Dancing With Dementia™: A Caregivers Rising Podcast

Kama
  • 5.0 (21)
  • ALTERNATIVE HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to Dancing With Dementia™—the go-to podcast for young and atypical caregivers navigating the challenges of caring for a loved one with a chronic illness. I’m Kama Newbry, a nurse, coach, educator, advocate, and daughter turned caregiver after my mom was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s in my early 30s. Like so many, I struggled to find support tailored to young caregivers—those of us balancing careers, identity, family dynamics, and deep soul shifts… all while caregiving. This podcast is your compassionate resource for: Caregiver wellness tipsEmotional and energetic toolsPractical strategies for caregiving of all kinds, including dementiaMind-body healing and burnout preventionCommunity connection for young caregivers, AKA, "Caregivers on the Dancefloor of Life™" Whether your loved one is at home, in assisted living, or in a care facility, this space is for you. We explore everything from self-care and intuitive caregiving to grief, advocacy, spirituality, energy medicine, and the very real ups and downs of showing up for someone you love. Our mission? To infuse love, light, levity, and joy into the caregiver journey—while offering grounded support, powerful conversations, and actionable tips, tricks, tools, and resources you can use right away! Because you’re not just surviving—you’re rising.  Join us on the Caregiver Dancefloor of Life, where together, WE RISE!

  1. OCT 14

    The Creative Cure to Caregiver Burnout (Part 1) with Dr. Andre Walton, PhD

    What if the antidote to caregiver burnout isn’t doing more, but is thinking differently? In this two-part series, Dr. Andre Walton, PhD, a globally recognized thought leader, transformational coach, and expert in creativity, innovation, and burnout recovery, joins host Kama Newbry, RN, NC-BC for a deep dive into the art, science and soul of creative thinking as the key to healing burnout. A physicist, social psychology wizard, and entrepreneur turned coach, professor, best-selling author and TEDx speaker, Dr. Walton has decades of experience bridging neuroscience, organizational psychology, and human potential. They explore how stress constricts creative thought, why the brain “seizes and freezes,” and how to open the mind’s kaleidoscope of possibility. Through stories, science, and soulful wisdom, Dr. Andre offers practical ways to retrain your brain, restore your energy, and reignite curiosity, so you can bring creativity and compassion back into caregiving, leadership, and life itself. ✨ You’ll Learn:  • The hidden thinking trap that fuels burnout, and how to break free  • Why micro-moments of creativity restore vitality, clarity, and choice  • How meditation and movement sync your brain for better decisions  • Real-life tools to shift from survival mode to Caregivers Rising™ 📚 Resources & Mentions:  • Creative Thinking : A coach’s perspective by Dr. Andre Walton • Embracing the New Era – Managing Oneself and Others in the Era of Creativity • Transcendental Meditation (TM) & Mindfulness Basics • Join the Caregivers Rising™ Movement: synergyrising.life/caregivers 🌐 Connect with Andre:  www.hiredrandre.com | www.plan4change.org ⚠️Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and inspirational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult your personal healthcare or wellness team for guidance specific to you.⚠️ 💖SHARE THE LOVE!💖 If DWD touches your heart, please share it with another caregiver! And subscribe, rate, and review to help others find this community of light, love, and advocacy. 💃🏻Have topic requests, want to nominate a guest, or book a 1:1 consultation with me? Connect with us at SynergyRising.Life!/podcast💃🏻 🎧 Available on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Podcasts 🎧 ✨ Facebook:Dancing With Dementia ✨ Website: www.SynergyRising.Life ✨ Instagram:DanceWithDementia 💃🏻✨💃🏻 Special Announcement:💃🏻✨💃🏻 Caregivers Rising—The Program for Caregivers who want to THRIVE, not just survive is going LIVE! Join us at Synergy...

    1 hr

  2. OCT 2

    The Caregiver’s Guide to Building Your Dream Team!

    Have you ever wondered if the caregiving system could truly change—or if you’ll always be fighting the same battles alone? In this solo episode of the Dancing With Dementia™ Podcast, host Kama, a Board-Certified Nurse Coach, Fierce Caregiver Advocate, and Young Caregiver Daughter for her Mother, shares powerful updates, real-world solutions, and advocacy strategies that prove change is possible. As a promised follow-up from episodes in early June, this episode is about the solutions curated from the common systemic eldercare challenges experienced earlier this year.  Kama reveals how leadership shifts transformed the atmosphere at her mom’s care home, why building a multidisciplinary team (PT, OT, Speech, Palliative, and Community) changed everything, and how family collaboration among residents’ loved ones created momentum for positive change. She also spotlights Synapticure, an innovative resource for families facing neurodegenerative conditions, providing access to specialized neurologists, case managers, therapy referrals, and support—even in rural or homebound situations. Whether your loved one is at home or in a facility, this episode equips you with practical tools, inspiring stories, and reminders that you are never truly alone. Together, caregivers can turn wounds into solutions, build synergy, and rise stronger! ✨ Episode Takeaways✨  Leadership changes can completely shift the quality of care in eldercare facilities.Advocacy becomes more effective with the right team beside you.Professionals can only help if you share the whole story.Family collaboration breaks isolation and sparks systemic change.Synapticure is a game-changer for caregivers of loved ones with neurodegenerative conditions.The right team creates synergy, turning problems into solutions.Caregivers Rising™ is more than a program—it’s a movement to help caregivers thrive.✨ ✨ ✨ Ready to rise and shine as a caregiver?✨ ✨ ✨  ✨ ✨ ✨ Join the Caregivers Rising™ Movement✨ ✨ ✨  ✨ ✨ ✨ https://www.synergyrising.life/caregivers ✨ ✨ ✨   💖SHARE THE LOVE!💖 If DWD touches your heart, please share it with another caregiver! And subscribe, rate, and review to help others find this community of light, love, and advocacy. 💃🏻Have topic requests, want to nominate a guest, or book a 1:1 consultation with me? Connect with us at SynergyRising.Life!/podcast💃🏻 🎧 Available on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Podcasts 🎧 ✨ Facebook:Dancing With Dementia ✨ Website: www.SynergyRising.Life ✨ Instagram:DanceWithDementia 💃🏻✨💃🏻 Special Announcement:💃🏻✨💃🏻 Caregivers Rising—The Program for Caregivers who want to THRIVE, not just survive is going LIVE! Join us at Synergy...

    20 min

  3. AUG 17

    Real Talk on Boundaries, Burnout & Broken Systems | Part 3 with Valarie Varan

    What happens when you finally get a break — only to return to medication errors, system failures, and emotional whiplash?  In Part 3 of my raw, unfiltered conversation with Valarie Varan, we talk sibling dynamics, facility frustrations, and the boundaries that keep caregivers from burning out. If you’ve ever felt like no one “gets it,” this episode will remind you that you are not alone — and that your voice, your well-being, and your boundaries matter.  Welcome, beautiful souls, to another heart-expanding conversation on the Dancing With Dementia™ Podcast! I’m your host, Kama: nurse, caregiver, coach, and fierce advocate for bringing more light, love, and levity to the caregiving journey. If you’ve ever felt unseen, unheard, or worn down by the demands of caregiving, this conversation will remind you that you are not alone, your truth matters, and your well-being is essential. 🎧 ⚠️ Language Disclaimer: This episode contains strong language. If you’re sensitive to explicit words, this one may not be for you — but we have MANY other uplifting episodes in our library you’ll love! And if you have little ears around, now’s the time to grab your earbuds. ⚠️🎧 ✨ You’ll learn: Why asking for help is self-responsibility — not “playing the victim” How to set boundaries that make space for real rest and recovery The critical importance of medication safety and advocacy in dementia care The very real physical and neurological toll chronic caregiving stress takes How to recharge fully by securing trusted backup care Why caregiver community is as essential as medical care🌟Caregivers Rising™ Program – Join the Movement!🌟 🔗 Join us today at synergyrising.life/caregivers and be part of a movement that understands your challenges, celebrates your wins, and walks beside you every step of the way.🔗 ⚠️ Medical Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your personal care or the care of your loved one. 💖SHARE THE LOVE!💖 If DWD touches your heart, please share it with another caregiver! And subscribe, rate, and review to help others find this community of light, love, and advocacy. 💃🏻Have topic requests, want to nominate a guest, or book a 1:1 consultation with me? Connect with us at SynergyRising.Life!/podcast💃🏻 🎧 Available on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Podcasts 🎧 ✨ Facebook:Dancing With Dementia ✨ Website: www.SynergyRising.Life ✨ Instagram:DanceWithDementia 💃🏻✨💃🏻 Special Announcement:💃🏻✨💃🏻 Caregivers Rising—The Program for Caregivers who want to THRIVE, not just survive is going LIVE! Join us at Synergy...

