Living in the Sandwich Zone
by Karen Osborne
Are you living a Sandwich Generation life raising kids while caring for aging parents? Have you lost yourself in the process of taking care of everyone else's needs but your own? In this podcast we'll talk about the ups, downs and in-betweens of juggling parenting, elder-care, relationships, work and everything else involved in Living in the Sandwich Zone all while embarking on a quest to reclaim joy!
Episodes
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Pits and Peaks: How Our Downs in Life Can Help Us Get Up
I've been busy navigating the ups and downs of life and working on wrapping up my Master's degree so haven't been very present in this space. But it's the eve of my second law-free year of life so thought I'd commemorate the anniversary of my retirement with a little podcasting. In today's…
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Support Jamaican Relief
As many of you know, though I was born in the United States, my family is from Jamaica. This week Jamaica was hit by Hurricane Melissa--a Category 5 hurricane and the most severe to ever hit the island. I know in my heart that Jamaica is resilient and will rise from this tragedy, however, they...
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Goating Down Memory Lane: A Replay of My Very First Conversation with Hello Critter's Michelle Tritten
Goat Before You Vote was a smashing success! There's so much to tell but I'm way behind on my Happiness homework (or "homeplay" as we like to call it) so haven' t had the chance to record all the fun tales of our fabulous goat fest. Instead we're "goating" on a trip down memory lane and I'm...
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Free Speech & The Power of the Pause
Never before in my lifetime has it felt more important for me to use my Constitutional Right to free speech. It's even more important for me to make sure that when I do exercise my First Amendment right that I do so in a way that safeguards the wellbeing of my nervous system. In today's episode I...
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Goat Before You Vote: California's Proposition 50 & Why I Chose to Unpause for this Cause
For a long time now, I've struggled with what to say or not say on this podcast. I've reckoned with a lot of fear and, finally, mustered the courage to speak up and DO something. In this week's episode I share with you how I came to launch the Goat Before You Vote fundraiser and why it's so...
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Everything Has Its Season
Goodbye summer, hello fall! After a full summer of creative pursuits and an extended hiatus from podcasting, I'm back (for a moment) to fill you in on what's been going on and what my podcast plan in for the next little bit. For periodic glimpses into my adventures, you can follow me on Instagram...
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Adventures in Pottery: Sculpting a New Way of Being
In this week's episode I'm sharing some insights I've noticed during my newest creative exploration into the world of ceramics. Trying my hand at pottery has been something I've wanted to do for decades but have only recently decided to give it a whirl. While it has stirred some joy for me…
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Finland...Finally!
Well...better late than never, right? Six weeks after my return, I'm finally getting around to sharing highlights from the Finland portion of my recent travels. This trip ticked many more items off my dream list including witnessing a specular display of the aurora borealis. In addition to giving...
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Leaving and Living: Reflecting on Retiring
It's been a busy few weeks for me. Since my last episode, I finally had the knee surgery I'd been waiting for since last fall. Thankfully, all went well and I'm back to hitting to 10,000 steps again most days. Today, I'm circling back to the topic of retirement--or my lane change in life as I…
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Unpacking Finland: More "Coincidences" in The Netherlands
In this week’s episode I continue to talk about my trip to Amsterdam and the coincidences that occurred while I was there (or as I mentioned last week, what Dr. Wayne Dyer described as things that fit together perfectly—not accidentally). Especially these days, for my own wellbeing, I tend not to...
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Unpacking Finland: Synchronicity, Serendipity & Coincidence
Finally, I'm getting around to sharing a bit about my most recent global adventure. Just a heads up...had some tech issues with my microphone so the sound quality isn't the best but in keeping with my "do it messy" podcasting spirit it is what it is! There were a lot of "coincidences" for me on...
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Jet Lag is REAL
Not gonna lie...I've had a tough time this week getting my energy back. Since I haven't quite recovered from my global adventure, I am going to defer telling you my travel tales for now. But, fret not, they'll be worth the wait! You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne Click on...
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One Year Later: Reflecting on My Most Harrowing Day as a Parent
In this episode I share my reflections on how far I've come since April 10, 2024--the day my youngest child attempted suicide. Never in my wildest imagination did I expect that my parenting journey would challenge me to face my deepest, darkest fears. But here I am...one year later, here I am,...
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Where In The World Is Karen Osborne?
In this week's episode I reveal the final destination of my current globetrotting adventure and share with you how this whirlwind escapade came to be. If you are interested in learning more about my MA in Happiness Studies program you can click here to join me and my Happiness Friends in…
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Traveling Abroad: Adventure, Anticipation & Angst
This week, as I get ready to head off on a new global adventure, I share some thoughts that stirred in me about traveling internationally at this moment in history. I also share some reflections on how Happiness School is helping me shift some of my old ways. Here is a link to the law review...
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Don't Let Fear Hijack Your Happiness
In honor of World Happiness Day, in this episode I reflect on my happiness journey, facing my fears and giving myself the gift of a better, happier, more joyful life. You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook...
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Creating My No Regerts Life
Do you ever think about the things you wished you’d done in your life but didn’t? In this week’s episode, that’s what I’m pondering…regret. One of the things I’ve come to know over the course of my life is that tomorrow is not promised and things can change on the drop of a dime. As a result, I...
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Self-Care When the World Feels Utterly Unsafe
After a month off from podcasting I am back on the grid. In this episode I share my thoughts on what I've been doing to tend to my soul in the face of all that's going on in the world. You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ...
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Preserving My Peace with a Political Opposite
With everything going on in life and the world—especially in the wake of the elections here in the U.S.-- emotions are rising and, in a lot of cases, communication is breaking down or has been cut off completely. In this episode I share the steps I took to reclaim my peace after receiving an...
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Help Finding Help: A Therapeutic Resource
In this episode I share a resource that was given to me by my therapist to help those struggling in the aftermath of the California wildfires find therapeutic support. The devastation and loss that has resulted from these fires is without question impacting our mental health. Especially in a...
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Helping to Heal Los Angeles
I have no adequate words to describe the horrific disaster Los Angeles is currently facing. The devastating fires in Los Angeles have impacted thousands of individuals, families and businesses. Below are links to some of the organizations to which you can donate in support of those affected by…
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Fear & Fire
Change of plans, folks. I was originally going to share with you about my recent roommate reunion & my first foray into the arena of self-driving cars but…much like my ride in the driver-less car…things took a turn outside my control. In this episode I share a bit about that instead. You can…
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Happy New Year, Friends! (Better Late Than Never)
Happy New Year, all! I hope you’ve had a lovely start to your year. So far are off to a much better start compared to last year. Here’s hoping we continue on that trajectory! You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private...
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Hello Again!
As the sun sets here in California, my heart is filled with gratitude and appreciation for another birthday/Christmas season with my sandwich. My dad turned 89, Linny turned 19 and we got to share another Christmas together. Wishing all my friends celebrating, a very happy first night of…
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Merry Christmas, Friends!
To those who are celebrating, Merry Christmas from my sandwich to yours! You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich
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Life Won’t Always Be Lifin’
One of the sayings that sums up the idea that there’s always gonna be stuff going on is, “Life be lifin’!” In this episode I share about my experience last week that proved to me that’s not always the case. It’s my hope that this cautionary tale will inspire you to make the extra effort to…
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Happy Holidays!
Wishing you and yours a very happy holiday season! You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group): LITSZ_Club_Sandwich
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An Inside Peak into Happiness School: Looking at the Way We Look at Things More Closely
I spent the week before Thanksgiving in Mexico City with my Happiness School friends. My decision to go came at the last minute fueled by a desperate desire to escape my post-election funk. It was quite fortuitous that our studies that week focused looking more closely at the ways we look at the...
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Happy Thanksgiving!
Hey Sandwich Zoners! For those of you celebrating, Happy Thanksgiving! I am busy whipping up my contributions for our Thanksgiving family feast but I'll be back after the holiday to fill you in on all that's been happening--including telling g some tales from my adventure to Mexico City with my...
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A Friendly Follow-Up in the Midst of My Election Despair
To say I've really been struggling in the aftermath of the election is a ginormous understatement. I've had to really hunker down and isolate in an effort to settle my system. Thankfully, I've got some amazing people in my life to help me talk though it. Today, you get to hear from one of…
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Election Reflection & My Theme for Next Year
I've spent the past week sitting with a slew of intensely undesirable feelings. I have been more than tempted to rail against that which I have no power to change and those who chose it. Somehow, I managed to resist that temptation and eventually captured a few thoughts that are suitable to air....
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Election Protection: Going Off The Grid
As a matter of self-preservation I am going off the grid and immersing myself in solitude for the next little bit. In this episode I share with you how I'll be taking care of myself on Election Day and beyond. I hope you will do whatever it is you need to do to take care of yourself, too. Please...
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Picking Better in Trying Times: Apples and Other Things
Last week I nearly lost myself in the doom and dread of the upcoming election. Thankfully, something somewhere flipped a switch in me giving me the strength to resist curling up in the fetal position and pick a better path. This week I tell you all about it. Please, please, please do your part,...
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Questioning Our Questions: How Changing the Questions We Ask Can Change Our Lives
After taking a bit of a break last week I'm back and contemplating some of life's big questions. In this episode I talk more about my joyful journey in Happiness School and why we need to question the questions we've been asking ourselves. I also share with you three of the questions that are...
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Taking a Page Out of My Book Club
Though it goes against my perfectionistic grain, I'm just not feeling the podcast inspo this week and am taking a little pause. Catch ya next week! You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group):...
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This Week in Happiness School: Befriending Stress
In today's episode I'm sharing a little bit about what I learned this week in Happiness School. It's all about stress and the mindset we have about it. Here's the link to the Kelly McGonigal TED Talk How To Make Stress Your Friend I refer to in this episode. Talk a listen and see if it changes…
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Choosing Pain + Possibility
This week I share about my most recent personal growth workshop, how I ended up there and the ways it validated many of the decisions I've made over the last year. Many of those decisions were painful ones. Yet for me the pain of idling in discontent was far worse than taking the painful step of...
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A.S.K. to Help: A Conversation With Lauren Cikara of Active Minds
It's not always easy to know what to do or say to support someone who's struggling with their mental health. In today's podcast you will meet Lauren Cikara, Vice President of School Mental Health for Active Minds. Active Minds is a leading non-profit organization dedicated to promoting mental...
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The Summit of Greatness: The Bummers and the Blessings
It's been a wow-filled week in my Sandwich Zone! In this episode I'll fill you in on my awe-inspiring adventure to Lewis Howes' Summit of Greatness event I attended last weekend. Sadly, my friend who I'd planned to go with was unable to attend at the last minute. But despite this bummer I…
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September: National Suicide Prevention Month
September is National Suicide Prevention Month. In this week’s episode I share some important things I’ve learned over the course of my parenting journey navigating the mental health system and doing every possible thing I could to keep my child alive. In the episode I reference some of my…
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Back-to-School 2024
Between getting over the Covid hump and sending Kiddo #1 back to college I needed a little extra time. I'll be back next week with more tales to tell. You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook Group):...
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Covid Reflections: Take 3
They say the 3rd time is a charm! Welp, this third round of Covid was far from charming. It did, however, give me a lot of time to think, ponder and look within. In this week's episode I share some AHAs I had during my week dealing with the aftermath of being bitten, yet again, by the dastardly...
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Drive Your Own Bus!
This week I share with you something I recorded in the wee hours back in July during my first week of my podcasting hiatus. It's something I captured after a particularly jarring work-stress dream. Yes, I know...it's been 9 months now since I left work and I'm STILL having work-related dreams…
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Radical Acceptance: My Summer of Surrender
Hey hey Sandwich Zoners! It's been a minute! But I'm back and getting back in the groove. In today's episode I share a little about my trip with Linny to the Big Apple. Lots went down while we were away and I had a big refresher course on the subject of Radical Acceptance. Thanks for your…
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VOTE!
Lots has happened since I pressed pause on podcasting for my summer sabbatical. My time "off" definitely has NOT been filled with the restoration and relaxation I had hoped for...but such is life in the Sandwich Zone. In addition to lots happening on the family front, A LOT has happened on the...
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Summer Sabbatical 2024: Week 1
Just a reminder...I'm taking a little down time to practice some much needed self-care and enjoy some summer family time. I'll be back with more to share in a few weeks! You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook...
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Live From the Tub Mahal
In this week's episode you get to hear what you were supposed to hear last week. It's an extra-special episode recorded live on location! Let the Tub Tales continue!!! You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook...
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Tub Tales: The Prequel
Soooo...this isn't what I thought I'd be airing today. As you'll hear my "sandwich" got a little sticky and I had to put my original plan on ice. But...that's how we roll in the Sandwich Zone, right? Gotta be able to pivot at the drop of a dime! This week you get a tiny tub tale to tide you over...
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The Joy & Pain of Graduation
We did it! We made it to (and through) graduation!!! In this week's episode I share how graduation stirred up a LOT of feelings for me not all of which were joyful. You can follow me on Instagram at: @karen.e.osborne Click on this link to join Club Sandwich (the LITSZ Private Facebook…
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Conversations with Linny: Mobile Edition
***CONTENT WARNING*** This episode contains deeply personal conversation about mental health, attempted suicide and other sensitive topics. Please exercise caution and self-care before listening. If you are feeling sensitive or vulnerable, please choose to listen to a different episode or…
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About this show
Are you living a Sandwich Generation life raising kids while caring for aging parents? Have you lost yourself in the process of taking care of everyone else's needs but your own? In this podcast we'll talk about the ups, downs and in-betweens of juggling parenting, elder-care, relationships, work and everything else involved in Living in the Sandwich Zone all while embarking on a quest to reclaim joy!
Hosted by
Karen Osborne
Categories