Juggling a demanding career and a young family is already overwhelming. But what happens when you add caring for an estranged parent to the equation? That’s exactly what happened to podcaster and author Jonathan Hirsch when his father Thomas was diagnosed with dementia. Jonathan’s parents raised him in a cult, and were largely absent from his life growing up. Now, he’s had to navigate the logistics, guilt, and grief that comes with caring for someone who never truly cared for you.

This show was created in partnership with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, a leading national philanthropy dedicated to taking bold leaps to transform health in our lifetime and pave the way, together, to a future where health is no longer a privilege, but a right.

For a deeper dive into Jonathan’s story, check out his new book, The Mind is Burning: Losing my Father to a Cult and Dementia

Check out AARP’s Caregiving Checklist for help choosing an assisted living facility.

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When Tara Kovach was diagnosed with colon cancer at 47, her already squeezed life as a working, divorced mom of two kids was turned upside down. Suddenly, the everyday struggles of balancing work with parenting were overshadowed by the stark reality of fighting cancer. In this episode, Tara opens up about the emotional and physical toll of going through surgery and chemotherapy while caring for her children, and the unexpected isolation she felt as a cancer survivor.

This show was created in partnership with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, a leading national philanthropy dedicated to taking bold leaps to transform health in our lifetime and pave the way, together, to a future where health is no longer a privilege, but a right.

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After Lauren Miller Rogen's mother Adele was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, she and her husband Seth Rogen didn't just become caregivers – they also became advocates, using their platform to shine a light on a disease that affects millions of families. Through their foundation Hilarity for Charity, they’re creating community and supporting other families navigating care for Alzheimer’s.

This show was created in partnership with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, a leading national philanthropy dedicated to taking bold leaps to transform health in our lifetime and pave the way, together, to a future where health is no longer a privilege, but a right.

Learn more about Lauren and Seth’s advocacy and support their mission at wearehfc.org

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