Welcome to the Cozy Caregiver Cafe, where practical advice meets heartfelt conversation.

In this episode I'm thrilled to welcome Kim and Mike Barnes.

This seasoned husband-and-wife team brings their expertise from journalism to the caregiving community through their initiative, Parenting Aging Parents.

Join us as Kim and Mike delve into their real-life experiences balancing the emotional and logistical aspects of caregiving. Mike shares insightful stories about his journey with his mother's Alzheimer's, highlighting strategies for maintaining positivity and connection.

Kim touches on the critical role of managing responsibilities like medical appointments and financial oversight—all essential elements of caregiving, even when it's not hands-on.

Whether you're already in the caregiving trenches or preparing for the journey, this episode offers valuable perspectives and actionable tips to help you navigate this complex role with confidence and grace.

Connect with Kim and Mike for more insights and support:

• Website: Parenting Aging Parents

• Email: info@parentingagingparents.com

Tune in to gain practical tools and encouragement, empowering you to embrace caregiving with greater understanding and resilience.

Love,

Allison

Hello, Cozy Caregiver Cafe family!

Pour yourself a cozy beverage and settle in for an enlightening episode as we celebrate National Family Caregivers Month.

In this engaging installment of our "Planning My Own Funeral" series, we're diving into the ultimate mystery: what happens to the body?

Join Allison as she tackles the important topics of healthcare decisions, organ donation, and final resting plans. From the significant benefits of signing up as an organ donor to choosing between a peaceful woodland burial or a fiery farewell, this episode promises to be both insightful and entertaining.

Explore how to bring peace of mind to your family by making your final wishes crystal clear—even beyond your time. With humor, heart, and genuine warmth, Allison guides you through these vital conversations, ensuring they're as engaging as they are essential.

Caregiving Marriage Counseling Advice with Beatriz Vargas

FREE RESOURCE: https://cozycaregivercafe.com/legacy

VIDEO DESCRIPTION: How do I keep my marriage strong during caregiving for my children and my parents? How do I strengthen my relationship during caregiving? How can I communicate better with my spouse? Join Family Therapist Beatriz Vargas to learn how to avoid some of the most common communication traps, and how we can love ourselves and our partners while also caring for our family and friends.

ONLINE PROGRAM: "How Your Family Wins in Caregiving" is a first of its kind online program that walks caregivers, step-by-step, through the major pillars of caregiving, providing legal education on major topics that provides a confidence base for the conversations all families must hold around caregiving. Instead of waiting to lose, your family deserves to win in caregiving, and through an online course, handouts, and live office hours and Q&A, I would love to be guide! https://cozycaregivercafe.com/now

JOIN US AT THE COZY CAREGIVER CAFE!  We've saved a seat for you! <3

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ABOUT ME: Hello Friend! My name is Allison Wyman and I’m a family caregiving attorney, consultant, and coach who has spent about 20 years personally and professionally in the caregiving space. I’m a two-time cancer caregiver to my parents and both diagnoses happened at pivotal times in my personal and professional life. My Dad died in 2006 and my mom is cancer-free and enjoying time with her grandson. I have lived the spectrum. Caregiving called me and I was not prepared. My family was not prepared. And we suffered emotionally and financially more than we had to during an already difficult time. It didn’t have to be that way. It didn’t have to be that way. And I don’t want this to happen to your family. Here’s the good news! Regardless of your caregiving situation, you have the chance, right now, to prepare yourself and your family for whatever is to come. I would love to be your guide for this season. I want your family to win in caregiving. And I believe you can!

LEARN MORE ABOUT BEATRIZ VARGAS:  Grace Fueled Wife Podcast, @thegracefueledwife on Instagram

#cozycaregivercafe #caregiver #caregiverlife #caregiverlife #caregiversupport #caregiving #caregivertips #caringmoments #caring #caringforeachother #podcast #allisonkwyman

Hello Cozy Caregiver Cafe Family,

In today's Episode we hear from Reiki Master Ryoko Suzuki, as she shares her caregiving journey, how Reiki helped her, how Reiki can help all caregivers, and how we all can do Reiki on ourselves!

