The Caregivers Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Every Nurse Carries Trauma w/ Jon Schmid Jan 02, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Caregivers Podcast, Dr. Mark Ropeleski sits down with John Schmid—a veteran ER nurse, former Canadian Armed Forces nursing officer, and past healthcare COO—to pull back the curtain on the "trauma-exposed" nature of healthcare. John provides an honest look at the moral injury that occurs when clinicians are unable to meet their own standards of care due to systemic constraints.

Watch the full video episode here:
▶️YouTube: https://youtu.be/dgXHui7mIgQ

Support our guest:
▶️ Website: https://role4.biz
▶️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonschmidcd/

The Longest Goodbye: 20 Years of Love, Loss, and Parkinson's w/ HeldLight Dec 26, 2025

Show notes

On this weeks episode, Dr. Mark Ropeleski welcomes Brent, founder of HeldLight, for a raw and unflinching conversation about the realities of long-term caregiving. Brent shares his 20-year journey caring for his wife, Trudy, who was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson’s at age 34.

Watch the full video episode:
▶️ YouTube: https://youtu.be/02Sr7J9VlMg

Support HeldLight:
▶️ Everything HeldLight: https://linktr.ee/HeldLight

Follow us:
▶️ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecaregiverspodcast
▶️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecaregiverspodcast/
▶️ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580795888378
▶️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-caregivers-podcast/
▶️ Website: https://thecaregiverspodcast.start.page/

No Violence Nurse: A call to action w/ Kelsey Springer Dec 19, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Dr. Mark Ropeleski sits down with Kelsey Springer, a critical care nurse and Montana State University instructor known nationally as the "No Violence Nurse." Kelsey shares the harrowing story of a brutal ICU assault that left her requiring total jaw reconstruction and how that event transformed her from a caregiver into a patient—and eventually, a fierce advocate. They discuss the dangerous normalization of workplace violence, the "invisible hits" that lead to nurse burnout, and why the phrase "it’s just part of the job" is a lie that destroys the healthcare workforce.

Watch the full video episode:
▶️ YouTube: https://youtu.be/bO0b2HB3ocM

Support our guest:
▶️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.no.violence.nurse/
▶️ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kelsey-springer-msn-rn-ccrn-58b98b74

Kelsey's Work:
▶️ https://www.ccnursing.theclinics.com/article/S0899-5885(25)00065-6/abstract
▶️ https://www.aacn.org/blog/my-experience-with-workplace-violence-in-nursing
▶️ https://nurse.org/news/workplace-violence-in-healthcare-nurses-safety/

Helpful links:
▶️ Free CDC Workplace Violence Training for Nurses: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2013-155/default.html
▶️ American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN): https://www.aacn.org/policy-and-advocacy/position-statements/preventing-violence
▶️ Emergency Nurses Association (ENA): https://www.ena.org/practice-resources/workplace-violence
▶️ American Nurses Association (ANA): https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/work-environment/wpv/

The Truth About Chronic Pain: The Reality Behind the Diagnosis w/ Dr. Laura Katz Dec 12, 2025

Show notes

On this week's episode Dr. Mark welcomes Dr. Laura Katz, a clinical and health psychologist, for a discussion on the multifaceted nature of chronic pain, and the truth behind the diagnosis. Dr. Katz addresses the failure of disjointed healthcare systems to treat the "whole person" and the resulting medical trauma experienced by patients.

Watch the full video episode:
▶️ Youtube: https://youtu.be/YCCFQ_5uEos

Support Dr. Katz:
▶️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlaurakatz/
▶️ Endometriosis360: https://endometriosis360.ca/

Follow us:
▶️ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecaregiverspodcast
▶️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecaregiverspodcast/
▶️ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580795888378
▶️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-caregivers-podcast/
▶️ Website: https://thecaregiverspodcast.start.page/

Burnout vs. Moral Injury Dec 05, 2025

Show notes

If you’ve tried self-care, therapy, and time off but still feel hollow inside, the problem might not be burnout—it might be moral injury. In this episode, Dr. Mark Ropeleski distinguishes between the exhaustion of burnout and the deep "soul wound" of moral injury, which occurs when a caregiver’s values are repeatedly violated by a broken system.

Join Dr. Mark as he explores why "resilience" isn't the answer to systemic failures and validates the invisible wounds many professional and family caregivers carry.