    49 min

  4. JUL 20

    Caregiver Burnout, Soul Reconnection, and the Dark Night of the Soul — with Valarie Varan (Part 2)

    Are you feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, or completely lost in your caregiving role? This episode is your soulful lifeline. In Part 2 of our powerful 3-part series, Licensed Professional Counselor, Holistic Life Coach, and Author, Valarie Varan explores caregiver burnout, connection, and how to find your way back to your true self—even in the depths of exhaustion. We talk about the Dark Night of the Soul, emotional overwhelm, rage, grief, and the subtle but powerful process of connecting with your inner light. If you’re navigating the emotional and spiritual toll of caregiving, this episode will bring you grounding, insight, and practical steps for renewal. Whether you’re a dementia caregiver or some other caregiver, a young caregiver, a long-distance caregiver—or supporting someone who is a caregiver—this conversation is a beacon of hope, healing, and light. In this Episode: Soul reconnection starts with your body.The Dark Night of the Soul is an upgrade, not a breakdown.Emotions are temporary storms, not your identity.You need more than grit—you need a toolkit and a team.Gratitude helps you come home to yourselfWhy disintegration happens even when we love deeplyReframing depression, rage, and soul loss in caregivingGrounding visualization to reconnect with your highest selfHow nature, gratitude, and energy alignment can restore youValarie’s story of resisting her calling—and what happened next✨ The Caregivers Rising™ Course is your next step.✨ ✨Designed for caregivers who are ready to RISE, whether caring for a parent, partner, or loved one, we blend science-backed tools with soulful practices to help you thrive!✨ ✨Join the our email list at SynergyRising.Life to be notified when the Priority List opens!✨✨ 💖Valarie Varan’s work: www.ValarieVaran.com 📘 Grab Valarie’s book: Living in a Quantum Reality 📲 Share this episode with a friend, a caregiver, or someone you love.  🌀 Repost to your IG stories and tag us @dancewithdementia  🌞 And most importantly, remember—you are never alone!🌞 💖SHARE THE LOVE!💖 If DWD touches your heart, please share it with another caregiver! And subscribe, rate, and review to help others find this community of light, love, and advocacy. 💃🏻Have topic requests, want to nominate a guest, or book a 1:1 consultation with me? Connect with us at SynergyRising.Life!/podcast💃🏻 🎧 Available on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Podcasts 🎧 ✨ Facebook:Dancing With Dementia ✨ Website: www.SynergyRising.Life ✨ Instagram:DanceWithDementia 💃🏻✨💃🏻 Special Announcement:💃🏻✨💃🏻 Caregivers Rising—The Program for Caregivers who want to THRIVE, not just survive is going LIVE! Join us at Synergy...

    1 hr

  5. JUN 30

    Energy, Intuition, and the Quantum Side of Caregiving with Valarie Varan, Part 1

    What if your burnout wasn’t “just stress,” but a sign your energy field is out of alignment? What if your intuition during caregiving isn’t random—but real, measurable, and rooted in quantum science? In this powerful episode, Kama sits down with Valarie Varan, licensed professional counselor, holistic life coach, energy healer, and author of Living in a Quantum Reality, to explore how caregiving and consciousness collide. We dive into: ✨ Why so many caregivers are energetically sensitive ✨ How quantum physics explains “gut feelings,” synchronicity, and non-local intuition ✨ The science of energy fields, coherence, and burnout ✨ The invisible impact of caregiving in care homes, hospitals, and chaotic environments ✨ Valarie’s lived experience as a caregiver for her mother—and the toll it took on her body, mind, and soul ✨ Tools to reclaim your energy, protect your peace, and reconnect with your soul’s alignment Whether you’re caregiving at home or advocating from afar, this episode offers grounded insight and spiritual validation. It’s science and soul. 📘 Grab Valarie’s book: Living in a Quantum Reality 🌀 Join the Caregivers Rising™ waitlist at SynergyRising.Life 💌 Subscribe to the show for more deep dives into the art—and heart—of caregiving. Disclaimer: This episode offers spiritual and energetic insights and is not a substitute for medical advice. At Dancing With Dementia, we honor a wide range of belief systems and healing modalities. If this isn’t your vibe, check out one of our other episodes— You be you, boo! There’s something for everyone here. 💖 💖SHARE THE LOVE!💖 If DWD touches your heart, please share it with another caregiver! And subscribe, rate, and review to help others find this community of light, love, and advocacy. 💃🏻Have topic requests, want to nominate a guest, or book a 1:1 consultation with me? Connect with us at SynergyRising.Life!/podcast💃🏻 🎧 Available on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Podcasts 🎧 ✨ Facebook:Dancing With Dementia ✨ Website: www.SynergyRising.Life ✨ Instagram:DanceWithDementia 💃🏻✨💃🏻 Special Announcement:💃🏻✨💃🏻 Caregivers Rising—The Program for Caregivers who want to THRIVE, not just survive is going LIVE! Join us at Synergy...

    53 min

  6. JUN 18

    Caregiver Burnout, Staff Turnover & What Every Family Needs to Know About Eldercare

    Hey hey, beautiful souls! Are you, or someone you know impacted by things gone awry in a care home or assisted living setting? In today’s heartfelt episode, I’m sharing a powerful, personal story about my experience as a caregiver for my beautiful Mama —and using it to spotlight a widespread issue in eldercare: the caregiver turnover crisis and its real impact on our loved ones. This episode is for family caregivers, dementia advocates, care home employees, and anyone navigating the complex world of assisted living, memory care, or aging parent support. I walk you through lived examples of being a family advocate on the receiving end of the wounded eldercare system and how it reflects a larger pattern I hear from families and caregivers around the country. You’ll hear: Why caregiver burnout and high staff turnover are signs of deeper systemic problemsThe must-ask questions when choosing an assisted living or care homeHow to advocate when something feels “off” with your loved oneWhy leadership training and staff caregiver SUPPORT must be a priority in care homesHow in-person support can make a huge difference in our loved ones’ health and joyThis is not about placing blame...   ✨💛 ✨It’s about shining a light on eldercare reform, sharing my story as an example, and offering soul-fueled, research-backed ways to do better—for caregivers, for residents, and for the families who love them.✨💛 ✨ This is the first in a series of episodes that will bring practical tools, caregiver education, emotional support, and advocacy strategies to the forefront. ✨💛 ✨ If you are a caregiver or concerned family member, you are not alone—and your voice matters!!!  ✨💛 ✨ ✨💛 ✨It is time we rise, and it is time we RISE TOGETHER! ✨💛✨ 💖SHARE THE LOVE!💖 If DWD touches your heart, please share it with another caregiver! And subscribe, rate, and review to help others find this community of light, love, and advocacy. 💃🏻Have topic requests, want to nominate a guest, or book a 1:1 consultation with me? Connect with us at SynergyRising.Life!/podcast💃🏻 🎧 Available on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Podcasts 🎧 ✨ Facebook:Dancing With Dementia ✨ Website: www.SynergyRising.Life ✨ Instagram:DanceWithDementia 💃🏻✨💃🏻 Special Announcement:💃🏻✨💃🏻 Caregivers Rising—The Program for Caregivers who want to THRIVE, not just survive is going LIVE! Join us at Synergy...

    36 min

  7. MAY 24

    Caregiving, Family Conflict & Finding Your POP Team with Jane Wolf Frances (Part 2)

    Welcome back, beautiful souls. This is Part 2 of our heartfelt and inspiring conversation with Jane Wolf Frances, psychotherapist, author of “Parenting Our Parents: Transforming the Challenge Into a Journey of Love,” and creator of the global POP Coaching Program.  In this episode, we go deeper into family dynamics, and how to co-create your caregiving dream team, no matter how complicated things feel right now. We talk about spousal caregivers, long-distance support, and why finding your strengths (and your people!) can change the whole journey. Plus: how music and forgiveness can become soul-level medicine—for your loved one and for you. This is a masterclass in intentional caregiving, family healing, and finding peace in the mess! This one’s for every caregiver, and every soul supporting a caregiver. In this episode we chat: How to build your POP Team & assign roles based on natural strengths When it’s time for each team member to ask: “How would I like this to go?” The power of forgiveness as freedom Music is medicine! Why music awakens memory—even in advanced dementia How to move from sacrifice to choice with the words: “I choose to…” And ways that might help to get your family on the same page, even when it feels impossible📘 Grab Jane’s book on Amazon:  Parenting Our Parents: Transforming the Challenge Into a Journey of Love 🔗 Learn more about Jane’s POP Coaching program at:  www.parentingourparents.org 💖SHARE THE LOVE!💖 If DWD touches your heart, please share it with another caregiver! And subscribe, rate, and review to help others find this community of light, love, and advocacy. 💃🏻Have topic requests, want to nominate a guest, or book a 1:1 consultation with me? Connect with us at SynergyRising.Life!/podcast💃🏻 🎧 Available on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Podcasts 🎧 ✨ Facebook:Dancing With Dementia ✨ Website: www.SynergyRising.Life ✨ Instagram:DanceWithDementia 💃🏻✨💃🏻 Special Announcement:💃🏻✨💃🏻 Caregivers Rising—The Program for Caregivers who want to THRIVE, not just survive is going LIVE! Join us at Synergy...

