The Sandwich Generation Survival Guide

Managing Complex Parent-Child Relationships with Karen Shepard

Season 4 of The Sandwich Generation Survival Guide opens with an extraordinary conversation as host Candace Dellacona welcomes celebrated novelist and essayist Karen Shepard. Widely recognized for her powerful storytelling and contributions to some of the country’s most respected literary publications, Shepard joins the podcast to discuss her deeply personal and widely discussed essay, “The World Is an Easier Place Without You In It.”   In this unforgettable episode, Shepard shares the complicated realities of her relationship with her mother, the emotional journey of accompanying her to Switzerland for an assisted death, and the difficult questions surrounding autonomy, dignity, caregiving, and regret. Together, Candace and Karen explore what it means to love a difficult parent, set boundaries without losing compassion, and redefine what being a “good daughter” truly looks like.   Raw, intelligent, and profoundly moving — this is a powerful season premiere you won’t want to miss.   * (00:00) - Season Four Kickoff * (01:05) - Meet Karen Shepard * (02:45) - Why Tell It This Way * (03:26) - Primary Documents Approach * (07:15) - End of Life Shift * (10:24) - Little Karen Big Karen * (11:59) - Planning Switzerland * (15:01) - Breaking Parenting Patterns * (17:21) - Defining Good Daughter * (20:14) - Relief Grief And Hope * (26:35) - Legacy After Death * (28:51) - Aid In Dying Options * (36:02) - Holding Two Truths * (40:02) - Regret Prevention * (43:59) - Community And Thanks * (44:59) - Subscribe And Resources   To learn more about Karen Shepard, visit https://www.karen-shepard.com/ [https://www.karen-shepard.com/]   To read “The World Is an Easier Place Without You In It,” visit https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2026/03/16/the-world-is-an-easier-place-without-you-in-it/ [https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2026/03/16/the-world-is-an-easier-place-without-you-in-it/] Connect with Karen on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-shepard-877982168/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-shepard-877982168/]   Follow The Sandwich Generation Survival Guide on social media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandwichgenerationpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/sandwichgenerationpodcast/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSandwichGenerationSurvivalGuide [https://www.facebook.com/TheSandwichGenerationSurvivalGuide] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sandwichgenpodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@sandwichgenpodcast]

Discovering Strength Through Caregiving with Lisa McCarty

Host Candace Dellacona welcomes acclaimed writer Lisa McCarty for a powerful conversation on caregiving, resilience, and the courage to tell deeply personal stories. McCarty reflects on her essays that resonated with thousands—from losing her father just as she welcomed her second child to stepping into the role of caregiver for her mother at just 13—and how those experiences shaped her voice and perspective. Now developing a reported nonfiction book, she shares hard-earned insights on identity, boundaries, and advocacy, offering thoughtful guidance for young caregivers navigating similar paths.    00:00 Discovering Strength Through Caregiving with Lisa McCarty  00:07 Welcome and Guest Intro  01:31 Why Write Personal Stories  02:08 Sharing the Caregiving Essay  05:26 Story Timing  08:53 How Young Caregiving Shaped Lisa  13:17 Realizing She Was a Caregiver  16:41 Systemic Failures and Isolation  24:03 Advice for Young Caregivers  27:09 Writing the Book and Self Care  32:10 Privacy and Telling the Truth  35:08 Defining Thriving, Not Surviving  38:27 Closing Remarks    For a collection of Lisa’s essays and articles, visit https://linktr.ee/lbmccarty [https://linktr.ee/lbmccarty]      Follow Lisa McCarty on social media: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-mccarty-8905513/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-mccarty-8905513/]  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lbmccarty717/ [https://www.instagram.com/lbmccarty717/]  * (00:00) - v2 Discovering Strength Through Caregiving with Lisa McCarty * (00:07) - Welcome and Guest Intro * (01:31) - Why Write Personal Stories * (02:08) - Sharing the Caregiving Essay * (05:26) - Story Timing * (08:53) - How Young Caregiving Shaped Lisa * (13:17) - Realizing She Was a Caregiver * (15:31) - Systemic Failures and Isolation * (22:54) - Advice for Young Caregivers * (26:00) - Writing the Book and Self Care * (30:09) - Defining Thriving, Not Surviving * (33:27) - Closing Remarks