Reiki has been a life-changer for me, and I wanted you to hear from it directly from my Reiki mentor.

With love,

Allison

Hello Cozy Caregiver Cafe Family!

In this Episode caregivers everywhere receive coaching from Sergio Rojas, a Former Executive Director for the President's Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition!  Come receive a lesson from the best on micro-habits, breathing, and self-love!

Learn more about Sergio here!  https://vitalitybysergio.com/

Big hugs to all of you!

Love,

Allison

Hello Cozy Caregiver Cafe Family!

In this Episode we're joined by Mandy Martini, a Mapuche writer and teacher, who has helped members in over 35 countries address stress and trauma using kuyfi kimün, which is Indigenous knowledge that has been passed down from generation to generation.

Listen to remember the natural state of your body, and how your body holds so many answers.

To learn more about Mandy, visit her website here:  https://m-martini.com/

All caregivers are superheros, and we've all gone through trauma and stress.  Whatever season you're in, I'm sending you so much love.  Please know you always have a place at the table here at the Cozy Caregiver Cafe.

Love,

Allison

Hello Cozy Caregiver Cafe Family!

In today's episode we enter the loving energy of Marie Gunn, a caregiver to multiple members of her family.  Marie is a baker and has the most beautiful energy you could ever imagine.  I hope you love this conversation as much as I do!

Big hugs and big love to all of you!

Love,

Allison

#cozycaregivercafe #caregiver #caregiving #caregivers #caringfortheelderly #caringforeachother

Hello Cozy Caregiver Cafe Family!

I am so excited to introduce you to Mama of eight, and extraordinary soul, Kristin Kearl Wilson!  Kristin is not only an expert on self-care, grace, relationships, and caregiving, but she's also refreshingly honest and hilarious.  In short, Kristin is the real deal in every way imagineable.  I love learning from Kristin-she's a Mama, big sister, and friend all wrapped into one!  So take heart, dear friend.  Kristin is here, and you are here, at the Cozy Caregiver Cafe.

Love,

Allison

Hello Cozy Caregiver Cafe Family!

Here is a very special and personal podcast episode with my Mom.  We recorded this on the last day of our annual mother-daughter roadtrip and we dive deep into grief, new beginnings, and our favorite roadtrip moments!

I'm so glad this conversation is recorded-it's one I will cherish forever.

I hope you enjoy it!

With love,

Allison

Hello Cozy Caregiver Family!

In this Episode Brie Aljets shares her experiences caring for her husband after he was diagnosed with cancer as they raised their young son together.  Brie's vulnerability and honesty is raw and refreshing, and I'm sure you will love her as much as I do.

Be well, friends!  And take heart.

Love,

Allison

Hello Cozy Caregiver Cafe Family!

Happy New Year!

On the first week of each month the Cozy Caregiver Cafe is going to reveal a word for the month!  Come join Allison's walk around New York City and hear about her January 2024 word, why it's important, and how it's showing up in her life.

With love and light,

Allison

Hello Cozy Caregiver Cafe Family!

Join us in the Cozy Caregiver Cafe with Allison as she hosts Sabrina, a passionate entrepreneur and dedicated caregiver. In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, Sabrina shares her extraordinary journey of building a successful soap business while caring for her wife after a brain cancer diagnosis. Discover the emotional trials, healthcare challenges, and valuable lessons Sabrina faced, along with her tips on creating a resilient business and fostering community support. Hear about the real-life experiences that shaped her path, the importance of having a supportive network, and the balance between personal caregiving and professional life. This episode is packed with valuable insights, practical advice, humor, and heartwarming moments, making it perfect for anyone navigating the dual roles of caregiver and entrepreneur.

