The Care Collective Podcast

Mikayla Cluxton

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. May 20

    How Do You Care for Someone With Completely Different Beliefs Than You?

    In this solo episode of The Care Collective Podcast, host Mikayla Cluxton opens up about one of the most emotionally complicated realities of caregiving: how do you continue caring for someone when their beliefs, words, or worldview deeply conflict with your own? Drawing from her personal experiences working in elder care, Mikayla shares the emotional tension many caregivers quietly carry: navigating racist, sexist, homophobic, judgmental, or hurtful comments while still trying to provide compassionate, dignified care. She explores the emotional complexity of generational differences, the impact of dementia and cognitive decline on personality and behavior, and the hidden grief that can come with watching someone change over time. This episode dives into the realities younger caregivers often face when caring for older generations raised in entirely different cultural and social environments. Mikayla also discusses caregiver burnout, emotional boundaries, compassion fatigue, identity struggles, and why caregivers deserve spaces where they can process difficult emotions honestly without shame or guilt. Whether you are a family caregiver, CNA, nurse, healthcare worker, or someone supporting an aging loved one, this episode offers validation, nuance, and a reminder that compassion and discomfort can exist at the same time. If you’ve ever felt emotionally conflicted, hurt, exhausted, or isolated in your caregiving journey, this conversation will remind you that you are not alone. Connect with The Care Collective Follow the podcast for more conversations about caregiving, resilience, and navigating the realities of supporting aging loved ones. https://linktr.ee/Carecollectivepodcast

    16 min

  2. May 9

    When Caregiving Makes You Sick: The Hidden Physical Toll of Chronic Stress on Caregivers

    Why does caregiving leave so many people physically exhausted, anxious, sick, and burned out? In this solo episode of The Care Collective Podcast, Mikayla dives into the hidden physical toll caregiving stress takes on the body: from chronic exhaustion and brain fog to sleep deprivation, hypervigilance, immune issues, and long-term health risks. She explores research from the CDC, AARP, and the National Cancer Institute while offering compassionate, practical ways caregivers can begin supporting their own nervous systems and health again. If you’ve been surviving in crisis mode and wondering why your body feels like it’s falling apart, this episode is for you. Connect with The Care Collective Follow the podcast for more conversations about caregiving, resilience, and navigating the realities of supporting aging loved ones. https://linktr.ee/Carecollectivepodcast

    18 min

  3. May 5

    What to Say (and Not Say) to Someone Grieving: Expert Advice from a Grief Educator

    Grief is something we will all experience, but most people don’t know what to say or how to show up when someone is hurting. In this episode of The Care Collective Podcast, I’m joined by grief educator and registered nurse Jane Dye to talk about what grief really looks like, and how to support someone through it without causing more harm. We dive into the difference between grief and mourning, why grief isn’t linear, and how anticipatory grief shows up for caregivers before a loss even happens. Jane shares powerful insights from both her professional experience and personal loss, helping you better understand what grieving people actually need. We also talk about the most common things people say that can unintentionally hurt, and what to say instead if you truly want to support someone through loss. Whether you’re navigating grief yourself or trying to support someone you love, this conversation will help you feel more grounded, more prepared, and less alone. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: What grief actually is (and why it’s more than just loss)The difference between grief and mourningWhat not to say to someone who is grievingWhat grieving people truly need insteadHow to support someone without trying to “fix” their painWhat anticipatory grief looks like for caregiversWhy grief isn’t linear—and never follows a timelineHow to communicate your needs when you’re the one grievingResources & Links: Connect with Jane Dye: Website: jankdye.com Listen to The Care Collective Podcast Follow the podcast and find all episodes here: https://linktr.ee/Carecollectivepodcast About The Care Collective Podcast The Care Collective Podcast shares honest conversations about caregiving, aging, grief, resilience, and the emotional realities of supporting the people we love. Our goal is to help caregivers feel seen, supported, and less alone.

    53 min

  4. May 2

    How Caregiving Affects Your Marriage (80% of Caregivers Report Relationship Strain)

    Caregiving doesn’t just change your life, it changes your relationship too. In this episode of The Care Collective Podcast, we’re talking about the reality of navigating caregiving with a spouse. Because even if you have a partner, you can still feel completely alone in what you’re carrying. Research shows that nearly 80% of caregivers experience strain in their relationship, but this is one of the least talked about parts of caregiving. We’re diving into: Why caregiving puts pressure on marriages and relationshipsWhat it feels like when your spouse doesn’t fully understandThe emotional toll of feeling unsupported while caregivingWhat real support actually looks like from a partnerPractical ways to communicate your needs and stay connectedIf you’ve ever thought, “Why don’t they just get it?”—this episode is for you. You’re not too much for needing support. And you’re not alone in this. Listen to The Care Collective Podcast Follow the podcast and find all episodes here: https://linktr.ee/Carecollectivepodcast About The Care Collective Podcast The Care Collective Podcast shares honest conversations about caregiving, aging, grief, resilience, and the emotional realities of supporting the people we love. Our goal is to help caregivers feel seen, supported, and less alone.

