In this episode, we sit down with Robert Espinoza, a national leader in caregiving, equity, and aging, for a powerful conversation that every HR professional, business leader, and working caregiver needs to hear. With personal stories and deep policy insight, Robert walks us through the systemic gaps in the long-term care system, the challenges facing our care workforce, and the real-life impact of underfunding the care economy. His message is clear: caregiving touches all of us, and we have the power to create change right where we are.

We also dive into what a thriving, sustainable care economy could look like in the future—one that respects care workers, empowers working caregivers, and ensures continuity of care for our aging population. Whether you’re in HR looking to better support your team, or a caregiver trying to navigate your dual responsibilities, this episode will leave you feeling seen, informed, and inspired to act.

Robert Espinoza is a prominent advocate and thought leader in the fields of workforce, aging, and caregiving. He is a Distinguished Fellow and Senior Advisor at the National Academy of Social Insurance, where he leads efforts to build broad, nonpartisan support for a sustainable long-term care system that meets the needs of older adults, people with disabilities, and the care workforce. He is also a Leadership & Society Fellow at the University of Chicago. He previously served as CEO of National Skills Coalition, a bipartisan, DC-based policy organization focused on workforce issues, and as Executive Vice President of Policy at PHI, the nation’s leading authority on the direct care workforce, where he directed for nearly a decade the organization’s award-winning national advocacy, research, and public education division. In addition, Robert served as a Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] - Robert opens with two sides of the care story: what happens when care is undervalued vs. fully supported
[1:37] - Selma and Zack introduce Robert Espinoza and kick off the conversation
[4:07] - Robert shares his personal caregiver story and how it shaped his advocacy
[6:13] - What is the care economy and how does it impact all of us?
[8:13] - Zack discusses the aging population and asks where societal opportunities lie
[12:31] - Robert on how employers should rethink benefits and training to support working caregivers
[19:08] - What HR should start measuring to plan for the rise in working caregivers
[22:04] - Creating a lived culture of care, not just policies
[23:07] - Tips for employees to fully utilize benefits and open lines of communication with HR
[33:26] - The undervaluation of direct care workers and the need for compensation reform
[35:17] - Robert’s call to action: understand your care story and start where you have influence

Links & Resources:

• A question of care podcast: https://www.aquestionofcare.us/
• Caregiving in the US 2025: https://www.aarp.org/pri/topics/ltss/family-caregiving/caregiving-in-the-us-2025/
• Working Caregivers-The Invisible Employee podcast episode 23 Grief, Caregiving, and the Power of Connection – with Leslie Weirich: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2401927/episodes/17656188

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 Joseph B. Fuller—Harvard Business School professor and co-lead of the Managing the Future of Work initiative—to unpack what most employers are still getting wrong about caregiving and the workforce. Joe brings powerful insights, compelling research, and personal stories that shine a light on why caregiving is a business issue, not just a personal one.

From costly turnover in your top-performing talent to invisible presenteeism draining productivity, we explore the real impact of ignoring caregiving needs—and the strategic advantage of doing something about it. Whether you're in HR, leadership, or caregiving yourself, this episode is full of eye-opening data, practical solutions, and a hopeful look at where the future of work is headed. You don’t want to miss it!

Joseph B. Fuller is a Professor of Management Practice at Harvard Business School and a globally recognized expert on the future of work. He is the co-founder and co-director of Managing the Future of Work, a long-term research initiative at HBS, and the founder and co-head of Harvard’s multi-disciplinary Project on the Workforce. Joe is also a non-resident Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. His research focuses on workforce development, caregiving economics, AI's impact on employment, and bridging the skills gap. Before academia, he was the co-founder and CEO of Monitor Group, now part of Monitor Deloitte. He is a graduate of both Harvard College and Harvard Business School.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] – Joe Fuller explains the costly turnover driven by caregiving
[1:38] – Welcome and why supporting working caregivers matters now
[2:28] – Introducing Joe Fuller and his motivation for researching the care economy
[5:57] – Has progress been made since “The Caring Company” report?
[6:18] – Encouraging shifts in male caregiving and workplace conversations
[9:35] – Hybrid work, job design, and the need for flexibility innovation
[11:25] – Shoutout to Wellthy and the power of solutions from experience
[13:27] – The power of leadership role-modeling for caregivers
[14:22] – Differences in caregiving styles between men and women
[15:49] – Key takeaways from Joe’s “Hidden Workers: The Case for Caregivers” report
[16:38] – Why annual performance reviews miss the mark—and how to improve them
[21:08] – Building trust through real-time conversations and support groups
[22:09] – Resume gaps and how applicant tracking systems exclude caregivers
[27:29] – Making the business case for supporting working caregivers
[36:09] – The future of caregiving and the workforce: women, social skills, and AI
[44:10] – A call to action for caregivers: you're not alone
[45:34] – Where to find Joe Fuller's work and research

Links & Resources:

Joseph B. Fuller – HBS Faculty Page: hbs.edu/faculty-profile

Managing the Future of Work (Project & Podcast):

• Research & Initiatives: Managing the Future of Work
• Podcast Episodes: Managing the Future of Work Podcast

Project on Workforce – Harvard Kennedy School: pw.hks.harvard.edu

The Caring Company Report: Download the Report

Hidden Workers: Untapped Talent: Read Here

Wellthy - wellthy.com

In this episode, we sit down with Paul Wynn, an incredible caregiver advocate, author, and storyteller, to unpack the complex reality of being in the sandwich generation—those caught between raising kids and caring for aging parents. Paul brings heartfelt honesty, practical wisdom, and real-life strategies from his own caregiving journey, while also highlighting the importance of workplace support for caregivers.

You’ll hear Paul’s deeply personal caregiving story and learn how he juggled family life, full-time work, and caregiving responsibilities. We explore how progressive employers are beginning to respond, the importance of community and peer support, and why Paul believes male caregivers need more visibility and voice. Whether you're a working caregiver or someone who supports them, this episode offers validation, encouragement, and actionable advice.

Episode Highlights:

[2:21] – Paul introduces us to the Hudson Valley, NY, and shares why it’s such a special place to live.
[3:28] – Paul dives into his personal caregiving story, juggling care for his uncle and mother while raising young children.
[5:56] – The reality of being a working caregiver and how progressive benefits helped Paul stay afloat.
[8:47] – Paul’s inspiration for writing about caregiving, the importance of male caregiver representation, and his work with AARP and other major publications.
[11:15] – What employers are beginning to understand about caregiving burnout—and why that matters.
[12:45] – How employees can navigate disclosure and build peer support within the workplace.
[15:13] – Paul shares the inspiration behind the powerful opening line of his chapter: “When it’s your turn to be a caregiver, whose example will you follow?”
[19:15] – Why uniting the generations can create joyful, healing connections—and how to make that happen.
[21:03] – The power of asking for help, especially for male caregivers—and how to do it effectively.
[24:43] – Reflecting on what Paul wishes he had done differently at the beginning of his caregiving journey.
[27:10] – The value of podcasts and virtual resources in today’s caregiving world.
[30:01] – How to connect with Paul and access his writings, advocacy work, and his book chapter.

Links & Resources:

· https://www.amazon.com/Caregivers-Advocate-Complete-Support-Resources-ebook/dp/B0FMGGL6ZY

· Stacy Shewey and Hand4Life https://www.h4lworld.org/our-story/

· Working Caregiver-The Invisible Employees Episode 26: Navigating Millennial Caregiving with Dr. Rachael Piltch-Loeb https://www.buzzsprout.com/2401927/episodes/17922747

· Paul Wynn article-Podcasts for caregivers: https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/life-balance/caregiver-podcasts-offer-support/

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.