Welcome to Dancing With Dementia™—the go-to podcast for young and atypical caregivers navigating the challenges of caring for a loved one with a chronic illness.
I’m Kama Newbry, a nurse, coach, educator, advocate, and daughter turned caregiver after my mom was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s in my early 30s. Like so many, I struggled to find support tailored to young caregivers—those of us balancing careers, identity, family dynamics, and deep soul shifts… all while caregiving.
This podcast is your compassionate resource for:
Caregiver wellness tips
Emotional and energetic tools
Practical strategies for caregiving of all kinds, including dementia
Mind-body healing and burnout prevention
Community connection for young caregivers, AKA, "Caregivers on the Dancefloor of Life™"
Whether your loved one is at home, in assisted living, or in a care facility, this space is for you.
We explore everything from self-care and intuitive caregiving to grief, advocacy, spirituality, energy medicine, and the very real ups and downs of showing up for someone you love.
Our mission? To infuse love, light, levity, and joy into the caregiver journey—while offering grounded support, powerful conversations, and actionable tips, tricks, tools, and resources you can use right away!
Because you’re not just surviving—you’re rising.
Join us on the Caregiver Dancefloor of Life, where together, WE RISE!
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Energy, Intuition, and the Quantum Side of Caregiving with Valarie Varan, Part 1
Season 1 · Episode 19
Monday, June 30, 2025 • Duration 53:20
What if your burnout wasn’t “just stress,” but a sign your energy field is out of alignment? What if your intuition during caregiving isn’t random—but real, measurable, and rooted in quantum science?
In this powerful episode, Kama sits down with Valarie Varan, licensed professional counselor, holistic life coach, energy healer, and author of Living in a Quantum Reality, to explore how caregiving and consciousness collide.
We dive into:
✨ Why so many caregivers are energetically sensitive ✨ How quantum physics explains “gut feelings,” synchronicity, and non-local intuition ✨ The science of energy fields, coherence, and burnout ✨ The invisible impact of caregiving in care homes, hospitals, and chaotic environments ✨ Valarie’s lived experience as a caregiver for her mother—and the toll it took on her body, mind, and soul ✨ Tools to reclaim your energy, protect your peace, and reconnect with your soul’s alignment
Whether you’re caregiving at home or advocating from afar, this episode offers grounded insight and spiritual validation. It’s science and soul.
📘 Grab Valarie’s book: Living in a Quantum Reality 🌀 Join the Caregivers Rising™ waitlist at SynergyRising.Life 💌 Subscribe to the show for more deep dives into the art—and heart—of caregiving.
Disclaimer: This episode offers spiritual and energetic insights and is not a substitute for medical advice. At Dancing With Dementia, we honor a wide range of belief systems and healing modalities. If this isn’t your vibe, check out one of our other episodes— You be you, boo! There’s something for everyone here. 💖
💖SHARE THE LOVE!💖 If DWD touches your heart, please share it with another caregiver! And subscribe, rate, and review to help others find this community of light, love, and advocacy.
💃🏻Have topic requests, want to nominate a guest, or book a 1:1 consultation with me? Connect with us at SynergyRising.Life!💃🏻
💃🏻✨💃🏻 Special Announcement:💃🏻✨💃🏻 Enrollment opens soon for Caregivers Rising—a self-paced course designed to help caregivers not just survive, but thrive. Join the waitlist: SynergyRising.Life
Caregiver Burnout, Staff Turnover & What Every Family Needs to Know About Eldercare
Wednesday, June 18, 2025 • Duration 35:43
Hey hey, beautiful souls!
Are you, or someone you know impacted by things gone awry in a care home or assisted living setting?
In today’s heartfelt episode, I’m sharing a powerful, personal story about my experience as a caregiver for my beautiful Mama —and using it to spotlight a widespread issue in eldercare: the caregiver turnover crisis and its real impact on our loved ones.
This episode is for family caregivers, dementia advocates, care home employees, and anyone navigating the complex world of assisted living, memory care, or aging parent support. I walk you through lived examples of being a family advocate on the receiving end of the wounded eldercare system and how it reflects a larger pattern I hear from families and caregivers around the country.
You’ll hear:
Why caregiver burnout and high staff turnover are signs of deeper systemic problems
The must-ask questions when choosing an assisted living or care home
How to advocate when something feels “off” with your loved one
Why leadership training and staff caregiver SUPPORT must be a priority in care homes
How in-person support can make a huge difference in our loved ones’ health and joy
This is not about placing blame...
✨💛 ✨It’s about shining a light on eldercare reform, sharing my story as an example, and offering soul-fueled, research-backed ways to do better—for caregivers, for residents, and for the families who love them.✨💛 ✨
This is the first in a series of episodes that will bring practical tools, caregiver education, emotional support, and advocacy strategies to the forefront.
✨💛 ✨ If you are a caregiver or concerned family member, you are not alone—and your voice matters!!! ✨💛 ✨
✨💛 ✨It is time we rise, and it is time we RISE TOGETHER! ✨💛✨
SHARE THE LOVE!
Caregiving, Family Conflict & Finding Your POP Team with Jane Wolf Frances (Part 2)
Season 1 · Episode 18
Saturday, May 24, 2025 • Duration 43:07
Welcome back, beautiful souls. This is Part 2 of our heartfelt and inspiring conversation with Jane Wolf Frances, psychotherapist, author of “Parenting Our Parents: Transforming the Challenge Into a Journey of Love,” and creator of the global POP Coaching Program.
In this episode, we go deeper into family dynamics, and how to co-create your caregiving dream team, no matter how complicated things feel right now. We talk about spousal caregivers, long-distance support, and why finding your strengths (and your people!) can change the whole journey. Plus: how music and forgiveness can become soul-level medicine—for your loved one and for you.
This is a masterclass in intentional caregiving, family healing, and finding peace in the mess!
This one’s for every caregiver, and every soul supporting a caregiver.
In this episode we chat:
How to build your POP Team & assign roles based on natural strengths
When it’s time for each team member to ask: “How would I like this to go?”
The power of forgiveness as freedom
Music is medicine! Why music awakens memory—even in advanced dementia
How to move from sacrifice to choice with the words: “I choose to…”
And ways that might help to get your family on the same page, even when it feels impossible
💖SHARE THE LOVE!💖 If DWD touches your heart, please share it with another caregiver! And subscribe, rate, and review to help others find this community of light, love, and advocacy.
Parenting Our Parents: Family Conflict, Responsive Caregiving & POP Wisdom with Jane Wolf Frances (Part 1)
Season 1 · Episode 17
Friday, May 16, 2025 • Duration 53:36
Are you caring for an aging parent while navigating sibling tension, family drama, or emotional burnout? You’re not alone! In this powerful first episode of a two-part series, Kama sits down with psychotherapist, author, and former attorney Jane Wolf Frances—creator of the POP (Parenting Our Parents) Coaching Program and author of Parenting Our Parents: Transforming the Challenge into a Journey of Love.
Together, they explore:
The power of embracing career transitions for a better CG experience
The common topic of sibling disagreements in caregiving
Why “safe” support is essential for young and midlife caregivers
How to shift from reactivity to responsive caregiving
The critical role of forgiveness and the power of breathwork in caregiver calm
There is an epidemic in the US: the exponentially expanding number of young caregivers… Jane, like me, is on a mission to bring more love, and even healing, to the Caregiver Dance!
Whether you're a caregiver in your 20's, 30s, 40s, or beyond, this episode offers powerful tools and reflections for transforming family caregiving challenges into opportunities for growth, connection, and grace.
🔗Purchase Jane's book wherever you buy your books: "Parenting Our Parents: Transforming the Challenge into a Journey of Love."
Keywords: young caregiver, caregiver family conflict, sibling caregiving support, dementia caregiver podcast, Parenting Our Parents book, caregiving and career change, responsive caregiving tips, caregiving support group, how to care for parents with dementia
💖SHARE THE LOVE!💖
Move Your Muscles, Nourish Your Brain: The Joyful Science of Brain Health with Rachel Daugherty (Part 3 of 3)
Season 1 · Episode 16
Saturday, May 10, 2025 • Duration 01:01:21
Hey hey, beautiful caregiver souls!
Did you know your muscles are glucose sponges and movement is one of the most joyful ways to support your brain? In this high-energy finale to our 3-part series with Rachel Daugherty, we dive into the power of movement, protein, sugar awareness, and self-love as tools for long-term brain health.
If you're a caregiver, a cycle-breaker, or a vibrant being craving sustainable, soul-aligned wellness that supports your whole self—this episode is your reminder that tiny changes can spark massive transformation.
IN THIS EPISODE, WE DANCE THROUGH:
💪 Why your muscles are your brain’s BFF—and how even 10 squats can help regulate blood sugar. 🌈 The joyful magic of “fitness all the time” (yep, vacuuming in your underwear counts!). ☕ Why you might want to delay coffee until after breakfast—and how that supports cortisol balance. 🥚 Why Rachel eats 30–40g of protein every morning—and how that fuels her body and brain. 🍒 How to gently reduce sugar without shame (ever tied frozen cherries?). 💖 Per Rachel D, "The wake-up can come from fear, but the action comes from love!"
PLUS:
🧠 Easy movement tips, kitchen hacks, songs that shift the vibe (hello, Glenn Miller & Glass Animals!), and how to celebrate your wins without perfectionism.
🎧 Whether you're squatting after dinner, stirring eggs before coffee, or dancing it out in your bathroom—this episode will light up your day and empower your brain for the long run.
Brain Health, Alzheimer's Disease, Genetics, and Blood Sugar Balance- Saving Your Brain, Regardless of Genetics Part 2/3 With Rachel Daugherty
Season 1 · Episode 15
Thursday, May 1, 2025 • Duration 38:55
What if I told you that Cognitive Decline isn’t just about genetics? Did you know it’s about today’s habits, your beautiful body, and even your sleep and stress levels?
In Part 2 of my radiant conversation with Rachel from @bootyandbrains.co, we’re digging into:
👉 Why Alzheimer’s prevention starts DECADES before symptoms
👉 Why blood sugar regulation = energy, clarity, and joy
👉 How understanding your physiology gives you POWER (not pressure)
👉 How it’s never too late to reclaim your vitality and future!
👉 Why daily habits + metabolic health deeply impact your brain
👉 How rest, play, and nervous system love are powerful brain protectors ✨
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the idea of "brain health," this is your sign: You don’t have to do it all at once. You just have to love yourself enough to begin!
Rachel was a young Caregiver for her mother and is now a fierce advocate for helping ALL caregivers, especially sones & daughters who care for a parent with dementia, to have the best, brightest, beautiful brains for LIFE! She is energetic. She is knowledgeable. AND SHE IS HERE TO HELP YOU SAVE YOUR BRAIN!
We left off the first episode talking about how a parent with Alzheimer's does not mean ALZ for YOU!!!! Sit back, relax, grab some tea, or head out for a soulful walk to infuse your mind, body, and spirit! We hope you enjoy today’s chat!
Now, let's DANCE!
🧠✨JOIN RACHEL DAUGHERTY FOR MORE!✨🧠 👉 From Stuck to Strong: The Metabolic Rebuild for Brain & Body is happening now! Join the waitlist @: ➡️ Learn more at bootyandbrains.co or on IG
Michelle Obama Arms & SoulFish Self-Love: Brain Health & Blood Sugar! The Booty & Brains Origin Story (Part 1 of 3)
Season 1 · Episode 14
Thursday, April 24, 2025 • Duration 51:31
Hey hey, beautiful caregiver souls!
Did you know research shows that the effects of dementia can begin in the brain 20+ years before symptoms appear? Today’s guest is about to light up your mind, your heart, and your soul!
Meet Rachel Daugherty from Booty & Brains—a vibrant, radiant voice in the wellness world who turned her mother’s Alzheimer's diagnosis into a mission for brain-first, soul-aligned living. In this powerful kickoff to our 3-part series, Rachel shares how caregiving cracked her open, changed her life, and taught her the deep connection between metabolic health and the mind.
🧠✨WE TALK:✨🧠
Preventative self-care is a love letter to your future self. What you do now matters!
Alzheimer’s isn’t all genetics—it’s metabolic too. Lifestyle, stress, and daily choices play a huge role. The cascade can start decades before symptoms.
Reparenting while caregiving is real—and it's powerful. Kama shares how caring for her mom gave her the chance to reparent the self.
Laughter, levity, and weirdness are medicine. Rachel brings science with sparkle and proves self-love can be fun, weird, and wildly effective.
Young caregivers and feeling “too young” for the weight of it all.
Why squats, self-love lemonade, and Michelle Obama arms matter.
How our future self is always watching, cheering, and waiting!
This is a story of resilience, realness, and radiant transformation. Thank you for dancing with us today!
🧠✨JOIN RACHEL for MORE!✨🧠
From Stuck to Strong: The Metabolic Rebuild for Brain & Body is open for registration!
Learn how to reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s while creating sustainable practices that transform your body and brain.
Class begins April 27th — and if you’re listening after that, don’t worry! Doors stay open just a little longer.
Hey beautiful souls, today’s episode is a little different. I’ve temporarily "misplaced" my voice (yep, even caregivers need a pause sometimes!), so I wasn’t able to record the full episode I had planned for you this week.
In this short update, I share a little love, a reminder to care for yourself as fiercely as you care for others, and a promise that I’ll be back with something special to make up for today! Plus, we’ve got an incredible guest joining us next Wednesday!
Until next time, keep dancing, keep shining, and remember to fill your own beautiful cup, especially in the messy, raw, beautiful moments! You are never alone. 💖
✨ Special Announcement: Enrollment is opening soon for Caregivers Rising—an intimate 6-week experience designed to help caregivers not just survive, but thrive. Whether you’re just stepping into this role or realizing caregiving is about to become a bigger part of your life, this space is for you. Join the waitlist: www.SynergyRisingLife.com
✨ Share the Love: If this episode touched your heart, please share it with another caregiver who needs this message. And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review to help others find this community of light, love, and advocacy.
💖SHARE THE LOVE!💖 If DWD touches your heart, please share it with another caregiver! And subscribe, rate, and review to help others find this community of light, love, and advocacy.
💃🏻Have topic requests, want to nominate a guest, or book a 1:1 consultation with me? Connect with us at SynergyRising.Life!💃🏻
Have you ever found yourself as a caregiver—especially a young caregiver—feeling unheard, dismissed, or unsure whether to speak up? You are not alone. In this heartfelt solo-sode, host Kama shares a recent, personal story that sparked a powerful reminder: your voice matters.
Through real-life caregiving experiences and wisdom gained from over 20 years in healthcare, Kama invites listeners to step into their power, borrow courage when needed, and advocate fiercely and lovingly for those they care for. Whether it's navigating care homes, assisted living, or medical teams, this episode reminds us that advocacy is not aggression—it's love in action.
If you’ve been waiting for a sign to speak your truth, this is it.
In this episode, Kama shares:
Why young caregivers often feel dismissed—and why that needs to change
The power of advocacy, even when your voice shakes
A behind-the-scenes story of speaking up at her mother’s care home
Why escalating concerns to leadership is not just okay—it’s necessary
A heartfelt message from another resident’s family that sparked today’s message
Encouragement to be "that person" who speaks up for what's right
A soul pep talk to carry you through the tough moments
✨ Special Announcement:✨ Enrollment is opening soon for Caregivers Rising—an intimate 6-week experience designed to help caregivers not just survive, but thrive. Whether you’re just stepping into this role or realizing caregiving is about to become a bigger part of your life, this space is for you. Join the waitlist: www.SynergyRisingLife.com
✨✨✨If this episode touched your heart, please share it with another caregiver who needs this message. And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review to help others find this community of light, love, and advocacy.✨✨✨
Can you still take that trip as a Caregiver? How to receive & embrace the joy!
Season 1 · Episode 11
Thursday, April 3, 2025 • Duration 36:18
Ever feel like you have to cancel joy just to survive caregiving? In this raw and heart-centered solo episode, Kama shares a deeply personal story about almost canceling her birthday trip—and why she’s so glad she didn’t. From care home chaos to soul family reunions, this episode is a love letter to every caregiver who’s ever wondered if it’s okay to receive, to fill up their own cup, to say yes to joy.
Kama opens up about the emotional tug-of-war caregivers face when choosing between duty and desire—and how we can learn to trust ourselves and make soul-aligned decisions, even when life is messy. If you’ve ever second-guessed a moment of self-care, this is your permission slip to receive, reset, and recharge.
🌈 Key Takeaways:🌈
✨ Receiving is Healing: Learning to receive is just as important as giving. Kama shares how saying “yes” to soul fuel helped her return recharged and ready to show up with more love and light. ✨ Honor Your Needs: The voices of guilt and “shoulds” are loud for caregivers. Kama shows us how to tune in to a deeper truth—and listen to your higher self. ✨ Flexibility is Power: Shortening the trip, changing flights, asking for help—caregiving and joy can coexist when we get scrappy and resourceful. ✨ Build Your Receiving Muscle: Every moment of receiving—big or small—is a gift and a practice. You are worthy of all the love and support you give so freely. ✨ Messy is Real and Beautiful: From lost voice to lost recordings, Kama reminds us that even when things fall apart, there’s still magic in the mess.
✨🌈✨ A Loving Reminder:✨🌈✨ Dear caregivers, your journey is sacred, as is your joy. You can shine your light and care for someone else’s—find ways to nourish both. When you receive, you amplify your ability to give.✨🌈✨
💌 Special Announcement:
Are you a Caregiver on the Dancefloor of Life? 🎶 Coming soon: Caregivers Rising, an intimate 6-week experience designed to equip you with the tools, tips, and soul support to not just survive—but truly thrive.
💌 Whether you're just stepping into caregiving or starting to realize it’s about to be a much bigger part of your life, this course is for YOU.
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If DWD touches your heart, please share it with another caregiver! And subscribe, rate, and review to help others find this community of light, love, and advocacy.
💃🏻Have topic requests, want to nominate a guest, or book a 1:1 consultation with me? Connect with us at SynergyRising.Life!💃🏻
💃🏻✨💃🏻 Special Announcement:💃🏻✨💃🏻 Enrollment opens soon for Caregivers Rising—a self-paced course designed to help caregivers not just survive, but thrive. Join the waitlist: SynergyRising.Life
💃🏻Have topic requests, want to nominate a guest, or book a 1:1 consultation with me? Connect with us at SynergyRising.Life!💃🏻
💃🏻✨💃🏻 Special Announcement:💃🏻✨💃🏻 Enrollment opens soon for Caregivers Rising—a self-paced course designed to help caregivers not just survive, but thrive. Join the waitlist: SynergyRising.Life
If DWD touches your heart, please share it with another caregiver! And subscribe, rate, and review to help others find this community of light, love, and advocacy.
💃🏻Have topic requests, want to nominate a guest, or book a 1:1 consultation with me? Connect with us at SynergyRising.Life!💃🏻
💃🏻✨💃🏻 Special Announcement:💃🏻✨💃🏻 Enrollment opens soon for Caregivers Rising—a self-paced course designed to help caregivers not just survive, but thrive. Join the waitlist: SynergyRising.Life
✨Move your body with love, feed your future self, protect your brain with joy, and keep dancing, caregivers—the world needs your special light!✨
💖SHARE THE LOVE!💖 If DWD touches your heart, please share it with another caregiver! And subscribe, rate, and review to help others find this community of light, love, and advocacy.
💃🏻Have topic requests, want to nominate a guest, or book a 1:1 consultation with me? Connect with us at SynergyRising.Life!💃🏻
💃🏻✨💃🏻 Special Announcement:💃🏻✨💃🏻 Enrollment opens soon for Caregivers Rising—a self-paced course designed to help caregivers not just survive, but thrive. Join the waitlist: SynergyRising.Life
~UNTIL NEXT WEEK~ 💖 Be kind to your past self. 🧠 Toast your future self. 💃🏻 And keep dancing with all the light & love you've got!
💖SHARE THE LOVE!💖 If DWD touches your heart, please share it with another caregiver! And subscribe, rate, and review to help others find this community of light, love, and advocacy.
💃🏻Have topic requests, want to nominate a guest, or book a 1:1 consultation with me? Connect with us at SynergyRising.Life!💃🏻
💃🏻✨💃🏻 Special Announcement:💃🏻✨💃🏻 Enrollment opens soon for Caregivers Rising—a self-paced course designed to help caregivers not just survive, but thrive. Join the waitlist: SynergyRising.Life
💖 Be kind to your past self.💖 🥂 Toast your future self. 🥂 💃🏻 And keep dancing with all the light & love you’ve got.💃🏻
💖SHARE THE LOVE!💖 If DWD touches your heart, please share it with another caregiver! And subscribe, rate, and review to help others find this community of light, love, and advocacy.
💃🏻Have topic requests, want to nominate a guest, or book a 1:1 consultation with me? Connect with us at SynergyRising.Life!💃🏻
💃🏻✨💃🏻 Special Announcement:💃🏻✨💃🏻 Enrollment opens soon for Caregivers Rising—a self-paced course designed to help caregivers not just survive, but thrive. Join the waitlist: SynergyRising.Life
💃🏻✨💃🏻 Special Announcement:💃🏻✨💃🏻 Enrollment opens soon for Caregivers Rising—a self-paced course designed to help caregivers not just survive, but thrive. Join the waitlist: SynergyRising.Life
💃🏻💃🏻Until next time, keep dancing through life—especially in the messy, raw, beautiful moments. You are never alone! 💃🏻💃🏻
💖SHARE THE LOVE!💖 If DWD touches your heart, please share it with another caregiver! And subscribe, rate, and review to help others find this community of light, love, and advocacy.
💃🏻Have topic requests, want to nominate a guest, or book a 1:1 consultation with me? Connect with us at SynergyRising.Life!💃🏻
💃🏻✨💃🏻 Special Announcement:💃🏻✨💃🏻 Enrollment opens soon for Caregivers Rising—a self-paced course designed to help caregivers not just survive, but thrive. Join the waitlist: SynergyRising.Life
💖SHARE THE LOVE!💖 If DWD touches your heart, please share it with another caregiver! And subscribe, rate, and review to help others find this community of light, love, and advocacy.
💃🏻Have topic requests, want to nominate a guest, or book a 1:1 consultation with me? Connect with us at SynergyRising.Life!💃🏻
💃🏻✨💃🏻 Special Announcement:💃🏻✨💃🏻 Enrollment opens soon for Caregivers Rising—a self-paced course designed to help caregivers not just survive, but thrive. Join the waitlist: SynergyRising.Life
