WHO TAKES CARE OF THE CAREGIVER?

The Caregiver's Relationship with Food

Relationships & Caregiving Series

Caregivers spend so much time caring for others that they often forget to care for themselves. In this episode of Beyond the Spectrum: Every Age, Every Need, host Shawn Francis sits down with longtime friend and nutrition expert Lisa Underwood, MBA, MS, RD, LD, LN, to discuss one of the most overlooked caregiving relationships of all: our relationship with food.

Together, they explore why caregivers often neglect their own nutritional needs, how stress impacts eating habits, practical strategies for maintaining energy and wellness, and why self-care is not selfish—it's essential.

Topics Include:

• Why caregivers often put themselves last

• The connection between stress, nutrition, and energy

• Emotional eating and meal skipping

• Practical nutrition tips for busy caregivers

• Supporting special needs families through food challenges

• Small changes that can make a big difference

Guest:

Lisa Underwood, MBA, MS, RD, LD, LN

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

Learn More:

RDNnutrition.com

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Billy Footwear

We're proud to partner with Billy Footwear, a company whose mission aligns beautifully with the Beyond the Spectrum community. Founded by Billy Price after a spinal cord injury, Billy creates fashionable, functional, and inclusive footwear designed to make getting dressed easier and more accessible.

Receive 10% OFF your purchase:

https://billyfootwear.com/?ref=beyond-the-spectrum

Soul Grain

We're also proud to partner with Soul Grain, makers of delicious granola crafted with real ingredients and unique flavors. Every flavor includes its own curated playlist.

Use Code BTS10 for 10% OFF:

https://soul-grain.com/

THE DEN

Looking for community, resources, support, and meaningful conversations with others who understand the caregiving journey?

Join The Den:

https://sites.google.com/view/welcometotheden/home

CONNECT WITH BEYOND THE SPECTRUM

Website:

www.beyondthespectrumpodcast.com

YouTube:

@Beyondthespectrum1000

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who may benefit from the conversation.

Beyond the Spectrum

Every Age. Every Need.

RELATIONSHIPS & CAREGIVING, PART 2

THE VERSION OF YOU THAT GOT HURT STILL NEEDS HEALING

Many caregivers spend so much time tending to the needs of others that they lose touch with the parts of themselves that were wounded long before caregiving began.

In Part 2 of our Relationships & Caregiving series, we continue the conversation about the most important relationship we will ever have—the relationship with ourselves.

This episode explores how unresolved pain, childhood experiences, disappointments, losses, and unmet needs can quietly shape the way we care for others and the way we care for ourselves. Healing isn't about living in the past. It's about acknowledging the parts of ourselves that still need compassion, understanding, and attention.

Whether you're a caregiver, parent, professional, advocate, or someone simply trying to become a healthier version of yourself, this conversation offers an invitation to reflect, heal, and grow.

Because the version of you that got hurt still matters.

And healing is not weakness. It's courage.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Why self-relationship is the foundation of every other relationship

• How unhealed wounds can impact caregiving, parenting, and personal connections

• The difference between functioning and healing

• Why many caregivers struggle to prioritize themselves

• Practical reflections for developing greater self-compassion

• How healing yourself benefits the people you care for most

WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR

• Family caregivers

• Parents of children with disabilities

• Adults on the autism spectrum

• Professionals in helping professions

• Special education professionals

• Mental health advocates

• Anyone working through personal growth and healing

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

What part of yourself deserves more compassion right now?

Share your thoughts in the comments below. Your story may help someone else feel less alone.

If this episode resonated with you, please like, comment, subscribe, and share it with someone who may need to hear this message.

SUPPORT THE SHOW & EXPERIENCE UNIVERSAL DESIGN

We are proud to partner with BILLY Footwear, a brand that truly embodies the spirit of Beyond the Spectrum.

After a spinal cord injury, co-founder Billy Price set out to create shoes that were stylish, high-quality, and—most importantly—accessible to everyone.

Get 10% OFF your purchase at checkout here:

https://billyfootwear.com/?ref=beyond-the-spectrum

We are also proud to partner with Soul Grain, a revolutionary food brand creating delicious granola inspired by culture, music, and community.

Unique flavors include Coco Mango, Banana Pudding, Sweet Potato Casserole, and Purple Grain—a tribute to Minneapolis music legend Prince.

