A Season of Caring Podcast

Rayna Neises
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A Season of Caring Podcast

A Season of Caring Podcast is a place to find hope for your Season of Caring.  Pointing listeners to the hope they can find in God even in the busyness and loneliness of caregiving. I want you to know that I see you and God sees you. What you are doing is not only difficult, and often overwhelming, but it's also one of the most important and rewarding things you can do. The guests featured are both everyday family members who are caregiver survivors and those who are still in the middle of their caring season.  At times, you will meet professionals who bring their experience and compassion for you to our conversations.I want you to feel encouraged and hopeful after our time together, so you can spend this season with no regrets, living content, and loving well.

  1. 1D AGO

    Beyond the Caregiver Role: Reclaiming Your Identity and Dreams

    Send us a text "Who am I outside of caregiving?" This question haunts many family caregivers as they navigate the all-consuming journey of caring for a loved one. Drawing from my personal experience of caring for my father with Alzheimer's for 14 years, I unpack the struggle to maintain our sense of self when someone else's needs dominate our days and decisions. Caregiving has a way of rewriting your identity without permission. Suddenly, you're an advocate, a nurse, a scheduler, and an emotional support system—but somewhere in that transformation, crucial parts of yourself can slip away unnoticed. I share how I realized I had stopped journaling, reading before bed, and connecting with friends—not just activities I'd lost, but pieces of my identity quietly disappearing. The path to reclaiming and protecting your identity starts with confronting the myths that trap us: the belief that doing anything less than everything means we're failing; the notion that we should just press pause on ourselves until caregiving ends; and the guilt that whispers self-care is selfish. These lies keep us from the truth—that we are whole people whose worth transcends our caregiving role. Through practical strategies like creating a personal manifesto based on core values, establishing healthy boundaries, and dedicating even five minutes a week to nurturing dreams, caregivers can maintain connection with their authentic selves. Remember, caregiving doesn't define you—it's a season in your life, not the entirety of who you are. Whether you're in the thick of caregiving or transitioning to life afterward, your story continues to unfold. Download the free core values worksheet from our show notes at seasonofcaring.com/podcast and begin reconnecting with the heart of who you are today. Your identity matters, your dreams still have purpose, and you are so much more than the care you provide.

    15 min

  2. JUN 26

    Changing Mindset, Not Circumstances: Stories of Hope with Rick Henkin

    Send us a text Your loved one's behavior isn't the source of your stress—your reaction to it is." This powerful insight forms the foundation of Rick Henkin's transformative approach to dementia caregiving, which he shares in this deeply moving episode. When Rick's wife Sonia was diagnosed with Alzheimer's at 65, their world shifted dramatically. From her developing Capgras syndrome (believing Rick was an imposter) to the heartbreak of seeing her relationship with their granddaughters deteriorate, Rick faced the crushing weight that so many caregivers experience. The turning point came not from changing his circumstances, but from changing his mindset. Rick takes us through his journey of discovery—how he went from anger and frustration to finding what he calls his "heaven on earth" state of peace and acceptance. He shares candid stories that will resonate with anyone who's cared for someone with dementia, from Sonia putting toothpaste in her hair to "borrowing" pancakes from strangers in restaurants. Rather than sources of stress, these moments became cherished memories through Rick's transformed perspective. Most powerfully, Rick reveals how his relationship with Sonia evolved to where spending time with her became his source of respite rather than stress. "Caregivers have the ability to make the rest of their loved one's life miserable or joyful," he notes—a profound responsibility and opportunity. Whether you're caring for someone with dementia or facing any caregiving challenges, Rick's practical wisdom offers a path forward. By focusing on what you can control—your own thoughts and reactions—rather than what you can't, you'll discover how to lift the burden of caregiving stress while providing better care for both your loved one and yourself.

    29 min

  3. JUN 12

    Breaking Free and Caring Well: Stories of Hope with Christine Trimpe

    Send us a text What happens when a personal health transformation becomes the unexpected preparation for a life-altering caregiving journey? Christine Trimpe's story powerfully demonstrates how God works ahead of our awareness to equip us for challenges we can't yet imagine. Christine candidly shares the moment that changed everything - standing breathless on a Rocky Mountain trail, unable to complete a half-mile hike due to being over 100 pounds overweight. That humbling experience led to a simple prayer: "God, I just want to feel better." Little did she know how perfectly timed her subsequent health transformation would be. After ditching sugar completely and losing over 100 pounds, Christine found herself spiritually, emotionally, and physically strengthened just months before her son suffered a traumatic brain injury in a catastrophic car accident. Now as her son's caregiver, Christine navigates the unique challenges of supporting someone with an invisible disability. Though outwardly appearing unaffected, her son's TBI impacts his mental health and requires ongoing advocacy, oversight, and support. Christine reveals the surprising isolation of caregiving and how her morning ritual of time in God's Word sustains her through difficult seasons. Her focus on cultivating joy and more recently, peace replacing hypervigilance, demonstrates the evolving nature of spiritual growth throughout the caregiving journey. For caregivers at any stage, Christine offers wisdom gleaned from experience: true self-care means nurturing your spiritual and emotional health first. Her personal philosophy—"when we feel better, we serve better"—encapsulates the importance of maintaining our own well-being to effectively care for others. Whether you're facing health challenges, unexpected caregiving responsibilities, or both, Christine's story reminds us that God often prepares the path before us, equipping us for seasons we never anticipated.

    20 min

  4. MAY 29

    Faith and Letting Go the Heart of Caregiving: Stories of Hope with Susan Stern

    Send us a text What happens when caregiving transforms you so completely that it redirects your life's purpose? Susan Stern's remarkable journey takes us through two decades of caring for both parents—first as a long-distance caregiver for her father during his 10-year cancer battle, then as primary caregiver for her mother through a decade of Alzheimer's.  The conversation reveals the stark differences between these caregiving experiences while uncovering the universal challenges all caregivers face. Susan speaks candidly about the unexpected grief that blindsided her after her mother's passing—how she found herself "regrieving" her father too.  Particularly moving is Susan's vulnerability around control. As a self-described Type A personality, caregiving forced her to become "comfortable with being uncomfortable" and to surrender her illusion of managing every outcome.  The transformation Susan experienced wasn't just personal but professional. Her caregiving journey ultimately led her to become a board-certified life coach specifically supporting family caregivers who are exhausted from overgiving. Whether you're currently caregiving, anticipating this role, or processing your past caregiving experiences, Susan's wisdom offers practical hope. Her encouragement to ask for help, find time for self-care, and recognize that "you're stronger than you think" serves as a powerful reminder that with faith and community, we can not only survive caregiving but emerge with unexpected gifts of resilience, purpose, and deeper connection.

    26 min

  5. MAY 15

    Grace for the Season: Quieting the Inner Critic and Embracing Growth

    Send us a text Grace transforms the caregiver journey from a pursuit of perfection to a path of authentic love and service. When our inner critic shouts that we've fallen short - that we should be more patient, more organized, more everything - grace gently reminds us we're human, doing sacred work one imperfect day at a time. My own journey began at 16 when my mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. By the time I was 20, she could no longer communicate clearly. Yet her voice lives on as my internal cheerleader, echoing the patient encouragement she offered during my childhood struggles with reading. "Keep going, honey. You're doing better than you think," she'd say beside me at the kitchen table. This growth mindset rooted in grace stands in stark contrast to the harsh inner critic we all battle. The critic shows up in our lowest moments - when we lose patience, forget appointments, or simply run out of emotional bandwidth. It replays our mistakes at 3 AM and tells us we're failing. But Romans 8:1 reminds us "there is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." God's grace isn't a reward for getting it right; it's a gift freely given, especially when we feel we've gotten it all wrong. Through practical steps like pausing to identify unhelpful thoughts, reframing criticism with truth, and speaking grace aloud to ourselves, we can quiet that critical voice. You are doing better than you think. Your effort matters. Your showing up matters. Download our free "Grace for the Journey" reflection guide to help silence your inner critic and embrace the growth that happens in this challenging, beautiful season of caring.

    13 min

  6. MAY 1

    Make a Shift, Faith in Caregiving and Beyond: Stories of Hope with Dr. Melissa Glass

    Send us a text What happens when a medical professional becomes the primary caregiver for their own parent? Dr. Melissa Glass, a doctorate trained registered nurse and John Maxwell certified coach, takes us through her profound journey of caring for her mother during the pandemic's darkest days. The caregiver journey often begins unexpectedly. For Dr. Glass, it started with long-distance care as her fiercely independent mother battled health challenges in Louisiana. When COVID-19 changed everything in 2020, Dr. Glass brought her mother to live with her in Texas while simultaneously pursuing her doctorate and managing a household. Her mother's complex medical needs—end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis, uncontrolled diabetes, and complications leading to an amputation—created a perfect storm of caregiving intensity. Despite her medical expertise, Dr. Glass discovered that caring for family introduces emotional complexities professional training can't prepare you for. "Even working in healthcare... I never understood how do you even find time to take care of yourself?" she reflects candidly. Her story illuminates the universal struggle caregivers face: balancing expertise with familial relationships while maintaining boundaries and self-care. The most touching revelations come through Dr. Glass's description of their final holiday season together. Her mother, typically camera-shy, allowed precious photos and videos that now provide comfort in grief. "Sometimes when I just need a little comfort to want to hear my mother's voice... I don't mourn over them as much as I use it as a comfort," she shares, offering wisdom about documentation that every caregiver should hear. After her mother's peaceful transition in January 2021, Dr. Glass developed the powerful SHIFT framework (Scripture, Holy Spirit, Illuminate, Faith, Testimony) that guided her healing journey. Her story reminds us that caregiving, while tremendously challenging, often becomes the crucible where our deepest spiritual growth occurs. Join us for this moving conversation about medical caregiving, capturing memories, finding personalized self-care, and discovering God's presence even in our darkest moments. Connect with Dr. Glass on LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram to continue the conversation about resilience through caregiving's most difficult seasons.

    27 min

  7. APR 17

    Lessons from an Unexpected Season: Stories of Hope with Mary Beth Powers

    Send us a text Mary Beth Powers never expected to become a caregiver during what should have been her freedom-filled empty nester years. Instead, she found herself stretched between caring for her husband with Meniere's disease at home and her mother-in-law who lived 45 minutes away. The physical distance created practical challenges that were amplified during COVID when quarantine protocols meant she couldn't return home after providing care. The breaking point came when both loved ones needed 24-hour care simultaneously. In a raw moment of desperation, Mary Beth found herself in a laundry room, sobbing and questioning God about the fairness of her situation. It was there she heard His gentle voice: "I just need you to be my hands and feet in this moment." This divine encounter didn't remove her challenges but gave them profound meaning, transforming her perspective from self-focused frustration to purpose-driven service. One of the most beautiful moments emerged when Mary Beth, who had once dreamed of becoming a hairdresser, found herself styling her mother-in-law's soft white hair. This simple act created an unexpected bridge between them, deepening a relationship that had previously been somewhat distant. Meanwhile, Mary Beth watched in amazement as her adult children—all newlyweds beginning their own families—stepped up to support both her and their grandmother in remarkable ways. The greatest wisdom Mary Beth gained was recognizing that caregiving was never about her comfort or convenience. She learned that running to Jesus first, being honest about difficult emotions without placing blame, and focusing on the person needing care rather than personal inconvenience made all the difference.  Mary Beth encourages caregivers to give themselves grace while remembering that God meets us perfectly in our imperfections. Connect with Mary Beth at marybethpowers.com or follow her on Instagram @girlbestill to learn more about her ministry.

    23 min

  8. APR 3

    When God's Plan Unfolds: Stories of Hope with Joy Kats

    Send us a text What happens when God orchestrates seemingly unrelated events into a beautiful tapestry of purpose? Joy Kotz  unexpectedly became her father's primary caregiver, especially given their emotionally distant relationship and his age. Yet in this powerful conversation, she reveals how three months of caregiving during her father's final days transformed both her heart and their relationship. Joy shares the remarkable story of how she felt called to donate a kidney to a church member, only to discover she wasn't a match—a disappointment that turned into divine protection. Had she undergone surgery, she wouldn't have been able to care for her father when he was diagnosed with congestive heart failure just months later. Through intimate moments like washing her father's feet and celebrating family milestones together, Joy found herself treasuring a season she initially resented. The story doesn't end there. After her father's passing, another kidney donation need arose, and this time Joy was a perfect match. Looking back, she sees God's hand guiding each step, preparing her through caregiving for this gift she would later give. Her journey reveals profound spiritual lessons about timing, purpose, and finding meaning in difficult seasons. For anyone in the midst of caregiving challenges, Joy offers wisdom from her experience: "Remember that it's a season. Keep your eyes on Jesus. If He's called you into this, there's reason and purpose in it." Her commitment to living without regrets and being faithful to what God places before her each day provides inspiration for anyone walking through their own season of caring. Subscribe to A Season of Caring podcast for more stories that will help you live content, love well, and care without regrets—finding God's presence even in life's most demanding seasons.

    21 min
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5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

A Season of Caring Podcast is a place to find hope for your Season of Caring.  Pointing listeners to the hope they can find in God even in the busyness and loneliness of caregiving. I want you to know that I see you and God sees you. What you are doing is not only difficult, and often overwhelming, but it's also one of the most important and rewarding things you can do. The guests featured are both everyday family members who are caregiver survivors and those who are still in the middle of their caring season.  At times, you will meet professionals who bring their experience and compassion for you to our conversations.I want you to feel encouraged and hopeful after our time together, so you can spend this season with no regrets, living content, and loving well.

Information

  • Creator
    Rayna Neises
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    220
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 A Season of Caring Podcast
  • Show Website
    A Season of Caring Podcast

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