Working Caregivers: The Invisible Employees

What happens when a successful corporate executive suddenly finds himself navigating the overwhelming responsibilities of caring for an aging parent? And why do we continue to recognize family caregiving as an act of love while overlooking the enormous amount of labor, sacrifice, and emotional energy it requires?

In this episode, we sit down with Jim King, former C-suite executive, writer, and family caregiver, whose powerful USA Today article caught our attention with one unforgettable statement: "The nation's largest workforce remains invisible—not because their work lacks value, but because we've mistaken love for labor." Jim opens up ab...

What if caregiving wasn’t treated as something you simply have to figure out on your own—but as a health condition deserving education, resources, follow-up, and real support? In this episode, we sit down with nurse, author, advocate, and TEDx speaker Cheryl Field to explore her powerful idea of caregiving as the “missing diagnosis” in our healthcare system.

Cheryl challenges us to rethink how healthcare providers support family caregivers and why recognizing caregiving could improve outcomes for both caregivers and the people they love. We talk about caregiver burnout, self-advocacy, building a caregiving team, navigating the healthca...

What does caregiving look like across cultures—and what can workplaces around the world learn from the caregivers they too often overlook?

In this episode, we continue our global caregiver advocacy series by traveling virtually to India for a powerful conversation with Bhavana Issar, founder of Caregiver Sathi. Bhavana takes us from an extraordinary motorcycle journey through the Himalayas to her deeply personal caregiving story and her mission to make the invisible work of caregivers visible. Together, we explore caregiving in India, gender and cultural expectations, the importance of community, and why working caregivers should be viewed no...

What happens when one of the world's top nonprofit CEOs makes the life-changing decision to step away from executive leadership to become a full-time family caregiver? In this episode, we sit down with Ms. Angela F. Williams to explore the deeply personal journey that reshaped her life, her leadership, and her perspective on what truly matters.

Together, we unpack the realities of balancing work and caregiving, why so many caregivers remain invisible in the workplace, and how leaders can build cultures where employees feel safe asking for support. Whether you're a caregiver, an employer, or someone...

Caregiving touches nearly every workplace, yet it remains one of the least recognized drivers of employee burnout, absenteeism, turnover, and declining performance. Forbes contributor Geri Stengel joins us to discuss why caregiving often goes unseen by employers and what organizations may be missing when they focus on symptoms rather than root causes.

Drawing from years of research, reporting, and personal experience, Geri shares eye-opening data on the growing caregiving population, the business risks of overlooking this workforce segment, and the opportunities available to employers willing to take a closer look. Whether you're a leader, HR professional, manager...

As working caregivers, we often focus so much on caring for others that we forget one critical truth: caring for ourselves is not optional. In this episode, we sit down with psychiatrist, coach, and financial wellness advocate Dr. Billina Shaw to explore the often-overlooked physical, emotional, mental, and financial impacts of caregiving. Through personal stories, professional insights, and practical wisdom, Dr. Shaw helps us understand why self-care is a necessity—not a luxury.

We also dive into the connection between mental health and financial wellness, the challenges caregivers face in the workplace, and how shifting our mindset ar...

Dr. Florence Johnson joins us for a powerful conversation about the hidden realities of caregiving, the emotional toll so many families carry in silence, and why support systems still fail millions of working caregivers. We unpack the surprising findings from her research, including the cultural and gender differences in asking for help, the financial strain caregivers face, and the critical role community support can play in reducing isolation.

We also talk about respite care, adult day services, employer flexibility, and why caregiving conversations need to happen openly and often. Florence brings both professional insight and deep personal...

We sit down with Bonnie Wattles to unpack what it really looks like to support working caregivers—without the fluff and without the one-size-fits-all mindset. From the origin story behind Hilarity for Charity to the growing (and often invisible) population of caregivers in the workforce, we explore why this conversation matters now more than ever.

We also dig into the real-life challenges caregivers face daily—balancing work, family, and emotional stress—and the practical tools, community support, and mindset shifts that can make a meaningful difference. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, unseen, or unsure where to start, t...

