Caregiving can quietly train us to put ourselves last.

Not because we don’t care about our wellbeing — but because the needs are constant, the stakes feel high, and “I’ll rest later” becomes a daily survival strategy. Over time, self-care can start to feel unrealistic… or even selfish.

In this episode of Radiant Moments, Michelle is joined by Jenny Lytle, RN and author of Self-Care Isn’t Selfish, to reframe self-care in a way that actually fits caregiving life. Jenny shares her personal journey and her practical framework, The Becoming Method — a compassionate, step-by-step approach that supports emotional wellbeing, boundaries, and sustainable self-care for people who are holding a lot.

This is not a “bubble bath” conversation. It’s a grounded one — for the caregiver who is exhausted, stretched thin, and still trying to show up with love.

Inside this episode:

• Why caregiving makes self-care feel complicated (and how to release the guilt)
• Jenny’s story and what led her to create The Becoming Method
• A compassionate definition of self-care that doesn’t demand perfection
• A practical framework caregivers can use in real life
• Emotional wellbeing: how to notice what you need without pushing it down
• Gentle reminders for sustainable care — for your loved one and for you

Key Links (Jenny Lytle): Website: https://www.jennylytle.com/
Book: https://www.selfcareisntselfish.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/becomingyourbestwithjennylytleRN/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennylytlern/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-lytle-bsn-rn-682398b/

Caregiver Resources (J and B Inspired): Gratitude Journal of Light (free gift): https://jandbinspired.com/radiant-moments-gratitude-journal-of-light
90 Second Reset Program: https://jandbinspired.com/90-second-reset-program

Music by Konstantin Garbuzyuk (via Uppbeat)

#caregiving #selfcare #caregiverburnout #emotionalwellbeing #radiantmomentspodcast

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A lot of caregivers have a complicated relationship with the word meditation.

You might have tried an app, a class, or a video — and the message you received (even if it wasn’t intentional) was: sit perfectly still, empty your mind, don’t get distracted, be calm. Meanwhile, you’re running on broken sleep, your phone is on loud in case the hospital calls, and your nervous system is on high alert.

For many carers, that version of meditation feels like one more thing to fail at.

In this episode of Radiant Moments, Michelle sits down with Jeff Patterson — founder of The Yielding Warrior, a long-time teacher of tai chi, qigong, and meditative arts — to reframe meditation in a way that actually works for real caregiving life. Not perfect. Not silent. Not “do it right or don’t do it at all.” Just practical, body-based tools that support your nervous system in tiny, realistic ways.

Jeff shares the concept of the Yielding Warrior: meeting life’s intensity with softness and strength, and learning how to come back to centre again and again — even when you’re exhausted.

Inside this episode:

• Why meditation can feel frustrating (and why you’re not failing)
• The Yielding Warrior concept: physical, mental, and emotional yielding
• Common misunderstandings about meditation and distraction
• “The three considerations” that help you actually stick with a practice
• The five basic regulations: body, breath, mind, energy, and spirit
• Active practices for caregivers (including a simple breathing reset)
• Ritual, active, and philosophical meditation — and how to find what fits you
• A gentle 7-day experiment you can try this week

Weekly Caregiver Experiment (simple + realistic):
Set a timer to go off every 60–90 minutes. When it goes off, pause and take 10 slow abdominal breaths. That’s it. Tiny repetitions that help your nervous system practise returning to centre.

Connect with Jeff Patterson (The Yielding Warrior):
Website: https://members.theyieldingwarrior.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TaichiYielding/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIzitJZ8CLWysspfvgtMZbw
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theyieldingwarrior/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theyieldingwarrior

Caregiver Resources (J and B Inspired):

1. Gratitude Journal (Free Gift): https://jandbinspired.com/radiant-moments-gratitude-journal-of-light

2. 90 Second Reset Program: https://jandbinspired.com/90-second-reset-program

Music by Konstantin Garbuzyuk (via Uppbeat)

#caregiving #meditationforbeginners #nervoussystemregulation #qigong #taichi #caregiverburnout #traumainformed #radiantmomentspodcast

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In Part 1, Julie Barth shared the invisible weight of caregiving — special needs parenting, medical trauma, grief, and the way life can demand everything from you while you’re still expected to cope quietly.

In Part 2, Michelle and Julie step into very tender ground: emotional and financial abuse, the subtle early signs that can be easy to miss (especially when you’re already overwhelmed), and why leaving is rarely as simple as “just walk out”. They talk about the real-world barriers caregivers face — protecting children, planning safely, losing friendships, and navigating systems that don’t always understand coercive control or reactive survival responses.

This conversation is trauma-aware, honest, and focused on what support can look like in real life — not in a “fix it overnight” way, but in a steady, compassionate, one-step-at-a-time way.

Inside this episode:

Why caregiving can cost you friendships — and why it’s not your fault

Subtle signs of emotional and financial abuse (and how control can creep in quietly)

Why leaving can be the most dangerous time — and why safety planning matters

Protecting yourself and your children without self-blame

Regaining stability and independence through tiny, realistic steps

Julie’s nonprofit work: Colin James Barth Outreach and the gap it’s designed to fill

Julie’s memoir Notes from a Blackberry — and the role of storytelling in healing

A gentle closing reflection: surviving vs living and reconnecting with joy

If this topic is close to home: Please listen in a way that feels safe. Pause when you need. Come back when you’re ready.

Connect with Julie Barth:

Website: https://www.juliebarthauthor.com/

Caregiver Resources (J and B Inspired):

1. Gratitude Journal of Light (free gift): https://jandbinspired.com/radiant-moments-gratitude-journal-of-light
2. 90 Second Reset Program: https://jandbinspired.com/90-second-reset-program

Music by Konstantin Garbuzyuk (via Uppbeat)

#caregiving #emotionalabuse #financialabuse #domesticviolenceawareness #caregiversupport #traumainformed #radiantmomentspodcast

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