How do we continue to embrace life while caring for the people we love?

In this heartfelt episode of Life in the A-Zone, Peggy Sweeney-McDonald welcomes longtime friend, film industry professional, and creative inspiration Lisa Annitti for a conversation about friendship, caregiving, creativity, and choosing joy.

Lisa shares her funny food story, A Coconut Pie and a Bottle of Wine" that inspired Peggy's show and book, Meanwhile, Back at Café du Monde...Life Stories About Food.

Together, Peggy and Lisa discuss caring for aging parents, the importance of caregiving advocates, and Lisa's experience supporting her 94-year-old mother from across the country. They also explore why caregivers shouldn't put their own dreams on hold, including Lisa's decision to take a solo long weekend to Paris—a beautiful reminder that we all deserve moments of adventure, renewal, and joy.

Lisa's message is simple but powerful: "Go. Don't stop yourself from doing the things that bring you joy."

• The true story behind Meanwhile, Back at Café du Monde...
• How Lisa's coconut pie and a bottle of wine story inspired Peggy's live show and book
• The power of lifelong friendship
• Navigating long-distance caregiving for aging parents
• Why caregiving advocates can make all the difference
• Finding the courage to keep traveling, dreaming, and living while caregiving
• How to find joy—even in life's "meanwhile" moments

#friendship #foodstories #solotravel #paris #caregiving #agingparents #roadtrips #findingjoy #family #assistedliving #creativity #author #caregiversupport #podcast #beignets #lifeintheazone #meanwhilebackatcafedumonde #cafedumonde #pinkcloudmoments

In this episode of Life in the A-Zone, I sit down with author, podcaster, and caregiving advocate Jennifer Fink for a heartfelt conversation about the realities of long-term caregiving. Together, we discuss balancing work and family responsibilities, navigating the caregiving fog that so many caregivers experience, advocating for loved ones, and the importance of caring for ourselves along the way.

We also explore the often-overlooked season that follows caregiving—the healing, rediscovery, and adjustment that come after our loved ones are gone. Jennifer shares wisdom gained through years of caregiving experience, offering practical insights, encouragement, and hope for anyone walking this journey.

Whether you are currently caring for a loved one, supporting a caregiver, or finding your footing after loss, this conversation reminds us that we are not alone.

Connect with Jennifer Fink:

• Dementia Decoded Substack
• Dementia Decoded Podcast (Apple & Spotify)
• YouTube
• Instagram
• Facebook
• LinkedIn

#dementia #alzheimers #caregiving #caregivingjourney #brainhealth #griefandloss #podcasthost #agingparents #alzheimerssupport #familycaregiver #JenniferFink #dementiadecoded #memorycare #lifeintheAzone #dementia #dogstory #author

Host Peggy Sweeney-McDonald welcomes author Jen Allee to Life in the A-Zone to discuss her new book, When Waiting Feels Like Withholding: Trusting God When You Doubt His Goodness.

In this heartfelt conversation, Peggy and Jen explore seasons of waiting, wrestling with doubt and fear, the power of journaling, and the small Pink Cloud Moments of grace that help sustain hope along the way.

Jen shares how years of magazine writing eventually became the chapters of her book, practical ways to trust God in times of uncertainty, and encouragement for anyone navigating life's in-between seasons. Together, they reflect on faith, perseverance, and the reminder that whatever we are waiting for, God is waiting with us.

About Jen Allee

Jen Allee is an engaging storyteller who loves to weave a good story into a great truth. She is the author of When Waiting Feels Like Withholding: Trusting God When You Doubt His Goodness.

Learn more about Jen and her work at: www.jenallee.com

Purchase When Waiting Feels Like Withholding: Trusting God When You Doubt His Goodness on Amazon.

#LifeInTheAZone #JenAllee #WhenWaitingFeelsLikeWithholding #PinkCloudMoments #FaithInTheInBetween #Journaling #HopeInTheWaiting #AuthorInterview #Faith