You're My Favorite

Parkinson’s Disease is often misunderstood, and honestly before our mom’s diagnosis, we misunderstood it too. Actually, we still misunderstand it! Just listen to Lexi fail the mini quiz. In this episode, we’re breaking down some of the most common misconceptions about Parkinson’s and sharing what the reality has looked like in our own experience.From the idea that it’s “just tremors,” to assumptions about age, progression, and treatment, we talk through what people (including us!) often get wrong and what we’ve learned along the way.Whether you’re navigating Parkinson’s yourself, caring for someone who is, or simply want to better understand, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we talk about the moment we realized we’ve slowly started becoming the parent to our parents. From managing appointments and finances to making big life decisions, we discuss what that role reversal really feels like and how emotionally complicated it can be.We start the episode with about 15 minutes of honest life updates, venting, and a bit of a spiral city about life in general, because sometimes that’s just where we’re at, and we know we’re not the only ones feeling that way.This conversation is about growing up in ways we didn’t expect, navigating responsibility, and processing the strange, sad, and sometimes even funny moments that come with realizing the roles have changed.

Caregiving and grief often come with a wide range of emotions, sometimes all in the same day. In this episode, we open up about the emotional highs and lows that come with this journey and how we’re learning to sit with the complexity of it all.With our dad’s birthday coming up this week, we also share memories of him and reflect on how meaningful dates can bring grief, love, and remembrance together. It’s an honest conversation about honoring the people we’ve lost while continuing to move forward.

 This week, we’re sharing some of our favorite memories. The funny, the tender, and the ones that instantly bring our loved ones to life. Caregiving can be heavy, so this episode is about remembering the personality, joy, and love that exist alongside the hard parts. Think of it as a little story time, caregiver edition. 

This episode is a big update. Mom has officially moved into a group home, and we’re sharing what that decision looked like, how we got here, and how it feels.We talk through the emotional side of making this transition — the grief, the relief, the guilt, and the acceptance that can all exist at once. We also break down the practical differences between group homes and care homes, including Assisted Care (AC) and Memory Care (MC), and why we ultimately chose the path we did.If you’re navigating care options for a parent or loved one, we hope this conversation helps you feel a little less overwhelmed and a little less alone. These decisions are never easy — but sometimes the most loving thing we can do is adjust the level of support.This one is tender, honest, and a big step in our journey.

Caregiving brings up emotions we rarely feel comfortable admitting out loud — resentment, anger, frustration, jealousy, and guilt, sometimes all at once. In this episode, we’re talking honestly about the feelings we’re “not supposed” to have toward the person we’re caring for, the situation we’re in, and the life we didn’t choose.We unpack how resentment can show up quietly or explosively, how guilt often follows right behind it, and why these emotions don’t mean you’re a bad caregiver or a bad person. We talk about resenting the loss of freedom, the imbalance of responsibility, the systems that make everything harder, and even the people we love most.This episode is about normalizing the messy, uncomfortable emotional side of caregiving — holding space for compassion without pretending everything is okay. If you’ve ever thought, “I feel terrible for feeling this way,” this conversation is for you. You’re not alone, and you’re not broken — you’re human.

This episode is a bit of an emotional check-in. We’re talking about the full range of feelings that caregiving often brings up — the heavy ones, the unexpected ones, and the moments that catch you off guard when you least expect it. We also share some general life and caregiving updates — what’s changed, what’s been challenging, and what’s been grounding us through it. Think of this episode as a sister catch-up with a lot of honesty, a little humor, and plenty of room for feelings.If you’ve been feeling everything lately (or nothing at all), you’re not alone — and this one’s for you.

The holidays can amplify everything — stress, grief, emotions… and often, alcohol. In this episode, we’re having an honest conversation about substances, drinking culture, and how caregiving has shaped our relationship with alcohol. From social pressure at holiday gatherings to using drinks as a way to cope, we talk openly about what’s felt supportive, what hasn’t, and what’s changed for each of us.We explore how caretaking stress can blur boundaries, how alcohol can sneak in as a coping mechanism, and what it looks like to choose yourself without judgment.This isn’t about labels or rules — it’s about awareness, compassion, and finding healthier ways to move through hard seasons. If you’ve ever questioned your relationship with alcohol, especially during high-stress or emotional times, this conversation is for you.

The holiday season can be beautiful, meaningful… and unbelievably hard. In this episode, we talk about what it’s like to move through the holidays while grieving, missing someone, or carrying the emotional weight of caregiving. From traditions that feel different now, to the unexpected moments that bring up tears, we open up about our own experiences and the complicated mix of joy, nostalgia, and heartbreak this time of year can bring.We also get into the pressure of holiday expectations—showing up to events, hosting, “being cheerful,” keeping it all together—and how learning to set boundaries has been a game changer. Whether it’s declining an invitation, stepping away when emotions bubble up, or redefining what the holidays look like for you, we talk about giving yourself permission to slow down, honor your feelings, and protect your energy.If the holidays feel heavy this year, you’re not alone. We’re right here with you, navigating it all with honesty, compassion, and just a little humor.

We’re back with a long-overdue catch-up, and honestly… a lot has happened. In this episode, we’re sharing life updates, caregiving updates, mental health check-ins, and all the little (and not-so-little) moments that have been shaping our world recently. From new routines with Mom, to emotional surprises, to the things that made us laugh, cry, or spiral just a little — we’re talking about it all.Think of this one as a sister debrief: unfiltered, honest, a little chaotic, and full of those “same brain” moments that always remind us why we started this podcast. Whether you’re driving, cleaning, or just decompressing, come hang with us — it’s story time, therapy time, and catch-up time all in one.CHECKOUT OUR WEBSITE HERE, Share with friends, submit your stories. 

This week, we’re taking a step back from caregiving talk to share something a little more personal — memories of our dad. As we approach the third anniversary of his passing, we wanted to honor him the way we know best: by talking, laughing, and remembering the small things that still make us smile.We share stories from our childhood, what we’ve learned about grief as time’s passed, and how losing him shaped the way we care for our mom and for each other. This one’s a love letter to the man who taught us humor, resilience, and heart — and to anyone missing someone special right now, you’re not alone.

Ever have those days where you’re running on pure adrenaline, checking every box, being the supportive daughter/sister/employee/friend… and you feel weirdly amazing about it? That’s the “helper high” — the emotional rush that comes from showing up for everyone else. But if you’ve been there, you also know what comes next: the crash. Hard.In this episode, we’re talking about that cycle — the highs that make us feel unstoppable, and the burnout that hits once the dust settles. We share how the “helper high” shows up in our caregiving, our personal lives, and even in our identities. And of course, we get into how we’re learning to recognize the signs, slow down before we crash, and give ourselves permission to rest without guilt.If you’ve ever wondered why helping feels so good… until it doesn’t — this one’s for you.

Let’s be real — no one tells you caregiving comes with this much paperwork. From Power of Attorney and advance directives to bank accounts and insurance forms, it can feel like you need a law degree just to keep up.In this episode, we’re diving into the not-so-glamorous side of caregiving: the legal and financial chaos that comes with helping a parent. We share how we figured it all out (mostly through trial and error), what we wish we’d known sooner, and how we keep it all organized now.We’ll walk through the big three documents every caregiver should know, the emotional side of “taking over,” and a few sanity-saving tips to help you feel more prepared and less panicked. Because the paperwork is overwhelming — but you don’t have to face it alone.If you would like to donate to Carol’s Crusaders, you can visit this link 

Caregiving doesn’t clock out when the workday begins. In this episode, we’re digging into the messy, complicated relationship between careers and caregiving. From rearranging schedules and navigating understanding (or not-so-understanding) bosses, to the guilt of missing opportunities or feeling like you’re always one step behind, we share our own experiences of trying to balance it all.We talk about how caregiving has shaped our career paths, the emotional load we carry into the workplace, and the strategies we’ve found to cope with the chaos. Whether you see work as a refuge or just another stressor, this episode is all about being real about the tug-of-war between professional goals and personal responsibilities.If you’ve ever tried to juggle conference calls with care home visits, or wondered how caregiving fits into your long-term career plans, this one’s for you.

What does it mean to be part of the “sandwich generation”? Traditionally, it’s adults caring for both their kids and their aging parents — but even without children, the push-and-pull of being caught in the middle is very real.In this episode, we unpack the pressures of balancing caregiving with careers, relationships, friendships, and our own needs. From being the bridge between family members, to feeling stretched in multiple directions at once, we’re sharing the moments that made us feel “sandwiched” and how we try (and sometimes fail) to navigate them.If you’ve ever felt like you’re carrying everyone else’s needs while trying to hold onto your own, this one’s for you.ALSO *drum roll* our website is now live. Yay! You can find us at https://www.youremyfavoritepod.com/ 

In this episode, we step away from the logistics and dive into the heart of caregiving—the emotions that often go unspoken. From the quiet grief that sneaks up in unexpected moments, to the anger and guilt we don’t always want to admit, to the gratitude and love that still manage to shine through, we’re opening up about the full spectrum of what it feels like to be a caregiver.This conversation is raw, tender, and honest. It’s about carrying a heavy emotional load while still showing up every day—and realizing that the feelings we carry are just as important as the care we give.

Big life events are supposed to be all joy and celebration—but for caregivers, they can also stir up a lot of complicated emotions. In this episode, we talk about Ari’s wedding: the excitement, the chaos, and the very real grief of missing a key family member during such a milestone moment.We share the push and pull between wanting to be fully present in a once-in-a-lifetime event, while also carrying the weight of absence. From navigating family dynamics, to finding ways to honor loved ones who can’t be there, to letting ourselves feel all the feelings, we open up about the beauty and heartbreak that can exist in the same breath.This one’s for anyone who’s celebrated something huge while also holding onto loss. It’s messy. It’s tender. And you’re not alone.

In Part 2 of our relationships series, we’re digging deeper—not into family this time, but into the messier, sweeter, more nuanced connections we build with partners, friends, and everyone in between. From the pressures caregiving can place on romantic relationships, to the way friendships shift when life gets heavy, we’re sharing our own stories and struggles around showing up (or not showing up) for the people in our lives.We talk about the silent expectations that creep in, the guilt that lingers when we can’t be everything to everyone, and how we’re learning to create space for love, grace, and boundaries.We also open up about the deep gratitude we feel for the friendships that hold us, even when we disappear for a while. The ones that let us be messy, tired, distant—and still feel seen. And we explore how relationships evolve when caregiving becomes central to your identity, and how the right people make room for the version of you that exists now.This one’s for anyone navigating love while carrying a heavy load—romantic, platonic, or otherwise. You’re not alone, and we’re figuring it out with you.

This week, we take a close look at how caregiving reshapes the most important relationships in our lives — starting with our siblings. In Part 1 of this conversation, we reflect on how the weight of caregiving has shifted the way we communicate, divide responsibilities, and show up for one another as sisters.From childhood dynamics resurfacing to new roles being formed, we talk candidly about the tensions, tenderness, and transformation that caregiving brings to sibling bonds. We also touch on how these shifts ripple out into our broader family structure, including the evolving relationship with our mom and how we each cope differently with grief and change.This one’s for anyone trying to hold their family together while navigating the cracks — with a little humor, a lot of love, and the real talk we wish we heard more often.

Caregiving can take a serious toll on your mental and emotional well-being—and we’re not here to sugarcoat it. In this episode, we open up about the exhaustion, guilt, and emotional overload we’ve experienced as caregivers, and share the ways we’ve tried (and sometimes failed) to care for ourselves in the process. If you've ever felt like you're running on empty, you're not alone—and this one's for you.

In this episode, we’re diving into the emotional and logistical rollercoaster of finding the right care home for our mom. We break down the differences between assisted living and memory care, share what we looked for during our search, and talk through the tricky realities of cost, Medicaid, and what no one really prepares you for. If you’re in the middle of this process—or know you might be someday—we’re here to help you feel a little more informed and a lot less alone. Helpful Resources:A Place for Mom –  Free senior living referral service with resources on types of care and facility comparison. Eldercare Locator –  A public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging. Helps connect you to local support services (Area Agencies on Aging). Family Caregiver Alliance –  Offers practical tips, support resources, and legal/financial guides for caregivers. Alzheimer's Association – Specific to dementia and memory care with downloadable guides and a 24/7 helpline. 

In this episode, we’re sharing the story of the woman at the center of it all—our mom, Carol. From our childhood memories to her vibrant personality and the little things that made her her, we reflect on the mom we grew up with and how her journey with dementia and Parkinson’s has shaped the present. This one’s tender, honest, and full of love.

Welcome to our very first episode! Meet Lexi and Ari, two sisters in their 20s and 30s, who became caregivers for their mom after her diagnosis with dementia and Parkinson's. We’re sharing our journey into caregiving, why we started this podcast, and what we hope you’ll gain from joining us. Let’s dive into the heart (and humor) of our caregiving story. This episode sets the stage for the conversations to come, giving you a glimpse into our lives before we start deep-diving into the complexities of caregiving, mental health, relationships, and everything in between. 

We’re Ari and Lexi, two sisters in our 20s and 30s who are navigating the wild, rewarding, and sometimes messy world of caregiving. Together, we help take care of our amazing mom, who’s living with dementia and Parkinson’s. While this journey can be challenging, it’s also full of unexpected laughter, heartfelt moments, and lessons we never knew we’d learn. Join us as we explore the beautiful, chaotic, and deeply human side of caregiving. We’re so glad you’re here!