mother and mother-in-law. Megan recounts bittersweet memories from her daughter's hospital visits during the holidays, offering insight into the resilience and strength found in difficult times.
Together, they explore the emotional complexity of caregiving, balancing the joys and the hardships, and emphasize the importance of reflecting on one's caregiving experiences. As they exchange stories and traditions, Megan and Erna also discuss the beauty of human connections, love, and support that illuminate even the most challenging caregiving journeys.
If you are interested in reading "Bittersweet: How Sorrow and Longing Make us Whole" by Susan Cain, check out this link: https://susancain.net/book/bittersweet/
Happy holidays and love to all of you!

Empowering Caregivers: Insights from the Caregiver Nation Summit

Join Erna and Megan in a special December episode as they discuss the transformative experiences and insights gained from the Caregiver Nation Summit. Recorded amidst holiday preparations, this episode highlights the significance of advocacy and awareness in family caregiving.
Megan shares her journey as a participant at the Summit, organized by the National Alliance for Caregiving, an advocacy group focused on family caregiving research and awareness. She reveals the unique aspects of this conference, which emphasized advocacy in tandem with traditional research, and how it brought together people from varied backgrounds, including policymakers and individual advocates.
Listen to inspiring stories and discussions on the universal nature of caregiving, the importance of narrative change, and powerful moments when personal stories were used to advocate for policies like the Older Americans Act. Megan and Erna emphasize the role each of us plays at our community level to support caregivers and influence legislative decisions.
This episode reminds us of the strength in collective experiences and the potential to make caregiving a normalized and supported aspect of life. Tune in to feel empowered and informed about how you can contribute to the caregiving community, regardless of your current caregiving status.
Senate Bill Information for Older Americans Act Reauthorization: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/4776
Administration for Community Living Older Americans Act Information: https://acl.gov/OAArule
National Alliance for Caregiving Information:
https://www.caregiving.org/research/caregiving-in-the-us/caregiving-in-the-us-2020/
Caregiver Nation Summit Recordings:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqooqFMD2JDsSNai8JCNe8rGPymVEVHcR