So Your Parents Are Old

Journalist and former CNN anchor Amara Walker opens up about her mother’s Alzheimer’s—how she found support in community, how she talks to her children about their grandmother’s illness, and how she arrived at the difficult decision to move her mother to a nursing home. Find out more about the Alzheimer’s Association on their website.  The book Vanessa read to her son is called Nana Nana by Nate Bertone and illustrated by James Claridades. To connect with the team and gain access to behind the scenes content, join our community at joincampside.com⁠. You can also find us on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠ & ⁠Youtube⁠. If you have questions you want Vanessa to try to answer, or just want to tell us what you think of the show, email us at parents@campsidemedia.com. Can't wait to hear from you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Comedian Kathleen Madigan has turned the trials of caring for her parents into some of her sharpest material. She joins Vanessa to commiserate about Medicare and creepy porcelain basement dolls—and to show how humor can help you through the hardest moments. Hear more from Kathleen on Madigan's Pubcast, and find tour dates on her website. Her new special, The Family Thread is available on November 21. To connect with the team and gain access to behind the scenes content, join our community at joincampside.com You can also find us on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠ & ⁠Youtube⁠. If you have questions you want Vanessa to try to answer, or just want to tell us what you think of the show, email us at parents@campsidemedia.com. Can't wait to hear from you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Actress Erika Christensen joins Vanessa to talk about her new film After All, where she plays a daughter caring for her ill mother. Together, they explore the unexpected intimacy of birth, death, and everything in between. To connect with the team and gain access to behind the scenes content, join our community at joinparents.com You can also find us on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠ & ⁠Youtube⁠. If you have questions you want Vanessa to try to answer, or just want to tell us what you think of the show, email us at parents@campsidemedia.com. Can't wait to hear from you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ann Neumann, author and hospice volunteer, shares her profound insights into end-of-life care. She discusses how hospice is about comfort and dignity, breaking down the misconceptions around it. Ann reflects on her personal journey caring for her father and becoming a volunteer. She highlights the importance of pain management and quality of life in hospice, as well as the historical context of its development. With touching stories and practical advice, she encourages a new perspective on death and the beauty of caring for one another.

Amanda Uhle, a writer and publisher at McSweeney's and author of the memoir Destroy This House, shares her poignant journey of growing up with hoarder parents. She reflects on her childhood in a cluttered home, the impact on her own habits, and her fierce love for her family despite their dysfunction. The conversation touches on how her mother's preparedness spiraled into hoarding and the emotional toll of clearing their belongings. Uhle's candid storytelling brings a cathartic insight into family dynamics and the meaning we attach to objects.

In this engaging discussion, realtor Tina Fallon shares her insights on the emotional rollercoaster of managing a parent's home. She highlights reasons why many seniors are reluctant to sell and effective strategies for clearing out their belongings. Tina explains the tax advantages of inheriting properties and discusses the complexities of family dynamics during clean-outs. Plus, she reveals how buyers often seek estate opportunities through obituaries. It's a heartfelt exploration of navigating real estate with care and compassion!

Lewis Black, a veteran stand-up comedian and author, shares candid reflections on caring for his parents who lived into their 100s. He discusses the challenges of aging, family dynamics, and humorous moments during their care. The conversation touches on planning for one's own longevity, the role of caregivers, and the importance of maintaining friendships. Black humorously debates Social Security with his mother and introduces his new puppy, highlighting how small joys can brighten even the toughest times.

Leeza Gibbons, the Emmy-winning television host and health advocate, joins the show to talk about her parents. She shares heartfelt stories about their influence, resilience, and love, and reflects on how their lessons continue to guide her both personally and professionally. Check out her work at Leeza's Care Connection. To connect with the team and gain access to behind the scenes content, join our community at joinparents.com You can also find us on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠ & ⁠Youtube⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bestselling author and podcaster Jo Piazza shares her juggling act of managing three young kids while moving her mother to Center City Philly. She reveals the emotional and financial toll of widowhood and tight deadlines during her book tour. Jo discusses the realities of multigenerational caregiving, innovative childcare solutions, and how she finds fleeting moments to be productive. With practical tips on boundaries and time management, she highlights the joys and challenges of intergenerational relationships that bring families closer.

Have you ever filled several dumpsters with your dead mom’s junk? Found yourself googling how irrevocable trusts work? Or... had to reconstruct your mafioso dad’s identity after he went on the lam - just to get him on Medicaid? Well, So Your Parents Are Old - and this is the show for you. Hosted by longtime journalist Vanessa Grigoriadis, who’s in the thick of it herself, the show dives into everything from estate drama to emotional whiplash, offering real talk and practical advice on dealing with aging parents.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices