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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For the season premiere of Squeezed, host Yvette Nicole Brown reunites with Lemonada co-founder and mom of two Stephanie Wittels Wachs. The last time they spoke, both were navigating the challenges of caring for their fathers – Steph’s dad in an assisted living facility and Yvette’s dad living at home with her. Now, more than a year later, Yvette’s dad is in a full-time care facility and Steph’s dad has passed away. In this poignant episode, they explore a very crucial part of caregiving: end of life. It’s a conversation that’s raw, real and, ultimately, healing.

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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whether you’re young or old, in the sandwich generation or facing your own health challenges, one thing is certain: we will all need care at some point in our lives. From fighting back against Medicaid cuts to sitting beside a loved one in their final days, host Yvette Nicole Brown explores how we're all squeezed by the realities of caring for each other. Season 2 of Squeezed from Lemonada Media and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Coming September 24.

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Join Yvette for a special bonus episode of Squeezed as she sits down with U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra. Throughout the series, Yvette has heard from caregivers across the country, sharing their joys and challenges. Now, it's time to bring lawmakers into the conversation. Secretary Becerra, who has called caregiving "an urgent public health issue," discusses what he's doing to prioritize care in government — and how his own caregiving experiences have shaped his perspective.

Squeezed is a Lemonada Media original. Yvette Nicole Brown is the host of this show. Chrystal Genesis is our senior producer. Giulia Hjort, Tess Novotny, and Hannah Boomershine are our producers. Ivan Kuraev is our engineer. Our theme music is by Andi Kristinsdottir, with additional music by APM music. Jackie Danziger is our VP of Narrative Content. Executive producers are Yvette Nicole Brown, Jessica Cordova Kramer, and Stephanie Wittels Wachs.

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.

Follow Squeezed wherever you get your podcasts, or listen ad-free on Amazon Music with your Prime Membership. You can also get premium content and behind the scenes material by subscribing to Lemonada Premium on Apple Podcasts.

Follow Yvette Nicole Brown on Instagram at @yvettenicolebrown. Stay up to date with us on X, Facebook and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia.

Want to become a Lemonada superfan? Join us at joinsubtext.com/lemonadasuperfan.

Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and all other Lemonada series: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.

To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alua is squeezed. She’s a renowned death doula, author, and educator who believes that living fully requires all of us to face mortality head-on. Whether it’s providing support at the bedside or making end-of-life-plans well in advance, Alua works with clients at every stage of life to embrace the inevitable with heart and humor. Death can be scary, but doulas like Alua are revolutionizing end-of-life-care by teaching us how to live more presently… so we can die peacefully.

Squeezed is a Lemonada Media original. Yvette Nicole Brown is the host of this show. Chrystal Genesis is our senior producer. Giulia Hjort, Tess Novotny, and Hannah Boomershine are our producers. Ivan Kuraev is our engineer. Our theme music is by Andi Kristinsdottir, with additional music by APM music. Jackie Danziger is our VP of Narrative Content. Executive producers are Yvette Nicole Brown, Jessica Cordova Kramer, and Stephanie Wittels Wachs.

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.

Follow Squeezed wherever you get your podcasts, or listen ad-free on Amazon Music with your Prime Membership. You can also get premium content and behind the scenes material by subscribing to Lemonada Premium on Apple Podcasts.

Follow Yvette Nicole Brown on Instagram at @yvettenicolebrown. Stay up to date with us on X, Facebook and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia.

Want to become a Lemonada superfan? Join us at joinsubtext.com/lemonadasuperfan.

Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and all other Lemonada series: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.

To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jessica Guthrie is squeezed. A decade ago, at 26 years old, Jessica unexpectedly became a caregiver for her mom, Constance, who is now living with late-stage Alzheimer’s. Over the years, Jessica has left behind a life in Texas, moved back home to Virginia, and quit her job to focus on caregiving full-time. While so much of her life is on hold, Jessica has gained a lot and found a powerful community of caregivers online.

Squeezed is a Lemonada Media original. Yvette Nicole Brown is the host of this show. Chrystal Genesis is our senior producer. Giulia Hjort, Tess Novotny, and Hannah Boomershine are our producers. Ivan Kuraev is our engineer. Our theme music is by Andi Kristinsdottir, with additional music by APM music. Jackie Danziger is our VP of Narrative Content. Executive producers are Yvette Nicole Brown, Jessica Cordova Kramer, and Stephanie Wittels Wachs.

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.

No one should face Alzheimer’s or dementia alone. The Alzheimer’s Association is there to help. The Association has a free 24/7 Helpline – available day or night – and a robust website with education and support services. Call the Association’s Helpline at 1-800-272-3900 or visit its website at alz.org

Follow Squeezed wherever you get your podcasts, or listen ad-free on Amazon Music with your Prime Membership. You can also get premium content and behind the scenes material by subscribing to Lemonada Premium on Apple Podcasts.

Follow Yvette Nicole Brown on Instagram at @yvettenicolebrown. Stay up to date with us on X, Facebook and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia.

Want to become a Lemonada superfan? Join us at joinsubtext.com/lemonadasuperfan.

Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and all other Lemonada series: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.

To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.