Discovering Strength Through Caregiving with Lisa McCarty

Host Candace Dellacona welcomes acclaimed writer Lisa McCarty for a powerful conversation on caregiving, resilience, and the courage to tell deeply personal stories. McCarty reflects on her essays that resonated with thousands—from losing her father just as she welcomed her second child to stepping into the role of caregiver for her mother at just 13—and how those experiences shaped her voice and perspective. Now developing a reported nonfiction book, she shares hard-earned insights on identity, boundaries, and advocacy, offering thoughtful guidance for young caregivers navigating similar paths. 00:00 Discovering Strength Through Caregiving with Lisa McCarty 00:07 Welcome and Guest Intro 01:31 Why Write Personal Stories 02:08 Sharing the Caregiving Essay 05:26 Story Timing 08:53 How Young Caregiving Shaped Lisa 13:17 Realizing She Was a Caregiver 16:41 Systemic Failures and Isolation 24:03 Advice for Young Caregivers 27:09 Writing the Book and Self Care 32:10 Privacy and Telling the Truth 35:08 Defining Thriving, Not Surviving 38:27 Closing Remarks For a collection of Lisa’s essays and articles, visit https://linktr.ee/lbmccarty Follow Lisa McCarty on social media: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-mccarty-8905513/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lbmccarty717/ (00:00) - v2 Discovering Strength Through Caregiving with Lisa McCarty (00:07) - Welcome and Guest Intro (01:31) - Why Write Personal Stories (02:08) - Sharing the Caregiving Essay (05:26) - Story Timing (08:53) - How Young Caregiving Shaped Lisa (13:17) - Realizing She Was a Caregiver (15:31) - Systemic Failures and Isolation (22:54) - Advice for Young Caregivers (26:00) - Writing the Book and Self Care (30:09) - Defining Thriving, Not Surviving (33:27) - Closing Remarks