In this inspiring episode, Laura sits down with Marisa Payne, certified brain and cognitive health coach and dementia care consultant, to dive into the powerful Dementia Connection Model. Together, they explore how sensory-based strategies, cognitive behavioral theory, and structured daily engagement can transform life for both caregivers and individuals living with dementia.

Whether you're a family caregiver, a healthcare professional, or simply someone looking to better understand dementia care, this episode is filled with practical tools and hope for deeper connection and better quality of life.

👤 Meet Marisa Payne:

Marisa Payne is a credentialed brain and cognitive health coach, Dementia Connection Specialist Certified Trainer, and dementia care consultant. With over a decade of experience — and a lifetime of personal connection to elder care — she’s passionate about empowering caregivers with evidence-based, compassionate tools that prioritize both caregiver well-being and dignity for those living with dementia.

📌 Topics Discussed:

- Marissa’s journey growing up alongside elders and how it shaped her passion for dementia care

- What the Dementia Connection Model is and how it works

- How cognitive behavioral theory can be applied in dementia caregiving

- The power of sensory-based engagement (sound, scent, touch) to create connection and calm

- Practical examples from the “Perfect Day” framework caregivers can use daily

- Why preserving the dignity, autonomy, and emotional safety of people with dementia matters

- How caregivers can feel less isolated and more empowered

- How evidence-based training supports both family caregivers and professionals

⏱️ Timestamps (Approximate):

00:00 – Welcome and meeting Marisa Payne

02:00 – Marisa’s story: Growing up in a home with elders

07:00 – The link between childhood experiences and dementia care passion

10:00 – Introduction to the Dementia Connection Model

14:30 – How cognitive behavioral theory applies to dementia

19:00 – The role of sensory engagement (music, scent, touch)

25:00 – Examples of building a “Perfect Day” for someone with dementia

30:30 – How this model works in home care vs. facility care

35:00 – How caregivers can lower their own stress with structure

39:00 – Breaking the myth: People living with dementia can still learn

43:30 – How evidence-based tools build real hope for caregivers

50:00 – Resources for getting trained or learning more

💡 Key Takeaways:

- Caregivers can lower stress and improve quality of life using sensory-based routines

- Even with dementia, individuals can still learn — just differently

- Evidence-based tools like the Dementia Connection Model offer hope, not just help

- Small daily changes (like music and scent) can create powerful emotional shifts

- Supporting caregivers' well-being is essential to better dementia care

📚 Resources Mentioned:

The Dementia Connection Institute – Explore training options and resources

The Busy Caregiver’s Guide to Advanced Alzheimer’s Disease by Dr. Jennifer Stelter

In Pursuit of Wellness – Marissa Payne’s consulting and support services

🤝 Connect with Marisa Payne:

Website: InPursuitofWellness.com

🌿 Connect with Laura Vaillancourt & the Life on Repeat Podcast:

Website: https://lifeonrepeatpodcast.com

Instagram: @lifeonrepeatpodcast

Facebook: Life on Repeat Podcast

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeonRepeatPodcast

✨ Like this episode? Please like, subscribe, and share with someone who needs it. You’re not alone. 💛

In this heart-opening conversation, Laura speaks with Marty Schreiber, former Governor of Wisconsin and author of My Two Elaines: Learning, Coping, and Surviving as an Alzheimer's Caregiver. Marty shares his deeply personal journey of caring for his beloved wife Elaine through Alzheimer's, and how it reshaped his understanding of love, loss, and connection.

With humility, humor, and profound insight, Marty offers encouragement and practical wisdom for family caregivers navigating the emotional complexities of dementia care. This conversation is a powerful reminder that even in profound loss, deep moments of love and meaning are possible.

👤 Meet Marty Schreiber:

Marty Schreiber served as Governor of Wisconsin and spent over 18 years as a public servant before facing his most challenging role yet: caregiver for his wife Elaine, who lived with Alzheimer's disease. Through his experience, Marty became a fierce advocate for caregivers, sharing his hard-won lessons to help others survive—and even find hope—through the caregiving journey. His book, My Two Elaines, has become a beacon of support for countless families around the world.