To learn more about Sabrina and the IPSB - School of Integrative Psycho-Structural  Bodywork please visit:

• www.IPSB.com
• Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/ipsbmassageschool/

And for additional show notes, please visit https://cozycaregivercafe.com/podcast/b/sabrina-ortolano.

Love,

Allison

Hello Cozy Caregiver Cafe Family!

Come listen to a conversation between me and my mom as we discuss a caregiving plan for her mobility and pain issues.  During the call I'm in coaching mode, but my heart also breaking too.  I want my mom's life to be as good as it possibly can be, and sometimes that means problem-solving, and sometimes that means I need to take a beat before re-entering the conversation.

I've also created a free chart for anyone who needs to hold a caregiving conversation!  The chart is the simple foundation for the conversation and can be customized to fit your family's needs.  You can find the chart here!  cozycaregivercafe.com/chart

I'm sending so much love to all of you!

Love,

Allison

On Episode 5 of the Cozy Caregiver Cafe podcast we learn from Heidi Low, who forged a new path and a new life after the death of her daughter.  Heidi is an expert at holding retreats, and after listening to her, you will want to be in her energy as much as possible.

In honor of Heidi's awesomeness, the Cozy Caregiver Cafe has created its first t-shirt, quoting one of the most memorable interview moments to date!

https://cozycaregivercafe.com/heidi

Some people are angels sent to Earth to make us all better.  This is Amanda.  She is living with a rare, terminal illness, and spending her time on Earth inspiring and empowering all of us to live life more graciously.  We are new friends but old soulmates, and in our chat, Amanda's grace and honesty inspire me to share, for the first time publicly, my deepest shame about caregiving (starting at Minute 48).

Come hear Amanda's incredible coaching, outlook, and heart!

Welcome to the Cozy Caregiver Cafe, a safe space for friend and family caregivers to solve problems and find peace.  I am so glad you are here!  Hosted by Allison Wyman.

Planning My Own Funeral, Part 2:  Choosing the Right Location

Join Allison of the Cozy Caregiver Cafe Podcast for an insightful and heartwarming episode on planning a joyful and meaningful farewell.

Discover practical and playful tips for choosing the perfect service location, balancing family preferences, and how to share the "why" of your location.

Allison also shares her journey of rekindling faith after her Dad's death and how it shapes her caregiving and funeral planning approach. Tune in for an inspiring discussion that ensures your goodbyes celebrate life with love, laughter, and warmth.

For additional show notes, please visit https://cozycaregivercafe.com/podcast/b/funeral-location.

Love,

Allison

Hello Cozy Caregiver Cafe Family!

In this engaging episode of the Cozy Caregiver Cafe, host Allison is joined by Katy Harvey, a Non-Diet Dietitian and Intuitive Eating Coach. 

Together they explore challenges caregivers face with eating habits during stressful times and discuss the body's natural response to stress, such as overeating or loss of appetite. Katy emphasizes the importance of understanding one's hunger cues and the emotional needs behind food cravings.

This episode also cover the significance of sleep, water intake, and mindful eating in managing health while caregiving. The conversation also dives into how menopause affects women's health and the natural changes that occur. 

Katy shares insights into how to handle generous food donations from loved ones during caregiving. Ultimately, Katy's advice centers on rebuilding trust with one’s body and discovering sustainable self-care practices.

To learn more about Katy, please check out her podcast, The Rebuilding Trust With Your Body Podcast, or on Instagram (@katyharvey.rd)!

And for additional show notes, please visit https://cozycaregivercafe.com/podcast/b/katy-harvey.

Love,

Allison

Hello Cozy Caregiver Cafe Family!

In this episode Suzanne Adora Barron shares how she found joy in the midst of her son's cancer diagnosis and treatment, and how the practice of Jin Shin Jyutsu as helped her find peace upon Christopher's passing.

In addition to Suzanne's compelling story, which includes how her son's diagnosis protected her husband on September 11th, Suzanne shares a deeply personal and touching moment at her son's bedside, when a family member couldn't stop crying, and another family member worried this crying would upset Suzanne.

