Caregiving touches nearly every workplace, yet it remains one of the least recognized drivers of employee burnout, absenteeism, turnover, and declining performance. Forbes contributor Geri Stengel joins us to discuss why caregiving often goes unseen by employers and what organizations may be missing when they focus on symptoms rather than root causes.

Drawing from years of research, reporting, and personal experience, Geri shares eye-opening data on the growing caregiving population, the business risks of overlooking this workforce segment, and the opportunities available to employers willing to take a closer look. Whether you're a leader, HR professional, manager, or caregiver yourself, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on one of the most pressing workforce challenges of our time.

Episode Highlights

[1:32] - Welcoming Geri Stengel and discussing the Forbes article that inspired this conversation

[2:18] - Why caregiving remains one of the most common yet invisible challenges in today's workforce

[3:00] - Geri shares her personal experience caring for her aunt and navigating the complexities of elder care

[4:53] - A look at caregiving support programs and innovative solutions emerging through Medicare-funded services

[6:56] - The story behind the phrase "Caregiving Doesn't Show Up on a Claim Line"

[7:50] - Why employers often address the symptoms of caregiving challenges instead of the root cause

[9:17] - Real-world examples of caregiving being mistaken for poor performance in the workplace

[10:24] - The financial impact of caregiver burnout and the hidden costs organizations often overlook

[11:38] - The rapid growth of the caregiving population and why employers can no longer ignore it

[12:03] - How caregiving affects leadership pipelines, retention, and mid-career professionals

[13:58] - Research findings that changed Geri's perspective on caregiving and workforce strategy

[15:06] - Growing investment in caregiving solutions and why the industry is gaining attention

[16:17] - Practical advice for CEOs and HR leaders looking to better understand caregiving risk

[18:39] - Why caregiving develops leadership skills and should be viewed as an asset, not a liability

[19:44] - The long-term consequences for employees, companies, and society if caregiving remains invisible

[21:58] - Geri discusses VentureNear, women's health advocacy, and her continued research efforts

[23:29] - Final thoughts on creating workplaces that better support working caregivers

Links & Resources

Geri Stengel's Forbes Article: Caregiving Doesn't Show Up On A Claim Line. That's Costing Companies And Employees
https://www.forbes.com/sites/geristengel/2026/04/28/caregiving-doesnt-show-up-on-a-claim-line-thats-costing-companies-and-employees/

Ventureneer
https://ventureneer.com/

Geri Stengel's Substack: Women's Health & Market Visibility
https://geristengel.substack.com/

Episode 12: Navigating Caregiving, Work, and Mental Health with Dr. Madhavi Vemireddy
https://workingcaregivers.buzzsprout.com/2401927/episodes/16675698-navigating-caregiving-work-and-mental-health-expert-insights-with-dr-madhavi-vemireddy

Episode 35: Supporting Working Caregivers with Real Empathy
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2401927/episodes/18726675

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