The Whole Caregiver Podcast

Memorable Moments from Season Two

In this final episode of Season 2, Erna and Megan revisit the podcast's original intent to create a supportive community for family caregivers, while sharing personal highlights, factual information, and lessons learned.
The hosts recount favorite episodes, including interviews and discussions addressing the often-overlooked challenges in caregiving, such as financial struggles and medical gaslighting. With an emphasis on authentic storytelling, they reflect on how these narratives have broadened their understanding of the caregiving continuum.
Looking ahead to Season 3, Erna and Megan explore plans for new formats and soliciting audience input on topics of interest. They extend gratitude to their "Whole Caregiver family" and encourage listeners to help expand their reach, ensuring more caregivers can access the resources and connections they offer.

Let Them Part II Episode

Join hosts Erna and her guests Rachel and Xue as they explore the application of Mel Robbins' book, 'The Let Them Theory', in the context of caregiving. In this episode, they discuss the constant state of stress caregivers experience and how understanding and managing stress can impact caregiving. The conversation delves into the personal journeys of the hosts, sharing revelations and challenges faced in balancing caregiving duties with personal life. They reflect on the nuances of control, guilt, and the importance of prioritizing self-care amidst caregiving responsibilities. Listen as the group shares personal insights on overcoming self-doubt, letting go of societal 'shoulds', and navigating family dynamics. They also reflect on the obstacles that hinder the application of the theory and the exceptions to its use, emphasizing the need for self-compassion and openness to personal growth.

Let Them Part I Episode

In this engaging episode, hosts Megan and Erna, along with their guests Xue Peng and Rachel Cohen, delve into the transformative ideas presented in Mel Robbins' book, The Let Them Theory. The discussion explores personal insights, mindset shifts, and the balance between caregiving and self-care, emphasizing the importance of letting go.
They navigate the controversy surrounding the book, crediting its foundational ideas while acknowledging its impact on personal empowerment. Join the conversation to discover how these principles can lead to personal growth and resilience in everyday relationships and caregiving scenarios.

Medical Gaslighting Stories: Empathy and Advocacy

Welcome to this episode of The Whole Caregiver, where hosts Erna and Meg delve into the complex and often challenging world of medical gaslighting. In this candid discussion, Erna shares her personal experiences with medical gaslighting, shedding light on how assumptions and bias can impact patient care.
Megan adds her own encounters from the perspective of a family caregiver, offering insights into the systemic issues that caregivers face when advocating for loved ones. With stories ranging from dismissive physicians to impactful encounters that changed their healthcare journey, this episode serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of advocating for one's own health and the health of those under their care.
Join Erna and Meg as they explore the significant role of self-advocacy in healthcare, providing listeners with strategies to ensure their voices are heard, respected, and valued.
Takeaways
Medical gaslighting can manifest in various forms, often related to biases.
Advocacy is crucial for patients and caregivers in healthcare settings.
It's important to seek second opinions when feeling dismissed by healthcare providers.
Personal experiences can shape our understanding of the healthcare system.
Empathy from healthcare providers can significantly impact patient experiences.
Navigating caregiver challenges requires support and understanding from medical professionals.
Building relationships with healthcare providers can lead to better care.
Awareness of one's rights as a patient is essential.
The healthcare system can be overwhelming, but advocacy can help navigate it.

Medical Gaslighting: Navigating Patient-Provider Dynamics

In this fascinating episode, hosts Erna Alfred-Liousas and Megan Thomas Hebdon delve deep into the world of medical gaslighting. They explore its definitions, origins, and the continuum of medical gaslighting, including medical invalidation, and discuss how it manifests in modern healthcare settings. The conversation highlights the challenges both patients and healthcare providers face, emphasizing the importance of awareness and effective communication in overcoming these barriers. The episode concludes with actionable takeaways for patients to enhance their advocacy and awareness during medical interactions. Stay tuned for their follow-up episode where they share personal experiences and practical tips for navigating potential gaslighting scenarios.
TakeawaysGaslighting is a manipulation that invalidates a patient's concerns.Medical gaslighting can stem from provider inexperience or implicit bias.Patient-centered care focuses on collaboration between patients and providers.Awareness of one's symptoms is crucial for effective communication with healthcare providers.Keeping a journal of symptoms can aid in medical consultations.Patients should advocate for themselves and their loved ones in healthcare settings.The healthcare system often pressures providers, impacting patient care.Not all disagreements with a provider constitute gaslighting.Understanding the continuum of medical gaslighting can help patients identify their experiences.Effective healthcare interactions require preparation and open dialogue.

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.