The Caregiver Cup Podcast

Cathy VandenHeuvel
  • 4.8 (42)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

The Caregiver Cup Podcast is your space to pause, reflect, and refill. Each season dives into themes that matter most to caregivers—like self-care, boundaries, emotions, and rediscovery—so you can show up as your best self. Join a supportive community that believes when your cup is full, you can care with more strength, joy, and compassion.

  1. 5d ago

    You Don't Have to Carry It All Today: A Caregiver's Reminder to Pause, Refill & Begin Again

    Send Cathy a text:) As we wrap up Season 3 of The Caregiver Cup Podcast, I want to leave you with one simple reminder: You don't have to carry it all today. Over the past season, we've talked about burnout, overwhelm, anger, resentment, guilt, negative self-talk, rebuilding your cup, and learning to care for ourselves with greater awareness and compassion. But today isn't about learning something new. It's about celebrating how far you've come... and carrying these lessons into whatever caregiving season comes next. In this heartfelt season finale, we'll reflect on: ✨ The biggest lessons from Season 3  ✨ Why your cup has been talking to you all along  ✨ A simple weekly "Cup Check" to help you notice what you need before your cup spills  ✨ Why healing happens one breath, one step, and one day at a time  ✨ Encouragement to move forward with grace instead of guilt If your cup has felt full, empty, overflowing, or even cracked... this episode is for you. Because the spill was never proof you failed. It was information. It was your mind, body, and heart asking for care. 💛 Your cup was never meant to stay full forever. It was meant to be noticed, cared for, and refilled... again and again. Support the show

    47 min

  2. Jun 23

    Rebuilding Your Cup: Healing After Caregiver Burnout, Overwhelm & Emotional Exhaustion

    Send Cathy a text:) Have you ever felt like caregiving has emptied your cup... or even cracked it? You're not alone. In this episode, we're talking about what rebuilding really looks like after burnout, overwhelm, emotional exhaustion, or a difficult caregiving season. You'll discover: ✨ Why rebuilding isn't about becoming the person you were before caregiving  ✨ The three ways a caregiver's cup can "break"  ✨ How to begin rebuilding one small step at a time  ✨ Why celebrating small wins matters more than you think  ✨ How to move forward with hope, compassion, and grace Because healing doesn't happen all at once. 💛 It happens one small choice...  one small win...  and one small step at a time. Support the show

    58 min

  3. Jun 16

    Releasing the Guilt of Taking Care of Yourself: Why Caregiver Self-Care Feels So Hard

    Send Cathy a text:) Have you ever taken a break, gone for a walk, met a friend for coffee, or asked for help... only to feel guilty afterward? You're not alone. In this episode, we're talking about the guilt that often shows up when caregivers finally start taking care of themselves. We'll explore:  ✨ Why caregiver guilt is so common  ✨ The stories we tell ourselves about self-care  ✨ What guilt sounds like in everyday life  ✨ A simple 4-step practice to help release guilt  ✨ And why taking care of yourself isn't selfish—it's necessary If you've ever thought: 👉 "I should be doing more."  👉 "I shouldn't need a break."  👉 "What if they need me?" This episode is for you. Because taking care of yourself doesn't take love away from your loved one. 💛 It allows you to keep showing up with more of it. Support the show

    39 min

  4. Jun 9

    When the Things That Used to Work... Don't: Why Caregiver Coping Strategies Stop Working

    Send Cathy a text:) Have you ever felt like you've tried everything? The walks.  The journaling.  The podcasts.  The support groups.  The self-care. And yet... you're still overwhelmed. In this episode, we're talking about something many caregivers experience but rarely discuss: 👉 What happens when the things that used to help... don't seem to work anymore? You'll learn why coping tools sometimes stop working, how caregiving seasons change our needs, and how to build a flexible toolbox that supports you through stress, burnout, grief, and overwhelm. Because my friend... 👉 The goal isn't finding the perfect tool. 👉 The goal is continuing to care for yourself as your needs change. Support the show

    41 min

  5. Jun 2

    Caregiving Doesn’t Slow Down… But Sometimes We Need To

    Send Cathy a text:) As caregivers, we spend so much time responding, fixing, managing, and pushing through… that we often forget to check in with ourselves. In this bonus episode of The Caregiver Cup Podcast, we’re slowing things down for a gentle pause and reflection on what may be “boiling under the surface.” Together, we talk about:  ☕️ Emotional overload and overwhelm  ☕️ The subtle signs we may be carrying too much  ☕️ Why slowing down matters  ☕️ Reflection as release  ☕️ And giving yourself permission to pause before your cup overflows If you’ve been feeling mentally foggy, emotionally heavy, or simply not like yourself lately… this episode is for you. 👉 Your cup doesn’t have to overflow before you deserve a refill. 💛 Support the show

    22 min

  6. May 26

    The Stories We Tell Ourselves: Breaking Free From Caregiver Guilt, Shame & Negative Self-Talk

    Send Cathy a text:) Caregiving is already hard enough… But sometimes the hardest part isn’t just what’s happening around you— 👉 it’s the story happening inside your own mind. The guilt.  The “should haves.”  The self-doubt.  The pressure to do more, be more, and hold everything together. In this episode, we’re talking about the invisible mental load caregivers carry through negative self-talk, guilt, shame, perfectionism, and the stories that can quietly keep us stuck. Together, we explore: ☕️ Common caregiver thought traps  ☕️ Why “should-ing” creates pressure and burnout  ☕️ The internal stories that fuel overwhelm  ☕️ How stress can distort your self-worth  ☕️ And simple ways to begin shifting your thoughts with more awareness and compassion You’ll also learn my simple 3C Method: ✨ Catch  ✨ Cancel  ✨ Correct —so you can begin rewriting the stories that no longer serve you. Because my friend… 👉 Not every thought deserves to become your truth. If your mind has been feeling loud lately… this episode is for you. Support the show

    49 min

  7. May 19

    When It All Feels Too Much: Breaking the Caregiver Overwhelm Cycle

    Send Cathy a text:) Caregiving can feel overwhelming… But overwhelm doesn’t always show up all at once. Sometimes… ☕️ It’s the slow spill. The piling on of responsibilities.  The mental load.  The emotional exhaustion.  The moments when easy suddenly feels hard. In this episode, we’re breaking down: ✨ What caregiver overwhelm really is  ✨ The many layers of overwhelm  ✨ How it sneaks in  ✨ What happens when we ignore it  ✨ And practical ways to stop the spiral before burnout Because overwhelm isn’t weakness… 👉 It’s a signal. As you listen, I invite you to gently ask yourself: 👉 What does overwhelm look like for YOU? Is it in your body?  Is it in your thoughts?  Is it in your emotions? When we notice the spill… we can begin to protect our cup. 🎧 If caregiving has been feeling like too much lately… this episode is for you. Support the show

    1h 3m

  8. May 12

    It’s Okay to Be Angry as a Caregiver

    Send Cathy a text:) Have you ever felt angry as a caregiver…  and then immediately felt guilty for it? My friend… you are not alone.  And there is nothing wrong with you. In this episode, we’re talking about caregiver anger—the frustration, the quick reactions, and the guilt that follows. ✨ Why anger shows up  ✨ What’s underneath it  ✨ How to release the guilt  ✨ And simple ways to respond with more awareness You’ll also hear a personal story about walking Eddie that reminds us: 👉 You can feel angry… and still be loving.  👉 You can have a hard moment… and still be doing an amazing job. As you listen, gently ask yourself: 💛 What is my cup telling me today? Because your anger… 👉 doesn’t define you.  👉 it’s trying to guide you. Support the show

    37 min
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4.8
out of 5
42 Ratings

About

The Caregiver Cup Podcast is your space to pause, reflect, and refill. Each season dives into themes that matter most to caregivers—like self-care, boundaries, emotions, and rediscovery—so you can show up as your best self. Join a supportive community that believes when your cup is full, you can care with more strength, joy, and compassion.

Information

  • Creator
    Cathy VandenHeuvel
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    303
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Caregiver Cup Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Caregiver Cup Podcast

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