Care For We Podcast

About Care For We Podcast

The Care For We Podcast is a 7-episode series exploring the realities of family caregiving across the lifespan through a blend of research, lived experiences, and meaningful conversations. Drawing from dissertation findings, personal stories, and expert insights, the podcast examines the challenges, joys, losses, resilience, and identity shifts that often accompany caregiving. Topics include disability, aging, ambiguous loss, family relationships, healthcare systems, advocacy, and the often-unseen emotional labor of caring for others. The goal is to create connection, increase understanding, and bring visibility to the experiences of caregivers and care recipients alike.

Publisher

Sarah Rasby, PhD

Category

science · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

19 Jun 2026

Latest episode

15 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

6 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   15 Jul 2026

   From Research to Reality: Final Findings and Future Directions

   In this special episode of Care For We, Sarah and Drew discuss the final results of the caregiver self-compassion study and discuss what the findings mean for family caregivers, healthcare professionals, and communities. Recorded the day after Sarah successfully defended her dissertation, this conversation reflects on the research journey, key lessons learned, the voices behind the data, and where the work goes from here. Join us as we celebrate a milestone, explore the study's impact, and look ahead to the future of caregiver support. Thank you again to our sponsors: Cafe Botanica, The Key, and Steady Care Collective (formally the Steadii app) https://www.cafe-botanica.com/ (https://www.cafe-botanica.com/) https://www.steadycarecollective.com/ (https://www.steadycarecollective.com/) https://thekey.com/locations/lancaster-county (https://thekey.com/locations/lancaster-county) “Self-Compassion Has to Be the Heartbeat of How I Move Through Life”: A Mixed Methods Study of Family Caregiver Emotional Well-being University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Department of Child, Youth, and Family Studies (2025). The dissertation explores the impact of self-compassion practices on family caregiver emotional well-being, caregiver burden, identity, and resilience. Read the dissertation: UNL Digital Commons Dissertation (https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissunl/370/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Learn More About Family Caregiving AARP Caregiving Resources (https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Family Caregiver Alliance (https://www.caregiver.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers (https://rosalynncarter.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Self-Compassion Resources Dr. Kristin Neff – Self-Compassion Resources (https://self-compassion.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Center for Mindful Self-Compassion (https://centerformsc.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

2. 

   7 Jul 2026

   Listening to Caregivers

   In Episode 5 of Care For We, Sarah is joined once again by Dr. Cody Hollist to unpack what the data revealed before the launch of the self-compassion intervention for family caregivers. Together, they explore the data from the pre-interviews and surveys, the themes, and personal stories shared by caregivers who participated in the research project. What did caregivers tell us about stress, support, isolation, resilience, and self-compassion? What surprised the research team most? And how are these findings shaping an intervention designed not just to study caregivers, but to support them in meaningful ways? We also find out what occurred during the 6-week self-compassion and comparative support group as well. Join us as we move beyond the numbers and into the lived experiences that inspired the next phase of this work.

3. 

   3 Jul 2026

   Episode 4: Building Self-Compassion Into Caregiving

   In Episode 4 of Care For We, Sarah sits down with Dr. Holly Wilhite (formerly Dr. Hatton-Bowers) to explore the power of self-compassion for family caregivers. Drawing from the pioneering work of Dr. Kristen Neff's research (https://self-compassion.org/ (https://self-compassion.org/)) and Dr. Wilhite’s research at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, the conversation examines why self-compassion is often missing from the caregiving experience and how it can improve well-being, resilience, and quality of life. Dr. Wilhite also shares insights into an innovative research project designed to translate self-compassion research into a practical intervention that provides meaningful, real-world support for caregivers. Join us for an inspiring discussion about caring for yourself while caring for others. References Hatton-Bowers, H., Clark, C., Avari, P., Rasby, S., Starr, E., Parra, G., & Wheeler, L. (2022). Supporting Early Childhood Teachers' Emotional and Physiological Well-Being with Mindfulness, Reflection, and Self-Compassion during the COVID-19 Pandemic. National Research Conference on Early Childhood. Hatton-Bowers, H., et al. (2022). Promising Findings that the Cultivating Healthy Intentional Mindful Educators (CHIME) Program Supports Educator Well-Being. This work examined mindfulness and self-compassion as pathways to strengthening caregiver well-being and resilience. Neff, K. D. (2003). Self-Compassion: An Alternative Conceptualization of a Healthy Attitude Toward Oneself. Self and Identity, 2(2), 85–101. Neff, K. D. (2023). Self-Compassion: Theory, Method, Research, and Intervention. Annual Review of Psychology, 74, 193–218. Neff, K. D., & Germer, C. K. (2013). A Pilot Study and Randomized Controlled Trial of the Mindful Self-Compassion Program. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 69(1), 28–44. Neff, K. D., Knox, M. C., Long, P., & Gregory, K. (2020). Caring for Others Without Losing Yourself: An Adaptation of the Mindful Self-Compassion Program for Healthcare Communities. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 76(9), 1543–1562. Community-Based and Co-Design Research References Nina Wallerstein, B., Duran, B., Oetzel, J., & Minkler, M. (2018). Community-Based Participatory Research for Health: Advancing Social and Health Equity. Liz Sanders & Stappers, P. J. (2008). Co-Creation and the New Landscapes of Design. CoDesign, 4(1), 5–18. Elizabeth B.-N. Sanders & Stappers, P. J. (2014). Probes, Toolkits and Prototypes: Three Approaches to Making in Codesigning.