In this episode, we sit down with Karen Kavanaugh to unpack the real challenges facing working caregivers—and why so many of them still feel invisible. From systemic breakdowns to cultural blind spots, we explore what’s really happening behind the scenes for employees balancing work and caregiving, and why employers can’t afford to ignore it any longer.

We also dive into what’s actually working. Karen shares powerful insights from her work with employers across the country, including innovative approaches to supporting caregivers in the workplace. Along the way, we reflect on our own caregiving journeys...

In this episode, we sit down with Monica Bryant, co-founder of Triage Cancer, to talk about the often-overlooked legal and practical challenges that follow a cancer diagnosis. As caregivers and advocates, we explore how navigating health insurance, workplace rights, and treatment logistics can quickly become overwhelming for families already dealing with the emotional weight of cancer. Monica shares how Triage Cancer empowers patients and caregivers with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions and reduce stress.

We also discuss the role employers and healthcare providers play in supporting working caregivers, how tools like AI may help...

In this powerful and heart-expanding conversation, we sit down with Claude Silver, Chief Heart Officer at VaynerMedia and author of Be Yourself at Work, to talk about empathy, emotional bravery, and what it really means to lead with heart. We explore how music, mindset, and self-awareness shape leadership—and why the “song in your head” matters more than you think.

Most importantly, we dig into what this all means for working caregivers. How do you show up at work when life at home is heavy? How do you lead with compassion without lowering standards? And how can organi...

In this episode, we sit down with two brilliant researchers from Switzerland to explore a topic that instantly resonated with us—the powerful connection between pet ownership, cognitive aging, and caregiving. What started as a conversation about research quickly turned into a deeper discussion about human connection, quality of life, and how everyday relationships—especially with pets—can shape how we age and how we care.

We dig into what the research actually shows (and what it doesn’t), why dogs and cats seem to stand out, and how pets can play a role not just for...

In this episode, we sit down with longtime industry expert and caregiver Scott Greenberg for one of the most honest conversations we’ve had about what caregiving really looks like—especially while working. Scott brings decades of experience in home care, but more importantly, he shares what changed when he unexpectedly became a family caregiver himself. This is a grounded, real-world discussion about independence, denial, emotional toll, and the realities families face when care needs show up fast.
 We talk openly about affordability, long-distance caregiving, sibling dynamics, and why being proactive—not reactive—can make all the difference. Whether y...

In this episode of Working Caregivers: The Invisible Employees, we’re joined by Erika Jacobson, a VA social worker, lifelong caregiver, and member of the sandwich generation, to unpack what caregiving really looks like inside veteran families. Erika blends professional insight with personal experience to help us understand why so many working caregivers feel isolated—and how support systems can make a real difference.

We talk through the VA’s Caregiver Support Programs, benefits many families don’t know exist, and why employers play a critical role in supporting caregivers at work. This episode is packed w...

In this powerful episode of Working Caregivers: The Invisible Employees, we sit down with the remarkable Dr. Feylyn Lewis, whose caregiving journey began at just 11 years old after her mother experienced life-altering complications from a botched spinal surgery. Dr. Lewis brings a deeply personal, heartfelt perspective to the realities faced by youth caregivers—experiences most adults never even imagine children navigating.

Throughout our conversation, Dr. Lewis opens our eyes to the emotional, physical, and invisible labor that young caregivers shoulder and how those early responsibilities shaped the advocate, scholar, and leader she is today. Her st...

Lindsay Jurist-Rosner is the Co-Founder and CEO of Wellthy, the market-leading care concierge company transforming how families navigate care for themselves and their loved ones. Two million people currently have access to Wellthy through major employers and health plans—including Best Buy, Cisco, Hilton, and Meta—and the company now employs more than 300 specialists supporting family caregivers every day.

Driven by her own 28-year caregiving journey for her mother, Lindsay set out to build the very resource she wished existed. Today, Wellthy is widely recognized for its innovation: in 2023, it earned a spot on Fast Comp...

In this episode, we sit down with Robert Espinoza, a national leader in caregiving, equity, and aging, for a powerful conversation that every HR professional, business leader, and working caregiver needs to hear. With personal stories and deep policy insight, Robert walks us through the systemic gaps in the long-term care system, the challenges facing our care workforce, and the real-life impact of underfunding the care economy. His message is clear: caregiving touches all of us, and we have the power to create change right where we are.

We also dive into what a thriving, sustainable care...

In this episode, we sit down with Joseph B. Fuller—Harvard Business School professor and co-lead of the Managing the Future of Work initiative—to unpack what most employers are still getting wrong about caregiving and the workforce. Joe brings powerful insights, compelling research, and personal stories that shine a light on why caregiving is a business issue, not just a personal one.

From costly turnover in your top-performing talent to invisible presenteeism draining productivity, we explore the real impact of ignoring caregiving needs—and the strategic advantage of doing something about it. Whether you're in HR, leader...

In this episode, we sit down with Paul Wynn, an incredible caregiver advocate, author, and storyteller, to unpack the complex reality of being in the sandwich generation—those caught between raising kids and caring for aging parents. Paul brings heartfelt honesty, practical wisdom, and real-life strategies from his own caregiving journey, while also highlighting the importance of workplace support for caregivers.

You’ll hear Paul’s deeply personal caregiving story and learn how he juggled family life, full-time work, and caregiving responsibilities. We explore how progressive employers are beginning to respond, the importance of community and peer suppor...

In this episode, we sit down with the incredible Dr. Rachael Piltch-Loeb, author of The Millennial Caregiver, to explore the complex intersection of caregiving, career, and life as a member of the millennial generation. Rachael shares her deeply personal journey of becoming a caregiver for her father who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s while she was simultaneously raising a newborn and advancing her academic career. It’s a raw, real, and deeply insightful conversation that so many millennial caregivers will relate to—whether you're in the thick of it or just starting out.

Together, we unpack the em...

In this episode, we sit down with the amazing Dr. Joan Monin from Yale University to talk about the real, raw, and often overlooked emotional weight of caregiving—especially for those of us juggling careers, kids, and aging parents. Joan not only brings a wealth of research and experience in public health, but also shares her personal journey as a daughter navigating her mom’s dementia diagnosis. This one hits close to home.

We unpack the psychological barriers that prevent caregivers from getting the support they need, the tension of being a “pre-caregiver,” and how to manage stress b...

In this episode, we (Selma and Zack) sit down with the brilliant Breana Patel to unpack one of the most pressing challenges facing our society today: the silver tsunami. With a rapidly aging population and a dwindling caregiver workforce, Breana shares how AI-powered solutions can make caregiving not only safer and more effective for patients but also far more manageable for caregivers—especially those of us juggling full-time work and family responsibilities. From her personal caregiving story to the development of a powerful, privacy-first platform built to support long-term care facilities, Breana offers us a hopeful vision for the fu...

In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with our friend and grief advocate, Leslie Weirich, whose decades-long journey through caregiving and loss has shaped her mission to bring hope and understanding to others. From caring for aging parents and siblings to navigating unimaginable personal tragedies, Leslie’s story offers both powerful perspective and practical wisdom for anyone touched by grief or the caregiving experience.

We explore the parallels between caregiving and grief, the importance of creating supportive workplaces, and why connection truly is protection. Leslie shares the inspiration behind her book The Gift of Grief, along with ca...

In this episode, we sit down with our brilliant friend and caregiving champion, Susie Singer Carter. Susie doesn’t just tell stories—she lives them with heart, humor, and relentless honesty. We talk about the raw truths of caregiving, especially for those dealing with Alzheimer’s and long-term care systems. Susie shares how caring for her mother, Norma, transformed her life and ignited her mission to advocate for others through storytelling.

We also dive into her new docu-series No Country for Old People, a bold exposé on the failures in nursing home care and the urgent need for ref...

Hey folks, Selma and Zack here! In this episode, we sit down with the incredible Rosanne Corcoran—a powerhouse advocate, seasoned dementia caregiver, and host of the Daughterhood the Podcast. Rosanne opens up about her 12-year journey caring for her mom through vascular dementia and how it shaped not only her life but her mission to build a community of support for caregivers everywhere. We dive deep into the challenges working caregivers face and how employers and policymakers can—and should—step up to support them. Rosanne also gives us a peek behind the curtain of Daughterhood, the warm, empowe...

This week, we sit down with the incredible Charlotte Bayala, host of the Cancer Caregivers Podcast and a nominee for the International Women's Podcast Awards. Charlotte brings raw honesty, heartfelt wisdom, and a refreshing sense of humor to a conversation every caregiver needs to hear. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, unseen, or just in need of a reset, Charlotte offers a powerful reframing of what it really means to take care of yourself—and why she prefers the term "self-preservation" over "self-care."

From the invisible weight of caregiving to finding joy in unexpected moments, Charlotte shares her...

In this episode, we’re joined by the incredible Dr. Barry J. Jacobs, clinical psychologist, author, and former journalist, to explore the essential but often overlooked world of working caregivers. From his early experience caring for a parent to supporting his own mother and stepfather through dementia, Barry brings both deep personal insight and professional expertise to the conversation. Together, we discuss what it means to be a caregiver, the emotional and logistical challenges involved, and how workplaces can better support their caregiving employees.

We also dive into Barry’s newest resource, The AARP Caregiver Answer Book, co-a...

In this episode, we sit down with the incredibly inspiring Ebony Travis Tichenor, a powerhouse advocate for working caregivers and someone who truly lives her life out loud. Ebony shares her deeply personal and powerful 17-year caregiving journey for her mother, all while balancing a full-time career and a full heart. We dive into what caregiving really looks like behind the scenes — the highs, the heartaches, and the healing — and how vulnerability has become one of her biggest strengths.

We talk about the unspoken emotional toll that working caregivers face and how important it is to find your...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Rhonda Klug from Harry & David to talk about the often invisible and deeply personal journey of working caregivers. From supporting her parents through dialysis and COPD to leading real cultural change within her organization, Rhonda shares her firsthand experience that sparked a company-wide movement of support and empathy. She takes us behind the scenes of how Harry & David and the broader 1-800-Flowers family are creating a more compassionate workplace for employees who are balancing caregiving responsibilities with their careers.

We explore how Rhonda transformed her lived experience into...

If you're a working caregiver—or if you support them—you need to hear this one. In this episode, we sit down with elder law experts (and longtime friends of the show) Eric Goldberg and Clelia Pergola from the NJ Elder Law Center. Together, they drop some serious knowledge on navigating Medicaid, protecting assets, and creating real systems of support for families in crisis.

This conversation gets personal, gets practical, and—most importantly—gets to the heart of what caregivers are up against. We dive into everything from care coordination and legal documentation to family dynamics, generational friction...

In this heartfelt and deeply insightful episode, we sit down with Bob Mastrogiovanni, a devoted husband, retired IRS professional, and co-president of the Well Spouse Association. Bob opens up about his powerful caregiving journey for his late wife Kathleen, who battled multiple sclerosis for decades. From the moment of diagnosis just two years into their marriage, Bob shares how their love, resilience, and adaptability helped them navigate the emotional and practical challenges of being a caregiving couple.

Together, we unpack the unique experiences of caregiver spouses—those caring for their life partners—and explore how this journey diff...

We’re kicking off our Global Caregiver Advocate Series by heading north to spotlight the amazing work being done in Canada. We sat down with three incredible advocates—Christa Haanstra, Sharon Anderson, and Amy Coupal—who are making waves across the country when it comes to caregiver policy, support, and visibility. Join us as we explore how Canada is leading efforts to recognize caregiving as both a personal journey and a workforce strength. 

Episode Highlights:

[2:54] Meet Christa, Sharon & Amy—leaders with personal stories & national impact
[6:46] How National Caregiver Day creates space for awareness...

