The Sandwich Years Podcast is for those balancing care for aging parents, supporting dependents, careers, and their own well-being — all at once. Through real stories, expert conversations, and practical insights, we explore caregiving, grief, self-care, finances, health, and family dynamics. Honest, compassionate, and relatable, this podcast reminds you that even when life feels overwhelming, you are not alone. Because in the Sandwich Years, we are truly Squeezed & Blessed.
Follow, listen, and connect at sandwichyears.com, @sandwichyears
In this deeply personal episode of the Sandwich Years Podcast, Chantel sits down with Melanie and Erica, co-founders of Normalizing Grief, for an honest conversation about loss, boundaries, self-care and learning to live alongside grief.
Melanie shares her experience of losing her 23-year-old son, Troy, to cancer after years of illness, anticipatory grief and medical advocacy. Erica shares the sudden loss of her 18-year-old son, Kai, to accidental drug poisoning in 2021.
Together, they discuss:
Why self-care is more than spa days and appointments
Learning to say “no” without guilt
Setting boundaries based on your own capacity
Allowing yourself to truly feel your feelings
Practical ways to support someone who is grieving
Why saying the names of loved ones who have died matters
Finding ways to remember how they lived—not only how they died
They also share information about the Voluma Conference 2026, taking place October 24, 2026, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Ajax, created to support bereaved parents and their allies.
Watch or listen to this powerful conversation about grief, love, boundaries and finding ways to continue forward after unimaginable loss.
You don’t have to do this alone. We see you.
Studio Credit: Perspective Studio Productions
#SandwichYears #SqueezedAndBlessed #NormalizingGrief
10 Sept 2026
Accepting Help, Finding Peace in the Sandwich Years
Caring for a parent with dementia can bring difficult decisions, changing family roles and a constant need to adapt. It can also teach us the importance of accepting help and finding moments of peace along the way.
In this episode, Chantel speaks with Minnelle, a busy daughter navigating her father’s dementia journey. Minnelle shares what she learned while recognizing changes in her father’s health, exploring care options and supporting him through the transition into a care setting.
She discusses the importance of building a relationship with care-home staff, helping others see the person behind the diagnosis, staying connected through technology and navigating different caregiving roles within the family.
Minnelle and Chantel also talk about accepting help without guilt, finding support and making space for your own well-being while caring for someone you love.
In this conversation, you'll hear about:
• Recognizing changes in a parent that may signal dementia
• Understanding different care options and levels of support
• Helping care staff see the person behind the diagnosis
• Building a collaborative relationship with your loved one's care team
• Using technology to stay connected from a distance
• Navigating different caregiving roles among siblings
• Learning to accept help without guilt
• Finding peace during a challenging caregiving journey
• Creating a safe space to recharge and protect your own well-being
• Why community and friendships matter during the caregiving journey
Minnelle’s story is a reminder that caregiving can be deeply personal, but it does not have to be carried alone. Accepting help is not a sign of weakness—it is part of creating a healthier and more sustainable caregiving journey.
💚 You don't have to do this alone. We see you.
Visit Sandwich Years for more caregiving conversations, resources, Supportive Brands and upcoming community events.
#DementiaCaregiver #DementiaCare #CaregiverSupport #AgingParents #CaregivingJourney #CaregiverSelfCare #SeniorCare #FamilyCaregiver
Lovingly Dedicated To LW
Rest in peace
9 Aug 2026
Siblings Navigating Care Together
In this episode of Sandwich Years, we sit down with sisters Tina Calleri and Sylvia Caller to talk about navigating the Sandwich Years while supporting aging parents, raising adult children, and embracing the joy of becoming grandparents.
Together, we discuss how their family came together after the sudden loss of their father, the difficult decisions they faced, and the caregiving journey that followed as they supported their mother.
In this episode, we discuss:
Caring for aging parents while supporting children and grandchildren
How to prepare for the unexpected with proactive family planning
Dividing caregiving responsibilities among siblings
Supporting one another through grief and difficult medical decisions
The importance of communication, grace, and compassion within families
Why grandparents have a unique opportunity to guide the next generation
Building stronger family connections during life's most challenging seasons
Tina and Sylvia share practical advice for families navigating caregiving, including creating schedules, assigning responsibilities, involving extended family, and planning before a crisis happens.
Most importantly, they remind us that our loved ones don't need perfection—they need our love, presence, and time.
Because in the Sandwich Years, we aren't just caring for generations—we're building a legacy of love.
You don't have to do this alone. We see you.
Studio Credit: Perspective Studio Productions
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