From Then Until Now: A Personal Moment on my Caregiving and Comedy Journey
A single shock can reorder a life. When my father passed suddenly and my mother’s Alzheimer’s deepened, I became the point person for everything. My pivot—raw, messy, and unplanned—sparked a mission: use comedy to have a positive outlet during those trying times. In this special mini episode, you'll hear me as I celebrate five years of our caregiver-centered podcast, ten years of stand-up, and my mom’s 77th lap around the sun, while pulling back the curtain on how humor, faith, and community turned chaos into a living blueprint for care.
I share how the pandemic forced me off the stage and into the mic, and how saying out loud “my mom has Alzheimer’s” changed the room. We talk about legacy—the grandparents who seeded my skits, the cousin who still lights up the room at ninety-three—and why I took my family name to the stage to honor where I come from.
Caregiving touches almost everyone, whether you’re in it now, still healing, or propping up a friend. That’s why we lean into practical solidarity—financial vigilance after loss, late-night logistics, and the radical act of laughing on the worst days.
Subscribe, share this with your village, and leave a review with one lesson caregiving taught you—someone reading it will need exactly that today.
Executive Producer: J Smiles Comedy
Producer & Editor: Mia Hall
"Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!"
IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup
FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup
TEXT 'PODCAST" to +1 404 737 1449 - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi!
Be sure to leave us a review!
00:00 - Bonus Weekend And Milestones
00:30 - Why Comedy Became A Lifeline
02:40 - Sudden Loss And Caregiving Shock
03:30 - Pandemic, Purpose, And Podcast Launch
04:10 - Owning The Alzheimer’s Story
04:30 - Five Years Supporting Caregivers
05:10 - Community, Sponsors, And Intentional Spaces
07:20 - Family Roots And Legacy
09:20 - Crew Dreams And Bigger Visions
11:40 - Gratitude Roll Call And Support Network
14:00 - From Chaos To Champion
15:10 - Speaking, Comedy, And Future Projects
16:20 - Love, Loss, And Collective Strength
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