In this episode of Talking Dementia, Dr. Emily Silverman sits down with bestselling author and live storyteller Rebecca Barry to explore the sacred, complicated, and unexpectedly beautiful work of caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s.
Rebecca shares vivid stories of her father, a practical, literal, adventurous man whose essence has both softened and clarified since his diagnosis. She speaks openly about the early struggles after her father’s diagnosis, the financial challenges of caregiving, and the profound shift that occurred as she learned to “run toward the openings for connection” this disease sometimes reveals.
Rebecca’s stories illuminate what can emerge in the space memory leaves behind: gentleness, clarity, unexpected joy, and deep human connection. Her reflections offer empathy and encouragement to anyone walking through caregiving or grief, reminding us that presence, not perfection, is the true heart of care.
About this episode’s featured guest
Rebecca Barry is the author of two books, a live storyteller, and a professionally trained intuitive coach. Her work has appeared on The Moth Radio Hour, Tedex Asbury Park and in numerous national publications including The New York Times Book Review, O Magazine, Real Simple, Saveur, The Washington Post Magazine, Tin House, One Story, Ploughshares, Ecotone, The Best New American Voices and The Best American Travel Essays. Her first book, Later, at the Bar, was a New York Times Notable Book, and was short-listed for the Story Prize. Her memoir, Recipes for a Beautiful Life was a book of the month pick in The New York Times Motherlode, Redbook, and Bookriot. She worked as an editor at Seventeen and CosmoGirl and was the co-creator and Executive Editor of the green-living magazine Fresh Dirt Ithaca.
About Remo’s host Dr. Emily Silverman
Dr. Emily Silverman is an internal-medicine physician, Assistant Volunteer Professor of Medicine at UCSF. She is the creator and host of The Nocturnists, an award-winning medical storytelling program that has uplifted the voices of more than 450 clinicians since 2016 through its podcast and live performances. Her work has been supported by a MacDowell fellowship and widely published in numerous publications including JAMA, The New York Times, and NPR. Learn more about Emily by visiting her website.
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The information in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not the practice of medicine or any profession. It is not intended to be medical advice and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
44 mins
48 mins