Parenting UP! Caregiving adventures with comedian J Smiles – Details, episodes & analysis

Season seven starts with the part of my story that still catches in my throat, even after 14 years: my dad died, and within months my mom began to fall apart in ways that grief alone couldn’t explain. People around her told me I was overreacting, that it was depression, that it was mourning. I had to trust what I knew about my mother, push for testing, and brace for the avalanche of becoming responsible for her care, her safety, and the life she used to run with ease.

John from Georgia Focus asks the questions a lot of families quietly carry: how do you balance this, how do you keep going, and what does Alzheimer’s caregiving look like when someone can’t reliably tell you what they need? I talk through late stage realities like limited speech, incontinence, assisted walking, and why caregivers can’t wait for “I’m hungry” or “I need help.” We also get honest about the emotional whiplash, the isolation, and the strange moments that become funny later, because humor isn’t disrespectful, it’s survival.

We dig into Alzheimer’s vs dementia, why the terminology matters, and how Parenting Up blends real caregiver stories with the right medical experts, especially clinicians who’ve done caregiving themselves. I also share why I’m cautious about endless research headlines, and what gave us hope after diagnosis: practical changes, including nutrition and treatment, that helped us fight for more good years.

If you care for someone with dementia, or you love someone who does, subscribe, share this with your caregiver group chat, and leave a review so more families can find us when they need it most.

Support the show

"Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!"
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TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi!
Be sure to leave us a review! 

J Smiles was in Anaheim for the Alzheimer’s Association Community Leaders Summit, surrounded by people who volunteer hard, fundraise harder, and refuse to let dementia be the final word. The surprising part isn’t the scale of the event, it’s the energy. This isn’t a room full of resignation. It’s a room full of strategy, laughter, and a belief that progress is real, even when it comes in tiny steps.

Then caregiving interrupts everything. While she was learning about Alzheimer’s advocacy and dementia research, she get a text from Zetty's caregiver about a scary symptom and a sudden drop in alertness. 

In today's episode, we also dig into prevention and brain health in plain language. You’ll hear about Brain Health at Work, how TrialMatch helps people find clinical trials, and a powerful story from the U.S. POINTER study showing measurable improvement through lifestyle changes alone. We talk about movement, food, sleep, social connection, and health monitoring, plus why isolation is a real risk factor. And we name the urgency of reaching the Black community, where Alzheimer’s hits at about twice the rate, with better awareness and participation in research.

If you need a dose of hope that still feels honest, this one is for you. Subscribe for more, share it with a caregiver who needs backup, and leave a review so more families can find the show.

Exec Producer/Host: J Smiles 

Producer: Mia Hall 

Editor: Annelise Udoye

Support the show

"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! 

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 

Support the show

"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! 

J Smiles grapples with whether or not to take the ALZ GENE test. Zetty, her mom, was diagnosed with early onset and Zetty's father had ALZ too. Will knowing make life better or more stressful? J leans into her caregiver crew for support.

PODCAST SHOW NOTES:
ParentingUp! Weekly LIVE TV/Internet INTERACTIVE Show on GetVokl.com:
https://getvokl.com/channel/parenting-up

📲Instagram: Parenting UP!
https://www.instagram.com/parentingup/

🖥 Facebook Page: Parenting UP!
https://www.facebook.com/parentingup

🎥 YouTube Channel: Parenting UP!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDGFb1t2RC_m1yMnFJ2T4jw

Support the show

"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! 

J Smiles is joined by Susan - a daughter, wife, mom and high-powered executive who found herself leading the caregiver charge when was diagnosed with early onset ALZ.

Susan's mom was living independently and completely self-sufficient. Susan was traveling the world with her dream job. Overnight, or so it seemed, ALZ robbed both of them. Listen in as J pulls apart Susan's journey, weaves in her own and injects humor like only she can.

EPISODE Show Notes:
National Academy of Elder Care Lawyers:
https://www.naela.org

Broyles Alzheimer’s Playbook:
https://www.broylesfoundation.org/playbook/

The Green House Project
https://thegreenhouseproject.org

PODCAST SHOW NOTES:
ParentingUp! Weekly LIVE TV/Internet Show on GetVokl.com:
https://getvokl.com/channel/parenting-up

📲Instagram: Parenting UP!
https://www.instagram.com/parentingup/

🖥 Facebook Page: Parenting UP!
https://www.facebook.com/parentingup

🎥 YouTube Channel: Parenting UP!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDGFb1t2RC_m1yMnFJ2T4jw

Support the show

"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! 

Hillary's mom live independently for decades until an unrelated doctor's visit showed mom's brain wasn’t functioning well. Is  it cancer or dementia? A facility, her home or live with family?   

Hillary and her brother (two different states) were bewildered but rallied to care for their mom according to her wishes. You will hear tidbits, advice, jokes and 'oh-wows' galore as J Smiles traces the steps from then to now with Hillary.


📲Instagram: Parenting UP!
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🖥 Facebook Page: Parenting UP!
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🎥 YouTube Channel: Parenting UP!
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📧 Email List: Parenting Up!
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Support the show

"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! 

J Smiles and Yvette continue with part 2. Yvette reveals the eventual diagnosis her mom was given, how her family managed LIFE along the way, her top advice for newbie caregivers and more. Yvette recounts earthy, gritty and heartbreaking moments throughout their 3.5 year battle. J is often caught off guard, holding her heart or choking from laughter. Either way, the honesty and transparency keeps the flow easy. You gain insight on hospitalizations, re-directing with humor and treating yourself with grace. REAL caregiver ISH.

