Caregiving doesn’t have to mean losing yourself—think of it as managing with purpose, like a boss. You’re not just there to show love; you’re there to make powerful choices that protect your well-being, too. Embrace rational caregiving by blending compassion with practical strategies: prioritize clear decision-making, time management, and boundaries. It’s about shifting from “caregiver” to “caregive”—a new verb for balancing empathy with action. Recognize your needs, respect your own limits, and embrace respite whenever possible. This approach empowers you and honors both you and your loved one. So why not caregive like a boss?

About Me:

I have cared for many family members across the life span, experiencing the joys and challenges of child-rearing, the poignance of caring for parents, friends, and elder partners. I realized that I could not handle the stress of family caregiving 24/7/365. It was time for a new approach to caring. My health and happiness were slipping away. This is how Think to Thrive for Caregivers evolved. Let your mind meet your heart so you don’t lose track of your life.

Connect with Me:

https://www.deborahgreenhut.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahgreenhut01/

Find my books here

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Chatting with Barbara Newman gave me a new way to look at caregiving, self-care, and the impact of storytelling. Barbara’s path—from working on Madison Avenue to exploring the bold spirit of American cowgirls—shows her belief in what she calls “radical self-care” and the power of community. For her, storytelling isn’t just about telling a tale; it’s a way to heal, share wisdom, and connect people across generations. Whether she’s helping Gen Z find their voices or guiding boomers to tell their life stories, Barbara shows us that giving back doesn’t require us to be heroes. Her advice? Focus on the little things, and above all, be kind.

About Our Guest:

Barbara Newman’s storytelling career began on Madison Avenue, where she was a Creative Director on iconic global brands. Her life changed after hearing a story on NPR about the American cowgirl. She was so inspired by their strong, persevering spirit, that she traded high heels for cowboy boots and headed to Montana to film a documentary about their lives. While out west, she fell in love with the wild landscape, and how it transformed her relationship with the natural world. So began her next chapter as an author. Her award-winning young-adult novel, The Dreamcatcher Codes is her love letter to Mother Earth and all her daughters. She is currently working on her second book.

Barbara is on the Boards of the Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative, the Berkshire International Film Festival, and EmPower Gen Z. She was also part of the think tank for the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children’s Media.

www.barbaranewmanauthor.com

www.cowgirlsrforever.com

Instagram: coco_newms

https://empowergenz.org

About Me:

I have cared for many family members across the life span, experiencing the joys and challenges of child-rearing, the poignance of caring for parents, friends, and elder partners. I realized that I could not handle the stress of family caregiving 24/7/365. It was time for a new approach to caring. My health and happiness were slipping away. This is how Think to Thrive for Caregivers evolved. Let your mind meet your heart so you don’t lose track of your life.

Connect with Me:

https://www.deborahgreenhut.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahgreenhut01/

Find my books here

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcasts review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

Join me as we step into the world of music therapy with Alexis Baker. As a music enthusiast, discussing the nuances of how music activates the brain, revives memories, and fosters emotional connections is incredibly enriching. Alexis highlights how therapeutic music benefits not just those in care but also the caregivers themselves, offering both solace and emotional release. Whether through personalized playlists to uplift spirits or integrating music into daily routines to ease challenging behaviors, music proves to be a powerful tool in transforming caregiving experiences. It's fascinating to see how melodies and rhythms can bridge communication gaps, especially in challenging journeys like dementia, where conventional language often falls short.

About Our Guest:

Alexis Baker is a board-certified music therapist (MT-BC), certified dementia practitioner (CDP), and founder of Bridgetown Music Therapy. Her mission as a music therapist is to spark joy, create connections, and improve quality of life through meaningful music engagement. Alexis is passionate about using music to make a difference for older adults living with dementia.

After many years spent serving clients in person as a traveling music therapist, Alexis pivoted her business online in 2020. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, she and her husband, a professional videographer, decided to collaborate by putting their skills together. They initially launched Bridgetown's Virtual Music Engagement Program with only four videos. Now, the program features an extensive Video Library containing hundreds of on-demand therapeutic music sessions. Their dementia-friendly program focuses on meaningful engagement through music-based activities such as singing, rhythm and movement, gentle stretching, deep breathing exercises, and relaxation. Alexis includes an incredible range of genres, styles, and fun themes—there is something for everyone. This program has been described as a game-changer for people with dementia and their care staff such as Activity Directors and family caregivers.

https://www.bridgetownmt.com/

About Me:

I have cared for many family members across the life span, experiencing the joys and challenges of child-rearing, the poignance of caring for parents, friends, and elder partners. I realized that I could not handle the stress of family caregiving 24/7/365. It was time for a new approach to caring. My health and happiness were slipping away. This is how Think to Thrive for Caregivers evolved. Let your mind meet your heart so you don’t lose track of your life.

Connect with Me:

https://www.deborahgreenhut.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahgreenhut01/

Find my books here

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcasts review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are...