What if care wasn't seen as a personal issue, but as something that shapes every family, every workplace and every community? In this thought-provoking episode of What's Important To You?, James sits down with Dr. Rosemary Daynes Kearney, founder of The Care Advocate, researcher at the University of Limerick, and passionate champion for family carers, to explore why care deserves to be prioritised, valued and visible. Rosemary shares the deeply personal experiences that shaped her purpose, from raising three children with additional needs to supporting family carers through research, advocacy and workplace change. She explains why caring is often invisible until it affects us personally, and why organisations must begin preparing now for the growing impact of an ageing population and changing workforce. Together, they discuss purpose, compassion, reflective practice, identity, difficult conversations and how our personal experiences influence the way we see the world. Rosemary also introduces practical ways organisations can better support employees who are balancing work with caring responsibilities, creating healthier workplaces and stronger communities. Whether you're currently caring for a loved one, leading a team, managing a business, or simply interested in building a more compassionate society, this conversation will leave you reflecting on what care really means and why it matters to us all. About Dr. Rosemary Daynes KearneyDr. Rosemary Daynes Kearney is the Founder and Director of The Care Advocate, where she works to create a world in which care is prioritised, visible and valued. She is a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Limerick, specialising in online support groups for family caregivers, and combines lived experience, academic research and practical workplace solutions to improve the lives of family carers. Rosemary works with organisations to raise awareness of the challenges facing working carers, helping employers build compassionate, sustainable workplaces that support both people and business. Her work blends strengths-based practice, compassion-focused approaches and evidence-based research to create meaningful, long-lasting change. Key TakeawaysCaring is something that will affect almost every family at some point in life.Purpose becomes clearer when our head, heart and gut are aligned.Compassion begins with how we speak to ourselves.Family carers face invisible challenges that workplaces often overlook.Supporting carers is not just the right thing to do, it also makes good business sense.Difficult conversations become possible when we approach them with curiosity rather than judgement.Our upbringing, experiences and identities shape how we see the world.Small, consistent changes create lasting organisational change.Reflective practice helps us better understand ourselves and others.Building a caring society starts with recognising the humanity in every person. Sound Bites"My family is the reason I do everything." "All of us are wounded humans." "Caring is disruptive but essential." "Do or don't do, but there's a cost regardless." Connect with Dr. Rosemary Daynes Kearney👉 Website 👉 LinkedIn
