Episodes

  • Grieving Before Goodbye — Loving Through Alzheimer’s “Pre-Grief”

    Grieving Before Goodbye — Loving Through Alzheimer’s “Pre-Grief”
    Nov 4 2025
    In this milestone 10th episode of This Is Your Brain on Mom, siblings Wendy and Barry open up about one of the hardest and least-talked-about parts of Alzheimer’s caregiving — pre-grief. They celebrate reaching ten episodes (and surviving it together!) while reflecting on the powerful community that’s grown around their story — from old friends reconnecting to strangers who deeply understand what it’s like to love someone through dementia. This heartfelt conversation dives into what it means to grieve the small losses while still finding gratitude for what remains. Wendy shares how her mom’s recent medication change brought back glimpses of her “old self,” and the siblings unpack the emotional rollercoaster that comes with that — hope, guilt, fear, laughter, and everything in between. With their trademark humor and honesty, Wendy and Barry explore how each of them copes — from late-night worry to true-crime podcasts, over-scheduling, and using laughter as a lifeline. They remind listeners that grief in caregiving doesn’t wait for the end — it arrives quietly, again and again. 🎧 Tune in to hear: What “pre-grief” really feels like for dementia caregivers How humor becomes survival when love and loss coexist The small miracles that happen when the “old” mom shines through Why community matters more than ever If you’ve ever felt the heartbreak of losing pieces of someone you love — while they’re still right in front of you — this episode is for you.
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    43 mins
  • Why Is Mom So Angry?

    Why Is Mom So Angry?
    Oct 28 2025
    In Episode 9 of This Is Your Brain on Mom, siblings Barry and Wendy dive deep into one of the hardest — and most confusing — parts of caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s: the anger. Their mom, Marion, has always been expressive, but lately, her emotions swing from loving to furious in a matter of minutes. Is it the disease? The medication? Or just Mom being… Mom? Barry and Wendy unpack the emotional rollercoaster that comes with Alzheimer’s-related personality changes, including anger, frustration, and confusion. Between bursts of laughter (and sibling teasing), they explore: Why Alzheimer’s can cause anger and aggression — even in someone who’s never been that way before. The emotional toll of being the “go-to” child who gets yelled at (and how to stay compassionate through it). How siblings handle caregiving differently — from blocking calls to trying to “fix” everything. The importance of routines, emotional check-ins, and visiting loved ones consistently. Why healthcare staff often struggle to manage dementia-related anger — and what families wish they knew. Along the way, listeners get glimpses of Marion’s humor, stubbornness, and heart — from feeding wandering patients in the hospital to believing she’s 91 one day and 16 the next. If you’ve ever wondered why your loved one with dementia seems so angry, this episode is for you. It’s raw, real, and full of the mix of humor, heartbreak, and honesty that defines This Is Your Brain on Mom.
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    43 mins
  • Meet Barry – The Brother, The Caregiver, The Comedian

    Meet Barry – The Brother, The Caregiver, The Comedian
    Oct 14 2025
    What happens when the sibling in the background finally takes the mic?In this week’s episode of This Is Your Brain on Mom, Wendy puts her brother Barry in the hot seat — the self-proclaimed “smarter child” who’s been there through every hospital visit, late-night phone call, and “laugh so you don’t cry” moment. Together, they dive into the humor and heartbreak of caregiving for a mom living with Alzheimer’s — from getting lost in hospitals and arguing over snack choices to the guilt, exhaustion, and love that come with watching a parent change before your eyes. 💬 In this episode: Barry’s unfiltered take on what it really means to be a caregiver The funniest (and weirdest) moments of their dementia journey How caregiving has changed their family, their patience, and their bond Why humor might just be the best survival skill of all Whether you’re a fellow caregiver, a sibling navigating aging parents, or just someone who needs a good laugh about life’s hardest moments — this one’s for you. 🧠 About the show:This Is Your Brain on Mom is a sibling-hosted podcast about caring for a parent with dementia — mixing advocacy, humor, and honest storytelling about love, memory loss, and everything in between. 👉 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.📱 Follow us on Instagram @yourbrainonmom for more stories, behind-the-scenes moments, and caregiver laughs.
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    30 mins
  • Back to the Hospital

    Back to the Hospital
    Oct 7 2025
    Mom had just received the word “Alzheimer’s” — and that very same night, she fell. In this episode of This Is Your Brain on Mom, we dive into the chaotic reality of another urgent trip to the ER, hospital stays, and the emotional rollercoaster that comes with caring for a parent with dementia. From sudden changes in behavior, sundowning, and confusion to navigating Montreal’s healthcare system, we give listeners an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes look at what life is like as a family caregiver supporting a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease. We explore the highs, the lows, and the moments of unexpected humor that surface in the midst of caregiving crises. This episode offers practical insight, relatable stories, and emotional honesty for sibling caregivers, family members, and anyone supporting someone living with dementia. Whether you’re managing hospital visits, advocating for a loved one, or simply trying to understand the challenges of Alzheimer’s care, you’ll hear what it truly means to balance love, responsibility, and resilience in real-time caregiving moments. Tune in for a raw, heartfelt, and sometimes funny exploration of the reality of Alzheimer’s caregiving — from the chaos of hospital emergencies to the tender, small victories that keep families moving forward.
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    49 mins
  • The Diagnosis (sort of)

    The Diagnosis (sort of)
    Sep 30 2025
    We finally had the CT scan results. We had a “diagnosis.” We had a caregiving schedule that seemed to work. And we were exhausted — did we really need more doctors, more tests, and more waiting rooms? In this episode of This Is Your Brain on Mom, we take you inside the rollercoaster of Google diagnoses, geriatric assessments, and the moment a doctor finally said the word “Alzheimer’s.” From confusing frontotemporal dementia vs. Alzheimer’s searches to navigating the Quebec healthcare system for elder care, we share the raw, funny, and heartbreaking truth of being adult children caring for a parent with dementia. You’ll hear how we balanced sibling caregiving, private healthcare appointments, and long waits at geriatric clinics, all while coping with the emotional impact of an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. And just when we thought we had our answer, Mom threw us a curveball that changed everything. 🎧 Listen now for a candid look at the highs, lows, and even bizarre moments (like unexpected dementia behaviors) that come with caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s disease.
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    23 mins
  • The Move

    The Move
    Sep 22 2025
    Mom’s move into semi-assisted living in Quebec turned out to be far more complicated than expected. From the impossible caregiving schedule it created for our family to the false promise of a transit bed, this episode dives into the real challenges of caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s. We share our firsthand experiences navigating the Quebec healthcare system for elder care, the long wait for a geriatric assessment, and the moment when a doctor finally cut through the confusion with a CT scan referral. Along the way, we discuss the struggles of managing dementia at home, the realities of senior care facilities, and the humor and chaos that come with being adult children caregivers. If you’re juggling caregiving for a parent or loved one with dementia, exploring semi-assisted living, or just trying to survive the rollercoaster of elder care, this episode is packed with insights, stories, and real-life lessons you won’t want to miss. 🎧 Listen now and join us for a candid look at the highs, lows, and funny moments of caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s. About This is Your Brain on Mom: This Is Your Brain on Mom is a podcast where sibling co-hosts share the unexpected beginning of their mom’s dementia journey — a story that started with a broken ankle, not memory loss. Candid, emotional, and often funny, it’s a real-life look at caregiving, dementia vs. Alzheimer’s, and the bond that forms when siblings team up to care for a parent. Follow us on social media: ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠
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    38 mins
  • March 14th

    March 14th
    Sep 21 2025
    We thought we were simply taking Mom out for a celebratory family dinner. Instead, we witnessed the first unmistakable signs that something deeper was happening — anxiety, confusion, whispering, and changes in how she ate. In Episode 3 of This Is Your Brain on Mom, a real-life dementia caregiving podcast, siblings Wendy and Barry share the night they realized their mom’s recovery wasn’t just about a broken ankle. From early signs of dementia and behavioral changes in Alzheimer’s to navigating the healthcare systemand questioning whether it was a UTI, delirium, or cognitive decline, this episode dives into the uncertainty caregivers face when a loved one begins to change. With a mix of honesty, humor, and sibling banter, we talk about how it feels to care for a parent while holding on to hope — and how grief begins long before a diagnosis. If you’re supporting a parent or loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia, wondering about early warning signs, or looking for real talk about family caregiving, this episode is for you. 🎧 Listen to Episode 3 now and join the conversation. About This is Your Brain on Mom: This Is Your Brain on Mom is a podcast where sibling co-hosts share the unexpected beginning of their mom’s dementia journey — a story that started with a broken ankle, not memory loss. Candid, emotional, and often funny, it’s a real-life look at caregiving, dementia vs. Alzheimer’s, and the bond that forms when siblings team up to care for a parent. Follow us on social media: ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠
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    26 mins
  • The Gut Feeling

    The Gut Feeling
    Sep 20 2025
    From the carefully planned rehab routines to the subtle cognitive changes that didn’t feel like Mom, this chapter of our dementia journey is where everything began to shift. What started as recovery from a broken ankle turned into questions about memory loss, unusual behavior, and the earliest signs of Alzheimer’s disease. In this episode of This Is Your Brain on Mom, we — a brother and sister duo — open up about the moment a doctor’s phone call planted a seed of worry we couldn’t shake. We share how we began piecing together that this was more than just a fall, and how we stepped into our roles as sibling caregivers, navigating the confusion, frustration, and humor that come with caregiving for a parent in cognitive decline. If you’ve ever wondered about the difference between a simple recovery setback and the early stages of something bigger, or if you’re trying to recognize the first signs of Alzheimer’s disease, this episode will feel both familiar and validating. About This is Your Brain on Mom: This Is Your Brain on Mom is a podcast where sibling co-hosts share the unexpected beginning of their mom’s dementia journey — a story that started with a broken ankle, not memory loss. Candid, emotional, and often funny, it’s a real-life look at caregiving, dementia vs. Alzheimer’s, and the bond that forms when siblings team up to care for a parent. Follow us on social media: Instagram | TikTok
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    17 mins