There are no artificial ingredients, and each flavor includes its own curated playlist.

Use promo code BTS10 to receive 10% OFF your purchase.

https://soul-grain.com/

JOIN THE DEN: MEN'S SUPPORT GROUP

The Den is a dedicated space where men can find community, share experiences, build meaningful connections, and navigate life's challenges together.

Register for our next meeting:

https://sites.google.com/view/welcometotheden/home

ABOUT BEYOND THE SPECTRUM

Beyond the Spectrum: Every Age, Every Need explores autism, disability, caregiving, advocacy, personal growth, and the human experiences that connect us all.

Through honest conversations and practical insights, we seek to support individuals, families, professionals, and communities across the lifespan.

#BeyondTheSpectrum #Caregiving #SelfCare #MentalHealth #PersonalGrowth #AutismAwareness #DisabilityCommunity #RelationshipsAndCaregiving #Healing #CaregiverSupport

Part 1 of the Relationships & Caregiving Series

What happens when the person you care for most is everyone except yourself?

In this first episode of the Relationships & Caregiving series, Shawn Francis explores why self-relationship serves as the foundation for every other relationship we build and maintain. Whether you're caring for a child with special needs, supporting a family member, working as a professional caregiver, or simply navigating the demands of daily life, the way you speak to yourself, value yourself, and care for yourself matters.

This conversation examines the challenges caregivers face when their own needs are consistently pushed aside, the impact that self-neglect can have on emotional well-being, and why self-compassion is not selfish—it's essential.

Join Shawn as he discusses:

• Why your relationship with yourself influences every other relationship in your life

• Common ways caregivers unintentionally neglect themselves

• The difference between self-care and self-preservation

• How self-awareness can strengthen caregiving and family relationships

• Practical ways to reconnect with your own needs, identity, and well-being

If you've ever felt exhausted, overlooked, or disconnected from yourself while caring for others, this episode is a reminder that you matter too.

Who This Episode Is For

✓ Family caregivers

✓ Parents of children with disabilities

✓ Individuals with disabilities and special needs

✓ Direct support professionals

✓ Educators, therapists, and service providers

✓ Anyone who has spent so much time caring for others that they've forgotten themselves

🔔 Enjoyed This Episode?

If this conversation resonated with you, please:

• Follow or subscribe to Beyond the Spectrum

• Leave a rating and review

• Share this episode with a caregiver, parent, educator, therapist, or friend who may need to hear it

Your support helps us continue creating conversations that inform, inspire, and strengthen our community.

🐺 Join The Den: Men's Support Community

The Den is a welcoming space where men can connect, share experiences, support one another, and navigate life's challenges together.

Whether you're on the spectrum, a caregiver, a parent, or simply looking for meaningful community, you're welcome here.

Register for an upcoming meeting:

https://sites.google.com/view/welcometotheden/home

🌟 Support the Show & Experience Universal Design

👟 Featured Partner: BILLY Footwear

At Beyond the Spectrum, we celebrate brands that make inclusion a priority.

That's why we're proud to partner with BILLY Footwear. Co-founder Billy Price created BILLY after a spinal cord injury inspired him to reimagine footwear that is stylish, functional, and accessible for everyone.

🎉 Get 10% OFF your purchase using our partner link:

https://billyfootwear.com/?ref=beyond-the-spectrum

🥣 Featured Partner: Soul Grain

Looking for a healthier snack with incredible flavor?

Soul Grain creates artisan granola made with real ingredients and no artificial additives. Unique flavors include:

• Sweet Potato Casserole

• Purple Grain (inspired by Prince)

• Cocoa Mango

• Banana Pudding

• And more

🎵 Every flavor includes its own curated playlist, creating a one-of-a-kind experience.

Use promo code BTS10 for 10% OFF your order:

https://soul-grain.com/

🎙️ About Beyond the Spectrum

Beyond the Spectrum explores the stories, challenges, triumphs, and experiences of individuals, families, caregivers, and professionals throughout the disability and special needs community.

Through meaningful conversations, expert insights, and authentic storytelling, we seek to educate, encourage, and connect.

Because support, understanding, and belonging matter at every age and every need.

#BeyondTheSpectrum #RelationshipsAndCaregiving #Caregiving #SpecialNeeds #Autism #DisabilityAwareness #CaregiverSupport #MentalHealth #Parenting #Inclusion #Community