I’m honored to share that my recent conversation with Michael Patrick Shiels on Michigan’s Big Show was selected as one of the Best of 2025 interviews and will be rebroadcast over the holidays.
This recognition means a great deal, because the holidays are often the moment when families finally notice what everyday life has been trying to show them all year – changes in memory, mobility, mood, or safety that may signal the beginning of a caregiving journey. Adult children who live out of state, or who haven’t seen loved ones in several months, are often the first to say, “Something feels different.”
During the interview, Michael and I talked about the reality facing so many families today:
- The growing reliance on informal caregivers – spouses, children, grandchildren, and close friends.
- Why planning ahead is essential, not optional.
- The “Ostrich Syndrome,” when families avoid tough conversations until a crisis forces decisions overnight.
- And the deeper truth that caregiving, while difficult, can also bring connection, humor, and unexpected joy.
I also reflected on my years advising the Governor’s Office on aging issues and the innovative programs we launched across Michigan – efforts that helped more seniors remain safely at home and gave families the support they needed to stay afloat. These issues are just as urgent today as they were then.
As one reader of Caregiver Tsunami wrote, “This is a much-needed masterpiece centered around a time in everyone’s life where there are more questions than answers.” My hope is that the conversation and the book give families a place to begin – with clarity, compassion, and practical guidance.
Learn more about Caregiver Tsunami on Amazon: ttps://amzn.to/4pVAzPm
You can listen to the interview here: Michigan Big Show Best of 2025
If you’re a caregiver or love someone who may soon need support, you’re not alone. The wave is here – but together, we can meet it with strength, humor, and humanity.