Podcast Spotlight: The Agewyz Podcast
Thousands of people have landed in the role of a caregiving through unexpected circumstances. They’re often juggling other jobs, responsibilities, and caring for a family member or loved one. The Agewyz Podcast is here to share some of these stories, offer encouragement, and most importantly, let others out there know they’re not alone with their endeavor.
Host, Jana Panarites, previously wrote a book about her first year as an unexpected caregiver. Instead of simply giving advice, both the book and podcast help support the caregiver and their mental health as they multitask various priorities. I got a chance to talk with Jana about the podcast, advice for unexpected caregivers, and how she records and edits the podcast. See below for our interview.
Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher
Discover Pods: How did you decide to get into podcasting?
Jana: I wrote a book about the experience of caring for my mother after my father’s death, and during the writing I was shocked to learn there were millions of people out there like me, losing sleep, slogging it out alone and in isolation, putting their own lives on hold to care for a family member, friend or relative. It seemed the media narrative around caregiving was largely data-driven: 43 million-plus unpaid family caregivers, 60% female, etc. I wanted to hear about the people behind the numbers. How did they cope? At what cost to their own lives? I loved the idea of giving voice to this hidden workforce through the immediacy of digital radio, but I didn’t know anything about the mechanics of podcasting. So I learned quickly, to share these heroic stories of people actually doing the work of care. To broaden the scope of guests, I decided to also include professionals in the field of aging and people using media to creatively address health issues and challenge widespread assumptions about aging.
DP: Caregiving isn’t the typical podcast genre du jour. That’s to say it’s not true crime. How do most listeners come to find Agewyz?
Jana: Most people hear about the show from other caregivers and folks who work in the aging space, or they stumble on it through a Google search of the word “podcast” combined with any health-related term or name of someone who works in the field aging. I’ve done over 100 episodes so chances are pretty high I’ve interviewed someone who’s written about any given health topic or had a personal caregiving experience, or both. Listeners also discover The Agewyz Podcast through social media, where I promote the show heavily; through platforms like iTunes and Stitcher; and on the nationally syndicated Speak Up Talk Radio network, where the show had over 45,000 listens in the month of January.
DP: Throughout your episodes your empathy is readily apparent. What is something (or multiple things) non-caregivers should know to better sympathize or prepare if they become caregivers later in life?
Jana: Let’s say you know someone who’s caring for an aging parent. I would suggest that instead of asking, “how’s your mom/dad?” the non-caregiver ask “how are YOU?” Because no one ever asks how the caregiver is doing, and 70% of caregivers die before the person they’re caring for due to the stress of the job. Maybe offer to sit with your caregiving friend’s care recipient for a night, to give your friend a break. Or bring over a week’s worth of prepared meals so the caregiver doesn’t have to cook every night (do this and the caregiver will probably name you in his/her will). As for how to prepare for caregiving later in life, it’s almost impossible because there are so many surprises along the way; you have to dig deep daily, and perform tasks you never even thought about. I’d suggest befriending a caregiver to find out what’s hard about the work, but also how incredible it feels to help someone who’s spent years or decades being independent and is now counting on you for help. Most importantly, cultivate the friendship of an older adult. You’ll be amazed what they can teach you about getting older. That knowledge will not only serve you well in the future but enrich your life now.
DP: Has listener feedback helped steer the direction of your show?
Jana: Listener feedback has definitely helped steer the direction of the show in terms of reinforcing the idea that these frank, highly personal conversations are helping people feel less isolated, which gives me strength to keep having the conversations, which can be difficult but are filled with a surprising amount of humor. I come from an entertainment background and believe that change happens through hope, not despair, so that’s reflected in the tone of the show, where grief and angst are tempered with moments of laughter. Listeners have voiced an appreciation for that, which has helped me to stay focused on keeping the show emotionally balanced.
DP: What’s your recording and editing schedule like?
Jana: My recording and editing schedule is pretty scattershot because I also work a job that’s remarkably demanding for being part-time, so I have to coordinate the interviews around the job. Plus, I’m still involved in caring for my mother, who’s now 88, so I squeeze in the recording wherever I can. The Agewyz Podcast airs every Thursday, so I’m usually editing the same day I record the interview or one or two days later. It’s a scramble.
DP: What’s the hardest challenge for you as an indie podcaster?
Jana: The hardest challenge has been doing everything on my own since starting the podcast nearly three years ago. It’s been a wild ride, with lots of MacGyvering along the way. Booking guests, producing the show, etc. hasn’t left much time for cultivating sponsors or getting a fundraising campaign off the ground, which would allow me to do this full-time and incorporate additional elements to give the show more dimension. I’d give anything for a business partner.
DP: What podcasts do you listen to in your spare time?
Jana: The current slate includes: Atlanta Monster; Freakonomics Radio; Intercepted with Jeremy Scahill; TED Radio Hour; This American Life; Pod Save America; and three terrific podcasts hosted by women: Death, Sex & Money; Otherhood; and Nocturne.
DP: Anything else you’d like to add?
Jana: Thanks for the opportunity to be part of the Discover Pods line-up. You’ve drawn attention to so many unique shows. I’m looking forward to exploring the collection!
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