We want people to get better soon, to quickly bounce back from a setback or sickness.  But what if they don’t?  What if the path to recovery is a long one? 

Jennifer Merrell had a mysterious illness.  She grew sicker and sicker, missing work, functioning in a fog of pain and confusion.  In today’s episode, we explore the limitations of FMLA, the challenge to employers, and the painful cost to workplace relationships and ask the question:  what should (and should not!) be done in the case of complicated, lingering disruption? 

Today is a special holiday edition of the Handle with Care podcast, in honor of the most wonderful time of the year. The focus of the podcast is empathy, showing others that we care, that we recognize their pain and make space for it. And so, I want to take a few moments to give a glimpse as to why this time of year could be particularly hard for people you care about and how you can be a supportive, caring, coworker or friend when they need it most.

How can you support a woman who is going through IVF? IVF and infertility treatments are expensive, time-consuming, and physically demanding. In this episode of Handle with Care, Julie McCorkle tells about the long, circuitous path that led her to her son, Declan. She shares about regular blood draws, stress, vulnerability, and the importance of support networks.

Single parenting can be really hard.  Jennifer Magley talks about the unrelenting days, the economic challenges, and the misperceptions she regularly confronts as a woman of color. Jennifer also shares about rebuilding after loss, resiliency, the secret society of single moms, and how to help someone while still maintaining boundaries.

How do you support families living under the shadow of a long-term illness?  Parkinson’s disease is relentless and degenerative.  There is no cure.  Jason Berns remembers his dad, Don.  Don was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at the age of 33; Jason was just 8 years old.  Jason reflects on the challenges of living in the shadow of Parkinson’s, the importance of honesty and community, and the power of hope. 

Today, I share a part of my story of loss and struggle.  Elaine Brenner is my guest host and interviewer as I move behind the microphone, telling the truth of my collision with death and surgery.  As I listened to this episode, I still felt the loss; there is so much more that I would like to tell or share, the ways that Mercy and Moses and pain have impacted and changed me. But I offer this glimpse into my story, hoping it will help you as you live through your own challenge or help a friend through theirs. 

Disruptive life events linger; they cast a long shadow.  Years afterwards, you can still be surprised by sadness or fear. Magnus Mertes knows about living with pain and uncertainty; his sister died when he was just one year old and his younger brother has needed multiple heart surgeries.  In this last episode of our series on childhood disruption, Magnus shares about how pain can bring us closer to people, what kids really want from their parents, and how a note or a song can be a powerful gift to those experiencing sadness. 

A hug, a nap, a kind word:  each of these actions can be really helpful for those that are going through hard times.  Jemima Mertes, age 6, shares these insights and more on this episode of Handle with Care.  Jemima is no stranger to sadness:  her older sister died and her younger brother has undergone multiple open heart surgeries.  As she speaks about her safe place, breathing techniques, and how to remember well, Jemima offers wisdom for anyone walking with a child through tumult as well as for those that support parents during times of disruption.   

When tragedy impacts in the life of a child, it can be difficult for adults to know how to help.  Ada June, age 11, had a sister die and a brother undergo multiple open-heart surgeries.  She shares about death, the power of remembering, and the importance of being able to self-advocate in the midst of pain.  There is wisdom here for anyone who is walking with a child through sadness as well as for those that support parents during times of disruption.    

Jasmin is no stranger to loss:  her mother died of ovarian cancer while Jasmin was in high school.  A few years later, Jasmin’s brother, Rory, took his life.  She shares deep wisdom from her journey towards healing for those that have been affected by suicide and loss and speaks on the invitations of grief.  Jasmin is the founder of Fall Up, a community driven platform that brings people together to navigate the spectrum of grief. 

In the span of a few months, Katie Huey’s father died, her husband lost his job, and she also found herself in a work transition.  Katie’s story begs the question:  when it seems like everything is crashing down, what can you do?  Can you learn to cultivate gratitude, even in the midst of disruption?  What is the difference between self-care and self-nurture?  And what should you expect from a work environment when things fall apart? 

Sheri Alexander works as the Chief Strategy Officer at Gregory & Appel Insurance…and she received news of her breast cancer on her way into a client meeting.  In this episode, Sheri tells her story of managing the demands of work, marriage, and parenting in the midst of fighting cancer.  Sheri shares her coping mechanism of “putting things on the shelf”, imparts a host of helpful local resources, and reflects on how she now gives support in the workplace as a result of her diagnosis. 

How supportive and inclusive is your organization to the needs of single parents?  As her son fought for his life, Bre got a phone call from her company that changed everything.  She shares her reflections on empathy, gendered expectations, and the particular challenges facing single parents.

Miscarriage is all too common and it is difficult to talk about.  If care is given, it is usually directed towards a grieving mother.  Yet, what about the father?  When men are overlooked in the grieving process, what is the cost?  How can you give meaningful support to both parents?  In part two of the series on miscarriage and infant loss, Matt and Jenny Kistler share their story.  

In 21st century America, it is easy to assume that every pregnancy results in a happy, healthy baby.  Yet, as many as one in four pregnancies ends in miscarriage.  The path through infant loss is complex; how can you support someone well?  In the first of a two-part series, Rachel Pritz discusses miscarriage, stillbirth, and post-traumatic growth.

This week, we talk about divorce, single parenting, depression and planning to kill yourself.  We talk about addiction, alcohol and the courage it takes to get sober.  David Mills offers deep wisdom to men and women that are in the midst of dark times as well as to those that support them. 

How can you create cadences of care within your organization?  What does it look like to have everyone invested, actively supporting hurting employees?  Gale Nichols works at the Kelley School of Business and she played an important part in my own story of loss.  Gale shares about the death of her father as well as how she created a culture of proactive care in her role as the Director of Student Services and Global Programs. 

Responsibilities at work, stress about money, anxiety manifested in physical ailments, what happens when the pressure reaches a boiling point?  Drew Kincius talks about the scary night when it all became too much, when he tried to walk into traffic. His journey towards stability, with the help of his community, offers perspective to people on the edge of overwhelm.  If you work with or care for someone coping with anxiety, this episode is for you.