Between Now And Next Podcast

Tessa Shahid
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Personal Journals
  • Updated Semimonthly

Between Now and Next is a podcast about caregiving, told through real stories and practical wisdom. Caring for others changes our lives, our work, and our sense of self—and this show helps you navigate those shifts with grace and confidence. Each episode blends personal reflections, thoughtful conversations, and resources to prepare you for the choices and challenges of caregiving, so you feel seen, less alone and more equipped for what’s next. Together, we’re reshaping how we prepare for caregiving—creating space for clarity, resilience, and hope in the moments between now and tomorrow. betweennowandnext.substack.com

  1. Jul 9

    When You're The Only One There: Navigating Care Without Local Support

    If you are the one who is there, showing up every day, holding all the information, making the calls, managing the communication, and you're doing most of it without consistent nearby support, this episode is for you. We're talking about what it actually means to carry the invisible load of caregiving alone, what that costs you emotionally and practically, and what support can actually look like when you're deep in it. WHAT WE COVER What the invisible load really is and why it goes so far beyond the tasks people can see from the outside.Why outward communication is its own job and how being the point of contact for everyone adds to a load that's already fullWhat the emotional reality actually looks like: guilt, helplessness, fear, loneliness, and resentment, named plainly and without judgmentWhat help actually looks like and the difference between what people offer and what actually moves the needleHow to protect yourself practically and emotionally, without waiting until you're completely depletedTHIS EPISODE IS FOR YOU IF... You are the primary caregiver in your family, and there isn't anyone nearby who is sharing the weight at the same level you areYou've heard "let me know if you need anything" more times than you can count and it hasn't actually helped.You're managing your loved one's care while also managing your home, your work, your relationships, and your own life — and none of those things have stopped.You've felt resentment and felt bad or guilty because you didACTION STEP This week, pick one task from your caregiving load, something specific and concrete, and hand it to one person. Not "I need help." One thing. One person. That's the first step. If you're not sure where to start, try one of these: "I would really appreciate it if you could handle [specific task] this week. It would take something off my plate.""I need a few hours to myself on [day]. Can you step in so I can step away?""I haven't been able to keep [family/community group] updated. Could you take that over for a while?""I need support, but don't have family nearby; can you research [support type] for me? I need to evaluate the options."If this episode resonated, I'd love to hear from you. Leave a review and share — it helps other caregivers find this space. Subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next.

  2. May 13

    When Caregiving Finds You Before You're Ready

    Caregiving doesn't wait for a convenient moment. It doesn't check in with your career, your timeline, or the life you were in the middle of building. It just arrives. And for a lot of people, it arrives before they ever feel ready, before their savings make sense, before their kids are grown, before they've finished school or figured out who they are yet. Or after all of that, it still wasn’t a “good” time. Caregiving is hard, and depending on where you are in life, it can be even more challenging.  This episode is about that. The weight of becoming a caregiver at the "wrong" time. What it costs you practically and emotionally, and why the timing of caregiving adds its own layer of grief that rarely gets named. Today, we're naming it and giving that experience the space it actually deserves. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN The four ways caregiving enters your life and why timing shapes everything that followsThe double grief that rarely gets named: grieving your loved one and grieving the version of your own life you had to set asideWhy guilt, resentment, and 'what if' thinking are normal, and what suppressing them actually costs youWhat does survival mode do to your body, your focus, and your ability to see past todayOne honest step toward acknowledging what you've lost without rushing toward fixing it

  3. Apr 19

    When Relationships Are Complicated—Navigating Care with Tension

    Not every caregiving story starts from a place of closeness. For many of us, caregiving happens within relationships that are already carrying the weight of unresolved history, emotional distance, or a family dynamic that was complicated long before anyone needed care. In this episode, we're talking about what it actually looks like to navigate caregiving inside those relationships. That means the relationship with the person you're caring for, sibling dynamics that are absent, unequal, or in conflict, and the broader family and community web that pulls on you, whether it's helping or not. This is also a personal one. I'm sharing part of my own story, what it meant to step into caregiving largely alone, within a family with its own particular shape, and what I felt when I realized that was just the reality I was working within. You don't have to have a perfect relationship to be a good caregiver. This episode is for everyone who has ever shown up for someone while also wishing things were different.

  4. Mar 28

    What You Need to Know (And Ask) Before You Need It

    You've started the conversation. Now what? What should you actually ask? In this episode, I share my experience learning my parents' wishes by listening and watching, and the cost of not having things documented legally. I walk through 6 essential categories of questions that can help you prepare and reduce future stress. You'll learn what questions to ask in each category, why each one matters, and how to take it one conversation at a time.

  5. Mar 10

    The Conversation You Keep Putting Off—And How to Start It

    In this episode, I share my experience trying to have these (health, aging, end of life) conversations with my parents: what made them hard, the cost of not having legal documentation, and how to approach them imperfectly. Key Takeaway: Pick one conversation prompt this week and try it to open the door with your loved one or even friend (if you want to try it on someone else, non-family first).  This episode is for anyone hesitant to start or who tried, and it didn't go as well as you'd have hoped.

  6. Feb 24

    How to Find Caregiving Resources in Your Area (A Step-by-Step Guide)

    You know what to expect when searching for resources (from Episode 16). Now, how do you actually find them? In this episode, I walk you through a step-by-step guide: search strategies that work, 12 key resource types to look for, bonus methods (Facebook groups, YouTube, nonprofits), and how to evaluate whether a resource is a good fit. You'll also learn: How to search • What to look for on websites and reviews • What questions to ask when you call • How to visit facilities in person • Practical next steps once you find options. Key Takeaway: Pick 2-3 resource types this week and search for them in your area. Start building your own local resource list. This episode gives you the tools to find help one step at a time.

  7. Feb 11

    The Reality of Finding Caregiving Resources (What No One Tells You)

    Finding caregiving resources sounds straightforward, but it's actually one of the most frustrating parts of caregiving. In this episode, I share how I first learned about resources (through hospital social workers during discharge), the challenges I faced, and what I wish someone had told me upfront. The 6 challenges I faced:  Not understanding each resource individually Getting situational resources, not holistic guidance Assuming the provided resources are "the best." Not knowing how to evaluate or chooseThe gap between qualified and compassionate careThe emotional toll of seeking outside help.You'll learn: What to expect when searching for resources:  Why "being provided resources" doesn't mean you're setHow to prepare emotionally and practically Why you need to do your own due diligenceKey Takeaway: Before you start searching, clarify what you actually need. Use the vocabulary from Episode 14 when talking to professionals. This episode isn't meant to scare you; it's intended to equip you.

  8. Jan 27

    How to Know Your Loved One Needs Help

    How do you know when your loved one needs help? It's rarely one dramatic moment. More often, it's a series of small changes you notice over time . . . a hesitation where there used to be confidence, a struggle with something that used to be easy, a shift in who they are. In this episode, I share my experience recognizing when my parents needed help across different seasons of caregiving. From my dad's stroke when I was young to the slower decline that came with aging, I walk through what it looked like to notice need and how to tell the difference between normal aging and signs that warrant attention. What You'll Learn: Why there's rarely just one moment when you realize someone needs helpHow to recognize changes against their baseline (not a generic standard)The three types of help to watch for: medical, daily living, and safety supportSigns to look for: physical changes, cognitive shifts, daily living struggles, safety concerns, and emotional withdrawalWhat to do when you notice something (document, talk to their doctor, start conversations, research options)Why recognizing need isn't failure

See All (23)

About

Between Now and Next is a podcast about caregiving, told through real stories and practical wisdom. Caring for others changes our lives, our work, and our sense of self—and this show helps you navigate those shifts with grace and confidence. Each episode blends personal reflections, thoughtful conversations, and resources to prepare you for the choices and challenges of caregiving, so you feel seen, less alone and more equipped for what’s next. Together, we’re reshaping how we prepare for caregiving—creating space for clarity, resilience, and hope in the moments between now and tomorrow. betweennowandnext.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Tessa Shahid
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Between Now And Next Podcast
  • Show Website
    Between Now And Next Podcast