    43 min

  8. MAY 16

    Parenting Our Parents: Family Conflict, Responsive Caregiving & POP Wisdom with Jane Wolf Frances (Part 1)

    Are you caring for an aging parent while navigating sibling tension, family drama, or emotional burnout? You’re not alone! In this powerful first episode of a two-part series, Kama sits down with psychotherapist, author, and former attorney Jane Wolf Frances—creator of the POP (Parenting Our Parents) Coaching Program and author of Parenting Our Parents: Transforming the Challenge into a Journey of Love. Together, they explore: The power of embracing career transitions for a better CG experience The common topic of sibling disagreements in caregiving Why “safe” support is essential for young and midlife caregivers How to shift from reactivity to responsive caregiving The critical role of forgiveness and the power of breathwork in caregiver calmThere is an epidemic in the US: the exponentially expanding number of young caregivers… Jane, like me, is on a mission to bring more love, and even healing, to the Caregiver Dance!  Whether you're a caregiver in your 20's, 30s, 40s, or beyond, this episode offers powerful tools and reflections for transforming family caregiving challenges into opportunities for growth, connection, and grace. 🔗 Learn more about Jane’s work at: parentingourparents.org 🔗Purchase Jane's book wherever you buy your books: "Parenting Our Parents: Transforming the Challenge into a Journey of Love." Keywords: young caregiver, caregiver family conflict, sibling caregiving support, dementia caregiver podcast, Parenting Our Parents book, caregiving and career change, responsive caregiving tips, caregiving support group, how to care for parents with dementia 💖SHARE THE LOVE!💖 If DWD touches your heart, please share it with another caregiver! And subscribe, rate, and review to help others find this community of light, love, and advocacy. 💃🏻Have topic requests, want to nominate a guest, or book a 1:1 consultation with me? Connect with us at SynergyRising.Life!/podcast💃🏻 🎧 Available on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Podcasts 🎧 ✨ Facebook:Dancing With Dementia ✨ Website: www.SynergyRising.Life ✨ Instagram:DanceWithDementia 💃🏻✨💃🏻 Special Announcement:💃🏻✨💃🏻 Caregivers Rising—The Program for Caregivers who want to THRIVE, not just survive is going LIVE! Join us at Synergy...

    54 min
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Trailer

5
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

Welcome to Dancing With Dementia™—the go-to podcast for young and atypical caregivers navigating the challenges of caring for a loved one with a chronic illness. I’m Kama Newbry, a nurse, coach, educator, advocate, and daughter turned caregiver after my mom was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s in my early 30s. Like so many, I struggled to find support tailored to young caregivers—those of us balancing careers, identity, family dynamics, and deep soul shifts… all while caregiving. This podcast is your compassionate resource for: Caregiver wellness tipsEmotional and energetic toolsPractical strategies for caregiving of all kinds, including dementiaMind-body healing and burnout preventionCommunity connection for young caregivers, AKA, "Caregivers on the Dancefloor of Life™" Whether your loved one is at home, in assisted living, or in a care facility, this space is for you. We explore everything from self-care and intuitive caregiving to grief, advocacy, spirituality, energy medicine, and the very real ups and downs of showing up for someone you love. Our mission? To infuse love, light, levity, and joy into the caregiver journey—while offering grounded support, powerful conversations, and actionable tips, tricks, tools, and resources you can use right away! Because you’re not just surviving—you’re rising.  Join us on the Caregiver Dancefloor of Life, where together, WE RISE!

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