Call to Mind

University of Victoria
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Call to Mind

Audio diaries of love and memory loss, recorded by caregivers of family members living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Join Mariko Sakamoto, assistant professor of nursing at the University of Victoria, for a second season of intimate stories recorded by spouses, children and grandchildren journeying alongside a loved one living with dementia. Family caregivers are the lifeblood of the healthcare system for the more than 750,000 people in Canada currently living with dementia. Every year, they provide more than 580 million unpaid hours of care both at home and in long-term care settings. Whether you’re a caregiver, or know someone with dementia, we hope this podcast series helps you feel heard or gives you a deeper understanding and empathy for the family caregiving experience. This series is part of a UVic research project that explores storytelling, different ways of listening, and the power of being heard. Go to CalltoMindPodcast.com to see storyteller photos, read episode transcriptions and learn more about our research project. The multi-award-winning first series, released in 2022, was hosted by Debra Sheets, UVic professor emerita of nursing. Produced by Jenni Schine; sound design by David Parfit; executive producer, Suzanne Ahearne. This podcast series is made possible by the generosity and creativity of the participants in this research project, as well as by the University of Victoria, with funding support from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, Michael Smith Health Research BC and The Alzheimer’s Society of BC.

Episodes

  1. Sleep well my little pussycat

    JAN 30

    Sleep well my little pussycat

    Sometimes, for a myriad of reasons, we just can’t take care of our aging loved ones in their home or ours. But caregiving doesn’t end if a family member moves into long term care. Marjorie’s story shows us that we can continue to support our loved ones, to advocate for them, and journey alongside them wherever they are. Marjorie recorded this audio diary over a period of about six weeks, mostly in her car driving to her mom, Alexandria’s care home on Vancouver Island. This episode is about a daughter’s love for her mother, right to her last breath. This 2025 podcast series is made possible by the generosity and creativity of the participants in Mariko Sakamoto's research project, and by the University of Victoria, with support from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, and with Scholar Award funding from Michael Smith Health Research BC/Alzheimer Society of BC. Go to CalltoMindPodcast.com to see storyteller photos, read episode transcriptions and learn more about our research project. Host: Mariko Sakamoto, assistant professor of nursing, University of Victoria Producer: Jenni Schine Sound designer: David Parfit Executive producer: Suzanne Ahearne

    21 min
  2. It takes a village

    JAN 30

    It takes a village

    They say it takes a village and when it comes to caregiving for a family member with dementia, sometimes it takes a big family. Lana-Michele and her dad, Reynold—or Ren as everyone calls him—live on a ranch by a lake in rural BC with her grown-up sons. Some of her siblings recently moved to the area to be closer. She considers herself lucky to have family support and to be able to afford extra care for Ron. Her story is about the pressure to create the best life for an aging parent and finding the right balance between encouragement and acceptance. This 2025 podcast series is made possible by the generosity and creativity of the participants in Mariko Sakamoto's research project, and by the University of Victoria, with support from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, and with Scholar Award funding from Michael Smith Health Research BC/Alzheimer Society of BC. Go to CalltoMindPodcast.com to see storyteller photos, read episode transcriptions and learn more about our research project. Host: Mariko Sakamoto, assistant professor of nursing, University of Victoria Producer: Jenni Schine Sound designer: David Parfit Executive producer: Suzanne Ahearne

    25 min
  3. The long dance

    JAN 30

    The long dance

    Caregiving is hard. And journeying alongside a life partner with dementia is like watching your lover, and your relationship, slowly disappear in the rear-view mirror. It’s heartbreaking and you just can’t sugarcoat it. Then there’s all the practicalities and complexities of caregiving. It can be overwhelming. This is Gerri’s story about the heavy emotional work of caregiving. It’s also a story about finding rest and renewal with her husband Don in nature, with friends and through art and music…with a little help from singer and composer, Jeremy Dutcher. This 2025 podcast series is made possible by the generosity and creativity of the participants in Mariko Sakamoto's research project, and by the University of Victoria, with support from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, and with Scholar Award funding from Michael Smith Health Research BC/Alzheimer Society of BC. Go to CalltoMindPodcast.com to see storyteller photos, read episode transcriptions and learn more about our research project. Host: Mariko Sakamoto, assistant professor of nursing, University of Victoria Producer: Jenni Schine Sound designer: David Parfit Executive producer: Suzanne Ahearne Credits: Take My Hand by Jeremy Dutcher Lyrics by Jeremy Dutcher, Basia Bulat and Maggie Paul Courtesy of Secret City Records

