Episodes

Ever wondered how far you'd go to care for someone you love? How much dignity you'd sacrifice? I found my answer on the side of I-20 during Atlanta rush hour. When my mother started talking to people who weren't there, walking into walls, and fidgeting constantly, I suspected a UTI—those sneaky infections that can make dementia symptoms appear dramatically worse. After three grueling weeks of attempting to collect a urine sample from my incontinent mother, we finally succeeded. With my preci...

Have you ever witnessed someone persevere to no end to maintain a connection with someone they cared about? That's exactly what happened when my mother's DC circle refused to let her disappear after my dad's death. When Betty began bombarding my mother's phone, email, and even her old-school answering machine with messages, I initially dismissed it as an unwelcome intrusion. We were deep in grief, struggling with the aftermath of my dad's passing, and I had no energy for reconnecting with old f...

In today's episode, we had the great opportunity to speak with an amazing author who is changing the outlook on aging! Dr. Corinne Auman, a care management expert and author of "Keenagers: Telling a New Story About Aging," joins us to challenge the overwhelming negativity surrounding the aging process. Drawing from both professional expertise and personal experience caring for family members with dementia and Parkinson's, Dr. Corinne reveals a profound truth: how we think about aging largely...

Parenting Up family - today's episode is a special one! The worlds of sports memorabilia and caregiving collide in this deeply personal glimpse into my journey to honor my father's extraordinary legacy while navigating the daily challenges of caring for my mother with Alzheimer's. My father, Jock Michael Smith, accomplished something unprecedented - creating the largest sports memorabilia collection in modern history. Not as a full-time collector or dealer, but as a successful attorney...

Welcome to the last episode of our 3 part 'Detroit Cares About Caregivers' Series! What resources actually exist for caregivers, and how do you access them when you need support? This question haunts many people thrust into caregiving roles, often leaving them feeling isolated and overwhelmed. In this episode, we bring together powerhouse resources ready to lighten your load—without emptying your wallet. The biggest revelation? Many people providing significant care don't identify as c...

Do you ever feel dismissed or intimidated when advocating for your loved one in medical settings? That ends today. "I may know textbook, but you know your loved one," explains Dr. McNeill, just one of the passionate healthcare providers who shared game-changing insights in this powerful exploration of the caregiver-provider relationship. From Detroit's innovative Rosa Parks Geriatric Center, medical professionals reveal what they wish every family caregiver understood about becoming true health...

Parenting Up family, we are excited to bring you a new 3-part series in partnership with Wayne State University's AGReed grant! In this episode, Detroit caregivers speak with J Smiles about their experiences as caregivers for their loved ones with dementia. They discuss the physical demands, logistics, and emotional stress while also offering self-care strategies to prevent burnout. As always, caregivers also spoke about funny moments with their loved ones that provide levity during the tough ...

The void between medical expertise and lived caregiving experience takes center stage in this powerful season finale. Join us as we recap the Alter Dementia Summit 2025! This episode captures the vibrant energy of a gathering that feels simultaneously like a homecoming, family reunion, and professional conference. At its heart is a critical message from caregivers to the medical community: slow down and recognize us as the experts we've become. Through moving testimonials, attendees express wh...

When Dr. Fayron Epps launched the Altar program, she was told repeatedly that no one would fund research connecting faith and dementia care in the Black community. Fast forward to today, and her groundbreaking initiative has expanded to 23 states, 112 faith communities, and 14 Christian denominations—with millions in funding from government agencies, corporate sponsors, and foundations. What makes this program revolutionary is its dual approach: utilizing the "altar" of the church while "alteri...

Motherhood takes many forms, and caregiving might be the most overlooked version. This Mother's Day episode challenges us to reconsider who deserves celebration and recognition. The numbers tell a striking story: Americans spent $33 billion on Mother's Day last year, showering traditional mothers with gifts and attention. Meanwhile, family caregivers perform somewhat similar work—often with many challenges—yet receive little acknowledgment. As caregivers, we embody the very definition of mother...

When a loved one develops dementia, our instinct is often to correct their misperceptions and pull them back to our reality. But what if there's a more compassionate, effective approach hiding in an unlikely place – Improv? In today's episode, we speak with Dr. Candace Kemp and Amanda Lee Williams about their research showing how improv principles can transform Dementia care. At the heart of their approach is the fundamental improv concept of "yes, and" – accepting whatever reality is presented...

When a loved one ages beyond typical medical concerns into what Dr. Warren Wong calls "the decade of frailty," everything changes—including how we should approach their care. In this episode, geriatrician Dr. Wong reveals why elder care requires specialized knowledge that many family doctors don't possess. Have you ever wondered why traditional medical appointments focus almost exclusively on disease management rather than your aging loved one's changing abilities? Dr. Wong explains how geriatr...

Happy Women's History Month! On this episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Mrs. Aisha Taylor Issah, who founded TheSistahShop.com, an e-commerce store featuring all Black Women Owned Businesses. We filmed this episode a couple of weeks before she closed the doors of her brick-and-mortar store in Atlanta, Georgia, and had the chance to learn more about her caregiving journey. Tune in for laughs and real talk about caring for a parent living with Dementia while also balancing entrepreneur...

Audio family! We shot this episode on location at Dad's Garage, but we made sure to include our listeners to get insight on what we learned. This episode explores the transformative power of improvisational comedy in dementia caregiving. We dive into an inspiring gathering connecting science and creativity, highlighting how humor can enhance communication and understanding in caregiving. In this episode, expect: • Overview of the "Improving Care Through Improv" program • Insights from experts ...

We had a great time connecting with Author Karen Weaver, author of Reaching Up For Comfort. She has been a caregiver for her late husband, late mom, and late father, though she has also volunteered with her church, neighbors, centers, and more. In this episode, Karen shares stories of triumph, overcoming, funny moments and self-care. Her book and website offer reflections and questions that will help caregivers get through the journey of taking care of their loved ones. Learn more about Karen ...

Join us as we speak with Omar Alvarez about volunteering with elders, his grandfather, Puerto Rican culture and how each of these played a part in helping him to develop KINNECT - a family legacy app that helps preserve family stories, making it easy to keep and share memories for generations. You can catch the full video interview by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/jsmilesstudios. Support the show "Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!" IG: https://www.instagram.com/parenti...

In honor of Delta Sigma Theta's Founder’s Day, look back with us on the care of Zetty’s phenomenal line sisters from Hampton University! See how they all rallied to find out what happened to their ‘Kitty Boo’ and to make sure they sent her the love and care from their hearts. If you don't know, both J Smiles and Zetty are proud members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, founded on January 13, 1913! Remember to subscribe and join our Patreon Community for photos and more updates from J...

Parenting Up! family, thank you for an amazing year! We hit some major milestones, surpassing 100 episodes and 100 subscribers on YouTube, plus some incredible episodes with memorable guests and we could not have done it without you. Many thanks to NPR radio for featuring us and Hilarity for Charity for naming us one of the top three podcasts! We appreciate every review, like, comment, and share and want you to prepare for a dynamic 2025! Support the show "Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't got...

We know that you may think Zetty was from the south and surely was known for some famous recipes we grew up enjoying - but that's not exactly what I remember about my mom during the holidays. Zetty may not have been baking holiday treats, but one thing she did make sure to do was go shopping for her loved ones - and take me and my cousins with her. Join me as I reminisce on out-of-the-ordinary shopping adventures with my mama and cousins. My mom worked very hard during the year and didn't have ...

Discover how love, laughter, and resilience can transform the caregiving experience in our latest episode, where we celebrate a remarkable milestone for our Parenting Up! community—being named one of the top three podcasts of the year by Hilarity for Charity! This recognition is a testament to the incredible dedication of our listeners and caregivers like Shina, who joins us to share her journey. As we continue celebrating National Caregivers Month, we speak with Shina Hasan, the founder of Sen...

Happy National Family Caregivers Month! That's right - in today's episode, we celebrate family caregivers and give tips on better supporting us! Whether it's helping out with everyday tasks, or reading articles that you think about sending us, before you forward our way - I just wanted to share some tips and tools you can use as the friend of a caregiver, or as a caregiver yourself. This month, at the least, make sure to tell a caregiver how much you appreciate them. They will thank you! Host...

In this episode, J Smiles talks about Zetty's life before she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Zetty, or better known to her friends as 'T.Y.' was passionate about voting and instilled in J a great sense of responsibility for exercising her civil rights and responsibilities. From being mentored by Dr. Martin Luther King himself, to meeting her future husband while debating about politics, Zetty was all in when it came to making sure that she was fighting for social justice and for what was right...

Join us as we chat with the multi-talented Rodney Perry, who combines the art of comedy with the heartfelt caregiving journey. Rodney opens up about his personal comedy experiences and providing care for his family, from following in the footsteps of his idol Eddie Murphy to sharing the spotlight with him in "Coming to America 2." Through the lens of humor, we explore the impact caregivers have and uncover how family caregivers are the unsung heroes of our healthcare system. Perry also talks abo...

In this episode, we sit down with fan-favorite, comedian Kelly Kellz. Known for her side-splitting stand-up and hilarious videos online, Kelly isn't just funny—she’s real. Kelly opens up about her life beyond the laughs, sharing her love for her family, maternal influences, the ups and downs of having the gift of comedy, and how transparency heals. J Smiles dives deep with Kelly as she talks about her journey helping her grandmother care for one of her great-grandmothers, both 'spunky' women wh...