The words, and the truth Suzanne speaks about this moment, echo in my head every. single. day.

Suzanne's storytelling carries over to watching Christopher's classmates graduate from high school, and how the practice of Jin Shin Jyutsu supported her mental health in those moments.

Suzanne is a practitioner of Jin Shin Jyutsu, and she generously leads a practice designed for family caregivers, on the Cozy Caregiver Cafe TV Show.  Learn how this ancient practice, which includes holding certain fingers to de-escalate certain emotions, can help you feel more peaceful during caregiver, when you feel anxiety, or in other stressful moments in your life.

Watch Suzanne's episode here:  https://youtu.be/W0FmonYJLQw.

Suzanne is truly a beam of light, whose very existence, mindset, and voice provides hope for anyone and everyone.  Learn more about Suzanne at https://suzanneabarron.com/.

And for additional show notes, please visit https://cozycaregivercafe.com/podcast/b/suzanne-barron.

I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I do.

With love,

Allison

Hello Cozy Caregiver Cafe Family!

In Season 2, Episode 1 of the Cozy Caregiver Cafe Podcast, I am finally brave enough to begin a series called "Planning My Own Funeral."

As a Family Caregiving Attorney & Coach, I see how the heaviness of death weighs on life. And I'm convinced it doesn't have to be this way.

Nobody can evade death.

So why not embrace it? Why not let death be our best friend, a guide for how we want to live our life, and the legacy we want to leave upon our inevitable passing.

In this episode I share some helpful frameworks in choosing a legal guardian for your children when both parents pass from the perspective of an attorney providing legal education, and I also share some legacy practices I've engaged in as a Mama to a 3 year-old.

For more on this episode and all the Cozy Caregiver Cafe has to offer, including show notes, please visit https://cozycaregivercafe.com/podcast/b/guardian.

With love,

Allison

Hello Cozy Caregiver Cafe Family!

Come join Psychotherapist and Mindfulness Trainer Magda Kasprzyk and learn about a program she pioneered, where children, teens, and adults go to the forest to heal from trauma. 

Curl up with your favorite warm beverage as I ask questions, such as:

• What is so magical about the forest (spoiler, it's everything!)
• How can the forest help us feel safe again?
• What should parents consider in difficult caregiving situations for their young children?
• How do you feel safe in yourself?
• Is it possible for adults to heal?

I can promise you, this podcast is eye-opening for anyone interested in therapy for teens, therapy for trauma, therapy for mental health, and forest bathing!

For additional show notes, please visit https://cozycaregivercafe.com/podcast/b/magda.

I hope you enjoy this episode!

With love,

Allison

Hello Cozy Caregiver Cafe Family!

To celebrate National Bucket List Day, in this solo episode Allison shares her bucket list ideas, and reflects on the bucket list definition and a bucket list meaning.

Come along as a healthy Mama, wife, and Family Caregiving Attorney and Coach reveals her deepest hopes for her life and her family over the coming year.

I hope you enjoy it!

Love,

Allison

#cozycaregivercafe #bucketlist #nationalbucketlistday #caregiving #caregivers #caregiver #caregiverburnout #caringforthecaregiver #dreams #familytime

Hello Cozy Caregiver Cafe Family!

Welcome to Mary Elisabeth Hannah, a Special Education Advocate and only child caring for her parents.  In honor of Autism Awareness Month Mary Elisabeth shares insights about Autism Spectrum Disorder and how parents and advocates can improve the school experience for children diagnosed with Autism.

In addition to her incredible work as a Special Education Advocate, Mary Elisabeth is also an only child caring for her parents.  What I love about Mary Elisabeth's story is that it provides all of us with an example of what aging, caregiving, and life can look like when things are done right.  This doesn't mean it's always easy, but Mary Elisabeth does not shy away from difficult conversations with her clients, or with her parents, because she knows these dialogues and decisions are what actually change lives.

