Let Me Know If You Need A Community | Ep. 07

Who is caring for the caregiver? In this raw, heart filled, and often funny episode, Amy and Kristen sit down with end of life doula and Rings of Care founder Niki Staab to explore what real support looks like when someone you love is sick or nearing the end of life. Nikki shares how her grandmother’s final days sparked her calling, how Ring Theory shaped her nonprofit, and why caregivers are often the ones suffering in silence.Together, they dive into the exhaustion, guilt, and emotional load that caregivers shoulder, plus the practical and deeply human tools that can lighten the weight. From organizing support rings before crisis hits to building a volunteer calendar to matching caregivers with community health workers, Niki shows how community care restores dignity and keeps burnout at bay.You will laugh, cry a little, and rethink how you show up for the people holding everything together. If you have ever been the glue in your family or watched someone you love carry too much alone, this conversation will feel like a warm exhale.What You’ll Learn:How to build a support ring before a crisis hitsPractical tools caregivers can use to stay healthy and groundedWhy accepting help strengthens everyone involvedTimestamp Guide: 00:00 – The power (and pain) of showing up for loved ones 01:41 – Niki’s story and how she became a death doula09:02 – Supporting loved ones through their final days 12:07 - The ring theory and building your village20:21 -The power of proactive support23:18 - Caregivers and the hidden second patient26:21 – Support continues long after the crisis30:41 - What’s next for Rings of Care36:40 – Niki’s self-care rituals and emotional boundaries41:41 - Finding balance and staying sane 49:00 – The mentor who shaped Nikki’s philosophy52:31 – Niki’s comfort foodTools / Frameworks Mentioned:Rings of Care support modelRing Theory for caregiving circlesSupport task calendar at RingsOfCare.orgVigil planningBoundaries and burnout toolsCommunity health worker modelClosing Insight: “When we care for the caregiver, everyone’s life gets better.”✅ SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lmkifyouneedapodcastApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/let-me-know-if-you-need-a-podcast/id1844882205Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4qKPOo6cAINf4M2i7THfnv📲 FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letmeknowifyouneedapodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lmkifyouneedapodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lmkifyouneedapodcast