Episodes

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

Welcome to our new series - Comedians Care! First up we have multi-talented comedienne Cocoa Brown! Ever wondered how humor can become a lifeline when facing life's toughest challenges? Cocoa Brown shares her personal journey of balancing comedy and caregiving. Cocoa's parents unfortunately faced devastating health issues, including early onset dementia, diabetes, and cancer, nonetheless, she was able to find ways to take care of them through their last days. This episode delves into the compl...

Join us as we speak with the incomparable Dr. Tina, a member of the sandwich generation. In this episode, we dive into the science and emotional toll of caregiving, highlighting the struggles and the small victories that make it all worthwhile. From managing medications and doctor appointments to maintaining our mental health, the responsibilities of caregiving are immense. Dr. Tina offers invaluable insights into the need for systemic change and community support, shedding light on the often-o...

Can you imagine juggling a caregiving routine for a parent with Alzheimer's while preparing for a last-minute TV comedy appearance? That's the reality I faced as I navigated a whirlwind of chaos, laughter, and heartfelt moments. With help from my incredible teams, I managed to balance podcast production and the meticulous caregiving of my mom. Through all the craziness, I learned the vital importance of resilience, adaptability, and finding humor in the most challenging situations. From the cha...