Building a Legacy of Love with Christy Byrne Yates

Host Candace Dellacona welcomes Christy Byrne Yates—author, psychologist, and former podcaster—to discuss her book, "Building a Legacy of Love: Thriving in the Sandwich Generation" and the realities of caring for aging parents while raising children. They discuss how caregiving often begins subtly, why many people don’t identify as caregivers, setting communication rules, asking for specific help, “ruthless self-care,” and recognizing grief throughout the caregiving process. * (00:00) - Welcome and Guest Intro * (00:43) - Why the Sandwich Generation Matters * (01:53) - Christy’s Caregiving Story * (05:06) - Feeling Stuck in the Middle * (06:05) - Claiming the Caregiver Role * (09:17) - Starting the Hard Conversations * (12:58) - Aligning Expectations and Boundaries * (16:10) - Asking for Help and Delegating * (22:41) - Planning for the Long Haul * (24:22) - Ruthless Self Care * (26:44) - Raising Capable Compassionate Kids * (28:06) - Grief and Finding Support * (31:18) - Final Takeaways and Book Information To learn more about Christy and to purchase her book, visit https://www.christyyates.com/ [https://www.christyyates.com/] Follow Christy Byrne Yates on social media: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ChristyByrneYates [https://www.facebook.com/ChristyByrneYates] LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christybyates/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/christybyates/] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/christybyates/ [https://www.instagram.com/christybyates/] YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@christyyates [https://www.youtube.com/@christyyates]

Understanding Palliative Care with Dr. Matthew Tyler

Candace Dellacona speaks with Dr. Matthew Tyler, hospice and palliative care physician and founder of How to Train Your Doctor, about why palliative care should begin earlier—and how it differs from hospice. They break down what families need to know about timing, insurance, and the real gaps in in-home care. Dr. Tyler also shares practical guidance on requesting referrals, navigating family dynamics, and planning ahead with the right decision maker. * (00:00) - Understanding Palliative Care with Dr. Matthew Tyler * (01:00) - What Palliative Care Is * (02:30) - Why Dr. Matthew Tyler Started Social Media * (03:42) - Palliative Care vs Hospice * (06:59) - What Palliative Teams Do * (08:09) - Why the Confusion Persists * (10:49) - How to Ask for a Referral * (16:05) - Training Doctors to Talk Goals * (21:30) - Handling Family Disagreements * (25:35) - Values Based Decision Makers * (27:44) - Spiritual and Cultural Beliefs * (29:31) - Insurance and Coverage Basics * (31:39) - Hospice Benefits and Gaps * (34:10) - What Families Wish They Knew * (35:28) - Final Thanks and Wrap Up To learn more about How to Train Your Doctor, visit https://howtotrainyourdoctor.com/ [https://howtotrainyourdoctor.com/] Follow How To Train Your Doctor on social media: * Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095193314200 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095193314200]  *  Threads - https://www.threads.com/@howtotrainyourdoctor [https://www.threads.com/@howtotrainyourdoctor]  *  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/howtotrainyourdoctor/ [https://www.instagram.com/howtotrainyourdoctor/]  *  YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@howtotrainyourdoctor [https://www.youtube.com/@howtotrainyourdoctor]  *  TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@howtotrainyourdoctor [https://www.tiktok.com/@howtotrainyourdoctor]

Caregiving Strategies and Avoiding Financial Scams with Chuck Whitlock

Host Candace Dellacona welcomes investigative journalist and author Chuck Whitlock to this episode of The Sandwich Generation Survival Guide to discuss caregiving, advocacy, and protecting seniors. Chuck shares how writing about white-collar crime led to a media career, and how his experiences caring for an incapacitated first wife and later advocating in healthcare shaped his focus on caregivers. He describes turning to support groups and national associations for resources and respite, and explains how his partnership with healthcare leader Peggy Baddour led to co-authoring “LifeSource, A Caregiver’s Guide for Managing Mental Wellness for the Older Adult.” This episode offers practical tips for doctor visits, medication oversight, and inpatient facility selection. Chuck discusses neglect and overmedication risks, recounts his mother’s death after improper oxygen administration, and warns about medical and financial scams that target vulnerable seniors. * (00:00) - Welcome and Guest Intro * (01:54) - Chuck’s Career Journey * (03:39) - Caregiving Lessons Learned * (07:15) - Entering Senior Care Advocacy * (10:40) - LifeSource and Advocacy Basics * (14:00) - Choosing Care Facilities * (18:44) - Overmedication and Neglect * (23:00) - Scams Targeting Seniors * (28:10) - Final Thanks and Wrap Up To purchase Chuck and Peggy’s book, visit https://lifesourceinc.org/book/ [https://lifesourceinc.org/book/] Connect with Chuck Whitlock on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuckwhitlock/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuckwhitlock/]