Our guest is Barry J. Jacobs — he’s a clinical psychologist and author based just outside of Philly who has a real heart for supporting family caregivers. And that passion is personal. Barry’s caregiving journey started young — when he was just 14, his dad was diagnosed with brain cancer and sadly passed away the following year. That experience shaped the direction of his life and career. Later, from 2010 to 2017, Barry stepped into the caregiving role again — this time for his stepfather, who had Alzheimer’s, and his mom, who was living with vascular dementia. He truly understands the emotional rollercoaster that comes with caregiving and has spent his career helping others navigate it with more support and less guilt.

In this episode, we discuss two of his books, co-written with his wife, one on love and relationships after 50, and one focused on addressing common family caregiving questions. We delve deeper into the topics of guilt, family dynamics, and self-care. Barry has much personal and professional wisdom to share, especially when it comes to self-kindness, using more honey and less vinegar, balancing ‘me time’ and ‘we time,’ and spreading ‘You Got This’ confidence throughout the caregiving community.

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod213

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Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

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https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

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Meet Lisa Musselman, a 2025 Elizabeth Dole Foundation Fellow, military caregiver, and passionate advocate for equitable care for veterans and their families. Lisa talks about her caregiving journey supporting her husband Andy, a pre-9/11 Air Force veteran living with ALS, while raising a family and trying to stay afloat herself.

Lisa shares the emotional and physical toll of those early years—missing milestones with her children, struggling to find respite, and putting her own health last. On the brink of burnout, everything changed when skilled nursing entered the home. This support allowed her to rebuild strength through physical therapy, prioritize mental wellness with therapy, and make space for joy through family vacations and visits with friends.

What makes Lisa’s story especially powerful is how she turned adversity into a platform for advocacy. Motivated by a friend’s early encouragement that she would “become a voice” for others impacted by ALS, Lisa now champions policy and support changes for military caregivers across the country. She firmly believes that veteran care should not be determined by zip code—and she’s fighting to make that a reality.

In this inspiring episode, we cover:

1. The real cost of caregiving on health, time, and family
2. Lisa’s self-care strategies for physical and mental recovery
3. Why caregiving support can be life-changing—not just for the veteran, but for the whole family
4. How Lisa stepped into her role as a caregiver advocate
5. The urgent need for fair, accessible veteran care across the U.S.

Lisa’s story will resonate with anyone who has felt isolated or overwhelmed in their caregiving role—and it’s a powerful example of how self-care and advocacy can go hand in hand.

Katie Prentiss is a mother of four, a former professional photographer, and a current filmmaker. When her mother was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), Katie stepped into the role of primary caregiver, balancing her family, business, and her mom’s care. This life-changing experience opened her eyes to the preciousness of life, motivating her to make a bold midlife career pivot into acting and producing.

In this episode, Katie shares details about her latest full-length feature film, which she describes as a heartfelt love letter to family caregivers. She shares about how caregiving shaped her personal and professional journey, and how she found acceptance, growth, and healing through what she calls the law of contraction and expansion. Tune in to discover how this powerful concept can help caregivers navigate every stage of the caregiving journey with resilience, purpose, and moxie.

Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod211

Receive the podcast in your email here:

http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW