Dr. Florence Johnson joins us for a powerful conversation about the hidden realities of caregiving, the emotional toll so many families carry in silence, and why support systems still fail millions of working caregivers. We unpack the surprising findings from her research, including the cultural and gender differences in asking for help, the financial strain caregivers face, and the critical role community support can play in reducing isolation.

We also talk about respite care, adult day services, employer flexibility, and why caregiving conversations need to happen openly and often. Florence brings both professional insight and deep personal passion to the discussion, sharing practical advice that caregivers can start using right away while reminding us that asking for help is a strength, not a weakness.

Episode Highlights

[1:50] - Florence Johnson joins the conversation and shares the inspiration behind her caregiving research

[2:50] - Surprising study findings about men using caregiving support services more often than women

[5:30] - Why isolation and lack of social support make caregiving even harder

[8:13] - Florence reflects on witnessing caregiving firsthand growing up in her own family

[10:58] - Breaking down the role and value of adult day services for caregivers and families

[15:37] - The financial realities caregivers face while balancing work, healthcare, and family responsibilities

[18:17] - Why caregiver support services remain difficult to access and afford

[20:16] - What employers can do to better support working caregivers in the workplace

[23:43] - Practical first steps caregivers can take to build a stronger support network

[27:55] - Redefining respite care and why caregivers need permission to rest without guilt

[31:36] - Florence shares what’s next in her research and advocacy work for caregivers

[32:47] - A hopeful conversation about the future of caregiver awareness and collective action

Links & Resources

• Dr. Florence Johnson LinkedIn: LinkedIn Profile
• “Caregiving Without A Net: Poll shows who needs help the most”: https://ihpi.umich.edu/news-events/news/caregiving-without-net-poll-shows-who-needs-help-most
• What Is Adult Day Care?: AARP Resource Guide
• Jason Resendez, President & CEO, National Alliance for Caregiving
• Find Your Local Area Agency on Aging: https://acl.gov/programs/aging-and-disability-networks/area-agencies-aging

About Dr. Florence Johnson

Florence Johnson, Ph.D., MHA, MSN, CDP is an Assistant Professor and health services nurse scientist at the University of Michigan School of Nursing. With more than 30 years of experience in home care, hospice, dementia care, and healthcare quality improvement, her work focuses on improving support systems for family caregivers—especially Black dementia caregivers—through research, education, and community advocacy.

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.

We sit down with Bonnie Wattles to unpack what it really looks like to support working caregivers—without the fluff and without the one-size-fits-all mindset. From the origin story behind Hilarity for Charity to the growing (and often invisible) population of caregivers in the workforce, we explore why this conversation matters now more than ever.

We also dig into the real-life challenges caregivers face daily—balancing work, family, and emotional stress—and the practical tools, community support, and mindset shifts that can make a meaningful difference. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, unseen, or unsure where to start, this conversation is packed with insights that will meet you exactly where you are.

Episode Highlights

[0:58] - We kick things off and introduce Bonnie and her work in the caregiving space

[3:27] - The origin story of Hilarity for Charity and its mission

[6:16] - Why younger caregivers were historically overlooked—and what’s changing

[7:23] - The importance of supporting both caregivers and care recipients

[11:10] - Exploring HFC’s tools and how caregivers actually use them in real life

[13:16] - Bonnie shares personal advice from her own caregiving journey

[14:20] - Deep dive into the Caregiver Road Trip tool and why it resonates

[18:15] - Virtual support groups and the power of accessible community

[19:23] - What employers are missing when it comes to supporting caregivers

[23:12] - The real impact of respite care—and why it matters

[25:28] - Rapid-fire insights: myths, realities, and small actions that matter

[27:31] - Final advice for overwhelmed caregivers: finding community

Links & Resources

• Lindsay Jurist-Rosner’s Caregiver Story (Wellthy About Page): https://wellthy.com/about
• Episode with Lindsay Jurist-Rosner: https://workingcaregiverspodcast.com/the-future-of-caregiving-at-work-with-wellthys-lindsay-jurist-rosner
• National Alliance for Caregiving: https://www.caregiving.org
• Hilarity for Charity (HFC): https://wearehfc.org
• HFC Care for Caregivers: https://wearehfc.org/caregivers
• Stories From Real Working Caregivers Series: https://invisibleemployeeadvocates.com/stories-from-real-working-caregivers
• HFC Caregiver Road Trip (Free Tool): https://wearehfc.org/caregiver-roadmap
• Support HFC / Employer Challenge (“Walk the Talk”): https://wearehfc.org/donate
• White Owl Tavern (Wharton, NJ): https://www.whiteowltavern.com
• Contact Hilarity for Charity:
  • info@wearehfc.org
  • care@wearehfc.org

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 Karen Kavanaugh to unpack the real challenges facing working caregivers—and why so many of them still feel invisible. From systemic breakdowns to cultural blind spots, we explore what’s really happening behind the scenes for employees balancing work and caregiving, and why employers can’t afford to ignore it any longer.

We also dive into what’s actually working. Karen shares powerful insights from her work with employers across the country, including innovative approaches to supporting caregivers in the workplace. Along the way, we reflect on our own caregiving journeys, what gives us hope, and the critical role community and leadership play in driving meaningful change.

Episode Highlights

[1:36] - Welcoming Karen and kicking things off with a lighthearted intro (and Zack’s birthday!)

[4:44] - Karen shares her personal caregiving experiences and the impact of employer support

[6:58] - How Karen’s career led her into caregiver advocacy and research

[11:07] - The role of the Rosalynn Carter Institute and why employer engagement matters

[16:39] - Inside the “Innovation Lab” and what employers are learning about caregiving

[21:47] - Surprising insights and challenges employers face today

[25:05] - Misconceptions on both sides: employers vs. caregivers

[28:03] - Practical advice for managers to better support caregiver employees

[31:38] - Where Karen finds hope in today’s caregiving landscape

[35:37] - Simple, actionable steps employers can take right now

[39:04] - What gives us hope as caregivers and advocates

Links & Resources

Diego Rivera, Detroit Industry Murals
https://smarthistory.org/rivera-detroit-industry-murals/

Episode 30: The Future of Caregiving at Work with Lindsay Jurist-Rosner (Wellthy)

National Alliance for Caregiving https://www.caregiving.org/

Family Caregiver Alliance https://www.caregiver.org/

Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers https://rosalynncarter.org/

REACT Report (AARP)
https://caregivers.org.il/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/AARP-ReAct-MASTER-web.pdf

Stand By Me: A Guide to Navigating Modern, Meaningful Caregiving https://www.amazon.com/Stand-Me-Navigating-Meaningful-Caregiving/dp/1668005808

Susie Singer Carter: @susiesingercarter

Jason Resendez: Linkedin

Karen Kavanaugh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-kavanaugh/

karen.kavanaugh@tuftsmedicine.org

Episode 23: Grief, Caregiving, and the Power of Connection with Leslie Weirich

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.