In this powerful episode of Working Caregivers: The Invisible Employees, we sit down with the remarkable Dr. Feylyn Lewis, whose caregiving journey began at just 11 years old after her mother experienced life-altering complications from a botched spinal surgery. Dr. Lewis brings a deeply personal, heartfelt perspective to the realities faced by youth caregivers—experiences most adults never even imagine children navigating.

Throughout our conversation, Dr. Lewis opens our eyes to the emotional, physical, and invisible labor that young caregivers shoulder and how those early responsibilities shaped the advocate, scholar, and leader she is today. Her story is moving, courageous, and a call to action for all of us—employers, caregivers, and community members—to create a world where no caregiver feels alone. This is an episode you do not want to miss.

Dr. Feylyn Lewis is a Nashville native, Vanderbilt alumna, and former youth caregiver whose lived experience shaped her global career in research and advocacy. With a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a PhD in Social Work, she studies mental health and resiliency among youth and young adult caregivers across the U.S., Europe, the UK, and Australia. Dr. Lewis currently serves as Assistant Dean of Student Affairs at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, where she leads student wellness, support services, and community engagement. Beyond academia, she is deeply involved in state, national, and international caregiving and equity initiatives, including board service with the Tennessee Caregiver Coalition and advisory roles across multiple organizations. A New America Story Fellow, she continues to write about and advocate for youth caregivers—all while caring for her mother in Nashville.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] – Dr. Lewis begins sharing her caregiving story starting at age 11
[3:27] – Dr. Lewis describes becoming a youth caregiver after her mother’s surgery
[3:51] – Reading her powerful letter to her younger self
[9:39] – Exploring what it meant to “shrink yourself” as a young caregiver
[11:31] – The emotional and traumatic weight carried by youth caregivers
[16:55] – How caregiving support has (and hasn’t) changed for her in adulthood
[23:33] – Discussing the realities of youth caregiving and age-inappropriate tasks
[25:56] – The strengths, empathy, and resilience learned through caregiving
[26:19] – Why children often stay silent—and why naming caregiving matters
[28:14] – Encouraging communities to proactively support caregivers
[29:14] – The fear youth caregivers have of social service involvement
[29:47] – How schools can play a role in recognizing and supporting caregivers
[30:39] – Dr. Lewis’ “PS to her younger self”—a message of faith and endurance
[31:35] – Closing reflections and gratitude for Dr. Lewis’ powerful voice

Links & Resources:

· Tennessee Caregiver Coalition: https://tncaregiver.org/

· Dr. Feylyn Lewis’ TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EPCFyeUElk

· Black Scholars Speak Interview YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pid2wBO8dlc

· National Alliance For Caregiving's Caregiver Summit Dr. Lewis talk (time stamp 1:02:21): youtube.com/watch?v=reWOmR31GJ8&am

Lindsay Jurist-Rosner is the Co-Founder and CEO of Wellthy, the market-leading care concierge company transforming how families navigate care for themselves and their loved ones. Two million people currently have access to Wellthy through major employers and health plans—including Best Buy, Cisco, Hilton, and Meta—and the company now employs more than 300 specialists supporting family caregivers every day.

Driven by her own 28-year caregiving journey for her mother, Lindsay set out to build the very resource she wished existed. Today, Wellthy is widely recognized for its innovation: in 2023, it earned a spot on Fast Company’s “Most Innovative Companies” and “Top 10 Most Innovative Workplace Companies” lists, and Lindsay was named to Inc. Magazine’s “Female Founders 200.”

Before launching Wellthy, Lindsay worked in advertising technology and media, leading marketing, product, and sales teams. She holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA in Economics–Operations Research from Columbia University. Her writing has appeared in Fortune, Good Housekeeping, and Employee Benefit News, and she has spoken at major events including CES. She also serves on the Board of Hilarity for Charity (HFC), founded by Seth and Lauren Rogen. Lindsay lives in New York City with her husband and four children.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] – Lindsay shares the ROI insight that’s reshaping how employers view caregiving support.
[1:39] – We open the episode and welcome listeners from around the world.
[2:32] – Introducing Lindsay and why we’ve talked about her for years.
[2:53] – Lindsay’s personal story about becoming a dog parent through caregiving.
[5:35] – Lindsay walks us through her 28-year caregiving journey with her mom and how it inspired Wellthy.
[8:30] – Zack asks what pushed Lindsay to build Wellthy at scale.
[10:13] – Breaking down what Wellthy actually does—and how it’s evolved globally.
[14:48] – How Wellthy balances technology with the irreplaceable human side of caregiving.
[17:44] – Why human empathy still sits at the center of care concierge support.
[18:51] – The growing role of employers in caregiving benefits and organizational challenges.
[19:59] – The Harvard ROI study: what the data revealed and why it’s “profound.”
[26:33] – Shout-outs to innovative employers leading the way in caregiver support.
[31:08] – Lindsay’s vision of a “care utopia” and what the next decade may hold.
[34:31] – Why customized caregiver benefits matter—and why so many programs remain underused.

Links & Resources:

· Lindsay’s Caregiver Story: https://wellthy.com/about

· Wellthy: https://wellthy.com

· Lindsay at National Alliance for Caregiving’s Caregiver Nation Summit: https://www.caregivernationsummit.org/agenda/

· Harvard Business School ROI Report using Wellthy data:
https://www.hbs.edu/managing-the-future-of-work/research/Pages/healthy-outcomes.aspx

· Cisco – Best Places to Work: https://www.greatplacetowork.com/certified-company/1000064

· Hilton – Best Places to Work: https://www.greatplacetowork.com/certified-company/1000367

· UPS

In this episode, we sit down with Robert Espinoza, a national leader in caregiving, equity, and aging, for a powerful conversation that every HR professional, business leader, and working caregiver needs to hear. With personal stories and deep policy insight, Robert walks us through the systemic gaps in the long-term care system, the challenges facing our care workforce, and the real-life impact of underfunding the care economy. His message is clear: caregiving touches all of us, and we have the power to create change right where we are.

We also dive into what a thriving, sustainable care economy could look like in the future—one that respects care workers, empowers working caregivers, and ensures continuity of care for our aging population. Whether you’re in HR looking to better support your team, or a caregiver trying to navigate your dual responsibilities, this episode will leave you feeling seen, informed, and inspired to act.

Robert Espinoza is a prominent advocate and thought leader in the fields of workforce, aging, and caregiving. He is a Distinguished Fellow and Senior Advisor at the National Academy of Social Insurance, where he leads efforts to build broad, nonpartisan support for a sustainable long-term care system that meets the needs of older adults, people with disabilities, and the care workforce. He is also a Leadership & Society Fellow at the University of Chicago. He previously served as CEO of National Skills Coalition, a bipartisan, DC-based policy organization focused on workforce issues, and as Executive Vice President of Policy at PHI, the nation’s leading authority on the direct care workforce, where he directed for nearly a decade the organization’s award-winning national advocacy, research, and public education division. In addition, Robert served as a Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] - Robert opens with two sides of the care story: what happens when care is undervalued vs. fully supported
[1:37] - Selma and Zack introduce Robert Espinoza and kick off the conversation
[4:07] - Robert shares his personal caregiver story and how it shaped his advocacy
[6:13] - What is the care economy and how does it impact all of us?
[8:13] - Zack discusses the aging population and asks where societal opportunities lie
[12:31] - Robert on how employers should rethink benefits and training to support working caregivers
[19:08] - What HR should start measuring to plan for the rise in working caregivers
[22:04] - Creating a lived culture of care, not just policies
[23:07] - Tips for employees to fully utilize benefits and open lines of communication with HR
[33:26] - The undervaluation of direct care workers and the need for compensation reform
[35:17] - Robert’s call to action: understand your care story and start where you have influence

Links & Resources:

• A question of care podcast: https://www.aquestionofcare.us/
• Caregiving in the US 2025: https://www.aarp.org/pri/topics/ltss/family-caregiving/caregiving-in-the-us-2025/
• Working Caregivers-The Invisible Employee podcast episode 23 Grief, Caregiving, and the Power of Connection – with Leslie Weirich: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2401927/episodes/17656188

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.

In this episode, we sit down with Joseph B. Fuller—Harvard Business School professor and co-lead of the Managing the Future of Work initiative—to unpack what most employers are still getting wrong about caregiving and the workforce. Joe brings powerful insights, compelling research, and personal stories that shine a light on why caregiving is a business issue, not just a personal one.

