
Happy Healthy Caregiver
Caring for aging parents or other loved ones while working, raising children, and trying to live your own life? Wondering how to find the time for your personal health & happiness? Welcome to the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast. The show where real family caregivers share how to be happy and healthy while caring for others.
Host and Certified Caregiving Consultant, Elizabeth Miller shares her stories and content and also talks with others who are either current or former family caregivers. Real people who are figuring out how to integrate caregiving with their lives and ready to share what they have learned with you.
Latest episodes

Feb 26, 2025 • 50min
Living with Intention with Susan Bottega
Susan Bottega is a nurse by practice who became a caregiver when her husband was diagnosed with CLL (Chronic lymphocytic leukemia) over 12 years ago. Since then, Susan has adjusted her life to caring for Bob, researching CLL and treatment options, and helping other CLL family caregivers through her virtual support group.
In this episode of the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast, Susan and I talk about adjusting retirement plans after a diagnosis, finding those who are ready and willing to support you in this new caregiving season, and living with intention to create a full and vibrant life while caring for someone with a chronic disease.
Show notes with product and resource links:
https://bit.ly/HHCPod199
Receive the podcast in your email here:
http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv
Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:
http://bit.ly/HHCjournal
For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:
https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/
The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:
https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Feb 12, 2025 • 59min
Creating Care Community with Kitty Norton
Kitty Norton left her job as an NBC assistant editor in Los Angeles in 2016, for her hometown of Portland, Oregon, to walk, stumble, crawl with her dementia mother to death’s door. While doing so, she authored the dementia caregiver blog Stumped Town Dementia, writing tales of dementia life which resonated deeply with readers around the world. After her mother's death, Kitty turned her storytelling talents to creating and directing the dementia family caregiver documentary, WINE, WOMEN, & DEMENTIA. The film honors this journey with her mother, increases awareness of the caregivers side of the equation in dementia, and celebrates family caregivers, letting them know they are not alone, and are worthy of being, seen, heard, and respected, alongside their person living with dementia, on this difficult road to the end of life.
We explore how Kitty built the care community she needed, why caregivers often start care businesses, and how she prioritized social and emotional self-care during 24/7 caregiving. Plus, find out why duct tape might belong in your caregiver toolbox!
Show notes with product and resource links:
https://bit.ly/HHCPod198
Receive the podcast in your email here:
http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv
Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:
http://bit.ly/HHCjournal
For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:
https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/
The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:
https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Jan 29, 2025 • 49min
Boomerang Care with Heather Henderson
Heather Henderson is what I’m calling a boomerang family caregiver since she has moved in with her mom to be her primary caregiver at various times in her life. Heather initially became a primary caregiver overnight in 2003 when her parents were in a fatal car accident - her dad did not survive, and her mom was seriously injured. She moved home to care for mom until she was fully recovered. Fifteen years later, Heather became her mom’s primary caregiver again and moved back in with her while working two jobs.
In this episode of the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast, we discuss the ‘joint joys’ she and her mom shared, how volunteering and cat videos have helped her heal since caring for her mom has ended, how her clean skincare business got started, and how fitness classes in all the phases of her life have kept her grounded and connected to others.
Show notes with product and resource links:
https://bit.ly/HHCPod197
Receive the podcast in your email here:
http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv
Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:
http://bit.ly/HHCjournal
For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:
https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/
The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:
https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Jan 15, 2025 • 60min
Forever Caregiving with Kelley Coleman
Kelley Coleman is a California mom to two amazing boys and full-time caregiver for her son with multiple disabilities. She is a feature film development executive turned author and advocate for parent caregivers and individuals with disabilities. Her book draws upon over a decade of experience parenting a child with multiple disabilities
In this episode of the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast we talk about why Kelley treats caregiving like a job, the advantages of not having a formal diagnosis for her son, how to secure the right insurance case manager, the unexpected gifts from their son’s service dog, and how Kelley mitigates sleep deprivation and strives to make caregiving sustainable.
Show notes with product and resource links:
https://bit.ly/HHCPod196
Receive the podcast in your email here:
http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv
Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:
http://bit.ly/HHCjournal
For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:
https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/
The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:
https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Nov 20, 2024 • 55min
Helping Hands for Caregivers with Paige Wilson
After struggling with the demands of caring for her aging mother, Paige Wilson made a bold move, leaving her corporate career and becoming an entrepreneur with a big idea to help family caregivers.
In this episode of the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast, we learn about her disruptive care solution that utilizes technology to harness the strength of community. We also discuss normalizing asking for help, the longevity economy, downsizing possessions, and the self-care comfort of a McDonald’s diet coke.
Show notes with product and resource links:
https://bit.ly/HHCPod195
Receive the podcast in your email here:
http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv
Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:
http://bit.ly/HHCjournal
For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:
https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/
The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:
https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Nov 6, 2024 • 60min
Improvised Care with Jennifer Cain Birkmose
Jennifer Cain Birkmose is a sandwich generation caregiver, juggling the responsibilities of caring for loved ones in two different countries and life stages, while employing two distinct caregiving styles. She is also an improv comedian and instructor, with over 25 years of experience in the healthcare industry.
In this episode of the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast, we explore how Jennifer integrates her professional skills into her challenging daily caregiving routine. We also delve into her digital eldercare platform, which provides trusted services to ‘olders’ in Illinois, and discuss her all-star care team that, despite their expertise, still faces the intense demands of caregiving. And, we learn how Jennifer's mindset and actions help her navigate and stay afloat amidst these pressures.
Show notes with product and resource links:
https://bit.ly/HHCPod194
Receive the podcast in your email here:
http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv
Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:
http://bit.ly/HHCjournal
For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:
https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/
The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:
https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Oct 23, 2024 • 59min
Employee Resource Groups with Gene Lanzoni
Gene Lanzoni's life centers around caregiving, both at home and at work. As an only child, Gene and his wife of over 30 years, Elizabeth, took on the responsibility of caring for his aging parents. Professionally, Gene leads the development of thought leadership research and produces content on caregiver trends. He is also a co-lead and founding member of a caregiver-focused employee resource group (ERG).
In this episode of the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast, we discuss the origins of the ERG and the numerous benefits it offers to both employers and employees. And, we explore how Gene's spiritual self-care practices and his love of coffee have helped him navigate the challenges of caregiving.
Show Notes
Show notes with product and resource links:
https://bit.ly/HHCPod193
Receive the podcast in your email here:
http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv
Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:
http://bit.ly/HHCjournal
For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:
https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/
The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:
https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Oct 9, 2024 • 55min
Supporting Caregiving Mothers with Jessica Patay
Jessica Patay, a reformed perfectionist and dedicated caregiving mother, provides compassionate support and resources to other moms caring for children with disabilities or unique needs.
In this episode of the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast, Jessica shares how she manages and supports her son Ryan, who has a rare genetic condition called Prader-Willi syndrome, while maintaining her own well-being. We discussed helpful and unhelpful language from friends and family and explore the various ways caregiving mothers can find support through Jessica's community, book, podcast, and retreats. Jessica also highlights the difference between self-care and self-comfort.
Show notes with product and resource links:
https://bit.ly/HHCPod192
Receive the podcast in your email here:
http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv
Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:
http://bit.ly/HHCjournal
For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:
https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/
The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:
https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Sep 25, 2024 • 58min
My Caregiving Mission with Mark Wilson
In this episode of the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast, meet Mark Wilson, a former senior leader at Taco Bell with a focus on organization and people development. After retiring early to care for his mom, who lived with mixed dementia, Mark embraced the role of a 'Care Leader.' Combining his corporate HR skills with his caregiving journey, he developed a dedicated care mission, hired and retained top-notch professional caregivers, and became a passionate learner about dementia care.
In this episode, we also delve into Mark's new missions since his caregiving duties have ended and explore how 'holy moments' and the 'mood elevator' have shaped his daily life.
Show notes with product and resource links:
https://bit.ly/HHCPod191
Receive the podcast in your email here:
http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv
Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:
http://bit.ly/HHCjournal
For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:
https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/
The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:
https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW

Sep 11, 2024 • 54min
Caregiver Recovery with Christina Keys
Christina Keys was living the American dream until one day in March of 2013, her mom had a life-changing stroke. Within 3 years of caregiving for her mom Pat, Christina was financially, emotionally, and mentally bankrupt. Her doctors told her that the stress of caregiving was literally killing her. Christina took action to make a different choice and turned her caregiving co-dependent mess into a message.
In this episode of the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast, Christina shares a few of her priceless caregiving stories, reveals her first act of self-care, explains how she redefined normal, and introduces the vibrant community she is building to help family caregivers locate the keys to a successful caregiving life.
Show notes with product and resource links:
https://bit.ly/HHCPod190
Receive the podcast in your email here:
http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv
Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:
http://bit.ly/HHCjournal
For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:
https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/
The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:
https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW