The Hart Of It All with Teri Hart

Caregiving burnout isn’t just feeling tired. It’s a slow, chronic depletion that can quietly impact your mental clarity, physical health, and emotional resilience.In this episode, returning guest Alyson Schafer, parenting expert, family counsellor, and current caregiver, joins Teri to unpack what burnout really looks like for caregivers. They explore how love, duty, and guilt can blur the early warning signs, and why so many caregivers don’t recognize what’s happening until they are already running on empty.Alyson breaks down the difference between short-term stress and long-term burnout, and explains how it can show up as brain fog, irritability, withdrawal, or physical symptoms that are easy to dismiss. She also shares practical ways to process complicated emotions like anger and guilt, set boundaries that protect your well-being, and build support that actually fits your life.This is a thoughtful, honest conversation about what it takes to sustain yourself while caring for someone else. If you have been feeling stretched thin, isolated, or unsure whether what you are experiencing counts as burnout, this episode offers clarity, validation, and realistic next steps.Because caring for someone else should not mean losing yourself in the process.__This episode of The Hart of It All is brought to you by Capital Direct. The Capital Direct Flexi Line™ turns your home equity into flexible support, so you can arrange the care your family deserves now and pay it back when the time is right.Please visit: https://www.capitaldirect.ca/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=hart-of-it-allBC AN #101742 | Ontario Mortgage Broker Licence #10549 | Admin Licence #11408 | Alberta MW-9811291 | Nova Scotia 10769862Best 10 Year Return in the Mortgage Funds Category as at June 30, 2025.Resources: Follow Alyson Schafer: Instagram: @alysonschaferFacebook:@AlysonSchaferParentingExpertWebsite: www.alysonschafer.comTo watch this episode, subscribe to The Hart Of It All's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHartofitAllPodFollow The Hart Of It All: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehartofitallpod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehartofitallpodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thehartofitallpodFollow Teri Hart:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terihartCo-Executive Produced by: Carrie Hayden & Jess Carroll of 6of1 DigitalInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/6of1digitalWebsite: https://www.6of1digital.com/I’m here to share stories and conversations, not medical or professional advice. I’m not a doctor, therapist, or licensed professional, and this podcast is NOT a substitute for guidance from qualified experts. Please seek out professional support when you need it. Take care and I’ll see you in the next episode.- 🟡 About The Hart of it AllA podcast about navigating the realities of caregiving.No one should have to do it alone. That’s the heart behind The Hart of It All, hosted by Canadian broadcaster Teri Hart. Inspired by her own experience caring for her dad and helping her mom navigate a new reality, Teri shines a light on the stories, resources, and conversations caregivers need most.From doctors and nutritionists to fellow caregivers living it every day, each episode offers guidance and connection. Honest, supportive, and grounded in lived experience, The Hart of It All is here to remind us that caring for each other is something we’re all in together.

Most Canadians have heard about Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD), but what does it truly entail? Dr. Jean Marmoreo, one of Canada's first practitioners of MAiD, reveals how this groundbreaking program has evolved over nearly a decade and why it remains a vital part of end-of-life care. If you or loved ones face difficult choices or simply want a clearer understanding of how MAiD works, this episode offers essential insights rooted in compassion, legality, and dignity.In this candid conversation, Dr. Marmoreo unpacks the rigorous criteria that determine eligibility, debunking common misunderstandings about who can access MAiD. You'll discover the nuanced assessment process, the role of advanced directives for dementia, and how assessors navigate complex patient requests with sensitivity and precision. She shares step-by-step details of a typical MAiD procedure, emphasizing the importance of dignity, support, and family involvement during this profound moment.This episode is for anyone who has end-of-life questions, caregivers seeking resources, or those wanting to learn more from the perspective of one of the first physicians trained in MAiD. Tune in to learn how MAiD is reshaping what dignity at life's end truly means.__This episode of The Hart of It All is brought to you by Capital Direct. The Capital Direct Flexi Line™ turns your home equity into flexible support, so you can arrange the care your family deserves now and pay it back when the time is right.Please visit: https://www.capitaldirect.ca/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=hart-of-it-allBC AN #101742 | Ontario Mortgage Broker Licence #10549 | Admin Licence #11408 | Alberta MW-9811291 | Nova Scotia 10769862Best 10 Year Return in the Mortgage Funds Category as at June 30, 2025.Resources: Learn more about MAiD if you are a patient from the Ontario Government website: https://www.ontario.ca/page/medical-assistance-dying-and-end-life-decisionsLearn what physicians’ and nurse practitioners’ roles and responsibilities are with respect to MAiD from the Ontario Government website: https://www.ontario.ca/page/medical-assistance-dying-and-end-life-decisions-support-medical-professionalsCAMAP: Canadian Association of MAiD Assessors and Providershttps://camapcanada.ca/ Follow Dr. Jean Marmoreo: Website: https://www.dr-jean.com/Ontario Health AtHomehttps://ontariohealthathome.ca/The Alzheimer's Society of Canadahttps://alzheimer.ca/enTo watch this episode, subscribe to The Hart Of It All's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHartofitAllPodFollow The Hart Of It All: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehartofitallpod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehartofitallpodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thehartofitallpodFollow Teri Hart:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terihartCo-Executive Produced by: Carrie Hayden & Jess Carroll of 6of1 DigitalInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/6of1digitalI’m here to share stories and conversations, not medical or professional advice. I’m not a doctor, therapist, or licensed professional, and this podcast is NOT a substitute for guidance from qualified experts. Please seek out professional support when you need it. Take care and I’ll see you in the next episode.- 🟡 About The Hart of it AllA podcast about navigating the realities of caregiving.No one should have to do it alone. That’s the heart behind The Hart of It All, hosted by Canadian broadcaster Teri Hart. Inspired by her own experience caring for her dad and helping her mom navigate a new reality, Teri shines a light on the stories, resources, and conversations caregivers need most.From doctors and nutritionists to fellow caregivers living it every day, each episode offers guidance and connection. Honest, supportive, and grounded in lived experience, The Hart of It All is here to remind us that caring for each other is something we’re all in together.

When Cheryl Hickey’s father was diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy, her family was thrown into a world they were not prepared for.In this candid conversation, Cheryl shares the emotional and practical realities of caregiving for an aging parent navigating dementia and Parkinson’s disease, including the difficult decision to move him into long-term care. She reflects on caregiver guilt, burnout, and the quiet strength required to keep going, all while balancing the demands so many in the sandwich generation face as they support both aging parents and their own families.We also explore the broader challenges facing families today: why aging in place can feel out of reach, why long-term care systems remain stretched, and how we can better support caregivers across the country. It’s a powerful reminder that caregiving is both exhausting and deeply rooted in love, and that better support for the sandwich generation is urgently needed.__This episode of The Hart of It All is brought to you by Capital Direct. The Capital Direct Flexi Line™ turns your home equity into flexible support, so you can arrange the care your family deserves now and pay it back when the time is right.Please visit: https://www.capitaldirect.ca/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=hart-of-it-allBC AN #101742 | Ontario Mortgage Broker Licence #10549 | Admin Licence #11408 | Alberta MW-9811291 | Nova Scotia 10769862*Best 10 Year Return in the Mortgage Funds Category as at June 30, 2025.Resources: Cityline: Why Cheryl Hickey is advocating for higher standards in senior carehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nu5U_et9yesFollow Cheryl Hickey: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cherylhickey/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cherylhickeyFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/CherylHickeyETCanada/To watch this episode, subscribe to The Hart Of It All's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHartofitAllPodFollow The Hart Of It All: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehartofitallpod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehartofitallpodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thehartofitallpodFollow Teri Hart:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terihartCo-Executive Produced by: Carrie Hayden & Jess Carroll of 6of1 DigitalInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/6of1digitalI’m here to share stories and conversations, not medical or professional advice. I’m not a doctor, therapist, or licensed professional, and this podcast is NOT a substitute for guidance from qualified experts. Please seek out professional support when you need it. Take care and I’ll see you in the next episode.- 🟡 About The Hart of it AllA podcast about navigating the realities of caregiving.No one should have to do it alone. That’s the heart behind The Hart of It All, hosted by Canadian broadcaster Teri Hart. Inspired by her own experience caring for her dad and helping her mom navigate a new reality, Teri shines a light on the stories, resources, and conversations caregivers need most.From doctors and nutritionists to fellow caregivers living it every day, each episode offers guidance and connection. Honest, supportive, and grounded in lived experience, The Hart of It All is here to remind us that caring for each other is something we’re all in together.

Where we live as we age is one of the biggest decisions families face, and one of the most confusing. In this episode of The Hart of It All, Teri Hart is joined by elder-care expert Pat Irwin, president and founder of ElderCareCanada, to walk through the full spectrum of senior living options, from aging in place and naturally occurring retirement communities (NORCs), to retirement communities, life-lease housing, and long-term care.Drawing on nearly three decades of experience and her own family’s story, Pat breaks down what these choices really look like as needs evolve, how finances shape every decision, and why there is no single “right” path. They also talk candidly about resistance, family dynamics, and the emotional weight carried by caregivers and adult children who are often navigating all of this behind the scenes.__This episode of The Hart of it All is brought to you by Capital Direct. Since 2006, Capital Direct One Income Trust has been investing in and supporting Canadian families and homeowners. The Capital Direct One Income Trust may be a perfect addition to your portfolio. Their proven track record has been recognized by the Canadian Hedge Fund Awards for Best 10 Year Return* and is eligible for qualified investment accounts including TFSA, RESP and RRSP. For more information, visit incometrustone.comBest 10 Year Return in the Mortgage Funds Category as at June 30, 2025.Please visit: https://www.capitaldirect.ca/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=hart-of-it-allResources: Learn more about ElderCareCanada: www.eldercarecanada.caTo watch this episode, subscribe to The Hart Of It All's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHartofitAllPodFollow The Hart Of It All: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehartofitallpod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehartofitallpodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thehartofitallpodFollow Teri Hart:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terihartCo-Executive Produced by: Carrie Hayden & Jess Carroll of 6of1 DigitalInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/6of1digitalI’m here to share stories and conversations, not medical or professional advice. I’m not a doctor, therapist, or licensed professional, and this podcast is NOT a substitute for guidance from qualified experts. Please seek out professional support when you need it. Take care and I’ll see you in the next episode.- 🟡 About The Hart of it AllA podcast about navigating the realities of caregiving.No one should have to do it alone. That’s the heart behind The Hart of It All, hosted by Canadian broadcaster Teri Hart. Inspired by her own experience caring for her dad and helping her mom navigate a new reality, Teri shines a light on the stories, resources, and conversations caregivers need most.From doctors and nutritionists to fellow caregivers living it every day, each episode offers guidance and connection. Honest, supportive, and grounded in lived experience, The Hart of It All is here to remind us that caring for each other is something we’re all in together.

Most people underestimate how deeply Parkinson’s disease reshapes identity, independence, and daily life. In this revealing episode, award-winning writer and journalist Marni Jackson shares her journey from diagnosis to redefining how she lives, including the unexpected ways she pushes back through boxing, mindfulness, and movement.Marni speaks candidly about living with an incurable disease, the importance of honest conversations around caregiving and asking for help, and finding joy and humour as life slows down. Her story offers a powerful reminder that resilience is not about fixing what is broken, but about presence, patience, and learning new ways to stay connected to yourself and others.__This episode of The Hart Of It All is presented by Capital Direct. Invest in your family’s future and care with the Capital Direct One Income Trust a carefully, curated portfolio of residential mortgages.Please visit: https://www.capitaldirect.ca/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=hart-of-it-allBC AN #101742 | Ontario Mortgage Broker Licence #10549 | Admin Licence #11408 | Alberta MW-9811291 | Nova Scotia 10769862Best 10 Year Return in the Mortgage Funds Category as at June 30, 2025.Resources:Marni Jackson's Globe & Mail article about boxing with Parkinson's Disease:https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-after-being-diagnosed-with-parkinsons-im-literally-in-the-fight-of-my/Rock Steady Boxing - Fighting Back Against Parkinson's Disease:https://rocksteadyboxing.org/Regent Park, Dancing with Parkinson’s:https://parkinson.ca/care-finder/dwp-toronto-regentpark/Canada's National Ballet School - Sharing Dance Parkinson's:https://www.nbs-enb.ca/dance-for-life/sharing-dance-parkinson-s/Follow Marni Jackson:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marnibjacksonTo watch this episode, subscribe to The Hart Of It All's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHartofitAllPodFollow The Hart Of It All:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehartofitallpod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehartofitallpodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thehartofitallpodFollow Teri Hart:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terihartCo-Executive Produced by: Carrie Hayden & Jess Carroll of 6of1 DigitalInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/6of1digitalI’m here to share stories and conversations, not medical or professional advice. I’m not a doctor, therapist, or licensed professional, and this podcast is NOT a substitute for guidance from qualified experts. Please seek out professional support when you need it. Take care and I’ll see you in the next episode.-🟡 About The Hart of it AllA podcast about navigating the realities of caregiving.No one should have to do it alone. That’s the heart behind The Hart of It All, hosted by Canadian broadcaster Teri Hart. Inspired by her own experience caring for her dad and helping her mom navigate a new reality, Teri shines a light on the stories, resources, and conversations caregivers need most.From doctors and nutritionists to fellow caregivers living it every day, each episode offers guidance and connection. Honest, supportive, and grounded in lived experience, The Hart of It All is here to remind us that caring for each other is something we’re all in together.

Caring for someone living with dementia changes everything. In this episode of The Hart of It All, host Teri Hart sits down with Dr. Adriana Shnall, program director at the Baycrest Koschitzky Centre for Innovations in Caregiving, to explore what caregivers are really carrying.Dr. Shnall shares why dementia caregiving is uniquely complex, touching on ambiguous loss, personality changes, repetition, and the grief that unfolds over time. Together, they discuss why language matters, how behaviour always has meaning, and the importance of offering caregivers empathy, validation, and grace.This conversation blends expert insight with deep compassion, offering practical guidance alongside reassurance for caregivers navigating an incredibly challenging journey.__This episode of The Hart of It All is brought to you by Capital Direct. The Capital Direct Flexi Line™ turns your home equity into flexible support, so you can arrange the care your family deserves now and pay it back when the time is right.Please visit: https://www.capitaldirect.ca/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=hart-of-it-allBC AN #101742 | Ontario Mortgage Broker Licence #10549 | Admin Licence #11408 | Alberta MW-9811291 | Nova Scotia 10769862*Best 10 Year Return in the Mortgage Funds Category as at June 30, 2025.Resources:Baycrest Family Caregiving Innovations:https://www.baycrest.org/family-caregiving-innovations/Canadian Caregiver Assessment & Resources Tool (C-CART):https://www.baycrest.org/ccart/Follow Dr. Adriana Shnall:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-adriana-shnall-phd-msw-rsw-88b8a4150/Follow Baycrest:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baycrest/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/baycrestcentreWebsite: https://www.baycrest.org/To watch this episode, subscribe to The Hart Of It All's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHartofitAllPodFollow The Hart Of It All:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehartofitallpod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehartofitallpodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thehartofitallpodFollow Teri Hart:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terihartCo-Executive Produced by: Carrie Hayden & Jess Carroll of 6of1 DigitalInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/6of1digitalI’m here to share stories and conversations, not medical or professional advice. I’m not a doctor, therapist, or licensed professional, and this podcast is NOT a substitute for guidance from qualified experts. Please seek out professional support when you need it. Take care and I’ll see you in the next episode.-🟡 About The Hart of it AllA podcast about navigating the realities of caregiving.No one should have to do it alone. That’s the heart behind The Hart of It All, hosted by Canadian broadcaster Teri Hart. Inspired by her own experience caring for her dad and helping her mom navigate a new reality, Teri shines a light on the stories, resources, and conversations caregivers need most.From doctors and nutritionists to fellow caregivers living it every day, each episode offers guidance and connection. Honest, supportive, and grounded in lived experience, The Hart of It All is here to remind us that caring for each other is something we’re all in together.

