Grief doesn’t end when caregiving does—it evolves into something else entirely. I sat down with Dr. George Ackerman, a former caregiver, police officer, and fierce Parkinson’s advocate, who turned personal heartbreak into global impact after losing his mom to the disease. George opens up about the raw truth of caregiving—especially as a son—and how he built TogetherForSharon.com as a lifeline for others navigating isolation, advocacy, and loss. His mission proves that love doesn’t stop when caregiving ends—it transforms into purpose, action, and connection that can light the way for others still in the fight.

About Dr. George Ackerman:

Dr. George Ackerman (Sharon’s son) is from Brooklyn, N.Y. Now residing in Florida, he works in the fields of law, police, and education. George lost his mother, Sharon Riff Ackerman on 1/1/2020 due to Parkinson’s Disease.

George wanted to honor his mother and continue to help in the Parkinson’s awareness cause and did not know how to bring change. We started TogetherForSharon® as a family for the purpose of keeping my mother, Sharon Riff Ackerman’s, memory alive and to share the message of Parkinson’s Awareness and hope for a cure.

Today https://www.togetherforsharon.com/ reaches thousands of individuals across the country for PD Awareness. George currently interviews individuals throughout the Parkinson’s community including various foundations, caregivers, and Parkinson’s warriors to help share their stories and causes.

I am on a mission, and nothing will ever stop me until there is a PD Cure.... nothing. Join me, share and we are a family in this mission toward a cure, always! https://www.togetherforsharon.com/about-us/#mission

Author, A Son’s Journey from Parkinson’s Disease Caregiver to Advocate. To order your copy click https://www.togetherforsharon.com/my-book-a-sons-journey/

Also available in kindle/eBook and Hardcover at https://www.togetherforsharon.com/my-book/

Author, Voices of Resilience: Conversations with Parkinson's Disease Warriors, Caregivers and Advocates. Book 1. https://www.togetherforsharon.com/my-book-voices-of-resilience/

Author, Voices of Resilience: Conversations with Parkinson's Disease Warriors, Caregivers and Advocates. Book II. https://www.togetherforsharon.com/book-voices-of-resilience-ii/

Social media links:

• All Social https://linktr.ee/togetherforsharon
• Website https://www.togetherforsharon.com/
• TogetherForSharon® Shop https://www.togetherforsharon.com/shop/
• Email togetherforsharon@gmail.com
• LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-ackerman-ph-d-esq-mba-00871a82/
• TikTok

When caregiving emergencies hit, most of us scramble—and I’ve been there, making late-night calls, crossing my fingers for a decent match. That’s why my conversation with Amit Shrivastava lit me up. He’s building something truly game-changing with Go Instacare—a platform that doesn’t just find caregivers, it matches them based on personality, experience, and even language compatibility. Amit’s passion comes from lived experience, watching his own mother care for his grandmother without resources or support. Now, he’s transforming that into a tech-powered solution that’s free for families and built with heart. We talk about AI, instant caregiver matching, and why true care begins with connection.

About Amit Shrivastava:

Amit was born and brought up in India alongside his 5 other siblings. Although not from an affluent background, his parents ensured that he and his siblings got a good education. While growing up, one of the greatest things he learnt from his parents was caring for others. 30 years later, Amit still remembers how his mom, unable to hire professional care due to financial constraint, had to do all the heavy lifting while caring for his aged grandmother in her last years. This experience fueled in him a passion to develop a system that would lessen the hardship on families going through similar situation - unable to afford much needed professional care for their loved ones. So, drawing from his wealth of knowledge and experience in engineering and business strategy, Amit set up GoInstaCare Inc to leverage modern tech and bring AFFORDABLE and INSTANT care to families, by connecting them directly with professional care providers around the United States. With GoInstaCare, Amit is finally fulfilling his lifelong dream of revolutionizing the care giving marketplace by providing excellent yet affordable care to clients, peace of mind to family members and a healthy growth environment for care providers.

Link to Founder’s profiles: https://goinstacare.com/about#meet-founders

About Go InstaCare -

Go InstaCare is a tech-based, caregiving App that connects families looking for care with BACKGROUND CHECKED care providers, Instantly. The App is completely free to use. Go InstaCare App allows families to search for caregivers based on budget, skills, personality type, experience and many other criterion. The best part is that the matched caregivers are available to talk to families right away. Moreover, families can even do a video call with caregivers they like. The system also works on feedback from families so good caregivers keep showing up on top of the search results.

By leveraging modern tech to connect care seekers directly with well-trained care providers across the country, GoInstaCare makes it possible for care seekers to receive the best quality care they need, anywhere, anytime and all of this at a very affordable rate.

Our Mission: At GoInstaCare, our mission is to provide RELIABLE, AFFORDABLE and INSTANT care, anytime, anywhere to Families across the United States.

Learn more about Go InstaCare:

Client App Links :

Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/goinstacare-find-home-care/id6448659417

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.goinstacare.client&pli=1

Provider App Link:

Apple:

What if the person giving your aging parent a bath, managing their meds, or cooking their meals is just 12 years old? I shine a light on the overlooked crisis of child and teen caregivers—millions of young people in kinship care who take on adult responsibilities far too early, often in silence. These kids don’t just lose their childhoods—they risk their mental health, education, and future. Add to that the rollback of child labor protections across the U.S., and we’re creating a pressure cooker of stress and exploitation. If we really value caregiving, we have to protect the youngest ones doing it. They shouldn’t have to carry what so many adults struggle to hold.

Resources:

Legislation:

Arkansas (2023): Repealed age verification requirements for workers under 16

Iowa (2023–2024): Passed legislation allowing teens to work more hours and in jobs previously restricted for safety reasons

Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin: Introduced similar bills to expand youth labor

Economic Policy Institute (EPI): Reports on deregulation of youth labor laws

National Employment Law Project (NELP): Research and legal challenges to child labor law rollbacks

Department of Labor (Wage and Hour Division): Enforcement statements and child labor trends

Generations United: Research on intergenerational caregiving and youth caregivers

National Alliance for Caregiving: Surveys and statistics on young caregivers

Scholars such as Dr. Diana Pearce (University of Washington) and Dr. Melinda K. Lewis (University of Kansas) have written about hidden labor in low-income households, including caregiving

Links to Internet Resources:

• Eldercare.acl.gov (resource locator)
• Reports from Economic Policy Institute: https://www.epi.org
• National Employment Law Project: https://www.nelp.org
• Generations United: https://www.gu.org
• National Alliance for Caregiving: https://www.caregiving.org
• National Conference of State Legislatures tracking: https://www.ncsl.org/about-us

Episode 18—Terry Tucker:

Captivate link: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/93d1fc30-a9ab-4f88-83ee-42ba15343c73/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tP4Wxq8zTEc&t=7s

About Me:

I have cared for many family members across the life span, experiencing the joys and challenges of child-rearing, the poignance of caring for parents, friends, and elder partners. I realized that I could not handle the stress of family caregiving 24/7/365. It was time for a new approach to caring. My health and happiness were slipping away. This is how Think to Thrive for Caregivers evolved. Let your mind meet your heart so you don’t lose track of your life.

Connect with Me:

https://www.deborahgreenhut.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahgreenhut01/

We're bringing back one of our favorite episodes from the archives! Enjoy the episode!

Diving into the stages of caregiving, I realize it’s a journey full of unexpected twists and deep emotions, not just a checklist to be managed. Whether it’s starting the conversation early with loved ones about potential needs or shouldering the full weight of care responsibilities, each stage demands a different part of you. The emotional load can be overwhelming, especially when it shifts from professional detachment to intimate, familial involvement. It’s a human response to feel worn by the efforts to balance personal grief with the demands of caregiving. Embracing these stages isn’t about getting stuck in the roles we play but learning to navigate them with grace, preparing for the grief that may come, and ensuring we don’t lose ourselves to the emotional undertow. This journey reshaped not only how I view caregiving but also how I see resilience and the power of planning ahead.

About Me:

I have cared for many family members across the life span, experiencing the joys and challenges of child-rearing, the poignance of caring for parents, friends, and elder partners. I realized that I could not handle the stress of family caregiving 24/7/365. It was time for a new approach to caring. My health and happiness were slipping away. This is how Think to Thrive for Caregivers evolved. Let your mind meet your heart so you don’t lose track of your life.

Connect with Me:

https://www.deborahgreenhut.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahgreenhut01/

Find my books here

Thanks for listening!

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Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

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Alzheimer’s doesn’t just challenge memory—it tests love, patience, and every ounce of strength a caregiver has. I spoke with Jennifer Fink, host of Fading Memories, who knows firsthand what it takes to care for a parent with dementia while still holding on to your own identity. Jennifer gets real about how to advocate with doctors who don’t listen, when to let go of guilt, and why self-care isn’t selfish—it’s survival. Her practical tools, fierce honesty, and deep compassion reminded me that caregivers aren’t just supporting a loved one—they’re holding up an entire system, and they deserve support too.

