Are you living a Sandwich Generation life raising kids while caring for aging parents? Have you lost yourself in the process of taking care of everyone else's needs but your own? In this podcast we'll talk about the ups, downs and in-betweens of juggling parenting, elder-care, relationships, work and everything else involved in Living in the Sandwich Zone all while embarking on a quest to reclaim joy!
Pits and Peaks: How Our Downs in Life Can Help Us Get Up
I've been busy navigating the ups and downs of life and working on wrapping up my Master's degree so haven't been very present in this space. But it's the eve of my second law-free year of life so thought I'd commemorate the anniversary of my retirement with a little podcasting.
In today's episode I catch you up on what's been going on and finally circle back to talk a little bit about Goat Before You Vote and how that event was born.
You'll also hear why Happiness School hasn't...well...been so happy the past few weeks.
You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne (https://www.instagram.com/karen.e.osborne)
Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich (https://bit.ly/LITSZ_Club_Sandwich)
30 Oct 2025
Support Jamaican Relief
As many of you know, though I was born in the United States, my family is from Jamaica. This week Jamaica was hit by Hurricane Melissa--a Category 5 hurricane and the most severe to ever hit the island.
I know in my heart that Jamaica is resilient and will rise from this tragedy, however, they cannot do it alone.
Please consider making a financial contribution to the relief and recovery efforts in Jamaica.
Hurricane Melissa – Jamaica Relief Organizations **UPDATED**
We received updated information from my cousin this morning 10/30. He is a former member of Parliament and someone I trust implicitly. His message is as follows:
"For persons who have been asking where they can donate, this is an official site accepting donations. Thank you in advance 🙏🏼💪🏼 🇯🇲"
Official Jamaican Government Relief Portal (https://supportjamaica.gov.jm/)
https://supportjamaica.gov.jm (https://supportjamaica.gov.jm/)
Below is a list of other relief organizations responding to the humanitarian crisis in Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa. Each description includes a concise overview of the organization and its current role in relief and recovery efforts. This is by no means and exhaustive list but I hope that it will help to facilitate and expedite the donation process.
Global Empowerment Mission (GEM)
https://www.globalempowermentmission.org/mission/hurricane-melissa/ (https://www.globalempowermentmission.org/mission/hurricane-melissa/)
U.S‑based disaster‑relief NGO focused on rapid logistics and supplies. GEM has launched a dedicated 'Hurricane Melissa' mission, staging warehouses and shipments to deliver emergency aid across Jamaica.
Project HOPE
https://www.projecthope.org/news-stories/responses/hurricane-melissa-how-to-help/ (https://www.projecthope.org/news-stories/responses/hurricane-melissa-how-to-help/)
Global health organization founded in 1958. Its emergency response teams are providing medical and humanitarian support, including hygiene kits, mental‑health first aid, and medical supplies in heavily affected areas.
Jamaica Red Cross
https://www.jamaicaredcross.org (https://www.jamaicaredcross.org/)
The national Red Cross society coordinating shelters, distributing hygiene and clean‑water kits, and mobilizing volunteers in partnership with the international Red Cross network.
World Food Programme (WFP)
https://donate.wfp.org/1244/donation/single?campaign=5376&_ga=2.170418464.144588186.1761800423-169719419.1761800423 (https://donate.wfp.org/1244/donation/single?campaign=5376&_ga=2.170418464.144588186.1761800423-169719419.1761800423)
The United Nations agency providing emergency food relief and logistics coordination. In Jamaica, WFP is airlifting emergency food kits and supporting communities isolated by storm damage.
GlobalGiving Foundation
GlobalGiving Foundation Hurricane Melissa Relief Fund (https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/hurricane-melissa-relief-fund/?rf=ad_google_disaster_response&utm_term=hurricane%20melissa%20relief%20fund&utm_campaign=GlobalGiving+Awareness+(CIM)&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=5321496060&hsa_cam=1831088)
A crowdfunding platform connecting donors to vetted local NGOs. Its 'Hurricane Melissa Relief Fund' channels donations to community‑based groups in Jamaica and other Caribbean nations for food, clean water, and medical support.
Direct Relief
https://donate.directrelief.org/campaign/support-jamaica/c738973?utm_source=arison&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=carnival (https://donate.directrelief.org/campaign/support-jamaica/c738973?utm_source=arison&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=carnival)
Medical‑aid nonprofit distributing emergency medical supplies and funding (~US$250,000) to support hospitals and clinics impacted by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica.
American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ)
https://theafj.app.neoncrm.com/forms/afj-disaster-relief-fund (https://theafj.app.neoncrm.com/forms/afj-disaster-relief-fund)
U.S.‑based diaspora organization with deep ties to Jamaica. AFJ is raising funds for disaster response and working with partners like GEM to deliver relief and recovery assistance.
Before donating, individuals should conduct their own due diligence. Verify financial transparency, determine what percentage of funds go directly to Jamaican relief efforts, and assess each organization's accountability and impact reports. Each donor should choose the organization that best aligns with their values—whether prioritizing rapid response, health care, local empowerment, or long‑term recovery.
23 Oct 2025
Goating Down Memory Lane: A Replay of My Very First Conversation with Hello Critter's Michelle Tritten
Goat Before You Vote was a smashing success! There's so much to tell but I'm way behind on my Happiness homework (or "homeplay" as we like to call it) so haven' t had the chance to record all the fun tales of our fabulous goat fest.
Instead we're "goating" on a trip down memory lane and I'm replaying my very first conversation with Michelle Tritten founder and owner of Hello Critter (my goat yoga kids).
To find out more and connect with Hello Critter click here (https://linktr.ee/hellocritter).
Follow the cute kids at Hello Critter on Instagram at @hellocrittercare (http://www.instagram.com/hellocrittercare).
And you can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne (https://www.instagram.com/karen.e.osborne)
Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich (https://bit.ly/LITSZ_Club_Sandwich)
P.S. And make sure your ballot has been received and counted! You can check the status of your ballot here: Where’s My Ballot (https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ballot-status/wheres-my-ballot)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
66 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
19 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 55 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
77
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
82
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