When Caregiving Makes You Sick: The Hidden Physical Toll of Chronic Stress on Caregivers

Is It Guilt... or Grief? Grieving Someone Who Is Still Alive

Have you ever felt guilty about a relationship that isn't what you hoped it would be? Maybe you keep wondering if you should call. Reach out. Try one more time. Or maybe you're caring for someone whose illness has changed the person they used to be, and you can't shake the feeling that you're grieving, even though they're still here. In this episode of The Care Collective Podcast, we're exploring a question that changed the way I understood my own emotions: What if it isn't guilt? What if it's grief? We'll talk about the hidden grief of losing someone while they're still alive, why caregivers often experience this long before a loved one dies, and how grief can show up in dementia, chronic illness, addiction, estrangement, and complicated family relationships. Together, we'll explore: * Why grief doesn't always begin with death * The difference between guilt and grief * Grieving the relationship you wish you had * Why acceptance doesn't mean approval * A simple exercise that helped me process complicated emotions If you've ever found yourself mourning someone who is still here, this episode is a reminder that your grief is real, even if no one else can see it. 🎧 If this episode resonates with you, share it with another caregiver or someone navigating a complicated relationship. Sometimes the hardest grief is the one no one realizes you're carrying. Listen to The Care Collective Podcast Follow the podcast and find all episodes here: https://linktr.ee/Carecollectivepodcast [https://linktr.ee/Carecollectivepodcast] About The Care Collective Podcast The Care Collective Podcast shares honest conversations about caregiving, aging, grief, resilience, and the emotional realities of supporting the people we love. Our goal is to help caregivers feel seen, supported, and less alone.

How Do You Care for Someone With Completely Different Beliefs Than You?

In this solo episode of The Care Collective Podcast, host Mikayla Cluxton opens up about one of the most emotionally complicated realities of caregiving: how do you continue caring for someone when their beliefs, words, or worldview deeply conflict with your own? Drawing from her personal experiences working in elder care, Mikayla shares the emotional tension many caregivers quietly carry: navigating racist, sexist, homophobic, judgmental, or hurtful comments while still trying to provide compassionate, dignified care. She explores the emotional complexity of generational differences, the impact of dementia and cognitive decline on personality and behavior, and the hidden grief that can come with watching someone change over time. This episode dives into the realities younger caregivers often face when caring for older generations raised in entirely different cultural and social environments. Mikayla also discusses caregiver burnout, emotional boundaries, compassion fatigue, identity struggles, and why caregivers deserve spaces where they can process difficult emotions honestly without shame or guilt. Whether you are a family caregiver, CNA, nurse, healthcare worker, or someone supporting an aging loved one, this episode offers validation, nuance, and a reminder that compassion and discomfort can exist at the same time. If you’ve ever felt emotionally conflicted, hurt, exhausted, or isolated in your caregiving journey, this conversation will remind you that you are not alone. Connect with The Care Collective Follow the podcast for more conversations about caregiving, resilience, and navigating the realities of supporting aging loved ones. https://linktr.ee/Carecollectivepodcast [https://linktr.ee/Carecollectivepodcast]

When Caregiving Makes You Sick: The Hidden Physical Toll of Chronic Stress on Caregivers

Why does caregiving leave so many people physically exhausted, anxious, sick, and burned out? In this solo episode of The Care Collective Podcast, Mikayla dives into the hidden physical toll caregiving stress takes on the body: from chronic exhaustion and brain fog to sleep deprivation, hypervigilance, immune issues, and long-term health risks. She explores research from the CDC, AARP, and the National Cancer Institute while offering compassionate, practical ways caregivers can begin supporting their own nervous systems and health again. If you’ve been surviving in crisis mode and wondering why your body feels like it’s falling apart, this episode is for you. Connect with The Care Collective Follow the podcast for more conversations about caregiving, resilience, and navigating the realities of supporting aging loved ones. https://linktr.ee/Carecollectivepodcast [https://linktr.ee/Carecollectivepodcast]

What to Say (and Not Say) to Someone Grieving: Expert Advice from a Grief Educator

Grief is something we will all experience, but most people don’t know what to say or how to show up when someone is hurting. In this episode of The Care Collective Podcast, I’m joined by grief educator and registered nurse Jane Dye to talk about what grief really looks like, and how to support someone through it without causing more harm. We dive into the difference between grief and mourning, why grief isn’t linear, and how anticipatory grief shows up for caregivers before a loss even happens. Jane shares powerful insights from both her professional experience and personal loss, helping you better understand what grieving people actually need. We also talk about the most common things people say that can unintentionally hurt, and what to say instead if you truly want to support someone through loss. Whether you’re navigating grief yourself or trying to support someone you love, this conversation will help you feel more grounded, more prepared, and less alone. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: * What grief actually is (and why it’s more than just loss) * The difference between grief and mourning * What not to say to someone who is grieving * What grieving people truly need instead * How to support someone without trying to “fix” their pain * What anticipatory grief looks like for caregivers * Why grief isn’t linear—and never follows a timeline * How to communicate your needs when you’re the one grieving Resources & Links: Connect with Jane Dye: Website: jankdye.com [https://janekdye.com/] Listen to The Care Collective Podcast Follow the podcast and find all episodes here: https://linktr.ee/Carecollectivepodcast [https://linktr.ee/Carecollectivepodcast] About The Care Collective Podcast The Care Collective Podcast shares honest conversations about caregiving, aging, grief, resilience, and the emotional realities of supporting the people we love. Our goal is to help caregivers feel seen, supported, and less alone.

How Caregiving Affects Your Marriage (80% of Caregivers Report Relationship Strain)

Caregiving doesn’t just change your life, it changes your relationship too. In this episode of The Care Collective Podcast, we’re talking about the reality of navigating caregiving with a spouse. Because even if you have a partner, you can still feel completely alone in what you’re carrying. Research shows that nearly 80% of caregivers experience strain in their relationship, but this is one of the least talked about parts of caregiving. We’re diving into: * Why caregiving puts pressure on marriages and relationships * What it feels like when your spouse doesn’t fully understand * The emotional toll of feeling unsupported while caregiving * What real support actually looks like from a partner * Practical ways to communicate your needs and stay connected If you’ve ever thought, “Why don’t they just get it?”—this episode is for you. You’re not too much for needing support. And you’re not alone in this. Listen to The Care Collective Podcast Follow the podcast and find all episodes here: https://linktr.ee/Carecollectivepodcast [https://linktr.ee/Carecollectivepodcast] About The Care Collective Podcast The Care Collective Podcast shares honest conversations about caregiving, aging, grief, resilience, and the emotional realities of supporting the people we love. Our goal is to help caregivers feel seen, supported, and less alone.