Welcome to Hospice Redefined, the podcast where we explore the true purpose of hospice care and provide caregivers, families, and healthcare professionals with the tools, support, and insights they need.
Hospice is often misunderstood—seen as a final chapter or a sign of giving up. But in reality, hospice is about life: living with dignity, comfort, and connection during one of life’s most meaningful transitions.
I’m your host, Rachel Carta, a Registered Hospice Nurse, and alongside an amazing team of hospice professionals, we’re here to shift the narrative.
8. The Lighting of the Candles — Honoring Grief During the Holidays
Host Rachel shares her poem, "The Lighting of the Candles," and discusses honoring grief with compassion during the holiday season, offering solace and validation for those experiencing loss.
7 Nov 2025
7. Finding Hope Through Grief: Honoring Loved Ones During the Holidays
Hospice professionals Rachel Carta RN, Carrie Stine, John Myers, and Jamie Samples discuss finding hope through grief during the holidays by honoring loved ones through small acts of remembrance in this interview episode.
31 Jul 2025
6. The Healing Power of the Butterfly Release
CARRIE STINE, a spiritual caregiver, discusses the symbolism and impact of the Annual Butterfly Release event for Geisinger Hospice, which supports grieving families and honors loved ones in this interview.
30 Jul 2025
5. Navigating Family Dynamics During Hospice Care
Social worker John Myers discusses family dynamics during hospice care with Rachel Carta, RN, exploring communication strategies and support systems for caregivers facing intensified emotions and role changes in this interview.
14 May 2025
4. Not Just a Patient: How Trauma-Informed Care Helps Us See the Whole Person
Guest: Kate Zuraw, LICSW – Trauma-Informed Care Specialist & Founder of Liminal Resilience
In this powerful episode, we go beyond diagnoses and care plans to talk about what truly matters at the end of life: seeing the person behind the illness.
Our guest, Kate Zuraw, brings over a decade of expertise in trauma-informed care and shares how we can shift our mindset and practices to better support the emotional and psychological needs of those we care for.
Whether you're a caregiver, healthcare professional, or someone walking alongside a loved one, this conversation will give you the tools—and perspective—you need to bring more compassion, dignity, and presence to your care.
What trauma really is—and how it lives in the body
Why trauma-informed care is essential in hospice and healthcare
How to respond to "resistance" and “noncompliance” with compassion and curiosity
The importance of honoring a person’s identity, even as illness progresses
Small ways to offer autonomy, safety, and trust
Why remembering “who they were” changes everything
How caregiver self-awareness and self-care impacts the quality of support we offer
“Just because someone is sick or dying doesn’t mean they’re a different person. We have to remember who they were—what they loved, who they’ve always been—because that identity still matters.”
🧾 Download the Caregiver Self-Care Checklist (https://hospiceredefined.com/checklist)
📘 Follow Kate on Instagram: @liminalresilience (https://instagram.com/liminalresilience)
🌐 Visit her blog: Liminal Resilience (https://liminalresilience.mykajabi.com/blog)
🎧 Listen to Episode 3 (https://hospiceredefined.com/podcast-4738/b/3-Simple-Yet-Powerful-Ways-to-Support-Your-Body-as-a-Caregiver)for more caregiver support and self-care strategies
Know someone caring for a loved one or working in healthcare? Share this episode to help spread the message of trauma-informed, compassionate hospice care.
15 Apr 2025
3. 3 Simple Yet Powerful Ways to Support Your Body as a Caregiver
Caregiving is one of the most meaningful—and exhausting—roles we can take on. In this solo episode, Rachel Carta, RN, hospice nurse and functional nutrition counselor, shares three simple yet powerful ways caregivers can care for their own bodies, plus a bonus tip that might be the most important one of all.
These aren’t lofty or complicated strategies. They’re accessible, doable, and grounded in real-life caregiving. Whether you're in the thick of caring for someone or supporting a loved one who is, this episode offers gentle guidance and actionable support.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
Why hydration is more than just “drink more water”
How to find small, guilt-free moments of rest
Simple ways to add more nutrition (without overhauling your meals)
The one thing most caregivers resist—but desperately need: asking for help
A bonus reminder to get outside and breathe (yes, it really helps)
Taking care of yourself is not a luxury. It’s essential.
💛 Download your free Caregiver Self-Care Checklist at:
HospiceRedefined.com (https://hospiceredefined.com)
If you know a caregiver who could use this encouragement, please share this episode with them. Sometimes the smallest act can make the biggest difference.
19 Mar 2025
2. Navigating the Emotional Rollercoaster of Caregiving: Finding Support and Strength
In this powerful episode of Hospice Redefined, we explore the emotional toll caregiving takes on the body and mind.
Join host Rachel Carta, RN, as she speaks with John Myers, a seasoned hospice social worker. Together, they dive into the complex emotions caregivers face, including grief, guilt, and the emotional rollercoaster that often comes with caring for a loved one at the end of life.
Through this heartfelt conversation, we’ll uncover why support is crucial, how to manage the ups and downs of caregiving, and how caregivers can better care for themselves in the process.
Whether you’re currently caregiving, have been in the past, or are preparing for it in the future, this episode offers valuable insights and compassion for everyone navigating the journey.
Key Takeaways:
How grief plays a major role in caregiving, even before loss occurs
The emotional rollercoaster of caregiving and how to manage the ups and downs
The importance of having a strong support system to avoid isolation
Practical tips for caregivers on managing emotions and stress
Why self-care is essential and how to prioritize your own well-being while caregiving
Resources:
Link to Hospice Redefined Website (https://hospiceredefined.com)
Caregiver Self-Care Checklist (https://hospiceredefined.com/checklist)
Sponsor:This episode is sponsored by Geisinger Hospice. Learn more about their compassionate care and how they can support you and your family at a critical time by calling 570-473-6317.
Connect with Us:
HospiceRedefined@gmail.com (hospiceredefined@gmail.com)
Share this Episode:Know someone who might benefit from this episode? Share it with them and help us spread the word about the importance of compassionate caregiving and support.
5 Mar 2025
1. Hospice Redefined: Understanding the True Purpose of Hospice Care
Hospice is often misunderstood as a sign of giving up, but in reality, it’s about living with dignity, comfort, and connection during one of life’s most profound transitions.
In this very first episode of Hospice Redefined, host Rachel Carta, RN, is joined by Geisinger Hospice social worker John Myers to discuss the biggest misconceptions about hospice care.
They dive into why so many families hesitate to seek hospice support, the fear surrounding the word itself, and how hospice can actually improve quality of life—and even extend it. They also explain the crucial role of the hospice care team and why receiving care earlier rather than later makes a significant difference.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✔️ Why hospice is about living, not dying
✔️ The biggest misconception: Does hospice hasten death?
✔️ The emotional and physical connection in end-of-life care
✔️ How early hospice care can improve quality of life
✔️ The key roles of the hospice care team, including nurses, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers
✔️ How caregivers can receive the support they need
Resources & Links:
🔗 Visit hospiceredefined.com (http://hospiceredefined.com) for resources and our Caregiver Self-Care Checklist
📩 Have questions? Contact us via our website—we’d love to hear from you!
💙 If you found this episode helpful, please share it with someone who may benefit.
This episode is brought to you by Geisinger Hospice – Compassionate care when it matters most.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 28 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
42
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
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