In this episode, we sit down with Joseph B. Fuller—Harvard Business School professor and co-lead of the Managing the Future of Work initiative—to unpack what most employers are still getting wrong about caregiving and the workforce. Joe brings powerful insights, compelling research, and personal stories that shine a light on why caregiving is a business issue, not just a personal one.

From costly turnover in your top-performing talent to invisible presenteeism draining productivity, we explore the real impact of ignoring caregiving needs—and the strategic advantage of doing something about it. Whether you're in HR, leadership, or caregiving yourself, this episode is full of eye-opening data, practical solutions, and a hopeful look at where the future of work is headed. You don’t want to miss it!

Joseph B. Fuller is a Professor of Management Practice at Harvard Business School and a globally recognized expert on the future of work. He is the co-founder and co-director of Managing the Future of Work, a long-term research initiative at HBS, and the founder and co-head of Harvard’s multi-disciplinary Project on the Workforce. Joe is also a non-resident Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. His research focuses on workforce development, caregiving economics, AI's impact on employment, and bridging the skills gap. Before academia, he was the co-founder and CEO of Monitor Group, now part of Monitor Deloitte. He is a graduate of both Harvard College and Harvard Business School.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] – Joe Fuller explains the costly turnover driven by caregiving
[1:38] – Welcome and why supporting working caregivers matters now
[2:28] – Introducing Joe Fuller and his motivation for researching the care economy
[5:57] – Has progress been made since “The Caring Company” report?
[6:18] – Encouraging shifts in male caregiving and workplace conversations
[9:35] – Hybrid work, job design, and the need for flexibility innovation
[11:25] – Shoutout to Wealthy and the power of solutions from experience
[13:27] – The power of leadership role-modeling for caregivers
[14:22] – Differences in caregiving styles between men and women
[15:49] – Key takeaways from Joe’s “Hidden Workers: The Case for Caregivers” report
[16:38] – Why annual performance reviews miss the mark—and how to improve them
[21:08] – Building trust through real-time conversations and support groups
[22:09] – Resume gaps and how applicant tracking systems exclude caregivers
[27:29] – Making the business case for supporting working caregivers
[36:09] – The future of caregiving and the workforce: women, social skills, and AI
[44:10] – A call to action for caregivers: you're not alone
[45:34] – Where to find Joe Fuller's work and research

Links & Resources:

Joseph B. Fuller – HBS Faculty Page: hbs.edu/faculty-profile

Managing the Future of Work (Project & Podcast):

• Research & Initiatives: Managing the Future of Work
• Podcast Episodes: Managing the Future of Work Podcast

Project on Workforce – Harvard Kennedy School: pw.hks.harvard.edu

The Caring Company Report: Download the Report

Hidden Workers: Untapped Talent: Read Here

Wellthy - wellthy.com

In this episode, we sit down with Paul Wynn, an incredible caregiver advocate, author, and storyteller, to unpack the complex reality of being in the sandwich generation—those caught between raising kids and caring for aging parents. Paul brings heartfelt honesty, practical wisdom, and real-life strategies from his own caregiving journey, while also highlighting the importance of workplace support for caregivers.

You’ll hear Paul’s deeply personal caregiving story and learn how he juggled family life, full-time work, and caregiving responsibilities. We explore how progressive employers are beginning to respond, the importance of community and peer support, and why Paul believes male caregivers need more visibility and voice. Whether you're a working caregiver or someone who supports them, this episode offers validation, encouragement, and actionable advice.

Episode Highlights:

[2:21] – Paul introduces us to the Hudson Valley, NY, and shares why it’s such a special place to live.
[3:28] – Paul dives into his personal caregiving story, juggling care for his uncle and mother while raising young children.
[5:56] – The reality of being a working caregiver and how progressive benefits helped Paul stay afloat.
[8:47] – Paul’s inspiration for writing about caregiving, the importance of male caregiver representation, and his work with AARP and other major publications.
[11:15] – What employers are beginning to understand about caregiving burnout—and why that matters.
[12:45] – How employees can navigate disclosure and build peer support within the workplace.
[15:13] – Paul shares the inspiration behind the powerful opening line of his chapter: “When it’s your turn to be a caregiver, whose example will you follow?”
[19:15] – Why uniting the generations can create joyful, healing connections—and how to make that happen.
[21:03] – The power of asking for help, especially for male caregivers—and how to do it effectively.
[24:43] – Reflecting on what Paul wishes he had done differently at the beginning of his caregiving journey.
[27:10] – The value of podcasts and virtual resources in today’s caregiving world.
[30:01] – How to connect with Paul and access his writings, advocacy work, and his book chapter.

Links & Resources:

· https://www.amazon.com/Caregivers-Advocate-Complete-Support-Resources-ebook/dp/B0FMGGL6ZY

· Stacy Shewey and Hand4Life https://www.h4lworld.org/our-story/

· Working Caregiver-The Invisible Employees Episode 26: Navigating Millennial Caregiving with Dr. Rachael Piltch-Loeb https://www.buzzsprout.com/2401927/episodes/17922747

· Paul Wynn article-Podcasts for caregivers: https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/life-balance/caregiver-podcasts-offer-support/

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast and leave a review. Remember to check out our website at invisibleemployeeadvocates.com for more resources, and subscribe to our newsletter for updates! We’ll catch you in the next episode.

In this episode, we sit down with the incredible Dr. Rachael Piltch-Loeb, author of The Millennial Caregiver, to explore the complex intersection of caregiving, career, and life as a member of the millennial generation. Rachael shares her deeply personal journey of becoming a caregiver for her father who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s while she was simultaneously raising a newborn and advancing her academic career. It’s a raw, real, and deeply insightful conversation that so many millennial caregivers will relate to—whether you're in the thick of it or just starting out.

Together, we unpack the emotional toll, unexpected challenges, and urgent need for better workplace support for caregivers—especially those balancing careers and caregiving in silence. Rachael doesn’t just share her story—she provides actionable advice for starting hard conversations, navigating the healthcare system, and preparing for the unexpected. If you're a working caregiver, or support someone who is, this is a must-listen.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] - Rachael introduces the unique challenges of millennial caregiving
[1:16] - Zack and Selma welcome listeners and reflect on recent caregiving experiences
[2:19] - Introduction to Dr. Rachael Piltch-Loeb and her book The Millennial Caregiver
[4:14] - Rachael shares her caregiving journey: balancing motherhood, academia, and her father's Alzheimer's diagnosis
[9:06] - The emotional complexity of caregiving and parenting simultaneously
[12:07] - How to talk to young children about illness and memory loss in loved ones
[14:08] - Rachael opens up about disclosing caregiving at work and navigating workplace flexibility
[16:41] - How her background in public health helped her navigate a broken healthcare system
[21:18] - Advice for employers: building a culture of support for working caregivers
[24:33] - Unique challenges millennial caregivers face—expectations, technology gaps, and life-stage disruption
[27:47] - Two powerful takeaways: managing expectations and starting early
[31:20] - Advice Rachael would give her younger self about preparing for caregiving
[33:37] - How to start difficult conversations with healthy loved ones
[36:30] - Where to find The Millennial Caregiver and connect with Rachael

Links & Resources:

Rachael's website: https://www.rpiltchloeb.com/

The Millennial Caregiver: Caring For Loved Ones In the Busiest Part Of Your Life by Rachael Piltch-Loeb https://www.amazon.com/Millennial-Caregiver-Caring-Loved-Busiest-ebook/dp/B0DXPKXFNZ

What's Going On With Papa Bear? https://www.amazon.com/Whats-Going-Papa-Jessie-Piltch-Loeb/dp/1662943873

Susie Singer Carter Podcast episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r84q-ixWt0A&feature=youtu.be

Business Insider article: https://www.businessinsider.com/millennial-caregiver-baby-father-alzheimers-sandwich-generation-2025-4

The Millennial Caregiver: How to Juggle Aging Parents, Kids, Work, and Your Sanity with Dr. Rachel Piltch-Loeb. Everyone is talking money podcast episode: https://podcast

Rachel's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-piltch-loeb-050a8213/