Caregiver Recovery: Redefining Normal and Moving Forward invites listeners into another honest conversation with Christina Keys about life after caregiving. Too often, caregivers are left 'soul tired' and unprepared for life after caregiving.

Christina is a caregiving advocate, national speaker, and founder of Keys for Caregiving. After a decade-long journey caring for her mother post-stroke, Christina now empowers family caregivers to prioritize self-care, navigate life after caregiving, and build stronger caregiver communities. She created the Caregiver Recovery program and is passionate about making sure caregivers are seen, supported, and celebrated.

In this episode, Christina shares what it means to rediscover freedom, redefine “normal,” and carry forward the love and blessings that remain with her post-caregiving. Through her story, we’re reminded that recovery is not only about healing ourselves, but also about walking alongside those who will come after us. If her journey touched you, visit her website, ChristinaKeys.com and watch for the release of her upcoming book.

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In our first full episode since the relaunch, we sit down with former caregiver, Licia Thompson-Young, who shares what it means to grow forward with intention after caregiving. From stepping beyond her comfort zone to embracing the unknown in unfamiliar environments, she reveals how healing began when she allowed herself to feel — and how grief, once buried, found release in her HIIT (High-intensity interval training) workouts at the gym. This is a story of courage, change, and the quiet power of choice.

You’ll hear about her RISE™ framework (Renew, Ignite, Soar with Excellence) and her helpful resource “When Your Soul Whispers”. Licia is a Renewal Expert as a Leadership & Personal Growth Coach. Tune in for a conversation about her newfound strength, renewal, and the surprising places where healing begins.

Licia's website

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When caregiving ends, it can feel like standing at the edge of a cliff—grief, uncertainty, and a quiet question echoing: “What now?” In this heartfelt episode of Island Treasures, we explore the transition from active caregiving to life beyond the role. Whether your caregiving journey spanned years - or months, the ending often brings a profound shift in identity, routine, and emotional landscape.

In this episode we talk about the “treasuring” phase of caregiving, where former caregivers are invited to reflect, regroup, and rediscover purpose. This phase is a time to honor memories, process grief, and ask meaningful questions like “Who am I now?” and “What brings me joy?”

We also speak about the course, Finding Your Purpose After Caregiving, designed to help caregivers recalibrate and move forward with intention. Plus, we preview upcoming episodes featuring guests who’ve navigated this transition—some with clarity, others still finding their way—all offering hope, inspiration, and shared wisdom.

This episode marks a new season for the podcast, one that embraces renewal and celebrates the courage it takes to step into life after caregiving. Subscribe to the podcast and join us on the 23rd of each month when new episodes drop.

✨ Suggested episodes to revisit:

• “Moving Forward After Caregiving” with Licia Thompson
• “Caregiving Unveiled: True Purpose for an Encore Career” with Bill Cohen

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After six seasons, Island Treasures returns with a fresh focus. We’ve rebranded to explore life after caregiving—the stories, reflections, and quiet renewals.

This new season shines a light on what follows caregiving, because that matters. You’ll hear candid conversations with former caregivers, offering insight, hope, and the kind of connection that helps us move forward.

And in addition to these heartfelt episodes, we’ll occasionally celebrate the treasures of Vancouver Island itself—after all that’s where the podcast calls home.

I’m glad you’re here. Let’s discover what comes next, together.

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Island Treasures Podcast is taking a short break from publishing new episodes to reflect and seek future direction!

Over the past six seasons, we've explored the many facets of caregiving, sharing insightful conversations and meaningful stories. While our existing content will remain available for you to revisit anytime, we feel it may be time to venture into new territory.

We look back over the life of the podcast thus far as its focus has been on caregiving, with exceptional guests - many caregivers themselves - sharing their caregiving stories, wisdom and experiences as they help encourage the listeners in their caregiving journeys.

