This week, we sit down with the incredible Charlotte Bayala, host of the Cancer Caregivers Podcast and a nominee for the International Women's Podcast Awards. Charlotte brings raw honesty, heartfelt wisdom, and a refreshing sense of humor to a conversation every caregiver needs to hear. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, unseen, or just in need of a reset, Charlotte offers a powerful reframing of what it really means to take care of yourself—and why she prefers the term "self-preservation" over "self-care."

From the invisible weight of caregiving to finding joy in unexpected moments, Charlotte shares her own journey, practical breathing exercises, and insight into how employers can actually support caregivers (hint: it’s more than just checking a box in November). This is one of those episodes that will make you pause, breathe, and feel deeply seen. Press play and feel a little lighter.

Episode Highlights:

[2:18] - Meet Charlotte Bayala, host of the Cancer Caregivers Podcast, dialing in from Walmart country: Northwest Arkansas.

[3:57] - Celebrating Charlotte's nomination for an international podcast award and what that recognition means to her.

[6:49] - Charlotte’s approach to content creation: from seasonal caregiver needs to blending lived experience with professional wellness training.

[9:09] - The backpack analogy that took our breath away (literally). How Charlotte illustrates the invisible load of caregiving.

[11:09] - Why "self-preservation" matters more than "self-care" and how tiny daily actions make a big difference.

[13:55] - A moment to pause: Charlotte guides us through a brief but impactful breathing exercise.

[16:36] - What drives Charlotte to speak up for caregivers, and why being seen matters.

[18:13] - Charlotte's personal caregiving journey and the revelation that changed everything.

[21:49] - Humor in the hard moments: a hilarious hospital memory that underscores the power of laughter.

[24:45] - Real support for caregivers at work: Charlotte's advice for employers and how she collaborates with organizations.

[27:59] - Where to find Charlotte online and more about the Cancer Caregivers Podcast.

Links & Resources:

• The Cancer Caregiver Podcast: https://www.cancercaregiverpodcast.com/
• International Women's Podcast Awards: https://everybody-media.com/awards/
• 2025 short list for category Award For Changing The World One Moment At A Time: https://ipwa.evessiocloud.com/2025/en/page/shortlist-2025
• The Cancer Caregiver Podcast Episodes Mentioned:
  • You Became a Caregiver But No One Told You https://www.cancercaregiverpodcast.com/S2E47/
  • The Secret Struggles of Working Caregivers https://www.cancercaregiverpodcast.com/S2E34/
  • Why a ‘Caregiver Day’ Doesn’t Fix the Real Problem https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-a-caregiver-day-doesnt-fix-the-real-problem/id1504166813?i=1000697385064
• Charlotte's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlottebayala/

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast and leave a review. Remember to check out our website at invisibleemployeeadvocates.com for more resources, and subscribe to our newsletter for updates! We’ll catch you in the next episode.