📌 Topics Discussed:

• Marty's personal caregiving journey with his wife Elaine
• Why caregiving requires letting go—and embracing who your loved one is now
• The emotional toll of caregiving and the importance of self-care
• How unacknowledged grief impacts caregivers
• Living in the present moment with your loved one
• Therapeutic fibbing: preserving dignity and connection
• Why caregivers must ask for help (and why it’s an act of courage)
• Finding meaning, hope, and love even through loss

⏱️ Timestamps (Approximate):

00:00 – Welcome and introduction of Marty Schreiber

02:20 – How Marty's caregiving journey began

06:45 – Learning to "let go" and love Elaine as she is now

11:30 – Emotional challenges: grief, guilt, and frustration

18:10 – The power of living in the present moment

23:50 – Therapeutic fibbing: creating moments of peace

30:15 – Marty's reflections on self-care and asking for help

37:40 – Support groups, community, and connection

43:00 – How caregiving changes our understanding of love

48:50 – Final thoughts: What Marty wishes every caregiver knew

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Caregiving requires profound emotional shifts—and immense courage.
• Living in the present allows deeper connection, even when memory fades.
• Self-care is not selfish—it’s essential for both caregiver and loved one.
• Therapeutic fibbing can preserve dignity and create calm.
• Asking for help is an act of strength, not weakness.
• Even amid great loss, moments of love, joy, and meaning can still bloom.

📚 Resources Mentioned:

• My Two Elaines by Marty Schreiber

🤝 Connect with Marty Schreiber:

Website: mytwoelaines.com

🌿 Connect with Laura Vaillancourt & the Life on Repeat Podcast:

Website: https://lifeonrepeatpodcast.com

Instagram: @lifeonrepeatpodcast

Facebook: Life on Repeat Podcast

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In this deeply meaningful episode, Laura sits down with Dr. Aaron Blight, founder of Caregiving Kinetics, to explore how caregiving reshapes our identity, relationships, and personal growth. Drawing from his experience as a family caregiver, home care business owner, and scholar of caregiving, Dr. Blight shares transformative insights on why reflection—not just action—is vital for caregivers.

Together, they discuss how caregiving calls us to step off the “hamster wheel” of survival mode, face uncomfortable truths, and ultimately find deep meaning in the caregiving journey.

👤 Meet Dr. Aaron Blight:

Dr. Aaron Blight is the founder of Caregiving Kinetics, an international speaker, consultant, and author specializing in caregiving, aging, and healthcare workforce development. A former policy leader at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Aaron’s personal caregiving experience profoundly shaped his career. His award-winning book, "When Caregiving Calls: Guidance as You Care for a Parent, Spouse, or Aging Relative," provides caregivers with practical strategies and reflective tools for navigating the complex emotional terrain of caregiving.

📌 Topics Discussed:

• Aaron’s personal story of unexpected family caregiving
• How caregiving reshapes identity, relationships, and emotions
• The importance of reflection—not just action—for caregivers
• Highlights from Aaron’s book When Caregiving Calls
• Why traditional healthcare often overlooks caregiver needs
• Introducing the Caregiver Mind Shift framework
• How support groups and community reduce caregiver isolation
• Using reflection questions to unlock deeper healing and meaning
• Why connection and storytelling matter in the caregiving journey

⏱️ Timestamps (Approximate):

00:00 – Welcome and introduction of Dr. Aaron Blight

01:50 – How unexpected family caregiving changed Aaron’s life

06:00 – Launching a home care company after caregiving experience

09:30 – Why reflection is vital for caregivers' growth

13:45 – Exploring When Caregiving Calls and its 18 key chapters

18:40 – The role of caregiver identity theory in understanding struggles

23:20 – How reflective journaling can transform caregiving

30:00 – Stories from caregivers who found healing through reflection

36:15 – Caregiver isolation, grief, and the need for connection

40:50 – Introducing the Caregiver Mind Shift model

48:10 – How community support can extend beyond caregiving seasons

52:00 – Final thoughts and where to find Aaron’s work

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Caregiving fundamentally changes who we are—but that change can lead to growth.
• Reflection and intentional self-inquiry are powerful tools for caregivers.
• A growth mindset helps caregivers adapt, survive, and ultimately thrive.
• Building or finding community can ease isolation and emotional burden.
• Caregiving deserves acknowledgment, support, and compassionate resources.

📚 Resources Mentioned:

• When Caregiving Calls: Guidance as You Care for a Parent, Spouse, or Aging Relative
• Caregiving Kinetics Free Resources & Models

🤝 Connect with Dr. Aaron Blight:

Website: caregivingkinetics.com

Subscribe to his newsletter: Caregiving Kinetics Blog

🌿 Connect with Laura Vaillancourt & the Life on Repeat Podcast:

Website: lifeonrepeatpodcast.com

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