A huge thank you to all the guests who have helped shape the caregiving chapter of the Island Treasures Podcast, namely: Roy Johnson, Dennis Dulniak, Theresa Wilbanks, Brenda Blais-Nesbitt, Cori Sandler and Alice de Wolff, Anne Sands, Betsy Haddad, Pat Thibodeau, Toni Gitles, Sue Johnston, Lisa Kendall, Chris MacLellan, Erin Galyean, Chandra White-Cummings, Arlene Jacobs, Judy Cornish, Zander Keig, Beth Hearn Douglas, Jennifer Richey, Kathy Shoaf, Mike George, Brenda Leppington, Loretta Veney, Dave Iverson, Licia Thompson, Jodi Kay Benusa, Breeda Miller, Debbie Compton, Ben Graham, Dr. Delon Canterbury, Roxane Anderson, Tracy Crump, Lori Lemasters, Natalie Hankins, Denise Brown, Kathy Neuhausser, Sandra Strauss, Heidi Rome, Katrina Prescott, Valerie Weins, Grace Block, Bill Cohen, Teepa Snow, Dr. George Ackerman, Lori Rogers, Jenna Rumberger, Victoria Essner, Alexis Baker, Amy Friesen, Susanne White, Sarah Merriman, Rebekah Dowhy, Angela Fairhurst, Gina Awad and Rayna Neises

Stay tuned for more details on what may lie ahead. Thank you for being part of our journey—we can’t wait to share what’s next!

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A central theme of the full podcast episode with Rayna Neises, called "Rayna's Caregiving Wisdom: No Regrets and Cherished Memories" was how to have no regrets when caregiving.

After 26 years of caregiving during which Rayna completed her training to become a certified coach, Rayna shares what enabled her to be able to look back on her caregiving experience and say she has no regrets.

We review how to define regrets, what it means to embrace a growth mindset, and we hear what questions we can ask ourselves to enhance our own wellbeing through a caregiving season.

Rayna talks about her book called "No Regrets: Hope for your Caregiving Season" and how the first 10 chapters address caregiving and the remaining 6 chapters are devoted to self-care and not losing oneself in the role of caregiver.

We hear how she creatively incorporated physical activity into the home environment for her dad who benefited from being able to participate in sports and how playing ping pong together led to creating memories.

A huge part of having no regrets when caregiving is making cherished memories with your loved ones, all while maintaining personal joy and creativity.

For more from Rayna visit her website A Season of Caring.com; and for more details on the excerpts contained in this mini podcast episode, please check out the full episode "Rayna's Caregiving Wisdom: No Regrets and Cherished Memories".

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In this episode we are joined by Rayna Neises for an enlightening conversation about her extensive caregiving journey.

Rayna is a dedicated Caregiving Coach, author, and advocate for family caregivers. With a heart deeply rooted in faith, Rayna has transformed her caregiving experiences into a mission to support others navigating the challenging path of caregiving.

She was introduced to caregiving as a teenager, caring first for her mom who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, and later for her dad, who, after a cancer diagnosis and a MRSA infection, also had Alzheimer's disease.

Rayna delves into the emotional and practical challenges she faced and details how she and her sister managed to honor their father's wish to live at home.

Rayna discusses the importance of self-care for caregivers, her approach to documenting and learning from caregiving experiences, and the inspirations behind writing her book, 'No Regrets: Hope for Your Caregiving Season.' Additionally, we touch on Rayna's coaching work and her podcast, 'A Season of Caring,' which is an insightful resource that offers practical advice and spiritual encouragement to those caring for aging loved ones.

The episode concludes with advice for caregivers to cherish and capture moments - emphasizing the importance of maintaining personal joy and creativity.

Rayna is married to a farmer and lives on a farm in Kansas. Her life is a beautiful blend of faith, family, and farming. She is a stepmother to four and a grandmother to 8. Her close relationship with her sister, with whom she shared her caregiving journey, adds a profound depth to her understanding of family dynamics in times of need.

You can learn more about Rayna and her resources at www.ASeasonofCaring.com or on her podcast A Season of Caring.

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This mini episode highlights key points from “Creating Connections with a Dementia Companion” featuring Gina Awad. Gina, who studied Dementia as part of her Health and Social Care degree, is a valuable resource for those living with dementia and their caregivers. She noticed common themes like fear and system navigation during her early information sessions.

Recognizing the need for clear guidance after a dementia diagnosis, Gina emphasized the importance of discussing dementia and providing accessible information to reduce stigma, and she founded the Exeter Dementia Action Alliance. In addition to her information sessions, she created a forum for discussions through her radio show, “Living Better with Dementia” on Sonic FM. A show where her guests share resources, their passion, projects, information and stories.

To further provide information on dementia in a non-intimidating way, Gina authored "United: Caring for our Loved Ones Living with Dementia," a book illustrated by the late Tony Husband that offers an easy-to-read perspective on the realities of dementia.

Gina's insights in this mini episode can be invaluable whether you're involved in caregiving or recently diagnosed with dementia.

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