Siblings Karin and Andrew Edelson are caring for their mother, Joanna, who has Alzheimer's. One year ago, they did the unthinkable - moving Joanna from assisted living back into the home she’s lived in for over 50 years. With the help of amazing caregivers, volunteer visitors, and Andrew, who has also moved back home, they are creating a lovely existence for their mom. Joanna finds joy in playing the piano and singing, belting out catchy riffs on classic tunes. Join them on their journey as they share stories about their experience and seek advice from experts on how to care for a loved one who is struggling with this devastating disease. In this podcast, they explain how they find humor and humanity while creating a community of caregiving listeners.
You can email us at ifitsnotone@gmail.com.
Episode 28: Let's Plan a Funeral! - with Jodie Jacobs of The Ira Kaufman Chapel
After reviewing the funeral pre-plan that Karin led for Joanna - and finding out why Andrew sat that one out - the siblings sit down with social worker and funeral director Jodie Jacobs from The Ira Kaufman Chapel. The trio explores why end-of-life discussions don't have to be taboo or overly somber. Jodie shares how her background in hospice and grief counseling prepared her to help families navigate loss and breaks down the major benefits of pre-planning a funeral - from locking in costs to easing the emotional burden on grieving relatives. Along the way, the group discusses unique traditions, personal requests (including hits like "Happy Trails" and "Knockin' on Heaven's Door"), and practical advice for talking with aging parents. And somehow, seeds are planted for a community funeral pre-planning party. Stay tuned.
irakaufman.com
8 Sept 2026
Episode 27: Motion Medicine With Jill Magill of the Kirk Gibson Center
After sharing Joanna's declining mobility journey and the on-the-job training they went through for how to handle it, Andrew and Karin welcome an expert they wish they had back then. Physical therapist Jill Magill talks about her work at the Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson's and how physical therapy serves as a lifelong commitment to movement. The conversation centers on practical strategies for supporting seniors, particularly those with cognitive decline or dementia who struggle to remember techniques or initiate exercise on their own. Jill shares hands-on advice for caregivers, covering safe techniques for assisting seniors out of chairs, evaluating falls, and avoiding common mistakes like pulling on arms to get up. She also highlights creative, stress-free ways to integrate mobility into daily routines - using music, counting, and short walks - and discusses how wearables and other monitored safety tech empower both seniors and their support networks. And before they go, Andrew shares a moment he'll never forget, thanks to Gibby.
kirkgibsoncenter.org
25 Aug 2026
Episode 26: The Chef Who Built A Culinary Time Machine - With Craig and Jessica Bowerson
In this feel-good episode, the siblings sit down with Craig Bowerson - a chef at a senior home, and his wife Jessica - a senior home director. Their story went viral after they transformed a senior dining experience by bringing personal recipes and deep nostalgia into the kitchen. Craig details how he began gathering residents' treasured family recipes to make institutional dining feel like home, including recreating an entire restaurant experience complete with a live jazz band for a resident living with dementia. The couple opens up about their unexpected interest from Hollywood after a producer reached out about turning their story into a movie, as well as Craig's upcoming cookbook and non-profit initiative aimed at elevating food standards across nursing homes nationwide. Along the way, they share hilarious and touching moments—from Sunday fried chicken revolts and senior pie crust preferences, to navigating communication barriers with care—offering a deeply personal look at how food, compassion, and dignity can transform senior care.
Watch Craig's original viral moment on Instagram
Read Craig's feature on the TODAY Show
Reach and audience
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
7 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 35 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
56
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
Contact If It's Not One Thing, It's Joanna
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