In this deeply personal episode of The Hart of It All, host Teri Hart is joined by filmmaker and casting director Heidi Levitt, who shares her journey as a caregiver to her husband, Charlie Hess, following his diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s.Heidi opens up about the emotional weight of caregiving, the shock and clarity that came with an early diagnosis, and how love and partnership evolve in the face of profound change. She also discusses her documentary "Walk With Me", a film borne from lived experience that offers an honest and compassionate look at how Alzheimer’s reshapes families.This conversation is a powerful reminder of the resilience required to care, the importance of support for caregivers, and the role storytelling can play in helping others feel less alone.__This episode of The Hart of It All is brought to you by Capital Direct. The Capital Direct Flexi Line™ turns your home equity into flexible support, so you can arrange the care your family deserves now and pay it back when the time is right.Please visit: https://www.capitaldirect.ca/?utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=hart-of-it-allBC AN #101742 | Ontario Mortgage Broker Licence #10549 | Admin Licence #11408 | Alberta MW-9811291 | Nova Scotia 10769862*Best 10 Year Return in the Mortgage Funds Category as at June 30, 2025.Follow Heidi Levitt:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidelaFollow Heidi's Documentary, "Walk With Me":Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/walkwithmedocWebsite: https://www.walkwithmedoc.com/Follow Charlie Hess:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chessdesignGo to https://www.walkwithmedoc.com/ to request access to the incredible documentary, "Walk With Me"To watch this episode, subscribe to The Hart Of It All's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHartofitAllPodFollow The Hart Of It All:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehartofitallpod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehartofitallpodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thehartofitallpodFollow Teri Hart:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terihartCo-Executive Produced by: Carrie Hayden & Jess Carroll of 6of1 DigitalInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/6of1digitalI’m here to share stories and conversations, not medical or professional advice. I’m not a doctor, therapist, or licensed professional, and this podcast is NOT a substitute for guidance from qualified experts. Please seek out professional support when you need it. Take care and I’ll see you in the next episode.-🟡 About The Hart of it AllA podcast about navigating the realities of caregiving.No one should have to do it alone. That’s the heart behind The Hart of It All, hosted by Canadian broadcaster Teri Hart. Inspired by her own experience caring for her dad and helping her mom navigate a new reality, Teri shines a light on the stories, resources, and conversations caregivers need most.From doctors and nutritionists to fellow caregivers living it every day, each episode offers guidance and connection. Honest, supportive, and grounded in lived experience, The Hart of It All is here to remind us that caring for each other is something we’re all in together.

January is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, and we’re opening a 4-part series on Alzheimer’s and dementia with Cathy Barrick, CEO of the Alzheimer Society of Ontario. In this first episode, Cathy helps cut through fear and misconceptions to focus on what really matters early on, including why getting a clear diagnosis is so important, what “respite” actually looks like in real life, and how caregivers can communicate through repetition, confusion, and behaviour changes.Listeners will come away with a better understanding of early warning signs, practical ways to support brain health, and where to turn for trusted support at any stage of the journey. If this diagnosis is touching your life, this conversation offers clarity, reassurance, and a reminder that you don’t have to navigate it alone.Follow The Alzheimer Society of Canada:Website: https://alzheimer.ca/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alzheimercanada/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlzheimerCanadaYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlzheimerCanadaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alzheimercanadaResources: First Link: Help for people living with dementia and care partnershttps://alzheimer.ca/firstlinkU-First Training Program https://alzheimer.ca/on/en/help-support/programs-services/u-firstrTo watch this episode, subscribe to The Hart Of It All's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHartofitAllPodFollow The Hart Of It All: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehartofitallpod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehartofitallpodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thehartofitallpodFollow Teri Hart:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terihartCo-Executive Produced by: Carrie Hayden & Jess Carroll of 6of1 DigitalInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/6of1digitalI’m here to share stories and conversations, not medical or professional advice. I’m not a doctor, therapist, or licensed professional, and this podcast is NOT a substitute for guidance from qualified experts. Please seek out professional support when you need it. Take care and I’ll see you in the next episode.- 🟡 About The Hart of it AllA podcast about navigating the realities of caregiving.No one should have to do it alone. That’s the heart behind The Hart of It All, hosted by Canadian broadcaster Teri Hart. Inspired by her own experience caring for her dad and helping her mom navigate a new reality, Teri shines a light on the stories, resources, and conversations caregivers need most.From doctors and nutritionists to fellow caregivers living it every day, each episode offers guidance and connection. Honest, supportive, and grounded in lived experience, The Hart of It All is here to remind us that caring for each other is something we’re all in together.