    37 min
  4. Becoming a granddaughter again

    JAN 30

    Becoming a granddaughter again

    When you think about family caregivers, you likely imagine a spouse, or a son or daughter. But there are also young people out there who are doing the lion’s share of care for a grandparent with dementia. Ashley was a full-time student with two part-time jobs when she became one of the primary caregivers for her nani, Devki, in their multi-generational home in Abbotsford. This is a story about racism and gaps in the healthcare system, and the need for human-centred and culturally sensitive supports. It’s also a story about how a young woman finds her way back to being a loving granddaughter again when she becomes lost in the role of caregiver. This 2025 podcast series is made possible by the generosity and creativity of the participants in Mariko Sakamoto's research project, and by the University of Victoria, with support from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, and with Scholar Award funding from Michael Smith Health Research BC/Alzheimer Society of BC. Go to CalltoMindPodcast.com to see storyteller photos, read episode transcriptions and learn more about our research project. Host: Mariko Sakamoto, assistant professor of nursing, University of Victoria Producer: Jenni Schine Sound designer: David Parfit Executive producer: Suzanne Ahearne Credits: Toohiyon Hain Main Naahi Ve Sajjana by Niranjan Saar, with permission.

    32 min

  5. SEASON 2 TRAILER

    Welcome to Call to Mind, Season 2

    Join Mariko Sakamoto, assistant professor of nursing at the University of Victoria, for the second season of the multi-award-winning podcast series about love and memory loss, recorded by caregivers of family members living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. This 2025 series is part of a UVic research project that explores storytelling, different ways of listening, and the power of being heard. Go to CalltoMindPodcast.com to see storyteller photos, read episode transcriptions and learn more about our research project. Producer: Jenni Schine Sound designer: David Parfit Executive producer: Suzanne Ahearne This 2025 podcast series is made possible by the generosity and creativity of the participants in Mariko Sakamoto's research project, and by the University of Victoria, with support from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, and with Scholar Award funding from Michael Smith Health Research BC/Alzheimer Society of BC.

    3 min
  6. Every Minute of Respite: Wendy and Judith

    01/30/2022

    Every Minute of Respite: Wendy and Judith

    Three years ago, Wendy closed her commercial cake business in Vancouver to move back to the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island to live with her mom, Judith, who had also been a baker. In this episode she and her brother make sourdough bread and cinnamon buns to sell locally as they care for their mother and try to help her cope with growing confusion and sadness. This episode is about the need for self-care, digging in the garden, and digging up old family secrets. They unearth the meaning of home and how our memories shape us. -------- To see photos, episode transcripts and caregiver resources, go to CalltoMindPodcast.com Call to Mind is hosted by Debra Sheets, nursing professor and researcher with the Institute on Aging and Lifelong Health at the University of Victoria. Produced by Jenni Schine (jennischine.com); sound design by David Parfit (davidparfit.com); executive producer, Suzanne Ahearne (UVic.ca). This four-part podcast series was made possible by the University of Victoria, with funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, The Alzheimer’s Society of Canada, The Alzheimer’s Society of BC, Michael Smith Health Research BC, and BC SUPPORT Unit Island Centre.

    32 min
  7. Intelligent Noises: Margie and Brian

    01/30/2022

    Intelligent Noises: Margie and Brian

    A few years ago, Brian started playing the banjo-ukelele. He plays it every morning. And on days when he can’t find his words, he loves being able to make “intelligent noises” on his instrument and talk to his dog, Che. He and his wife, Margie, sing in the Voices in Motion choir and when they stopped meeting in person, they joined the chorus online. In this episode, they play music and sing together, and Brian reveals his secrets to finding happiness with dementia. And explains why playing singing in a choir is a better team sport than football. -------- To see photos, episode transcripts and caregiver resources, go to CalltoMindPodcast.com Call to Mind is hosted by Debra Sheets, nursing professor and researcher with the Institute on Aging and Lifelong Health at the University of Victoria. Produced by Jenni Schine (jennischine.com); sound design by David Parfit (davidparfit.com); executive producer, Suzanne Ahearne (UVic.ca). This four-part podcast series was made possible by the University of Victoria, with funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, The Alzheimer’s Society of Canada, The Alzheimer’s Society of BC, Michael Smith Health Research BC, and BC SUPPORT Unit Island Centre.

    27 min
  8. Snowstorm: Daphne and Miki

    01/30/2022

    Snowstorm: Daphne and Miki

    Miki and Daphne’s love story begins more than 42 years ago, with a poker game, a snowstorm and a first kiss under a streetlight. Both their lives and careers have been dedicated to advocacy, social justice and mental health. In this episode, they record conversations about forging families, finding calm, and staying in love throughout the seasons. -------- To see photos, episode transcripts and caregiver resources, go to CalltoMindPodcast.com Call to Mind is hosted by Debra Sheets, nursing professor and researcher with the Institute on Aging and Lifelong Health at the University of Victoria. Produced by Jenni Schine (jennischine.com); sound design by David Parfit (davidparfit.com); executive producer, Suzanne Ahearne (UVic.ca). This four-part podcast series was made possible by the University of Victoria, with funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, The Alzheimer’s Society of Canada, The Alzheimer’s Society of BC, Michael Smith Health Research BC, and BC SUPPORT Unit Island Centre.

    31 min
  9. Beautiful Morning: Brenda and Dot

    01/30/2022

    Beautiful Morning: Brenda and Dot

    Dorothy—or “Dot” as most people call her—was living in long-term care in Victoria when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Her daughter, Brenda, visited every day...until lockdown. Dot had her 100th birthday pretty much alone. After six months of isolation, Dot was declining fast—losing weight and becoming more confused. Brenda wasn’t allowed to visit, so she brought her mom home to live with her. This episode is about the tenderness, love and laughter that fill most of their days, and the emotional challenges Brenda encounters when Dot becomes lost in the 1950s, long before her daughter was born. -------- To see photos, episode transcripts and caregiver resources, go to CalltoMindPodcast.com Call to Mind is hosted by Debra Sheets, nursing professor and researcher with the Institute on Aging and Lifelong Health at the University of Victoria. Produced by Jenni Schine (jennischine.com); sound design by David Parfit (davidparfit.com); executive producer, Suzanne Ahearne (UVic.ca). This four-part podcast series was made possible by the University of Victoria, with funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, The Alzheimer’s Society of Canada, The Alzheimer’s Society of BC, Michael Smith Health Research BC, and BC SUPPORT Unit Island Centre.

    32 min

  10. SEASON 1 TRAILER

    Introducing Call to Mind

    In this podcast series, people living with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia record audio diaries and conversations about their lives during the pandemic. Join your host, Debra Sheets, a nursing professor and researcher with the institute on aging and lifelong health at the University of Victoria. In each episode you'll hear intimate and surprising stories about the challenges and rewards of caregiving, the impacts of isolation, finding joy by living in the present, and staying in love when everything else is changing. We hope this podcast inspires you to make your community a more friendly and supportive place for people with dementia. – – – This 4-part podcast series was made possible by the University of Victoria, with funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, the Alzheimer's Society of Canada, the Alzheimer's Society of BC, Michael Smith Health Research BC, and BC SUPPORT Unit Island Centre. To see photos, read storyteller photos, and access episode transcriptions, go to our website at https://www.calltomindpodcast.com

    3 min

Trailers

About

Audio diaries of love and memory loss, recorded by caregivers of family members living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Join Mariko Sakamoto, assistant professor of nursing at the University of Victoria, for a second season of intimate stories recorded by spouses, children and grandchildren journeying alongside a loved one living with dementia. Family caregivers are the lifeblood of the healthcare system for the more than 750,000 people in Canada currently living with dementia. Every year, they provide more than 580 million unpaid hours of care both at home and in long-term care settings. Whether you’re a caregiver, or know someone with dementia, we hope this podcast series helps you feel heard or gives you a deeper understanding and empathy for the family caregiving experience. This series is part of a UVic research project that explores storytelling, different ways of listening, and the power of being heard. Go to CalltoMindPodcast.com to see storyteller photos, read episode transcriptions and learn more about our research project. The multi-award-winning first series, released in 2022, was hosted by Debra Sheets, UVic professor emerita of nursing. Produced by Jenni Schine; sound design by David Parfit; executive producer, Suzanne Ahearne. This podcast series is made possible by the generosity and creativity of the participants in this research project, as well as by the University of Victoria, with funding support from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, Michael Smith Health Research BC and The Alzheimer’s Society of BC.

Information

  • Creator
    University of Victoria
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 University of Victoria
  • Show Website
    Call to Mind

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