Caregiver SOS

Raven Duran joins guest co-host Tina Smith and host Ron Aaron to talk about becoming a new caregiver and navigating the world of caregiving on this edition of Caregiver SOS.

About Raven

Raven Galdeano is a devoted mother and new caregiver whose journey began after her son became disabled following brain surgery in February 2024. Immersing herself into the world of caregiving and special needs advocacy, Raven has become a strong voice for her son’s special education and needs. She serves on the Family Advisory Board at Christus Children’s Hospital, where she collaborates with caregivers, physicians, and child life specialists to promote patient-centered care. Through her personal experience and advocacy work, Raven strives to empower other parents navigating similar journeys to find strength, purpose, and community. 

Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

Debra Fields joins guest co-host Tina Smith and host Ron Aaron to talk about how and why self-care and being a caregiver is changing in black communities on this edition of Caregiver SOS.

About Debra

Debra Fields was born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She is a graduate of Alverno College, where she earned a degree in Business Management and Professional Communication.

Before retiring, Debra dedicated nineteen years to Sojourner Family Peace Center, serving as a Community Education Coordinator and Domestic Violence Abuse Facilitator. During this time, she also contributed to the National Black Marriage Initiative and facilitated sessions for Compel, an organization focused on promoting healthy relationships.

Currently, she continues to lead Community Building Workshops for both the Community Building Institute of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Community Building Institute International. Her work includes collaborative facilitation efforts with European colleagues, with a primary focus on Community Building Skills Training.

After relocating to Arizona with her husband in 2020, Debra founded Black Women 65+ in 2023. The organization was born out of her commitment to amplifying the voices and relevance of older Black women. The group provides information, education, and opportunities for social engagement, with a strong emphasis on health as both self-care and caregiving.

Through this initiative, Debra partnered with Melanin Minded LLC (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) and Banner Sun Health Research Institute (Arizona) to host an in-home Community Outreach

Discussion. This event featured medical professionals and aimed to deepen understanding of dementia and its impact on caregiving.

Her work is driven by a commitment to intentional information sharing, educational programming, and fostering meaningful social connections—all in support of self-care and effective caregiving. 

Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

Dr. Jamie Huysan joins co-host Carol Zernial and host Ron Aaron to talk about toxic abusive relationships and caregiving on this edition of Caregiver SOS.

About Dr. Huysman

Jamie Huysman, PsyD, LCSW, is the Founder and Executive Director of STAR Network Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting Survivors of Toxic Abusive Relationships (TAR) worldwide. He also serves on the Advisory Board of the WellMed Charitable Foundation, as well as several other nonprofit boards and professional associations dedicated to mental health, trauma recovery, and caregiver advocacy. With more than three decades of experience developing groundbreaking clinical programming in the addiction, trauma, and mental health fields, Dr. Jamie has become a recognized voice in filling critical gaps in behavioral health advocacy and recovery care, with a focus on helping individuals foster resiliency development as a cornerstone of long-term healing. His unwavering resilience in the face of adversity has shaped both his professional journey and personal mission, making him a champion for those striving to reclaim their lives after trauma.

Dr. Jamie is a frequent media contributor, featured on hundreds of programs, providing clear expertise on trauma, addiction, and complex behavioral health, including psychopathy, sociopathy, narcissism, and suicidal or homicidal behaviors. He founded TV Aftercare, pioneering post-broadcast support for talk show guests affected by sensitive televised content.

His leadership extends into healthcare management, where he has directed behavioral health programs in both freestanding and medical-surgical settings. As Vice President of Provider Relations and Government Affairs for WellMed Medical Management, and later as its Chief Compassion Officer, he spearheaded initiatives that reduced physician burnout rates. He continues to co-host the nationally syndicated podcast “Caregiver SOS,” providing caregivers and healthcare professionals with strategies for coping and connection.

Drawing on his own remarkable resilience and recovery from CPTSD after leaving a toxic relationship, Dr. Jamie saw the lack of culturally and clinically specific trauma programs. STAR Network’s flagship, TAR Anon® offers free, neuro-regulative, peer support that expands worldwide access to recovery, while new hospital-based programs increase early intervention for at-risk families.

A visionary and engaging speaker, Dr. Jamie is known for his mantra: “If you don’t break the cycle of family trauma, the family trauma will break you.” His work inspires innovation, compassion, and healing in the recovery from trauma and mental health. 

Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

Susanne White joins co-host Carol Zernial and host Ron Aaron to talk about caregivers caring for themselves while caring for loved ones on this edition of Caregiver SOS.

About Susanne

Susanne White is the Founder of Caregiver Warrior. When Susanne was faced with the opportunity to care for her parents, she ventured out on a caregiving journey that would change her life. She blogs about this journey on her website, caregiverwarrior.com, and shares her experience, strength, and hope with others so that they too may navigate caregiving with grace and empowerment. Known for her unique, authentic style and wisdom from the inside of many caregiving journeys, she is an outstanding motivational keynote speaker, bestselling author, gifted writer, exceptional webinar host, and thought leader in the caregiver advocacy community.

White’s latest book, Self-Care for Caregivers: A Practical Guide to Caring for You While You Care for Your Loved One, is now available at your favorite bookstores. Be sure to check out the audio version of the book which is perfect for busy caregivers on the go. Visit caregiverwarrior.com for more information, and follow Susanne on X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

Shari Ross joins co-host Carol Zernial and host Ron Aaron to talk about senior living made simple on this edition of Caregiver SOS.

About Shari

Shari Ross is the author of Senior Living Made S.I.M.P.L.E.™ and creator of its companion workbook and toolkit, designed to help families approach the senior living journey with confidence. A graduate of NYU and a seasoned sales specialist with over a decade of experience guiding families through important life transitions, she combines professional expertise with personal insight as she helps guide her own aging parents while raising two young adult children. Through her S.I.M.P.L.E.™ Method, Shari empowers families to make informed senior living decisions and move forward with confidence, dignity, and peace of mind. 

Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

Dr. Allyson Larkin joins co-host Carol Zernial and host Ron Aaron to talk about what caregivers may need to manage at home, the warning signs to look out for, and tips for successful care on this edition of Caregiver SOS.

About Dr. Larkin

Dr. Larkin grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas. She received her BA Magna cum laud in Zoology from Iowa State University. She earned her Medical Degree with honors from Texas A&M University College of Medicine. She is board certified in Family Medicine and Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine and is a Certified Wound Specialist Physician.

Dr. Larkin is passionate about healing chronic and complicated wounds by focusing onthe whole patient and utilizing advanced modalities where appropriate. She has a special interest in palliative wound management to improve quality of life in patients whose wounds are resistant to healing due to serious or terminal health issues.

In her spare time Dr. Larkin enjoys reading, writing, eating, hiking and hanging out on the couch with her husband, children, and dog.

Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

Elaine Sanchez joins co-host Carol Zernial and host Ron Aaron to talk about managing caregiver anger and the three "F's" of flipping out on this edition of Caregiver SOS.

About Elaine

Elaine Sanchez is a caregiver speaker and author of the unflinchingly honest and surprisingly funny book, “Letters from Madelyn, Chronicles of a Caregiver".

Before COVID, Elaine spoke at healthcare and caregiving conferences across the U.S. When all of her conferences for 2020 were canceled due to the pandemic, she had a video production studio built, transitioned to virtual speaking, and developed the CaregiverHelp Support Group Program. This program is unique in that it is video-based, and all of the sessions are focused on helping people manage the emotional stress of caregiving. The program can be delivered at live, in-person meetings, on platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams, or as a self-paced program online. Elaine’s passion for helping people manage the emotional stress of caring for those who cannot care for themselves came from her own extensive experience of caring for family elders. 

Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

Jennifer Henius joins co-host Carol Zernial and host Ron Aaron to talk about Redefining Caregiver Well-Being: A Whole Health Approach for the Future of Care on this edition of Caregiver SOS.

About Jennifer

 Jennifer Henius, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker, TBI survivor, long-distance caregiver, and nationally recognized advocate for family caregivers. She has over 20 years of experience in healthcare, including a decade on the national leadership team for the Department of Veterans Affairs Caregiver Support Program. Jennifer is the creator of Yoga4Caregivers™ and founder of Caregiver Whole Health™, a trauma-informed virtual wellness studio designed to reduce caregiver burnout and improve caregiver well-being. Her pioneering digital well-being and self-care platform is the first of its kind created specifically for family caregivers, and she partners with organizations to deliver education, training, and virtual wellness programming to their caregiving employees.

Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

Christina Keys joins co-host Carol Zernial and host Ron Aaron to talk about finding ways to add self-care to our care journey on this edition of Caregiver SOS.

About Christina

 Christina Keys went from career woman to caregiver when her mother had a life changing stroke in 2013. She cared for her for 10 years. Turning a mess into a message, She is now a National Speaker, Advocate and Caregiver Community Builder as well as the Founder and CEO of Keys for Caregiving. Links: www.christinakeys.com YouTube 

Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

Elizabeth Miller joins co-host Carol Zernial and host Ron Aaron to talk about micro acts of self-care and juggling work, home, and caregiving on this edition of Caregiver SOS.

About Elizabeth

Elizabeth Miller is a family caregiver, caregiver advocate, speaker, author, podcast host, Certified Caregiving Consultant, and Certified Senior Advisor. Her personal experiences caring for aging parents with chronic and terminal illnesses and for a sibling with developmental disabilities inspired her to create Happy Healthy Caregiver, LLC, in 2015. She is an empty nester living in Marietta, GA with her husband and two dogs.

Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

Mark Goddard joins co-host Carol Zernial and host Ron Aaron to talk about how remote monitoring is saving lives on this edition of Caregiver SOS.

About Mark

Mark Goddard, Vice President of Clinical Services at InfoBionic.Ai, is a Registered Nurse and has worked in clinical electrophysiology for over 20 years. He has created multiple clinical service lines for ambulatory electrocardiographic and remote device monitoring programs. He has successfully introduced ambulatory cardiac event monitoring, Holter electrocardiography, and mobile cardiac telemetry services in hundreds of institutions and practices. He has participated in remote cardiac device monitoring, service line implementations, including heart failure management, and subcutaneous device monitoring. Mark passed competency in the national heart rhythm board examination as a Clinical Cardiac Device specialist (fka NASPExAm 

Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

Amy Standridge joins co-host Carol Zernial and host Ron Aaron to talk about the positive benefits of music and humor for caregivers who support loved ones living with Dementia on this edition of Caregiver SOS.

About Amy

Amy Standridge, MM, MT-BC, is a board-certified music therapist, certified humor professional, and keynote speaker. Her mission is to empower families living with dementia to rediscover joy and hope through uplifting music experiences. As co-founder and director of Grace Notes Community Singers, she helps people with dementia and their care partners channel the power of music and humor for well-being. 

Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

Dr. Peter Rabins joins co-host Carol Zernial and host Ron Aaron to talk about caring for loved ones with memory loss and Dementia on this edition of Caregiver SOS.

About Dr. Rabins

Peter V. Rabins, MD, MPH, is the author of Is It Alzheimer's?: 101 Answers to Your Most Pressing Questions About Memory Loss and Dementia and coauthor with Nancy L. Mace of the bestselling The 36-Hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for People with Alzheimer Disease, Other Dementias, and Memory Loss. Dr. Rabins is professor emeritus in the Departments of Psychiatry and Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine where he founding director of the Division of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neuropsychiatry and the first holder of the Richman Family Professorship in Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementias. 

Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

Julie Dickerson joins co-host Carol Zernial and host Ron Aaron to talk about grief and supporting aging parents personally and professionally on this edition of Caregiver SOS.

About Julie

Julie Dickerson is a retired attorney and a licensed professional counselor specializing in grief and loss. After 20 years practicing law and mediating disputes, Julie recognized that many of her clients needed more than legal or financial resolution—they were carrying emotional pain rooted in grief and loss. This insight led her to return to school, earn a Master’s degree in Counseling, and focus her work on helping people cope with grief—whether from the death of a loved one, illness, caregiving, a breakup, the loss of a pet, or other significant life changes.

Julie has worked at the Austin Center for Grief and Loss, taught at the University of Texas at Austin in the Steve Hicks School of Social Work, and now maintains a private practice focused exclusively on grief support. She is also deeply rooted in family life—married for over 30 years to her husband, Jeff; mom to Ben, a recent law school graduate; and a devoted caregiver to both her and her husband’s aging mothers. Julie brings compassion, insight, and a deeply human touch to everything she does—whether in the counseling room, the classroom, or at home.

Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

Host Ron Aaron and co-host Carol Zernial to talk about long-distance caregiving on this edition of Caregiver SOS. 

About Carol

Carol Zernial, MA is a nationally recognized gerontologist named one of the nation’s Top 50 Influencers in Aging 2017 by Next Avenue. She holds a master's degree in social gerontology, and has been in the field of aging over 30 years. Carol serves as Executive Director of the WellMed Charitable Foundation and Senior VP Social Responsibility for WellMed Medical Management. She is immediate Past Chair of the Board of Directors for the National Council on Aging, and was appointed to the national RAISE Family Caregiving Advisory Council, where she serves as co-chair. Among her many awards, she was named the Outstanding Professional in Aging in Texas 2008.

Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

Dr. Barry Jacobs and Dr. Julie Mayer join host Ron Aaron and co-host Carol Zernial to talk about  on this edition of Caregiver SOS. 

About Dr. Barry Jacobs

Barry J. Jacobs, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist, family therapist, and a Principal for Health Management Associates, a national health care consulting firm. A former magazine journalist, he is the author of The Emotional Survival Guide for Caregivers: Looking After Yourself and Your Family While Helping an Aging Parent (Guilford, 2006) and coauthor with his wife, Julia L. Mayer, PsyD, of AARP Meditations for Caregivers: Practical, Emotional, and Spiritual Support for You and Your Family (Hachette, 2016), AARP Love and Meaning After 50: The 10 Challenges to Great Relationships—and How to Overcome Them (Hachette, 2020), and The AARP Caregiver Answer Book (Guilford, 2025). He has also written a self-help column for caregivers for AARP.org since 2013. An honorary board member of the Well Spouse Association and a former director of behavioral sciences for the Crozer Health Family Medicine Residency, he maintains a psychotherapy practice in Media, Pennsylvania, specializing in supporting individuals with chronic and serious illness and their caregivers. For seven years, he was the primary caregiver for his stepfather with Alzheimer’s disease and his mother with vascular dementia. 

About Dr. Julie Mayer

Julia L. Mayer, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Media, Pennsylvania, who has specialized for three decades in helping women in caregiver roles, as well as those with troubled marriages and histories of sexual trauma. She is the author of the novel A Fleeting State of Mind (2014) and coauthor of AARP Meditations for Caregivers and AARP Love and Meaning After 50. She is a former president of the board of PSCP—The Psychology Network. Since 2016 she has cohosted the podcast Shrinks on Third on psychology and social justice. She was a caregiver for her father and mother-in-law with vascular dementia and her stepfather-in-law with Alzheimer’s disease. 

Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

Dr. Melanie Simpson joins host Ron Aaron and co-host Carol Zernial to talk about compassion, caregiving, and lessons learned from experiences on this edition of Caregiver SOS. 

About Dr. Simpson

Dr. Simpson earned her medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine in Dominica, West Indies. Her residency was at Greenville Hospital in South Carolina. Dr. Melanie Simpson, MD is a devoted Primary Care Physician who prioritizes patient-centered care with a focus on compassion, trust, and attentive listening. She believes every individual deserves to be seen, heard, and valued, and she works to create a space where healing begins with connection. With a strong interest in counseling and mentorship, Dr. Simpson supports the next generation of healthcare professionals while continuing her own journey of lifelong learning. She remains committed to personal and professional growth, continually evolving in her approach to care. Dr. Simpson also models the principles she teaches by living a balanced life—blending her passion for medicine with wellness, family, and faith.

Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

Dasha Kiper joins host Ron Aaron and co-host Carol Zernial to talk about how the caregiver brain deals with dementia on this edition of Caregiver SOS. 

About Dasha

After receiving her MA in clinical psychology from Columbia University, Dasha Kiper became a live-in caregiver for a holocaust survivor suffering from Alzheimer's disease. For the past fifteen years, she has supported family and professional caregivers and mental health professionals. She was the clinical director of support groups at an Alzheimer’s organization and is currently the director of caregiver support at Renewal Memory Partners. Her book Travelers to Unimaginable Lands: Stories of Dementia, the Caregiver, and the Human Brain, published to wide acclaim both in the U.S. and abroad, interweaves stories, case histories, and brain science to illuminate the neurological challenges facing family caregivers.

Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

Kirk Huntsman joins host Ron Aaron and co-host Carol Zernial to talk about uncovering the link between Alzheimer's and sleep apnea on this edition of Caregiver SOS. Special guest-cohost Tina Smith fills in for Carol Zernial on this episode of Caregiver SOS!

About Kirk

Kirk Huntsman, Chairman and CEO, Co-Founder of Vivos Therapeutics. R. Kirk Huntsman is a co-founder of Vivos Therapeutics and has served as the chief executive officer and a director since September 2016. In June 2020, he was elected chairman of the board. In 1995, he founded Dental One (now Dental One Partners), which, as president and chief executive officer, he grew to become one of the leading DSOs (dental service organizations) in the country, with over 165 practices in 15 states. After a successful sale of Dental One to MSD Capital in 2008 and subsequent merger in 2009 with Dental Care Partners, Mr. Huntsman was appointed in 2010 as chief executive officer of ReachOut Healthcare America, a Morgan Stanley Private Equity portfolio company. In 2012, he founded Xenith Practices, LLC, a DSO focused on rolling up larger independent general dental offices, which was sold in 2015. From January 2014 to September 2015, Mr. Huntsman founded and served as chief executive officer of Ortho Ventures, LLC, a US distributor of certain pediatric oral appliances with applications for pediatric sleep-disordered breathing. Since November 2015, he has served as the chief executive officer of First Vivos, Inc., which is now our wholly owned subsidiary. He was also a founding member of the Dental Group Practice Association (DGPA), now known as the Association of Dental Support Organizations (ADSO). He is the father of Todd Huntsman, who is a SVP at Vivos and runs the Product Development and Manufacturing Division. He holds a BS degree in finance from Brigham Young University. 

Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

Arlieta Hall joins host Ron Aaron and co-host Carol Zernial to talk about her caregiving journey with dementia on this edition of Caregiver SOS. Special guest-cohost Tina Smith fills in for Carol Zernial on this episode of Caregiver SOS!

About Arlieta

Arlieta Hall is a host, actress, improviser, stand-up comedian, writer, Certified Dementia Communication specialist, and a first-time filmmaker from Chicago. She is one of The Second City NBC Bob Curry Fellowship recipients. Arlieta also co-starred as Sadie on Showtime’s The CHI episodic. She is also a co-producer of the popular comedy variety show My Best Friend is Black. Arlieta was a caregiver for her father who died from Alzheimer’s disease. She took the power of “Yes, and...” to communicate with him and used their story to make her first feature documentary “Finding Your Laughter.” Her film was one of ten documentaries selected to participate in The New York Gotham Documentary Feature Lab, which is one of the US film industry’s most prestigious labs. Prior to caregiving for her father Arlieta was an Human Services Caseworker for the State Of Illinois Department of Human Services. Arlieta also obtained her Bachelor of Arts In Communications and has over a decade of experience in the educational and social services field. She recently wrote and performed in The Second City’s sold-out 2023 Black Excellence Revue and is now a 2023-24 Sisters in Cinema Documentary Fellow. She is currently performing comedy all around while she continues to work on the completion of “Finding Your Laughter” and other projects. 

Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.