From costly turnover in your top-performing talent to invisible presenteeism draining productivity, we explore the real impact of ignoring caregiving needs—and the strategic advantage of doing something about it. Whether you're in HR, leadership, or caregiving yourself, this episode is full of eye-opening data, practical solutions, and a hopeful look at where the future of work is headed. You don’t want to miss it!

Joseph B. Fuller is a Professor of Management Practice at Harvard Business School and a globally recognized expert on the future of work. He is the co-founder and co-director of Managing the Future of Work, a long-term research initiative at HBS, and the founder and co-head of Harvard’s multi-disciplinary Project on the Workforce. Joe is also a non-resident Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. His research focuses on workforce development, caregiving economics, AI's impact on employment, and bridging the skills gap. Before academia, he was the co-founder and CEO of Monitor Group, now part of Monitor Deloitte. He is a graduate of both Harvard College and Harvard Business School.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] – Joe Fuller explains the costly turnover driven by caregiving
[1:38] – Welcome and why supporting working caregivers matters now
[2:28] – Introducing Joe Fuller and his motivation for researching the care economy
[5:57] – Has progress been made since “The Caring Company” report?
[6:18] – Encouraging shifts in male caregiving and workplace conversations
[9:35] – Hybrid work, job design, and the need for flexibility innovation
[11:25] – Shoutout to Wellthy and the power of solutions from experience
[13:27] – The power of leadership role-modeling for caregivers
[14:22] – Differences in caregiving styles between men and women
[15:49] – Key takeaways from Joe’s “Hidden Workers: The Case for Caregivers” report
[16:38] – Why annual performance reviews miss the mark—and how to improve them
[21:08] – Building trust through real-time conversations and support groups
[22:09] – Resume gaps and how applicant tracking systems exclude caregivers
[27:29] – Making the business case for supporting working caregivers
[36:09] – The future of caregiving and the workforce: women, social skills, and AI
[44:10] – A call to action for caregivers: you're not alone
[45:34] – Where to find Joe Fuller's work and research

Links & Resources:

Joseph B. Fuller – HBS Faculty Page: hbs.edu/faculty-profile

Managing the Future of Work (Project & Podcast):

• Research & Initiatives: Managing the Future of Work
• Podcast Episodes: Managing the Future of Work Podcast

Project on Workforce – Harvard Kennedy School: pw.hks.harvard.edu

The Caring Company Report: Download the Report

Hidden Workers: Untapped Talent: Read Here

Wellthy - wellthy.com

In this episode, we sit down with Paul Wynn, an incredible caregiver advocate, author, and storyteller, to unpack the complex reality of being in the sandwich generation—those caught between raising kids and caring for aging parents. Paul brings heartfelt honesty, practical wisdom, and real-life strategies from his own caregiving journey, while also highlighting the importance of workplace support for caregivers.

You’ll hear Paul’s deeply personal caregiving story and learn how he juggled family life, full-time work, and caregiving responsibilities. We explore how progressive employers are beginning to respond, the importance of community and peer support, and why Paul believes male caregivers need more visibility and voice. Whether you're a working caregiver or someone who supports them, this episode offers validation, encouragement, and actionable advice.

Episode Highlights:

[2:21] – Paul introduces us to the Hudson Valley, NY, and shares why it’s such a special place to live.
[3:28] – Paul dives into his personal caregiving story, juggling care for his uncle and mother while raising young children.
[5:56] – The reality of being a working caregiver and how progressive benefits helped Paul stay afloat.
[8:47] – Paul’s inspiration for writing about caregiving, the importance of male caregiver representation, and his work with AARP and other major publications.
[11:15] – What employers are beginning to understand about caregiving burnout—and why that matters.
[12:45] – How employees can navigate disclosure and build peer support within the workplace.
[15:13] – Paul shares the inspiration behind the powerful opening line of his chapter: “When it’s your turn to be a caregiver, whose example will you follow?”
[19:15] – Why uniting the generations can create joyful, healing connections—and how to make that happen.
[21:03] – The power of asking for help, especially for male caregivers—and how to do it effectively.
[24:43] – Reflecting on what Paul wishes he had done differently at the beginning of his caregiving journey.
[27:10] – The value of podcasts and virtual resources in today’s caregiving world.
[30:01] – How to connect with Paul and access his writings, advocacy work, and his book chapter.

Links & Resources:

· https://www.amazon.com/Caregivers-Advocate-Complete-Support-Resources-ebook/dp/B0FMGGL6ZY

· Stacy Shewey and Hand4Life https://www.h4lworld.org/our-story/

· Working Caregiver-The Invisible Employees Episode 26: Navigating Millennial Caregiving with Dr. Rachael Piltch-Loeb https://www.buzzsprout.com/2401927/episodes/17922747

· Paul Wynn article-Podcasts for caregivers: https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/life-balance/caregiver-podcasts-offer-support/

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.

In this episode, we sit down with the incredible Dr. Rachael Piltch-Loeb, author of The Millennial Caregiver, to explore the complex intersection of caregiving, career, and life as a member of the millennial generation. Rachael shares her deeply personal journey of becoming a caregiver for her father who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s while she was simultaneously raising a newborn and advancing her academic career. It’s a raw, real, and deeply insightful conversation that so many millennial caregivers will relate to—whether you're in the thick of it or just starting out.

Together, we unpack the emotional toll, unexpected challenges, and urgent need for better workplace support for caregivers—especially those balancing careers and caregiving in silence. Rachael doesn’t just share her story—she provides actionable advice for starting hard conversations, navigating the healthcare system, and preparing for the unexpected. If you're a working caregiver, or support someone who is, this is a must-listen.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] - Rachael introduces the unique challenges of millennial caregiving
[1:16] - Zack and Selma welcome listeners and reflect on recent caregiving experiences
[2:19] - Introduction to Dr. Rachael Piltch-Loeb and her book The Millennial Caregiver
[4:14] - Rachael shares her caregiving journey: balancing motherhood, academia, and her father's Alzheimer's diagnosis
[9:06] - The emotional complexity of caregiving and parenting simultaneously
[12:07] - How to talk to young children about illness and memory loss in loved ones
[14:08] - Rachael opens up about disclosing caregiving at work and navigating workplace flexibility
[16:41] - How her background in public health helped her navigate a broken healthcare system
[21:18] - Advice for employers: building a culture of support for working caregivers
[24:33] - Unique challenges millennial caregivers face—expectations, technology gaps, and life-stage disruption
[27:47] - Two powerful takeaways: managing expectations and starting early
[31:20] - Advice Rachael would give her younger self about preparing for caregiving
[33:37] - How to start difficult conversations with healthy loved ones
[36:30] - Where to find The Millennial Caregiver and connect with Rachael

Links & Resources:

Rachael's website: https://www.rpiltchloeb.com/

The Millennial Caregiver: Caring For Loved Ones In the Busiest Part Of Your Life by Rachael Piltch-Loeb https://www.amazon.com/Millennial-Caregiver-Caring-Loved-Busiest-ebook/dp/B0DXPKXFNZ

What's Going On With Papa Bear? https://www.amazon.com/Whats-Going-Papa-Jessie-Piltch-Loeb/dp/1662943873

Susie Singer Carter Podcast episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r84q-ixWt0A&feature=youtu.be

Business Insider article: https://www.businessinsider.com/millennial-caregiver-baby-father-alzheimers-sandwich-generation-2025-4

The Millennial Caregiver: How to Juggle Aging Parents, Kids, Work, and Your Sanity with Dr. Rachel Piltch-Loeb. Everyone is talking money podcast episode: https://podcast

Rachel's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-piltch-loeb-050a8213/

In this episode, we sit down with the amazing Dr. Joan Monin from Yale University to talk about the real, raw, and often overlooked emotional weight of caregiving—especially for those of us juggling careers, kids, and aging parents. Joan not only brings a wealth of research and experience in public health, but also shares her personal journey as a daughter navigating her mom’s dementia diagnosis. This one hits close to home.

We unpack the psychological barriers that prevent caregivers from getting the support they need, the tension of being a “pre-caregiver,” and how to manage stress before burnout hits. Joan introduces us to a simple but powerful emotional regulation tool called WOOP (Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, Plan)—and trust us, you’re going to want to try it. If you’ve ever felt stuck between showing up for your job and showing up for your family, this episode is for you.

Episode Highlights:

[2:13] - Welcoming Dr. Joan Monin and learning a fun fact about her town's connection to the Statue of Liberty
[4:43] - Joan opens up about her personal caregiving story and her parents' challenges with dementia
[7:53] - The emotional disconnect between academic knowledge and real-life caregiving
[10:50] - Why accessing a therapist as a caregiver is harder than it should be
[14:06] - How Joan’s caregiving journey shifted her perspective on work-life balance
[16:39] - What Joan learned by watching her kids interact with their grandparents
[19:05] - A deep dive into emotional self-regulation and the WOOP method for caregivers
[27:52] - How WOOP works and how it’s helping caregivers manage guilt, anxiety, and stress
[31:02] - Introducing Borrow My Glasses and their innovative caregiver education efforts
[34:40] - The spousal caregiver dilemma and why unpaid caregiving laws need to change
[35:55] - The double standard society places on women, spouses, and working caregivers
[41:07] - The surprising divorce statistics among early-stage dementia caregivers
[43:33] - Joan’s latest research focused on helping people live well with dementia
[46:26] - How to connect with Dr. Monin and learn more about her work

Links & Resources:

· Joan Monin PhD Yale Website: https://ysph.yale.edu/profile/joan-monin/

· Joan Monin website: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=hwgGVxMAAAAJ&hl=en

· Joan Monin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joan-monin-54153a8b/

· WOOPmylife.org: https://woopmylife.org/

· "WOOP" study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38687142/

· Borrow My Glasses website: https://borrowmyglasses.com/

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.

In this episode, we (Selma and Zack) sit down with the brilliant Breana Patel to unpack one of the most pressing challenges facing our society today: the silver tsunami. With a rapidly aging population and a dwindling caregiver workforce, Breana shares how AI-powered solutions can make caregiving not only safer and more effective for patients but also far more manageable for caregivers—especially those of us juggling full-time work and family responsibilities. From her personal caregiving story to the development of a powerful, privacy-first platform built to support long-term care facilities, Breana offers us a hopeful vision for the future. We talk about AI’s role in preventing falls, streamlining discharge plans, improving communication, and even reducing stress for long-distance caregivers.

Breana Patel is a serial entrepreneur, CEO, and visionary at the forefront of AI and healthcare innovation. As the founder of Owle AI, she is redefining care coordination by tackling one of the industry’s most pressing challenges—staff burnout and turnover—through intelligent automation. A repeat founder with a career spanning public health service delivery and in global finance, Breana has held leadership roles at Morgan Stanley, Deutsche bank and others , and partnered with public health agencies in New York to advance aging and healthcare initiatives. She holds executive MBA from MIT Sloan with cross registration at Harvard, has been featured in Forbes and on CBS Live, and is a recognized thought leader within the MIT startup ecosystem. Beyond building companies, Breana is passionate about mentoring the next generation of women leaders in STEM and championing economic empowerment on a global scale.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] - Breana explains the meaning behind “silver tsunami” and the growing need for elder care innovation
[2:07] - Welcoming Breana Patel and her connection to caregiving through personal experience
[7:29] - The nurse shortage crisis and the overwhelming demands on care providers
[9:17] - How AI can relieve stress for family caregivers and improve patient response times
[12:08] - The role of large language models in simplifying communication for caregivers
[13:38] - Using voice AI to tackle administrative burdens like appointment scheduling
[14:23] - What employers and society can do to prepare for the silver tsunami
[16:55] - Addressing privacy concerns and how Breana’s platform is built with privacy in mind
[18:25] - Is the platform just for facilities? Breana shares her vision for in-home care
[19:54] - Creating intuitive, plug-and-play tech for caregivers with no time for training
[24:52] - Managing multiple patients in one household with personalized AI
[25:39] - How employers can offer caregiving support as a benefit

Links & Resources:

· Susie Singer Carter's episode with Breana Patel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwzz9eEwcq0

· Owle AI website: https://owle.ai/

· Breana's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/breanapatel/

· Zack's challenge: Reach out to Breana Patel if you have a family member in a long term care facility.

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.