Beyond Caregiving Survival with Betsy Hicks-Russ

Beyond Caregiving Survival with Betsy Hicks-Russ

Author: Elizabeth Miller Featured on The Whole Care Network March 25, 2026 Duration: 58:36

Betsy Hicks-Russ, Director of the nonprofit Autism Odyssey, shares what it takes to navigate caregiving when your child has high support needs. Drawing on her over three decades of experience as a family caregiver, Betsy discusses overcoming significant obstacles, letting go of victimhood, and choosing to try new things—even when the path forward feels uncertain.


In this episode, we explore the powerful gut-to-brain connection and why good nutrition matters for caregivers and care recipients alike. Betsy also reflects on how caregiving has changed over time, comparing today’s information overload with earlier days of lower-tech living and stronger local community connections. Plus, we explore the joy of discovering shared interests with our care recipients—such as a love of Grateful Dead music and nature—and how these shared joys can deepen connection and resilience in caregiving relationships.


Show notes with product and resource links:

https://bit.ly/HHCPod224

Receive the podcast in your email here:

http://bit.ly/2G4qvBv

Order a copy of Elizabeth's book Just for You: a Daily Self Care Journal:

http://bit.ly/HHCjournal

For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact Elizabeth:

https://happyhealthycaregiver.com/contact-us/

The Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast is part of the Whole Care Network. Rate and Review the podcast:

https://bit.ly/HHCPODREVIEW


Juggling the needs of aging parents or other family members with your career, your children, and your own aspirations can feel like an endless, solitary marathon. Happy Healthy Caregiver is a space dedicated to those navigating this complex reality, offering genuine conversation and practical strategies for sustaining your own well-being alongside your caregiving duties. Host Elizabeth Miller, a Certified Caregiving Consultant featured on The Whole Care Network, brings both personal experience and professional insight to each episode. She doesn’t just share her own stories; she creates dialogues with other family caregivers, exploring how they carve out moments for fitness, mental clarity, and personal joy amidst their responsibilities. Tuning into this podcast, you’ll hear honest discussions about setting boundaries, managing stress, and redefining what health and happiness look like during a demanding chapter of life. It’s a resource that acknowledges the weight of your role while providing tangible ideas to help you carry it, reminding you that caring for yourself isn’t a distraction from your duties-it’s what makes them sustainable.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Happy Healthy Caregiver
Podcast Episodes
Seamless Supply Shopping with Bianca Padilla - Caregiver Spotlight [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:42
Meet Bianca Padilla. Bianca’s experiences caring for her grandma inspired her to start Carewell along with her husband John – a family-founded company that simplifies life for caregivers by providing personalized service…
Sustainable Caregiving with Theresa Wilbanks - Caregiver Spotlight [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:26
Meet Theresa Wilbanks who cared for her father until his passing at 99 years of age. During that time, she experienced the raging river of emotions that comes with caring for a family member. Overwhelmed and drowning, sh…
Advocacy During a Pandemic with Mary Daniel - Caregiver Spotlight [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:14
In today's show, I am shining the caregiver spotlight on Mary Daniel. During her husband’s long-term care community’s pandemic lockdown, family caregiver Mary Daniel’s story went viral when she accepted a job as a dishwa…

«1...678910