Caregiving doesn’t just happen at home—it happens at work, too. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Donna Benton, the Director of the Family Caregiver Support Center at the University of Southern California, to discuss the often-overlooked challenges faced by working caregivers. With over 28 years of experience, Dr. Benton shares invaluable insights on how workplaces can better support employees who are juggling their careers and caregiving responsibilities.

Episode Highlights:

[1:23] – Welcome to the show! Meet Selma, Zack, and our guest, Dr. Donna Benton.

[2:30] – Dr. Benton shares about he...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Madhavi Vemireddy, a powerhouse advocate for working caregivers and the Chief Executive Officer at Cleo. Dr. Vemireddy shares her personal caregiving journey—from navigating her son’s congenital heart disease and autism diagnosis to supporting aging parents—all while balancing a demanding career. We dive into the hidden struggles of working caregivers, the critical gaps in employer support, and how technology is stepping in to bridge the divide.

Are you a working caregiver feeling overwhelmed? Do you lead a team and want to create a more caregiver-friendly workplace? Tune in to...

In this episode, we sit down with Dahlia Sizer, an HR leader and passionate advocate for caregivers, to unpack how companies can create a more supportive and flexible work environment for employees juggling caregiving responsibilities.

Dahlia shares her personal caregiving journey, the impact it had on her career, and the lessons she’s carried into her HR leadership role. We talk about flexible work policies, Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), and how leadership can step up to better support caregivers. Plus, Dahlia offers practical advice for both employees and managers on navigating workplace benefits, advocating for change, and en...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Gina Anderson, a learning scientist and advocate for working caregivers. Join us as we explore her personal caregiving journey, her groundbreaking compassionate care policy, and the profound ripple effects such policies can have on workplaces and beyond. Dr. Anderson shares her experience of caregiving for her mother while balancing the demands of running a business, offering practical advice and inspiration for employers and caregivers alike. We also dive into how businesses can create a culture of support and trust, the importance of human connection in the workplace, and Dr. Anderson’s wo...

In this episode we welcome Jason Resendez, a leading advocate in the caregiving and Alzheimer's space, to the podcast. Together, we discuss the critical challenges facing working caregivers and how systemic changes can create supportive environments both in the workplace and in society. Jason shares his personal caregiving journey, the groundbreaking advocacy work of the National Alliance for Caregiving, and practical tips for employees and employers navigating caregiving responsibilities. From public policy changes to personal empowerment, this conversation sheds light on the invisible struggles and triumphs of working caregivers. Plus, Jason provides a sneak peek into the 2025 "Caregiving in...

In this episode, we welcome Amy Goyer, a nationally renowned caregiving advocate, author, and consultant. Amy shares her journey from music therapy to becoming a voice for caregivers everywhere. We’ll explore the invisible challenges working caregivers face and how employers can create meaningful change. 

Tune in to hear Amy’s insights on advocacy, the power of storytelling, and how employers can foster flexibility and support for working caregivers. This is a conversation filled with wisdom, humor, and actionable advice that you won’t want to miss!

Episode Highlights

[3:05] - Fun Fact Sp...

In this episode of Working Caregivers, we have an insightful conversation into the challenges faced by working caregivers and explore how employers can build trust and support systems for this often invisible yet essential workforce. Selma and Zach are joined by Lee Hafner, an accomplished writer and editor at Employee Benefit News, who shares her insights into the growing caregiving crisis and practical ways organizations can address it.

We discuss the importance of empathy in leadership, the role of storytelling in fostering a supportive workplace culture, and simple, cost-effective strategies employers can adopt to create a more...

In this episode of Working Caregivers: The Invisible Employees, we welcome Julian Hayes, a writer and advocate for working caregivers, to discuss the often-overlooked challenges faced by this silent workforce. From navigating the emotional, financial, and mental strains of caregiving to offering practical strategies for employers, Julian shares insights rooted in personal experience and professional expertise. This conversation highlights why organizations must address caregiving as a critical workplace issue and how doing so benefits both employees and businesses.

Episode Highlights:
[0:00] - Opening thoughts and an introduction to Julian Hayes and his Forbes a...