4. 

   30 Jun 2026

   Episode 3: The Story Behind the Statistics

   What do family caregiving statistics really tell us, and what do they leave out? In Episode 3 of the Care For We Podcast, co-hosts Sarah Rasby and Drew Bohlke are joined by special guest Jina Ragland, Senior Associate State Director of Advocacy and Outreach for Nebraska AARP. Together, they explore the current landscape of family caregiving in Nebraska and across the United States, examining the numbers that help define caregiving while also uncovering the human stories behind the data. The conversation highlights the prevalence of family caregiving, the economic value caregivers provide, the challenges many caregivers face, and the implications these realities have for families, communities, healthcare systems, and policy. Most importantly, Sarah, Drew, and Jina discuss how statistics represent real people whose experiences often remain unseen despite the critical role they play in supporting loved ones. Co-Hosts: Sarah Rasby and Drew Bohlke Special Guest: Jina Ragland, Senior Associate State Director, Nebraska AARP Audio Editing: Ben Frerichs References and Resources AARP & National Alliance for Caregiving. (2020). Caregiving in the United States 2020. Washington, DC: Author. AARP Public Policy Institute. (2023). Valuing the Invaluable: 2023 Update—Strengthening Supports for Family Caregivers. Washington, DC: Author. National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) & AARP. (2020). Caregiving in the U.S. 2020. Washington, DC: Author. Nebraska AARP. (2024). Nebraska Family Caregiver Resources and Advocacy Information. Lincoln, NE: AARP Nebraska. AARP Nebraska Caregiving Resources (https://states.aarp.org/nebraska/caregiving?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Caregiving in the U.S. Report (https://www.caregiving.org/caregiving-in-the-us-2020/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Valuing the Invaluable Report (https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/financial-legal/info-2023/valuing-the-invaluable.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

5. 

   22 Jun 2026

   Episode 2: Why Family Caregivers Matter- Research, Relationships, and Community

   In Episode 2 of the Care For We Podcast, I sit down with my former graduate co-advisor, Dr. Cody Hollist, to explore why family caregivers deserve greater attention in research, policy, and practice. Cody and I reflect on a mentoring relationship that began at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 2001 when Sarah was an undergraduate student. More than twenty years later, we worked together on my dissertation and course work at UNL, examining the experiences of family caregivers through a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach. Rather than conducting research on communities, CBPR emphasizes conducting research with communities, recognizing that those living the experience often possess the deepest knowledge about the challenges they face and the solutions that may work. Together, we discuss the vision behind the dissertation project and how caregiver voices, stories, and expertise will help guide the research process. We explore how scholarship can become a vehicle for empowerment, relationship-building, and social change while creating knowledge that is both academically rigorous and practically meaningful. Dr, Cody Hollist is a Licensed Independent Marriage and Family Therapist, whose work focuses on trauma, resilience, family well-being, and community-engaged research. Throughout his career, Dr. Hollist has collaborated with communities both locally and internationally- primarily in Brazil- to better understand how individuals and families navigate adversity while building pathways toward healing and resilience. Whether you are a family caregiver, healthcare professional, student, researcher, or someone interested in creating stronger communities, this conversation offers an inside look at how research and lived experience can come together to advance understanding, connection, and care. Dr. Cody Hollist is a Licensed Independent Marriage and Family Therapist, his work focuses on trauma, resilience, family well-being, and community-engaged research. Throughout his career, Dr. Hollist has collaborated with communities both locally and internationally- primarily in Brazil- to better understand how individuals and families navigate adversity while building pathways toward healing and resilience. Learn More About Community-Based Participatory Research here: Israel, B. A., Eng, E., Schulz, A. J., & Parker, E. A. (Eds.). (2013). Methods for community-based participatory research for health (2nd ed.). Jossey-Bass. Minkler, M., & Wallerstein, N. (Eds.). (2018). Community-based participatory research for health: Advancing social and health equity (3rd ed.). Jossey-Bass. Wallerstein, N., Duran, B., Oetzel, J., & Minkler, M. (Eds.). (2018). Community-based participatory research for health: Advancing social and health equity (3rd ed.). Jossey-Bass. Cargo, M., & Mercer, S. L. (2008). The value and challenges of participatory research: Strengthening its practice. Annual Review of Public Health, 29, 325–350. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.publhealth.29.091307.083824 (https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.publhealth.29.091307.083824)

6. 

   19 Jun 2026

   Episode 1: The Story Behind Care For We

   In the very first episode of Care For We- episode 1 of 7- I share the personal story behind this podcast; how Erin became disabled and how I unexpectedly stepped into the role of caregiver. What began as a journey through uncertainty, grief, advocacy, and love eventually became a deeper understanding of caregiving and the countless invisible challenges families face every day. This episode is not only our story; it is also an introduction to the conversations ahead. Together, we will explore caregiving, disability, chronic illness, family relationships, identity, grief, resilience, policy, healthcare systems, and the often-overlooked experiences of those who provide care. Whether you are a caregiver, care recipient, healthcare professional, researcher, family member, or someone simply trying to understand this world better, this podcast was created with you in mind. Welcome to Care For We—because caregiving was never meant to be carried alone.

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Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.