The Care Collective Podcast

Mikayla Cluxton
  • 5.0 (1)
  • HEALTH & FITNESS

Caring for someone else can be one of the most meaningful, and most isolating, experiences in life. The Care Collective Podcast is here to remind you that you’re not alone. Hosted by Mikayla Cluxton, a caregiver and community-builder, each episode dives into real stories from caregivers, care professionals, and advocates who are reimagining what it means to give and receive care. Through honest conversations about burnout, resilience, and finding yourself again, The Care Collective creates a safe space to explore the emotional side of caregiving because care doesn’t end with the person you’re supporting; it extends to you, too. Whether you’re a family caregiver, a professional in healthcare, or someone walking alongside a loved one, you’ll find hope, healing, and community here. Listen. Feel seen. Reconnect with your light.

  1. 2D AGO

    Caregiver Loneliness: Why You’re Losing Friends (And Feeling Alone)

    Caregiver loneliness is real, and no one talks about it enough. In this solo episode of The Care Collective Podcast, we’re diving into a hidden layer of caregiving: losing friends and feeling isolated while caring for someone you love. If you’ve ever felt like your world has gotten smaller… Like you’re canceling plans more than you’re making them… Like friendships have quietly shifted since you became a caregiver… You are not alone. Caregiver isolation and social loneliness are incredibly common among family caregivers. Between managing appointments, emotional stress, anticipatory grief, and burnout, maintaining friendships can feel overwhelming, and sometimes impossible. In this episode, we talk about: • Why caregiving changes friendships • The emotional impact of social isolation • The “double grief” of losing connection while caregiving • Why friends may struggle to show up (without villainizing them) • How to find support in this season If you're caring for a parent, spouse, child, or loved one, and feeling alone in the process, this conversation is for you. The Care Collective Podcast exists to support caregivers navigating burnout, grief, resilience, and the emotional weight of care. Because when caregivers feel seen and supported, everyone benefits. 🎧 Listen in, share with someone who needs it, and remember: you are not too much. You’re carrying something heavy. Find more information on the podcast here: https://linktr.ee/Carecollectivepodcast

    11 min

  2. FEB 17

    Caregiver Burnout: When Loving Someone Leaves You Exhausted

    Caregiver burnout is real, and it doesn’t mean you’re failing. In this episode, we’re talking about the emotional stress of caregiving, the warning signs of caregiver burnout, and how to prevent exhaustion when you’re caring for an aging parent, spouse, or loved one with dementia. I’m joined by Kevin Lambing, co-owner of enhdme.com and longtime advocate for family caregivers. With a background in caregiver education, and personal experience in caregiving, Kevin shares practical insight into what burnout actually looks like in real life. We discuss: The emotional toll of dementia caregivingHow falls can impact both physical and mental healthSleep deprivation and caregiver anxietyWhy “self-care isn’t selfish” is essential for survivalThe importance of respite care and support systemsHow to prepare your home to reduce stress and prevent crisesWhy caregiver stories matter, and how community reduces isolationCaregiver burnout doesn’t happen overnight. It builds in the constant responsibility, the grief, the decision fatigue, and the feeling that you always have to be “on.” Whether you’re in the early stages of caregiving or deep in the thick of it, this episode will remind you that you are not alone, and that protecting your own mental health is part of being a good caregiver. Resources mentioned in this episode: Kevin’s free home safety checklist for families Fall prevention tools and dementia support resources (Links in show notes.)ENDHME for personal care productsIf this episode resonates, share it with another caregiver who may need encouragement today. You deserve support, too. 💛 Find more information on the Podcast Here

    58 min

  3. FEB 13

    Caregiver Burnout, Emotional Support & Affirmations: A Valentine’s Day Message for Caregivers

    Who takes care of the caregiver? In this special Valentine’s Day episode of The Care Collective Podcast, Mikayla shares a love letter to caregivers who are feeling exhausted, invisible, or emotionally overwhelmed. Caregiving is one of the most loving roles a person can step into, but it’s also one of the most unseen. If you’re experiencing caregiver burnout, caregiver stress, grief while your loved one is still alive, or the quiet emotional weight that comes with supporting someone else, this episode is for you. This is not a productivity episode. This is not advice on how to “do more.” This is emotional support for caregivers, words of affirmation, encouragement, and reminders that: • Being tired does not mean you are failing • Burnout is not a personal weakness • You deserve support that does not require you to earn it • Love does not require losing yourself You’ll also hear reflection questions designed to help you reconnect with your own identity outside of caregiving. If you’ve ever felt invisible as a caregiver, struggled with limits, or wondered how to care for yourself while caring for someone else, this episode offers reassurance and practical emotional grounding. Share this with another caregiver who needs to hear it. Because caregivers deserve to be cared for too. ____________________________________________ Find more information about the Care Collective Podcast here: Link

    8 min

  4. FEB 10

    How Do Caregivers Advocate for Loved Ones During Medical Appointments?

    How do you advocate for yourself at the doctor, especially when appointments feel rushed, medical records don’t always match, and you’re trying to explain months of symptoms in just a few minutes? In this episode of The Care Collective Podcast, Mikayla sits down with two nurse practitioners to answer one of the most common healthcare questions patients and caregivers ask: 👉 How do you navigate medical appointments and make sure your voice is heard? Together, they break down practical, real-life strategies to help you feel more confident and prepared when managing your healthcare or advocating for a loved one. In This Episode, We Cover: ✔️ How to prepare for a doctor appointment ✔️ What to bring (including medication lists and health history notes) ✔️ How to ask better questions during medical visits ✔️ How to coordinate care between specialists and primary care providers ✔️ Why medical record errors and medication mix-ups happen (and how to catch them) ✔️ How caregivers can advocate for loved ones without conflict ✔️ How to navigate a fragmented healthcare system with more confidence If you’ve ever left a medical appointment feeling confused, unheard, or overwhelmed, this episode will give you tools to better advocate for your health and make the most of your time with providers. Connect with Our Guests: 👉 Learn more about Storyline and their patient advocacy services here: Story Line Health Navigation Connect with Mikayla & The Care Collective: 👉 Follow along for caregiver support, advocacy education, and community resources: Find our Info Here About The Care Collective Podcast: The Care Collective Podcast helps caregivers and families feel empowered, seen, and less alone while navigating healthcare, aging, mental health, and complex medical decisions. Each episode shares expert insight, lived experiences, and emotional support for those caring for themselves or someone they love.

    56 min

  5. FEB 7

    Preparing Emotionally for End-of-Life Conversations (Before You’re Forced to Decide)

    Talking about nursing homes, funeral planning, advanced directives, or medical decisions can feel overwhelming, and for many caregivers, these conversations feel almost impossible to start. If you’ve ever avoided end-of-life planning conversations with someone you love, you are not alone… and you are not doing anything wrong. In this episode of The Care Collective Podcast, we’re stepping away from checklists and paperwork and focusing on something caregivers are rarely taught: 👉 How to emotionally prepare for end-of-life conversations before a crisis happens. Because end-of-life planning isn’t just practical preparation, it’s emotional preparation, nervous system regulation, and learning how to navigate fear, grief, guilt, and love all at the same time. This episode is a gentle, supportive space to help caregivers begin processing these difficult topics without pressure, shame, or overwhelm. Download the episode guide here: link Follow us on Instagram here: Link

    19 min

  6. FEB 2

    End-of-Life Planning for Families: Reducing Stress Before a Crisis

    Making end-of-life decisions can feel overwhelming, emotional, and incredibly isolating, especially when you’re trying to do “the right thing” for someone you love. In this episode of The Care Collective Podcast, I’m joined by Kristy from @ownyourend.co (on Instagram), who is changing the way we approach end-of-life planning with more clarity, compassion, and humanity. We talk about the emotional weight caregivers carry when navigating end-of-life decisions, why these conversations are so hard to have, and how planning ahead of crisis can actually reduce guilt, fear, and burnout. Kristy also shares more about her new product launch, designed to help individuals and families navigate end-of-life wishes with less stress and more confidence, without feeling cold, rushed, or transactional. If you’re caring for a parent, partner, or loved one, and feeling anxious, stuck, or unsure about next steps, this episode is for you. You don’t have to have everything figured out today. You’re allowed to slow down. You’re not alone in this. Topics covered: End-of-life decision anxietyCaregiver stress and emotional burnoutHow to talk about end-of-life wishesPlanning ahead vs. crisis decision-makingCompassionate end-of-life resources for familiesFind more info about Kristy here: Link to Kristy's Information

    26 min

  7. JAN 29

    Why I Disappeared & What’s Coming Next for Caregivers | Giving Yourself Grace

    Summary In this episode, Mikayla Cluxton reflects on her recent absence from the podcast, sharing personal challenges and the importance of community support for caregivers. She discusses her plans for a caregiver conference, the significance of grace in caregiving, and the healing process after personal trauma. Mikayla emphasizes the value of relationships and being present in the moment, especially during life's ups and downs. Chapters 00:00 Welcome Back and Reflections 01:35 Navigating Personal Challenges 05:08 Healing and Coping Strategies 06:44 Life's Roller Coaster: Engagement and Growth 08:13 The Importance of Relationships 09:01 Introduction and Accountability 09:55 Upcoming Caregiver Conference and Podcast Changes 11:09 Community Engagement and Resources 11:34 Encouragement and Reflection

    12 min

  8. 12/03/2025

    A Son, A Mother, and Two Cancer Journeys | Logan's Reflections on Losing Linda Mae

    In today’s powerful episode, Mikayla sits down with Logan Lee Lamson, a writer, cancer survivor, and former primary caregiver for his mom, Linda May. Logan first stepped into caregiving at just 26 years old when his mom was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Fifteen months later, she passed away. Years after losing her, Logan received his own devastating diagnosis: Hodgkin lymphoma. Suddenly, he found himself navigating the same hospitals, treatments, and fears he once walked through as a caregiver. In this conversation, Logan opens up about: What it was like to care for his mom during her cancer journeyThe moment he realized his own symptoms were being overlooked Why patients and caregivers both struggle to advocate for themselves The reality of anticipatory grief and watching someone you love change How humor, community, and small joys kept him going What he wishes the media told the truth about when it comes to cancer And the unexpected parallels between his mom’s treatment and his ownLogan also shares about his book, Losing Linda May: A Cancer Caregiving Memoir. a first-person, present-tense account that captures the day-to-day reality of caregiving with honesty, love, and vulnerability. His book is available exclusively on Amazon as an ebook and through Kindle Unlimited. The link to Logan's Book: https://www.amazon.com/Losing-Linda-Mae-Cancer-Caregiving-ebook/dp/B0FDGW7F9J If you want to continue following Logan’s journey, you can find him here: Instagram / TikTok : @justsomehindsight This episode is a reminder that caregivers deserve support too, and that even in the hardest moments, there can still be connection, humor, and hope. If this conversation speaks to you, please share it with another caregiver or leave a review to help more people feel seen and supported. 💛

    51 min
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About

Caring for someone else can be one of the most meaningful, and most isolating, experiences in life. The Care Collective Podcast is here to remind you that you’re not alone. Hosted by Mikayla Cluxton, a caregiver and community-builder, each episode dives into real stories from caregivers, care professionals, and advocates who are reimagining what it means to give and receive care. Through honest conversations about burnout, resilience, and finding yourself again, The Care Collective creates a safe space to explore the emotional side of caregiving because care doesn’t end with the person you’re supporting; it extends to you, too. Whether you’re a family caregiver, a professional in healthcare, or someone walking alongside a loved one, you’ll find hope, healing, and community here. Listen. Feel seen. Reconnect with your light.

Information

  • Creator
    Mikayla Cluxton
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Mikayla Cluxton 2025
  • Show Website
    The Care Collective Podcast