Watch the full video episode:
▶️YouTube: https://youtu.be/htdJTe23lgI

The Crisis in Nursing w/ Shift Happens Nov 28, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Dr. Mark speaks with the host's of the Shift Happens podcast, Darlene Jackson & Brandi Johnson of the Manitoba Nurses Union. They delve into the challenges faced by new nurses transitioning from education to practice & highlight the support needed for new graduates to thrive in a demanding healthcare environment.

Watch the full video episode:
▶️ YouTube: https://youtu.be/7D1hxSscxg0

Support our guest:
Listen to the Shift Happens Podcast:
🔊 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6kjVUvxNuqbXtWzSy3Apim?si=bdde74d3bcce478d
🔊 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shift-happens/id1798831621
▶️ Website: https://shifthappenspod.ca/

Follow us:
▶️ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecaregiverspodcast
▶️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecaregiverspodcast/
▶️ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580795888378
▶️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-caregivers-podcast/
▶️ Website: https://thecaregiverspodcast.start.page/

Why Young Women are Drinking Themselves Into Liver Failure w/ Dr. Jennifer Flemming Nov 21, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Dr. Mark & guest Dr. Jennifer Flemming delve into the uncomfortable yet crucial conversations surrounding alcohol-related liver disease and its impact on women and caregivers. Dr. Flemming shares insights on the biological, emotional, and societal factors contributing to this rising crisis, emphasizing the need for awareness and support for those affected.

Watch the full video podcast:
▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheCaregiversPodcast

Support our guest:
▶️ Twitter/ X: https://x.com/Jenn_Flemming

Values vs. Numbers in Healthcare: The Nursing Crisis w/ Amie Archibald Varley Nov 14, 2025

Show notes

On this week's episode, host Dr. Mark Ropeleski & guest Amie Archibald Varley delve into the pressing issue of accountability within the healthcare sector, highlighting the reluctance of leaders to take responsibility for failures and the systemic issues that arise from this lack of accountability.

Support our guest:
▶️ Website: www.amievarley.com
📖 Harper Collins: https://www.harpercollins.ca/9781443468718/the-wisdom-of-nurses/
▶️ Book Amie To Speak: https://www.nsb.com/speakers/amie-archibald-varley/
▶️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmieVarley
▶️ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amie-archibald-varley-rn-mn-women-s-health-535850108/
▶️ The IDEA Practice: https://theideapractice.com/component/content/article/93-amie-archibald-varley-she-her?catid=92&Itemid=543
▶️ ByBlacks: https://byblacks.com/content/itemlist/user/2121-amiearchibaldvarley

Watch the full video episode on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/oLBULNra3N0

Canada's Healthcare Crisis: Why You're Still Waiting for a Doctor w/ Dr. Anthony Sanfilippo Nov 07, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Dr. Mark Ropeleski and Dr. Anthony Sanfilippo discuss the pressing issue of the family doctor crisis in Canada, where millions lack access to primary care. They explore the disconnect between medical education and societal needs, emphasizing the importance of family doctors in providing preventative and chronic care.

Support our guest:
📖The Doctors We Need: https://sutherlandhousebooks.com/product/the-doctors-we-need/
▶️ Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/Doctors-Need-Imagining-Physician-Recruitment/dp/1738396460

Watch the full video episode:
▶️ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thecaregiverspodcast

The Guilt & Grace of Caregiving w/ Jeanette Yates Oct 31, 2025

Show notes

Join Dr. Mark and special guest Jeanette Yates for a powerful, honest look at the caregiver's life. Jeanette shares her deep personal journey, openly discussing the burden of generational trauma and the path through burnout. This is more than a discussion on duties; it's about the emotional toll. Jeanette tackles the crippling effects of perfectionism and guilt, highlighting the urgent need for robust support systems and a shift in how healthcare professionals view the caregiver's role. She also examines the complexities of technology and the importance of community in finding balance. Ultimately, this essential episode is a plea for self-compassion, reminding every caregiver that you are doing enough and deserve a supportive environment.

Support our guest:
▶️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theselfcaregiver/?hl=en
▶️ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theselfcaregiver
📖 From Guilt To Good Enough: https://www.amazon.ca/Guilt-Good-Enough-Caregivers-Overcoming/dp/B0DS2PFLX9

Follow us:
▶️ YouTube: youtube.com/@thecaregiverspodcast
▶️ TikTok: tiktok.com/@thecaregiverspodcast
▶️ Instagram: instagram.com/thecaregiverspodcast/
▶️ Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580795888378
▶️ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/the-caregivers-podcast/
▶️ Website: https://thecaregiverspodcast.start.page/

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected