A Time to Care: The Caregivers Podcast

Sometimes caregiving is not only about caring for someone else—it is about learning how to care for the way you speak to yourself. In this powerful and heartfelt episode, Isabel welcomes Joseph Brooks, motivational speaker, caregiver, and resilience leader, for a conversation about grief, difficult decisions, perfectionism, and the daily practice of self-belief. After growing up in a violent neighborhood, losing both parents at a young age, caring for his wife through years of severe illness, and eventually facing the heartbreaking decision to remove life support, Joseph brings a perspective rooted in lived experience, faith, service, and grace. Together, Isabel and Joseph explore: how to make emotionally loaded decisionswhy caregivers must release the need to be perfectthe healing power of serving from presence instead of pressurehow to challenge negative self-talkrebuilding confidence after losstaking life one day at a timecreating a daily practice of truth, grace, and resilience This conversation offers gentle encouragement for any caregiver carrying guilt, fear, grief, or the weight of impossible choices. A reminder for your heart: You do not need to be perfect. You only need to keep showing up with grace.

Welcome to A Time to Care: The Caregivers Podcast! In this episode, Isabel Melgarejo sits down with financial advisor Mark Kashar to talk about the importance of insurance, long-term care planning, and how to protect your loved ones with smart financial decisions. Learn why early planning matters, what insurance companies look for, and how to avoid common — and costly — mistakes caregivers face. Perfect for anyone wanting clarity, confidence, and peace of mind.

In this short update, host Isabel Melgarejo shares exciting news with the A Time to Care community! As the podcast celebrates over 100 episodes, Isabel talks about what’s ahead — including new projects, resources, and ways to support caregivers. She also announces a small change: new episodes will now be released every other week to make space for upcoming initiatives designed to help you thrive in your caregiving journey. ✨ Stay connected and don’t miss what’s coming next — subscribe to the newsletter and get your free guide to having difficult conversations by registering in our page.

In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode of A Time to Care: The Caregivers Podcast, Isabel Melgarejo talks with filmmaker, actress, and elder care advocate Susie Singer Carter. What begins as a warm, humorous conversation about Susie’s caregiving journey with her mother evolves into a powerful discussion about ageism, dementia, and the broken long-term care system. Susie shares how her personal experience inspired her short film My Mom and the Girl and her documentary No Country for Old People, exposing the deep issues in elder care while championing dignity, love, and laughter through the challenges of caregiving. Together, Isabel and Susie explore how compassion, humor, and advocacy can transform the way we care for our elders — and how communities can come together to create real change.

In this episode of A Time to Care: The Caregivers Podcast, Isabel Melgarejo sits down with financial advisor Ryan Botzong to explore the often-overlooked side of financial planning: managing risks, protecting loved ones, and making tough conversations easier. From life insurance and long-term care to aligning your plan with what truly matters, Ryan shares practical advice and personal insights on how to approach these challenging topics with care, clarity, and compassion. This episode is perfect for anyone looking to create a plan that protects both their family and their peace of mind.

In this episode of A Time to Care: The Caregivers Podcast, Isabel Melgarejo welcomes Claudia Cometta, a pharmacist who transformed her own family’s health crisis into a mission of hope and advocacy. Claudia shares how her father’s illness opened her eyes to the struggles patients face and inspired her to guide others with compassion, clarity, and courage. Together, they explore how to reclaim your voice in healthcare, set meaningful goals for well-being, and embrace a new paradigm where patients and families are empowered to shape their own health journey.

In this episode, Isabel shares how a simple shift in mindset—choosing love, care, joy, and abundance—can transform everyday life. From self-talk to daily habits, she shows how to replace guilt with gentleness and discover the abundance already around us. A gentle reminder that you deserve more kindness, more joy, and more peace—starting with yourself.