Learn more about Mary Elisabeth Hannah at www.hannahadvocacy.com, or on Instagram @hannah_ed_advocacy_consult.

Love,

Allison

#cozycaregivercafe #caregiver #caregiving #caregivers #specialedadvocacy #specialeducation #autismawarenessmonth #autismspectrumdisorder

The Cozy Caregiver Cafe welcomes Anita, a caregiver and entrepreneur, to share her touching family story.

Anita recounts the unexpected passing of her mother, who left behind a meticulously planned 'funeral file' that eased the family's grief and decision-making process. This experience inspired Anita and her sister to create 'Your Last Love Letter,' a comprehensive guide to end-of-life planning.

This beautiful meeting at the Cozy Caregiver Cafe includes the importance of being prepared, the emotional journey of caregiving, and the profound impact of living and expressing love intentionally.

Come explore the themes of faith, intentionality, and the importance of leaving a legacy for loved ones.

Connect with Anita at https://yourlastloveletter.com/.

And support in caregiving is always available!  https://allisonkwyman.com/services

Love,

Allison

In this heartfelt episode of the Cozy Caregiver Cafe, we invite you to join Allison K. Wyman and Peter Dudley for an engaging exploration of a profound question: "How do you live a great life?"

 Through a candid and insightful discussion, Peter shares his philosophy on intentionality, emphasizing the importance of aligning our actions with our core values to live authentically.

Peter, known for his wisdom and kindness, shares guiding principles from his chapter in Relit: show up, try hard, and be nice. These simple yet powerful words center him and can serve as a beacon for anyone seeking meaning and purpose amid life's challenges.

This episode delves into the essence of presence, effort, and kindness, offering inspiration and guidance for leading a life of fulfillment. Peter's insights provide a roadmap for those of you looking to be true to yourselves while making positive contributions to the world.

As you listen, you'll discover how to embrace intentional living in your journey, finding balance and purpose. For those interested in exploring more of Peter's work, you can find his insightful writings and learn about his coaching services at https://graybearcoaching.com/. Additionally, check out Gray Bear Publications for more on his writing and publications.

So sit back, relax with your favorite cup of coffee or tea, and join us in this enriching conversation. We're excited to share this time with you and hope it resonates with your heart and inspires your path toward a meaningful life.

Love,

Allison K. Wyman of the Cozy Caregiver Cafe

Hello Cozy Caregiver Cafe Family!

Are you interested in how to stay organized in caregiving, after death, and how to prepare for caregiving so that everything flows as needed?

Welcome to the Cozy Caregiver Cafe interview with Annette Kam, author of the book "Wait-Don't Die Yet!," which can be found here:  https://annettekam.com/.

Here, Annette shares the biggest lessons learned in her caregiving story, including a lesson about the body on the funeral day, to help us all begin to understand what we don't know we don't know.

The good news, as you're realizing there's so much you don't know, I hope you're also realizing you're not alone.  There is support and guidance all around you, starting first and foremost with the Cozy Caregiver Cafe!

And if you're ever in need of more formal support, please feel free to visit https://allisonkwyman.com/ for a list of services that support past, present, and future caregivers!

I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did!

With love,

Allison

Hello Cozy Caregiver Cafe Family!

In this episode, Allison sits down with warm-hearted Jennifer, who takes us through her incredible journey from being a News Anchor to a full-time caregiver for her in-laws.

Jennifer shares the whirlwind of emotions and life lessons she encountered while balancing a bustling family life with five young children and the demanding role of a caregiver. Listen and learn wonderful insights on family dynamics, the art of juggling multiple hats, and the divine moments of self-realization that propelled Jennifer to become a caregiving advocate.

This episode is filled with heart, humor, and invaluable tips for anyone navigating the caregiving world.

I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I do!

Click here to learn more about Jennifer!

You can also follow her on Instagram here!

Love,

Allison