The Caregiver Circle

Karen McKevitt & Meredith Stewart
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Mental Health

The Caregiver Circle Podcast is two friends providing a place for connection, education, encouragement and shared experiences as caregivers, advocates and lifelong learners.  We share stories, resources and conversations that have helped us along the way with the hope they may help you too.   Welcome to the Caregiver Circle.

  1. 2d ago

    Episode 14: Finding Restoration When You're Tired of Being the Caregiver

    Send us Fan Mail Have you ever been out with friends, enjoying a moment of normalcy, when someone asks, "How's your loved one doing?" It's a question asked with love and genuine concern. But sometimes, as caregivers, we just don't want to talk about caregiving. In this episode of The Caregiver Circle, Karen and Meredith explore the exhaustion that comes from constantly giving updates, asking for help, managing responsibilities, and being the person everyone depends on. Through personal stories, laughter, and honest reflection, they discuss the challenges of finding spontaneity, balancing hope with reality, and remembering who we are beyond our caregiving roles. Because sometimes restoration isn't about solving another problem or checking something off the list. Sometimes it's about having a conversation that reminds us we're still friends, spouses, parents, and individuals with lives and stories of our own. You can love the person you're caring for and still need a break from talking about caregiving. Join us as we explore the RESTORE pillar and the importance of making space to simply be ourselves. Remember, you're never alone in The Caregiver Circle. #thecaregivercirclepodcast #CaregiverSupport #CaregivingJourney #Restore #CaregiverWellbeing

  2. 6d ago

    Episode 13: There's Still Room to Grow, Laugh, and Find Joy

    Send us Fan Mail Life doesn't have to be perfect to be wonderful. As caregivers, it's easy to get caught up in appointments, responsibilities, and the uncertainty of what comes next. We tell ourselves that when things settle down, we'll plan that trip, return to a favorite hobby, or make time for the things we love. But what if life doesn't settle down anytime soon? In this week's episode of The Caregiver Circle, Karen and Meredith explore what it means to GROW while caregiving—not just through challenges, but through joy, laughter, meaningful experiences, and the moments that remind us who we are beyond our caregiving responsibilities. From celebrating family milestones and sharing inside jokes to rediscovering the excitement of having something to look forward to, this conversation is a reminder that caregiving may change how we experience life, but it doesn't have to mean putting life on hold. Because growth isn't always about overcoming something difficult. Sometimes it's about making room for everything wonderful that's still happening around us. Our question for you: What is something you're genuinely looking forward to? You deserve more than a life spent waiting for things to get easier. Remember, you're never alone in The Caregiver Circle. #TheCaregiverCirclePodcast #CaregiverSupport #CaregiverLife #FindingJoy #CaregiverWellbeing

  3. Oct 12

    Episode 12: Empowering Yourself Without Losing Yourself

    Send us Fan Mail As caregivers, we spend so much time focusing on the needs of others that we sometimes forget to ask ourselves one important question: What do I need? In this episode of The Caregiver Circle, Karen and Meredith have an honest conversation about what empowerment really looks like in caregiving—and why it isn't always about being strong, having the answers, or doing it all. Karen opens up about her decision to return to therapy after recognizing feelings of resentment, frustration, and emotional exhaustion. Together, they explore the complicated emotions that come with caregiving, the guilt of asking for help, and the challenge of accepting that some things are simply beyond our control. Because empowerment isn't about controlling every outcome. It's about recognizing where you do have choices, trusting yourself enough to make them, and giving yourself permission to care for your own well-being. You can love your person deeply and still have difficult days. You can be grateful for the opportunity to care and still feel overwhelmed. And you can ask for help without feeling like you've failed. Sometimes, the most empowering thing you can do is recognize what you need—and give yourself permission to receive it. Remember, you're never alone in The Caregiver Circle. #TheCaregiverCirclePodcast #CaregiverEmpowerment #CaregiverSupport #CaregiverWellbeing #YouAreNotAlone

  4. Sep 21

    Episode 11: Reflecting with Grace: What Caregiving Has Taught Us

    Send us Fan Mail There are some things you can sympathize with from the outside—but you don’t fully understand them until life puts you there. In this episode of The Caregiver Circle, Karen and Meredith reflect on how caregiving has changed the way they see other people, their own families, and even moments from the past. They talk about the people they understand differently now, the judgment that can come from simply not knowing, and the little things they notice today that they might have once walked right past. They also explore the difference between sympathy and empathy, the loss of control that can come with caregiving, asking for help, and the grace caregivers need—not only from others, but from themselves. Because none of us would choose many of the experiences that teach us the most. But we do get to choose what we do with what we’ve learned. Remember, you’re never alone in The Caregiver Circle. #thecaregivercirclepodcast #caregiving #caregivers #familycaregiver #caregiversupport #caregivercommunity #caregiverlife #reflect

  5. Sep 14

    Episode 10: Care for Them, Connect with You

    Send us Fan Mail Caregiving has a way of changing everything—your routines, your relationships, your priorities, and sometimes even your sense of who you are. In this episode of The Caregiver Circle, Karen and Meredith return to one of the show’s core pillars: Connect. But this time, connection isn’t just about family, friends, community, or other caregivers. It’s about staying connected to yourself. What happens when caregiving gets so loud that parts of you become quieter? Karen and Meredith talk candidly about the careers, passions, spontaneity, relationships, and everyday moments that can shift or disappear when caregiving takes center stage. They explore caregiver guilt, asking for help, letting go of control, making space for what brings you joy, and the complicated feelings that come with wanting something that has nothing to do with caregiving. And maybe reconnecting with yourself isn’t about finding the person you were before caregiving. Maybe it’s about getting to know—and learning to appreciate—the person you’re becoming. You don’t have to figure it all out at once. Start small. Notice what you miss. Notice what you enjoy. Notice what you need. And when you catch a glimpse of yourself again, take a moment to recognize it: “Oh, there I am.” 🎧 Join us for an honest conversation about caregiving, identity, resilience, and finding ways to care for them while staying connected to you. #thecaregivercirclepodcast #Caregiving #CaregiverSupport #CaregiverCommunity #CaregiverLife #FamilyCaregiver #CaregiverSelfCare #CaregiverWellness #CaregiverIdentity #CareForTheCaregiver #ConnectWithYou #YouAreNotAlone

  6. Sep 7

    Episode 9: Rest, Restore, Recharge: Yoga Nidra for Caregivers with Mary Pratt-Henaghan

    Send us Fan Mail Caregiving can keep us in a constant state of doing—planning, worrying, responding, advocating and caring for everyone around us. But when do we give ourselves permission to simply be? In this episode of The Caregiver Circle, Karen and Meredith welcome Mary Pratt-Henaghan, an experienced caregiver and certified Yoga Nidra facilitator, grief yoga trainer and grief educator. Mary shares how her own caregiving journey—from supporting members of her extended family to caring for her mother and later her husband following his cancer diagnosis—ultimately led her to turn a longtime personal practice into a way to support others. Mary introduces us to Yoga Nidra, a guided meditation practice designed to help quiet the constant “doing” and give the body and mind an opportunity to rest, restore and recharge. She explains why this accessible practice can be especially meaningful for caregivers who live in a heightened state of alert and may feel as though they simply don’t have time for one more thing. And you won’t just hear about it—you’ll experience it. Mary guides Karen, Meredith and listeners through a short Yoga Nidra meditation designed to create a few precious minutes of calm, safety and stillness. Because caring for yourself isn’t separate from caring for the people you love. Sometimes, even a few minutes to rest, restore and recharge can make a difference. Ready for a longer practice? Continue your Yoga Nidra experience with Mary’s extended meditation for stress release at MPHTransformations.com/videos. #TheCaregiverCirclePodcast #CaregiverCircle #Caregiving #CaregiverSupport #CaregiverSelfCare #CaregiverWellness #YogaNidra #Meditation #StressRelief #RestRestoreRecharge #SelfCareForCaregivers #CaregiverCommunity

  7. Aug 31

    Episode 8: Encouraging You: Caring for Yourself Is Caring for Them

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Caregiver Circle, Karen and Meredith explore a different kind of encouragement—the kind that reminds caregivers they matter, too. Caregiving comes with constant stress, endless responsibilities, and the feeling that there’s always one more thing to do. But taking time for yourself isn’t selfish, and rest isn’t something you have to earn. In fact, caring for yourself can have a meaningful impact on the person you care for, too. Karen and Meredith talk about how stress can spill over into our relationships, why even ten quiet minutes can make a difference, and the small ways they’ve learned to create space to recharge in their own caregiving lives. You don’t need the perfect self-care routine or hours away. Sometimes encouragement looks like giving yourself permission to sit, breathe, scroll, read, play a game, or simply do nothing for a few minutes. Because rest isn’t a reward for finishing everything. It’s part of how you keep going. #CaregiverSupport #Caregiving #FamilyCaregiver #CaregiverLife #CaregiverBurnout #CaregiverCommunity #CaregiverMentalHealth

  8. Aug 24

    The Caregiver Circle: Episode 7: Your Feelings Are Valid: The Emotions Caregivers Don’t Talk About

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Caregiver Circle, Karen and Meredith talk about something every caregiver needs but may not receive enough of: validation. Caregiving can mean choosing between responsibilities that all matter—an appointment or a family event, work or your loved one, overdue tasks or desperately needed rest. When everything feels important, no choice feels completely right. Karen and Meredith get candid about the emotions that come with those choices: anger, resentment, grief, loneliness, frustration, exhaustion, and even the difficulty of admitting, “I need help.” They also talk about why those feelings don’t mean you love the person you care for any less. Sometimes caregivers don’t need advice or someone to fix the situation. They need a safe person who will listen without judgment and remind them that what they’re feeling is real. If you’re carrying guilt, exhaustion, sadness, frustration, gratitude, hope—or all of them at once—this episode is your reminder: Your feelings don’t make you a good caregiver or a bad caregiver. They make you a human caregiver. And your feelings are valid. Take care of yourself while caring for others. And remember, you’re never alone in The Caregiver Circle. #CaregiverSupport #Caregiving #FamilyCaregiver #CaregiverLife #CaregiverBurnout #CaregiverCommunity #CaregiverMentalHealth

See All (14)

About

The Caregiver Circle Podcast is two friends providing a place for connection, education, encouragement and shared experiences as caregivers, advocates and lifelong learners.  We share stories, resources and conversations that have helped us along the way with the hope they may help you too.   Welcome to the Caregiver Circle.

Information

  • Creator
    Karen McKevitt & Meredith Stewart
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Caregiver Circle
  • Show Website
    The Caregiver Circle