She looked calm. Capable. But when I asked what she needed—she couldn’t answer. Not because she didn’t care. Because she didn’t remember how to.

If you’re the one keeping everything afloat—managing meds, moods, meals, and meaning—you might not realize what’s been lost. Not your partner. You.

This episode is about what happens when caregiving stops being something you do… and quietly becomes who you are. It’s not about blame. It’s about awareness. Because once you can name what’s happening, you can begin to change it.

– What “role engulfment” actually is—and why it’s not just burnout – How care partners disappear inside the job and lose access to their own needs – Why even small decisions can feel impossible when you’re emotionally fogged – One shift that can help you start coming back to yourself – A story that reveals the real turning point—not just for you, but for your relationship

If this hit home—there’s a story I want you to read. It’s called Are You Lisa or Elena? Two care partners. Same diagnosis. Very different outcomes. Find out which one is yours: https://lifeaphasiaacademy.co/f/lisa-or-elena

More Resources: Speak up for yourself after stroke—Take It Back: https://lifeaphasiaacademy.co/f/take-it-back Learn why aphasia progress never really stops (and how to spot it): https://dolifespeechpathology.com/f/neuroplasticity Explore care partner tools, mindset shifts, and coaching: https://lifeaphasiaacademy.co/care-partner-resources Curious about therapy or coaching support? Learn about our services: https://dolifespeechpathology.com Want help learning how to be a care partner and maintain yourself? Check out the LIFE Aphasia Collective: https://dolifespeechpathology.co/collective Watch more content on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LIFESpeechPathology/videos Prefer audio? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/listen-for-life-aphasia-podcast/id1621948384

You’re not failing. You’re adapting. But you don’t have to disappear in the process. There’s a way back to you.

I didn’t expect a movie to call me out—but one line stopped me cold.

If you’re a stroke care partner lying awake at night, looping through your to-do list, bracing for tomorrow before today is even over—this might be the reset you didn’t know you needed.

In this episode, I share the moment that hit me hard, what it taught me about mental clutter, and the 5-minute routine that’s helped me finally sleep again. No fixing. No faking. Just one tiny shift that changes everything.

• What “taking out the trash” really means for care partners
• Why mental overload mimics burnout and impacts your memory
• The nighttime routine I use to stop solving problems in my sleep
• What happens when you don’t give your brain closure (hello, Monkey Brain)
• A simple paper + timer practice that works—even when you're maxed out

If this hit home—there’s a story I want you to read. https://lifeaphasiaacademy.co/f/lisa-or-elena

More Resources:

Speak up for yourself after stroke—Take It Back: https://lifeaphasiaacademy.co/f/take-it-back

Wondering if progress is still possible? 3 Reasons Aphasia Progress Never Stops: https://dolifespeechpathology.com/f/neuroplasticity

Want help learning how to be a care partner and maintain yourself? Start here: https://lifeaphasiaacademy.co/care-partner-resources

Need support or expert therapy guidance? Learn about LIFE Speech Pathology® services: https://dolifespeechpathology.com

Looking for a community that truly gets it? Join the LIFE Aphasia Collective: https://dolifespeechpathology.co/collective

Browse more videos on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LIFESpeechPathology/videos

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/listen-for-life-aphasia-podcast/id1621948384

You’re not failing. You’re adapting.

If your spouse or loved one survived a right hemisphere stroke and now feels… different—you’re not imagining it. In this heartfelt Q&A, Genevieve answers real questions from care partners grappling with subtle but life-altering changes: blank stares, flat affect, lost affection, impulsive speech, and “he’s totally fine” denial. If you’ve ever wondered is this the stroke… or just who they are now?—this episode will bring clarity, validation, and next steps.

This episode is for care partners who are feeling emotionally alone in the aftermath of a stroke that didn’t affect speech—but changed everything else.

• “Why does my spouse seem flat and expressionless now?”
• “She used to be warm and affectionate… now she feels distant. What changed?”
• “My husband takes everything literally now—no jokes, no sarcasm. Why?”
• “He swears he’s fine, but I can see he’s not. How do I make him aware?”
• “My dad only shaves half his face now—how do I help him notice?”
• “What’s the deal with memory? Is it memory loss or something else?”

• Right hemisphere stroke often impacts personality, not language.
• Emotional disconnect, sarcasm misfires, and blank stares are common—but misunderstood—stroke effects.
• Survivors may not realize their behavior has changed. It’s not denial—it’s a breakdown in self-awareness.
• These shifts are real, and they can be worked with. But first, care partners need to stop taking them personally.
• Small strategies and honest conversations can rebuild connection—but education is key.

There’s a short story I want you to read. It’s called “Are You Lisa or Elena?” One stayed stuck. One found her way back. ➡️ Read it here

You might be surprised which one you are.

If this episode helped you feel seen, share it with a friend or fellow care partner who needs it. Don’t forget to subscribe to Listen for LIFE and leave a review—your story helps others find theirs.