Season 2

J Smiles is caught off guard when Zetty initiates a conversation with an unknown, handsome man. Is it flirting? Sounds like it. But how does Zetty remember such social etiquette when she cannot recall her birthday? J shares w...

"Dying with Dignity" laws allow what is commonly called assisted suicide. ALZ and dementia do not qualify. J Smiles is not happy about this but as usual she finds away to add sparkle to a sour situation and slides in …

What happens when you are doing your REAL income-earning, bills-paying job and unexpectedly you MUST give eyeball care to your LO? This unnerving experience is shared by J Smiles. She secured "help" for Zetty because J had a ...

Experts say that Alzheimer's does not erode music memories. Filled with excitement, J Smiles and Zetty prepare for a night out on the town for a concert. Not just any concert, two of Zetty's favorite bands of ALL-TIMES. J get...

Many caregivers coverup or hide their LO's ALZ. J hopes to eradicate the necessity to do that by starting this conversation and continuing to shed light on the facts of ALZ. J Smiles admits it was hard to "go public" …

J Smiles is back! Winter hibernation made discussing hydration more necessary than ever. Hydration is important for seniors to avoid health complications. J shares the struggle of getting Zetty to consume water. The doctor's...

Do you own being a Caregiver Out LOUD? J Smiles pull apart why many caregivers do not include their CG title in the list of "What I do" in conversations, on social media or resumés. Perplexed, she reflected and found …

While sleeping after a long night shift with Zetty, J Smiles is startled awake by the words "J come quick, Zetty has passed out!" J has a matter of seconds to determine what is happening using her foggy brain, wobbly …

Zetty had dentures much of her adult life but J never had to get involved -- until now. As a caregiver, J Smiles is learning that it is not as simple as her brain-health mom made it seem all those …

J Smiles gives family caregivers the real, confusing truth about celebrating Thanksgiving when your LO has dementia, ALZ. Yeah, you want to love on them and smother them with food, family and fun. But is it a good idea? J …

J Smiles is joined by patient advocate superhero and caregiver, "Eclectic" Dawn (ED). ED shares countless stories of holding the medical team accountable to her mother's care. But she is not arrogant or pushy. Instead she tak...

J Smiles grapples with whether or not to take the ALZ GENE test. Zetty, her mom, was diagnosed with early onset and Zetty's father had ALZ too. Will knowing make life better or more stressful? J leans into her caregiver …

J Smiles is joined by Susan - a daughter, wife, mom and high-powered executive who found herself leading the caregiver charge when was diagnosed with early onset ALZ. Susan's mom was living independently and completely self-s...

Hillary's mom live independently for decades until an unrelated doctor's visit showed mom's brain wasn’t functioning well. Is it cancer or dementia? A facility, her home or live with family? Hillary and her brother (two diff...

J Smiles and Yvette continue with part 2. Yvette reveals the eventual diagnosis her mom was given, how her family managed LIFE along the way, her top advice for newbie caregivers and more. Yvette recounts earthy, gritty and h...

*Audio UPDATE/Correction 6/13/21* 🥰 Few family caregivers have a story that put J Smiles on her butt - Yvette did. Whirlwind does not begin to describe the snap crackle pop speed the dementia used to invade the McNally Family...

J Smiles struggles with abnormal memory loss and brain fog. Her immediate fear is the early onset of Alzheimer’s -- any caregiver's nightmare. She paints a picture like only J can of the events leading up to her panic and …

J Smiles chats with Kimberly Cooper, a sandwich generation wife determined to honor her mom's passion for independence even after dementia enters their lives. Kim details her mom's stroke which nudged the cognitive decline. J...

Finally J Smiles has a healthy sleep hygiene routine... and it works, perfectly. Well, she sleeps long and hard. The problem is the depth of slumber unlocks unknown caregiving consternation. She has to decide whether to ditch...

J Smiles takes a big trip to Washington, DC to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She is elated to take a such a meaningful vacation. A newbie caregiver at the time, J is looking forward …

For once J is able to get Zetty in the bed before 2am, excited and sound asleep all hell breaks loose when the house alarm blares "intruder alert." J is delirious, rubbing her eyes and trying to determine what to …

J Smiles believes that dating is self care. The problem is she cannot seem to secure a date. She takes the listener on a journey of her pre-caregiver dating existence. After Zetty's ALZ diagnosis, there is so much sacrifice,...

Caregiving is so nuanced. We can identify the major things swiftly -- medicine and food must be consumed; bills paid and so on. What happens when non-harmful modifications appear? Those creature comforts - habits - preference...

Who knew skipping sleep could add up so quickly? Not, J Smiles! What J believed was a supernatural power is now bad for her. She struggles -- yet again -- to accept a monumental shift. Most of her life she …