Caregiver Support and Real-Life Advice From Dr. Julia Mayer
Release Date: 06/10/2025
Anticipatory Grief: How to Cope Before the Loss
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In this episode of Lighting the Path, grief and bereavement specialist Dawn Delaloye, PhD, shares the story of how she was drawn into walking alongside people in seasons of deep loss. She gently introduces the idea of anticipatory grief—the kind of grief that shows up before a death or major loss—and talks about when it can surface for patients, caregivers, and families who know that change is coming. Dawn names some of the common signs of anticipatory grief, like feeling on edge, tearful, exhausted, distracted, or “not like yourself,” and reassures listeners that these are normal...
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Grief, Love, and Moving Forward: Jason Rosenthal on Life After Loss
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In this deeply moving episode of Lighting the Path, Jerry Fenter sits down with Jason Rosenthal—attorney turned therapist, author, and widower of acclaimed writer Amy Krouse Rosenthal. Just ten days before her death from ovarian cancer in 2017, Amy published a now-viral New York Times essay titled “You May Want to Marry My Husband.” In it, she lovingly encouraged Jason to find happiness again after she was gone. What followed was an extraordinary public response—and a profoundly personal journey through grief. Jason reflects on what it was like to process loss while...
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Grief Support in Your Pocket: How Technology Provides Comfort with Help Texts
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In this episode of Lighting the Path, host Jerry Fenter talks with Melissa Lunardini, Chief Clinical Officer at Help Texts, about transforming grief support through technology. Help Texts is a pioneering service that sends thoughtful, personalized messages to people experiencing grief and loss — and just as importantly, to their friends and family who want to offer meaningful support but may not know how. Melissa explains the clinical philosophy behind Help Texts, the models that guide message design, and how the service helps normalize ongoing grief through timely,...
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How to Support Grieving Children and Teens
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Children experience grief differently from adults—yet their feelings are just as deep and real. In this episode of Lighting the Path, Melissa Lunardini, Chief Clinical Officer for Help Texts and nationally recognized expert in children’s grief, explores how we can better support children and teens who are grieving. Drawing on her 20 years of experience, Melissa dispels common myths about how children understand and express loss. She shares practical ways adults can offer genuine help without unintentionally causing harm—highlighting specific words and phrases to...
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Get Griefy is Helping the World Share Stories of Loss and Hope
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In this follow-up episode of Lighting the Path, host Jerry Fenter continues the conversation with Kera Sanchez, founder and editor of Get Griefy magazine. Kera shares how the idea for the magazine first came to her—quite literally—in the shower. Though she had no formal background in journalism, her passion for helping others share their stories of grief and loss led her to create a publication that now reaches readers across the globe. Through Get Griefy, people from every walk of life have found a place to express their experiences with loss, healing, and...
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How Kera Sanchez Turned Her Grief Into a Creative Purpose
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When grief meets creativity, something powerful can emerge. In this episode of Lighting the Path, host Jerry Fenter talks with Kera Sanchez, founder and editor of Get Griefy—a heartfelt online and print magazine that explores grief, healing, and creative expression. Kera begins by sharing the deeply personal story of her mother’s sudden death while traveling abroad. The timing and circumstances brought unique emotional challenges, leaving Kera searching for ways to process the loss. Through that pain, she discovered the healing potential of creative self-expression. Her...
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Finding Healing Through Grief Support
Lighting the Path
Licensed professional counselor and grief specialist Chuck Olliff returns to the podcast. Chuck has been leading bereavement support groups for more than 20 years, and in this episode he explains why grief support groups play such an important role in healing and connection after loss. He walks listeners through the six key topics he covers in his six-week virtual grief groups, offering valuable insights for anyone navigating their own grief or supporting others who are. Chuck’s compassionate and practical approach makes the process feel less daunting and more accessible to...
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Understanding Grief and the Kübler‑Ross Model with Expert Chuck Olliff
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In this episode of Lighting the Path, host Jerry Fenter welcomes Chuck Olliff, a Licensed Professional Counselor and grief specialist with more than 25 years of experience leading grief support groups. Chuck shares the story of how his journey into grief counseling began unexpectedly — when a local funeral director asked him to facilitate a series of grief groups for families coping with loss. Together, Jerry and Chuck explore the origins and lasting influence of Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s work on the five stages of grief — denial, anger,...
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Dr. Emma Jones Offers a Proven Guide to Resilience for Caregivers
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In this episode of Lighting the Path, Jerry sits down with Dr. Emma Jones, author of The Phoenix Blueprint, to talk about resilience, burnout, and the emotional tools needed to thrive as a caregiver. Dr. Jones shares what inspired her to write the book and opens up about the real causes of burnout among healthcare professionals—factors that reach far beyond workload and long hours. She introduces the concept of “emotional PPE,” a metaphor she uses to describe the inner armor caregivers need to protect their emotional well-being—just as firefighters use physical protective...
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How to Start Healing From Burnout as a Caregiver
Lighting the Path
In this episode of Lighting the Path, hospice and palliative care physician Dr. Emma Jones shares her personal experience of spiraling into burnout and the moment that forced her to confront the depth of her mental and emotional exhaustion. Drawing from her book, The Phoenix Blueprint: Emerging Stronger from the Blaze of Healthcare, she reflects on how perfectionism, overwork, and the culture of silence around clinician distress pushed her past her limits, and how stigma and fear made it difficult to admit she needed help. Emma also talks about early warning signs of...
info_outlineIn this insightful episode, Jerry sits down with Dr. Julia Mayer, a clinical psychologist specializing in women’s issues and caregiver support. Drawing from both her professional expertise and lived experience, Dr. Mayer opens up about the unique challenges, emotional complexities, and unexpected rewards of caregiving.
The discussion includes,
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The emotional impact of becoming a caregiver unexpectedly
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Balancing personal well-being while supporting loved ones
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Navigating family dynamics and communication during times of crisis
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The importance of self-compassion and seeking support
Dr. Mayer also offers a sneak peek into her upcoming book, The AARP Caregiver Answer Book (co-authored with Dr. Barry Jacobs), which will be published in July. She shares practical tips, resources, and encouragement for anyone walking the caregiving path.
Key Takeaways:
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Caregiving is both challenging and deeply rewarding
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Self-care and support systems are essential for caregivers
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Open communication can ease family tensions and foster understanding
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Every caregiving journey is unique, but no one has to go it alone
For more information:
The AARP Caregiver Answer Book
Connect with Harbor Hospice & Beacon Hospice: