Welcome to ’wiched generation, the podcast that dives deep into the unique challenges faced by the Sandwich Generation—those juggling the responsibilities of raising young children while also caring for aging parents.
With the heartfelt tagline, ”Driven by love. Forced to make tough choices. Spread too thin,” we bring forward real-life stories, expert insights, and heartfelt discussions aimed at easing the emotional and physical toll of these dual caregiving roles. Whether you’re navigating eldercare, balancing family life, or seeking guidance on tough decisions, ’wiched generation offers a supportive space filled with love and empathy.
Each episode, we feature interviews with experts in aging, child development, mental health, and financial planning, as well as touching personal stories from listeners like you. Our goal is to provide not just practical tips but also a sense of community—reminding you that you’re not alone in this journey. Together, we can find a path forward that prioritizes care for both our loved ones and ourselves.
Join us on ’wiched generation as we explore solutions, share stories, and create a supportive network for those stretched too thin.
Birthday anniversaries can feel like a celebration and a bruise at the same time. In this episode, Julie shares the story of planning a memory-rich meal for her mom’s birthday—meatballs and all—and how her dad’s unexpected reaction reshaped the night. With insights aligned to Johns Hopkins’ note on “anniversary spinning” and VA guidance for difficult dates, she offers simple practices for holding rituals lightly, caring for your nervous system, and letting grief be honest—not tidy.
3 Nov 2025
Kickoff
Season 3 of Wiched Generation kicks off with a reality check — and a reset. Julie reflects on how caregiving, parenting, and personal reinvention collide, and why time has become the most valuable thing we own. She shares new data, personal lessons, and a roadmap for what’s ahead this season — from AI’s role in the caregiving workforce to redefining self-care when everything feels out of control.
This episode is your invitation to pause, reflect, and rebuild — because caregiving doesn’t end when the crisis passes; it just evolves.
27 Aug 2025
When the shit hits the fan... and it turns out ok.
In the season finale of Wiched Generation, Julie reflects on what happens when caregiving collides with every other part of life—divorce, parenting, family conflict, work, and grief. Drawing on her own recent experiences, she shares the tools that have helped her manage chaos: resiliency training, gratitude practices, exercise, therapy, and the small joys that remind us we’re still living.
This episode closes out Season 2 with honesty, hope, and practical reminders that even when the shit hits the fan—you’re going to be okay.
12 Jul 2025
Summer
Summer isn’t always carefree when you’re in the thick of caregiving. In this episode, Julie explores what the season looks like for those juggling kids, aging parents, and careers — all while navigating the heat, disrupted routines, and the emotional toll it can take. From the story of one summer she had to take time off to manage her mother’s dehydration to the staggering stat that over 62% of caregivers take time off work not for rest, but to care for older family members, this episode dives into the truth behind the so-called “break” of summer. Tune in for practical insights, real stories, and a reminder that even when summer feels heavy, you're not alone.
5 Jul 2025
Siblings, Part 2: Sibling Rivalry
Julie explores how sibling rivalry impacts caregiving for aging parents, examining favoritism, expectations, and family dynamics that complicate shared responsibilities in this episode.
30 Jun 2025
Siblings, (Part 1)
The host explores the intricate dynamics of sibling relationships in the context of caregiving for aging parents, highlighting emotional challenges and offering strategies for navigating familial complexities with empathy.
26 Jun 2025
Grace
Host Julie Viola explores the profound impact of extending grace to oneself and others amidst the challenges of caregiving, emphasizing its role as a source of resilience.
11 Jun 2025
The Other Side
Julie reflects on the emotional complexities of navigating life after caregiving, sharing insights on processing loss, redefining joy, and rebuilding personal health.
4 Jun 2025
Resiliency
Resiliency coach Mark McGarry discusses with host Julie Cluff how to build emotional resilience during challenging life transitions, offering practical tools to shift from survival to thriving in this interview episode.
16 May 2025
Your Body
Caregiving can take a serious toll on your body—weight changes, fatigue, and feeling like you don’t recognize yourself. In this episode of Wiched Generation, Julie gets real about the physical and mental impacts of caregiving and shares practical tips for taking small, meaningful steps to feel more like yourself again. From reassessing coping mechanisms to building flexible routines, this episode offers a grounded, honest look at reclaiming your well-being while navigating the challenges of caregiving.
8 May 2025
My Why
In this special episode of Wiched Generation, host Julie Viola reflects on the one-year anniversary of her mom’s passing—a milestone marked not just by grief, but by a commitment to living with purpose. Julie shares how caregiving changed her role from being the one cared for to the one providing care, and how that flip shaped her perspective on life.
Through honest stories of comforting her mom, letting go of perfection, and allowing her parents to hold onto what mattered to them, Julie explores the balance between loss and growth. She speaks candidly about learning to let go of the little things while holding onto the spirit of her mom—choosing to live fully as a way to honor her memory.
This episode is a powerful reminder that grief doesn’t have to hold you back—it can be the foundation for building a life rooted in love, joy, and intention. Join Julie as she shares her why, and invites you to find yours.
2 May 2025
Building a Life Raft: The Power of Community
When caregiving scrambles your world, community can be the life raft that keeps you afloat. In this episode of Wiched Generation, host Julie Viola shares how community shaped her life long before she became a caregiver—and how it saved her during some of her hardest days.
Julie explores why building (or rebuilding) a support network is essential when you're sandwiched between caring for kids and aging parents, and offers practical ways to create connection even when you feel isolated. Whether you're leaning on old friends, finding new ones, or simply learning how to ask for help, this episode is a reminder: you’re not meant to do this alone—and you don’t have to.
17 Apr 2025
Things That Help
In this episode of Wiched Generation, host Julie Viola returns to the basics—what exactly is the Sandwich Generation, why it matters, and most importantly, what helps when you’re feeling stretched too thin. Whether you're caring for aging parents, raising kids, or doing both at once, this episode offers a reset and a few practical lifelines.
Julie breaks down three key strategies that helped her navigate some of the hardest caregiving days:
"Get your mind right" – Using visualization and short meditations to mentally prepare for emotional moments.
Movement – How even simple walks helped her reconnect with her body and relieve anxiety.
Gratitude – Finding small, sometimes silly glimmers of good in the everyday.
If you’re looking for encouragement and tangible ways to make the day-to-day a little lighter, this one’s for you. Because sometimes, it’s the little things that help the most.
24 Mar 2025
Grief
When people say, “Let me know what you need,” it’s always well-intentioned. But the reality? A grieving person often has no idea what they need in the moment. It’s too overwhelming to decide... so let us help on episode 2.
Susie Shaw and Julie Viola talk about supporting friends managing grief, how to manage your own grief, ideas (funny and serious) on how to chip in on the grief experience- your own or a loved one. This includes comfy sweatsuits, meal prep (but in non-precious Tupperware), and even the true trophy of love- ironed sheets.
In the end, as Susie states, "there is no Grief Olympics," so don't worry about winning or losing- just show up.
2 Mar 2025
Jimmy Butler
In this episode of Wiched Generation, host Julie Viola explores the universal reality of grief through the lens of NBA star Jimmy Butler’s journey, as revealed in Netflix’s Starting 5. Butler faced the devastating loss of his father during the 2023-24 season, balancing personal heartbreak with the pressures of his career—an experience many in the Sandwich Generation can relate to. Julie discusses key takeaways from his story, including the unpredictability of grief, the importance of support systems, and how life changes after loss. Whether you’re a professional athlete or a working parent, loss doesn’t wait for the right time, and this episode is a reminder that we all need space to grieve, lean on others, and find purpose after loss.
30 Dec 2024
Gossip
In this episode of 'Wiched Generation, Julie Viola explores the controversial yet compelling world of gossip. While often dismissed as cruel or shallow, gossip plays a surprising role in building social bonds and navigating complex relationships. Drawing on insights from the Yale Daily News and NBC News, Julie examines the fine line between healthy and harmful gossip. Whether you’re managing the dynamics of a parent group or seeking connection in a caregiving community, discover how to use gossip as a tool for kindness and understanding. Tune in for practical tips to foster trust and uplift those around you.
24 Nov 2024
Holly Jolly... maybe
Julie Viola and licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Allison Flynn explore navigating the holiday season as part of the Sandwich Generation, offering practical advice for caregivers, parents, and those grieving a loved one.
5 Nov 2024
What about your friends?
In this episode, “What About Your Friends?”, we’re talking about the incredible support that friendships provide—whether they’re lifelong friends who know our history, newer friends who see us in our current reality, or those we’ve met along this specific journey of being sandwiched between caring for parents and raising children.
We will provide tools to leverage in your journey, talk about normalizing the "ugly cry", and finding your person who can serve as your voice when you need to focus on other things.
17 Oct 2024
Why do this?
In the pilot episode of 'wiched generation, host Julie Viola shares her deeply personal journey as part of the Sandwich Generation—juggling her career, raising young children, and caring for her mother through the late stages of dementia. Julie opens up about her decision to leave a successful corporate career to prioritize caregiving, the challenges she faced, and the lessons she learned about vulnerability, control, and resilience. Tune in to hear Julie’s story and discover how this podcast will offer support, community, and expert advice for those in similar situations.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
40 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 26 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
32
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
51
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