The Midlife Squeeze cover art

The Midlife Squeeze

The Midlife Squeeze

By: Erica Smith
Listen for free

Season's Savings | £0.99/mo for 3 months

£5.99/mo after 3 months - terms apply. Cancel monthly
No one prepares you for this phase of life. You're expected to hold it all together — the aging parent who needs more help every month, the kids who need you present, the career that won't pause, and a marriage that can't run on autopilot forever. And somehow… no one is talking about it. The Midlife Squeeze is a space for real conversations and proactive planning. We share unfiltered stories from people in the thick of it — because naming the chaos is the first step to navigating it.Copyright 2026 Erica Smith Economics Hygiene & Healthy Living Management Management & Leadership Physical Illness & Disease
Episodes
  • One Phone Call Turned Me Into My Parents' Caregiver

    One Phone Call Turned Me Into My Parents' Caregiver
    Oct 20 2026
    Episode SummaryWhat happens when a family crisis reveals that your aging parents need more help than anyone realized?In this episode of The Midlife Squeeze, Erica sits down with estate planning and elder law attorney Kolleen Bannon to discuss the caregiving journey that began after her 86-year-old father suffered a serious fall in 2021.While her father recovered, Kolleen discovered that her mother’s dementia had progressed much further than the family knew. Suddenly, she was managing her parents’ healthcare, finances, housing, and long-term care while raising two sons and running her law practice.Kolleen shares the emotional and financial realities of caregiving, including long-term care insurance, assisted living, Medicaid planning, caregiver guilt, and the difficult transition from child to decision-maker.Their conversation highlights why families should have difficult conversations and make plans before a crisis begins.Key TakeawaysA sudden health crisis can expose caregiving needs that families did not recognize.Power of attorney and healthcare surrogate documents can make crisis decisions easier.Long-term care insurance can help, but families should understand its limits and eligibility requirements.Caregiving can affect work, parenting, finances, relationships, and emotional health.Assisted living and memory care decisions may need to happen sooner than expected.Families should discuss housing, finances, driving, pets, and long-term care before a crisis.Medicaid planning can become relevant even for families who never expected to need it.Caregiver guilt is common when balancing aging parents, children, work, and everyday life.Planning early gives families more options during difficult transitions.Chapters00:00 When Everything Changes00:59 Meet Kolleen Bannon03:07 Life Before the Crisis04:23 Warning Signs Before the Fall05:59 Discovering Her Mother’s Dementia08:07 Entering Crisis Mode11:16 Losing Control and Reversing Roles12:46 The Impact on Work and Family14:34 Finding Care for Both Parents15:36 Long-Term Care Insurance17:44 Qualifying for Care Benefits18:42 Paying for Long-Term Care19:21 Selling the Family Home21:39 What Kolleen Wishes She Had Done Earlier24:55 The True Cost of Care28:37 Finding Humor During Caregiving29:51 Barry’s Role in the Family32:07 Planning for Aging Parents’ Pets33:25 Settling Into a New Routine34:21 The Reality of Caregiver Guilt36:47 Kolleen’s Advice for Families38:15 Medicaid and Planning Ahead38:44 Erica’s Closing Thoughts40:26 Take the Family AssessmentFollow the ShowNew episodes release twice a month.Follow The Midlife Squeeze on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you never miss an episode. If today’s conversation resonated with you, leaving a rating and review helps more families discover these important discussions.Instagram: @TheMidlifeSqueezeConnect with EricaInstagram: @TheFamilyMoneyPlannerLooking for a place to start? Visit FAMOPlan.com to take the free Family Assessment (the quiz mentioned in this episode) and begin organizing the conversations, decisions, and financial planning that every family will eventually face.Connect with KolleenWebsite: bannonlegal.comKolleen Bannon, Esq. and Bannon Legal, PLLC are not affiliated with Ausdal Financial Partners, Inc. or Ocean Crest Wealth Management.A Quick ClarificationSome coverage details in this episode were shared from memory. Medicare generally covers up to 100 days of skilled nursing facility care per benefit period, following a qualifying hospital stay, with daily coinsurance after day 20. Many long-term care insurance policies begin benefits when someone needs help with 2 of 6 activities of daily living or has a severe cognitive impairment. Policy terms vary.DisclaimerThe information discussed on this podcast is for general educational purposes only and is not a recommendation of a product or strategy. Nothing discussed should be considered investment, tax, legal, or financial advice. Consult with qualified professionals before making any financial or investment decisions. The views expressed are those of the speakers and may not reflect the views of Ausdal Financial Partners. Securities and advisory services are offered through Ausdal Financial Partners, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC and registered investment adviser. Ocean Crest Wealth Management and Ausdal Financial Partners, Inc. are independently owned and operated. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal.Keywords / Hashtags#Midlife #MidlifeSqueeze #Caregiving #CaregiverSupport #AgingParents #Dementia #MemoryCare #AssistedLiving #LongTermCare #MedicaidPlanning #SandwichGeneration #FamilyFinances #ElderCare #CaregiverGuilt #FuturePlanning
    Show More Show Less
    41 mins
  • Assisted Living Didn’t End Our Caregiving | Brad’s Story

    Assisted Living Didn’t End Our Caregiving | Brad’s Story
    Oct 6 2026
    Episode Summary

    What happens when you have a plan for aging parents, but life doesn’t go according to plan?

    Erica sits down with Brad to share his family’s caregiving journey after his father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. As his father’s needs grew, Brad and his wife managed appointments, transportation, and daily care before realizing home care was no longer sustainable.

    Brad discusses becoming the default caregiver, transitioning his father to assisted living, and managing the realities of long-term care.

    Key Takeaways

    • Parkinson’s can transform a family’s caregiving responsibilities.

    • Home care can eventually exceed what families can safely manage.

    • Assisted living does not eliminate caregiving responsibilities.

    • Long-term care can create significant financial and emotional challenges.

    • Planning early can give families more options.

    Chapters

    00:00 Brad’s Caregiving Story

    00:27 His Father’s Parkinson’s Diagnosis

    01:05 Realizing the Change Was Permanent

    02:04 When Driving Had to Stop

    02:30 Becoming the Default Caregiver

    03:26 Living With an Aging Parent

    03:57 Late-Night Health Emergencies

    04:58 The Impact on Marriage

    05:45 Family Support and Caregiving

    06:21 When Home Care Became Unsustainable

    07:28 Choosing Assisted Living

    08:09 Caregiving After Assisted Living

    08:46 The Financial Impact of Care

    09:22 Long-Term Care Insurance

    10:25 What Brad Wishes Families Knew

    11:58 Longevity and Outliving Your Money

    12:47 The Emotional Weight of Caregiving

    14:47 Erica’s Closing Thoughts

    Guest Content Note – Long-Term Care Insurance

    During the discussion of his father’s care costs, Brad shares his family’s personal experience with long-term care insurance and explains that his father’s policy currently covers much of his care expense. He also makes several favorable general statements about long-term care insurance, including describing it as “extremely valuable” and “well worth the investment,” and encouraging listeners to consider obtaining coverage if they qualify.

    These statements are Brad’s personal views based on his family’s experience. No carrier or specific product is discussed, and the episode’s title, thumbnail, description, and promotional materials do not position long-term care insurance as a product recommendation.

    Given Erica’s insurance affiliation, please advise whether you are comfortable with this portion remaining as recorded or would prefer that any of the guest’s statements be edited.

    Follow the Show

    New episodes release twice a month.

    Follow The Midlife Squeeze on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you never miss an episode. If today’s conversation resonated with you, leaving a rating and review helps more families discover these important discussions.

    Instagram: @TheMidlifeSqueeze

    Connect with Erica

    Instagram: @TheFamilyMoneyPlanner

    Looking for a place to start? Visit FAMOPlan.com to take the free Family Assessment and begin organizing the conversations, decisions, and financial planning that every family will eventually face.

    Disclaimer

    The information discussed on this podcast is for general educational purposes only and is not a recommendation of a product or strategy. Nothing discussed should be considered investment, tax, legal, medical, or financial advice. Consult with qualified professionals before making financial or investment decisions. The views expressed are those of the speakers and may not reflect the views of Ausdal Financial Partners. Securities and advisory services are offered through Ausdal Financial Partners, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC and registered investment adviser. Ocean Crest Wealth Management and Ausdal Financial Partners, Inc. are independently owned and operated. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal.

    Keywords / Hashtags

    #MidlifeSqueeze #Caregiving #AgingParents #Parkinsons #ParkinsonsDisease #CaregiverSupport

    #AssistedLiving #LongTermCare #FamilyCaregiving #FamilyFinances #ElderCare #DefaultCaregiver

    #SandwichGeneration
    Show More Show Less
    17 mins
  • I Became Everyone’s Caregiver | Jodi Coleman’s Story

    I Became Everyone’s Caregiver | Jodi Coleman’s Story
    Sep 22 2026
    Episode Summary

    What happens when caregiving has no finish line?

    In this episode of The Midlife Squeeze, Erica sits down with Jodi Coleman, a caregiver and author who has spent 18 years caring for her family.

    Jodi shares how premature twins and neurological diagnoses changed motherhood, then how her husband’s brain cancer suddenly made her the caregiver, financial decision-maker, and family anchor. At the same time, her father’s Parkinson’s and her mother’s Alzheimer’s created another layer of responsibility.

    Through it all, Jodi explains how humor became her saving grace, why asking for help matters, and why she wishes her family had earlier conversations about finances, care, and long-term planning before a crisis.

    Key Takeaways
    • Caregiving can build in layers until it becomes part of everyday life.
    • A serious diagnosis can instantly change family roles, finances, and responsibilities.
    • An existing long-term disability policy helped cover the family’s expenses when Jodi’s husband could no longer work. This was a detail she didn’t fully realize the value of until she needed it.
    • Caring for children, a spouse, and aging parents can create an intense “sandwich generation” squeeze.
    • Humor can provide relief and connection during long-term caregiving.
    • Caregiving expenses can include treatment, residential care, rehabilitation, and long-term care.
    • Jodi wishes her family had discussed finances, power of attorney, care preferences, and future living arrangements earlier, rather than addressing them during a crisis.

    Chapters

    00:00 Jodi’s Caregiving Story

    02:44 Where It All Began

    02:54 Premature Twins and the NICU

    07:37 Bringing the Twins Home

    10:53 Recognizing Developmental Differences

    13:27 Tourette Syndrome, OCD, and ADHD

    15:18 Changes in Matt’s Behavior

    19:18 The Brain Cancer Diagnosis

    23:44 Becoming the Financial Decision-Maker

    25:56 Learning to Manage the Family Finances

    26:50 Starting Over in Florida

    29:02 Her Parents’ Health Begins to Decline

    30:33 Caring Across Three Generations

    32:35 Balancing Care From Another State

    35:10 The “Three-Ring Circus” of Caregiving

    36:08 Humor as a Saving Grace

    38:03 Turning Hard Moments Into Creativity

    40:02 Helping Other Caregivers Feel Less Alone

    41:43 The Financial Cost of Unexpected Care

    42:43 Why Families Need to Prepare Earlier

    44:29 Living Without a Finish Line

    46:26 Closing Thoughts

    CONNECT WITH JODI

    Follow Jodi Coleman and learn more about her work:

    Instagram: @jodicoleman_author

    Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0CNDD7ZPD

    FOLLOW THE SHOW

    New episodes release twice a month.

    Follow The Midlife Squeeze on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you never miss an episode.

    If today’s conversation resonated with you, leaving a rating and review helps more families discover these important discussions.

    Instagram: @TheMidlifeSqueeze

    CONNECT WITH ERICA

    Instagram: @TheFamilyMoneyPlanner

    Looking for a place to start? Visit FAMOPlan.com to take the free Family Assessment. It offers a simple starting point for identifying conversations and decisions your family may want to address before a crisis.

    Disclaimer

    The information discussed on this podcast is for general educational purposes only and is not a recommendation of a product or strategy. Nothing discussed should be considered investment, tax, legal, medical, or financial advice. Consult with qualified professionals before making any financial or investment decisions. The views expressed are those of the speakers and may not reflect the views of Ausdal Financial Partners. Securities and advisory services are offered through Ausdal Financial Partners, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC and registered investment adviser. Ocean Crest Wealth Management and Ausdal Financial Partners, Inc. are independently owned and operated. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal.

    Keywords / Hashtags

    #TheMidlifeSqueeze #Caregiving #SandwichGeneration #FamilyCaregiver #AgingParents
    Show More Show Less
    49 mins
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
No reviews yet