This completes Yvette's TWO part conversation with J Smiles.

SUBSCRIPTIONS
📲Instagram: Parenting UP!
https://www.instagram.com/parentingup/

🖥 Facebook Page: Parenting UP!
https://www.facebook.com/parentingup

🎥 YouTube Channel: Parenting UP!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDGFb1t2RC_m1yMnFJ2T4jw

📧 Email List: Parenting Up!
https://b4db2913.sibforms.com/serve/MUIEAFb7W1pjVP8P4JIrkBHRXOfRw5WmI0diWuV5VYbvytnea2JSVYv6EBwSGk9h_cPs_94Gz2EXg5v69ExKMcSs692SELz4zWoLERp99gNEiaZx8xzQ4xPVZ_6WLRKBofH0PFlsW3V48LQRegv5ybsLstpm14rY8fWyOAM0FhX9Qynnb-aPtwpIRYEMyLK55IcwLbSl2SvsPy8x

Support the show

"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! 

*Audio UPDATE/Correction 6/13/21* 🥰
Few family caregivers have a story that put J Smiles on her butt - Yvette did. Whirlwind does not begin to describe the snap crackle pop speed the dementia used to invade the McNally Family.

During  one  period of April's showers bringing May's flowers sashaying honey sweet cookouts, ALL-HELL broke loose. Doctor's were stymied, the symptoms were too odd to pinpoint. With zero direction, she and her brothers locked hearts, created ground zero plans and walked a tight-rope better than any trained acrobat on the planet. Listen as the family deals with travel, 911 calls, hired-caregiver woes and temporary paralysis of the L.O.

Yvette gives caregivers of all levels hope, inspiration and truth through her honest storytelling of hallucinations, happy times and more.

This is a part ONE of a two part conversation with J Smiles.

SUBSCRIPTIONS
📲Instagram: Parenting UP!
https://www.instagram.com/parentingup/

🖥 Facebook Page: Parenting UP!
https://www.facebook.com/parentingup

🎥 YouTube Channel: Parenting UP!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDGFb1t2RC_m1yMnFJ2T4jw

📧 Email List: Parenting Up!
https://b4db2913.sibforms.com/serve/MUIEAFb7W1pjVP8P4JIrkBHRXOfRw5WmI0diWuV5VYbvytnea2JSVYv6EBwSGk9h_cPs_94Gz2EXg5v69ExKMcSs692SELz4zWoLERp99gNEiaZx8xzQ4xPVZ_6WLRKBofH0PFlsW3V48LQRegv5ybsLstpm14rY8fWyOAM0FhX9Qynnb-aPtwpIRYEMyLK55IcwLbSl2SvsPy8x

Support the show

"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! 

J Smiles struggles with abnormal memory loss and brain fog. Her immediate fear is the early onset of Alzheimer’s  -- any caregiver's nightmare. 
She paints a picture like only J can of the events leading up to her panic and how she navigated  the murky waters to shore.
There are many tie-ins and reference points for you to utilize when speaking with medical professionals should you ever be confronted with "dial-up modem-mind," as J calls it.  As always there is humor throughout.

 SUBSCRIPTIONS
📲Instagram: Parenting UP!
https://www.instagram.com/parentingup/

🖥 Facebook Page: Parenting UP!
https://www.facebook.com/parentingup

🎥 YouTube Channel: Parenting UP!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDGFb1t2RC_m1yMnFJ2T4jw

📧 Email List: Parenting Up!
https://b4db2913.sibforms.com/serve/MUIEAFb7W1pjVP8P4JIrkBHRXOfRw5WmI0diWuV5VYbvytnea2JSVYv6EBwSGk9h_cPs_94Gz2EXg5v69ExKMcSs692SELz4zWoLERp99gNEiaZx8xzQ4xPVZ_6WLRKBofH0PFlsW3V48LQRegv5ybsLstpm14rY8fWyOAM0FhX9Qynnb-aPtwpIRYEMyLK55IcwLbSl2SvsPy8x

Support the show

"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! 

J Smiles chats with Kimberly Cooper, a sandwich generation wife determined to honor her mom's passion for independence even after dementia enters their lives.

Kim details her mom's stroke which nudged the cognitive decline. J is inspired by Kim's approach to caring for her mom: technology, rehab, independence and more.

As only the Parenting Up Podcast can deliver, the listener receives poignant tidbits, real life stories, tried and true solutions, humor and product suggestions.

SUBSCRIPTIONS
📲Instagram: Parenting UP!
https://www.instagram.com/parentingup/

🖥 Facebook Page: Parenting UP!
https://www.facebook.com/parentingup

🎥 YouTube Channel: Parenting UP!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDGFb1t2RC_m1yMnFJ2T4jw

📧 Email List: Parenting Up!
https://b4db2913.sibforms.com/serve/MUIEAFb7W1pjVP8P4JIrkBHRXOfRw5WmI0diWuV5VYbvytnea2JSVYv6EBwSGk9h_cPs_94Gz2EXg5v69ExKMcSs692SELz4zWoLERp99gNEiaZx8xzQ4xPVZ_6WLRKBofH0PFlsW3V48LQRegv5ybsLstpm14rY8fWyOAM0FhX9Qynnb-aPtwpIRYEMyLK55IcwLbSl2SvsPy8x

Support the show

"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!