    17 min

  5. Apr 28

    When Dementia Changes Everything Overnight: A Sibling Caregiver Story with Wendy from This Is Your Brain on Mom

    What if the first sign of dementia wasn’t memory loss, but a sudden fall that changed everything? In this episode of The Care Collective Podcast, I sit down with Wendy, co-host of This Is Your Brain on Mom, to talk about her family’s real-life experience navigating the early stages of dementia and Alzheimer’s. We dive into the subtle signs that are often missed, how quickly cognitive decline can surface, and the emotional impact of stepping into a caregiving role for your parent. Wendy shares what it’s like to care for her mom alongside her siblings, the challenges of balancing family, work, and caregiving, and how storytelling has become a powerful way to honor her mom’s life and legacy. If you’re a caregiver, supporting a loved one with dementia, or trying to understand the early signs of Alzheimer’s, this episode offers honest insight, emotional support, and a reminder that you’re not alone. 🎧 Topics include: Early signs of dementia and Alzheimer’sSibling caregiving dynamicsNavigating a sudden diagnosisEmotional realities of caregivingHonoring your loved one’s story through storytellingConnect with our guest https://yourbrainonmom.com/ Connect with The Care Collective Follow the podcast for more conversations about caregiving, resilience, and navigating the realities of supporting aging loved ones. https://linktr.ee/Carecollectivepodcast

    55 min

  6. Apr 23

    When Caregiving Changes Overnight: How to Cope with Sudden Diagnosis, Stress & Emotional Overwhelm

    What happens when caregiving doesn’t ease in, but hits all at once? In this episode of The Care Collective Podcast, we talk about the emotional reality of sudden caregiving, when a fall, diagnosis, or crisis instantly changes your life. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, stuck in survival mode, or unsure how to process everything happening around you, this episode will help you feel seen and supported. You’ll learn why sudden caregiving can feel so disorienting, how unprocessed stress shows up in your body, and simple, practical ways to start coping, even when you don’t have time to slow down. Whether you’re caring for a parent, spouse, or loved one with dementia, illness, or injury, this episode offers real-life insight, emotional validation, and actionable steps to help you navigate the transition. 🎧 In this episode: What to do when caregiving starts suddenlySigns you’re in survival mode (and how to get out of it)Understanding anticipatory grief and emotional overwhelmSimple ways to process stress in small, manageable momentsHow to support yourself while supporting someone elseIf you’re a caregiver feeling like everything changed overnight… this episode is for you. Listen to The Care Collective Podcast Follow the podcast and find all episodes here: https://linktr.ee/Carecollectivepodcast About The Care Collective Podcast The Care Collective Podcast shares honest conversations about caregiving, aging, grief, resilience, and the emotional realities of supporting the people we love. Our goal is to help caregivers feel seen, supported, and less alone.

    11 min

  7. Apr 21

    Sandwich Generation Caregiving: Stress, Sibling Conflict, Guilt, and How to Ask for Help

    In this episode of The Care Collective Podcast, Mikayla sits down with therapist and coach Lissy McConnell to unpack the realities of sandwich generation caregiving, supporting aging parents while raising children, managing careers, and trying not to lose yourself in the process. They dive into caregiver burnout, decision fatigue, and why everything can feel urgent when you’re living in constant stress. You’ll hear honest conversations about sibling conflict, resentment, and how family dynamics from years ago often resurface during caregiving. Lissy shares practical ways to communicate better, delegate responsibilities, and navigate difficult conversations with family members at different stages of acceptance. This episode also explores the emotional side of caregiving—guilt, identity loss, and the pressure to “do it all.” You’ll learn how to reframe guilt, accept help without shame, and find small ways to care for yourself even when time feels impossible. If you’re a caregiver feeling overwhelmed, unseen, or stretched too thin, this conversation will remind you that you’re not alone and give you tangible tools to navigate it all with more clarity and compassion. Connect with our guest: If you'd like to connect with Lissy, find more information at her website here: www.sandwichsupportco.com/ Access her free guide here: Sandwich Support Co Guides Listen to The Care Collective Podcast Follow the podcast and find all episodes here: https://linktr.ee/Carecollectivepodcast About The Care Collective Podcast The Care Collective Podcast shares honest conversations about caregiving, aging, grief, resilience, and the emotional realities of supporting the people we love. Our goal is to help caregivers feel seen, supported, and less alone.

    49 min

  8. Apr 16

    Caregiving & Sibling Conflict: Why Family Dynamics Get Complicated

    Caregiving doesn’t just impact your relationship with the person you’re caring for, it can deeply affect your relationships with your siblings, too. In this episode, we unpack the emotional and psychological realities of sibling dynamics in caregiving, including unequal responsibility, resentment, communication breakdowns, and the resurfacing of old family roles. Backed by research and real-life experiences, we explore why caregiving often falls on one person, how sibling expectations are shaped, and why tension can build even in close families. You’ll also walk away with practical strategies to navigate difficult conversations, set healthy boundaries, divide responsibilities more clearly, and protect your peace. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, unsupported, or unsure how to approach your siblings, this episode will help you feel seen, understood, and a little less alone in the process. Connect with The Care Collective Follow the podcast for more conversations about caregiving, resilience, and navigating the realities of supporting aging loved ones. https://linktr.ee/Carecollectivepodcast

    19 min
See All (38)

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

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
    38
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Mikayla Cluxton 2025
  • Show Website
    The Care Collective Podcast