Feeling drained by caregiving or just life’s relentless demands? Let me tell you, the secret to thriving starts with giving yourself permission to recharge. Vivianne Winters Israel—an experienced nurse, cancer survivor, and lifelong caregiver—knows this firsthand. With over 47 years in critical and emergency care, plus her personal experiences of caregiving for family members, she shares how embracing self-care tools transformed her ability to handle life’s toughest challenges, from caregiving stress to battling metastatic cancer. Vivianne unpacks simple, powerful practices—some as quick as two minutes—that help you break free from burnout and reclaim your energy and joy. Her message is clear: when you care for yourself first, you amplify your ability to support those you love. Don't wait—start filling your own cup today!

Listener Free Gift: Empowered Self-Care Resources https://vivwi.me/selfcare1

• A list of Vivianne’s favorite powerful self-care tools she’s learned of over the decades and use. You're bound to resonate with at least one. Access to Tool #2 is free and only takes 90 seconds, once learned. #1 is even faster, taking only 5-20 seconds, once learned (no affiliate links).

About Our Guest:

Vivianne Winters Israel is a motivational speaker and author of the upcoming Adventure Annie, series of children’s books full of adventure and mystery (ages 9-12). Registered Nurse; studied cellular biology and physiologic psychology at California State University, Northridge; Mom and serialpreneur; published author, first book Tender Moments: Diary of a First-time Mother received Benjamin Franklin Silver Award, for non-fiction literature; co-author of Amazon Bestseller in three categories Life by Design: How to Create, Leverage, Legacy and Lifestyle; acknowledgements from The American Biographical Institute—Who’s Who of American Women, 2,000 Notable American Women, Woman of the Year (1990), and Golden Lifetime Achievement Award; Member: Independent Book Publishers Association; Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

Her upcoming stories are crafted to help children work through the increased social and emotional challenges surrounding the pandemic, by experiencing real-life issues from the safety of engaging fictional adventures. Each with a free Teacher/Parent Resource Guide.

Links:

• Website https://viviannewintersisrael.com/
• Facebook https://www.facebook.com/An.Authors.Journey.into.Childrens.Fiction.FORUM
• Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/VivianneWI_Childrens_Author/
• TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@authors_journey?_t=8n7RBiUIdh8&_r=1
• Clapper https://www.clapperapp.com/Viv_Speaker_Author

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

Sometimes life feels like balancing a fragile house of cards—caregiving challenges can leave us feeling overwhelmed and uncertain. My guest Denise Brown, an inspiring author and caregiving expert, brings hope, offering strategies to lighten the load and manage the stress, loneliness, and emotional toll of caregiving. With Denise’s wisdom, we chat about the importance of embracing community, setting boundaries, and finding moments of relief and joy amidst the chaos. Her books, including The Caregiving Years series, remind us that even in the toughest caregiving stages, we can craft plans that turn dread into action and heartache into healing. Denise inspires us to face each day with resilience and a reminder that no caregiver is truly alone.

About Our Guest:

Denise supports individuals managing difficult life experiences with coaching, planning and training. Through her work, Denise helps clients find hope, possibilities and a path forward.

Denise began helping individuals who care for a family member in 1990 and launched a business to help them in 1995. She created one of the first online caregiving communities in 1996 which she managed until its sale in 2020.

Denise now develops and delivers training programs for the workplace and for individuals who want to coach family caregivers. More than 400 individuals from eight different countries have enrolled in her training programs.

Denise is the author of several books that provide insights, comfort and hope to those who care, including the five-book series called Take Comfort; The Caregiving Years, Your Guide to Navigating the Six Caregiving Stages; and After Caregiving Ends, A Guide to Beginning Again.

Links:

• Denise’s Books: http://bit.ly/caringbooks
• Caregiving Reflections, a weekly newsletter: https://denisebrown.substack.com/archive
• Caring Our Way: https://join.caringourway.com/
• The Caregiving Years Training Academy: https://www.careyearsacademy.com
• The Wall Street Journal: https://www.wsj.com/articles/these-self-care-strategies-can-help-caregivers-cope-with-burnout-11640782803?st=37dob9tjnjt4tke&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

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/

You deserve to feel whole while taking care of others. Picture a pie with four slices: financial, emotional, mental, and physical well-being. You need to keep each slice balanced and replenished because caregiving can take a toll on every piece. Financially, set realistic goals and create a budget to avoid future stress. Emotionally, give yourself space to process your feelings—ignoring them only floods your mind later. Mentally, stay creative and organized, even when drained, and physically, don't skip the exercise and habits that keep your energy steady. And here’s the secret ingredient: stories. Share them, hear them, and connect. Together, we can refill each other’s plates and savor the balance of a fulfilling life.

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

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