Welcome to OUR Community!

Parenting UP! Caregiving adventures with comedian J Smiles

Get engulfed in the intense journey of a caregiver who happens to be a comedian. J Smiles use of levity reveals the stress and rewards of caregiving interwoven with her own personal journey.  Almost 10 years ago, she was catapulted into caregiving overnight when the shock of her dad's death pushed her mom into Alzheimer's in the blink of an eye. A natural storyteller, her vivid descriptions and impressive recall will place you squarely in each moment of truth, at each fork in the road. She was a single, childless mechanical engineering, product designing, lawyer living a meticulously crafted international existence until she wasn't. The lifestyle shift was immediate. Starting from scratch, she painstakingly carved out useful knowledge and created a beneficial care plan for her mom.  J Smiles will fly solo and have expert guests. You will get tips, tricks, trends and TRUTH.  Alzheimer's is heavy, we don’t have to be. All caregivers are welcome to snuggle up, Parent Up!

Recent Episodes

March 23, 2023

Tell Your Mom I said HELLO!

J Smiles runs into an old friend of Zetty. The problem is this "close" old bestie wants J to promise to tell Zetty a ton of specific memories from sixty years ago (silently - lady my mama doesn't know what …

Episode page
March 1, 2023

What is your Caregiver SuperPower?

Mad that caregivers are not getting enough love from the self-help industry, J Smiles sets her sights on acknowledging and creating dynamic groups similar to Myers Briggs, Love Languages and Ancestry-Lineage tests. Family car...

Episode page
Feb. 21, 2023

I tripped over Zetty!

J learns the hard way about shadowing in the world of dementia when Zetty approaches her from the rear and they both end up on the floor. Tuck your earbuds close for a rollercoaster of laughs and heartfelt storytelling. Join …

Episode page
Jan. 30, 2023

Did he say Zetty doesn't have ALZ?!?

J was traveling, meeting new friends. While describing what she does back home, Zetty came up. Feeling connected and free, J showed videos of Zetty to this intimate group of newcomers to her life. A single voice exclaims, "J,...

Episode page
Dec. 29, 2022

Caregivers, let MORE go!

J planned for a nothing Dec 25th. Surely she could at least have a quiet day with Zetty during such a festive time of year. Shortly after breakfast all-hell broke loose. Zilch plan be damned. Z's incontinence had plan of …

Episode page
Dec. 18, 2022

The Black Hole: Depth Perception

When Zetty's trainer and hired caregivers tell J Smiles of her reluctance to step up or onto things, J is perplexed. Why? Zetty has the physical strength, she is in good spirits -- are the caretakers exaggerating? Is this rel...

Episode page

Recent Blog Posts

"I'm On Edge Of Quitting Caregiving"

Stop your caregiver meltdowns and burnout use these Parenting Up Podcast tips. Take control of your health with self care.

Recognizing Early Signs of Alzheimer’s

Is something going on with your loved one, and you're not sure what it is? These early signs of Alzheimer's may help you decide to seek further medical a…

7 Steps to Take when You Become a Caregiver

Becoming a new caregiver, tips for learning how to be a family caregiver when you don't know where to start. Newbie Alert