Episode Details

Host Candace Dellacona welcomes acclaimed writer Lisa McCarty for a powerful conversation on caregiving, resilience, and the courage to tell deeply personal stories. McCarty reflects on her essays that resonated with thousands—from losing her father just as she welcomed her second child to stepping into the role of caregiver for her mother at just 13—and how those experiences shaped her voice and perspective. Now developing a reported nonfiction book, she shares hard-earned insights on identity, boundaries, and advocacy, offering thoughtful guidance for young caregivers navigating similar paths. 

00:00 Discovering Strength Through Caregiving with Lisa McCarty 

00:07 Welcome and Guest Intro 

01:31 Why Write Personal Stories 

02:08 Sharing the Caregiving Essay 

05:26 Story Timing 

08:53 How Young Caregiving Shaped Lisa 

13:17 Realizing She Was a Caregiver 

16:41 Systemic Failures and Isolation 

24:03 Advice for Young Caregivers 

27:09 Writing the Book and Self Care 

32:10 Privacy and Telling the Truth 

35:08 Defining Thriving, Not Surviving 

38:27 Closing Remarks 

For a collection of Lisa’s essays and articles, visit https://linktr.ee/lbmccarty   

Follow Lisa McCarty on social media:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-mccarty-8905513/ 
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lbmccarty717/ 

• (00:00) - v2 Discovering Strength Through Caregiving with Lisa McCarty
• (00:07) - Welcome and Guest Intro
• (01:31) - Why Write Personal Stories
• (02:08) - Sharing the Caregiving Essay
• (05:26) - Story Timing
• (08:53) - How Young Caregiving Shaped Lisa
• (13:17) - Realizing She Was a Caregiver
• (15:31) - Systemic Failures and Isolation
• (22:54) - Advice for Young Caregivers
• (26:00) - Writing the Book and Self Care
• (30:09) - Defining Thriving, Not Surviving
• (33:27) - Closing Remarks