About Our Guest:

Jennifer Fink, a caregiver for three generations affected by Alzheimer's, launched the Fading Memories podcast to prevent the disease and support fellow caregivers. With a thirst for knowledge, she has interviewed caregivers, experts, and those with cognitive impairment, broadening her understanding of brain health, caregiving, and lifestyle choices. Jennifer's experiences inspired her to share insights and become a trusted friend to others on a similar journey. Passionate about navigating the challenges and avoiding personal struggles, she offers support and expertise through the Fading Memories podcast, and professional speaking, fostering a community where shared wisdom can make a difference in the lives of caregivers and individuals impacted by dementia.

Links:

Fading Memories Podcast: https://fadingmemoriespodcast.com/category/episodes/

Host+ Speaker, Presenter, & future Author www.fadingmemoriespodcast.com

To contact my Agent for Speaking Engagements:

Wellness Productions Co.

Antoniette Roze (718) 772-9103

About Me:

I have cared for many family members across the life span, experiencing the joys and challenges of child-rearing, the poignance of caring for parents, friends, and elder partners. I realized that I could not handle the stress of family caregiving 24/7/365. It was time for a new approach to caring. My health and happiness were slipping away. This is how Think to Thrive for Caregivers evolved. Let your mind meet your heart so you don’t lose track of your life.

Connect with Me:

https://www.deborahgreenhut.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahgreenhut01/

Find my books here

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcasts review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple...

Caregiving strips you bare—it tests your patience, your humor, your strength, and your love. That’s what I learned talking with Mark Steven Porro, who cared for his mother during the final stretch of her life and turned it into a powerful, painfully funny, and deeply human memoir. Mark didn’t sugarcoat the hard stuff—he carried her, fed her, changed her, and sometimes got peed on mid-diaper-change. But he also found grace in the chaos, beauty in her smile, and humor in everything from rosary beads repaired with hot glue to a cup of tea made on a commode. His story reminded me that caregiving isn’t just about duty—it’s about connection, transformation, and showing up with love even when your tank feels empty.

About Our Guest:

Mark Steven Porro, a New Jersey native (Exit 163), earned an Industrial Design degree from The Ohio State University. After years of agency work, his love of acting led him to Hollywood, where he appeared in dozens of television, film, and stage productions. Mark also spent his twenty-eight years in Tinseltown, entrepreneuring. He started five non-profit companies. But hold the applause, none were intended to be. He now lives in the South of France. But hold your pity. He of sound mind and body chose to suffer in the heart of wine country where the locals insist his French isn’t so bad—at least that’s what he thinks they’re saying.

Mark is an award-winning designer, writer, director, and now a best-selling, award-winning author. He has written lots of jokes, several screenplays, and one award-winning short film. A Cup of Tea on the Commode—a sad, sweet, and funny debut memoir—chronicles his multitasking adventures of filling his mother’s last years with love, laughter, and joy. Though not always successful, he came pretty damn close.

Social Media Links:

• Choose your favorite bookstore to order - https://books2read.com/u/bPN7Pd
• Our website - https://acupofteaonthecommode.org/
• Our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/teaonthe
• Our YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@acupofteaonthecommode
• Our Distributor (Independent Publishers Group) - https://www.ipgbook.com/

“This author weaves his stories together, employing a wickedly humorous skill not unlike that of David Sedaris and Augusten Burroughs” — Five-Star Amazon review

• 2025 Independent Press Award Winner
• 2025 Feathered Quill Book Awards Finalist
• 2024 Best Indie Book Award Winner
• 2024 NYC Big Book Award Winner
• 2024 Paris Book Festival Winner
• 2024 Living Now Book Awards Winner
• 2024 International Book Awards Winner
• 2024 IndieReader Discovery Award Winner
• 2024 Book Excellence Award Winner
• 2024 Firebird Book Award Winner
• 2024 Eric Hoffer Book Award Finalist
• 2024 Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards Finalist
• 2024 National Indie Excellence Awards Finalist
• 2024 American BookFest Awards Finalist
• 2024 Chanticleer International Awards Finalist

About...

No one trains you for the moment your child’s life changes forever—but what you do with that moment can define everything. I spoke with Dr. Maggie Kang and her remarkable daughter Nell, whose rare disease journey sparked a powerful shift from despair to advocacy, healing, and hope. As a caregiver, Maggie learned that taking care of herself made her a stronger support for Nell. Together, they transformed isolation into purpose—Nell through writing, art, and legislative action, and Maggie by embracing coaching and sharing hard-won insights with other parents. Their story is a raw, beautiful reminder that caregiving isn’t about fixing—it’s about showing up, evolving, and growing together, no matter how uncertain the road looks.

Freebie: https://maggiekangmd.com/caregiver

About Our Guests:

Dr. Maggie Kang Certified Life and Healthcare Coach | Rare Disease Advocate | TEDx Speaker Dr. Maggie Kang is a Yale-trained physician and certified life and healthcare coach who empowers parents to transform the journey of their child’s diagnosis into opportunities for growth, resilience, and purpose. After navigating her own daughter’s rare disease, Maggie also uses her expertise to guide parents through the healthcare system, helping them turn health challenges into leadership. A passionate advocate and TEDx speaker with nearly 200,000 views, Maggie has reached national audiences through her inspiring talks. She has spoken at the UCLA Luskin Center and the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), and her daughter’s journey has been featured on CBS Evening News. Maggie is also a regular contributor to Psychology Today.

Social Media Links:

• Link to TEDx talk: The Truth About Pain and Suffering Will Change Your Life | Maggie Kan…
• TEDx reel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_JYN91dlIM
• Website: https://maggiekangmd.com/
• Specific link to my Lobster Mom Collective newsletter: https://maggiekangmd.com/lobstermom
• FB: https://www.facebook.com/maggiekangmd/
• LinkedIn:http://linkedin.com/in/maggiekangmd36
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maggiekangmd/

About Me:

I have cared for many family members across the life span, experiencing the joys and challenges of child-rearing, the poignance of caring for parents, friends, and elder partners. I realized that I could not handle the stress of family caregiving 24/7/365. It was time for a new approach to caring. My health and happiness were slipping away. This is how Think to Thrive for Caregivers evolved. Let your mind meet your heart so you don’t lose track of your life.

Connect with Me:

https://www.deborahgreenhut.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahgreenhut01/

Find my books here

Thanks for...

Success doesn’t follow a straight path—it flows from self-awareness, surrender, and listening to that inner nudge that won’t be quiet. I sat down with Susan Bloom, a powerhouse coach and former therapist who helps women unlock their deep truth and shift into the life they were born to lead. What makes her approach even more magical? Horses. Susan guides transformational breakthroughs through equine therapy, where the presence of these intuitive animals reflects exactly what we need to see in ourselves. We got into how to stop forcing outcomes, tune into intuition, and trust the timing of change. Her journey from burnout to bold alignment lit a fire in me—and it’ll do the same for anyone feeling stuck or small. Overwhelmed caregivers can benefit from learning to trust themselves—a necessary tool for self care.

About Our Guest:

Susan Bloom is a Master Equine Gestaltist and lifelong horsewoman committed to transforming the lives of doctors and caregivers by helping them reconnect—with themselves, their patients, and their communities. Drawing on personal experience and professional training, Susan supports others in reducing stress, enhancing well-being, and fostering better patient outcomes.

Her journey began in western Kansas, where she grew up as the daughter of the only doctor in a small town. Witnessing the toll caregiving took on her father left a lasting impression, which deepened years later when she became the full-time caregiver for her husband, a farmer diagnosed with multiple life-threatening conditions. Over five years and more than 57,000 miles of travel to leading medical institutions, Susan found strength and clarity through the Equine Gestalt Coaching Method®—a modality she was training in during the most difficult years of her husband’s illness and through her own breast cancer diagnosis.

Today, Susan is the founder of Connection and Synergy, LLC, where she combines over 50 years of experience with horses, a B.A. in Communications, and intensive Gestalt training to offer equine-assisted workshops and coaching. Her programs focus on leadership, team building, and emotional resilience—creating space for healthcare professionals and caregivers to reconnect, recharge, and thrive.

Social Media Links:

• SusanB@ConnectionAndSynergy.com
• https://connectionandsynergy.com/

About Me:

I have cared for many family members across the life span, experiencing the joys and challenges of child-rearing, the poignance of caring for parents, friends, and elder partners. I realized that I could not handle the stress of family caregiving 24/7/365. It was time for a new approach to caring. My health and happiness were slipping away. This is how Think to Thrive for Caregivers evolved. Let your mind meet your heart so you don’t lose track of your life.

Connect with Me:

https://www.deborahgreenhut.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahgreenhut01/

Find my books here

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions...